 In the first class today, we began our study on ... Second Timothy chapter 1. We looked at verses 1 to verse 8. ... We'll continue study of ... chapter 1 in Second Timothy. So can somebody please read verses 9 to verse 12 please? First Timothy, Second Timothy chapter 1 verses 9 to 12. Can somebody read verses 9 to 12 please? Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been trivial by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles. Yes, go ahead. Verse 12 also. For this reason, I also suffered these things. Nevertheless, I am not a saint, for I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to him until today. Amen. Thank you, Subashis. So here verse 9, now this is a very powerful and a loaded verse. So much here in just this one verse is saying, if you are saved, you are also called. And what kind of calling are you called into? What does he say? You're called into a holy calling. Yes, so if you're saved, you're called. You're called to this holy calling. So your calling is one of holiness or a call that is morally pure, living a life that is morally pure for him, in him and through Christ Jesus. So God has called us to his own purpose and grace according to his call, his purpose and his grace and not according to our works, our achievements or success. That is very, very important to keep in mind. So God has called us according to his own purpose and grace. He's not called us according to our works, achievements or success. So God has called us to his purpose, which means he has given us the grace to walk in the call and the purpose that he has called us to. And like Paul is mentioning here, this is something that he has already planned even before time began. So if we look at this, he says, you know, not according to works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. And we looked at this even in Romans chapter 8 verse 29. So it's talking about God's full knowledge of things. He's called us to his own calling, purpose and grace even before time began. Verse 10 he says, But now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. So Paul knows that he's going to die soon, but even in that situation he's saying that he knows, you know, that Jesus is his Savior. And why is he saying that here? Because Jesus has, you know, as our Savior Jesus in exchange for the death that he has taken from us, he took our place, he took our death and, you know, he has given us, you know, in exchange he has given us his life. He has given us Zoe life, the eternal life, the God kind of life. And he has given us immortality. What is the meaning of immortality? Immortality means life that is without corruption, you know, and unending existence. So he's saying that he has given us and he's saying, you know, even though I'm going to die, even as death is impending on me, he's saying Jesus is my Savior. And because he's my Savior, you know, I know he has given me life and immortality through the gospel. So the reason why Jesus came, one of the reasons is he came because he is our Savior, you know, he came to reveal the purpose and the grace of God and also he came to fulfill the eternal plan of God. And it is through Jesus that, you know, we are able to understand, you know, God's ways, his plan. We are able to understand the mysteries of the revelation that was, the revelation that was mysterious to us. We were able to understand God, know God in a deeper sense and also to understand and know the plans of God. And one of that is, you know, salvation, the plan of redemption. So he's saying he has abolished, which means he is completely and definitely caused to cease. What has he caused to cease? What has he definitely abolished or completely removed away his death? Okay. And instead of that, he has given us life, eternal, zoe life, the fullness of life. And he's given us immortality through this gospel. Okay. So it's just so wonderful that Paul, even in the situation that he is, instead of being down and dejected, he's looking at things in a more positive way. And, you know, he's looking at things in the, in the, in the, you know, in the right sense. You know, he's looking at it from the place where he seated at the right hand of God in a place of authority. And he's looking at earthly things with a very eternal, mindset, eternal perspective. Okay. We'll move on to verse 11, to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles. So Paul is basically stating his calling, he's saying that God has called him to minister to the Gentiles. And verse 12 he says, for this reason, I also suffer these things. Nevertheless, I'm not ashamed for I know whom I have believed and I'm persuaded that he's able to keep what I've committed to him until that day. Okay. So Paul is saying that even though he's in prison and he's going through suffering and hardship, you know, he's saying he's not ashamed of the gospel. You know, he's saying because of the gospel, it's not because he's done some crime or he's a criminal or he's done something that is wrong that he is put in prison. But he's saying I am put in prison because I am a preacher of the