2 Timothy 2-1-7 “A Disciple Thinks”
We are told what to think by media. Journalists do not just give the reports they also add their own opinion to them, but many times in such a subhuman way as Jack Johnson asks in one of his lyrics “why don’t the newscasters cry when they read about people who die? At least they could be decent enough to put just a tear in their eye”.
We have become a product of a callous world that causes us to be numb to the pain and suffering that is around us or causes us to have a skewed view of what truth is. In this passage we study tonight we find Paul telling Timothy to THINK. Maybe part of the problem we have as a people is that we do not spend enough time THINKING through the things of the Lord.
Start with Vrs 7 “THINK over what I say FOR the Lord will give you understanding in everything”
Read a book this week called “THINK” Based on Verse 7
The basic premise of John Piper’s book is to Lord the Lord your God with your mind requires spending time thinking about what he has told us and when we do that the Lord rewards with understanding.
Christians have fallen into the trap that tells us that people of faith should ignore logical thinking and reasoning and only focus in on divine illumination. What Piper is saying is “we should embrace both divine illumination and human thinking. (Pgs 64-65)
WHY? Is found in Proverbs 2:1-6 Wisdom from the Lord is valuable and He is willing to give it to those who seek Him
Tonight I want to show you how to think by asking yourself questions. Jesus asked questions We will do that by what Paul said to Timothy.
Vrs 1 Rely on Christ. He is the power in us…it is not us it is Him.
-Think about His power and how we can’t do these things on our own.
Q: Have you experienced a time in life in which you witnessed the power of Jesus displayed through you?
Vrs 2 “Heard from me” good doctrine and make sure faithful men are teaching it. Pass that on to the next generation of men…Gospel preaching and Gospel living… we are in serious trouble at FRBC if we don’t bring up the next generation in Good Doctrine. We must always keep in front of us the difference between HOW we do things and WHY we do them.
HOW is the means by which we get the WHY out. What happens many times in churches the HOW we do things becomes more important then WHY we do them.
We will never reach the upcoming generations unless we change the HOW. That means we constantly ask ourselves HOW do we show others that the WHY is relevant to their lives.
Philip Ryken said “one of the most important ways to keep the faith is to pass down the faith”
-Think about what you believe and think about how you can pass it down
Q: How are you passing your faith down to the next generation?
Vrs 3 “A Disciple will Suffer” we talked extensively about this two weeks ago
-Think about what it costs to serve the Lord and think about what it costs Him to serve us.
Q: How have you suffered for following Jesus?
Vrs 4 Don’t get off focus “Good Soldier” focuses on what the chief wants, Semper Fi is short for Semper Fidelis = Always Faithful. As a Christian we need to realize…Jesus is our Chief Shepherd and our Pastor. We need to listen Him.
There are so many voices of other people who feel they know what is best for us, what we should do, how we should feel. They get us off focus
-Think about how I can be faithful to what Jesus wants me to do.
Q: What have you been neglecting that you know Jesus wants you to do?
Vrs 5 Do what is right. Athlete “competes according to the rules” Remember in life the end does not justify the means. A disciple of Jesus should do what is right. Obeying Jesus commands is how we show him that we love him and how others know that it is Him that we follow
-Think about what is right to do in every situation
Q: What sin or sins are you struggling with?
Vrs 6 Work hard “hard working farmer” reaps a reward
-Think about how I can be more effective, (you will reap rewards)
Q: Where have you been lazy when it comes to your spiritual life?
Vrs 7 “THINK over what I say”
The problem…we spend time thinking about sinful, unfruitful or unproductive things. “Every thought should be captive of the Word of God
Examples
-Using thoughts to manipulate. Matt 21:23-27 This is an example of using our minds to not serve the truth…it is using our minds to serve the sin nature. Piper calls this “the seed of relativism” Relativism is “Truth claims are not valid for everyone”
-Desires leading to thoughts that plan sin. Sin starts with a desire and when we start to think in and live in those desires we fall to sin and sin gives birth to death. James 1:14-16
-Sinful thoughts Matt 5…hate, lust etc
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind…As Piper points out the way to glorify and love God with your mind is to think about him and what He has for us to do and what is pure Phil 4:8
Think about on a regular basis
-What you know. Many of you have been here for some time and hopefully you have learned. Spend time thinking about those things
-What you need to know
1. What is the purpose of my life?
2. Do I have clear direction about what I should be doing?
3. Who am I going to listen to…civilians or the Chief?
4. What areas am I lacking
-The Gospel (the basics) Daily think about the Gospel Not “I am a good guy” that is the lie from hell “no one is righteous” GOSPEL
Galatians 3 tells us that whoever breaks God’s law is cursed…but Jesus became the curse for us.
