Titus: Letter written by Paul in roughly 63-66 AD sometime before his imprisonment. Was written after Paul and Titus went to help the churches in Crete and then left Titus there. Although Paul’s last words in 2 Timothy were that Titus went to Dalmatia, tradition tells us that after that he went to Crete and spent the rest of his life there ministering with the church in that region.
Probably a lot of work there because there were probably many churches. The Cretan’s were a rough group Epimenides there own prophet said
Vrs 12.
Polybius in Histories said “Almost impossible to find personal conduct more treacherous or public policy more unjust, then in Crete”
Cicero states in Republic “Moral principles are so divergent that the Cretans consider highway robbery honorable”
How do you do good among such a sinful and messed up culture? The first thing is appoint leaders who follow the Lord. Is this possible to find Godly people to lead in such terrible circumstances…Titus would know the answer is yes…cause he knew about Noah, Lot, Moses, Daniel
Theme of letter: “Promoting good works among the people” Obviously a difficult task.
Tonight we will learn that “Godly leaders inspire good works”
We all realize that when there is corruption in leadership and injustice happens people respond in sinful ways.
An example of that was in LA in the early 90’s when Rodney King beaten by police and the police got off the hook. Explain the riots and the story of Rev. Bennie Newton who ran a ministry for troubled young men in LA, turn on the tv as the riots started to break out and realized around the corner from his house Reginald Denny was being beaten by looters. He ran out to find that others saved Reginald by the attackers were now beating a man named Fidel Lopez, Rev. Newton with Bible in hand jumped on Fidel to guard him from the attackers and yelled “If you kill this man you have to kill me first” and the attackers dispersed and Rev. Newton prayed over the man and brought him to the hospital because no ambulance responded.
Our culture and every culture and place need righteous leaders to stand for righteousness.
To identify Godly leaders we look at...
• family life.
• personal purity.
• doctrinal beliefs.
• willingness to do what is right no matter the cost.
What I am going to do is go through the passage in order rather then going through there four points and taking the passage out of order. With these points behind me you will be able see that these points are what we find in the passage.
• Intro Verses 1-4
Vrs 1 Paul starts with the reminder of truth GOSPEL (doctrinal beliefs)
Vrs 2 Even though you are in a culture of liars. In 600BC the Cretans were so much known for being liars that other people came up with the term “Cretanize” which meant you were lying. In sharp contrast Paul states “God is not a liar” His Gospel is true (personal purity)
Vrs 3 Given Word to be preached and “Entrusted” Paul with it. This is what all Christians must understand we are “Entrusted” to bring the Word. (doctrinal beliefs)
• Vrs 5 Here is what I need you to do. Clean up the mess and then appoint those who can take care of the church.
Appoint: who has the right to put people in leadership? Those in leadership, not about yes men but about qualified men.
The character of Godly leaders Vrs 6-8 What qualifies them? these are character traits that all Christians should strive after. When I preached 1 Timothy 3 I did an entire sermon on these traits, so I don’t want to get repetitious.
Paul is saying here is this the measuring stick…Why? Because people need real life people in their church and community to look up to, get Godly advice from and trust. In the culture Titus was in it was a lot easier to select unqualified men to be leaders but Paul is saying “no no” There must be standards for who will have authority in the church.
Vrs 9 these men have to be willing to do the hard things and not shrink back for fear of others. They stick to God’s Word and use it to correct those who violate it and oppose it.
• The character of the ungodly Vrs 10 Paul now describes what characterizes the ungodly. “circumcision party” The false teachers arose form the Jewish Christians (Here is how you will recognize them, they are the ones adding rules)
• What to do about the ungodly 11-14.
-Silence v11 They need to be willing to speak up..
Silence in the face of evil is itself evil...not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
-v12-13a Even the unredeemed know they are sinful (Epimenides)
-Rebuke & correct them v13-14
Need to point out their error and send them on the right way
Myths-belief in untrue or fanciful stories that were deceptive and excused immoral behavior.
• Vrs 15-16 When someone is working on their personal purity their focus becomes on the things of the Lord, when that happens we think on what is pure…that is where our mind goes…did you ever have someone say to you “get your mind out of the gutter”?
The ungodly are deceived their conscience and moral compass is off…The book of Romans talks a lot about this.
-When your mind is deceived the result is sin, false teachers loved to make up and hold people to rules that are not Biblical
Vrs 16 “Unfit” even when they do good it just does not seem good
The result…
Having Godly leaders in place will inspire those they are leading to do good works.
Our Response…
Follow in good works in order to lead others to Jesus.
In effect we all have some role in leading…
Sunday, March 27, 2011
"Helpful or Hurtful?"
Helpful people…
-are servants of the Lord
Crescens v10 nothing is known but apparently was dispatched to do the work of the Lord in Galatia
Titus v10 Helpful but we will learn more about him next week.
Tychicus v12 Eph 6:18-21 & Col. 4:2-7 Paul states that “he is a faithful brother and minister” 2x and says he will tell the church at Collosea his affairs…so he was a messenger.
Q=Do you serve the Lord?
Luke v11 The physician wrote Gospel of Luke and Acts. But he is with Paul
-use skills and abilities to serve.
Q=What skills and abilities do you have to serve?
-provide companionship. Luke knew Paul would appreciate company.
Q=Are you available?
-do things for others.
Vrs 13 bring my cloak, books and parchments (OT Scriptures)
Q=Are you willing to do things for others?
Side note: Spurgeon Metropolitan Tabernacle in 1860’s on “The books”
How rebuked are they by the apostle! He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a men to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every preacher, "Give thyself unto reading."
Christians, what is true of ministers is true of all our people. You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible. We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure, is to be either reading or praying.
Hurtful people…
-let us down
Demas v10 Being in love with the world will leave you Restless. It is amazing to see that when people turn away from the Lord it actually hurts those who are serving Him. (some personal illustrations)
Q=Have your actions and decisions let others down?
-cause us problems
Alexander v14a “Much harm” “guard against/Beware of him” this would carry the idea we have to put up some walls against people who have hurt us. This does not mean we do not forgive, or we should treat them badly. But it does give us the idea that we should enter in with extreme caution.
Do people change?
