JICC

We're continuing our series on 2 Timothy this Sunday. We will pick it up at the beginning of chapter 2 and focus on what it means to be "strengthened by grace" -- something all of us need to hear and re-hear again and again.

Below is a quote by a British pastor and writer named John Stott. He's been preaching longer than I've been alive; and I wanted you to hear this strong challenge from someone much older and wiser. I meant to read it last week -- and it got a little lost in my excitement.
-- Pastor Russ

The gospel is the good news of salvation, promised from eternity, secured by Christ in time, offered to faith. Our first duty is to communicate this gospel, to use old ways and seek fresh ways of making it known throughout the whole world. If we do so, we shall undoubtedly suffer for it, for the authentic gospel has never been popular. It humbles the sinner too much. And when we are called to suffer for the gospel, we are tempted to trim it, to eliminate those elements which give offense and cause opposition, to mute the notes which jar sensitive contemporary ears. But we must resist the temptation. For, above all we are called to guard the gospel, keeping it pure whatever the cost, and preserving it against corruption. Guard it faithfully. Spread it actively. Suffer for it bravely. This is our three-fold duty in relation to the gospel.