2 Timothy 3 - How?
Disciples Making Disciples: Vision, Mission, Challenges • Sermon • Submitted
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Why? It’s a simple, yet vitally important question b/c it presses us to ask critical questions of life. As we saw last week, if we are not careful, most of us will live our lives by accident — we will live our lives as it happens. Such a daily life is pretty uninspiring. Yet, what would happen if, in everything we do, we focused on our “Why,” our Mission to Be a Disciple and Make Disciples? Time and time again, as you step out by faith to do God’s Mission, you will see God faithfully bless you for your efforts. The darkness of this life will look a bit brighter when walking in the path God has for you.
Why? It’s a simple question. It’s a question that we hear multiple times a day, either from yourself or someone else. Parents: Why must I eat my vegetables? Why do I need to wear pants? Why do I need to learn Algebra? Adults: Why do I need to go 65MPH on 101? Why can’t people just do their jobs? Why does my spouse act this way or that way?
Why is an important question b/c it presses us to ask critical questions of life. You see, most of, if we are not careful, live our lives by accident — we live as it happens. Take your job for example, we all know what to do for a living and we all know, relatively well, how to do it. We wake up, go to work, deal with the tasks of work, make money, come home, manage our personal lives, go to bed, wake up, and repeat. That’s plenty to deal with every day.
It’s a simple, yet vitally important question b/c it presses us to ask critical questions of life.
Such a daily life is pretty uninspiring. Most people don’t wake up passionately in the morning saying - Yes! I get to wash dishes before leaving for work! Nice, I get to go to the DMV today and wait in line, awesome! Buyah, two kids, two different sports practice, etc.
As we saw last week, if we are not careful, most of us will live our lives by accident — we will live our lives as it happens. Yet, what would happen if, in everything we do, we focused on our “Why,” our Mission to Be a Disciple and Make Disciples?
But what if there was more to our work, to our tasks, to everything than just getting it done? What if there was more to work than just providing financially for ourselves and our families? What if there was more to washing the dishes than simply to get them ready for another meal? What if there was more to going to school than getting good grades so you can go to college so you can get a good job so you can live a good life? [Slide - 2]
Time and time again, as you step out by faith to do God’s Mission, you will see God faithfully bless you for your efforts. The darkness of this life will look a bit brighter when walking in the path God has for you. He will become your Hope and your Confidence.
Time and again, as you step out by faith and do that which is difficult, hard or sacrificial for God, you will see Him faithful to bless you for your efforts. The darkness of this life will look a bit brighter when walking in the path God has for you. He will become your Hope and your Confidence.
Why? It’s a simple, yet vitally important question b/c it presses us to ask critical questions of life. As we saw last week, if we are not careful, most of us will live our lives by accident — we will live our lives as it happens. Such a daily life is pretty uninspiring. Yet, what would happen if, in everything we do, we focused on our “Why,” our Mission to Be a Disciple and Make Disciples?Time and time again, as you step out by faith to do God’s Mission, you will see God faithfully bless you for your efforts. The darkness of this life will look a bit brighter when walking in the path God has for you.
You might have left last Sunday’s service and said, Yes, I am going to focus on my Why! I am going to focus on the Mission that God has called me to, to B1M1. [Slide - 2] But, as you pressed into this mission, you might have asked yourself, “How?”
Why is an important question b/c it presses us to ask critical questions of life. You see, most of, if we are not careful, live our lives by accident — we live as it happens. Take your job for example, we all know what to do for a living and we all know, relatively well, how to do it. We wake up, go to work, deal with the tasks of work, make money, come home, manage our personal lives, go to bed, wake up, and repeat. That’s plenty to deal with every day.
Take your job for example, we all know what to do for a living and we all know, relatively well, how to do it. We wake up, go to work, deal with the tasks of work, make money, come home, manage our personal lives, go to bed, wake up, and repeat. That’s plenty to deal with every day.