gospel, but I am not ashamed of the gospel. That means he's saying I'm not ashamed to be in change or not ashamed to be in prison because of preaching the gospel. And he's also telling Timothy that a Christian life and the call of a believer and the life of a believer is not exempt from suffering, hardships. It's not exempt from oppositions and persecutions, but that is very part and parcel of our lives. Okay. But he's saying he is not ashamed of the gospel. Now we see that Paul in verse 8 has already, you know, encouraged Timothy not to be ashamed. He says therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of me, his prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings of the gospel according to the power of God. So then he's telling Timothy what he needs. He does not need to be ashamed about, but now Paul is making his own statement on why he is not ashamed to suffer for the sake of the gospel. He's not telling Timothy, hey Timothy, I'm just telling you not to be ashamed, but I'm also telling myself, I'm making an statement on why I am not ashamed to suffer for the sake of the gospel. Okay. So he's mentioning the fact that he's saying that, you know, the fact is that, you know, he's empowered, Paul is empowered supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. And so he states two additional reasons. You know, he says, I know whom I have believed. So he's saying, I know that I believed in God. I know that I believed in Jesus Christ, who is my savior, who is the source of grace, mercy and truth, who is the one who has promised me eternal life and given immortality to me. Okay. So I think this is very, very important for us. You know, even as we are believers who are born again, it's very important to remind ourselves again and again, not only of who we are in Christ, but also who is Christ to us. That truth should be so engraved in our hearts and minds. It's important to know who we are believing in. You know, the God we believe in. Who is this God? What is his nature? What can he do? You know, who he has been to us is something that we should never forget. There's something that should, these truths should come alive when we go through difficulties and challenges and situations. So Paul is saying that, you know, I know, you know, who I believe, I believe in Jesus Christ. He's my savior, and he has promised life and immortality and is also the source of grace, mercy and truth. And then the second additional reason he gives is saying, I know he's able to keep what I have committed to him. Or he's saying, I know, you know, that he's able to guard what I have deposited with him. So he's saying, you know, to protect, safeguard and to keep what I've committed to Christ until that day. Which means, you know, Paul is saying, I have placed my life in his hands, and I know whose hands I've placed my life. I've placed my hands in the hands of the one who's able to keep it. Okay. So the second part of this verse, the second part of this verse 12, you know, can be rendered both ways and can be true in both ways. We can say he's able to guard what has been committed by me to him. And also God is able to guard what has been committed to me by him. Okay. I repeat that God is able to guard what has been committed by me to him and is able to guard what has been committed to me by him. both ways, you know, God is able to do and to be faithful and we can understand the latter part of verse 12 in both these ways, okay. So, you know, even as you live your life, you know, remember that, you know, whose hands you are in. You're in the hands of one who's able to guard and was able to keep what you've committed by me, by you to him and what has been committed to you by him, okay. He's a God who's faithful and he will do it for us, okay. Before we move on to verse 13, anyone has any questions, any doubts? Any questions, any doubts? Okay, if not, we'll move on to verses 13. So, can somebody read verses 13 to verse 18, please? Anyone like to read verses 13 to verse 18 of 2 Timothy chapter 1? Hold first the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. This is this, you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are featureless and hermosenous. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiporus for he often repressed me and was not ashamed of my chain. But when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very jealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that day. And you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus. Amen. Thank you Subashis. So here Paul is continuing to reiterate what he's already told Timothy, infestimity, you know, and also reminding him why he put him there in Ephesus is to protect the church from all kinds of false teachings. We're not going to it because you've already looked at it in quite in detail. So Paul is once again reminding Timothy to stay with the teachings, to stay with the truth in God's Word, to teach the Word and the doctrine in God's Word, which Timothy has learned, which has been given to him, has been entrusted to him. And he says, walk in faith