"THE CALL TO COMMIT"
Notes
Transcript
Have you every thought about what is it that you are committed to?
Read 2 Timothy 1:8-14 -
What is ecumenticalism?
The ecumenical councils were official gatherings of church leaders from all over the Christian world (the word ecumenical meaning, “representing the whole of a body of churches”). The purpose of the councils was to discuss various issues of theology and church practice and make binding decisions for the church at large.
The early ecumenical councils were made up of Christians from throughout the Roman Empire. As Christianity spread, the leaders who attended the councils came from further parts abroad. The earlier councils pulled leaders from the entire church, but, as the church divided on various issues of theology and practice, the councils became less than truly ecumenical. The final council on the list below, the Second Vatican Council, drew Catholic leaders from all over the world, but other Christian denominations were understandably excluded. Thus, the ecumenical nature of the councils has changed over the years from involving the whole church to involving people from every part of the world who are part of the Roman Catholic Church.
The decisions of the ecumenical councils were meant to be binding upon the whole church. Since most Protestants do not have the same hierarchical structure as do Catholics and Orthodox Christians, and since they emphasize personal responsibility before God to make their own decisions regarding theology and practice in accordance with conscience and Scripture, Protestants don’t have ecumenical councils.
The Roman Catholic Church recognizes twenty-one ecumenical councils. Some within the Eastern Orthodox Church accept nine councils; some Protestant denominations recognize the first seven of the councils, although Protestants do not hold their decrees in the same regard as Catholics do. Below are the names, dates, and issues addressed or a summary of what was done at each council. The councils are named after the cities where they occurred:
1. FIRST COUNCIL OF NICAEA (325) – Affirmed the deity of Christ. The false doctrine of Arianism was rejected.
2. FIRST COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (381) – Clarified the nature of the Holy Spirit.
3. COUNCIL OF EPHESUS (431) – Clarified the nature of Christ’s personhood. The false teaching of Nestorianism was repudiated.
4. COUNCIL OF CHALCEDON (451) – Clarified the teaching concerning Christ’s nature and person, including the “hypostatic union.” The false doctrine of monophysitism was rejected.
5. SECOND COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (553) – Confirmed the conclusions of the first four councils.
6. THIRD COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (680–681) – Clarified the nature of Christ’s will.
7. SECOND COUNCIL OF NICAEA (787) – Established guidelines for the veneration of images. (Some Protestants reject this council, while accepting the Council of Hieria of 754, which rejected the veneration of icons.)
The remainder of the councils are accepted by the Roman Catholic Church but not by Protestants:
8. FOURTH COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (869) – Condemned a council that had not been authorized.
9. FIRST LATERAN COUNCIL (1123) – Placed limitations on the ecclesiastical rights of lay princes and made plans for a crusade to regain territory lost to Muslims.
10. SECOND LATERAN COUNCIL (1139) – Condemned the errors of Arnold of Brescia.
11. THIRD LATERAN COUNCIL (1179) – Condemned the Albigenses and Waldenses and issued numerous decrees for the reformation of morals.
12. FOURTH LATERAN COUNCIL (1215) – Added more condemnation of the Albigenses, condemned the Trinitarian errors of Abbot Joachim, and published other reformatory decrees.
13. FIRST COUNCIL OF LYONS (1245) – Excommunicated and deposed Emperor Frederick II and authorized a new crusade.
14. SECOND COUNCIL OF LYONS (1274) – Provided for a temporary reunion of the Greek Church with Rome and set rules for papal elections.
15. COUNCIL OF VIENNE (1311–1313) – Addressed crimes and errors imputed to the Knights Templar, the Fraticelli, the Beghards, and the Beguines. Also took on projects of a new crusade, the reformation of the clergy, and the teaching of Oriental languages in the universities.
16. COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE (1414–1418) – Ended the Great Schism by the election of Pope Martin V.
17. COUNCIL OF BASEL/FERRARA/FLORENCE (1431–1439) – Moved from city to city due to trouble. Resulted in temporary reunification with the Greek Church and made official the seven sacraments of Catholicism.
18. FIFTH LATERAN COUNCIL (1512–1517) – Authorized a new crusade against the Turks but was quickly overshadowed by the “trouble” caused by the Protestant Reformation.
19. COUNCIL OF TRENT (1545–1563) – Condemned the teachings of Luther and the Reformers and officially recognized the Apocrypha as canonical.
20. FIRST VATICAN COUNCIL (1869–1870) – Affirmed the infallibility of the Pope when speaking ex cathedra.
21. SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL (1962–1965) – Promoted various reforms and clarifications of church practice.
Today there is also what is known as the ecumenical movement, which attempts to unite all who claim to be Christian, regardless of doctrinal differences. Unfortunately, the doctrinal differences have to do with important doctrines such as the deity of Christ and justification by faith. The ecumenical councils were held in order to provide doctrinal clarity, whereas the ecumenical movement seeks to blur doctrinal differences.
Please turn in your Bible’s to 1 John 2:15-19
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
Proposition - As we look to our text this morning we are going to look at two truths that believers have been called to do; 1) Committed to biblical truth, and 2) Committed to biblical protection.
Interrogative question - What are you and I doing with the “treasure” that we have been given?
1. Committed to biblical truth - vs. 13
1. Committed to biblical truth - vs. 13
13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Before we talk about the adjective “retain” we need to first notice the noun “standard” -
“The Standard” - (hypotyposis) - noun, accusative, singular, feminine - direct object - prototype; example; pattern
Sense: example - sketch - a representative form or pattern (to be imitated); understood as a sketch or outline (without the substance).
1 Timothy 1:16 (NASB95)
16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
2 Timothy 1:13 (NASB95)
13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
The question is what kind of “sketch” did Paul provide?
