The Right Stuff

Introduction: Some of you may remember the early 1980s movie The Right Stuff. The Right Stuff was adapted from Tom Wolfe's best-selling 1979 book about the test pilots who were involved in aeronautical research (breaking the sound barrier, speed barrier, etc…) at Edwards Air Force Base, California. It’s about those test pilots competing with each other to be part of project Mercury, the first human spaceflight by the United States- Chuck Yeager, Jack Ridley, Scott Crossfield, Gordon Cooper, Virgil Grissom, Donald Slayton, Alan Shepherd, Wally Schirra, Scott Carpenter, and John Glenn. 10 men competed with each other for the honor to be one the Mercury Seven astronauts, to prove they had the Right Stuff.

What does it mean to have the Right Stuff? the necessary personal qualities someone must have to do well and get the job done. In other words, having the Right Stuff is about being equipped, and for our purposes that means being equipped for the work of the ministry.

Six years later, Muroc, by then Edwards Air Force Base, remains a beehive of danger, competition, and risky behavior. Major Yeager and friendly rival Scott Crossfield repeatedly break each other's speed records. They often visit the Happy Bottom Riding Club run by pioneering aviatrix Pancho Barnes for raucous nights of drinking. Loud and vulgar, she favors the pilots at Edwards who fly the best equipment, such as Yeager and Crossfield, whom she dubs "prime", over green "pudknockers" who only dream about it. Newly arrived United States Air Force captains Gordon "Gordo" Cooper, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, and Donald "Deke" Slayton hope to prove that they have "the Right Stuff". Publicity has replaced secrecy to generate continued funding, adding further pressure to the pilots. Cooper's wife, Trudy, and other wives fear becoming widows as the ever more gripping competitions of man versus machine, man versus Nature, and man versus man grow, but cannot change their husbands' powerful ambitions and what they lead to.

In 1957, the launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite triggers a crisis for the United States government. Politicians such as Senator Lyndon B. Johnson and military leaders demand America wage and win an emerging Space Race. NASA is founded, and seeks to develop the first U.S. astronauts. In spite of his proven abilities Yeager is excluded because he lacks a college degree. Grueling physical and mental tests select an initial roster of gentlemen officers drawn from the U.S. Air Force and naval aviation. These include Alan Shepard, Wally Schirra, Scott Carpenter of the United States Navy, John Glenn from the United States Marine Corps, and Cooper, Grissom and Slayton.

The Right Stuff is a 1983 American epic historical drama film. It was adapted from Tom Wolfe's best-selling 1979 book of the same name about the Navy, Marine and Air Force test pilots who were involved in aeronautical research at Edwards Air Force Base, California, as well as the Mercury Seven, the seven military pilots who were selected to be the astronauts for Project Mercury, the first human spaceflight by the United States. The film was written and directed by Philip Kaufman and stars Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Sam Shepard, Fred Ward, Dennis Quaid and Barbara Hershey. Levon Helm narrates, and plays Air Force test pilot Jack Ridley.

The Right Stuff is a 1983 American epic historical drama film. It was adapted from Tom Wolfe's best-selling 1979 book of the same name about the Navy, Marine and Air Force test pilots who were involved in aeronautical research at Edwards Air Force Base, California, as well as the Mercury Seven, the seven military pilots who were selected to be the astronauts for Project Mercury, the first human spaceflight by the United States. The film was written and directed by Philip Kaufman and stars Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Sam Shepard, Fred Ward, Dennis Quaid and Barbara Hershey. Levon Helm narrates, and plays Air Force test pilot Jack Ridley.

, The Man of God and the Word of God

What have been talking about in 2nd Timothy? Legacies- leaving legacies of the Gospel, Grace, and Godliness to our two families- your biological family and your church family. The text we’ll look at tonight is going to help us have the Right Stuff to leave those legacies.

the Right Stuff: the necessary personal qualities someone has to do well and get the job done

The text we’ll look at tonight is going to help us have the Right Stuff to leave those legacies.

, The Man of God and the Word of God

On May 15, 1963, Cooper has a successful launch on Mercury-Atlas 9, ending the Mercury program. As the last American to fly into space alone, the narrator notes he "went higher, farther, and faster than any other American ... for a brief moment, Gordo Cooper became the greatest pilot anyone had ever seen."

, The Man of God and the Word of God

The Man of God and the Word of God

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

All throughout this book, Paul has talked to Timothy about the Right Stuff, what he needs to have to continue the work that Paul was leaving behind. We’ve been comparing those qualities to our lives and the legacies we leave behind- legacies of the Gospel, Grace, and Godliness. The legacies that we leave to our two families- our biological family and church family. The text helps us know how to develop the Right Stuff to leave those legacies. We develop the Right Stuff-

What we’ve going to talk about tonight are three things we need to develop the Right Stuff-

1. In COMMUNITY with other believers. vss. 10-11

The translation you have probably begins with the word “but” or “you, however.” It is drawing a contrast to what came before it. If you remember, vss. 1-19 are about evil people and false teachers (aka, imposters in vs. 13). Paul is drawing a contrast between who those people are and what they do with himself, as if to say- but Timothy, you know I’m not like that. Here’s how you know...

