Remember Jesus | 2 Timothy 2:1-13 | Preview Service
Introduction: The Power of Remembrance
This past Sunday at Trinity Hill Church, Pastor Bo Hutchins delivered a deeply encouraging sermon entitled "Remember Jesus," drawing from 2 Timothy 2:1-13. Centered on the powerful reminder that “God gives us what we need when we remember what Jesus did for us”, the message called the congregation to deeper faith, endurance, and hope by looking to Christ in all seasons of life.
Grace Received: Our Strength in Christ
Pastor Bo Hutchins began by emphasizing the importance of God's faithfulness, even when we are not always faithful ourselves. He set the tone for the message with heartfelt corporate prayer, reminding us that the greatness of God is beyond our comprehension, yet He reveals Himself to us and calls us into His family.
The sermon opened with Paul’s exhortation to Timothy: “Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” This grace, as explained by Pastor Bo Hutchins, is not a one-time gift but an ongoing source of empowerment for believers. The same grace that saves us is the grace that sustains us daily. Practical spiritual disciplines—reading the Bible, prayer, gathering with other believers, participating in the Lord’s Supper—are “means of grace” that God has ordained to strengthen His people.
Key Takeaway:
We never graduate from the gospel. Our continual need is to receive and rely on God’s grace, not our own strength.
Grace Portrayed: Living Out Faith with Endurance
Moving into the bulk of 2 Timothy 2, Pastor Bo Hutchins unpacked Paul’s visual examples—a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer—to illustrate the Christian life:
1. The Soldier
A good soldier does not get distracted by civilian affairs but seeks to please the one who enlisted him. In the same way, believers are called to wholehearted dedication and allegiance to Christ, recognizing that our lives now belong to Him.
2. The Athlete
An athlete must compete according to the rules to win the prize. Christians, likewise, are called to run the race of life in obedience to God’s Word, living transformed lives that reflect the saving grace we've received.
3. The Hardworking Farmer
Much like a farmer toiling for the harvest, the Christian life requires patient, often unseen effort and self-motivated faithfulness. It’s a reminder that our spiritual growth—and the impact we have on others—is a process that happens over time.
Key Takeaway:
God’s grace doesn’t lead us to complacency, but to devoted service, joyful obedience, and endurance—even in suffering.
Grace Remembered: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
The heart of the sermon was Paul’s command: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead.” Pastor Bo Hutchins stressed that in moments of doubt, discouragement, or difficulty, our greatest need is to fix our gaze on Jesus—His sacrificial death, triumphant resurrection, and faithful promises.
He reminded the congregation that although Paul was physically imprisoned, “the word of God is not bound.” Our circumstances may feel restrictive or discouraging, but God’s Word continues to work in and through us, often in ways we cannot see. The encouragement is to trust God’s sovereignty and persevere, remembering that our simple acts of obedience and faith can have an eternal ripple effect in the lives of others.
Living Urgently and Faithfully
Pastor Bo Hutchins closed with Paul’s trustworthy saying:
If we die with Christ, we will live with Him.
If we endure, we will reign with Him.
If we deny Him, He will deny us.
Yet even if we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.
The urgency to share Jesus with others is now. Tomorrow is not promised for us or for our neighbors. God's faithfulness is unwavering, and His grace empowers us to live out our calling today, for His glory and the good of those around us.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, this sermon called us to receive God’s grace, portray it in our daily lives through faithful living, and continually remember the saving work of Jesus. Whether you are in a season of spiritual victory or a valley of doubt, the invitation remains: “Remember Jesus.” He is our hope, our strength, and the assurance that God will accomplish His good purposes in us and through us.
You are warmly invited to listen, reflect, and join us as we seek to make much of Jesus—here in Montverde, throughout Lake County, and to the ends of the earth.