and love in Christ Jesus. Okay. So Timothy is Paul is saying Timothy, you know, Timothy's, you know, walk in faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. Okay. So basically Timothy's faithfulness has to be, you know, tempered with faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. And, you know, some people, you know, when they preach and teach God's Word, they do it in a very intellectual manner. And they leave out faith and love. Okay. Which means that they are so, you know, intellectual, so theological, and they can come down as condescending on the people, condemning the people. And there's no faith and love in what they are teaching. They can become so just holding on to traditionals and rituals. And it can become so bounding on, you know, on people. And because then when they miss out on the aspects of faith and love. So he's saying that, you know, when you preach and teach, do it with faith and love. Okay. So faith and love describe how the truth is to be held. God's Word is truth and God's truth has to be held in faith and love. Okay. So we hold it in faith when we believe. Okay. And not only just believe, but we put our lives into it. That means the way we live, we live, you know, based on what we believe, what we hold as the truth. Okay. And we also hold it in love, not in proud arrogance, you know, that, hey, I'm able to keep it not, you are not able to keep it like that's why Jesus condemned the Pharisees. Because, you know, they were trying to judge people on outward basis, you know, and they were being very proud and arrogant, you know, and they were doing it all out of, you know, seeking superiority for themselves, self-seeking superiority. So Paul is reminding Timothy that, hey, when you preach, when you teach, do it out of faith and love. That means when you preach and teach, do it in such a way that you are holding on to those truths in faith and living it out by faith and do it in love, not in proud arrogance that you are able to keep it. Others are not, but others are below you or others are not super spiritual like you are and don't do it for self-seeking superiority. Okay. So that is very, very important even as, you know, we preach and teach. So if one thinks they are faithful to the truth, but they do not show faith and love in their lives, then, you know, they, we are nothing like the Pharisees in Jesus' time, you know, where they were committed to holding on to the teachings of the law, but they had no fruit of faith and love that were evident in their lives. And that's why Jesus called them as whitewash, tombs, right? Because they looked so good on the outside, the way they dressed, the way they acted, the way they prayed, the way they did all those rituals, everything, you know, they looked super spiritual, they were seeking, you know, people to look upon them as someone who was, hey, here is a man, you know, who's super spiritual, but inside they were just hollow, empty, dead in their spirit, man. Okay. The faith and love was not evident in their lives. Okay. Verse 14, Paul goes on to say, that good thing which is committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in you. So again, Paul is reminding Timothy like he reminded him in 1 Timothy, chapter 6 was 20, where he says, God, what was committed to your trust with the help of the Holy Spirit. And so he is again reminding him here that, you know, the Holy Spirit is the one who guides us into all truth. And because the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, we also need the power of the Holy Spirit to guard the word within. Okay. We need the Holy Spirit's guidance, we need the Holy Spirit's anointing, you know, to guard the word of God that is deposited in us. You know, sometimes we think we just need the anointing to preach, anointing to teach, anointing to do mighty science and miracles. Yes, it's important. But also we need to the power of the Holy Spirit or we need the anointing. The anointing means power in the presence of the Holy Spirit. We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit to guard the word within us, to guard the truth within us. So you can pray this for yourself and say, God, let your anointing guard the truth and the word that is within me, you know, so that, you know, anytime, every time I need it, the word will just come forth, come alive, speak to me, you know, let not the evil one snatch it away, you know, just guard the word that is within me. So like we read in 1st John chapter 2 was 20 and 27, it says, the anointing within, you know, will teach us what is right and wrong. Okay. We'll move on versus 15. This, you know, that also those in Asia have turned away from me, among them are Phygelius and Hermogenes. Okay. So it is, it appears that some believers from Asia Minor have deserted or abandoned their association, their friendship with Paul because of his imprisonment. Maybe they're scared that they too will be in prison. And Paul is mentioning two names here, you know, who abandoned their friendship, their association with Paul. And we don't know anything much about these two