Podcast: The spirit of offense, and how we can break it once and for all...
Podcast: The spirit of offense, and how we can break it once and for all...
In this article, we will look at what a spirit of offense looks like in the Bible and in our lives. And how we can knock it out of our lives. So, let’s open our hearts to the Lord and learn from His Word…
I’ve been wanting to talk about the spirit of offense. It’s something that has been burning on my heart for a while.
I have noticed in the past several years how much offense has taken place in the church, relationships, politics, and notably the worst… social media.
I have experienced it firsthand. I know I have offended people and been offended. And there is a good chance you have to. Unless you live like a hermit in the mountains.
Listen to more about this on today's broadcast...
Listen to the Remnant Channel on Roku TV or at www.TheRemnantChannel.com
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Fixed audio: Sunday Service: "Why we NEED to catch FISH!"
Website: www.PastorTodd.org
To give, please go to www.ToddCoconato.com/give
The phrase “fishers of men” was spoken by Jesus when He was calling two of His disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, to follow Him. “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:16–18; see also Matthew 4:19).
The idea behind fishing is to know the fish you are looking for and attract it so you can make the catch. To catch a fish we must know what equipment to use, the habitat and depth of the water we are fishing in, as well as the kind of bait the fish will go after. After we understand everything we need for real fishing, then how do we relate that to being fishers of men?
God asks us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). Just as we need equipment to be fishermen, we need equipment to be fishers of men. Putting on the armor of God is one way to be ready at all times with everything we need (Ephesians 6:10–18). Especially important are the shield of faith with which we ward off the opposition from demonic forces who don’t want to see men saved by the gospel of Christ (v. 16) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (v. 17). Without these two pieces of spiritual equipment, we will find fishing for men’s souls impossible.
Not only must we have the armor of God as our equipment, but we must also know the fish we are trying to catch. Knowing the lost condition of the people around us will help us to understand that, no matter how good we are at fishing, we will never “catch” the fish on our own. No reasoned argument will convert the soul of a darkened mind, because “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). But God can and frequently does penetrate the darkness with the glorious gospel, and He uses us to do it. He knows which “fish” are His; therefore, we are to seek His wisdom and His guidance on all our fishing expeditions. Prayer is essential.
Lastly we must offer the only effective net—the gospel of Jesus Christ. To those who are perishing, the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). The gospel message has the power to change lives, shine light into darkness, and deliver evil men from hell. There is power in no other message and no other “net” can catch the fish of God. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). This was Jesus’ message to Peter and Andrew—follow Me, learn of Me, know and understand My mission and My message. Only then will you be able to be fishers of men.
Listen to the Remnant Channel on Roku TV or at www.TheRemnantChannel.com
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SERMON ONLY: Sunday Service: "Why we NEED to catch FISH!"
Sunday Service: "Why we NEED to catch FISH!"
Website: www.PastorTodd.org
To give, please go to www.ToddCoconato.com/give
The phrase “fishers of men” was spoken by Jesus when He was calling two of His disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, to follow Him. “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:16–18; see also Matthew 4:19).
The idea behind fishing is to know the fish you are looking for and attract it so you can make the catch. To catch a fish we must know what equipment to use, the habitat and depth of the water we are fishing in, as well as the kind of bait the fish will go after. After we understand everything we need for real fishing, then how do we relate that to being fishers of men?
God asks us to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). Just as we need equipment to be fishermen, we need equipment to be fishers of men. Putting on the armor of God is one way to be ready at all times with everything we need (Ephesians 6:10–18). Especially important are the shield of faith with which we ward off the opposition from demonic forces who don’t want to see men saved by the gospel of Christ (v. 16) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (v. 17). Without these two pieces of spiritual equipment, we will find fishing for men’s souls impossible.
Not only must we have the armor of God as our equipment, but we must also know the fish we are trying to catch. Knowing the lost condition of the people around us will help us to understand that, no matter how good we are at fishing, we will never “catch” the fish on our own. No reasoned argument will convert the soul of a darkened mind, because “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). But God can and frequently does penetrate the darkness with the glorious gospel, and He uses us to do it. He knows which “fish” are His; therefore, we are to seek His wisdom and His guidance on all our fishing expeditions. Prayer is essential.
