Stood By Me

2 Timothy 4:16-17 (CEB) · Passing the Flame

“No one took my side at my first court hearing. Everyone deserted me. I hope that God doesn’t hold it against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that the entire message would be preached through me and so all the nations could hear it.” – 2 Timothy 4:16-17 (CEB)

Paul’s last word to Timothy is not “I did it.” It is “The Lord stood by me.”

This is the line the whole series has been building toward. Faith is received. Faith is lived. Faith is passed on. And underneath all three, there is a God who does not leave the room.

Come this morning. Watch the flame catch in younger hands. The Lord who stood by Paul stands by you. Online worship is available at youtube.com/@mcphersonfirst.

Standing-by God, thank you for every moment you have stood by us. Stand by the next generation we love. Pass the flame through us until it reaches the ones still coming. Amen.