people. Okay. And it's no wonder, you know, Paul is, that's why encouraging Timothy not to be ashamed of speaking for the Lord and not to be ashamed of being associated with the genuine ministers like him, who are in prison, who are in chains, as we read earlier in this chapter. Okay. Verse 16 to verse 18. Here in verse 16, he's talking about Onesiferous. Onesiferous is not mentioned elsewhere. But, you know, what a wonderful affirmation of this man for what he did for Paul. Paul is saying that, you know, Onesiferous was one who ministered to Paul at Ephesus. He came to Rome. When he came to Rome, he was looking for Paul, he searched him out in Rome. And he's often refreshed Paul. And he's saying that now when he is in chains, Paul is saying, you know, Onesiferous is not ashamed of associating with him, even though Paul is in prison, even though Paul is in chains. Okay. So, Onesiferous, even though we don't know anything much about him, is a good example of something that we too can follow, something that we can also do for people in the body of Christ, or for those who are persecuted for the sake of the gospel. Okay. Okay. So, that was Second Timothy chapter one for us. Anyone has any questions, any doubts? Anything that you need more clarity on? It says in verse 18, the Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that day. So, which way it works? Lord grant to him that he may find mercy in that day. It's basically talking about the, you know, Paul is referring to the judgment day, you know, when our deeds will be, we will be rewarded for our deeds. Anyone else, any questions? Any doubts? Okay. If there are no questions, any doubts, we'll move on to chapter two. So, can somebody read chapter two, verses one to verse seven, please? Second Timothy chapter two, verses one to seven. You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me, among many witnesses, commit this to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You, therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ, of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also, if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the fruits. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Amen. Thank you, Loubega. So, in chapter two, he's saying, you know, you, therefore, my son, is referring to Timothy, his son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Okay. Or he's saying, be empowered by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Okay. Who is the source of grace? God, yes, God is a source of grace. God has bestowed his grace on you and me. If you look at Ephesians chapter two, you know, Paul writes this, his God has lavished us with his grace. He talks about the abundance of his grace. You know, when Paul is saying, be strong in the grace that is given to us in Christ, he's saying, you know, be established in the grace of Jesus Christ that has been given to us. Okay. Now, what does Paul mean here? It means that, you know, don't let anyone or anything shake you from the fact that God is a God of grace and his grace has been extended to you, has been lavished upon you and his abundance of the riches of his grace has been extended to you. Okay. So, it's very important and Paul is reminding him here because maybe Paul is also in a situation, you know, where he keeps reminding himself of the grace of God that is going, is extended to him, even as he's in prison, even as he's going to face death, you know, and he's reminding Timothy of the grace of God that is in abundance, you know, has been extended to him. The riches of the grace that is in Christ Jesus has been extended to him even as he is in this place of huge and big responsibility. And it's also important for us to remind ourselves about the abundance riches of his grace that has been extended to us. Why is it important? Because the devil is very good, you know, to get us out of grace. One of the areas that the devil wants to move us is out of grace and, you know, give more importance to works. Okay. So, that is why Paul keeps writing over and over again. Romans is talking about the grace against the law. He talks about grace against the law again in the book of Galatians. He explains that so elaborately. And so in all of his episodes, he's basically talking about grace against law because, you know, one of the areas that the devil, you know, wants us to move out is grace because we know that salvation is by grace through faith. Okay. It's not by works. And he's kind of instilling this in the minds of the of his fellow Jews or Judaizers who have become Christians because they're still holding on to the vain rituals and customs and, you know, circumcision and, you know, feasts and all of these occasions. So much giving again importance to the works. Okay. And, you know, so important for us also, sometimes we think that, you know, we need to do things to earn the blessings of God, the grace of God, the favor of God, you know. And so, you know, sometimes we think, hey, if I read my Bible today and pray, then, you know, or I then I'm going to the day is going to go well, you know, or