-The promise (gift)…Vrs 7 ”for the Lord will give you understanding in everything”
Challenges
-Before you go to sleep on Sunday nights, shut everything down and get to quiet place and think about what you learned this week in church.
Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing”
-Use what we are learning as springboard for devotion time during the week. Website…notes
-Community Group…one purpose is to think about and discuss what you learned
-Memory Verses in bulletin
“A Disciple thinks and Jesus gives us understanding”
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Entrusted "A Disciple is Good Friend" Discipleship Part 3
2 Timothy 1:15-18 A Disciple is a good friend
We all have this desire to have close personal friendships with others, we are all discouraged why people abandon us. Paul was like us he celebrated those who were good friends and was discouraged by the bad ones.
Vrs 15 Phy-gelus & Herm-oo-gen-es Fair weather friends. This verse does not tell us that they turned away from the Lord but that they turned away from Paul.
A bad friend…
-only has time for you when they need you.
Job 19:14 “my close friends have forgotten me”
-is not trustworthy. 3 under this topic The bad=betrayal (Judas), the ignorant (simple, just never learned how to be a good friend) & the lack of self control (some people mean well but they just cant things up or control themselves from hurting you).
George Elliot said…”Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness blow the rest away”
-is uncommitted: Like a wet bar of soap, the tighter you grab they get away
-does not live the Gospel toward you (summarize them) Job 6:14 “he who withholds kindness from a friend, forsakes the fear of the Almighty”
NO sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, mercy or healing
Vrs 16-17 Own-e-seph-orus example of loyalty and a good friend.
A good friend… (This is what the disciple should aim towards)
-helps in a time of need. “refreshed” He met his physical needs…food and drink…also could be an encouragement and a constant reminder of the work of God (saying “Paul…keep your chin up…the Lord has got this)
Something that many people do not realize that a great time of need is when a person is caught up in sin
Someone once said “In our dealings with those caught in sin, mercy is incomplete unless we do as Jesus did; call it sin. We have winked, giggled, made alibis, or ignored sin all too long. A friend in deed is one who says quietly, but firmly, "What you're doing friend is sin. It is harmful to you and to others. It is destructive to God's will for you.”
This echoes Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend ;profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
-sticks with you even in worst moments. “Not ashamed of my chains” That also means that they will not hit the road when your relationship is having problems…they are committed to working things out
A small boy defined a friend as "Someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same."
-persistent in helping. “Searched” Starts with… I needed to reach out to you because I knew you were hurting.
Most of us will help if asked…but how many of us will seek out friends to help out to help.
If you find it difficult to make friends it may be because you are looking for people to meet your needs. “What need do I have?” “How are they meeting it?”
A great way to make friends is to seek out others and meet their needs. Good Samaritan
-is fruitful. “service he rendered” A good friend gives. It is important to realize a good disciple is fruitful, because of that they have the ability to be a great asset as a friend because they guide you into more fruitfulness.
Someone who is a good friend rubs off on you in positive ways. We all remember our parents saying things like “I don’t like how you act when you are around so and so”
But we all realize who is a positive influence on us…faithful servants of the Lord are. A word of clarification just because someone is faithful in service does not mean they are faithful or fruitful servant of the Lord.
Unfortunately I have come across people who are very consistent and committed but by their actions but it often seems that the service they give is very self motivated, we are not to judge but when we see people that are miserable and serving it causes us to wonder if their lack of joy has to do with their wrong motivation. (“I serve because it makes me feel…”
Example: have you ever gone somewhere that you did not want to go? (you did what you were asked…but how did you act)
Paul used Onesiphorus as an example because he knew his heart was in it. How do we know someone’s heart is in it Matthew 12:34-35 (not only are they there but it is how they act when they are there)
-prays for you. Paul continues the example of a good friend by praying for extra mercy for Onesiphorus. This is an example of a prayer of thanks. When we look at the book of Job we see in chapter 42 that Job prayed for his friends that “have not spoken right about the Lord”
So we see a good friend prays for their friends whether they are doing right or wrong. The temptation is…
when they are doing right we just expect that and don’t thank God for them
when they are doing wrong we are so ticked that we find it difficult to pray for them.
We may say “this is tough to be a friend like this” you are right it is that is why we look to Jesus for guidance
Jesus is the best friend, GOSPEL Proverbs 18:24 “a friend who sticks closer then a brother”
We may also say “I don’t have anyone like this in my life” don’t be discouraged no one is going to fit the perfect bill of friendship…but Jesus can fill that void for you. The lack of solid friends just helps you to realize how much more you need the friendship of God.