Lastly we must offer the only effective net—the gospel of Jesus Christ. To those who are perishing, the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). The gospel message has the power to change lives, shine light into darkness, and deliver evil men from hell. There is power in no other message and no other “net” can catch the fish of God. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). This was Jesus’ message to Peter and Andrew—follow Me, learn of Me, know and understand My mission and My message. Only then will you be able to be fishers of men.
Listen to the Remnant Channel on Roku TV or at www.TheRemnantChannel.com
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Help us fund the operation here: www.ToddCoconato.com/give
Get up-to-the-minute news here: www.Remnant.News
Download our new app at www.ToddCoconato.com/app
Follow Pastor Todd here: www.toddcoconato.com/findme
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Pastor Todd Coconato and Mike Adams tackle Christian controversies..
Pastor Todd Coconato and Mike Adams tackle Christian controversies...
Pastor Todd Coconato and Mike Adams tackle Christian controversies and spiritual SOLUTIONS for Humanity
- Why America faces a SPIRITUAL obstacle, not simply a political one
- Parallels between pre-trib RAPTURE interpretations and "Q" movement
- Why do Christians bicker over tiny details instead of showing solidarity against Satan?
- Vaccines and the Church - how pastors were hoodwinked by genocidal science
- Angels, divine intervention, and living in alignment with God
- Is it more difficult to be a Christian today than a generation ago?
Listen to the Remnant Channel on Roku TV or atwww.TheRemnantChannel.com
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Help us fund the operation here:www.ToddCoconato.com/give
Get up-to-the-minute news here:www.Remnant.News
Download our new app atwww.ToddCoconato.com/app
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Go to our store for special deals for Remnant Warriors here:https://remnant.news/hanews/deals-for-remnant-warriors/
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Guest: Pastor Shane Idleman -- "Rend The Heavens"
Guest: Pastor Shane Idleman -- "Rend The Heavens"
Pastor Shane Idleman is the Senior Pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship which is located in Leona Valley, California.
His website is www.ShaneIdleman.com and also www.westsidechristianfellowship.org.
Thank you for tuning into today's broadcast. Our sponsor for this show is www.earthechofoods.com/todd. They have amazing superfoods and will also give you an additional 15% off if you use the promo code "TODD". Please check out their amazing products and help support this broadcast.
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Help us fund the operation here: www.ToddCoconato.com/give
Get up-to-the-minute news here: www.Remnant.News
Download our new app at www.ToddCoconato.com/app
Follow Pastor Todd here: www.toddcoconato.com/findme
Go to our store for special deals for Remnant Warriors here: https://remnant.news/hanews/deals-for-remnant-warriors/
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Live-catch up & Q & A
Live-catch up & Q & A
Visit our one-stop #Remannt Hub site for everything Remnant and all that we are up to at www.PastorTodd.org
To help us in our mission please visit www.ToddCoconato.com/give
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Hurricane Ian Damage in Florida...
56 minutes of footage of the damage done in Florida from Hurricane Ian. Quite remarkable to watch...
For information on ministries that are helping in clean-up efforts, please visit our article on Remnant News HERE: https://remnant.news/.../florida-hurricane-relief-update.../
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Pastor Todd Coconato and Mike Adams discuss the "REMNANT WARRIORS" that will rebuild civilization
The original interview is posted here: https://www.brighteon.com/eedd4d44-7fed-4219-bc17-5ff5accb524e
To support our work, please go to www.toddcoconato.com/give
Pastor Coconato was transformed by God after growing up on the Hollywood scene
- Survived a brutal street stabbing that should have killed him
- The aware, informed Americans are the "Remnant Warriors" for Christ
- We shall rebuild society in the image of God, after the collapse of this corrupt, demonic system
- It's never too late to be SAVED
- Don't wait around for the Rapture - GET IN THE GAME
- God wants you to be active in spreading His word and uplifting others
- Reach him at PastorTodd.org
- He has a show each Sunday on Brighteon.TV at 12 noon Eastern
For more updates, visit: http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport
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Censorship Mania - Todd Coconato - Hollywood and Beyond
The original video is HERE: https://rumble.com/c/BeautyforAshes
Censorship is happening at an alarming rate. Particularly against those who are speaking the Truth and Morals of the Bible. Todd Coconato joined us back in the studio to discuss what it's like to speak the truth in a world that doesn't acknowledge 'truth' anymore. He grew up as a Hollywood actor and is now a pastor impacting the lives of many!