Sometimes the hurtful become helpful.
Mark v11 Acts 15:36-41 Paul disapproved of Mark because of his departure from them. 46-47AD. God sometimes uses departed situations to further the Kingdom and prove peoples usefulness. Paul did not say “I was wrong about him” he said he is useful almost 20 years later.
So yes people change but they may need time…I would suggest time
You may be saying to yourself…I don’t really have many helpful people in my life…
Vrs 16-18 When we can’t count on anyone…we can count on the Lord.
Jesus is helpful to us even though were hurtful to Him. GOSPEL
How do we treat those who are hurtful?
Vrs 14b (our instinct is to take revenge)
-take comfort that the Lord will repay.
Vrs 16 -pray for mercy for them
- Realize you have hurt others.
Thomas Kempis wrote in the “Imitation of Christ” in the 1400’s
Under the heading “Bearing with faults of others”
“Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault” “If you cannot make yourself what you wish to be, how can bend others to your will” “we want them to be perfect and yet we do not correct our own faults”
(Paul would understand that because he did great harm to the faith and then he was saved and people where skeptical and he understood that)
How do we treat those who are helpful?
-encourage them
Vrs 19-21 Greet those co-laborers Paul is being an example of a person that is helpful. His encouraging words to those people. Think about the God of this universe decided to inspire Paul to give “shout outs” to certain people and how encouraging would that be to be one of them.
-Bless them
Vrs 22
The final words Paul penned was a blessing
-are servants of the Lord
Crescens v10 nothing is known but apparently was dispatched to do the work of the Lord in Galatia
Titus v10 Helpful but we will learn more about him next week.
Tychicus v12 Eph 6:18-21 & Col. 4:2-7 Paul states that “he is a faithful brother and minister” 2x and says he will tell the church at Collosea his affairs…so he was a messenger.
Q=Do you serve the Lord?
Luke v11 The physician wrote Gospel of Luke and Acts. But he is with Paul
-use skills and abilities to serve.
Q=What skills and abilities do you have to serve?
-provide companionship. Luke knew Paul would appreciate company.
Q=Are you available?
-do things for others.
Vrs 13 bring my cloak, books and parchments (OT Scriptures)
Q=Are you willing to do things for others?
Side note: Spurgeon Metropolitan Tabernacle in 1860’s on “The books”
How rebuked are they by the apostle! He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a men to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every preacher, "Give thyself unto reading."
Christians, what is true of ministers is true of all our people. You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible. We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure, is to be either reading or praying.
Hurtful people…
-let us down
Demas v10 Being in love with the world will leave you Restless. It is amazing to see that when people turn away from the Lord it actually hurts those who are serving Him. (some personal illustrations)
Q=Have your actions and decisions let others down?
-cause us problems
Alexander v14a “Much harm” “guard against/Beware of him” this would carry the idea we have to put up some walls against people who have hurt us. This does not mean we do not forgive, or we should treat them badly. But it does give us the idea that we should enter in with extreme caution.
Do people change?
Sometimes the hurtful become helpful.
Mark v11 Acts 15:36-41 Paul disapproved of Mark because of his departure from them. 46-47AD. God sometimes uses departed situations to further the Kingdom and prove peoples usefulness. Paul did not say “I was wrong about him” he said he is useful almost 20 years later.
So yes people change but they may need time…I would suggest time
You may be saying to yourself…I don’t really have many helpful people in my life…
Vrs 16-18 When we can’t count on anyone…we can count on the Lord.
Jesus is helpful to us even though were hurtful to Him. GOSPEL
How do we treat those who are hurtful?
Vrs 14b (our instinct is to take revenge)
-take comfort that the Lord will repay.
Vrs 16 -pray for mercy for them
- Realize you have hurt others.
Thomas Kempis wrote in the “Imitation of Christ” in the 1400’s
Under the heading “Bearing with faults of others”
“Try to bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others, whatever they may be, because you also have many a fault” “If you cannot make yourself what you wish to be, how can bend others to your will” “we want them to be perfect and yet we do not correct our own faults”
(Paul would understand that because he did great harm to the faith and then he was saved and people where skeptical and he understood that)
How do we treat those who are helpful?
-encourage them
Vrs 19-21 Greet those co-laborers Paul is being an example of a person that is helpful. His encouraging words to those people. Think about the God of this universe decided to inspire Paul to give “shout outs” to certain people and how encouraging would that be to be one of them.
-Bless them
Vrs 22
The final words Paul penned was a blessing
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Entrusted: "The Pastor, the People, the Promise"
2 Timothy 4:1-8 “The Pastor, the People, the Promise”
Vrs 1 We will all meet our Judge 2 Cor 5:10 Paul was motivated by future judgment so therefore he wanted to motivate Timothy that way as well. “I charge you”
Some have suggested that we should not be motivated by reward…but I would suggest that pleasing Christ is a reward that we should all be motivated by. (My kids just love to hear words of approval and affirmation) but in this passage Paul also concludes that there is a heavenly reward for living a life that is pleasing to God…a life of righteousness.
In this passage Paul then is telling Timothy a pastor of pastors, what Christian’s should be reminded of when it comes to righteous living. He speaks to the pastors and the people
Vrs 2 The call of a pastor is to…
-“Preach the Word” Matthew Henry said “It is not their own notions and fancies that they are to preach, but the pure plain word of God; and they must not corrupt it”
Remember the ceter piece of the Word is Jesus
-“Be ready” “instant” Calvin “Overcome the hindrances of being effeminate or slothful, don’t yield to opposition and make excuses for our laziness”
In season-when people want to hear it. Out of season- when they don’t
Use the Scripture for guidance in dealing with the people
-Reprove- conviction (help people realize something is wrong)
-Rebuke (admonish) – disapproval based upon what the word says
-Exhort- Persuade to press on
-“with complete patience and teaching(doctrine)” This should be the attitude of the pastor/preacher. Anytime correction has to happen it should be done in patience and gentleness but rooted in Scripture.
Inevitably if a Pastor is doing this people who persist in sin will be inclined to get angry. And in the next verse Paul speaks about what those people will do
Vrs 3-4
Temptations for the people
-Not to endure sound teaching (I don’t like that / or you have no right)
-Find people who teach what they like to hear (they themselves are the measure of needs to be heard and taught and how things should go) We live in this time and unfortunately democracy has taught us to think like we know what we are talking about.
