But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 2 Timothy 3:14

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1 Title: Paul Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-2 Opening: As early as 2010, Pastor Scott began to sense that his time at South Charlotte Baptist Church was coming to a close. Before finally announcing his retirement in December of 2012, though, there was one thing that Pastor Scott was most concerned about. He was concerned that South Charlotte Baptist Church #Continue! He had poured almost 25 of his life into this ministry and he did not want to see it go in the direction that churches often go when there is a change in leadership. Here in 2 Timothy, Paul understands the fact that his ministry is quickly coming to a close. He is nearing the end of his life and he knows it. 2 Timothy is the last book which Paul penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. His challenge to young Timothy was simple - #Continue! Paul had faithfully served the Lord for almost 30 years and he was concerned that the message of the Gospel continue! He was concerned that the work which he had given his life to would continue! But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 2 Timothy 3:14 In fact, I believe that all of the apostles were concerned that the work of Christ continue once their lives were finished. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:1-2, 18 The word, #Continue, means To go on after suspension or interruption Have you stopped serving the Lord? Have you sat out to catch your breath? #Continue! To go on or keep on Are you in the race? Are you serving faithfully? Don t stop! #Continue!

2 To last or endure Are you getting tired? Are you getting weary? Keep pressing on! #Continue! To remain in a particular state or capacity Are you being tempted and drawn away by the things of the world? Stay on the straight and narrow! #Continue! To remain in a place; abide; stay "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4 As we #Continue into 2016, let s begin by refreshing our minds about the man who was used of God to pen these words this man by the name of Paul a man who, once he started following Jesus continued to the very end! In 2 Timothy 1:1, Paul introduces himself and I believe that, here at the end of his life, as he put his name on the parchment that he was to give to Timothy, a flood of memories came to his mind some good; some not so good. Memories of who he was and what God had brought him through. 1. Saul. If we are going to look at the life of Paul, we need to start when he was Saul. (Turn to and read Acts 22:1-5.) a. Saul was a very religious man. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. (vs. 3) b. Saul was a very cruel man persecuting and putting to death Christians. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. (vs. 4) c. But Saul was lost a sinner who needed a Savior! (Turn to and read 1 Timothy 1:12-17.)

3 Application: There are often two extremes of individuals: Those who are so religious that they don t recognize that they need to be saved and those who are so wicked that they don t think that they can be saved. I don t care how much Bible you can quote or the fact that your parents have had you in church since before you were born! None of that will pave you a way to eternal life in Heaven. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23 On the other hand, I also don t care how wicked of a life you have lived and neither does God. There is no sin so great that God s grace cannot or will not save you. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 Notice, in 1 Timothy, how Paul share s his testimony And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:12-15 We must each come to terms with the fact that we are a sinner. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

4 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:10-12 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 2. Saul met Jesus Christ. (Turn to and read Acts 9:1-6.) a. On the road to Damascus, Saul came face to face with the Savior Jesus Christ. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Galatians 1:15-16 b. When Saul was confronted with the grace of God, he had to choose how he would respond. He responded, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? (Acts 9:6) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 1:1 c. Paul responded to the promise of life in the same way in which anyone must in faith! For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified [just as if he d never sinned] freely by his grace through the redemption [Christ bought us from our slavemaster Sin] that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [the Payment] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission [forgiveness] of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 3:23-25 Closing: What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be; someday your heart will be asking, What will He do with me? This morning, what will you do with Jesus Christ? Paul had to answer that question and so must you and I. We cannot

5 be neutral. To not make a decision and receive Christ is really a decision to reject Christ!