"THE ASSOCIATION OF THE BELIEVER PART II"
Notes
Transcript
Have you ever been embarrassed to associate with someone or something?
Talk Ernie Black - XL Conference - We were going to pick up Candace at the Airport -
Talk about Ernie Black - McDonald's and Colin
Proposition - As we come to our text this morning we are going examine; 1) the call to associate, and 2) the cost to associate.
Interrogative question - How are you associating with Christ?
1. The Call to Associate -
1. The Call to Associate -
Be rooted in the truths of our Lord -
Be grounded with the brethren of our Lord -
2. The Cost to Associate -
2. The Cost to Associate -
2 Timothy 1:8 (NASB95)
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
Take note of the two imperative commands -
“join with...”
“in suffering...”
Partake with the brethren of our Lord -
“join with in suffering” - (synkakopatheo) - verb, aorist, active, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - suffer together with someone
Sense: to suffer together - to suffer along with another or others.
From a human point of view, there was much in the gospel of which to be ashamed. It was the message of a failed prophet, rejected by his people, executed by the world’s power, and preached by a collection of fishermen and other undesirables. The message they proclaimed was foolishness in the world’s eyes (1 Cor 1:23), based on assumptions that ran counter to the generally accepted norms of Greek philosophy (Acts 17:32). And there was, on the surface, much to be ashamed about in reference to Paul, a man who met constant opposition (2 Cor 11:23–27) and was imprisoned in Rome. Mounce, W. D. (2000). Pastoral Epistles (Vol. 46, p. 480). Word, Incorporated.
Shame is a feeling which leads to action which hides witness. The implication is that witness may well lead to humiliating situations, but nevertheless it is to be carried out bravely. The shame arises because the gospel is considered shameful; a person is humiliated by being associated with it and its bearer, the imprisoned apostle. Marshall, I. H., & Towner, P. H. (2004). A critical and exegetical commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (p. 703). T&T Clark International.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
Suffer for the Gospel of our Lord -
2 Timothy 1:8 (NASB95)
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
2 Timothy 2:3 (NASB95)
3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
At the time this letter was written, probably in A.D. 66, being a Christian not only brought almost universal criticism but frequently persecution, imprisonment (as Paul was then experiencing), and even death. To be associated with the Lord, or with Paul, His prisoner, could be costly in the extreme. MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 2 Timothy (p. 20). Moody Press.
“for gospel” - (euangelion) - noun, dative, singular, neuter - dative of advantage - gospel; good news; good tidings
Sense: gospel of Jesus - good news concerning the now present instantiation of Jesus’ divine dominion and way of salvation by His death and resurrection.
It is the Gospel of God’s Grace -
Acts 20:24 (NASB95)
24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
It is the Gospel of Salvation -
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB95)
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
It is the Gospel of Peace -
Ephesians 6:19 (NASB95)
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
It is the Gospel that Holds out Hope -
Colossians 1:23 (NASB95)
23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
The Gospel is Worthy of Dying for -
Mark 8:35 (NASB95)
35 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
Mark 10:29 (NASB95)
29 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,
The Gospel is the power of God for Salvation to everyone who believes - Romans 1:16 -
The Gospel is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promise of the coming kingdom of God.
Jesus announces, the time has come, the kingdom of God is near. “Repent and believe the good news - Mark 1:15 -
The Gospel is to be preached to all nations - Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10, Mark 16:15, Acts 15:7, and Revelation 14:6 -
The word euangelion was not invented by the gospel writers but was already in use in the Roman world, euangelion. It referred to an announcement of “glad tidings” regarding a birthday, rise to power, or decree of the emperor that was to herald the fulfillment of hopes for peace and well-being in all the world. Mark redefines this concept of “glad tidings” by introducing his gospel with the phrase, “the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,” implying that it is really the birth and subsequent actions of Jesus that will change the face of the world in a cosmic way that no earthly king could ever do. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, brings true and lasting well-being and peace to the world, in fulfillment of OT hope.
“according to” - (kata) - preposition - preposition of reference - according to
“the power” - (dynamis) - noun, accusative, singular, feminine - prepositional object - power
Sense: power - possession of controlling influence; often understood as manifesting influence over reality in a supernatural manner.
God is the source of all power - Revelation 11:17 -
The “power of God” secures the victory of His kingdom - Revelation 12:10 -
Dynamis is also used to describe the acts of power - (miracles)
Dynamis occasionally refers to human ability, whether the “ability” to handle responsibility (Matthew 25:15), or difficulties (2 Corinthians 1:8; Revelation 3:8), or financial means (2 Corinthians 8:3).
The forces of nature also have power, as in the references to the power of a voice (1 Corinthians 14:11), the power of fire (Hebrews 11:34), and the power of the sun (revelation 1:16, unless the power is not of the sun but of the shining of Jesus’ face).
SO WHAT?
How are you associating with Christ?
Are you willing to be associate with those who are persecuted for the Name of Christ?
Are you willing to suffer for the Gospel?
Are you suffering because you are a Believer? (why or why not?)
Are there things that you need to change in your life in order to live for Christ?