So the problem is because of our prideful un-teachable spirits we do not want to admit that we are in desperate need of guidance. And true guidance only comes fro the Lord and His Word
-Believing myths or wrong doctrines
A person with a teachable spirit will respond to the preached word. And submit to Godly people when they are sticking with the Scripture
Vrs 5-6 The Pastor and the People
My position as a Pastor is to study God’s Word and have a pulse on the people I minister to so I am able to preach what we all need to hear. The great news for all us is that when we study through books of the Bible or select passages of Scripture to preach through we know it is what God wants us to hear. And then you all will be able to learn how to function as a Christian in your world.
When pastors teach the Word and the people respond
We become able to….
-Think clearly- The only way we can think clearly is if our mind is renewed. Romans 12:2 “do not conform to the world…be transformed”
-Endure suffering- Deal with it and don’t let it stop you
-Tell others about Jesus GOSPEL
-Fulfill what God has given us to do – whatever you feel you are gifted to do and God has enable you to do, keep your focus and do your job
-Live a life of sacrifice
-Unfortunately the trap that Paul is talking about that many Pastors fall into is “fear of man” and they feel they have to bow to what the people want or the people will not come. This I believe comes from low self worth, focusing too much on numerical growth, focusing too much on what every other church is doing and a low view of the power of God’s Word preached
-The trap that people fall into is that they think that church exists for them, so they find a place that speaks to what they want to do or hear.
But the church exists for the Glory of Jesus
Questions we can ask ourselves…
Vrs 7
-“Fought the good fight” Do I do what can to serve Him?
-“Finished the race” If today were the last day did I finish well? (weddings)
-“Kept the faith” Do I keep to sound teaching of the Bible?
Vrs 8
The result for both parties is a promise…a reward for righteous living
The promise
This is why I think it is not only appropriate but Biblical to focus in on the promise…sometimes it is all we have.
Paul was awaiting his death…he could easily say “a life of service and this is what I get… jail time and a death sentence” (your best life now)
Righteous living results in a little something extra in the “goody bag”
Vrs 8 “crown of righteousness” this is a reference to some kind of heavenly reward for those who have lived in righteousness.
Paul reminds in 1 Cor 9:25 that runners in an earthly race run for a prize that does not last but as Christians when we seek after and follow the Lord He rewards us with a crown that will last.
The way we understand that is “those who love His appearing” signify those who live their lives in view of Jesus.
If you are so focused on the Lord you cannot help but live a life of righteousness.
Vrs 1 We will all meet our Judge 2 Cor 5:10 Paul was motivated by future judgment so therefore he wanted to motivate Timothy that way as well. “I charge you”
Some have suggested that we should not be motivated by reward…but I would suggest that pleasing Christ is a reward that we should all be motivated by. (My kids just love to hear words of approval and affirmation) but in this passage Paul also concludes that there is a heavenly reward for living a life that is pleasing to God…a life of righteousness.
In this passage Paul then is telling Timothy a pastor of pastors, what Christian’s should be reminded of when it comes to righteous living. He speaks to the pastors and the people
Vrs 2 The call of a pastor is to…
-“Preach the Word” Matthew Henry said “It is not their own notions and fancies that they are to preach, but the pure plain word of God; and they must not corrupt it”
Remember the ceter piece of the Word is Jesus
-“Be ready” “instant” Calvin “Overcome the hindrances of being effeminate or slothful, don’t yield to opposition and make excuses for our laziness”
In season-when people want to hear it. Out of season- when they don’t
Use the Scripture for guidance in dealing with the people
-Reprove- conviction (help people realize something is wrong)
-Rebuke (admonish) – disapproval based upon what the word says
-Exhort- Persuade to press on
-“with complete patience and teaching(doctrine)” This should be the attitude of the pastor/preacher. Anytime correction has to happen it should be done in patience and gentleness but rooted in Scripture.
Inevitably if a Pastor is doing this people who persist in sin will be inclined to get angry. And in the next verse Paul speaks about what those people will do
Vrs 3-4
Temptations for the people
-Not to endure sound teaching (I don’t like that / or you have no right)
-Find people who teach what they like to hear (they themselves are the measure of needs to be heard and taught and how things should go) We live in this time and unfortunately democracy has taught us to think like we know what we are talking about.
So the problem is because of our prideful un-teachable spirits we do not want to admit that we are in desperate need of guidance. And true guidance only comes fro the Lord and His Word
-Believing myths or wrong doctrines
A person with a teachable spirit will respond to the preached word. And submit to Godly people when they are sticking with the Scripture
Vrs 5-6 The Pastor and the People
My position as a Pastor is to study God’s Word and have a pulse on the people I minister to so I am able to preach what we all need to hear. The great news for all us is that when we study through books of the Bible or select passages of Scripture to preach through we know it is what God wants us to hear. And then you all will be able to learn how to function as a Christian in your world.
When pastors teach the Word and the people respond
We become able to….
-Think clearly- The only way we can think clearly is if our mind is renewed. Romans 12:2 “do not conform to the world…be transformed”
-Endure suffering- Deal with it and don’t let it stop you
-Tell others about Jesus GOSPEL
-Fulfill what God has given us to do – whatever you feel you are gifted to do and God has enable you to do, keep your focus and do your job
-Live a life of sacrifice
-Unfortunately the trap that Paul is talking about that many Pastors fall into is “fear of man” and they feel they have to bow to what the people want or the people will not come. This I believe comes from low self worth, focusing too much on numerical growth, focusing too much on what every other church is doing and a low view of the power of God’s Word preached
-The trap that people fall into is that they think that church exists for them, so they find a place that speaks to what they want to do or hear.
But the church exists for the Glory of Jesus
Questions we can ask ourselves…
Vrs 7
-“Fought the good fight” Do I do what can to serve Him?
-“Finished the race” If today were the last day did I finish well? (weddings)
-“Kept the faith” Do I keep to sound teaching of the Bible?
Vrs 8
The result for both parties is a promise…a reward for righteous living
The promise
This is why I think it is not only appropriate but Biblical to focus in on the promise…sometimes it is all we have.
