Father, we follow and we worship one who one day looked over his shoulder somehow like an ordinary man and said,

before Abraham was, I am.

And therefore, we have no reason to shirk but to be obedient.

And so God Grant, I pray that as I try to unfold some of the pain and some of the joy of ministry,

you would call us to this kind of total confidence in the train of

great I am.

I ask this in Jesus' name,

amen.

Would you open your Bible if you have one

to 2nd Timothy chapter 4 and I'll read verses 9

through 22.

And we'll look at some of the most beautiful

and some of the saddest words in the Bible

that are intended, I think, to establish you in your mission or your ministry.

2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 9

do your best to come to me soon

for Demas in love with this present world has deserted me and gone to Thessal Nica

Creas has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and

bring him with you, for he is very useful for me, to me, for ministry.

Ticicus, I have sent to Ephesus, when you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books and above all the

parchment.

Alexander the Copper Smith did me great harm.

...