Forsaken, Yet Strengthened

This is the final message in the series, Gleanings From Timothy. If you, like Paul at the end of his life, find yourself forsaken by everyone but the Lord, stand alone, but do it in a such a manner that brings glory to God, not with bitterness and vindictiveness in your heart. Paul, at the end of his life, makes much of Christ, and little of himself. He warns Timothy that afflictions are his portion in the work of the ministry, and that suffering will be his lot. Let no man enter the ministry who is not willing to partake of the afflictions of the gospel, for only through these afflictions will he gain that knowledge of Christ that comes through the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10). In this, Paul was a burning and a shining light. He knew that he would have to give account of himself and of his ministry. He was able to say, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, even though all had forsaken him. And how like his Savior he is when he prays that the Lord not lay this sin to their charge!