Paul was awaiting his death…he could easily say “a life of service and this is what I get… jail time and a death sentence” (your best life now)
Righteous living results in a little something extra in the “goody bag”
Vrs 8 “crown of righteousness” this is a reference to some kind of heavenly reward for those who have lived in righteousness.
Paul reminds in 1 Cor 9:25 that runners in an earthly race run for a prize that does not last but as Christians when we seek after and follow the Lord He rewards us with a crown that will last.
The way we understand that is “those who love His appearing” signify those who live their lives in view of Jesus.
If you are so focused on the Lord you cannot help but live a life of righteousness.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Entrusted Series: "The Necessity of Scripture in the Pursuit of Godliness"
2 Timothy 3:10-17
Big Idea: The necessity of Scripture in the pursuit of Godliness
Godly-conforming to the laws and will of God
In contrast to the false teachers…you Timothy. The progress of a believer in contrast to the unbeliever, they go from bad to worse but we should be going from bad to better. We will only do that if we realize the necessity of Scripture.
Three ways this passage teaches us how to progress into Godliness and they all revolve around the Scriptures
1. Follow those who are Godly Vrs 10-12 (Mentors Message)
-My teaching – The Word
-My conduct – Gospel centered living
-My aim - the concept is precise, Paul knew what he was to do…preach the Gospel
-My faith - trusting the Lord no matter what happens
-My patience – serving the Lord no matter what the result. We talk to people and they are not interested. He talked to people and they beat him
-My love - Love the Lord and love others
-My steadfastness – firm in purpose
-My persecution & suffering – dealing with the bad, many times we only want to follow the path of least resistance rather then dealing with disappointment. Thomas Edison “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”
Vrs 12 If we pursue a Godly life we will encounter obstacles
V12 this is not just for a certain group of select Christians…this is for “ALL” who follow after the Lord…at some time or another there will be difficulty
(Vrs 13) Evil people & imposters bad to worse…deceived and deceive others.
2. Learn from those who are Godly Vrs 14-15a (Mentors message Eunice and Lois) Build on the foundation you received from Godly people.
How do you know they are Godly? First clue is… they use their Bible
Spurgeon “show me a man whose Bible is falling apart from use and I will show you a man who is not”
There is a difference between “us” and “them” and it will be marked by reliance on the Scriptures.
These are casual relationships that you may have in life that you can call upon or ask for advice in certain situations. The Bible says “there is wisdom in many counselors”
Listen Timothy these false teachers did not listen to Godly mentors and they did not listen to their Momma and Grand Momma’s and they don’t listen to the Word of the Lord, that is why they are so messed up….not you…
3. Practice the correct use and view of the Scriptures
Vrs 15b-17
• “wise for salvation” 15b Salvation GOSPEL direct contrast to false teaching which leads to damnation.
All Scripture (means Old and New Testament) The law is a tutor to bring us to Christ
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. —Jerome, A.D. 340-420
• “Breathed out by God” Vrs 16 God put His breath in the first man Adam God put His breath in the Word, that is why nothing holds a candle to the Word…God blows it out.
• “Profitable”- It is useful because it is from God. If we forget the nature of the Bible it will erode our faith.
We fail in our duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.— R.C. Sproul
Average American watches 34 hours a week of tv
You can hear from God as much as you want
The main profit in it is that it is the God of the universe talking to us
Bryan Chapell “Youth Group game”
• Teaching- Exchange of information and gaining knowledge. Doctrine-teaching the ignorant, truths which cannot not otherwise know.
But it is not just Cliff Claven, not just knowledge
• Reproof – conviction – what is amiss
Convicting the erring of their error
(when I was 18 reading the Bible and felt a deep conviction of the sin I living in)
• Correction –setting one right
• Training- How to or how has it worked for you
The Result = Godliness
V17 supports the doctrine of “sufficiency of Scripture” which basically states that Scripture provides what is needed to be Godly.
Complete “Competent” the Word of God Completes us to conform to the law and will of God
An unknown writer said, "This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.
Big Idea: The necessity of Scripture in the pursuit of Godliness
Godly-conforming to the laws and will of God
In contrast to the false teachers…you Timothy. The progress of a believer in contrast to the unbeliever, they go from bad to worse but we should be going from bad to better. We will only do that if we realize the necessity of Scripture.
Three ways this passage teaches us how to progress into Godliness and they all revolve around the Scriptures
1. Follow those who are Godly Vrs 10-12 (Mentors Message)
-My teaching – The Word
-My conduct – Gospel centered living
-My aim - the concept is precise, Paul knew what he was to do…preach the Gospel
-My faith - trusting the Lord no matter what happens
-My patience – serving the Lord no matter what the result. We talk to people and they are not interested. He talked to people and they beat him
-My love - Love the Lord and love others
-My steadfastness – firm in purpose
-My persecution & suffering – dealing with the bad, many times we only want to follow the path of least resistance rather then dealing with disappointment. Thomas Edison “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”
Vrs 12 If we pursue a Godly life we will encounter obstacles
V12 this is not just for a certain group of select Christians…this is for “ALL” who follow after the Lord…at some time or another there will be difficulty
(Vrs 13) Evil people & imposters bad to worse…deceived and deceive others.
2. Learn from those who are Godly Vrs 14-15a (Mentors message Eunice and Lois) Build on the foundation you received from Godly people.
How do you know they are Godly? First clue is… they use their Bible
Spurgeon “show me a man whose Bible is falling apart from use and I will show you a man who is not”
There is a difference between “us” and “them” and it will be marked by reliance on the Scriptures.
These are casual relationships that you may have in life that you can call upon or ask for advice in certain situations. The Bible says “there is wisdom in many counselors”
Listen Timothy these false teachers did not listen to Godly mentors and they did not listen to their Momma and Grand Momma’s and they don’t listen to the Word of the Lord, that is why they are so messed up….not you…
3. Practice the correct use and view of the Scriptures
Vrs 15b-17
• “wise for salvation” 15b Salvation GOSPEL direct contrast to false teaching which leads to damnation.