We all have this desire to have close personal friendships with others, we are all discouraged why people abandon us. Paul was like us he celebrated those who were good friends and was discouraged by the bad ones.
Vrs 15 Phy-gelus & Herm-oo-gen-es Fair weather friends. This verse does not tell us that they turned away from the Lord but that they turned away from Paul.
A bad friend…
-only has time for you when they need you.
Job 19:14 “my close friends have forgotten me”
-is not trustworthy. 3 under this topic The bad=betrayal (Judas), the ignorant (simple, just never learned how to be a good friend) & the lack of self control (some people mean well but they just cant things up or control themselves from hurting you).
George Elliot said…”Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness blow the rest away”
-is uncommitted: Like a wet bar of soap, the tighter you grab they get away
-does not live the Gospel toward you (summarize them) Job 6:14 “he who withholds kindness from a friend, forsakes the fear of the Almighty”
NO sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, mercy or healing
Vrs 16-17 Own-e-seph-orus example of loyalty and a good friend.
A good friend… (This is what the disciple should aim towards)
-helps in a time of need. “refreshed” He met his physical needs…food and drink…also could be an encouragement and a constant reminder of the work of God (saying “Paul…keep your chin up…the Lord has got this)
Something that many people do not realize that a great time of need is when a person is caught up in sin
Someone once said “In our dealings with those caught in sin, mercy is incomplete unless we do as Jesus did; call it sin. We have winked, giggled, made alibis, or ignored sin all too long. A friend in deed is one who says quietly, but firmly, "What you're doing friend is sin. It is harmful to you and to others. It is destructive to God's will for you.”
This echoes Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend ;profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
-sticks with you even in worst moments. “Not ashamed of my chains” That also means that they will not hit the road when your relationship is having problems…they are committed to working things out
A small boy defined a friend as "Someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same."
-persistent in helping. “Searched” Starts with… I needed to reach out to you because I knew you were hurting.
Most of us will help if asked…but how many of us will seek out friends to help out to help.
If you find it difficult to make friends it may be because you are looking for people to meet your needs. “What need do I have?” “How are they meeting it?”
A great way to make friends is to seek out others and meet their needs. Good Samaritan
-is fruitful. “service he rendered” A good friend gives. It is important to realize a good disciple is fruitful, because of that they have the ability to be a great asset as a friend because they guide you into more fruitfulness.
Someone who is a good friend rubs off on you in positive ways. We all remember our parents saying things like “I don’t like how you act when you are around so and so”
But we all realize who is a positive influence on us…faithful servants of the Lord are. A word of clarification just because someone is faithful in service does not mean they are faithful or fruitful servant of the Lord.
Unfortunately I have come across people who are very consistent and committed but by their actions but it often seems that the service they give is very self motivated, we are not to judge but when we see people that are miserable and serving it causes us to wonder if their lack of joy has to do with their wrong motivation. (“I serve because it makes me feel…”
Example: have you ever gone somewhere that you did not want to go? (you did what you were asked…but how did you act)
Paul used Onesiphorus as an example because he knew his heart was in it. How do we know someone’s heart is in it Matthew 12:34-35 (not only are they there but it is how they act when they are there)
-prays for you. Paul continues the example of a good friend by praying for extra mercy for Onesiphorus. This is an example of a prayer of thanks. When we look at the book of Job we see in chapter 42 that Job prayed for his friends that “have not spoken right about the Lord”
So we see a good friend prays for their friends whether they are doing right or wrong. The temptation is…
when they are doing right we just expect that and don’t thank God for them
when they are doing wrong we are so ticked that we find it difficult to pray for them.
We may say “this is tough to be a friend like this” you are right it is that is why we look to Jesus for guidance
Jesus is the best friend, GOSPEL Proverbs 18:24 “a friend who sticks closer then a brother”
We may also say “I don’t have anyone like this in my life” don’t be discouraged no one is going to fit the perfect bill of friendship…but Jesus can fill that void for you. The lack of solid friends just helps you to realize how much more you need the friendship of God.
Entrusted "A Disciple Will Suffer" Discipleship Part 2
2 Timothy 1:8-14 A Disciple will suffer
3 types of suffering
-Consequence of personal sin
-Suffering because we live in a sinful & fallen world
-Suffering because we are following the Lord The promise = 2 Timothy 3:12
Background…Paul was in prison in Rome and the church was under persecution under Nero. Tacitus wrote about this Great fire of Rome…Nero was accused of it and blamed it on the Christians and started to persecute them.