Such a daily life is pretty uninspiring. Most people don’t wake up passionately in the morning saying - Yes! I get to wash dishes before leaving for work! Nice, I get to go to the DMV today and wait in line, awesome! Buyah, two kids, two different sports practice, etc.
But what if there was more to our work, to our tasks, to everything than just getting it done? What if there was more to work than just providing financially for ourselves and our families? What if there was more to washing the dishes than simply to get them ready for another meal? What if there was more to going to school than getting good grades so you can go to college so you can get a good job so you can live a good life? [Slide - 2]
What would happen, in everything we do, we focused on your “why.” If you focus on your Mission, your Purpose in life. If you live your life focused on why God has you here, God will show Himself faithful to meet your needs. You will see first-hand how God provides miraculously for His people. Such faithfulness of God will encourage you to step-out by faith and trust God. To keep going forward for Christ, to keep fighting the fight, to keep taking the hill, to not give-up when things get too difficult, too hard, to scary. The time to sit-back and enjoy the ride is not now. The need is too great, the opportunities too large, for you to live-out your “Why” - Be a Disciple and Make Disciples. So, follow your God through the sea and into the wilderness and see if He is not as faithful to you as He has always been to His people.
Such faithfulness of God will encourage you to step-out by faith and trust God. To keep going forward for Christ, to keep fighting the fight, to keep taking the hill, to not give-up when things get too difficult, too hard, to scary. The time to sit-back and enjoy the ride is not now. The need is too great, the opportunities too large, for you to live-out your “Why” - Be a Disciple and Make Disciples. So, follow your God through the sea and into the wilderness and see if He is not as faithful to you as He has always been to His people.
Question: How can we fulfill our mission to Be Disciples who Make Disciples?
Question: How can we fulfill our mission to Be Disciples who Make Disciples?
It’s one thing to say you are going to do something but it’s quite another to know how to do it. What’s exciting is that, God did not leave you to figure this out on your own. [Slide - 3] Actually, He made sure to leave you some clear instructions to help you as you follow Him, for...
I. God Has Give You His Message
I. God Has Give You His Message
Context: Our text this morning is found in the book of . The letter was written by the Apostle Paul to a young pastor by the name of Timothy, to encourage him as he pastored the church of Ephesus. The primary theme of the letter is the need for faithfulness to God in the face of hardship, and in 3:16-17 Paul wants to reemphasize to Timothy the crucial role of God’s Word in his present ministry. [Slide - 4] Read along with me in...
The Bible Knowledge Commentary Introduction
The purpose of 2 Timothy was to encourage Timothy in his ministry at Ephesus. The primary theme of the letter is the need for faithfulness in the face of hardship.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:16–17
But now Paul wanted to reemphasize to Timothy the crucial role of God’s inscripturated revelation in his present ministry.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
A. The Bible
A. The Bible
“All Scripture” = What was Paul speaking about?
“All Scripture” = The Bible (Summary by The Bible Project)
It is composed of two parts:
The Bible is one of the most influential books in human history. It explores the Bible questions of why we exist. It’s inspired people to do amazing things and confused many others.
The OT is a small library of books that all emerged out of the history of the people of ancient Israel. Men known as prophets, see God’s interaction with Israel as a central part of what God was doing for all humanity.
The OT - A small library of books that all emerged out of the history of the people of ancient Israel. Men known as prophets, saw God’s interaction with Israel as a central part of what God was doing for all humanity.
It explores the Bible questions of why we exist. It’s inspired people to do amazing things and confused many others.
These prophets were literary geniuses, recorders epic narratives, masters of sophisticated poetry, metaphors and story-telling to explore life’s most complicated questions about death and life and human struggle.
Made-up of epic narratives, very sophsicated poetry, metaphors and story-telling to explore life’s most complicated questions about death and life and human struggle.