All Scripture (means Old and New Testament) The law is a tutor to bring us to Christ
Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. —Jerome, A.D. 340-420
• “Breathed out by God” Vrs 16 God put His breath in the first man Adam God put His breath in the Word, that is why nothing holds a candle to the Word…God blows it out.
• “Profitable”- It is useful because it is from God. If we forget the nature of the Bible it will erode our faith.
We fail in our duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.— R.C. Sproul
Average American watches 34 hours a week of tv
You can hear from God as much as you want
The main profit in it is that it is the God of the universe talking to us
Bryan Chapell “Youth Group game”
• Teaching- Exchange of information and gaining knowledge. Doctrine-teaching the ignorant, truths which cannot not otherwise know.
But it is not just Cliff Claven, not just knowledge
• Reproof – conviction – what is amiss
Convicting the erring of their error
(when I was 18 reading the Bible and felt a deep conviction of the sin I living in)
• Correction –setting one right
• Training- How to or how has it worked for you
The Result = Godliness
V17 supports the doctrine of “sufficiency of Scripture” which basically states that Scripture provides what is needed to be Godly.
Complete “Competent” the Word of God Completes us to conform to the law and will of God
An unknown writer said, "This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Entrusted Series: "Dealing With Discouragements"
What to do when you feel discouraged about the spiritual climate around you?
2 Timothy 3:1-9
• It brings discouragement when people have…
Misplaced love (love for idols)
-lovers of self (think of self first)
-lovers of money (greedy)
-lovers of pleasure rather then lovers of God (sin give pleasure)
An unrealistic view of self
-proud & swollen with conceit
-arrogant (glorifying self & thinking I call the shots)
-without self control (I can handle this)
-ungrateful (don’t give praise to Jesus)
-unholy (unlike Jesus)
-unappeasable (nothing makes us happy but we think it will)
Disregard for others
-slanderous (talking about and back stabbing)
-heartless (lack of concern for others)
-brutal
-abusive (mentally, emotionally spiritually & physically)
-disobedient to their parents (that can be discouraging)
-not loving good (rejoicing in sin)
-treacherous & reckless (being in a relationship with this person just takes its toll, volatile)
Confused spiritual beliefs
-appearance of godliness but denying the power (religious)
-lead people that are struggling away from the truth (the are dangerous to the weak)
Vrs 6 there is a danger… “capture” did you know that one of the Mormon’s openers if you say you are a Christian is? “That is true but we have more of that truth” Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
-learning new things but never truth based (is knowledge power?) People like Depock Chopra
-oppose the Godly. In every chapter of this book Paul names at least 2 names Chap 1 Hermongenes & Phygelus Chapter 2 Hymenasus & Philetus Chapter 4 Demas & Alexander. All these people were leading others away from the truth. Every generation will have people who will rise up as teachers that will stray others from the faith. I believe it is paving the way for the Anti-Christ
Vrs 8 Jannes and Jambres looked like they had something going good but they really were against the truth Ex 7 an example of how people will try to mimic Godliness but in their own power they will be unsuccessful, they were trying to things on their own. Staff, blood, frogs Ex 8:19 gnats…”the finger of God”
• To deal with these discouragements…understand this.
1. It is going to happen because we are in the “Last days” Vrs 1 (prepare ourselves, choose to do and say things that have some degree of Gospel importance) Jesus said they hated Him first.
2. Avoid those people if possible Vrs 5 (the concept I want to instill in all of us here is this, don’t let it get you down, if you need to change your situation, maybe that is what God is pressing on you to do, some people think that just because they are sticking it out in a situation it must be God’s will)
Vrs 5b “Avoid such people” How can I avoid them??? They go to church here, they live in my house. Jesus ran off and avoided they crowds at times
3. People will oppose you Vrs 8 (sometimes you try to avoid but they seek you out and oppose you, like when you are kid and people make fun of you…I am just minding my own business but they seem to find me) The religious leaders opposed Jesus
4. They will not get far Vrs 9 (Jesus is the winning team, the beauty of His justice is that He puts an end to those who do not trust Him) Jesus knew what the end result was
5. They will be made known Vrs 9 (Jesus takes care of all situations eventually, exposes) The word “folly” here is also used in Luke 6:11 and it carries the idea of being so enraged that you cannot clearly think about what is going on. The account in Luke 6:11 when Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath started the authorities in the plot to kill Jesus. And interestingly enough we find in 1 Cor 2:8-9 their foolishness brought forth God’s ultimate plan.
Can we “understand this” on our own? No
When you are discouraged think about the beautiful truth of Jesus and what He did and look for solace in Him. In the face of huge discouragement from the very people He mad rebelling against Him He was willing to die for them and us.
We can only deal with our discouragements through Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
• It brings discouragement when people have…
Misplaced love (love for idols)
-lovers of self (think of self first)
-lovers of money (greedy)
-lovers of pleasure rather then lovers of God (sin give pleasure)
An unrealistic view of self
-proud & swollen with conceit
-arrogant (glorifying self & thinking I call the shots)
-without self control (I can handle this)
-ungrateful (don’t give praise to Jesus)
-unholy (unlike Jesus)
-unappeasable (nothing makes us happy but we think it will)
Disregard for others
-slanderous (talking about and back stabbing)
-heartless (lack of concern for others)
-brutal
-abusive (mentally, emotionally spiritually & physically)
-disobedient to their parents (that can be discouraging)
-not loving good (rejoicing in sin)
-treacherous & reckless (being in a relationship with this person just takes its toll, volatile)
Confused spiritual beliefs
-appearance of godliness but denying the power (religious)
-lead people that are struggling away from the truth (the are dangerous to the weak)
Vrs 6 there is a danger… “capture” did you know that one of the Mormon’s openers if you say you are a Christian is? “That is true but we have more of that truth” Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
-learning new things but never truth based (is knowledge power?) People like Depock Chopra
-oppose the Godly. In every chapter of this book Paul names at least 2 names Chap 1 Hermongenes & Phygelus Chapter 2 Hymenasus & Philetus Chapter 4 Demas & Alexander. All these people were leading others away from the truth. Every generation will have people who will rise up as teachers that will stray others from the faith. I believe it is paving the way for the Anti-Christ
Vrs 8 Jannes and Jambres looked like they had something going good but they really were against the truth Ex 7 an example of how people will try to mimic Godliness but in their own power they will be unsuccessful, they were trying to things on their own. Staff, blood, frogs Ex 8:19 gnats…”the finger of God”
• To deal with these discouragements…understand this.
