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Ryan Sears

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Healthy Disciple Makers

I am the Shepherd of Equipping, so I help with our efforts to get all of us educated in the Scriptures. That’s why Pastor Jerry volun-told me to preach this sermon. Almost seven months ago, I was up here. I introduced y’all to an odd obsession of mine. I have, in the last two years, developed a dependence on this substance: Hand Sanitizer. I wash my hands and use sanitizer all the time. If you don’t know me well, you might not understand that. Honestly, people who know me well and still don’t really get it sometimes.

Rightly Dividing the Bible

About two years ago, our beloved Mrs. Teri was becoming a Hamlett and marrying Jimmy. Their wedding was here in this room. After the ceremony, we had a bit of a party with a bunch of food. Right before I got food, Michael asked me to hold Reddin. When he came back, I made my food and ate. Little did I know that this moment would change my life forever. I contracted an infection, a virus, a disease, if you will, from Reddin. It’s called HFMD. It impacted me in all types of crazy ways. And that’s why I have such good hygiene habits.

Notes:

INTRODUCTION

I bring that up because some of us have an infection and we haven’t realized it. We aren’t aware of the ways in which it effects us, the danger it poses, or how it hinders us from becoming the Healthy Disciple Makers. Many of us have the infection of illiteracy, biblical illiteracy.

Groomsmen, cross your hands (left over right) or put them at your sides. Wedding party, remember your spot (tape?) and always face the bride. Don’t lock your knees or sway.If the ring gives you trouble (because of nerves), let them adjust it. If it falls, I will pick it up.After the kiss, bride get your flowers.

Image: My new-ish obsession with hand washing and hand sanitizer.

Need: We can’t be Healthy Disciple Makers if we have an infection of biblical illiteracy.

Procession

One symptom of this infection is lacking confidence in personal bible study, which can cause a lack of personal bible study. Another is feeling as though you aren’t able to speak in a group of other believers about the Bible, or not speaking to non-Christians about God or His Word. Another is not knowing God or what He desires of us, thus living less of an abundant life with Him. Another is being susceptible to believing things are are not true, are partially true, or completely perverted truths about God. If you have any of these symptoms, I know a physician (ain’t that cheesy?) Who can help. Today, I want us to be rid of our infection of illiteracy. I wanna answer this question:

Family & Officiant

Subject: How do we fight to have hygienic habits for handling the Bible as HDMs?

Groom

Text: Introduce series, Rightly Dividing the Bible, +

—

Need: We can’t be Healthy Disciple Makers if we have an infection of biblical illiteracy.

We have been in our Healthy Disciple Makers series, and today we will kick off the 6Rs, which you can see on the screen. We’re covering Rightly Dividing the Bible in .

Wedding Party

Preview: Three moves — my Point, our Problems, + Practices to help us Rightly Divide…

Bride Entrance

Subject: How do we fight to have hygienic habits for handling the Bible as HDMs?

motion to stand / “please stand”

Text: Introduce series, Rightly Dividing the Bible, +

Welcome / Prayer

We have been in our Healthy Disciple Makers series, and today we will kick off the 6Rs, which you can see on the screen. We’re covering Rightly Dividing the Bible in .

We’re here tonight to witness and to celebrate the joining of George Dylan Webb and Laura Rose Blomstedt in marriage. Today we get to see a picture of the unity that Jesus offers in the joining of these two humans and their families. This is both a time of worship and of celebration, a time to give thanks to God and a time to receive from Him. The best way to start is with prayer. Pray with me.

Preview: Three moves — my Point, our Problems, + Practices to help us Rightly Divide…BODY

Father, You are the Creator of all things and the Giver of all grace, we thank you for giving us life and for giving us the opportunity to share in the joy of Dylan and Laura’s wedding. Be honored by this ceremony, this celebration, and this marriage. Jesus, they want to serve and reflect you well in their union. Help them. We love you, Lord. Amen.

My Point: Healthy Disciple Makers do their best to rightly divide the Bible.

Giving of the Bride

The main idea of the passage is in v.15.

You may be seated.

Paul, an apostle or foundational leader with a fairly distinct role, is writing to one of his proteges. He was a young pastor experiencing some particular issues in his area.