The Todd Coconato Show -https://rumble.com/c/c-299595
Todd on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/RealToddCoconato
Todd's Website -https://toddcoconato.com/
Remnant News -https://remnant.news/hanews/
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Help us fund the operation here:www.ToddCoconato.com/give
Get up-to-the-minute news here:www.Remnant.News
Download our new app atwww.ToddCoconato.com/app
Follow Pastor Todd here:www.toddcoconato.com/findme
Go to our store for special deals for Remnant Warriors here:https://remnant.news/hanews/deals-for-remnant-warriors/
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Lions & Generals Guest: Cristina Baker
His Glory Presents: Lions & Generals EP.17 - featuring Cristina Baker
Cristina's website is here: https://cristinabaker.com/
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Help us fund the operation here: www.ToddCoconato.com/give
Get up-to-the-minute news here: www.Remnant.News
Download our new app at www.ToddCoconato.com/app
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Go to our store for special deals for Remnant Warriors here: https://remnant.news/hanews/deals-for-remnant-warriors/
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Stabbed 9 Times, Met God, & Returned with Urgent Message
Stabbed 9 Times, Met God, & Returned with Urgent Message...
Listen to this testimony!
www.PastorTodd.org
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"REAL TALK-- Be Set Up For Success!" Sunday Service @ The Remnant
Thank you for tuning into Sunday Service @ The Remnant with Pastor Todd Coconato. We are so glad you are here today!
In today's service, Pastor Todd will talk some very "real talk" about why we are to truly be set apart and understand the importance of closing open doors in our lives. It's not because Christians have a bunch of "rules" it's because God wants us to thrive and be successful both in this world and for eternity. This is an important and now message for the Body of Christ!
Tune into this Sunday service at The Remnant!
To contact or support this ministry, please go to www.PastorTodd.org or www.ToddCoconato.com/give
We love you and bless you in Jesus name!
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Lions & Generals: Andrew Brunson "Why we need to prepare our hearts and minds for what is coming"
Lions & Generals: Andrew Brunson "Why we need to prepare our hearts and minds for what is coming"
To help this ministry fight and stand, please go to www.ToddCoconato.com/give
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Harvest Revival Center with His Glory Resistance Chicks for the Save America Revival Tour
Powerful time in Brookville, Ohio at the Harvest Revival Center with His Glory Resistance Chicks for the Save America Revival Tour yesterday! We saw God move in so many ways! Many people were baptized and there were several who received healings! God is on the move and there is a great harvest of souls! America shall be saved! #RemnantRising #HisGlory #SaveAmerica #JesusIsKing
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Lions & Generals EP.15 - featuring Nick Searcy and Chris Burgard
Lions & Generals EP.15 - featuring Nick Searcy and Chris Burgard
Original post is here: https://hisglory.me/lions-and-generals/
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Help us fund the operation here:www.ToddCoconato.com/give
Get up-to-the-minute news here:www.Remnant.News
Download our new app atwww.ToddCoconato.com/app
Follow Pastor Todd here:www.toddcoconato.com/findme
Go to our store for special deals for Remnant Warriors here:https://remnant.news/hanews/deals-for-remnant-warriors/
Hollywood Actor and Director, Nick Searcy, joins Lions & Generals to discuss the lies and misconceptions being spread about the January 6th "Insurrection", by the media. The events on January 6th, as tragic as they have been portrayed, have been exaggerated greatly and wrongfully compared to the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11th, 2001. Both Nick and Chrissie were in Washington DC at and around the Capital on January 6th and have a very different viewpoint of what transpired from their observations.