my day did not go well because I didn't have time to pray and read my Bible or everything went, you know, bad today because I didn't spend time with God. Or, you know, we think that, you know, if you give money towards charity, you know, God will be happy with us. He will bless us. We won't have any problems. You won't have any difficulties. You know, yes, we do works. It's all of these are important. We have to read our Bible. We have to pray. We give and bless God's kingdom. We give to us people who do not have, you know, Paul talks about that in 1 Timothy. He talks about it, you know, talks about riches, how people who are rich should use their riches to extend and build God's kingdom. So, yes, we do works, but we do works not to earn, but we do works, you know, because we have received the abundance of the grace of God. That's very important to keep in mind. We do works not to earn the blessings of God, the favor of God, the grace of God, but we do works because we have already received the abundant riches of his grace. And we do works out of a joyful heart and a heart that has already been blessed by him. So we're saying God, I've been blessed by you. So I want to bless others. And that is why he's telling, you know, in 1 Timothy, he's telling Timothy and he's telling the church, that those of you who are rich, now use your riches to bless others for the kingdom of God. So we do things out of a joyful heart, a heart that has been blessed by him. So when we do it, we say, God, I'll give you everything because you have given me everything that I need. And I am doing all of these works because I am so deeply grateful for what you have blessed me with. Another idea that the devil can get us out of grace is in the area of guilt and condemnation. God's grace has lavished us with divine favor because God sees us as his beloved. But the devil is the accuser of the brethren and he accuses us and he draws us out of that place of grace. So it's very important for us to always keep ourselves in that position to know the grace of God that is over our lives. And that is why he's telling Timothy, Timothy, be strong in the grace. And it's a reminder for us also for us to be strong in the grace. Now when we look at this word grace in the New Testament, what are the three things that it signifies? Grace in the New Testament. Remember, I taught you this in the first year when you studied receiving God's guidance for your life. Anyone remembers what does grace mean in the New Testament? In the New Testament, what does grace mean? Hello class. Anyone would like to try? Unmitted favor. Okay, thank you. Remember, three things that we looked at in the first year. Grace in the New Testament means divine empowerment, divine favor, and divine character. Remember, those three things, divine character, divine favor, divine empowerment, okay, or divine empowering. So grace is always empowering us, okay. In the New Testament, grace also means empowering. So when we looked at First Timothy chapter one verse nine, Paul tells Timothy, God who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which he has given us in Christ Jesus before time began, okay. So grace not only empowers us, but grace also means divine favor. So the grace of God empowers us. It makes us strong and also gives us power, favor, sorry. We can, and so we can draw strength from his grace. Yes, the devil may make us feel inadequate to the point that we don't do anything. Sometimes we can feel inadequate. Sometimes we feel the task is too great, too big, like Timothy is feeling. But you know, at those times we need to rely on the grace of God, because when God calls us because, you know, we read in the previous verse, Paul is reminding Timothy that God has given us a call and a purpose. When he gives us a call and a purpose, his grace is more than sufficient for us to fulfill that call and that purpose, okay. That is very important to keep in mind. So, you know, and he's reminding Timothy here and also it's a powerful reminder for us. You know, when God calls you to a specific ministry office, you know, and you feel like quitting, you feel like giving up, you know, don't because, you know, know that his grace will, is more than sufficient, his grace will empower you, you know, and it's his grace, it is with his grace that you can go forward, you know, and it is his grace which will undergird us, it's his grace which will undertake for all of our limitations and inadequacies, okay. So, it's important to keep this in mind. So, some of you feel like quitting, feel like giving up any point in time, you know, remember that God has put you in that place, it is his calling, it is his purpose that you are there, and if you're 100% sure that it is his calling, his purpose, also know, you know, and also be rest assured that his grace is more than sufficient, his grace will undergird you, his grace will undertake for all of your limitations and your inadequacies, okay. So, when you stand firm in the grace of God, you know, then you will not shy away from the challenges, you will not, you know, be undeterred