Think about passages like 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 -
1 Corinthians 1 - when people were divided on who they were following
Think about when Paul was run out of town for talking about Jesus
a. Taught Biblical truth - vs. 13a
“Retain” - (echo) - verb, present, active, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - have
Sense: to keep (maintain) - to keep in a certain state, position, or activity
1 Timothy 3:4 (NASB95)
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
i. through sound words -
“sound” - (hygiaino) - verb, present, active, participle, plural, genitive, masculine - attributive participle - be sound; healthy; be healthy
Sense: to be correct - be healthy - to be correct or accurate, conceived as being free from infirmity or disease.
Verb: ὑγιαίνω (hygiainō), GK 5617 (S 5198), 12×. hygiainō means “to be healthy, sound,” depending on the context. When it refers to people, the word is generally translated as “to be healthy.” The healed centurion’s servant was found in “good health” (Lk 7:10), the prodigal son was received back home “safe and sound” (15:27), and John prays for Gaius to be “in good health” (3 Jn. 2). Jesus uses the physical sense of the term to prove a spiritual point, saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Lk 5:31).
In Paul’s writings, hygiainō refers exclusively to doctrine, which is “sound.” Wicked people follow and teach things different than, or contrary to, “sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10; cf. also 6:3; 2 Tim. 4:3). Paul exhorts Timothy and Titus time and time again to follow the pattern of “sound teaching” that he has laid out (2 Tim. 1:13), to hold firm in the word to be able to instruct others in “sound doctrine” (Tit 1:9; 2:1–2), and to rebuke false teaching in order to produce people “sound” in the faith (1:13). In other words, hygiainō shows the constant need of believers to preserve “sound” doctrine. In today’s day, where so many cringe at the word “doctrine,” not only are they to have it but to pour effort into keeping it “sound.” hygiainō is the call to study, learn, and read widely in intellectual honesty as a vital part of living in the kingdom. Mounce, W. D. (2006). In Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (p. 325). Zondervan.
1 Timothy 1:10 (NASB95)
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
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,
2 Timothy 1:13 (NASB95)
13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:3 (NASB95)
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
Titus 1:9 (NASB95)
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Titus 1:13 (NASB95)
13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,
Titus 2:1–2 (NASB95)
1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
“to be in good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease” -
31 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.
“of words” - (logos) - noun, genitive, plural, masculine - appositive - word; message
Sense: message (content) - the contents of a communication
appositive: A word used to clarify or add to the meaning or significance of another word or clause. This is sometimes called epexegesis.
ii. through discipleship -
“you have heard” - (akouo) - verb, aorist, active, indicative, second person, singular - finite verb - hear; listen to
Sense: to learn - hear - to learn or become aware of something, conceived of as hearing about it.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NASB95)
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 4:17 (NASB95)
17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
b. Modeled Biblical truth - vs. 13b
i. through faith -
“the faith” - (pistis) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - prepositional object - faith
Sense: trust (faith) - strong confidence in, and reliance upon, someone or something; often with the object of trust understood.
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 3:13 (NASB95)
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Timothy 3:10 (NASB95)
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
2 Timothy 3:15 (NASB95)
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
ii. through love -
“love” - (agape) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - prepositional object - love
Sense: love (affection) - a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB95)
5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
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 2:15 (NASB95)
15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NASB95)
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
1 Timothy 6:11 (NASB95)
11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NASB95)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB95)
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 3:10 (NASB95)
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
Titus 2:2 (NASB95)
2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
2. Committed to biblical protection - vs. 14
2. Committed to biblical protection - vs. 14
14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
“Guard” - (phylasso) - verb, aorist, active, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - guard; watch; observe; follow
Sense: to guard - to keep watch over
Luke 2:8 (NASB95)
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
John 17:12 (NASB95)
12 “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
Acts 12:4 (NASB95)
4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.
Acts 22:20 (NASB95)
20 ‘And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.’
2 Timothy 1:12 (NASB95)
12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
1 John 5:21 (NASB95)
21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
a. through the Helper - vs. 14a
16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. 20 “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
i. Been given -
ii. Indwells believers -
b. through the treasure - vs. 14b
i. possession of the treasure -
ii. entrusted with the treasure -
The question that comes to my mind is - What is this treasure?
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
“treasure which has been entrusted” - (kalos) - adjective, accusative, singular, feminine - attributive adjective - good
Sense: good - having desirable or positive qualities; especially those suitable for a thing specified.
Adjective: καλός (kalos), GK 2819 (S 2566, 2570), 101×. kalos denotes the quality of an object or action that is beautiful, ordered, or virtuous and may be translated as “beautiful, good.” It designates something as being good in terms of its outward appearance or in the sense of useful or excellent.
“treasure which has been entrusted” - (paratheke) - noun, accusative, singular, feminine - direct object - deposit; trust
Sense: entrusted deposit - property entrusted to another who then takes responsibility for it.
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Commit, Commission
1. paratheke (παραθήκη, 3866), “a putting with, a deposit” (para, “with,” tithemi, “to put”), and its longer form, parakatatheke, are found, the former in 2 Tim. 1:12, “that which He hath committed unto me,” RV, marg., lit., “my deposit” (perhaps, “my deposit with Him”), the latter in 1 Tim. 6:20, where “guard that which is committed unto thee” is, lit., “guard the deposit,” and 2 Tim. 1:14, “that good thing which was committed unto thee,” i.e., the good deposit; RV, marg., “the good deposit.”¶
1 Timothy 6:20 (NASB95)
20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—
2 Timothy 1:12 (NASB95)
12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
SO WHAT??
What are you and I doing with the “treasure” that we have been given?
What are you committed too?