Written over a thousand year period, all focused around the nation of Israel, it all builds up to a hope for a new leader who would come. But the OT ends with Him never coming.
Then, a man by the name of Jesus arrives, who claims to live according to the OT. He lives, preforms miracles, dies and His disciples claim He is raised from the dead.
He lives, preforms miracles, dies and His disciples claim He is raised from the dead.
The NT - His followers (apostles), they compose new literary works about the story of Jesus.
The NT records for us His arrival in the person of Jesus. As you know
They called these “good news” or “the Gospel”, they formed an account, called “Acts”, about the spread of the Jesus Movement outside of Israel, and then they circulated letters to different Jesus communities around the ancient world.
at the time of by a numer
The Apostles wrote all of this as a fulfillment of that epic story found in the OT.
And they were continuing the literary genius of the Jewish tradition. They also believed that God was speaking to His people through these texts, alongside the Scriptures of Israel.
Transition: And these documents, the Bible, were written down for all people as they sought to follow God’s Mission to Be a Disciple and Make Disciples. But, you may be asking yourself, what makes these texts different from any other religious book. Why did God inspire these documents and not other books? That answer is found in the following words in our passage:
“All Scripture is God-breathed (inspired)” = “ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (NKJV)
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
Inspiration [God-breath] Is not the same as artists like Shakespeare/Mozart/Picasso who were mentally stimulated with creative genius to do something (music, art, etc.)
Not the same as artists like Shakespeare/Mozart/Picasso who were mentally stimulated with creative genius to do something (music, art, etc.)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
[Slide - 5-6] Divine inspiration is the act of when God led/influenced the authors and editors of the Bible, through the Holy Spirit, to write His Words down
God, through the Holy Spirit, empowered His people to do His work of writing His Words (write His words down)
For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
This being led by the Spirit runs in line with how the Holy Spirit always works with His people - to empower them to do His work
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
His Spirit
[Slide - 7] The Holy Spirit led (thoughts + desires) the writers of the Scriptures to write-down the words of God
In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
Illustration: Cleveland Ohio Science Museum + the Lord’s Leading
It wasn’t simply their opinion but what God would lead them to write (hence the unity of the Bible)
Illustration: Cleveland Ohio Science Museum + the Lord’s Leading
a. God chose “holy men” who walked with Him to write record His Word
b. “Moved” = Led, carried along (thoughts, desires) [SLIDE]
did not explain the passages according to their own opinion but wrote what God told them to write
“In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” - [SLIDE]
i. They did not “interpret” or explain the passages according to their own opinion but wrote what God told them to write (hence the unity of the Bible)
Application: Such should be our goal when we study the Scriptures to strive to know the author’s original intent.
Our Bible - These books that make-up our Bibles were not just randomly chosen writings, they were purposefully selected texts, that displayed a uniquely divine authority
Here are a couple of questions that were asked when the early Church was choosing which books to put into the Bible (Canon):
Did the book come with the authority of God (divine origin) - Authoritative
OT + NT agree beautifully though written over 1,500 years by 40 different people = Written by (1) author
Was the book written by a man of God?
Transition:
“God-breathed” ()
Did the book tell the truth about God, man and history?
Was the book received by the people of God?
Did the book possess the power of God to change lives?
Truthfulness - Everything contained in the writing was true
1. The Holy Spirit was the active agent; the prophet the passive agent [SLIDE]
Accurate in it’s recording of history and prophecy
a. God chose “holy men” who walked with Him to write record His Word
Observation: When deciding upon which books belonged in the OT/NT canon the councils had to decide whether a book was prophetic – Was the book written by a man of God? Did the author’s life not only display Christ but that which he wrote about?
b. “Moved” = Led, carried along (thoughts, desires) [SLIDE]
Faithfulness/Agreed with other previously accepted canonical writings
“In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” - [SLIDE]
i. They did not “interpret” or explain the passages according to their own opinion but wrote what God told them to write (hence the unity of the Bible)
ii. The goal of interpretation is to determine the author’s original meaning
Confirmed by Jesus, an Apostle or Prophet
Application: Such should be our goal when we study the Scriptures to strive to know the author’s original intent.