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Take note of the imperative: “Do your best…”“be eager / be diligent / make every effort / strive”Whatever follows this is going to be pretty important.

Father: “Her mother and I (do).”

“to present yourself to God as one approved,”This is synonymous with sacrifice language (cf. ; ).What’s in view is bringing something to God and you’re the something.How will God see you?According to Paul, he way He could be seen by God was “approved.” This carries the idea that you are approved after being tested.You are tried + true.You are a genuine, bonafide …wait, what are you?

First Reading

“a worker who has no need to be ashamed”

Charge

The word for worker was like an agricultural field keeper, if you will…like farmers and their staff. However, at the time of the NT, the term was used for someone who was planting seeds of truth in the Church, think missionary, church worker, etc. Paul is telling Timothy here, “You’ve gotta be about that action for the Lord. This must be done as if you’re working for His approval alone, that you’ll be found to be genuine, tested and passing.” How? We’ll look at that in a second.

Dylan, you dress up nicely. Laura, you are stunning..

The role Timothy was to play was rooted in his identity.In v. 14, he wrote, “Remind them of these things.” Who is them? It’s the people in v. 2. He had a responsibility to pass these truths on to others.

Y’all aren’t the only ones who look good.

Paul also charged Timothy with two other illustrations of his identity: a vessel in v. 21 and the Lord’s servant in v. 24.

Take a second to look around and take it all in. See your people. Cherish this moment.

The idea behind both being separating oneself from the beliefs and behaviors that don’t align with God.

For those who don’t know, I’m Ryan. I, like Dylan, married one of the Blomstedt daughters, so I care about these two a bit. I met Laura right around the time I met Brittany in 2015. We’ve come a long way from you thinking I was weird…now you know I’m weird. Dylan and I met when we he was finishing high school and about to come to DBU, where we were both in college at the same time for a bit. In that time, I’ve learned a bit about y’all.

Not only are you approved, but you’re unashamed.Illustration…when I was a toddler, I’d hide to poop my pants.

There are two specific things that are true about both of you that I love. First,

Can you imagine not feeling ashamed in the presence of God? I wonder how many of us today feel ashamed of ourselves.Paul tells Timothy you can live freed from that.

You are both hurricanes. When I joined the family, I learned quickly that “hurricane Laura” would conversationally + energetically blow through the living room, making everyone aware she was there. Your presence is powerful, and that strength is directed toward those you love, for their good. I cherish that about you, and I am excited to see Dylan experience that.

Part of that will come through what you learn by studying the Bible and what you begin believing about God and yourself, like “There’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Dylan…Gentle George, you are also a hurricane—just more internal. There is often a whirlwind of thoughts surging around in you. At times, it’s created an existential conflict, but I have often observed the gale force of those concealed, inner perfect storms create an eery serenity in Laura. You’ve brought our family closer together, and I’m excited to watch Laura experience that.

The other part is knowing what God expects of us as His kids and His workers and knowing that you’re fulfilling the task at hand.

The second thing: you’re both extremely creative…or, in Dylan’s terms, imaginative. There’s a difference. Your creativity inspired me as I thought about what to say today, and I selected some poetry I thought suitable to something you both care about: your home.

We are workers who are invited and able to present ourselves to God in such a way that we won’t be ashamed of ourselves or our work.

Lindsay read the first selection. In the first few pages of the Bible, Moses revealed that Yahweh is the Creator of all things. records God created humanity and commanded Adam + Eve to be fruitful and multiply, and blessed them with the ability to do so, the purpose of which was to spread God’s image bearers + representatives all over the world. In the next chapter, Moses zoomed in to give a glimpse of the on the ground reality of this. Adam couldn’t fulfill this mission on His own, so God provided Eve. God also gave her as a result of Adam’s “being alone.” He was alone, but he wasn’t lonely; he lacked a partner, a companion. Everything God made He said was good, the only thing that fell short of this “goodness” was Adam being without someone to help in the fulfillment of God’s command.

How? Paul provides the answer.

I’ll get back to the aspect of mission in a second, but God gave marriage simply as a gift. Adam sang to his wife the first time he saw her: DYLAN. Both of you are floating; deep down you’re singing, just like Adam. You’re reflecting that marriage is a gift to those who receive it. God didn’t just give them each other, though. He gave them a home + a responsibility..

