Daily Devotional | Kind Like Jesus | 2 Timothy 2:23–24| Pastor Jim Cymbala

>> Jumbo. Jumbo. >> Jumbo. Jumbo. I greet you in Swahili. Jumbo. Jumbo. And And I'm so happy to be reading through I'm so happy to be reading through I'm so happy to be reading through second second second Timothy with you. Paul's last letters Timothy with you. Paul's last letters Timothy with you. Paul's last letters that we have. Last letter, last words we that we have. Last letter, last words we that we have. Last letter, last words we have chronologically at least in the have chronologically at least in the have chronologically at least in the Bible. Bible. Bible. Remember to check out our conference Remember to check out our conference Remember to check out our conference Fresh Wind Fresh Fire. I'm going to keep Fresh Wind Fresh Fire. I'm going to keep Fresh Wind Fresh Fire. I'm going to keep bothering you till I see you. And get a bothering you till I see you. And get a bothering you till I see you. And get a BTDD hoodie. BTDD hoodie. BTDD hoodie. No, you know what? I'm going to have No, you know what? I'm going to have No, you know what? I'm going to have some made up for that in case you come. some made up for that in case you come. some made up for that in case you come. Daily devotion. Daily devotion. Daily devotion. Nobody come. Nobody come. Nobody come. No, but I'm a deacon. I just work in a No, but I'm a deacon. I just work in a No, but I'm a deacon. I just work in a Sunday school. I I'm just hungry for Sunday school. I I'm just hungry for Sunday school. I I'm just hungry for God. I want God to use me more. Join me God. I want God to use me more. Join me God. I want God to use me more. Join me because that's what I am. I want God to because that's what I am. I want God to because that's what I am. I want God to use me more. use me more. use me more. Pastor, associate pastor, staff member. And then there's a music track too if And then there's a music track too if you're involved in any music ministry. you're involved in any music ministry. you're involved in any music ministry. Singing in a group, singing in a praise Singing in a group, singing in a praise Singing in a group, singing in a praise worship band, choir, whatever.

Did you know Did you know I brag on my wife. I brag on my wife. I brag on my wife. She just won her seventh Grammy award She just won her seventh Grammy award She just won her seventh Grammy award earlier in this year. earlier in this year. earlier in this year. Did you know that we were once invited, Did you know that we were once invited, Did you know that we were once invited, she was, she was, she was, by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They were going to fly her choir when it had were going to fly her choir when it had were going to fly her choir when it had about 230 people to join the Mormon about 230 people to join the Mormon about 230 people to join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Tabernacle Choir Tabernacle Choir for a big production. for a big production. for a big production. It's when the Mormons were trying to get It's when the Mormons were trying to get It's when the Mormons were trying to get accepted as mainstream Christianity. accepted as mainstream Christianity. accepted as mainstream Christianity. Come on, we're Baptist, we're Assemblies Come on, we're Baptist, we're Assemblies Come on, we're Baptist, we're Assemblies of God, we're Nazarene, of God, we're Nazarene, of God, we're Nazarene, we're whatever, and now we're all we're we're whatever, and now we're all we're we're whatever, and now we're all we're all one family. No, we're not. So, we turned it down. So, we turned it down. Because I don't want to be associated Because I don't want to be associated Because I don't want to be associated with another gospel, and neither does with another gospel, and neither does with another gospel, and neither does Carol. Carol. Carol. Another gospel than the one true gospel. Another gospel than the one true gospel. Another gospel than the one true gospel. No Joseph Smith, No Joseph Smith, No Joseph Smith, no being baptized for the dead and all no being baptized for the dead and all no being baptized for the dead and all that stuff. Jesus. that stuff. Jesus. that stuff. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. There's always new fads out there. Be There's always new fads out there. Be There's always new fads out there. Be careful of them.