Church Usage and Recognition - Accepted in their entirety by A.D. 397 (Council of Carthage)
The books had the power to change the lives of people that read + accepted them
Transition: This all means that God has given and preserved for us in the 66 books of the Bible His Message for you. A Message for you to study, a Message for you to meditate and think upon, a Message for you to make the foundation of your lives. [Slide - 8] But, as you know, God didn’t just give you His Message simply so that you can be intelligent Bible scholars or have an extensive knowledge of God’s people. No...
But He didn’t just give us these books to great history, to enjoy, but to allow them to change our lives. For...
“
In my home we have a phrase we use often - listen to a person’s message. We are teaching our children to slow down and to make sure they have actually heard another person’s message before responding.
II. God Has Given You His Message To Empower You
II. God Has Given You His Message To Empower You
The Message of the Bible is one of hope
Hope centered in the Gospel (Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection); Hope that God know’s what’s best for us and we must simply Trust Him,
Hope that God know’s what’s best for us and we must simply Trust Him,
What the Bible teaches at it’s core is that, God has already done the work that will bring life (the Gospel), all we must do is repent and believe (death, burial and resurrection)
This hope is realized as God uses the Bible to change us, to transform us to be more like Jesus
This is what Paul speaks of in when He says we are to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind[s]”
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Today’s New International Version Chapter 12
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Not only does the Bible teach us about , within the pages of this book God explores the Bible questions of why we exist and how we can exist.
teaches us that by faith we believe in the death, burial and resurrection we receive eternal life (new life, changed life)
[Slide - 9] Listen to how Paul describes what the Bible does for us in our passage
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Let’s break this down a bit and see specifically why God has given us His Word to:
To “teach” us His truth = So that you will know how to live
[Slide - 10] Timothy already knew the transforming power of being taught the Scriptures
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
It’s why from your child’s youngest ages, we at Bethany want to equip you as parents to teach the Bible AND why all of us, of all ages, must be in the Bible!
To “rebuke” or convince us of error and sinfulness = To show you where we are wrong
Has Scripture ever convicted you (convinced you that you were committing a sin) as you read it or heard it spoken?
What has reproving (convicting/convincing of sin) ability to it (or in itself)?
Has it ever expressed disapproval about anything you were doing or thinking?
Has Scripture ever convicted you (convinced you that you were committing a sin) as you read it or heard it spoken?
Has it ever expressed disapproval about anything you were doing or thinking?
Has it ever shown you where you were wrong? If so, praise God!
Has it ever shown you where you were wrong?
If so, how did you respond, and why?
To “correct” or instruct/discipline = To show you what you should do
What is profitable in the Bible correcting or showing you what you should do?
“Teach” us His Truth
What is profitable for correction (showing you what you should do)?
Well, this year, has the Bible showed you that you should be doing that you weren’t doing?
Did you obey? What changed in your life from responding in obedience to that teaching?
Name three things that the Bible showed you that you should be doing that you weren’t doing this past year.
Obedience may not be an instant, though sometimes it is. Obedience often is small steps in the same direction (consistency).
Illustration: Sabbath Rest - Trusting in God (last Sunday’s sermon - Thursday Bible Study)
To “train in righteousness” = To guide believers in God’s ways
Has Scripture ever convicted you (convinced you that you were committing a sin) as you read it or heard it spoken?
Has it ever expressed disapproval about anything you were doing or thinking?
Has it ever shown you where you were wrong?
If so, how did you respond, and why?