“rightly handling the word of truth.”

A few verses later, in , it says

“Rightly handling” can mean accuracy in direction or in division.When translated OT, , used same word…cut a straight path.

15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.

It could also be used for cutting a straight line in rock for building

Another way of saying “to care for it and maintain it” is “to work it and to keep it.” Being married, you’re committing to creating a home together. Adam + Eve were in a garden—lush, green, and fruitful. Your home is your garden. Continue creating + working there, cultivating your small piece of earth for the betterment of yourselves + those around you.

Both are true in this instance. If you prefer the road idea, go for it. If you like straight lines and building stuff, use that. Either way, the point is accuracy. You can’t be accurate with what you don’t know.

Wendell Berry | A Marriage, an Elegy

(Transition: If you can do it rightly, you must be able to do it…wrongly.)

They lived long, and were faithful

One of the ways Paul drives his point home in the passage is through contrast.

to the good in each other.

Staying “straight on the path” of the truth keeps you from “swerving from the truth.”

They suffered as their faith required.

Accurately handling the Bible can help you avoid a lot of negative effects.

Now their union is consummate

Why does that matter?

in earth, and the earth

Paul told Timothy to charge those he invests in to avoid some things:

is their communion. They enter

v. 14 — If you “quarrel about words,”It “does no good,” andIt “ruins the hearers.”Quarreling about words is what it sounds like. Think Proverbs when it says, “If you argue with a fool, you become one.”

the serene gravity of the rain,

v. 16 — if you participate in “irreverent babble,”

the hill’s passage to the sea.

“It will lead people into more and more ungodliness,” and

After long striving, perfect ease.

It will “spread like gangrene” the message of those who aren’t rightly handling the Bible (v. 17), which can “upset the faith” of some people (v. 18).

The caring for, maintaining, + keeping I described, this WORK, matters to God. It’s holy + worshipful; I’ll spare you the Hebrew for that. It’s also a metaphor, symbolic of the greater responsibility you have. God is giving each of you to the other. Welcome home. You will have different pieces of earth to call home over the course of your life. This person will inhabit all of them with you. You aren’t covenanting to the responsibility of home; you are committing yourself first to the flourishing of the human beside you. You are now responsible for taking care of, maintaining, cultivating, + keeping the other person. This is your home, + it requires work.

What’s going on? People were arguing and talking about things that weren’t central or all that important. They were getting caught up in conflicts that weren’t in line with their command and calling.

Sho Baraka | Fathers, 2004

There were some times when that was beneficial, yet Paul still cautioned. What do I mean?

Don't marry her if you don't plan to bury her.

Notice Paul mentioned the teaching of some heretics: Hymenaeus and Philetus. They were teaching that the resurrection from the dead, which Pastor Jerry preached on a few weeks ago, had already happened. I’m sure you can imagine how wrong that is and how it could impact people who heard it.

If you sweep her off her feet, then learn how to carry her.

Paul called their teaching an infection in v. 17 — “spread like gangrene,” sprawling from hearer to hearer, causing decay to spread.

Dylan, I believe you see Laura as your helper—not a secretary but a warrior, fighting with you + for you to build a life, a home, a better her, + a better you. With you, Laura can be all God wants her to be, not what you envision. Join Him in caring for, maintaining, keeping, + cultivating her.

He said talking with these individuals about this would only spread their message. That seems like a big deal.

Laura, God is the Vinedresser, the gardener. Jesus is the vine, the tree. You are a branch, bearing fruit when connected to Him. Always let God care for you, maintain you, keep you, cultivate you; let Him work in + on you. Then, you will be able to join + work alongside Him in caring for, maintaining, keeping, + cultivating Dylan. I know He will continue flourishing in your care.

Shouldn’t they confront them? The answer is yes; v. 24 let’s us know there’s a place for correcting opponents of the truth gently.

Penny & Sparrow | Each to Each

However, that isn’t what was happening. There’s a different between correction and conflict. When they offered correction, Paul seems to communicate that it would grow from confrontation to conflict, thus becoming a conversation that wasn’t purposeful. At that point, they were engaging in fighting over words and hearing more of the false teaching. In essence, they needed to amputate, cut the people off, and not talk to them.

