12th October 2025

Paul writes the words of our header scripture from a prison cell, and near the end of his life. In his final instructions to Timothy, his beloved child in the faith, Paul distils the message that has driven his life and ministry. Paul’s charge is clear: ‘Remember Jesus Christ’. He does not say, ‘Remember my teachings’, or ‘Remember our successes’, he points Timothy, and by extension all Christians, back to the centre of the gospel – Jesus Himself. As Paul roots the gospel in the person of Jesus Christ he does so in two mighty acts:  

He is raised from the dead – This is the declaration of Jesus’s divinity and the ultimate victory over sin and death. The cross was not the end. The resurrection is the proof that Jesus’s sacrifice was accepted, that new life is possible, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. The empty tomb is as much a part of the gospel as the cross.

He was descended from David – This is a proclamation of Jesus’s true humanity. He fulfilled the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament. He is the Messiah, the long-awaited king, born in the line of David. The gospel is not detached from history, it is the story of God’s promises kept, and hope fulfilled in flesh and blood.

We must remember to keep Jesus, his humanity and divinity, his death and resurrection, at the core of our lives, our worship, and our witness. Paul’s physical circumstances were dire, bound in prison awaiting his execution, yet he declares, ‘…God’s word is not chained’ (v.9). Even while Paul is in prison, the gospel cannot be stopped. We may feel chained in our lives – chained by our past failures or chained by the prevailing culture of the society around us, but the word of God is unchained. Our hope is not in ourselves, but in the One whom even death could not hold. How then shall we live, if this is our gospel? What difference does it make? It means:

• We are to pursue a faith that is personal, not borrowed or inherited, but owned and cherished – it is to be our gospel. 
• We face suffering with hope, knowing that the resurrection of Jesus is our assurance of victory.
• We proclaim the good news boldly, trusting that God’s word is never chained, even when we feel weak or afraid.
• We remember, every day, that Jesus, descended from David, raised from the dead, is our Lord and Saviour.

‘This is my gospel’, Paul writes, and as we live out the Christian life, may we say with conviction, ‘This is my gospel too’. 

Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead 
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA

Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm

Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:  
wordoflife@gracecom.church