Marks of Maturity - Part 5b
Marks of Maturity • Sermon • Submitted
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Thesis: Mature churches grow spiritually through discipleship relationships.
2 Timothy 2:1-2
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Titus 2:1-2,6-8
But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Titus 2:3-5
the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—
that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
“Discipleship is investing oneself into the lives of others for the purpose of spiritual growth so that they too might invest themselves in still others in an ever-multiplying circle of disciples.”
1 Thessalonians 3:10
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
Review:
The Desire of Discipleship (1 Thess. 2:17)
The Detainment of Discipleship (1 Thess. 2:18)
The Destination of Discipleship (1 Thess. 2:19-20)
The Deployment of Discipleship (3:1-5)
The Deployment of Discipleship (3:1-5)
A. The Plan (v.1-2a)
Paul & Co. have tried over and over again to travel back to Thessalonika, but the enemy has been stopping them.
Instead of giving up, they formulate a new plan
Send Timothy alone -
less conspicuous (Acts 17:14-15)
Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Likely this was Timothy’s first mission (but not his last!)
Tim’s mission to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10)
For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.
Tim’s mission to Philippi (Phil. 2:19-22)
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.
For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.
For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.
Tim’s mission to Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3)
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Strategy for Discipleship
How can we make this work?
Same Message…Different Methods
Timothy was ready for deployment…are you and I ready?
B. The Parameters (v.2b)
Brother (Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5)
Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.
when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
Minister (servant of God)
Fellow Laborer in the Gospel (synergy) (Phil.2:22)
But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.
synergy: noun, plural syn·er·gies.
the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.
(www.dictionary.com)
C. The Purpose (v.2c-3, 5a)
Establishing faith
example: Exodus 17:8-13 (the word “supported” is the same in the Greek OT - the Septuagint)
Encouraging faith
Same word as “exhort” in 1 Thess. 2:11
To call to one’s side, comfort
D. The Perils (v.4, 5b)
Tribulations
verb form of “The Great Tribulation” spoken of in Revelation 7:14
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Temptations
Same word used for Jesus’ wilderness temptations in all 3 synoptic Gospels
means “to test”
Satan tries to get the disciple to fail..you become enemy #1
Paul doesn’t want to see all they have invested go to waste
The Declaration of Discipleship (3:6)
The Declaration of Discipleship (3:6)
A. Faith = Obedience
Taking God at His Word and stepping out in obedience, no matter the cost.
B. Love = Sacrifice
ex.: Jesus washing the disciple’s feet
C. Hope = Expectation
Not the wishful thinking of the world, but the confident expectations of God’s faithfulness
Faith, Hope, and Love are measured by:
Broad, spectrum, sliding-scale - How do I demonstrate these qualities overall? What am I known for?…my reputation in general.
…which is made up of....
Measured in the moments - I can demonstrate Faith, Love, and/or Hope in one moment and totally blow it in the next moment. Pressure reveals my weak points.
The Dependance of Discipleship (3:7-10)
The Dependance of Discipleship (3:7-10)
[a relationship of interdependence - Paul needed his disciples with the same fervor that they needed him]
A. Past Comfort (v.7)
comforted: parakalĕō: to call to one’s side
Same word as 2:11 (exhorted)
Paul & Co. were the ones “parakaleo-ing” in 2:11, and now it’s the Thessoloikans that are doing the same for Paul & Co.
B. Present Camaraderie (v.8-9)
[their lives were linked...”I’m counting on you!”]
It is a reciprocal exchange - The discipler gives wisdom and instruction…the disciple gives growth and maturity in return, which blesses the discipler
rejoicing is “before our God” - a triangular structured relationship
C. Future Completion (v.10)
[these are rhetorical questions by Paul]
Thanksgiving/Joy (v.9)
Continued Growth (v.10)
Word Study:
“brother” - adĕlphŏs: from the womb
“minister” - diakŏnŏs: attendant, table waiter, deacon
“fellow laborer” - sunĕrgŏs: companion, helper, synergy
synergy: noun, plural syn·er·gies.
the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.
(www.dictionary.com)
“establish” - stērizō: to set fast, turn resolutely in a certain direction
“encourage” - parakalĕō: to call to one’s side, invoke, comfort
“tribulation” - thlibō: lit. to crowd, afflict, narrow
“stand fast” - stēkō: to perservere
“perfect” - katartizō: to complete thoroughly
Closing Thoughts:
It is God’s plan for His children to be deployed into the discipleship workforce.
God expects us to work in synergistic relationships.
Questions to consider:
Am I ready to be deployed?
How are faith, love, and hope displayed in my life?
Am I willing to depend on others and for others to depend on me?
“The church is not a theological classroom. It is a conversion, confession, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness and sanctification center, where flawed people place their faith in Christ, gather to know and love him better, and learn to love others as he designed.” ― Paul David Tripp