Listen to this important broadcast about what happened.
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Full service : Sunday Service "Finishing Well" 9/25/2022
Sunday Service "Finishing Well"
Finishing well: Notes for this Sunday's service.
(2 Timothy 4 6-8 verses for this teaching)
Let’s face it: starting well is relatively easy. Finishing well is a different matter! Starting that new diet or exercise program is kind of fun, but hanging in over the long haul is the real test. Getting married is exciting and relatively easy. Staying married through struggles, adjustments, and trials is not always an easy matter.
The same is true of the Christian life. Becoming a Christian is relatively easy: acknowledge to God that you are a sinner and receive by faith the free gift of eternal life that Christ provided by His shed blood. You cannot work for salvation nor do anything to qualify for it. God gives it freely to all that recognize their need and trust in Christ alone.
But then comes the hard part—hanging in there as a Christian in a world that is hostile towards God and His people. The world constantly dangles in front of you all that it has to offer in opposition to the things of God.
From within, the flesh entices you to forsake Christ and gratify your sinful desires. The enemy hits you with temptation after temptation. The real test of your faith is, will you endure? Genuine faith in Christ perseveres to the finish line.
The Christian life is a marathon, not a 100-yard dash. Since finishing a marathon well is not easy, when you see a man who sprints across the finish line, you ought to try to find out his secret. The apostle Paul was such a man. It’s as if he has crossed the finish line with energy to spare. He jogs back to where Timothy seems to be losing steam and exhorts him to keep running well.
In the Bible, it is clear that Paul is looking death in the face. His words must have caused Timothy to burst into tears when he first read them. And, these words must have sobered Timothy with the reality that Paul had handed off the baton to him. Now, he had to finish well.
Paul’s words are not those of a discouraged, broken old man. There is no despair, no defeat, no cynicism, and no fear as he faces imminent execution. His calm assurance is all the more startling when you consider his circumstances. He was in the Mamertine Prison in Rome. Even the worst of our prisons today would be like the Hilton in comparison to the Mamertine. Paul’s cell was a dark, damp dungeon, reached only by a rope or ladder from a hole in the floor above. He had no windows, no lights, no toilet, no furniture, and no running water.
As Paul sat on the hard floor in the cold darkness, enduring the stench of his own urine and excrement, the circumstances outside were not encouraging. Many seemed to be turning away from the aged apostle, and even from the faith, following false teachers. Paul had labored for the past thirty years or more to preach the gospel around the Roman Empire, but at this point, it was at best a tiny sect, scattered here and there. Paul was not the world-famous apostle, appearing on TV talk shows, and autographing books, with invitations pouring in from around the world for him to speak.
And yet, the man was clearly at rest, confident in the way he has spent his life, and calmly assured as he faces death by decapitation.
What does the apostle have to teach us about finishing well? Note that verse 6 speaks about Paul’s present: “I am.” Verse 7 refers to his past: “I have.” Verse 8 begins, “In the future…”
To finish well, keep in focus Paul’s view of the present, the past, and the future.
1. To finish well, keep in focus Paul’s view of the present (4:6).
Three key words here will help us finish well: reproduction, sacrifice, and departure.
A. REPRODUCTION: PAUL COULD FINISH WELL BECAUSE HE HAD REPRODUCED HIMSELF IN OTHERS.
In the Greek text, verse 6 begins with the emphatic pronoun “I,” which contrasts with the “you” of verse 5, along with the connective “for.” The flow of thought is this: “Timothy, you preach the Word even in the face of opposition because I am about to die. I’m handing you the torch to carry!”
