Church Retreat - Talk 5: The Presence of God for Preaching

Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master text styles Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level 6/6/2017 ‹#›  Where is God?    2 Timothy 4:1-2  I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,  who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.   = Presence of God is “in Christ”  = Between his 1 st & 2 nd Appearing   Presence of God  in 3 Tenses  16  At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So  I was rescued  from the lion's mouth.  18  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.   Presence of God  “in Christ” for Paul Abandoned but not aloneAlone but not lonelyAttacked by not defeated  The Presence of God in 4 ways  God’s Spirit (1:14) God’s grace (2:1)God’s Word (3:16)God’s Model (3:10) = Why Timothy can also fight the good fight & finish the race! God’s Spirit (1:14)  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 . = Presence of faith & love God’s grace (2:1) 2  You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,   2  and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also . = Presence of grace God’s Word (3:16) 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. = Experience of Sufficiency of God’s Word   God’s Model (3:10) 10  You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,  11  my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me . = Presence Jesus in ALL of Paul’s life But there is a battle (3:10) 12  Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,   13  while  evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse , deceiving and being deceived.   = Choose between real and fake models But there is a battle (3:10)   We need to choose between real and fake models “Me”, “others” & YOU!   14  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom  you learned it  15  and how  from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  The battle against the presence of God in t oday’s Culture   1. The battle against technology We are “Masters of technology” = False sufficiency   2 . The battle against change  “Delight in Change”  = Challenge to deep discipleship   3 . The battle against “entitlement” “WHY must I study?”    4 . The battle against wealth “I inherit and then spend!”    5 . The battle against debt “How much can I borrow?”    6 . The battle against morals “What’s character?”    7 . The battle against elders “Respect is not automatic,it is to be earned.”    8. The battle against immorality “It’s in our hands!”      13  while  evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse , deceiving and being deceived.   = Fake progress in the last days!   Misdirected love    More & more dehumanisedMore & more depersonalised   3 Main Responses to Culture   Deny Dialogue Drowned  culture with culture by culture Separation Interaction Assimilation  If the substance/DNA of a megachurch is business, then it is not “whether” but “when” and “how badly” it would pursue this. Deep Soul Searching Is God’s church in the world ? Or the world in the church? Is God’s presence in the world o r the world’s presence in church?     Danger:  Look the Part  But Don’t Live the Part  = Don ’ t get used to faking the presence of God!   The Battle for Truth Informed vs Reformed?   2 Timothy 1:10-12 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,  who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,   11  for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 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. [ c ]   What’s your opinion of Satan 2. Sin 3. Death What’s your obedience to Jesus? 2. About Sin? 3. About Death? Paul’s Model (3:10) 10  You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,  11  my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. = Presence Jesus in ALL of OUR life! If Jesus is not Lord of your moments, then He is not Lord at all = Are you real or fake?