God's Word Cannot Be Imprisoned

2 Timothy 2:8-9
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.

The Word of God is not imprisoned. Our work as disciples of Jesus is to go where He sends us. Here in America, we aren't yet often imprisoned for speaking God's Word, though that day is probably coming. But we are often shut down by co-workers, neighbors, and many other sources of scoffers. They try to silence those who speak God's Word.

Take note this morning; God's Word is not imprisoned. Our job is to endure whatever comes in response to us speaking out His Word. God's Word is the truth. The world needs to hear the truth, even when they don't like the message.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

People do not want to hear God's Word, for it cuts and it pierces our very soul and our spirit. It judges the thoughts and it judges the intent of our hearts. People do not want to hear that. So, why must we share it?

Hebrews 4:13
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Because even though they deny His very existence, or they twist His Word to allow them to continue in wanton debauchery, God sees them, and He will pass judgment on them. Go has told us to go into the world with His Word and share the truth so that they shall not perish but might have eternal life.

They will try and lock up God's Word. They can lock us up for speaking it; But they can never imprison His Word.

Paul went on to say this and to be our example.

2 Timothy 2:10-13
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

We must endure all things and continue to stand for God's Word.

God's Word cannot be imprisoned.

Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 129

Within Psalm 129 are lessons about how to handle the days of persecution that will come to the American Christian. No country nor its people have ever been persecuted throughout history, like the Jewish people have. Yet, they are God’s chosen nation and He has blessed them and preserved them throughout time. And Christians, can also stand in full confidence, that even in persecution, God will protect and provide everything we need.

Psalm 129:1-4

"Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up," Let Israel now say,  "Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up; Yet they have not prevailed against me.  "The plowers plowed upon my back; They lengthened their furrows."  The LORD is righteous; He has cut in two the cords of the wicked.

Jesus was clear about what we would face if we are His.

John 15:18-20
"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.  "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

God chose Israel, and if you are a Christian, God chose you. And when God chose us, we were grafted into the family of God. We received the spiritual promises of God.

Psalm 129:5-7
May all who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned backward;  Let them be like grass upon the housetops, Which withers before it grows up;  With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Or the binder of sheaves his bosom;

We keep looking to the world for our blessings, but the world will not bless us.

Psalm 129:8
Nor do those who pass by say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD."

As children of God, we will face persecution. It is one of the tests of our own faith. We must stand in the middle of it and trust our Father. We must become the light of the world, so that we become the people whom the world, and even those who hate us, see the love of Christ. We must say to the world, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD." We must say that, even when they are trying to kill us.

May the blessing of the Lord be upon you.

Studies in Psalms - Psalm 9

The life of the Christian is a life of growth. From the moment of our new birth, we are like babies. Through the years as we feed on His Word we grow in many ways, like a baby who learns to crawl and then walk, we learn new things as well. One of the areas in my life I just never feel right about is my worship. The more I read the scriptures, the longer I spend time in prayer with God, and the longer I see God move in my life, the more I long to give back to God my whole-hearted worship. Psalm 9 begins with that theme.

Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

David writes in this psalm many reasons why he gives thanks to God with his whole heart. He remembers the wonderful deeds God has done in his life. As Christians, we have many things to look back on that our God has given to us. Just as David does, we must be glad in Him, exulting Him, and singing praise to His name.

Most of us here have never faced true persecution, though in many places in the world Christians fear for their lives just for being Christ’s. Sometimes God turns back our enemies.

Psalm 9:3
When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.

David knew that one way or another, God’s justice would prevail and we can stand in faith knowing the same thing.

Psalm 9:4-6
For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.

But even when it seems the unrighteous are running this world, we can trust they are not and that judgment will one day come. So, until then we must rest in Him.

Psalm 9:9-10
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

The answer to what to do when the enemy appears to have us surrounded, is to stay committed to prayer and praise.

Psalm 9:11-14
Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O LORD! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.

God does not forget those who have humbled themselves before Him.

Psalm 9:18
For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

Stay the course Christian, even when the enemy is at hand. David’s prayer reminds us of the coming day of the return of Christ. To the nations who choose to stay in their own pit; judgement is coming. To those who put their faith in Christ and submit to Him; peace that transcends all understanding.

Psalm 9:19-20
Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you!
Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah