J. Albrecht…May 3^rd, 2026…Easter 4…2 Timothy 2:8-13…Remember Jesus Christ, Risen

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹ This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. ¹² If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. ¹³ If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you, Amen.

INJ in whose death you have been united through Baptism, that you may live righteous before God DFR:

If you want an example of someone who persevered in the Christian faith despite overwhelming odds against him, look no further than hymn writer and Lutheran Pastor Paul Gerhardt. Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676) was born near Wittenberg He entered the University of Wittenberg in 1628. The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) seems to have arrested not only German life generally, but Gerhardt’s life specifically. Gerhardt was still at Wittenberg in 1642 when he was thirty-five; though he preached in Berlin before then, he was not ordained until 1651 when, at the age of forty-four, he became the pastor of a church in Mittenwalde in the vicinity of Berlin; and he did not marry until 1655, when he was forty-eight. His life was marked by trouble. In 1637 Swedish soldiers set fire to his hometown of Gräfenheinichen, where his father had been mayor. The Gerhardt family’s house, possessions, and church were destroyed. Pulled into the theological squabbles of his day as a pastor in Berlin, his conscience would not allow him to accede to the Calvinist demands of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, and compromise his faith to join the Prussian Union. Because of this, he was removed from his parish in 1666. Three years later he was installed at the church in Lübben an der Spree where he remained until his death in 1676. Four of his five children died in infancy. His wife died in 1668. His sole surviving son, Paul Friedrich, was six at the time.

What is amazing about Paul Gerhardt’s life is not that he endured as many trials as he did, though it was, I’m sure, more than any of us would want to handle. Rather, it was how the trials of life affected his preaching and hymn writing. During the period of time when he lost the most, Gerhardt wrote such hymns as Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me? And the hymn we will sing in a few moments, Awake My Heart With Gladness. These hymns, along with his preaching, emphasized the Lord’s goodness even in the midst of trial. Gerhardt found encouragement for this life in the words Paul wrote to Timothy. God is Faithful, He cannot deny Himself. He knew God’s grace would not destroy him, but his hope in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead would bring him the victory in the end.

This endurance, confidence in God, and willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel is not something you are born with. It is an attitude that comes from one thing and one thing only: Faith in Christ Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Remember Jesus Christ, Risen from the Dead. It is more than just a slogan; more than just a guideline or reminder. It is life. It is freedom. It is the means by which you may remain faithful to God and He to you. This morning we encourage one another with these words. Remember Jesus Christ, Risen From the Dead. On whom all our faith rests. In whom all our lives centers.

Let us Pray: Sanctify us by your truth, O Lord, Your Word is truth, Amen.

Paul is writing to young Pastor Timothy. His goal is to remind him of the importance of his calling as a shepherd of God’s flock and how he is truly equipped to do the work before him because of the reliability and effectiveness of God’s Word. We can read Paul’s words in our text as a final testament, not just to Timothy, but to all believers.

⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.

The entirety of Paul’s gospel that he proclaimed from Jerusalem to Rome was centered on this one fact: that Jesus Christ, the one who took on human flesh as a descendant of David, was raised from the dead. And, if He were raised from the dead, it must also include His atoning suffering and death on the cross. This was Paul’s preaching, his Gospel that he received from God directly. For in this one statement, you have all of the Scriptures unlocked. Jesus would sit on the throne of David as our Savior-King. It was a hope for David and his people. It is marked as fulfilled by Paul and all who heard the Gospel he proclaimed.

Often Christians will say, “Jesus is risen.” It doesn’t sound grammatically correct because it was an event in the past that has already happened. But theologically, it means Christ’s resurrection is a permanent condition. The life that He brings through His victory over death is permanent. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow all share in this truth that Jesus lives! So as many days as you walk this life in faith, it ought to bring to remembrance this precious truth – that Jesus died and rose again for you, to cover your sins.

The resurrection is not just another confessional statement. It is your life’s identity. It is your power to believe and courage to hold fast in the face of adversity. It is your answer to Satan’s accusations. My Savior lives. Daily, though I may let sin overtake me and it tries to strangle the life of faith out of me, it cannot. For my Jesus has overcome sin. He has defeated death. He lives and reigns forever. My life is His and every day of my life is a day given by His resurrection.

