Tuesday Night I delivered our second farewell message from 2 Timothy to our students at VT...a few thoughts from the message - these are yanked out of context but still might be useful to share: THE GRACE OF GOD – STRENGTHENED IN THE RIGHT SOURCE

Grace, Grace, Grace – Oh that we might understand, even get a glimpse of the Grace of God. You see to understand grace, one has to understand the depths of the sickness of their own sin. We have to look at our own sin, not someone else’s, with honesty and brokenness. 1 John 1:8-10 says this - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. He saved us from the judgement upon our own sins, He calls us out of darkness to walk with him – to a Holy Calling. Why did God do this? Grace. John Newton was a captain of a slave ship in the 18th century. He was involved in the brutal, inhumane, ungodly slave trade on the West African Coast. Many people do not know much about this man until the hymns of the faith are sung worldwide….Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound that saved a wretch like me…the author of the Hymn, Amazing Grace had this to say:
I commit my soul to my gracious God and Savior, who mercifully spared and preserved me, when I was an apostate, a blasphemer, and an infidel, and delivered me from the state of misery on the coast of Africa into which my obstinate wickedness had plunged me; and who has been pleased to admit me (though most unworthy) to preach his glorious gospel. Richard Cecil, Memoirs of the Rev. John Newton, p. 90
Our sins are various in kind and various in degree, but they are all sin against a good and holy God, deserving of judgment. John Newton Understood Grace. We should never forget what God has done for us in saving you and calling you one of his children. GRACE IS EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING TO THOSE WHO DON’T DESERVE ANYTHING – Our Daily Bread, Sept.-Nov. 1997, page for October 31.

WHAT WE ARE TO DO TO MAKE OURSELVES USEFUL FOR HIS SERVICE

2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions (lusts) and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Flee Something – run away
Pursue Something – but not running to nowhere – but running to somethingMen and women, intentionally, with zeal, with vigor, with dedication, on purpose, with passion, with your time, your energies, your focus, your determination – Pursue! Righteousness, Faith, Love, Peace
With Somebody – Not alone, not isolated
1 Corinthians 15:33 says this Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals. Ain’t that the truth…The exhortation here is to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace "Along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart”
Those who have been made pure by faith in Christ
Those who are a pattern to you
Those who will strengthen you in your convictions
Those who will laugh, cry, pray, rejoice with you in the journey

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