1. It is going to happen because we are in the “Last days” Vrs 1 (prepare ourselves, choose to do and say things that have some degree of Gospel importance) Jesus said they hated Him first.
2. Avoid those people if possible Vrs 5 (the concept I want to instill in all of us here is this, don’t let it get you down, if you need to change your situation, maybe that is what God is pressing on you to do, some people think that just because they are sticking it out in a situation it must be God’s will)
Vrs 5b “Avoid such people” How can I avoid them??? They go to church here, they live in my house. Jesus ran off and avoided they crowds at times
3. People will oppose you Vrs 8 (sometimes you try to avoid but they seek you out and oppose you, like when you are kid and people make fun of you…I am just minding my own business but they seem to find me) The religious leaders opposed Jesus
4. They will not get far Vrs 9 (Jesus is the winning team, the beauty of His justice is that He puts an end to those who do not trust Him) Jesus knew what the end result was
5. They will be made known Vrs 9 (Jesus takes care of all situations eventually, exposes) The word “folly” here is also used in Luke 6:11 and it carries the idea of being so enraged that you cannot clearly think about what is going on. The account in Luke 6:11 when Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath started the authorities in the plot to kill Jesus. And interestingly enough we find in 1 Cor 2:8-9 their foolishness brought forth God’s ultimate plan.
Can we “understand this” on our own? No
When you are discouraged think about the beautiful truth of Jesus and what He did and look for solace in Him. In the face of huge discouragement from the very people He mad rebelling against Him He was willing to die for them and us.
We can only deal with our discouragements through Jesus.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Entrusted Series "Whose Am I" Discipleship Part 6
2 Timothy 2:14-26
In this life we all grapple with “who we are” or “who we want to be”. The society and our culture dictate what is acceptable. We all have things that attribute to who we are and many times we define who we are by
-This that we do…
the way we dress, what music we listen too, our choice in hobbies, what profession or career we are in, what college we chose, what we drive, where we work, where we live how many children we have or don’t have.
0r by
-Things that happened to us…
Divorce of parents, personal divorce, death of someone close, victim of abuse, or simply as we find in the warning here of how we have been lied to.
Those things all build into “who we are” and the things we do and the things we say are a response of that environment
What Paul is communicating to Timothy here and what he wants Timothy to communicate to the people is… the things we do and the words we say do not come from “who we are” but “whose we are”.
Who you belong to impacts your life.
You may be saying “I belong to myself so I am all good” I would say what Thomas Brooks the Puritan would say. “You have taken Satan’s bait” and guess what you may not know it but if you do not belong to the Lord you belong to Satan.
Paul in this passage goes on to describe how people who belong to Satan will often act and how people who belong to the Lord should act and actually in this case react.
So the reminder or the lesson we learn here is…what you do and what you say and what you do not do and say you are going to show others
“who” you belong to…Jesus
Vrs 14-19 Remind…of who you belong too and how we should act because of that. GOSEPL = belonging to the Lord
• Don’t (like those who do not belong to the Lord)
-Quarrel about words (ruins the hearer) (Radio preachers defining themselves by what they are against) Vrs 14
-Babble (talk to hear yourself talk) Vrs 16-18 “I am just thinking out loud” (Lead people away) “No inner monologue”
“spread the gangrene” it is like a disease dis-ease. The two men were just causing bad doctrine and theology to spread.
• Do (those who do belong to the Lord)
-Handle the Word rightly Vrs 15 (learn, study, pray)
-Realize you can’t pull one over on the Lord Vrs 19 “He Knows”
-Depart from sin Vrs 19b (Jesus said to the women “Go and sin no more) if you want to be a vessel that is used for righteousness you must flee wickedness
• When we act like the one we belong to we are actually used by our owner
Vrs 20-21 if we are obedient to Him we will be useful to Him. A huge motivation of your Christian life should be “I want to be useful to Jesus”
Back to the Do’s and Don’ts Vrs 22-25a
• Do
-Flee youthful passions Vrs 22 (Act mature) Paul said when I was a child I acted like a child
-Pursue Virtues Vrs 22 (faith, love, peace and pure heart)
-Kind to all Vrs 24 Jesus said pray for those who persecute you.
-Able to teach (formal and informal) Vrs 24 (We all informally teach)
-Patient when wronged Vrs 24 (How do I deal with people when the wrong me) Think of Jesus going to the cross
-Correct with gentleness Vrs 25a
• Don’t
-Get involved in controversies Vrs 23 (Our cause is the Gospel)
-Look for a fight Vrs 24 (attitude…I would knock his head off)
Vrs 25b-26
Notice…It is not just doing right for our own personal benefit as much as it is for the Lord and to win others
…This is what we become useful for…
The Goal is to win those who are lost…notice it is not to prove we are right, to make society better, to promote our personal agenda it is so others come to faith in Christ.
The goal should never be “I told them” or “I got my way” the goal should be bring glory to Jesus and one major way we do that is winning others to Him.
So when we do things as believers we have to ask “How is the promoting Jesus and Gospel centered living among the people.
Vrs 26 sums up why we should be gentle and not quarrelsome with opponents…because they are held captive by Satan. They have not come to their senses and if we deal ruthlessly or bitterly with them we are not being an example of Jesus
Understand this we are in battle…Satan and his demons are owning people and we are trying to focus and follow Christ to such a degree that others can know the steep price that Jesus paid to buy them back. 2 Cor 4:4
So it is not “who you are” it is “whose you are”
In this life we all grapple with “who we are” or “who we want to be”. The society and our culture dictate what is acceptable. We all have things that attribute to who we are and many times we define who we are by
-This that we do…
the way we dress, what music we listen too, our choice in hobbies, what profession or career we are in, what college we chose, what we drive, where we work, where we live how many children we have or don’t have.
0r by
-Things that happened to us…
Divorce of parents, personal divorce, death of someone close, victim of abuse, or simply as we find in the warning here of how we have been lied to.