If we're growing old, let us be

On the other hand, Paul also had a name for the teaching of the rightly handled word — “sound” or wholesome. The word he used for that is where we get our English word: “hygiene.” Can you see where I’m going with this?The best way to handle infection isn’t with antibiotics, steroids, or amputation; the best way to handle infection is with good hygiene.

Marrow carry underground

NAJEE: I had a friend introduce me to a conversation starter of sorts about washing your legs in the shower. Moral of the story is that some people believe in washing their legs and others believe their legs wash themselves. I asked a couple this question one time and they both died laughing. They’d seen a thread of white folks talking about this online and found it hilarious. I recently tweeted him a screenshot about people discussing washing their faces. The joke is that we have different opinions about what is hygienic.

Shade and sinew settle down

We’re often quick to point out social miscues, but are we willing to help correct people’s infectious illiteracy so they can develop healthy habits to rightly handle the Bible?

If we've got a while on borrowed time

(Transition: I’m not sure anyone in here is or will be a heretic, but we are all susceptible to the infection of illiteracy. In the next point, we’ll consider some of the ways in which this happens. You’ve already heard My Point; now I want to address some of Our Problems.)

Death can wait impatiently

Our Problems: Punting, Presenting, + Profaning

The dog has caught him up a tree

PUNTING: Do your “best”

And I'll remind myself and my bride

You hear, “Do your best,”

I came here for the fight

and instead of thinking “be eager / be diligent / make every effort / strive,” you say:

I came here for the fight

“My best isn’t someone else’s best, so I’ll just auto-pilot and cruise control.”You punt your identity and your responsibility to leaders.The problem with this is our job is to empower everyone to join in on the ministry of investing in the family of God so we can all reach maturity.

No, the world is never right

Instead of being a worker with no need to be ashamed, you are a consumer with no need to be inconvenienced.“I’m too busy, too bored, too tired, too immature, too uneducated…”You will never become all of who God’s called you to be.

I came here for the fight

PRESENTING: Present the Bible to yourself

Measure out a life, both of ours

Instead of “present(ing) yourself to God” in your Bible study,

In arguments and coffee spoons

you present the Bible to yourself.

Dancing in the living room

“What does this mean to me?”You become the standard, the judge, the house of meaning.You mean well, but it’s a slippery slope that can be dangerous for you + others.

Every tiny word you sent to me

You make the text do what you want it to do and say what you want it to say.InaccuracyYou import your own culture.You read your circumstances into the text.You pull out verses without context for your own purposes — proof-texting.You latch onto “Christianese,” instead of internalizing Scripture.HeresyYou might hold to something that is teetering on the fence between heterodoxy and heresy.You might share with someone something that is heretical.(You aren't a heretic until you are aware and obstinate.)OppressionSlave Bible oppressContemporary Denominations with women and people of colorYou can mishandle the Bible + suppress friends or those in your care.You can even subjugate your spouse using Scripture.

Kept and keeping even still

When THIS^ happens, the result is often…

Finger written window-sill

PROFANING: Ungodly Behavior + Belief

I breathe, it shows, what we both know

Inaccurate belief leads to ungodly behavior.

I came here for the fight

What about Xian leaders who are falling into sin, leaving the faith, etc.?

I came here for the fight

Some of the most dangerous people are the most educated / trained. Why?

No, the world is never right

That’s what happened with Hymenaeus and Philetus. They stopped rightly dividing and started relying on their old study and current extra-biblical intake. Truth began to become malleable, bending to their surroundings.

I came here for the fight

Paul explained rightly dividing the Bible leads to rightly living for God, so when sin creeps in and takes out a leader, it’s because the infection of illiteracy has set in. We have become distant from the God to Whom we’re to present ourselves. Thankfully, God always offer a way for us to come back to Him (v. 26).

live well; die well

When you stop growing, atrophy can set in.

give, don’t take

Many of us were workers earlier in our walks, but something’s changed.

contribute, don’t consume

We stopped seeing ourselves as blue collar workers who rightly divide and started seeing ourselves as white collar leaders who are really tired.

Marriage won’t always feel good to you, but it will always be good for you. You will grow, + the hard times in marriage will make the sweet times richer. Marriage is provision for your spouse.