Dying is easier when you know that you’re leaving behind a number of people who can carry on with Christ because of your influence. Each of us needs to ask ourselves, “Am I working on that task?” I am talking about obeying Jesus’ Great Commission, to make disciples of others. That Commission applies to every Christian at some level. If you know Christ as Savior and are walking with Him, then He calls you to make disciples of others.
You can begin at home. Every Christian parent ought to be waging an all-out campaign to train up his or her children to know Christ and walk with Him. It doesn’t happen by accident. It begins by setting the example: you must walk in reality with Jesus Christ if you want to impart that to your kids. Beyond that, dads, are you taking the time to read the Bible and pray with your family? Are you making sure that your family gathers with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s day for worship and teaching? Do you talk openly at home about spiritual things? Do you apply God’s Word when there are tensions or trials on the home front?
Beyond your immediate family, you ought to have a vision for reproducing yourself in the lives of others. Godly men should be handing off the faith to younger men in the faith (2 Tim. 2:2). Godly women should be training younger women in the things of God (Titus 2:3-5). When you’re gone, there should be others who will carry on with Christ because of your influence.
B. SACRIFICE: PAUL COULD FINISH WELL BECAUSE HE VIEWED HIS LIFE AS AN OFFERING TO GOD.
Paul did not view his execution as a cruel tragedy or as unfair treatment in view of his many years of dedicated service. Rather, he saw it as the culminating offering of a sacrificial life. After the sacrificial lamb had been placed on the altar, and just before it was lit on fire, the priest poured out on it about a quart of wine (Num. 28:7). It was the final sacrifice poured out on the existing sacrifice. That was how Paul viewed his own death. His whole life had been a living sacrifice presented unto God. Now, his death would be the drink offering poured on top of that (Phil. 2:17).
This means that to finish well, you need to view all of your life as an act of sacrificial worship to God. As Paul put it (Rom. 12:1), “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” You don’t serve Christ in order to get praise and acclaim from others. You serve Christ as an act of worship towards Him. If others turn away from you or badmouth you (as they were doing toward Paul), or if your earthly reward for a lifetime of dedicated service is to get your head cut off, it’s okay, because all of your life has been an offering to God.
This also means that to finish well, you view yourself as expendable in God’s service. Here is the great apostle to the Gentiles, the man who did more for the spread of the gospel than any other man in church history. His influence was incalculable. Yet he could finish well because he saw himself as expendable, a drink offering. In language similar to our text, Paul told the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:24), “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” If you have inflated notions of your own importance, you will not finish well. All of us should view ourselves and all of our service as a sacrificial offering to God.
C. DEPARTURE: PAUL COULD FINISH WELL BECAUSE HE VIEWED HIS IMPENDING DEATH AS A DEPARTURE.
“The time of my departure has come” (4:6). In the Bible, death is never cessation of existence, but rather, a separation of the soul from the body. It is departure. The Greek word that Paul used was a vivid one. It was used to describe the unyoking of an animal from a plow or cart. Death means the end of our labors and toils in this life. It was also used for loosening the bonds of a prisoner. Death is a release from the bonds of this corruptible body. It was also used for loosening the ropes of a soldier’s tent. This suggests that at death, the battle is over, victory is won, and we are headed home. The word was also used for loosening the mooring ropes of a ship. At death our earthly ship leaves the shores of this stormy earth and puts in at the always-calm port of heaven. (These examples are in William Barclay, The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon [Westminster Press], revised edition, p. 209.)
If you have Paul’s view of death as departure, you will be able to finish without fear and even with anticipation, knowing that to depart and be with Christ is much better (Phil. 1:23). You will be able to say with him (Phil. 1:21), “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” So to finish well, keep in focus Paul’s view of the present: present ministry is reproduction; present life is a sacrifice to God; and, impending death is a departure to be with Christ.
