Confidence When It Really Matters

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This is a sermon that was given on June 26, 2016. It is based on 2 Tim. 1:12 and it relates to the matter of having a confident faith in Christ when we are facing the end of earthly life.

Written Excerpts:

Confidence When It Really Matters

2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV) ¹² For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him until that Day.

Introduction:

Every now and then I have had the opportunity to observe something, either in person or on TV that reminds me of how much confidence the individual(s) must possess in order to accomplish what they accomplish. One example is the occasional opportunity to watch gymnasts going through a routine in competition for the Olympics or some other sporting title. Whenever I watch someone doing handstands, flips, and cartwheels on a narrow balance beam or other routines on the high bar, I am always amazed at the composure and confidence they must possess in order to do what they do.

There is one other situation that I know of which requires even more confidence.

Imagine that you are in prison facing the death penalty for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. You’ve given most of your life traveling to city after city telling the good news and now you’re confined and awaiting the end of life. This is the situation the Apostle Paul found himself in when the 2^nd letter to Timothy was written. (Read earlier in the service.)

Scholars are not in agreement regarding the exact date and timing of this letter, but the words of Paul do indicate that he believes his time is short and his life will soon be over.

2 Timothy 4:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

These words certainly give the impression that Paul knows his life is coming to an end sometime soon.

Going back to chapter 1, the verse I want to draw to your attention today is verse 12. This verse conveys the superior confidence the Apostle Paul possessed when he was facing the soon-coming day of execution.

There are several key elements that contributed to Paul’s confidence when it really mattered. Let’s examine what he says in order to gain an understanding of how we can have the same confidence ourselves.

I. His confidence thrives in spite of his circumstances.

“I suffer these things…I am not ashamed”

He is undoubtedly talking about his imprisonment, which normally would be something to be ashamed about (charged and facing execution for crimes). However, Paul accepted his situation because he was doing God’s will and these kinds of problems were experienced by his Lord and predicted for His disciples.

We American Christians have grown up in a country of tremendous freedom and we don’t really know what Paul’s situation is really like. But times are changing, and we are seeing more and more hostility toward the Christian faith and the people who practice it. We should not be surprised if the cost of living our faith becomes very dear, and we certainly need not be ashamed to stand for Christ no matter the cost!

II. His confidence is unshakeable.

Three key words – “I know…believed…am persuaded”

(Wuest's Word Studies) The [word for] knowledge here is not personal knowledge gained by experience, such as fellowship with God, but a knowledge of what God is in Himself which makes Him absolutely dependable in any circumstances. [So that would be knowledge he obtained by revelation.]

"I have believed," is in the perfect tense in the Greek text. It is in its full meaning, "I have believed with the present result that my faith is a firmly settled one." It is like hammering a nail through a board and clinching it on the other side. It is there to stay….

… "persuaded" is [also] perfect in tense. Paul had come to a settled persuasion regarding the matter and was fixed in an immovable position. [He was completely and totally convinced.]

If you and I are going to have the kind of confidence that Paul had when we are nearing the end of life, we must have a knowledge that is grounded in divine revelation, and we must be fully convinced in our minds and hearts that God’s character, God’s Word, and God’s promises are everlasting.

III. His confidence is based in a person.

“Whom I have believed”

Paul is not confident facing death because of an experience he had on the road to Damascus (blinding light, voice, etc.) He is not confident because he survived brutal beatings and shipwreck. He is not confident because he was schooled by the great teacher, Gamaliel.

Paul is confident because he has a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He knows Him. He understands that it is Christ and Christ alone who will stand by him in the hour of death, just like He stood by him in past trials.

Friends, our confidence cannot be in anything other than a person – Jesus Christ.

It doesn’t matter who the preacher was when you got saved. It doesn’t matter what fantastic feelings you had when the Spirit of God moved upon your heart. It doesn’t matter how many miracles or if any miracles, have taken place in your life. What matters is knowing Christ! Loving Him, serving Him, and obeying Him, all because you have known His love and you love Him in return.

IV. His confidence looks forward into eternity.

“able to keep what I’ve committed against that day”

Able – from same word as the Greek word for “power, strength.” The Almighty God is able to do anything.

Keep – guard, preserve, save; a military term meaning "to guard, defend, keep watch." – Wuest's Word Studies

Committed – Literally, "my deposit," as in a bank, the bank of heaven which no burglar can break (“Lay up treasure in heaven…” Matthew 6:19-20). – Robertson’s Word Pictures in the NT.

What has Paul committed?

Some have taught that Paul is referring to his soul, or simply himself, which he has committed to Christ. The majority of the writers I consulted seem to agree that, based on the context, he is referring more to the preaching of the gospel. Paul has given a lifetime of teaching and preaching the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Based on what others have stated, it seems to me that Christ committed the responsibility of preaching the gospel to Paul, so now Paul seems to be committing the fruits of ministry and his faithfulness to that calling back to the Lord.

Lenski New Testament Commentary  – …he knows the Christ whom he trusts and is persuaded that, despite his imprisonment and expected martyrdom, Christ is able to guard the gospel so that its work shall not be stopped, guard it against that day when this gospel's work will be wholly done. Taken out of Paul's hands at his death, this "my deposit" Christ will guard, place into other hands, ever keep safe….

There was a reason that prompted Paul to say that Christ is able to guard the gospel. Many Christians would cry out at the news of Paul's death: "Now all is lost!" Timothy himself would experience a devastating shock. Calmly, in advance Paul says: "Though I die, Christ will not fail to guard his gospel."

Against that day – the second coming of Christ; the Day of Judgment.

2 Timothy 1:16-18 (KJV) ¹⁶ The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesíphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: ¹⁷ But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. ¹⁸ The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV) ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6 …the time of my departure is at hand.

Paul knew what all of us know… every one of us will experience one of two things: either Christ will return and the time of judgment will come, or we will individually “depart to be with the Lord.” In either case, we need to be ready, and we need to be confident – not in ourselves, but in Him.

Conclusion:

When we talk about having confidence at the end of life, in the day of Christ’s return or on the Day of Judgment, it is a lot more serious than having enough self-confidence to do a cartwheel on a balance beam.

Paul is speaking of matters that will influence our eternal destiny.

Nothing less than a personal knowledge of Christ will be sufficient.

Do you know Him? Are you laying up treasures in heaven for Him?

Let us close by singing, I Know Whom I Have Believed