or overwhelmed with the challenge that is there before you, you will not be, you know, feeling overwhelmed with the greatness of the task, because you will, and you will go ahead with confidence, you will go ahead with strength, with confidence, knowing that the grace of God will enable you, okay. Isn't that beautiful the way Paul, you know, is just building up timidity, is just empowering, is just encouraging him to stay true to his calling. I think, you know, Paul is writing all these things because in the situation that he is in, he's reminded himself of all of these things, okay. Worst two, he says, and the things that you've heard from me among many witness committees to faithful men who will be able to teach others also, okay. So, Paul is charging timidity, he's saying, you know, pass on to the succeeding generations these truths that needs to be taught, because Paul knows that, you know, that is what he has done, you know, he has passed on these truths to Timothy, Titus, to Aquila, Priscilla, to Onesimus, to, you know, Philemon, and to Taikikis, and to all, so many other people who has passed on all of these truths, and they are now preaching and teaching, and Paul knows that he's no longer having the freedom to preach and teach, and so he's saying, telling Timothy, hey Timothy, time is short, you know, you might not be too long in Ephesus, you know, you don't know how long, but you know, what is important is you pass on to the succeeding generations the truth that has to be taught, and this is something that all of us must do, you know, we need to ask ourselves, what are we doing with God, what God has put in our lives, you know, what are we doing with what we have experienced with God and about God, you know, and what are we doing with what we have received from God, so we know that Paul, you know, encountered God, he experienced God, we know that he received those revelations during his silent years, you know, and what is he, what has he done with all of those things, he has continuously taught and preached and written about it, and edifying people, edifying the churches, so you know, we need to ask that same question, what are we doing with what God has put in our lives, what are we doing with what we have experienced with God, with what we have received from God, you know, what are we doing about it, are we passing it on to someone else, you know, are you teaching, are you preaching, and it's important for us to do that, okay. Before we end the class today, we look at, you know, three analogies that Paul presents in Chapter 2 verses 3 to verse 6, he talks about three analogies here, and what are the three analogies that he's using here, can anyone tell me what are the three analogies, it's there in verses 3 to verse 6, it's in your Bible, so it's easy, what are the analogies Paul is using, hello, anyone in the class please, what are the analogies he's talking about in verses 3 to 6, I'm waiting for some answers, analogies means what are the comparisons, parallels that he's making, if you don't want to unmute your mics and speak, you can post it on the chat section, are all of you in class or just logged in and you're not present, can I have some answers please? Yes, we are here listening, okay. Thank you Salatoli, yes, Jefina says a soldier, okay, what else, so there's one comparison of a soldier and what else does he talk about? A couple of things. Okay, an athlete, yes, thank you Jefina, thank you Salatoli, and a farmer, yes, go ahead, Linden. I said wrestler according to verse 5 of the wrestling. Okay, thank you, so here he uses three analogies, one of a soldier, one of an athlete, and one of a farmer, okay, so he's basically trying to tell Timothy what are the characteristics to be a good minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, okay. So first thing he says is like a soldier, so what, as a soldier what should Timothy do? We know he's a minister of God, but as a minister of God what is the analogy of a soldier that he can use? End your hardship, yes, the life of a soldier is not easy, you know, it's not a life of comfort, ease, and you know, pleasure, but a soldier must be ready to go through hardships, to train, you know, so he's saying, hey Timothy, you know, you are a man of God, and it's not going to be easy, as a man of God you are like a soldier who wants to serve God, and you know, and hence you should, you should not look for a life of ease or comfort, but be ready to go through hardships, and he's saying that, you know, a soldier is always ready for the call of duty, right? Yes, he takes care of his family, but he's not so caught up in that, that he's not ready to respond to the call of duty, so you know, no man who is a soldier gets entangled with civilian affairs, he does not get entangled with the affairs of this life, you know, he's always ready for the call of duty, always ready to respond to the call of duty, so he's telling Timothy, Timothy live like that, you know, always be ready to do the calling and the purpose that God has on your life, don't get entangled with the affairs of this