You have CAREFULLY FOLLOWED (follow faithfully, pay attention to in minute and careful detail) me, i.e. you KNOW my doctrine (teaching), manner of life (conduct, behavior, lifestyle), purpose (plan, what I’m about), faith (confidence in and reliance on the Lord), longsuffering (patient endurance), love (agape- strong positive regard and affection), perseverance (steadfastness), persecutions (things done to me to destroy me and the faith), afflictions (suffering, adversity), and even how the Lord delivered (rescued) me.

How did Timothy know this? He was with him! This is the idea behind community. Biblical community is being in fellowship with people. It started in with the empowering of the Holy Spirit, people got saved and were baptized and “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (). Fellowship (koinonia) means communion with, sharing, and participation. What did that look like? They studied together, ate together, prayed together, and more!

:44-47, Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” They also did life together, shared with each other, and worshiped!

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Now, we don’t have the benefit of walking with Paul like Timothy did, but we can walk together as fellow disciples and followers of Jesus, both in church and in life together.

Research shows that the three environments/activities have the most discipleship benefit for us are: 1) worship service (large group), 2) life group (mid-size), and 3) the D-group (small, gender-specific group of 3-5 people, inner-circle); for the purpose of Worship, Friendship, and Accountability.

Three environments: worship service (large group), life group (mid-size), the D-group (small, gender-specific group of 3-5 people, inner-circle); Worship, Friendship, Accountability

Community is one of the ways that we develop the right stuff (i.e. are equipped) for the ministry.

2. By CONSISTENCY in our walk. vss. 12-15

Paul makes no bones about it- if we seek to live godly, we will suffer persecution. Why? Because evil people and spiritual imposters (false teachers) are going to get worse and worse (see vss. 1-9). But, in spite of that (or maybe even because of it), we must be even more diligent to be godly and live well.

We must CONTINUE (remain, stay, keep on) to do the right thing, live the right way, follow the examples of those who have gone before us. This word is most often translated abide.

, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. Following Jesus is always described as walking with Him. How do you do that?

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

You CONTINUE to CONSISTENTLY, every day of your life, abide in and walk with Jesus. He do that abiding in the things you’ve learned by walking in obedience to His commands. You are assured of them (confidently convinced) so you walk consistently in them.

One reason is because you know WHO you learned them from: Paul, parents/grandparents, pastors, teachers, etc… You saw their life and trust their heart.

Another reason is you know WHY you believe them: it is what saves you through faith in Jesus Christ. Wisdom isn’t about what you know but what you do, you trust and obey.

Consistently walking in obedience is one of the ways that we develop the right stuff for the ministry.

3. Through COMMITMENT to the Word. vss. 16-17

We believe and know that the Scriptures (sacred writings, aka God’s Word) was given to us by God through INSPIRATION. Inspiration literally means God-breathed. The Word of God is produced by the Spirit of God through the Son of God about the Kingdom of God. Inspiration is understood in the sense of air that was physically expelled from the lungs of God.

, knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Movement of the Spirit is like the wind that moves a ship on the sea.

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Disciples are committed to the Word because it comes from God and it’s good for us (profitable- beneficial and useful). How is the Word good for us?

Helpful for doctrine (instruction, teaching)

Helpful for reproof (rebuke); showing us what’s wrong with us

Helpful for correction (improvement); showing us what to do right, correcting faults

Helpful for Right Living- Instruction in Righteousness means that it trains, disciplines, disciples us to live according to the right standing and standard of a follower of Jesus)

For what reason? So that we can know what the Bible teaches? Yes, but that’s not all. So that we can see and correct our faults? Yes, but that’s not all. So that we can live like Jesus? Yes, but that’s not all.

For what reason? So that we can know what the Bible teaches? Yes, but that’s not all. So that we can see and correct our faults? Yes, but that’s not all. So that we can live like Jesus? Yes, but that’s not all.

You see everyone of those things is about you, it’s about each of us but in a personal way. Often we look at those things as ends in themselves rather than a means to an end. We are not just saved to know the right things, do the right things, and live the right way. That’s what breeds self-righteousness. No, we are committed to the Word to know the right things, do the right things, and live the right way BUT NOT FOR OURSELVES. It’s for someone else.

Because when we commit ourselves to the Word to know, do, and be what is right, it is so that we become more like Jesus (Complete- capable and proficient; fitted, furnished with everything necessary for a task or purpose; i.e THE RIGHT STUFF). Thoroughly equipped- to bring to an end; finish; to be thoroughly prepared. We are to know, do, and be what is right TO THE END that we are READY (have the RIGHT STUFF) for every GOOD WORK (work- ergon, Eng. an erg is a unit or measurement of energy; ergon are the works or deeds of Christ followers).

, we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Commitment to the Word is one of the ways that we develop the right stuff for the ministry.

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Consistently walking in obedience is one of the ways that we develop the right stuff for the ministry.