Who’s NOT At the Table

Intro

Look around you. Is there someone who you wish was here with you? We all had Thanksgiving, was there someone that wasn’t there? Maybe a family member that had to work or maybe they were out of town?

Imagine a huge party. You plan and send out invitations. You got some really close friends that you want to be at the table, yet when the day comes, you look and see the empty spots. Sadness fills your heart as you know that they decided not to show up for whatever reason.

Now take that same feeling. Scripture speaks about a feast that all believers will partake in. So my question to you is, “Who’s NOT at the Table?”

Scripture

2 Timothy 1:6–9 (ESV)

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

2 Timothy 1:12–14 (ESV)

12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 

13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 

14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

“Tonight I want to talk about this: If God really hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, then why are so many people still missing at the table of God’s kingdom?”

Quick Background

Paul was imprisoned at this time. 2 Timothy is one of his prison epistles (letters written while he was imprisoned)

Paul mentored Timothy to continue his work through by overseeing the church in Ephesus. The relationship was so close and dear that it was likened to a fatherly type of relationship.

Timothy led the church and guided the affairs of the church in Ephesus. He not only took care of the body of Christ, but was also tasked to continue spreading the Gospel to those who have not heard the good news.

Ephesus had some teachers teaching about senseless controversies. Timothy had to bring correction

Paul instructs Timothy to not be ashamed of the Gospel nor be ashamed for associating with him. Two people (Phygelus and Hermogenes) turned away from Paul out of shame. Being associated with the Gospel and especially Paul painted a picture of a failing cause because of his imprisonment. Timothy is to not fall into the same trap

According to church tradition, Timothy stayed in Ephesus for the rest of his life and was martyred for his faith while trying to stop a pagan festival involving sexual immorality and murder. He boldly declared, “Men of Ephesus, do not be mad for idols, but acknowledge the one who truly is God.”

Transition

So all these words were to and about Timothy. Why would that apply to all Christians? Paul was preparing Timothy of a higher leadership position for the Church of Ephesus. These statements seem to only apply to those with a heightened responsibility of ministry.

“…But Paul was talking to Timothy, not general Christians. This should be only for those that lead a church.”

Timothy is a model of mature discipleship, not a different species of Christian; everyone is called to witness, though not everyone is a pastor.

There is Much Work to Be Done

How many of you have declared your faith in Jesus Christ — in His death and resurrection and in the hope of his return to restore creation back to His kingdom, where heaven and Earth will become one — where those who profess this faith will live eternally with God forever and ever?

We still have work to do in preparation for that faithful day. This preparation is establishing the kingdom of God all over the world. Persecution comes with it. Suffering is inevitable and MUST be embraced.

[ANALOGY] 2 Timothy 2:3–6 “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.”

These are characteristics found in a mature Christians, like Timothy. These commands to:

1. Not be ashamed of the gospel testimony,

2. Hold onto sound teaching,

3. Draw strength from Christ’s grace,

4. Share in suffering,

5. Be self-controlled,

6. Endure hardship, and

7. Fulfill his ministry are all to be acquired in pursuit of Christ.

The only difference between Timothy and Us is the accountability to the leading of the church

It’s hard, but as what Paul mentioned before, an athlete endures training and suffering to gain the crown.

Jesus guaranteed that following Him would COST us

Matthew 10:37–39 “And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.”

Sometimes, we look at being a christian as just going to church — a social club, a sit in movie in which we gather to have fun. Though this would be a small portion of what we do as Christians, the main focus for a church is for us to gather to listen to the word

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 

17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.2342

What is that good work?

OUR PURPOSE is multifaceted. We live to give worship unto God through our praise, actions, and love towards one another, but because we live in the already but not yet, we simply do not live idle lives. As a result, we were commissioned by Christ himself to share the Gospel message to the ends of the earth. THIS is the Good Work.

2 Timothy 4:1–2 “I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.” (ESV)

Live in Light of the Gospel; Transparent

Why do everyday Christians seem reluctant to share the Gospel?

Barna Study: in 1993, 89% of Christians who had shared their faith agreed “every Christian has a responsibility to share their faith”; by 2018, that dropped to 64%.

Some of the limiting factors can be drawn from:

The feeling of inadequacy in sharing the faith

The feeling of not knowing answers to questions bring up

The current culture climate; polarization is drastic

ALL of these have a common problem. can you guess what it is? FEAR

[TALK ABOUT FEAR]

Empowered

Fear does not inherently posses you. You take upon fear; you are tutored by fear. That is why you have fear.

BUT the LORD breathed new life and His spirit on you

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

It is ONLY through the Holy Spirit that empowers our words when we speak and share

If you feel inadequate, get more connected with the teachings of Christ

Learn through discipleship

Learn through trusted teachers (TheosU)

This is how we fan the flame 2 Timothy 1:6 (ESV) “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands”

Timothy was gifted the capacity of leadership to spread the Gospel

What is the gift the Lord has empowered you?

Outreach

Even if you feel like you have “nothing to offer,” which is false, OUTREACH is a basic principle

There is no better way to display the Gospel than through the meeting the needs of people

There is a restorative nature in providing needs. It meets the individual where they are at. It mirrors the unmerrited grace of God. You give with out a return.

Christ came to gave life and life abundantly. All we do is simply accept that gift.

Outreach is a bridge to open the heart of anyone to hear the Gospel message

Take initiative. Whenever there is a church outreach, be the first to sign up and commit to partake

Who’s NOT at the Table?

Matthew 22:8–10 ““Then he told his servants, ‘The banquet is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go then to where the roads exit the city and invite everyone you find to the banquet.’ So those servants went out on the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding banquet was filled with guests.”

Context: Talking about Jew and Gentile. Jesus was prophesying and speaking what was to come. The message of Christ (the Gospel) would initially fall on deaf, Jewish ears. The message would then be taken to the rest of the world and humanity to be invited to the banquet.

Are you NOT ONLY praying but are you actively speaking with power, love and self-control?

Know that you are adequate, you are empowered, you plant the seed

seeds don't sprout within hours, they take weeks and months