Paul uses himself as an example of how the resurrection is the core of his faith. He suffers trouble as an evildoer. Paul means that all manner of evil comes upon him and inflicts pain and distress, and this in his case has now reached the climax of imprisonment. He was in chains in Rome on trial for his life while he wrote these words. It was exactly what Jesus warned His disciples about. They would suffer the ire of the world for His sake and even face injustice because of the Gospel they proclaimed. But what does Paul do? Does he lament his situation, or cower in fear for his life? No, but he willingly bears it, bravely, even joyfully faces the trouble that lies before him and inspires others to do the same. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Paul’s concern is not his own person, bodily safety, comfort, good fortune, or his personal honor among men. Rather, he rejoiced to serve others, even by his current suffering. He has you in mind in this moment, that you may obtain the salvation in Christ Jesus. The Book of Concord says, “But they should hear Christ, who is the Book of Life and of God’s eternal election of all God’s children to eternal life; who testifies to all men without distinction that it is God’s will that all men who labor and are heavy laden with sin should come to Him, in order that He may give them rest and save them. Remember Jesus Christ, Risen From the Dead and He will preserve you for the final salvation of eternal life.

Now how much more will we willingly, bravely, yes joyfully face the troubles that lie before us – knowing that the Triune God preserves us through them. For this reason, Paul declares, the Word of God is not chained. Paul endured all he did because his enemies could not chain the freedom the Gospel had given him. They could take away his ability to travel, restrict who comes to see him, and try to snuff out his spirit. But Paul always Remembered Jesus Christ, Risen From the Dead. Paul’s confidence in his Savior’s resurrection reminded him that his trials only hasten a reunion with his Savior. The persecution he faced only made the Gospel more effective. Even if he, a preacher of this Gospel, was silenced, God would raise up another to proclaim the Son’s name in the midst of his foes.

What may be the trials that lie ahead of you, I do not know. What I do know is that the same Lord who gave faith to the Apostle Paul that he might endure even in the face of death has not changed His approach to help His people. He offers you the blessed assurance of His death and resurrection for your sin to trust that He will lead you through what lies ahead. Remember Jesus Christ, Risen From the Dead – For on this all our faith rests.

¹¹ This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.

Paul takes it for granted that you have already died with Christ. What he means is the death to sin with repentance, that which is fundamental for our entire personal salvation. Christ has died unto sin once, completely making atonement for it. By your baptism, you have joined Him in death, becoming partakers of it. That means, you have already died to sin through faith in Christ Jesus, therefore, you shall also live with Him to all eternity. Think of all the glorious future before you, and thus keep your heart valiant and strong during this brief moment of earthly journey and trial. This is your foundation – You have died, so you shall live. It makes the next declaration possible.

¹² If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.

Paul was in the midst of enduring when he wrote to Timothy. The moment he had died with Christ, his endurance began. So also are you called upon to endure. Some of you may be called upon to endure more than others, even as God has called on some to endure unto death for the sake of the Gospel. But the end is a promise sure: we shall also reign with Him in the glorious kingdom to come. What this looks like we do not know now, but what more can we ask than to reign with Jesus forever?

If we deny Him, He also will deny us. ¹³ If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

In the early church, the heathen authorities would often demand a disowning of Jesus in exchange for their life. But the denial here is not limited to such a case. When anyone denies Jesus, whether outright or by practicing deceitfulness and falsehood, he will be denied by Christ. Nothing more terrible can be thought of than the words, “I never knew you; depart from me you workers of lawlessness.” It is a stark warning to not take God’s grace and promises for granted. Do not think you can “trick” your way into heaven. All are laid bare before the Faithful One who will disown such a one on the last day. But for you, the promise is simple: God is faithful, He cannot deny Himself. All the promises He makes to you in Scripture are sure. The peace, comfort, and forgiveness in this life are yours as long as you shall live. The future life, a perfect body, eternal dwelling with God, a reward for a faithful life are also yours. Remember Jesus Christ, Risen From the Dead, and He will never deny you.

Paul Gerhardt lived these words of Paul to the fullest. He didn’t just remember the fact of Christ’s resurrection. He lived it. He trusted in God’s grace and promises even when he lost everything. When you face trials along the way, take note from those who have gone before you. Heed to the words of Paul and Remember Jesus Christ, Risen From the Dead. Then we can boldly say with Gerhardt: Awake, my heart, with gladness, See what today is done, Now after gloom and sadness Comes forth the glorious Sun! My Savior there was laid Where our bed must be made When to the realms of light Our spirit wings its flight. Amen.