First things First
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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.
First things First
First Sunday of the year a good time to remind ourselves of why we do what we do. Back to basics-first things first:
One day in practice, Vince Lombardy, legenday coach of the Green Bay Packers, gathered the team and held up a ball. ‘Gentlemen’, he said, ‘this is a football’’.’ He was driving home the point that the fundamentals should always be in their minds. As we start the new year, I want us to dwell for a moment on why we exist as a church-
Paul tells his protegee, a young pastor named Timothy:
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.
Paul was reminding Timothy of the first things the basics, and as we begin 2019, we can do no better that to remind ourselves of these as well.
I’d like to recognize Dr. Harry Reeder for his thought and writings in this area.
We believe a person
We believe a person
“I know whom I have believed.”
Whom -not what: doctrine or theology or a denomination.
Whom -not when: a baptism or prayer or an altar call.
Whom -not that: my actions or ministries I perform or my faith.
We have a personal relationship with that person
We have a personal relationship with that person
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
No one can have a personal relationship with Christ for us, it has to be done by us, and be between us and Jesus.
Not our parents
Not our spouse or loved one
Not our siblings or friends or “crowd”
Personal for Paul
Paul used the pronoun “I” six times in this one verse.
We have a conviction about that person
We have a conviction about that person
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1
I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him
VERSEHERE
I know -rational knowledge
I know -rational knowledge
I believe -mental agreement
I am convinced -emotional decision
I trust - willful activity
Chair Illustration:
looks like a chair, you agree it is a chair? has all the things a chair should have-it has chariness!
I know it is a chair, I believe it is a chair, I am convinced it is a chair. But do I trust it is a chair-how can I experience trust?
By willfully choosing to put all my weight on the chair.
That’s a lotta weight! Our Sin-can be gi-normous too!
VERSEHERE
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
This is the Gospel.
No one can do this for us.
Not our parents
Not our spouse or loved one
Not our siblings or friends or “crowd”
Personal for Paul
Paul used the pronoun “I” six times in this one verse.
This is the Gospel.
The Gospel is not just about evangelism.
The Gospel is not just about evangelism.
The Gospel is not just about evangelism.
The Gospel is not just about evangelism.
The Gospel permeates, meaning it is present and a part of everything we do here at Hope Church.
We cannot go beyond the Gospel, but we can go deeper.
We cannot go beyond the Gospel, but we can go deeper.
The Gospel is not merely a “ticket to Heaven.” but a package deal.
The Gospel is sin-cancelling but also sin-conquering and life transforming.
Not just about our pasts but our present and our future.
Take this with you...
Take this with you...
A saving faith is a relationship with a person, not a church, creed, or activity.
Belief, as the Bible defines it is more than knowledge.
Belief, as the Bible defines it is more than knowledge.
Answer this question: Am I impressed with Jesus or am I surrendered to him?
Answer this question: Am I impressed with Jesus or am I surrendered to him?
You say, “I am already a Christian, don’t I need something more that the Gospel?”
My answer:
The Gospel is all we have and all we need.
Next week we will look at this further.
Communion is a commemoration of this good news.