We suffer because…
• others hate the Gospel, Paul’s imprisonments are an example of that. Vrs 8 Offensive message Christmas Eve
• we are called to suffering, just as we were called to salvation. Just like people have become Christians since the time of Christ, people have suffered since the time of Christ. Vrs 9-12a The nature of the Gospel is suffering, One died for the many. (we must remember there are different seasons in suffering and as we mature suffering we learn to “Count it all joy” because Christ is working through us.
• of the truth of the Gospel (narrow minded) vrs 10
• we follow the Gospel. Vrs 13 The nature of the Gospel is sacrifice…when you sacrifice you suffer because you are giving up something that normally you desire or something that makes life better. The nature of the Gospel is forgiveness, when you forgive someone you suffer because mentally you want them to pay for what they did so you have emotional turmoil because you “let them off the hook” Son of Man has no where to lay His head
• we have something to guard.
Vrs 14 When something or someone is important to us we do what it takes to make it or they are safe. You may have seen in the news just this week in Australia the terrible floods. In one of the accounts a 13 year old boy his 10 year old brother and his mother were stuck in a heavy current flood waters in their car. The rescue workers made their way to them but only could take one at a time the 13 year old yelled to the worker take my brother first. As they got his brother to safety he was yelling come and get my mom. Unfortunately the rescue workers could not get to them in time. The this young boy valued the lives of his brother and mother over his own and was willing to guard them at his own expense. If nothing is important to you, you will have nothing to guard and therefore you will suffer less….id that an option??? Not for a normal people
What we learn from suffering.
• Should not be ashamed Vrs 8a (Paul to Timothy) Vrs 12a (Paul of himself)
-Ashamed when people don’t agree with Gospel work
-Ashamed to share the whole Gospel “testimony of the Lord” (we leave out the sin & wrath part and only focus on God’s love, go on tangent about how God just being loving does not make sense and therefore only focusing in on that will leave people doubting) “I am a loving judge” illustration GOSPEL
• It has less of a blow when we are in it together Vres 8 “share” (Community Groups)
• God has a purpose in it for us Verse 9 (notice verse 8 he states “The Lord’s Prisoner” not Rome’s prisoner because he knows if God wanted out…he would be out Acts 16:25-27) Maybe in your life there is a situation which you want to made different…rest that God has purpose for that situation.
• Jesus has the upper hand in against suffering. “appearing” If we ever complain about suffering we have Jesus to think about. Vrs 10 Hebrew 12:3 Jesus’ suffering brought us life
• The Gospel is worth suffering for. Vrs 11-12
It is not worth living for something if you will not die for it.
John is the only Apostle that did not die in Martyrdom. But he was boiled in oil and escaped and then exiled to the Isle of Patmos. After that I have a book called Foxes book of Martyrs which gives an 1800 year account of people that died or suffered physically for the trust and the guarding of the Gospel…There are two options for these people…they were either really confused and deceived or they really knew that the Gospel was true.
A person will be willing to suffer if something is important to them.
• It will not last forever Vrs 12
• We have protection during our suffering. Vrs 12
-Through the Word Vrs 13
“Follow” Test everything by the Word (am I doing right before the Lord? If not I may be suffering because I strayed)
“Sound Words” Good Theology…When these things happen we don’t question God as much as we look for what we need to learn from the situation
-Through the Spirit Vrs 14 Relying of the Holy Spirit
(Am I just trusting in my own skills and abilities?)
• Jesus paid my deposit. Regardless of how we suffer we have a guarantee in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus is saying “Come a Disciple of Me will suffer”
3 types of suffering
-Consequence of personal sin
-Suffering because we live in a sinful & fallen world
-Suffering because we are following the Lord The promise = 2 Timothy 3:12
Background…Paul was in prison in Rome and the church was under persecution under Nero. Tacitus wrote about this Great fire of Rome…Nero was accused of it and blamed it on the Christians and started to persecute them.
We suffer because…
• others hate the Gospel, Paul’s imprisonments are an example of that. Vrs 8 Offensive message Christmas Eve
• we are called to suffering, just as we were called to salvation. Just like people have become Christians since the time of Christ, people have suffered since the time of Christ. Vrs 9-12a The nature of the Gospel is suffering, One died for the many. (we must remember there are different seasons in suffering and as we mature suffering we learn to “Count it all joy” because Christ is working through us.
• of the truth of the Gospel (narrow minded) vrs 10
• we follow the Gospel. Vrs 13 The nature of the Gospel is sacrifice…when you sacrifice you suffer because you are giving up something that normally you desire or something that makes life better. The nature of the Gospel is forgiveness, when you forgive someone you suffer because mentally you want them to pay for what they did so you have emotional turmoil because you “let them off the hook” Son of Man has no where to lay His head
• we have something to guard.
