The Point: If we are going to entrust the Gospel to others, then we need God's provisions.

"18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." -Genesis 2:18

Demas:

"14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.” -Colossians 4:14

"10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica." -2 Timothy 4:10a

Alexander:

"14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message." -2 Timothy 4:14-15

Luke:

"11 Luke alone is with me." -2 Timothy 4:11a

Mark:

"11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. " -2 Timothy 4:11

Timothy:

"9 Do your best to come to me soon... 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments." -2 Timothy 4:9, 13

Takeaway:

• Pursue Godly Friendship
• "24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." -Hebrews 10:24-25
• Be a Godly Friend

"16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." -2 Timothy 4:16-18

"24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." -Proverbs 18:24

"10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” -Psalm 46:10

"22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you." -2 Timothy 4:22

"8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," -Ephesians 2:8

Grace levels the playing field. It is what every human needs, no matter who they are or where they are. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor, the healthy and the sick, the popular and forgotten, the joyful and the downcast need grace.

Grace is the ultimate spiritual game changer. It is the one thing that has the power to change you and everything about you. 

Grace explodes into your life in a moment and occupies you for all of eternity. 

Grace is a gift you’ll never deserve but is always guaranteed.

Grace devastates you while giving you peace of heart and rest of soul you have never experienced before. 

Grace requires you to confess your unworthiness but never makes you feel alone and unloved.

Grace calls you to examine yourself with honesty and humility but frees you from being paralyzed by fearful introspection. 

Grace puts you in your place but never puts you down or casts you out.

Grace reminds you that you have no ability whatsoever to earn God’s favor but dispels your fear of not measuring up. 

Grace confronts you that you are way less than you thought while comforts you with the promise that you can be way more than you ever imagined. 

Grace reminds you of what you are not so you will receive God’s welcome to what you can now be.

Grace requires you to admit to your catalog of weaknesses while empowering you with newfound strength. 

Grace drives you to the end of yourself while holding before you the promise of fresh starts and new beginnings. 

Grace decimates your little kingdom of one while inviting you to a much better, more glorious King. 

Grace exposes your blindness while giving you eyes to see.

Grace makes you sadder than you have ever been in your life while supplying you with a joy and celebration that nothing or no one can take away. 

Grace is a tool God uses to transform you, but it also defines the nature of his relationship to you.

Grace is a jewel of God’s character and the only reliable place to rest your hope.

Grace is a wonderful story and the best gift ever.

But grace is more than just a story, it’s more than just a theology, and it’s more than just a powerful force.

Grace is a Person, and his name is Jesus. 

Jesus is the grace of God.

By grace and because of grace, Jesus is yours. And you are his. -Paul Tripp