Brother Jim Shaw Ministries Ep204 Paul's Trials Forsaken But Not
Forsaken: Brother Jim Shaw Preaches Paul's Final Words to Timothy
Brother Jim Shaw works through Paul's closing words to Timothy in
Second Timothy chapter four, drawing lessons on being forsaken by
friends, trusting no man, and fighting self-pity by setting one's
sights on Jesus. Paul Declares His Course Is Finished Brother Jim
Shaw opens the broadcast by telling listeners that if a spirit of
self-pity ever tries to creep in, they should remember what Jesus
endured, and that anyone walking in his steps will suffer the same.
He turns to Second Timothy chapter four, reading Paul's declaration
that he is ready to be offered, that his departure is at hand, and
that he has fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the
faith. Shaw explains that Paul is telling Timothy plainly that his
time is up, with a crown of righteousness waiting for him and for
all who love the Lord's appearing. He frames the passage as Paul
settling his affairs near the end of his ministry, a man who had
traveled constantly, been shipwrecked, and landed on islands, now
facing his final chapter with a short list of requests for his
young protege. Demas Departs and Alexander Does Harm Shaw reads how
Paul tells Timothy that Demas, once a good friend mentioned
elsewhere in the Gospel, has forsaken him, having loved the present
world, and has departed for Thessalonica, while Crescens and Titus
have gone to Galatia and Dalmatia. Only Luke remains with him, and
Paul asks Timothy to bring Mark, calling him profitable for
ministry, along with the cloak, books, and parchments left at Troas
with Carpus. Shaw pauses on the detail that Paul, perhaps the
greatest worker for spreading the Word, is left with a single
companion. He then highlights Paul naming Alexander the
coppersmith, who did him much evil, and Paul's response that the
Lord will reward him according to his works. Shaw uses this to warn
listeners that Christianity is not simply sweet and pleasant, since
believers are fighting principalities, powers, and rulers from the
moment they wake. Delivered From The Lion's Mouth Shaw reads Paul's
account that at his first answer no man stood with him, that all
men forsook him, yet he prays it will not be held against them,
because the Lord stood with him and strengthened him so the
preaching would be fully known to the Gentiles, and he was
delivered out of the mouth of the lion. Shaw says he believes this
lion represents demonic attack rather than a literal animal,
comparing it to the opposition Paul faced in Galatia when he
exposed churches' sin and conferred not with flesh and blood. He
warns that anyone resisting bondage such as greed, covetousness,
sexual lust, fear, or respect of men will come under attack and
suffer affliction even within the kingdom. Shaw insists believers
must preach to themselves first, warning that hypocrites who live
in conscious sin while claiming to serve the kingdom destroy
testimonies and do the kingdom no good. Jesus In The Garden As The
Example Shaw distinguishes between demonic possession, which he
says never afflicted Jesus, and the deliverance some believers need
when demons have taken hold of their minds, requiring spiritual
warfare to be loosed. He points listeners to Jesus in the garden as
the ultimate example, describing the attack Jesus endured there so
severe that blood poured from his vessels, calling this the model
of what believers may be called to go through. Shaw returns to
Paul's words that the Lord will deliver him from every evil work
and preserve him unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory
forever. He contrasts a reborn Christian with someone he calls a
ritualistic, traditional Christian who believes signing a card or
inheriting family belief is enough, insisting true faith is a
personal relationship in which the Lord lives within the believer's
heart, and that believers belong to a different kingdom than the
nations and cultures around them. Trust No Man, Fight Self-Pity
Shaw tells listeners to shout back at Satan's attacks of
bitterness, hatred, or lust that the Lord shall deliver them from
every evil work and preserve them to his heavenly kingdom. He
recalls that Paul was abandoned by his friend Demas and harmed by
Alexander, yet the Lord stood with him regardless, and he urges
listeners never to fully trust any man, no matter how long they
have known him or how good he seems, since none of us have arrived.
Whatever trial a listener faces, whether cancer, disease, or
hardship, Shaw tells them to cast it out in the name of Jesus, put
up a shield of faith against evil words, and repent of known sins
without giving the trial itself a name or letting it become an
idol. He warns that self-pity focuses only on self, and that life
and death are in the power of the tongue, so believers must guard
their words. The Apostles' Example and Closing Contact Shaw reminds
listeners that Paul was left utterly alone with only pen and
parchment, asking Timothy to bring him a cloak because no one else
would. He points to John the Baptist living in the wilderness on
locusts and wild honey, and to the apostles' fates, Peter hung
upside down, Andrew cut into quarters, and John boiled in oil, as
proof the world system hates Christians. Shaw closes by urging
listeners to set their sights on things above rather than on their
trials, since Christians belong to a different kingdom entirely,
and he pronounces a blessing and amen over the broadcast. The
announcer returns to close the program, repeating the ministry's
website, a post office box number in Vero Beach, Florida, and a
phone number given twice for emphasis, inviting listeners back for
another broadcast and pointing them to Brother Jim's YouTube page
for additional messages.
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