careful of them. careful of them. We're moving on. Some are moving on to We're moving on. Some are moving on to We're moving on. Some are moving on to stuff not in the Bible. It's a new day. stuff not in the Bible. It's a new day. stuff not in the Bible. It's a new day. Others want to take us back to the Others want to take us back to the Others want to take us back to the monastery life of monastery life of monastery life of meditation meditation meditation and and all of that. None of that is in and and all of that. None of that is in and and all of that. None of that is in the Bible. the Bible. the Bible. Um monasticism, Um monasticism, Um monasticism, harsh treatment of the body has no harsh treatment of the body has no harsh treatment of the body has no value, zero value. value, zero value. value, zero value. Christ is our life. He lives inside of Christ is our life. He lives inside of Christ is our life. He lives inside of us through the Holy Spirit. us through the Holy Spirit. us through the Holy Spirit. So, So, So, Paul in 2 Timothy now is going to lay Paul in 2 Timothy now is going to lay Paul in 2 Timothy now is going to lay one on us that's good for all of us. one on us that's good for all of us. one on us that's good for all of us. He says to Timothy, a pastor, He says to Timothy, a pastor, He says to Timothy, a pastor, verse 23 of chapter 2, 2 Timothy, verse 23 of chapter 2, 2 Timothy, verse 23 of chapter 2, 2 Timothy, "Don't have anything to do "Don't have anything to do "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments." Woo! with foolish and stupid arguments." Woo! with foolish and stupid arguments." Woo! NIV, you go. NIV, you go. NIV, you go. They tell us it like it is. Don't have They tell us it like it is. Don't have They tell us it like it is. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid anything to do with foolish and stupid anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce arguments because you know they produce arguments because you know they produce quarrels. quarrels. quarrels. And the Lord's servant, that's Timothy, And the Lord's servant, that's Timothy, And the Lord's servant, that's Timothy, that's us, the Lord's servant must not that's us, the Lord's servant must not that's us, the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, be quarrelsome, be quarrelsome, but must but must but must be kind to everyone, be kind to everyone, be kind to everyone, able to teach and not resentful.

able to teach and not resentful. able to teach and not resentful. Now, there is a mouthful. Don't have anything to do. There's some Don't have anything to do. There's some things in life as Christians we have things in life as Christians we have things in life as Christians we have nothing to do with. nothing to do with. nothing to do with. Here's one of them. Foolish and stupid Here's one of them. Foolish and stupid Here's one of them. Foolish and stupid arguments arguments arguments about baba, about nothing. Even though about baba, about nothing. Even though about baba, about nothing. Even though the question might come from some Bible the question might come from some Bible the question might come from some Bible verse, it has is has no real meaning to verse, it has is has no real meaning to verse, it has is has no real meaning to our walk with Christ. It doesn't edify. our walk with Christ. It doesn't edify. our walk with Christ. It doesn't edify. The quarrel doesn't edify and it results The quarrel doesn't edify and it results The quarrel doesn't edify and it results in quarrels. in quarrels. in quarrels. And quarrels are not good for any of us. And quarrels are not good for any of us. And quarrels are not good for any of us. Be fighting even about the Bible. But But the Lord's servant must not be the Lord's servant must not be the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to everyone. quarrelsome, but be kind to everyone. quarrelsome, but be kind to everyone. Oh, isn't that a hard one? Oh, isn't that a hard one? Oh, isn't that a hard one? Some people want to understand the Some people want to understand the Some people want to understand the meaning of the seven trumpets in meaning of the seven trumpets in meaning of the seven trumpets in Revelation. I Whatever, do it. Revelation. I Whatever, do it. Revelation. I Whatever, do it. But I I'm challenged by and be kind to But I I'm challenged by and be kind to But I I'm challenged by and be kind to everyone.