Family, there’s no retirement in rightly dividing the Bible.

(Transition: How do we overcome these problems and the infection of illiteracy? Last point, Practices to help us have hygienic habits for handling the word of truth.)

With this in mind, are each of you ready for the VOW EXCHANGE? Go ahead + face one another.

Practices to help us Rightly Divide the Bible — Remember, Read, + Reproduce

Declaration of Intent

Remember WHO this is for…GodAWANA STUFF — not for God

Before you read your vows to one another, I want to ask each of you a question:

Read the BibleAsk someone to help you know how to studyEquipping: future class for those who feel like they need the basicsHopefully in the spring we’ll kick off another Accelerate Cohort, which is a short two year stint in which you spend a year reading through and studying the Bible.Be aware of who you listen to and what you read.

Dylan,

Reproduce rightly dividersAWANA STUFF — parents

Do you accept God's gracious provision of Laura as your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘til death do you part.

(Transition:)

Dylan: “I do.”

CONCLUSION

Laura,

Summary: Imagine how different you and your life would be. Who would be helped by you? How different would our church and our community be?

Do you accept God's gracious provision of Dylan as your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘til death do you part.

(Image Review: )

Laura: “I do.”

A minute ago I said marriage is for the church, but marriages also need the church. Dylan + Laura need their community. They’ve invited you to be part of this special day, but they’re actually asking you to be part of their union moving forward. So, I need to ask all of you a question, too.

Do you accept God's gracious provision of Dylan + Laura and your responsibility to support them and their marriage, fighting for their growth in oneness according to God's design and by His Spirit?

All: “We do.”

Exchange of Vows

The Bride and Groom have crafted their own vows to express their commitment and covenant to each other. Dylan, you can read yours first.

Dylan:

Before God and those who know me,

I choose to join you, Laura Rose, to where I will go.

As your husband, I choose to believe in you and spend myself for your good.

With our marriage, I will take part in Christ’s redemption of the world

by being useful to you, those around us, and the earth through love, service, and care.

Laura:

Before God and those who know me,

I choose to join you, George Dylan, to where I will go.

As your wife, I choose to believe in you and spend myself for your good.

With our marriage, I will take part in Christ’s redemption of the world

by being useful to you, those around us, and the earth through love, service, and care.

[Transition]:

Every covenant has a sign to remind each party of their responsibility.

Do you have the RINGS?

Exchange of Rings

These rings are symbols of your love for and commitment to one another. They are visible reminders to you and everyone around you, that what you have promised, you will do.

Dylan take Laura’s hand, place the ring on her finger, and repeat after me:

With this ring, I pledge to you //

all that I am and all that I have //

until we are separated by death. //

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Laura take Dylan’s hand, place the ring on his finger, and repeat after me:

With this ring, I pledge to you //

all that I am and all that I have //

until we are separated by death. //

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Communion

The first thing Dylan + Laura have chosen to do as a unit is wash each other’s feet. EJ is coming up now to share about the significance of this act both in scripture and in this moment.

Second Reading

Pronouncement + Kiss

May God bless you by reminding you that in Christ He approves of you and of your union, and that His favor will fuel your continual laying down of yourselves in service to your Savior, your spouse, and the world. I’m excited to watch how God will continue to use you both to further His Kingdom.

By the authority given to me as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ,

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Dylan, you may hug your brother-in-law…jk

Dylan, you may kiss your bride. (Get the flowers)

Seriously, welcome to the family.

It is my privilege to present to you for the first time ever

Mr. and Mrs. Dylan + Laura Webb!

Recessional + Announcements

Thanks: Dylan + Laura with their families are so honored you’re here. They want to celebrate with you! So…

Guests: Cocktail Hour… ?

Family: Pictures… ?Processional

Welcome + Prayer

Giving of the Bride

First Reading

Charge

Declaration of Intent

Exchange of Vows

Exchange of Rings

Communion

Second Reading

Blessing + Pronouncement

Recessional + Announcements

27 God created humankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them,

male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them,

“Be fruitful and multiply!

Fill the earth and subdue it!

Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds

of the air and every creature that moves

on the ground.”

15 The Lord God took the man and placed him

in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to

maintain it.

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