2. To finish well, keep in focus Paul’s view of the past (4:7).
Paul was able to look back on his past in Christ and say confidently that he had done well. He is not implying that there had not been mistakes or times of discouragement—of course there had been. But through all of the problems and trials, Paul had stayed in the race. He could say, “I’ve done what God called me to do!” To be able to join Paul in saying that at the end of our lives, we must be able to make his three statements in verse 7:
A. “I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT” (4:7A).
When you come to the end of your life, will you be able to look back and say, “I have been involved in the struggle for the cause of Christ”? Paul is using an athletic metaphor, either of a wrestling match or a race. It conveys that the Christian life is not a Sunday School picnic, but rather, a struggle against the forces of evil. It is not just any fight, but the good fight, the fight of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Can you say, “I am currently involved in the struggle for the cause of Christ?” Let me help you answer that question. You cannot say so if you are living primarily for your own comfort and affluence, spending your time and money on your pursuit of the American dream. You may attend church every week. You may profess to know Christ as your Savior. But if your purpose in life is to be as comfortable and affluent as you can be, then you are not seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. You’re not involved in the struggle for the cause of Christ.
If, on the other hand, you live for the purpose of building up the body of Christ and extending His kingdom through your labors, your time, and your money, in accordance with the gifts and opportunities that God has given you, then you are involved in that struggle. What a fulfilling thing when it comes time to die, to look back on your past and be able to say, “I’ve been involved in that great struggle for the cause of Christ!”
B. “I HAVE FINISHED THE COURSE” (4:7B).
“I have not dropped out of the race.” Paul is referring to a long race. The word “marathon” comes from a geographic place where a decisive battle took place between Greece and Persia in 490 B.C. If the Persians had won, world history would have been much different. The glories of ancient Greece would not have happened. The legend is that after the battle, a Greek soldier ran the distance from Marathon to Athens (21-25 miles, depending on his route) with the news of the victory, and then fell dead. Based on that legend, the modern marathon race began between Marathon and Athens in the 1896 Olympics, and was lengthened to the present 26.2 miles in the 1908 Olympics.
We all know those who began the Christian life with a flourish of activity and enthusiasm. Maybe they even went into full-time ministry. But when trials and disappointments hit, they dropped out. Sometimes, we need to take a break from serving to be refreshed and renewed. But then we need to get back in the race. Of course, we never should take a break from walking with the Lord.
I’ve never ran a marathon, but I know that there’s no such thing as an easy marathon. We need to get out of our heads that the Christian life is all glory and effortless bliss. There is joy, but there also are many trials that require endurance (Acts 14:22). So make up your mind to hang in with the Lord through the tough times, so that you can look back at the end and say with Paul, “I have finished the course.”
C. “I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH” (4:7C).
“I have guarded the truth about Christ.” Several times in these letters to Timothy, Paul has talked about “the deposit” that Timothy is to guard (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:12, 14). He was referring to the truth of the gospel, the core doctrines of the Christian faith. When Paul says that he has kept the faith, he means that he has carefully guarded the truth about Jesus Christ that God had entrusted to him. He had not bought into any of the many errors about Christ that were circulating in his day. His life and his teaching had held to sound doctrine.
You can’t keep a faith that you are unclear about. To be able to look back on your life and echo Paul’s words, “I have kept the faith,” you need to be clear on the essentials of that faith. It is just as much under attack in our day as it was in Paul’s day. So sink down some roots in sound doctrine. Know what you believe so that you are not tossed around by all of the winds of false doctrine.
Thus Paul could finish well because he could look at his present: he saw his present ministry as reproduction, his present life as a sacrifice, and his impending death as departure. He could look at his past: he saw that he had been involved in the struggle for the cause of Christ, he had not dropped out of the race, and he had guarded the truth of the gospel. But he also looked to the future:
3. To finish well, keep in focus Paul’s view of the future (4:8).
Paul could finish well in spite of his dismal circumstances because he had secure hope for the future. There are two aspects of Paul’s future hope:
A. PAUL COULD FINISH WELL BECAUSE HE HOPED TO MEET THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE.
You may think that that sounds more like dread than hope! While there ought to be an element of awe and fear when we think of standing before the Lord, the prevailing emotion that we should have is expectant hope. The world, if they even think about standing before the righteous Judge, should be filled with dread. But Christians should love His appearing. Here’s why: Paul wrote (Rom. 8:1), “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Jesus said (John 5:24) that the one who believes in Him “does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” Salvation is God’s free gift given by His grace apart from any merit on our part. If your trust is in Jesus Christ as Savior, you do not need to fear the final judgment.