It is for these three reasons that
It is for these three reasons that
“Teaching” = Instructing us in God’s truth
Early church was known as “the Way” (Acts 24:14)
“Rebuking” = Reprimanding sharply
Correcting = Making free from error
Transition: For all these reasons and more, God has given us the Message of the Bible, to Empower You (to Change You, to Transform You). It is also why the Bible is central to what we do at Bethany Church. It is why during the month of May we talked about how it is a Essential Discipline for all of God’s people to be Bible readers. We know from first-hand experience the power that is found in the Word of God.
It is also why the Bible is central to what we do at Bethany Church. It is why during the month of May we talked about how it is a Essential Discipline for all of God’s people to be Bible readers. We know from first-hand experience that God Has Given You His Message To Empower You, to Change You, to Make You into someone for God’s glory!
[Slide - 11] But, as always, God has not just given you this Message To Empower You for yourself alone, no...
III. God Has Given You His Message To Empower You To Fulfill His Mission
III. God Has Given You His Message To Empower You To Fulfill His Mission
[Slide - 12]
[Slide - 12]
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Contextually - “Paul is placing heavy burdens of ministry on his young disciple [Timothy] in this letter, but he did not do so irresponsibly. He was confident of Timothy’s commitment to and dependence on the Scriptures, and he was even more confident of God’s ability to supply all Timothy’s needs through the Word.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary)
What is the end result of your use and study of the Scriptures?
1. What is the end result of one’s use of the Scriptures? [SLIDE]
That you may be “equipped,” capable/proficient for the work God has for you
That “all God’s people” (Young, old, new to the faith and those who have been followers of Jesus for decades) and that You are able to meet all the demands that doing God’s Mission
[Slide - 13-14] As I have said many times before, this is why you are here:
Today’s New International Version Chapter 2
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
a. That the believer is “equipped for every good work”
b. “Equipped” = Capable, complete, proficient in the sense of being able to meet all demands (not specifically every detailed situation but principles to complete)
Summary: “Paul placed heavy burdens of ministry on his young disciple in this letter, but he did not do so irresponsibly. He was confident of Timothy’s commitment to and dependence on the Scriptures, and he was even more confident of God’s ability to supply all Timothy’s needs through the Word.”
Application: We can be confident that God will supply all of our needs through the Word as we seek to serve Him.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:16–17
With it the man of God (one who must provide spiritual leadership to others) is artios—“complete, capable, proficient in the sense of being able to meet all demands.” To drive home his point still more emphatically Paul added equipped (exērtismenos, “furnished”) for every good work (cf. 2:21). Paul placed heavy burdens of ministry on his young disciple in this letter, but he did not do so irresponsibly. He was confident of Timothy’s commitment to and dependence on the Scriptures, and he was even more confident of God’s ability to supply all Timothy’s needs through the Word.
1. What is the end result of one’s use of the Scriptures? [SLIDE]
a. That the believer is “equipped for every good work”
b. “Equipped” = Capable, complete, proficient in the sense of being able to meet all demands (not specifically every detailed situation but principles to complete)
Summary: “Paul placed heavy burdens of ministry on his young disciple in this letter, but he did not do so irresponsibly. He was confident of Timothy’s commitment to and dependence on the Scriptures, and he was even more confident of God’s ability to supply all Timothy’s needs through the Word.”
Application: Likewise, we can be confident that God will supply all of our needs through the Word as we seek to serve Him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
It will be difficult to keep the Bible a central part of our lives. But it is through the Holy Spirit takes the words of God found in the Bible and transforms, helps us to follow Him, to overcome obstacles, challenges and stay on the straight and narrow.
If we want God to work in our families, in our towns, in our cities, then we must let our God change us through His Spirit and through His Word. It’s one thing to point to others and say, “You must do what God says” but instead turn that finger around and say, “You, must do what God says!” Expect great things for Christ and attempt great things for Christ!
Kittery opened last weekend but that was just he beginning. Today, we stand and charge into the unknown darkness ahead for Christ. Today we stand up and say, ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH! God is ready to do greater things for His glory, for His name’s sake and for His people!