11.26.23 | STAND BY ME
When Jesus is accepted as the One who stands by us, then all of the other people who contribute into our lives become precious gifts, rather than shortfalls of our expectations.
1. Jesus stands by me
2 Timothy 4:16-18 NKJV
At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also, I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Psalms 22:19-22 NLT
O Lord do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs. Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen. I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.
1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV
Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
2 Timothy 4:10a NLT
for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world,
2 Timothy 4:16
At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
2. Jesus has “stand by me” people for you
2 Timothy 4:9-10a, 11
Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world… Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
Prioritize the power of Jesus over the prison of people’s past.
Unconditional love does not equal unconditional support.
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
1 Samuel 23:15-16 NIV
While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
2 Timothy 4:10-11a NKJV
for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.
3. Be a “stand by me” person
2 Timothy 4:9-10a NIV
for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.
Acts 15:38 NLT
But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.
Hebrews 12:16
Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal.
Questions for discussion/reflection:
Share a time when you felt like you had to stand all alone? (Remember that you might not have actually been alone, but feeling alone can still be very real even in a room full of people!)
Do you feel like Jesus is standing by you? If so share a time that’s happened? If not, what needs to change in your life to invite Jesus into a deeper place of standing by you?
When you feel forsaken by people and alone, do you reach out to people or stay alone?
Share what it might look like to reach out to people in your life in an above situation?
Do you have safe places in your life? People who love you, but will still speak the truth to you?
Are you a “stand by me” friend? Why or why not?
Share some areas of your life where you can grow as a stand by me friend, perhaps decreasing your pursuit of the world in favor of pursuit of the kingdom!