## The Promise

## II Timothy 1:1-2

Promises are very important to us. Children are quick to remind us of promises made and then broken. "But you promised…" is a phrase that is heard often by parents. When my wife and I were dating, I wanted to express my love and commitment to her, so I bought her a sweetheart ring or promise ring…meaning that I promised my love to her and her alone. Later she received an engagement ring that represented another promise of sorts. Then on July 18, 1970, I stood before her and a host of family and friends and made another promise to her. I recently read a cartoon where a wife asks her husband, "We have been married a long time, when do we get to the 'for richer' part?" Promises are important aren't they?

'The Promise' is a popular title. A quick check of the internet found that there are twelve albums, seven songs, six books, two plays, one band, three television shows, eight movies, and there will be at least one sermon by that title. So obviously some clarification is necessary as we begin this morning; the promise that I refer to is the same one that the Apostle Paul spoke of when writing to Timothy.

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)

I. The Description of that Promise. v1

A. It is a promise of life.

1. Not simply physical existence, because we have that naturally.

2. But we have in view here something quite different.

3. Here Paul is talking about eternal life…life everlasting.

a. So by definition, it is a life that cannot end.

b. Eternal and everlasting means just that!

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. (1 John 2:25)

c. Did you get that this morning? He, God the Father, promises us eternal life.

d. How can we receive this wonderful promise?

e. Note the very next phrase in our text.

B. It is in Christ Jesus.

1. Not in ourselves…

2. Not in the church…

3. Not in this world…

4. It is in the person of Jesus Christ!

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

5. How do we get 'in Christ'?

a. By faith

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)

b. Believing in Christ

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)

c. Not head knowledge, but heart faith.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

d. No faith = no promise of life!

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

II. The Ingredients of that Promise v2

A. There is Grace

1. Grace is what God gives us that we do not deserve -- all the fullness of blessing that is ours without any effort whatsoever on our part.

2. Grace speaks of the forgiveness of sins.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)

3. What a marvelous thing that is!

4. Because of the death of Jesus as our substitute, God lifts the load of guilt and forgives our transgressions.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Psalms 32:1)

5. You ask me why I'm happy and here's the reason why, because my sins are gone!

6. Every day we can start with a fresh, new sheet because of the forgiveness of our sins.

B. Then there is Mercy

1. The difference between mercy and grace is grace gives us what we do not deserve, while mercy withholds what we deserve.

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:22)

2. God's mercy is demonstrated by His compassion toward us.

3. Compassion is best described as love in action.

4. It is what moved Jesus to act during His earthly ministry.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14)

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. (Mark 1:41)

5. Thank God for the promise of His mercy!

C. Finally there is Peace

1. Peace is that inner sense of well-being when we realize that, no matter how dark it may look, there is a way through the trial.

2. Knowing that Jesus himself is with us and that he is totally in control.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

3. When it seems that our world is crumbling around us, how do we maintain our sanity?

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

4. This is also a part of the promise we have in Christ.

Have you received the promise? Do you know God's grace, mercy, and peace? Have you placed your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary? If not, I invite you to come today without delay. Christian, are we living each moment with the awareness of God's wonderful promise to us? Whatever the need we invite you to come now.