life, okay, so so important for us as ministers of God, not to get entangled with the things that distract us, the things that, you know, removes our focus away from what God has called us, what God is purpose for us to do, you know, set them all aside, and just focus on your calling and your responsibilities, it does not mean that, you know, because we are to fulfill the call and the purpose of God in our lives, it does not mean that we don't fulfill the responsibilities towards our family, our spouses, our children, our parents, it's not saying that yes we do it, but we must, you know, they supersede, you know, the the call and the purpose of God, that means we need to be ready to do what God has called us to do, so don't get entangled with the wrong things, keep yourself free for what God has called you to do, then he talks about the second analogy is that of an athlete, okay, now for an athlete to win what should he do, for an athlete to win a race, what should he do? You should run with endurance and with a lot of enthusiasm and always fixing your eyes to the finishing line, thank you pastor. Thank you Lubega, yes you need to run with endurance, you need to run with perseverance, you fix your eyes on the finish line, yes, what else an athlete should do, what should an athlete do to run a race, yes abide by the rules, yes, before the athlete, sorry Rosalind, go ahead, yeah, even if he falls while running he should get up and complete the race, okay, perseverance and endurance never giving up, just train himself up, it's important to train, right, you need to train yourself up, prepare well, okay, without preparing well you cannot run a race and also abide by the rules, you have to compete by the rules, so you know when you run the race, you run only not when you feel like running, you run only when the whistle blows or the gun shot, okay, and you have to run your race keeping to your lane, okay, you can't you know move from one lane to the other, you'll be disqualified and also you need to run not wherever you want to but you need to run to the finish line, right, only then can you win the race, so he's saying you know as like an athlete prepare well Timothy you know and compete by the rules and also you know run in such a way with perseverance endurance to finish the race, okay, so also when we serve the Lord we need to serve the Lord not in our own terms and conditions you know but we need to do it according to His standard, okay, we need to live according to His standard, His call, what He desires of us meet His requirements and keep His standards, that's very important, sometimes we think you know hey you know I'm serving the Lord but we're doing what we feel comfortable, we do what we want to, we feel is right or what we love or what pleases us and as far as we're getting money, as far as we're getting fame and position you know that is good, no but that is not you know serving God according to His requirements, His standards and that is why you know Jesus says money will say to me Lord Lord we did this, we did that you know but Jesus says I do not know who you are, why because they did everything that they thought God wanted them to do but they did not do it according to His standard, His requirements or did not do His calling and His purpose, they did what they felt was their calling and their purpose, okay, so he's saying it's important that you compete by the rules, live by God's standard for the call that He has over your life and the last thing he's saying you know the analogy of a farmer, he's saying like a farmer you need to be what? Hardworking, thank you Jefina, only when you're hardworking you enjoy the food, without hard work there can be no harvest, there can be no joy, so sometimes when you're in ministry you will think hey you know in ministry we're working so much more harder than even people work in the corporate or in the world, well yes it is you know, it is hard work and without hard work we cannot enjoy the fruits and Jesus Himself has showed us through the parables of the good two word parable of the talents that yes it is hard work, so only if you work hard you can enjoy the fruit, you can enjoy a rich and a good harvest, so these are the three analogies that he uses of a soldier, of an athlete and a farmer, okay, we'll stop here at any questions anyone else has, anyone has, any questions, okay if there are no questions you know we need to have a first assessment on first committee, so when can we have that, can you suggest a date please, sometime next week, is next week 7th or 8th Thursday or Friday good, can we have some responses, is 7th good or 8th good, Thursday good or Friday good for me to post the assessment, Friday 7th, Jefina says 7th Thursday is 7th, everyone is okay with 7th, okay thank you Zealotoli, what about the others, okay I'll post it on 7th Thursday, next Thursday your first submission date will be 11th, that's Monday, is that fine, okay thank you everyone for joining class, have a blessed weekend, a refreshing and a blessed weekend, I'll see you all for class on Tuesday, thank you.