Vrs 14 When something or someone is important to us we do what it takes to make it or they are safe. You may have seen in the news just this week in Australia the terrible floods. In one of the accounts a 13 year old boy his 10 year old brother and his mother were stuck in a heavy current flood waters in their car. The rescue workers made their way to them but only could take one at a time the 13 year old yelled to the worker take my brother first. As they got his brother to safety he was yelling come and get my mom. Unfortunately the rescue workers could not get to them in time. The this young boy valued the lives of his brother and mother over his own and was willing to guard them at his own expense. If nothing is important to you, you will have nothing to guard and therefore you will suffer less….id that an option??? Not for a normal people
What we learn from suffering.
• Should not be ashamed Vrs 8a (Paul to Timothy) Vrs 12a (Paul of himself)
-Ashamed when people don’t agree with Gospel work
-Ashamed to share the whole Gospel “testimony of the Lord” (we leave out the sin & wrath part and only focus on God’s love, go on tangent about how God just being loving does not make sense and therefore only focusing in on that will leave people doubting) “I am a loving judge” illustration GOSPEL
• It has less of a blow when we are in it together Vres 8 “share” (Community Groups)
• God has a purpose in it for us Verse 9 (notice verse 8 he states “The Lord’s Prisoner” not Rome’s prisoner because he knows if God wanted out…he would be out Acts 16:25-27) Maybe in your life there is a situation which you want to made different…rest that God has purpose for that situation.
• Jesus has the upper hand in against suffering. “appearing” If we ever complain about suffering we have Jesus to think about. Vrs 10 Hebrew 12:3 Jesus’ suffering brought us life
• The Gospel is worth suffering for. Vrs 11-12
It is not worth living for something if you will not die for it.
John is the only Apostle that did not die in Martyrdom. But he was boiled in oil and escaped and then exiled to the Isle of Patmos. After that I have a book called Foxes book of Martyrs which gives an 1800 year account of people that died or suffered physically for the trust and the guarding of the Gospel…There are two options for these people…they were either really confused and deceived or they really knew that the Gospel was true.
A person will be willing to suffer if something is important to them.
• It will not last forever Vrs 12
• We have protection during our suffering. Vrs 12
-Through the Word Vrs 13
“Follow” Test everything by the Word (am I doing right before the Lord? If not I may be suffering because I strayed)
“Sound Words” Good Theology…When these things happen we don’t question God as much as we look for what we need to learn from the situation
-Through the Spirit Vrs 14 Relying of the Holy Spirit
(Am I just trusting in my own skills and abilities?)
• Jesus paid my deposit. Regardless of how we suffer we have a guarantee in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus is saying “Come a Disciple of Me will suffer”
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Entrusted "Mentors" Discipleship Part 1
Introduction material Dates as early at 64 AD and as late as 67 AD. It was the last letter that Paul wrote
A disciple is a “follower of Jesus” The key ingredient is RELATIONSHIP, it is not an exchange of information although that is very helpful, it is not a program although programs facilitate relationships it is not something that we accomplish then move on to something else…it is a life endeavor. Discipleship
2 Timothy 1:1-7 A Disciple has people who build into them…Mentor type relationships
Vrs 1 Paul is not just writing as a friend but when he says “an Apostle” he is speaking to Timothy as one who has authority and therefore this authority should also be communicated to those under Timothy. Timothy can clearly say to those under him…”Paul the Apostle told me”
In this situation we see Timothy a disciple of Jesus Christ has Paul to build into him on a “pastoral calling level”
Vrs 2 “my beloved child” this is an important relationship that believers should have…someone they can look to as a spiritual father…maybe your biological father fills this role. But many of you like myself have a father that is not a firm believer in Christ, so we need other spiritual older men to fill that void.
Description of the Mentor/person building into us A Mentor…
Vrs 3
-Practices what they have learned from those they learned from (thanks)
-Prays for then disciple
Vrs 4 -Mentor cares for the disciple. “Tears” This is probably a reference to the last time Paul saw Timothy and they were parting ways 1 Timothy 1:3 “remain at Ephesus”
-Mentor takes pleasure in the work done by the disciple
Vrs 5 A Mentor recognizes the power of the first influence (Parents). A disciple has multiple people that speak into their lives.
When Paul speaks about Lois and Eunice it is a reminder that our first responsibility when it comes to discipleship is those in our family.
