Preach the Word

A Time to: Remember, Receive, Respond

Romans 10:14-15

The New International Version Chapter 10

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” q

CALL TO VOCAL ACTION

John Calvin said, “Nothing is better or more desirable than to deliver a soul from eternal death…. We must, therefore, be careful, so that souls do not perish through our inactivity, whose salvation God puts— in a manner— in our hands. Not that we can bestow salvation on them; but that God, by our ministry, delivers and saves those who seem otherwise to be near destruction.” (John Calvin, 16th century Reformer)

John Calvin said, “Nothing is better or more desirable than to deliver a soul from eternal death…. We must, therefore, be careful, so that souls do not perish through our inactivity, whose salvation God puts— in a manner— in our hands. Not that we can bestow salvation on them; but that God, by our ministry, delivers and saves those who seem otherwise to be near destruction.” (John Calvin, 16th century Reformer)

or more desirable

“Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death.”

Introduction:

It is an honor being able to participate in this graduation celebration and to provide a word of encouragement. As a fellow brother in Christ from the United States, I am humbled and thankful that the Lord has allowed me to capture a glimpse of the power work taking place in Brazil as God’s Kingdom continues to advance mightily and globally.

Maybe the Lord is preparing some of you to become missionaries to the United States… The Harvest is plenty…but the Laborers are few.

My name is Joseph Ocasio, and I am the Director for the Hispanic Ministry Program as well as our Graduate Certificate program at Western Theological Seminary. Our MISSION is to:

prepare Christians called by God to lead the church in mission.

MISSION: The purpose of Western Theological Seminary is to prepare Christians called by God to lead the church in mission.

My Text this evening will be , but as I prepared for this word, I was reminded about a well known text in the scripture that reads...

It is important to consider this day that although these students are graduating from their time of preparation…all the faculty and staff that have supported them sit amongst this community celebrating that they have launched these men and women into their ministry call…let us applaud for the faithful workers of this wonderful journey.

- 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 

- 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” q

This is the call you heard in the beginning… Each of us can share a testimony when the Holy Spirit tugged at our hearts to commit to the Call. This is the challenge that many have recieved and accepted and there are those who recieved yet tried to run away from that Call…Like myself...

At 13…I receive a prophetic work that I was called to Ministry, but...

At 28…I received another prophetic work from an employee, but...

At 34… My daughter was diagnosed with Cancer…I made a promise

At 36… I stopped running from my call...

At 41… My preparation Journey and call into ministry begins...

Today…we acknowledge those that have heard the voice of God and in a season of preparation, and are now ready to be recognized as we celebrate the completion of the preparation phase of your ministry and prepare to be launched into the next chapter of your ministry...

Today is... A TIME TO REMEMBER....A TIME TO RECEIVE… and A TIME TO RESPOND...

As I meditated upon the Text for this evening…I began to place myself in the room of Paul as he wrote this personal letter to His spiritual son, Timothy and then picture Timothy privately reading this letter in a quiet place from his Spiritual Father.

This was a personal letter intended for one person…but shared to all of us. Thanks be to God. Titus was the only other letter intended for a specific person.

Why did Paul take the time to send a personal letter to Timothy? Timothy had an interesting journey that many of us can related…I can imagine Timothy reading Paul’s words and taking...

A Time to REMEMBER… The purpose of our Testimony is to encourages others…but it also affirms our Call. At times we should pause to reflect and look back at our past to see how we arrived in our present.

Why did we miss our flight and stayed in Miami yesterday?

How can we be witnesses if we do not bother looking back at our unique journey that brought us this far?

Timothy’s story is unique, yet, very familiar to many of us… Who is this Timothy?

Timothy begins his preparation journey - [ Timothy Joins Paul and Silas ] Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.

Timothy helps Silas in Berea - The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea.

Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

Timothy’s help allowed Paul to Preach - When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

Timothy is sent to Macedonia - He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.

He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

Timothy is recognized as a Co-Worker - Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

Timothy is now recognized as a Son - For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

Timothy is sent to challenging places - When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:

Timothy Preached to the Corinthians - For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.”

