"THE COMMISSOIONING OF THE MAN OF GOD PART II"

Think about this question - what is your “rock” in life?

Proposition - This morning we are going to see two things 1) the commissioning, and 2) the character of the commissioner.

Interrogative question - How do you view your commissioning and commissioner?

1. The Commissioning - vs. 13-14

The Witnesses -

God - the life giver

Jesus - the model

The Assignment -

Without Stain -

Without Reproach -

The Duration -

Yesterday -

Today -

Forever - “until the appearing...”

2. The Commissioner - vs. 15-16

Blessedness of God -

“blessed’ - (makarios) - adjective, nominative, singular, masculine - attributive adjective - blessed; happy; fortunate

Sense: blessed - characterized by happiness and being highly favored (as by divine grace).

Adjective: μακάριος (makarios), GK 3421 (S 3107), 50×. There are two major ways makarios may be taken in the NT.

First, a makarios individual is “happy” or “fortunate” because of life’s circumstances. Paul says that the widow who remains unmarried is “happier” remaining as she is (1 Cor. 7:40), and, in a somewhat ironic sense, Paul declares that he is “fortunate” to make his defense in chains before King Agrippa (Acts 26:2).

Second, makarios conveys the idea of being especially favored: “blessed, happy, or privileged.” This is particularly true of the individual who receives divine favor, as in the blessings cited in the Sermon on the Mount in Mt 5:3–11. The message of joy is brought to the poor: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). The poor, though weak and powerless now, are, in the end, “privileged” because of God’s favor toward them. Mary is proclaimed “blessed” because she believed the report of Gabriel (Lk 1:45). Likewise those who persevere in trial (Jas 1:12; 1 Pet. 3:14; 4:14) and those who are doers of the word (Mt 24:46; Lk 12:43; Jas 1:25; see also Jn 13:17) find God’s favor. In most of these contexts, makarios takes the form of a pronouncement. That is, though the present situation of those facing trials is difficult, they are encouraged by the prospect of future consolation and reward (“blessing”) from God and thus are able to face the present with courage and hope. Mounce, W. D. (2006). In Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (pp. 69–70). Zondervan.

The Sense of this Greek word is used 50 times in the NT -

9 times in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 -

1 Timothy 1:11 (NASB95)

11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

1 Timothy 6:15 (NASB95)

15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Titus 2:13 (NASB95)

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

James 1:12 (NASB95) - Speaking of standing for Christ

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:25 (NASB95)

25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

1 Peter 3:12–15 (NASB95)

12 “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

1 Peter 4:14 (NASB95)

14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Sovereignty of God -

“Sovereign” - (dynastes) - noun, nominative, singular, masculine - subject of the dependent clause - ruler; sovereign

Sense: powerful ruler - a person who rules or commands; especially understood as having great controlling influence.

“powerful ruler”

Luke 1:52 (NASB95)

52 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.

Acts 8:27 (NASB95)

27 So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship,

1 Timothy 6:15 (NASB95)

15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

“only” - (monos) - adjective, nominative, singular, masculine - attributive adjective - only; alone -

Sense: lone - being the only one; single and isolated from others

“only”

1 Timothy 1:17 (NASB95)

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:15 (NASB95)

15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

2 Timothy 2:20 (NASB95)

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.

2 Timothy 4:8 (NASB95)

8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:11 (NASB95)

11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.

“alone”

1 Timothy 6:16 (NASB95)

16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

“Merely”

1 Timothy 5:13 (NASB95)

13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.

Acts 19:11-41 - turn in your Bibles

The most famous statue was located in the city of Ephesus, the official “temple keeper” for Artemis. Artemis was the chief deity of Ephesus, and her temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The temple ceremonies were carried out by priests who were eunuchs and priestesses who were virgins. They conducted the daily ceremonies caring for the deity and for the gifts brought by worshipers, as well as an annual festival on May 25, when numerous statues of the goddess were carried in procession to the amphitheater in Ephesus for a celebration of music, dancing, and drama. This could be the background of the outcry in Acts 19:28: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.” Artemis. (2003). In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 121). Holman Bible Publishers.

The Kingship of God -

“King” - (basileus) - noun, nominative, singular, masculine - appositive - king

Sense: king - a male sovereign ruler of a kingdom

1 Timothy 1:17 (NASB95)

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:15 (NASB95)

15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

The Lordship of God -

“Lord” - (kyrios) - noun, nominative, singular, masculine - appositive - Lord

Sense: master of world - the sovereign master of the inhabited world; often of Jesus as sovereign master of all creation or of Caesar, the emperor.

1 Timothy 1:2 (NASB95)

2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Timothy 1:12 (NASB95)

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,

1 Timothy 1:14 (NASB95)

14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:3 (NASB95)

3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,

1 Timothy 6:14 (NASB95)

14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Timothy 6:15 (NASB95)

15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Eternality (immortality) of God -

“immortality” - (athanasia) - noun, accusative, singular, feminine - direct object - immortality

Sense: immortality - the quality or state of never dying

1 Corinthians 15:53–54 (NASB95)

53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.

1 Timothy 6:16 (NASB95)

16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

“light” - (phos) - noun, accusative, singular, neuter - direct object - light

Sense: light (source of) - any object that serves as a source of illumination

Light speaking of the source is used 50 times in the NT

Matthew 5:14–16 (NASB95)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

John 1:4–9 (NASB95)

4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.

Ephesians 5:8 (NASB95)

8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

“unapproachable” - (aprositos) - adjective, accusative, singular, neuter - attributive adjective - unapproachable

Sense: unapproachable - (of personal presence) incapable of being penetrated or reached.

This is the only time that this Greek word is used in all of Scripture

Holiness of God -

“honor” - (time) - noun, nominative, singular, feminine - subject of the dependent clause - honor; value; price

Sense: honor (state) the state of being highly respected or revered.

“the state of being highly respected or revered”

1 Timothy 1:17 (NASB95)

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 5:17 (NASB95) - “compensation - something given or received as payment or reparation”

17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 6:1 (NASB95)

1 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.

2 Timothy 2:20 (NASB95)

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.

2 Timothy 2:21 (NASB95)

21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

SO WHAT?

Believer -

How do you view your commissioning?

What are you doing with your commissioning?

What needs to change about how your responding to your commissioning?

How are you treating your commissioner?