A call to parents you have little lives that need to be built into…It is the job of the church to assist that but the responsibility does not rest on the church to disciple your children. The church with its programs should underline what you are currently teaching them.
You on the other hand should be discipled by the church. Here is why, if you know the Word and are consistently pursuing God that will inevitably use what is instilled in you to disciple your children…because discipleship is about the life we live…not a class or program. So the goal here if for you to learn, learn how to apply and be inspired to apply the truths of the Bible.
To some degree your children will love what you love and hate what you hate. UNLESS (with the exception of Jesus who should be before everything and everyone) what you love forces you to neglect them.
Why is this? Because when you love something you develop a passion for whatever that is and when there is passion for something, the people around you sense that and then want to investigate what is fueling that passion.
Our society tells us put our kids in situations in which they can be exposed to things and have experiences but what we need to remember as parents, the best thing we can do for our children at the developmental ages is build into them spiritually. We CANNOT do that if we are not being built into spiritually. You make sacrifices for your children but you do not sacrifice your own spiritual development for them, if you do it will harm them. (My going to school illustration, I need development)
Then you can live a Deut 6:4-9 centered Christian life.
The words of Jesus “A disciple is not above his teacher” your children will reach as high as you are.
Vrs 6 A mentor encourages the disciple to their highest potential. “fan to flame” Remember Rev 3:16 Jesus spits out those that are lukewarm. Do everything you can to be excited about and on fire for the Lord.
“Fan into flame” encourage the work
You can tell if someone has the work of the Lord’s best interest in mind if they encourage others to serve better and excel. Far too many times we see people in leadership roles that only want good things to be accomplished if their name is attached to it.
They don’t have the security to empower others and will not support when others excel. They may tear down and malign what the person is doing in hopes to keep people looking at them.
The people who truly have an impact are the people that are willing to empower and not take credit.
As a person who disciples others, one necessary trait must be humility…
If it was not for the devotion of Annie Sullivan the world would not know the name of Helen Keller
If not for George MacDonald the world may not have known C.S. Lewis
1 Timothy 4:14 Leaders “laying hands” a commissioning for ministry
This act is also saying “we need to empower others for the work”
Vrs 7 A mentor reminds a disciple of the power of God
A disciple needs those that build into them to be the type of people that celebrate with them even when their work becomes more noticeable then the work that they have done.
Vrs 7 a true disciple is empowered by God (more specifically the Holy Spirit). Bottom line is that what matters most is a vibrant relationship with the Lord that is only achieved through the GOSPEL. You can work all you want to be a good disciple (follower of Jesus) but if you do not rely on the Holy Spirit you have failed.
A disciple is a “follower of Jesus” The key ingredient is RELATIONSHIP, it is not an exchange of information although that is very helpful, it is not a program although programs facilitate relationships it is not something that we accomplish then move on to something else…it is a life endeavor. Discipleship
2 Timothy 1:1-7 A Disciple has people who build into them…Mentor type relationships
Vrs 1 Paul is not just writing as a friend but when he says “an Apostle” he is speaking to Timothy as one who has authority and therefore this authority should also be communicated to those under Timothy. Timothy can clearly say to those under him…”Paul the Apostle told me”
In this situation we see Timothy a disciple of Jesus Christ has Paul to build into him on a “pastoral calling level”
Vrs 2 “my beloved child” this is an important relationship that believers should have…someone they can look to as a spiritual father…maybe your biological father fills this role. But many of you like myself have a father that is not a firm believer in Christ, so we need other spiritual older men to fill that void.
Description of the Mentor/person building into us A Mentor…
Vrs 3
-Practices what they have learned from those they learned from (thanks)
-Prays for then disciple
Vrs 4 -Mentor cares for the disciple. “Tears” This is probably a reference to the last time Paul saw Timothy and they were parting ways 1 Timothy 1:3 “remain at Ephesus”
-Mentor takes pleasure in the work done by the disciple
Vrs 5 A Mentor recognizes the power of the first influence (Parents). A disciple has multiple people that speak into their lives.
When Paul speaks about Lois and Eunice it is a reminder that our first responsibility when it comes to discipleship is those in our family.
A call to parents you have little lives that need to be built into…It is the job of the church to assist that but the responsibility does not rest on the church to disciple your children. The church with its programs should underline what you are currently teaching them.
You on the other hand should be discipled by the church. Here is why, if you know the Word and are consistently pursuing God that will inevitably use what is instilled in you to disciple your children…because discipleship is about the life we live…not a class or program. So the goal here if for you to learn, learn how to apply and be inspired to apply the truths of the Bible.