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Timothy is recognized for his impecable Character - [ Timothy and Epaphroditus] 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Timothy is Used to Strengthen the Church a Thessalonica - We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

Timothy is a Right hand of Paul - [ Timothy’s Encouraging Report ] But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Timothy is a True Son of Paul - To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy is Mentored by Paul - [ Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers ] As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer

Timothy is Encouraged by Paul - [ The Charge to Timothy Renewed] Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,

Timothy is Instructed by Paul - 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

Timothy is Affirmed by Paul - [ Final Charge to Timothy] 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Timothy is Reminded about Maintaining Sound Doctrine - Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,

Paul passes his Mantle to Timothy -

As Timothy reads our main text…it now becomes...

A Time to RECEIVE… In Humility, and from a Humble spirit… Receive the Mantle and Anointing from God… It’s God’s Grace that Empowers Us. But many believe themselves to be unworthy…Paul Affirms Timothy’s Call

The New International Version Chapter 6

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

  - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Everyone of you is hear today because the Holy Spirit asked a question… What was your question?

OUR MAIN TEXT:

than to deliver a soul

The New International Version Chapter 4

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

from eternal death….

The New International Version Chapter 4

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

We must, therefore, be careful, so that souls do not perish through our inactivity, whose salvation God puts— in a manner— in our hands.

be careful,

In this letter to Timothy, Paul understands that his time is coming to an end, yet, he never forgets the mission at hand… “to seek and to save the lost” ()

Today…everyone of you has reached an important milestone in your ministry worth the attention of God and Jesus Christ.

Today…everyone of you has reached an important milestone in your ministry worth the attention of God and Jesus Christ.

1. : “1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:” ()

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: 1–2 Timothy & Titus The Witnesses (4:1)

Paul calls God and Christ Jesus to witness the turnover of the ministry from apostle to assistant, and his charge to Timothy is therefore a charge that binds.

Notice the presence of God and Christ…in the room with Timothy as he is reading this letter. God and Christ are here today, in our presence as well…Remember Steven in Acts

 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

The New International Version Chapter 1

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

2. : “2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

Preach the Word: - 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Be Prepared: “Ministry means availability and preparedness”  - But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Be Patient: “Great patience is an attribute ascribe to God” Philip Towner

Be Careful: - He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

3. : “3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

4. “5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

A Time to RESPOND… this is graduation day for those called into ministry… there must be a response to an invitation.

  - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Everyone of you is hear today because the Holy Spirit asked a question… What question brought each of you to this moment?

A Time to GO!

I am reminded of the Track-n-Field Sport of Relay races… athletes competing by running around a track only to pass on to their teammate a baton… As we think about this…can we picture these athletes running around the track, running as hard and fast as they can, hoping that the next runner will be able to run faster and harder than they…and so on...

“Nothing is better

Can you picture the runner coming out of the curve of the track looking ahead, exhausted, but nevertheless, relieved to see their teammate waiting with their arms extended back to receive the baton..

so that souls

As the runner approaches, the other runner begins to run so that the same momentum continues without losing any ground or speed. The one who is finishing is pressing harder to assure that he or she can reach the new runner…and that the baton is safely placed in the other runner’s hand...

do not perish

or more desirable

than to deliver a soul

There is one important lesson…both runners are running and both runners are still on the race track…

through our inactivity,

Therefore, in Conclusion… I WILL REMIND YOU OF CHRIST’S FINAL CHARGE…the same solemn Charge HE gave His disciples and to those called by His Name...

The New International Version Chapter 28

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

whose salvation God puts—

from eternal death….

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

We must, therefore,

in a manner—

in our hands.

be careful,

Not that we

so that souls

AMEN!

1. “1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:” ()

can bestow salvation

do not perish

2. “2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

on them;

through our inactivity,

2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

but that God,

whose salvation God puts—

3. “3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

by our ministry,

in a manner—

4. “5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

delivers and saves

in our hands.

5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Not that we

those who seem

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

can bestow salvation

otherwise

to be near destruction.”

on them;

(John Calvin, 16th century Reformer)

but that God,

by our ministry,

delivers and saves

those who seem

otherwise

to be near destruction.”

(John Calvin, 16th century Reformer)