The reason that you will not be condemned on judgment day is not because you have earned it by being a good person. Rather, it is that by His death on the cross, Jesus Christ satisfied God’s perfect righteousness. When you trusted in Him, God imputed Christ’s righteousness to your account (Rom. 3:21-26). That hope of meeting the Lord, the righteous Judge, who will welcome us into heaven on the basis of His perfect righteousness, should help us now to run the race with endurance.
B. PAUL COULD FINISH WELL BECAUSE HE LIVED IN VIEW OF THAT DAY.
It is difficult to interpret what Paul means by “the crown of righteousness.” Is this a special reward given only to some believers who have lived especially righteous lives, but not to all? Or, is it the reward of eternal righteousness, given to all believers, who have already been justified by faith?
In favor of the view that it is a special reward is that the word “crown” refers to the wreath that was given to the victor in the games. Not all received this crown, but only those who won (1 Cor. 9:24-25; 2 Tim. 2:5). The Bible teaches that while salvation is a free gift, God will reward us on the basis of our service for Him (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10), and these rewards will differ among believers. Some will have their works burned up, because they were not founded upon Christ, but they will be saved yet so as through fire. Others will receive a reward for their works (1 Cor.3: 10-15).
In favor of the view that the crown of righteousness is given to all believers is that the phrase, “all who have loved His appearing,” seems to be a description of all believers. In this sense, it would be parallel to the crown of life that is given to all who love Christ (James 1:12). If Christ has saved you by shedding His blood for your sins, you long for the day when you will see Him.
Perhaps Paul’s meaning here is simply that even though his earthly judge (the evil Nero) had wrongly condemned him, he knew that the righteous Judge would vindicate him when he stood before Him. This is the third time that Paul has used “that day” in this letter (1:12, 18). Clearly, he lived in view of that day, when he would stand before Christ. So should we. The fact that we will stand before the Lord, the righteous Judge, on that day should motivate us to live righteously on this day.
I read of a journalist who was in charge of the obituaries. One day when he didn’t have any deaths to record, he put a sheet of blank paper in his typewriter and wrote his own name at the top. He then found himself writing his own obituary: “I have been a good husband and a fine father. I have contributed to a number of worthy causes. I have left a reputation of absolute integrity. My friends are many.” By the time he had finished the page, he had already committed himself to the task of living up to his own obituary (told by Robert Mounce, Pass it On [Regal Books], p. 153).
Conclusion
Perhaps your circumstances seem pretty dismal today. Maybe you’re considering dropping out of the Christian race. From his dungeon, the aged apostle calls out to you: “Don’t quit! Keep going! You can finish well!
“Keep in focus my view of the present: You can reproduce yourself in others to carry the torch after you. View your life as a sacrifice to God. Your death will be a departure to be with Christ.
“Keep in focus my view of the past, so that one day it will be your past. You will be able to look back and say that you engaged in the struggle for the cause of Christ. You didn’t drop out of the race! You guarded the truth of the gospel.
“Keep in focus my view of the future. Soon you will stand before the Lord, the righteous Judge, vindicated by His grace. Live in view of that day!”
If you live with Paul’s focus, you will finish well!
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The Resistance Chicks --- "This is what will happen next!!!!"
Guest: "The Resistance Chicks" Leah and Michelle Svensson
The Resistance Chicks are sisters, Leah and Michelle Svensson, who run a suburban farm and homestead in southern Ohio. Through their news commentary broadcast, they want to empower people with tools to stand up against tyranny from every direction. They have a worldwide audience and their goal is to bring real, relevant news, with a side of crazy and laughter to help the red pill go down. They stand for a righteous America, the one our Founding Fathers bled and died for America that the Pilgrims sacrificed everything to gain. Having been both educated via home school and the public school, they seek to utilize their years of study on the history and our founding fathers in hopes of right the revisionist history lies we’ve all been taught through public school indoctrination. They end every show with their saying, “It’s not just a Conspiracy Theory if it’s the Truth” because the truth is stranger than fiction.