To some degree your children will love what you love and hate what you hate. UNLESS (with the exception of Jesus who should be before everything and everyone) what you love forces you to neglect them.
Why is this? Because when you love something you develop a passion for whatever that is and when there is passion for something, the people around you sense that and then want to investigate what is fueling that passion.
Our society tells us put our kids in situations in which they can be exposed to things and have experiences but what we need to remember as parents, the best thing we can do for our children at the developmental ages is build into them spiritually. We CANNOT do that if we are not being built into spiritually. You make sacrifices for your children but you do not sacrifice your own spiritual development for them, if you do it will harm them. (My going to school illustration, I need development)
Then you can live a Deut 6:4-9 centered Christian life.
The words of Jesus “A disciple is not above his teacher” your children will reach as high as you are.
Vrs 6 A mentor encourages the disciple to their highest potential. “fan to flame” Remember Rev 3:16 Jesus spits out those that are lukewarm. Do everything you can to be excited about and on fire for the Lord.
“Fan into flame” encourage the work
You can tell if someone has the work of the Lord’s best interest in mind if they encourage others to serve better and excel. Far too many times we see people in leadership roles that only want good things to be accomplished if their name is attached to it.
They don’t have the security to empower others and will not support when others excel. They may tear down and malign what the person is doing in hopes to keep people looking at them.
The people who truly have an impact are the people that are willing to empower and not take credit.
As a person who disciples others, one necessary trait must be humility…
If it was not for the devotion of Annie Sullivan the world would not know the name of Helen Keller
If not for George MacDonald the world may not have known C.S. Lewis
1 Timothy 4:14 Leaders “laying hands” a commissioning for ministry
This act is also saying “we need to empower others for the work”
Vrs 7 A mentor reminds a disciple of the power of God
A disciple needs those that build into them to be the type of people that celebrate with them even when their work becomes more noticeable then the work that they have done.
Vrs 7 a true disciple is empowered by God (more specifically the Holy Spirit). Bottom line is that what matters most is a vibrant relationship with the Lord that is only achieved through the GOSPEL. You can work all you want to be a good disciple (follower of Jesus) but if you do not rely on the Holy Spirit you have failed.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Entrusted "A Call to Action"
1 Timothy 6:11-21
Call to action These things show our faith Action, Reaction and Protection
Vrs 11-14 Action
• Flee “these things” trusting in false teaching and following them which leads to sin
• Peruse – Christian virtues. Read them in verse 11
Dr. Vernon Grounds says “Godliness is when others look at the quality of my life, and begin to think about God”
• Fight – Vrs 12 Living your faith will come against some resistance in which you will need to fight against.
-Your family and friends will not understand you
-You will have to make decisions at work that are not that popular
-You will not agree with others on certain issues
• Take Hold 12b-13 –Live the gospel “Take hold of eternal life” live like a citizen of heaven This is difficult when we live here on earth with and among other people.
Augustine wrote The City of God after It was written soon after Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410. This event left Romans in a deep state of shock, and many saw it as punishment for abandoning their traditional Roman religion. It was in this atmosphere that Augustine set out to console Christians, writing that, even if the earthly rule of the empire was imperiled, it was the City of God that would ultimately triumph — Augustine's eyes were fixed on Heaven. (Wikipedia “The City of God)
Augustine states about living among non-believing.
“Many of them are so ungrateful to the Redeemer…they forget that they cannot even utter a single word”[without Him].
For us this means we need to “take hold” and try even harder to live out the Gospel because the people around us will not.
So as citizens of the City of God we need to speak the “Good Confession” which is that Jesus is the Truth. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King and Jesus said yes.
• Vrs 14a Keep Commandment “unstained” – watch your testimony our call is to be a good representative of the Jesus
Thomas Brooks the Puritan writer says “Know that it is not the knowing, nor the talking, nor the reading man-but the doing man, that at last will be found the happiest”
When our Orthodoxy(What we believe) leads to Orthopraxy(What we do) we find ourselves happy.
Vrs 14b The fullness of our Joy will only come when Jesus comes
Vrs 15-16 A confession (what we believe) I think this is strategically placed to remind us that our actions should always be rooted in the GOSPEL
Sometimes Christians get caught up in doing good and being people who take action and forget that the Gospel needs to be the center of that good work…it should not be cause driven Christianity (help the poor, get clean water, do this program etc)
“Has seen” all His fullness, we would die. Ex 33:18-20
15b -16 I can ACT on the things a God like this says
Reaction
Vrs 17-19 A charge for the “haves” (what we believe should effect what we do with what we have)
If you have wealth…your reaction to Jesus with that wealth.