Those things all build into “who we are” and the things we do and the things we say are a response of that environment
What Paul is communicating to Timothy here and what he wants Timothy to communicate to the people is… the things we do and the words we say do not come from “who we are” but “whose we are”.
Who you belong to impacts your life.
You may be saying “I belong to myself so I am all good” I would say what Thomas Brooks the Puritan would say. “You have taken Satan’s bait” and guess what you may not know it but if you do not belong to the Lord you belong to Satan.
Paul in this passage goes on to describe how people who belong to Satan will often act and how people who belong to the Lord should act and actually in this case react.
So the reminder or the lesson we learn here is…what you do and what you say and what you do not do and say you are going to show others
“who” you belong to…Jesus
Vrs 14-19 Remind…of who you belong too and how we should act because of that. GOSEPL = belonging to the Lord
• Don’t (like those who do not belong to the Lord)
-Quarrel about words (ruins the hearer) (Radio preachers defining themselves by what they are against) Vrs 14
-Babble (talk to hear yourself talk) Vrs 16-18 “I am just thinking out loud” (Lead people away) “No inner monologue”
“spread the gangrene” it is like a disease dis-ease. The two men were just causing bad doctrine and theology to spread.
• Do (those who do belong to the Lord)
-Handle the Word rightly Vrs 15 (learn, study, pray)
-Realize you can’t pull one over on the Lord Vrs 19 “He Knows”
-Depart from sin Vrs 19b (Jesus said to the women “Go and sin no more) if you want to be a vessel that is used for righteousness you must flee wickedness
• When we act like the one we belong to we are actually used by our owner
Vrs 20-21 if we are obedient to Him we will be useful to Him. A huge motivation of your Christian life should be “I want to be useful to Jesus”
Back to the Do’s and Don’ts Vrs 22-25a
• Do
-Flee youthful passions Vrs 22 (Act mature) Paul said when I was a child I acted like a child
-Pursue Virtues Vrs 22 (faith, love, peace and pure heart)
-Kind to all Vrs 24 Jesus said pray for those who persecute you.
-Able to teach (formal and informal) Vrs 24 (We all informally teach)
-Patient when wronged Vrs 24 (How do I deal with people when the wrong me) Think of Jesus going to the cross
-Correct with gentleness Vrs 25a
• Don’t
-Get involved in controversies Vrs 23 (Our cause is the Gospel)
-Look for a fight Vrs 24 (attitude…I would knock his head off)
Vrs 25b-26
Notice…It is not just doing right for our own personal benefit as much as it is for the Lord and to win others
…This is what we become useful for…
The Goal is to win those who are lost…notice it is not to prove we are right, to make society better, to promote our personal agenda it is so others come to faith in Christ.
The goal should never be “I told them” or “I got my way” the goal should be bring glory to Jesus and one major way we do that is winning others to Him.
So when we do things as believers we have to ask “How is the promoting Jesus and Gospel centered living among the people.
Vrs 26 sums up why we should be gentle and not quarrelsome with opponents…because they are held captive by Satan. They have not come to their senses and if we deal ruthlessly or bitterly with them we are not being an example of Jesus
Understand this we are in battle…Satan and his demons are owning people and we are trying to focus and follow Christ to such a degree that others can know the steep price that Jesus paid to buy them back. 2 Cor 4:4
So it is not “who you are” it is “whose you are”
Monday, February 7, 2011
Entrusted "A Disciple Lifts Jesus Up" Discipleship Part 5
2 Timothy 8-13
On the heals of “THINK”
Vrs 8 I don’t think that Timothy has forgotten about Jesus. But the challenge here is this…
Remember that what we do is for the glory of Jesus (to lift Him up)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states..
“A persons chief purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever”
GOSPEL 1 Cor 6:20
-Resurrection from the dead
-Seed of David = shows His humanity and that He came from the line in which the OT states the Messiah would come from
-Preached
As John Calvin says in his commentary on this verse “Let no one corrupt or falsify the Gospel”
Vrs. 9 When things get tough, human circumstances do not confine the Word of God. Gamaliel in Acts 5:33-42
God’s Word does the work
In Stavropol Russia in 1930 Stalin ordered a confiscation of Bibles.
After the fall of Communism a group called CoMission was trying to get Bibles into Russia when they found out about a warehouse filled with Bibles from the days of Stalin. So they hired some workers and one was a atheistic college student, who just took the job for the cash. While they were loading the Bibles he wandered off and they found him in the corner weeping over a Bible that had found with his grandmothers name in it and she always prayed for his salvation. (Philip Ryken, Entrusted with the Gospel)
The Word will not be bound.
Vrs 10 We keep our focus on our call. We preach and live the Gospel and pray for those who do not believe and we do not sit back and say “If someone is going to be saved they are going to be saved, I can just go about my business”
Paul is saying remember all these things that a good disciple does…and they do these things so others will be become Christians and the Christians that you are serving will also be reminded of what Jesus did for us.
This is why I get so discouraged when Christians spend so much time bickering and complaining among themselves. They get so involved in what they think should be done or what they think is right or wrong that they get off focus.
I will share something with you and I will be careful on how I do so…I have noticed anytime we see a growth primarily in new people coming out, problems seem to arise from the people that are already here. I know why that is…Satan wants us to focus on ourselves rather then those who are lost and dying in their sins.
When we get caught up we are…
Thwarting the work
-Don’t let it be you who is being used by Satan to thwart the purposes of the Gospel which lead to salvation for many.
Gamaliel “opposing God”
-If you see it happening call it out.
-Restore gently because the person is deceived
If you are doing Gospel work and people are a problem and giving you a pain…don’t let it get you down. Expect it and remember Paul and other suffered greatly for it.
The temptation we have is quit. But don’t give up because your work is for Jesus and the chief purpose is to bring glory to Jesus.
If you are doing Gospel work and things seem to be going well…don’t let it go to your head.
The temptation is to say “I am doing a great job”
What we have to remember it is for the glory of Jesus and without Him doing the work we would be nothing. You will be amazed by His glory
OAC illustration kids sharing testimonies.
Arron-you must feel pretty good?
Me-“I am pretty amazed at what God has done”
But all through that particular trip God impressed upon my heart it was Him who does the work and my responsibility is to tell people the truth about Jesus because that it brings glory to Him.