Resistance Chicks website: www.resistancechicks.com
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Do "casting couches" exist? -- Expose' of Hollywood by former actor...
Do "casting couches" exist? Why do child actors get taken into business meetings where parents are not allowed? Are there others like Weinstein out there? The amazing story of a Hollywood actor turned Pastor! Todd Coconato has seen it all in Hollywood! He was a child actor and grew up in the industry.
Original Video HERE: https://rumble.com/v1jtbxt-casting-couches-weinstein-does-it-really-happen.html
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Todd Coconato Website: https://toddcoconato.com/
Remnant News - https://remnant.news/hanews/
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Wednesday Night Livestream with Pastor Todd -- Q & A etc...
Wednesday Night Livestream with Pastor Todd -- Q & A etc...
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This Is My Testimony.
I recently had the honor to share my testimony on the Sid Roth Show. It was a big day in my life, as God is using something that almost killed me, but instead turning it around for His Glory. It reminds me of the scripture that says, "and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose". (Romans 8:28)
GOD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE! He restores what the enemy tried to steal from you and gives you more than you can ever imagine when you put your faith and trust in Him. What He has done for me, He will do for you!
Many times people meet me now, but don't know why I have the fire, passion, and perspective that I do. But, how could I not? I know 100% beyond a doubt that God is real! I had an encounter with Him that I will never forget and cannot ever forget!
If you are able, please watch this clip. It tells my life story.
I greatly appreciate you taking the time to watch. It will give you a much better perspective and understanding as to why I do what I do.
Here is a link to the original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDXseZM9wds&t=7s
I pray this blesses you. ALL GLORY TO GOD!
--Pastor Todd
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From Drugs & Alcohol Abuse...to Revival Meetings…We Sit Down With Pastor D. R. Harrison
Today's Guest is Evangelist/Pastor D.R. Harrison
The Mission is clear.Evangelist DR Harrison strives to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, around the world, to this lost and dying generation.
The Message is clear…THERE IS HOPE! That HOPE is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. This generation is looking for something real, something that will fill that void on the inside…only JESUS can do that!
The Ministry is dedicated to accountability and transparency in everything we do. The Bible says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” – Prov 11:14 Voice of Hope’s ministry advisors are comprised of men from around America who have impeccable reputations, compassion for sinners, and share the same vision and burden as DR Harrison.
D.R. Harrison's Website: https://vohministries.org/
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Breaking: Mike Lindell surrounded by FBI who also seized his cell phone
Breaking: Mike Lindell surrounded by FBI who also seized his cell phone
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The Queen has died. What is the significance? We discuss...
The Queen has died. What is the significance? We discuss...
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Lions & Generals: Pastor Leon Benjamin
Lions & Generals: Pastor Leon Benjamin
Pastor Leon's webiste: https://benjamin4congress.com/
Original episode here: https://hisglory.me/lions-and-generals
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Sunday service 9/4/2022 -- "There Shall Be No Other Gods Before Me"
Sunday service 9/4/2022 -- "There Shall Be No Other Gods Before Me"
God says in His word that there shall be no other gods before Him. This means we cannot make idols of the things of this world. Many of us make idols of things that we don't even realize. Things that we focus on instead of focusing on God and trusting Him. It sounds a lot easier than is it to trust Him though. This is why as believers we learn to discipline ourselves to lay down our fears, doubts, and worries at the foot of the cross. God tells us that, "His yoke is easy and His burden is light". Tune into today's Sunday Service @ The Remnant with Pastor Todd Coconato to learn about how we can lay down any idols this day and walk in complete victory in Jesus Christ!
To support, tithe, contact, or inquire...please visit www.PastorTodd.org or www.ToddCoconato.com/give
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