• don’t flaunt it. (haughty) if you are just buying things to impress others (Pimp my ride, cribs are saying…look I have so much money)
• don’t trust it. (Many people think money can bring security and happiness)
Comedian and writer Spike Milligan once said “All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy”
• realize where it came from. (Its from God and good)
• do good with it.
• be generous with it.
Vrs 19 If your reaction to what you have is in line with what Jesus teaches us then there are benefits…-storing up treasure for the next life and –truly having full life
Protection
Vrs 20-21
• Guard the deposit “ENTRUSTED”. As Christian we need to guard against false teaching, wrong direction or “vision” that is based on personal gain or ego boosting.
• Profess- when we declare openly Biblical teaching we are actually protecting the hearers. We see the false teachers profess their beliefs and it cause people to swerve from the faith.
“Grace be with you” All of Paul’s 13 letters end with this phrase and as
John Piper says “Paul believes that God’s grace is being mediated to the readers by the words, the truth of each letter”.
Without the grace of God we cannot ACT, REACT, or PROTECT
The Grace is Him allowing you, empowering you and entrusting you to do His work and His grace is enough.
Call to action These things show our faith Action, Reaction and Protection
Vrs 11-14 Action
• Flee “these things” trusting in false teaching and following them which leads to sin
• Peruse – Christian virtues. Read them in verse 11
Dr. Vernon Grounds says “Godliness is when others look at the quality of my life, and begin to think about God”
• Fight – Vrs 12 Living your faith will come against some resistance in which you will need to fight against.
-Your family and friends will not understand you
-You will have to make decisions at work that are not that popular
-You will not agree with others on certain issues
• Take Hold 12b-13 –Live the gospel “Take hold of eternal life” live like a citizen of heaven This is difficult when we live here on earth with and among other people.
Augustine wrote The City of God after It was written soon after Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410. This event left Romans in a deep state of shock, and many saw it as punishment for abandoning their traditional Roman religion. It was in this atmosphere that Augustine set out to console Christians, writing that, even if the earthly rule of the empire was imperiled, it was the City of God that would ultimately triumph — Augustine's eyes were fixed on Heaven. (Wikipedia “The City of God)
Augustine states about living among non-believing.
“Many of them are so ungrateful to the Redeemer…they forget that they cannot even utter a single word”[without Him].
For us this means we need to “take hold” and try even harder to live out the Gospel because the people around us will not.
So as citizens of the City of God we need to speak the “Good Confession” which is that Jesus is the Truth. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King and Jesus said yes.
• Vrs 14a Keep Commandment “unstained” – watch your testimony our call is to be a good representative of the Jesus
Thomas Brooks the Puritan writer says “Know that it is not the knowing, nor the talking, nor the reading man-but the doing man, that at last will be found the happiest”
When our Orthodoxy(What we believe) leads to Orthopraxy(What we do) we find ourselves happy.
Vrs 14b The fullness of our Joy will only come when Jesus comes
Vrs 15-16 A confession (what we believe) I think this is strategically placed to remind us that our actions should always be rooted in the GOSPEL
Sometimes Christians get caught up in doing good and being people who take action and forget that the Gospel needs to be the center of that good work…it should not be cause driven Christianity (help the poor, get clean water, do this program etc)
“Has seen” all His fullness, we would die. Ex 33:18-20
15b -16 I can ACT on the things a God like this says
Reaction
Vrs 17-19 A charge for the “haves” (what we believe should effect what we do with what we have)
If you have wealth…your reaction to Jesus with that wealth.
• don’t flaunt it. (haughty) if you are just buying things to impress others (Pimp my ride, cribs are saying…look I have so much money)
• don’t trust it. (Many people think money can bring security and happiness)
Comedian and writer Spike Milligan once said “All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy”
• realize where it came from. (Its from God and good)
• do good with it.
• be generous with it.
Vrs 19 If your reaction to what you have is in line with what Jesus teaches us then there are benefits…-storing up treasure for the next life and –truly having full life
Protection
Vrs 20-21
• Guard the deposit “ENTRUSTED”. As Christian we need to guard against false teaching, wrong direction or “vision” that is based on personal gain or ego boosting.
• Profess- when we declare openly Biblical teaching we are actually protecting the hearers. We see the false teachers profess their beliefs and it cause people to swerve from the faith.
“Grace be with you” All of Paul’s 13 letters end with this phrase and as
John Piper says “Paul believes that God’s grace is being mediated to the readers by the words, the truth of each letter”.
Without the grace of God we cannot ACT, REACT, or PROTECT
The Grace is Him allowing you, empowering you and entrusting you to do His work and His grace is enough.
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