I am a truth dispenser, the dispenser does a job but no one really marvels over it.
Ill Kids with a gumball machine
What do kids normally do when the dispenser does not work?
Its all for the glory of Jesus and if it is not it will eventually be made known and it will eventually not go well
Ill “Carry this stone for me” “Who are you carrying it for?” (elizabeth Elliot quoted from a Tim Keller Sermon)
Remember the chief purpose “glorify Jesus and enjoy Him” you will not enjoy Jesus if you have competing glory.
How do we glorify Jesus? These verses are probably a hymn that was sung in the early church.
Vrs 11
• Die to self - reward=live for Him and with Him
Switchfoot lyrics say “we were meant to live for so much more”
• Vrs 12 Persevere – Reward is responsibility in His kingdom
When times get tough still endure. Millennial Reign, faithful with little given much, Back to garden Work was a blessing.
• Give Him what is rightfully His
Deny=withhold something from
(your service, attention and resources) (That person loves Jesus so much that they don’t deny Him what is dearest to them)
He will deny us the rewards for not enduring. Lets take Peter for example he denied Christ and he reaped sorrow and remorse,
Each situation we are in has great potential for eternal rewards and also rewards in this life. We are denied those rewards (or get less) when we deny Him
• Vrs 13 Remain faithful – This verses teaches that Jesus’ faithfulness is not based on or a response to ours but to truly glorify Jesus we should be faithful to Him. (expound on this point) Comfort in tragic or tough situations
Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego “even if he does not”
This is a reminder that Christ’s faithfulness to us does not depend on us but it depends on Himself.
“He cannot deny Himself”
Jesus does not withhold from us, we respond to that by bringing Him glory.
On the heals of “THINK”
Vrs 8 I don’t think that Timothy has forgotten about Jesus. But the challenge here is this…
Remember that what we do is for the glory of Jesus (to lift Him up)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states..
“A persons chief purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever”
GOSPEL 1 Cor 6:20
-Resurrection from the dead
-Seed of David = shows His humanity and that He came from the line in which the OT states the Messiah would come from
-Preached
As John Calvin says in his commentary on this verse “Let no one corrupt or falsify the Gospel”
Vrs. 9 When things get tough, human circumstances do not confine the Word of God. Gamaliel in Acts 5:33-42
God’s Word does the work
In Stavropol Russia in 1930 Stalin ordered a confiscation of Bibles.
After the fall of Communism a group called CoMission was trying to get Bibles into Russia when they found out about a warehouse filled with Bibles from the days of Stalin. So they hired some workers and one was a atheistic college student, who just took the job for the cash. While they were loading the Bibles he wandered off and they found him in the corner weeping over a Bible that had found with his grandmothers name in it and she always prayed for his salvation. (Philip Ryken, Entrusted with the Gospel)
The Word will not be bound.
Vrs 10 We keep our focus on our call. We preach and live the Gospel and pray for those who do not believe and we do not sit back and say “If someone is going to be saved they are going to be saved, I can just go about my business”
Paul is saying remember all these things that a good disciple does…and they do these things so others will be become Christians and the Christians that you are serving will also be reminded of what Jesus did for us.
This is why I get so discouraged when Christians spend so much time bickering and complaining among themselves. They get so involved in what they think should be done or what they think is right or wrong that they get off focus.
I will share something with you and I will be careful on how I do so…I have noticed anytime we see a growth primarily in new people coming out, problems seem to arise from the people that are already here. I know why that is…Satan wants us to focus on ourselves rather then those who are lost and dying in their sins.
When we get caught up we are…
Thwarting the work
-Don’t let it be you who is being used by Satan to thwart the purposes of the Gospel which lead to salvation for many.
Gamaliel “opposing God”
-If you see it happening call it out.
-Restore gently because the person is deceived
If you are doing Gospel work and people are a problem and giving you a pain…don’t let it get you down. Expect it and remember Paul and other suffered greatly for it.
The temptation we have is quit. But don’t give up because your work is for Jesus and the chief purpose is to bring glory to Jesus.
If you are doing Gospel work and things seem to be going well…don’t let it go to your head.
The temptation is to say “I am doing a great job”
What we have to remember it is for the glory of Jesus and without Him doing the work we would be nothing. You will be amazed by His glory
OAC illustration kids sharing testimonies.
Arron-you must feel pretty good?
Me-“I am pretty amazed at what God has done”
But all through that particular trip God impressed upon my heart it was Him who does the work and my responsibility is to tell people the truth about Jesus because that it brings glory to Him.
I am a truth dispenser, the dispenser does a job but no one really marvels over it.
Ill Kids with a gumball machine
What do kids normally do when the dispenser does not work?
Its all for the glory of Jesus and if it is not it will eventually be made known and it will eventually not go well
Ill “Carry this stone for me” “Who are you carrying it for?” (elizabeth Elliot quoted from a Tim Keller Sermon)
Remember the chief purpose “glorify Jesus and enjoy Him” you will not enjoy Jesus if you have competing glory.
How do we glorify Jesus? These verses are probably a hymn that was sung in the early church.
Vrs 11
• Die to self - reward=live for Him and with Him
Switchfoot lyrics say “we were meant to live for so much more”
• Vrs 12 Persevere – Reward is responsibility in His kingdom
When times get tough still endure. Millennial Reign, faithful with little given much, Back to garden Work was a blessing.
• Give Him what is rightfully His
Deny=withhold something from
(your service, attention and resources) (That person loves Jesus so much that they don’t deny Him what is dearest to them)
He will deny us the rewards for not enduring. Lets take Peter for example he denied Christ and he reaped sorrow and remorse,
Each situation we are in has great potential for eternal rewards and also rewards in this life. We are denied those rewards (or get less) when we deny Him
• Vrs 13 Remain faithful – This verses teaches that Jesus’ faithfulness is not based on or a response to ours but to truly glorify Jesus we should be faithful to Him. (expound on this point) Comfort in tragic or tough situations
Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego “even if he does not”
This is a reminder that Christ’s faithfulness to us does not depend on us but it depends on Himself.
“He cannot deny Himself”
Jesus does not withhold from us, we respond to that by bringing Him glory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)