Kind to everyone. Kind to everyone. Be like Jesus, kind to everyone. Able to teach, not resentful. You know Able to teach, not resentful. You know what resentful means? what resentful means? what resentful means? You're holding something on the person You're holding something on the person You're holding something on the person you had a fight with. you had a fight with. you had a fight with. You had that little black book and their You had that little black book and their You had that little black book and their name is on every page. How about that? Can't be resentful Can't be resentful and be a servant of the Lord. and be a servant of the Lord. and be a servant of the Lord. Because the Lord wasn't like that. If Because the Lord wasn't like that. If Because the Lord wasn't like that. If the What if the Lord was like that with the What if the Lord was like that with the What if the Lord was like that with us? us? us? Oh my goodness, where would we be? Oh my goodness, where would we be? Oh my goodness, where would we be? Kind to everyone, able to teach, not Kind to everyone, able to teach, not Kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Foolish and stupid arguments result in Foolish and stupid arguments result in quarrels. quarrels. quarrels. Quarrels can get the best of us. Quarrels can get the best of us. Quarrels can get the best of us. When my friend Nicky Cruz got saved out When my friend Nicky Cruz got saved out When my friend Nicky Cruz got saved out of a gang life here in Brooklyn, he's a of a gang life here in Brooklyn, he's a of a gang life here in Brooklyn, he's a wild man, a tiger, a just out of wild man, a tiger, a just out of wild man, a tiger, a just out of control. His mother was a brujita, which in uh His mother was a brujita, which in uh Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico. When he got saved under the ministry of When he got saved under the ministry of When he got saved under the ministry of Dave Wilkerson, Teen Challenge began.

Dave Wilkerson, Teen Challenge began. Dave Wilkerson, Teen Challenge began. He started to carry a Bible, but he was He started to carry a Bible, but he was He started to carry a Bible, but he was a brand new Christian. So, he'd see the a brand new Christian. So, he'd see the a brand new Christian. So, he'd see the guys from the gang and the guys in the guys from the gang and the guys in the guys from the gang and the guys in the park and the playground and they would park and the playground and they would park and the playground and they would see the Bible and think, "Oh, see the Bible and think, "Oh, see the Bible and think, "Oh, Nicky, what's Nicky, what's Nicky, what's What's that, a Bible? What are you, What's that, a Bible? What are you, What's that, a Bible? What are you, nuts? You loco? nuts? You loco? nuts? You loco? And you look stupid. What are you, a And you look stupid. What are you, a And you look stupid. What are you, a holy roller?" holy roller?" holy roller?" And he was new and he would go, "No, I'm And he was new and he would go, "No, I'm And he was new and he would go, "No, I'm a Christian." "No, you're not a a Christian." "No, you're not a a Christian." "No, you're not a Christian. Stop it." And he'd go, Christian. Stop it." And he'd go, Christian. Stop it." And he'd go, "What'd you say?" "What'd you say?" "What'd you say?" I said, "Well, you're not a Christian. I said, "Well, you're not a Christian. I said, "Well, you're not a Christian. You don't even know what the Bible says. You don't even know what the Bible says. You don't even know what the Bible says. You can't even read." You can't even read." You can't even read." "Oh, yeah? "Oh, yeah? "Oh, yeah? What if I put that Bible down and we What if I put that Bible down and we What if I put that Bible down and we talk?" talk?" talk?" And he would get in fistfights. And he would get in fistfights. And he would get in fistfights. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> It's easy for us to get quarrelsome. >> It's easy for us to get quarrelsome. >> It's easy for us to get quarrelsome. I was in prep school, had a roommate I I was in prep school, had a roommate I I was in prep school, had a roommate I was trying to witness to. was trying to witness to. was trying to witness to. He didn't listen to me. I was sleeping He didn't listen to me. I was sleeping He didn't listen to me. I was sleeping on the top bunk, small little room, on the top bunk, small little room, on the top bunk, small little room, Silver Spring, Maryland. He's on the Silver Spring, Maryland. He's on the Silver Spring, Maryland. He's on the bottom. And I'm telling him about the bottom. And I'm telling him about the bottom. And I'm telling him about the Lord, but he's cabeza dura. He's not Lord, but he's cabeza dura. He's not Lord, but he's cabeza dura. He's not getting it. And now he's throwing back getting it. And now he's throwing back getting it. And now he's throwing back some sentences to me. I should have been some sentences to me. I should have been some sentences to me. I should have been quiet and kind to him and just moved on.

quiet and kind to him and just moved on. quiet and kind to him and just moved on. You got to know when to hold them, when You got to know when to hold them, when You got to know when to hold them, when to fold them, and when to walk away. I to fold them, and when to walk away. I to fold them, and when to walk away. I should have just been quiet. should have just been quiet. should have just been quiet. No, he said some things. No, he said some things. No, he said some things. It's It's 1:00 in the morning. We're It's It's 1:00 in the morning. We're It's It's 1:00 in the morning. We're having this talk. having this talk. having this talk. Lights out long time ago. Lights out long time ago. Lights out long time ago. He gets so mad, he gets up He gets so mad, he gets up He gets so mad, he gets up and grabs him by the Bible that I had on and grabs him by the Bible that I had on and grabs him by the Bible that I had on my desk, which my mother had given to me my desk, which my mother had given to me my desk, which my mother had given to me before I left. She had her notes in before I left. She had her notes in before I left. She had her notes in there and things. She gave me a Bible, there and things. She gave me a Bible, there and things. She gave me a Bible, King James version. He took it and said, King James version. He took it and said, King James version. He took it and said, "I'm sick and tired of this stuff you're "I'm sick and tired of this stuff you're "I'm sick and tired of this stuff you're telling me." And he took my mama's telling me." And he took my mama's telling me." And he took my mama's Bible. You understand what I'm saying? Bible. You understand what I'm saying? Bible. You understand what I'm saying? I'm talking about the Bible of my mama. I'm talking about the Bible of my mama. I'm talking about the Bible of my mama. And threw it against the wall. And the And threw it against the wall. And the And threw it against the wall. And the things that pages, everything came things that pages, everything came things that pages, everything came loose, the binding. But see, I had already gone past that But see, I had already gone past that point of any wisdom and kindness. I point of any wisdom and kindness. I point of any wisdom and kindness. I jumped down from the top bunk. jumped down from the top bunk. jumped down from the top bunk. I grabbed him, knocked him down. He was I grabbed him, knocked him down. He was I grabbed him, knocked him down. He was strong, but I had so much adrenaline. I strong, but I had so much adrenaline. I strong, but I had so much adrenaline. I could have beat could have beat could have beat um um um any of the superheroes.

And And I just started pounding him. I just started pounding him. I just started pounding him. You threw my mama's Bible. You threw my mama's Bible. You threw my mama's Bible. Boom, boom in his face. Boom, boom in his face. Boom, boom in his face. Pinned his arms back with my legs. Pinned his arms back with my legs. Pinned his arms back with my legs. I gave him a the best I gave him a the best I gave him a the best Listen. I gave him a true beating in the Listen. I gave him a true beating in the Listen. I gave him a true beating in the name of the Lord. He was a mess the next day. He was a mess the next day. And I went I couldn't sleep that night And I went I couldn't sleep that night And I went I couldn't sleep that night because I jumped back on the top of the because I jumped back on the top of the because I jumped back on the top of the bunk, but I was like this. bunk, but I was like this. bunk, but I was like this. >> [panting] >> [panting] >> [panting] >> It's very hard to sleep when you're >> It's very hard to sleep when you're >> It's very hard to sleep when you're all that adrenaline. He washed his face, went to bed. We He washed his face, went to bed. We didn't talk for a couple days. didn't talk for a couple days. didn't talk for a couple days. Do you think I ever could witness to him Do you think I ever could witness to him Do you think I ever could witness to him again? again? again? Truth be told, do you think I could? I apologized, but I apologized, but as I remember, but as I remember, but as I remember, but bringing up the Lord bringing up the Lord bringing up the Lord meek and lowly, come unto me, take my meek and lowly, come unto me, take my meek and lowly, come unto me, take my yoke upon you. yoke upon you. yoke upon you. Anyone hits you, turn the other cheek.

Anyone hits you, turn the other cheek. Anyone hits you, turn the other cheek. The Lord's calling us not to quarrel, The Lord's calling us not to quarrel, The Lord's calling us not to quarrel, but to be kind to everyone. I failed but to be kind to everyone. I failed but to be kind to everyone. I failed that lesson. Ooh, did I fail. that lesson. Ooh, did I fail. that lesson. Ooh, did I fail. But, you know what? God is full of But, you know what? God is full of But, you know what? God is full of mercy. He picks us up, and we have a mercy. He picks us up, and we have a mercy. He picks us up, and we have a chance today [music] chance today [music] chance today [music] to show someone Jesus. Let's do it. to show someone Jesus. Let's do it. to show someone Jesus. Let's do it. Amen. Bye-bye.