The Main Thing

Introduction:

Been thinking a lot about teams lately. Not just because it’s NFL season, but in almost every area of life, we work in teams.

I have a teammate in my wife and together we demonstrate Christ’s love for his church through our unwavering commitment to one another. We work together to raise our kids to know how to tie their shoes as well as to know and serve the Lord.

At North Hills, we have a Leadership Team, a Management Team, Ministry Leadership Teams that work together to accomplish our goals.

Now every team has to have a goal. A main thing if you will that keeps the team focused.

In sports, it’s usually wins. And everyone plays their part to accomplish that goal. We get off track when one player cares more about their stats than the score.

In marriage, our marriages can get off track when we lose sight of the goal to shine the love of Jesus to the world in how we love one another and start worrying about “what’s in it for me?”

In churches, the stakes are higher. Because the world is watching us. We can’t afford to get off topic or distracted from the main thing we are supposed to do. When we lose sight of the main thing, we start asking, “What about me?” “What’s in it for me?” “Why doesn’t anyone listen to me?” “Call me?” “I should be in charge!” Instead of saying, “What can I do, that only I can do toe help us accomplish the main thing we, as a church are called to do?”

So what is the main thing? I’m glad you asked....but we’ll get there shortly.

Transition to the Text: To start, turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Timothy 1:12-20. Paul continues his encouragement to the young Timothy by reminding him to stay focused and not get distracted by things and people that don’t matter.

So many things in life and ministry vie for our attention. But we need to keep focused on the Main thing.

Introduce: In 1976, North Hills was founded under the leadership and vision of Brother Gene Dodson. Brother Gene was known to say many dodsonisms.

“If you keep doing what you’ve been doing you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting...”

“we don’t have any problems all we have are opportunities.”

Richard Porter it was: I”’m not sure about that… “ Interpreted: “no way…Jose”

One person remembered him saying “well…” It meant the same as what I said.

Today, our authentic principle is one of those dodsonisms that is especially biblical (not that the other ones weren’t). It just goes really well with today’s sermon.

Authentic Principle: The main thing is to make the main thing the main thing.

In your sermon notes you can see this phrase in his own handwriting.

Read: This is pretty clear in the words of Paul to Timothy. Let’s Read.

1 Timothy 1:12–20 (ESV)

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Authentic Principle: The main thing is to make the main thing the main thing.

1. Don’t let the past distract you from the main thing. (1:12-14)

Explanation: Paul’s past is well documented. I love that he doesn’t hide who he used to be. It shows God’s grace and mercy that overflows on people you would never expect.

He talks about how God has “judged him faithful, appointing him to service.” In spite of the fact that he was formally a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.

But with a story like his, it would be easy to get distracted with your past. There are also people who will try to remind you of all the bad things you have done. They will bring up the past to bring you down.

If Paul were living in the world today with social media, could you imagine the tweets and social media posts that could dug up from him.

But Paul focused on the truth. “The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Can you imagine the joy in his heart writing those words? How it must have felt.

Application: You see, no one has to remind you of your past. You know your past. Many of us feel like we have to hide our past. But Paul, was able to embrace his past because, his past only magnified God’s grace in his life.

Paul’s past became the biggest reason for him to have credibility as a minister of the Gospel.

Paul didn’t just preach the Gospel or even preach about the Gospel. Paul was the living embodiment of what the Gospel is. Good news, that your past doesn’t dictate your future.

2. The Gospel is the Main Thing (1:15-16)

Explanation: The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. This is the Gospel!

And how did Paul know the Gospel? He had experienced it! He was the foremost sinner. A blasphemer, persecutor, insolent opponent of the church. Yet God in his grace, showed mercy to Paul.

You see Paul of all the Apostles and writers of scripture is one of the clearest examples of what the Gospel means. How it is good news.

God displayed his perfect patience in Paul as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

For many of us, who might have pasts of our own, wonder how God could save us or care about us when we know the things we do.

We can remember this application of the gospel as shown in the life of Paul.

If God will save Paul, he will save you and me. There is nothing we can do to keep us from God’s unfailing love.

The Gospel is the main thing. Not your past or your future. Not even your right now.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Like me and you. Whenever you feel down and out, remember the Gospel.

3. Pass on the main thing to others (1:17-19a)

Explanation: Good news should be shared. But first it must be modeled. Paul was great at modeling the Gospel because he lived the Gospel. First, give glory to God for the great love he has given us.

How often do we just stop and thank God for all that He has done for us. For the grace He shows to us sinners. For the calling he’s put in are lives.

And we should walk in light of the gospel.

Now Paul has already passed this on in a sense to Timothy. Though we know that Timothy also received it from his mother and grandmother.

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

But Paul took it to the next level. He took him under his wing and helped him to not only grow into a man of God, but into a competent minister of the Gospel.

And now Paul has entrusted this same Gospel to Timothy, that he should walk in it.

Holding the Faith with a good conscience.

Our conscience should lead us to pass the Gospel on to those we come in contact with.

Timothy was entrusted with the Main thing.

Illustration: We can get distracted by so many things that are good. But they aren’t the Gospel. Programs and events. We can even get caught up in counting things.

Not just attendance. We can get caught up in the number of likes we get on our church’s facebook post.

There are all kinds of things we count that down amount to much.

Application: Pass it on one person at a time. And we don’t necessarily count those who receive what we are passing. We count the times we were faithful to the main thing that God has called all Christians to do.

It starts with those closest to us. Our family. Pass it on to your children. Or even your parents. I know many young people who have come to faith in Christ only to spend a good amount of their time praying for their parents to do the same.

We all need to make the gospel the main thing and identify one person to whom we can pass on our faith.

4. Don’t let the wrong people distract you from the main thing. (1:19b-20)

Explanation: It’s interesting how Paul talks about how he was formerly a “blasphemer.” He knows a thing or 2 about blaspheming.

And now he’s going to tell us about Hymenaeus and Alexander who are in the same place Paul was many years ago.

In our journey of life there are going to be people that try to distract us from what we are supposed to be doing.

Paul had many enemies, and the ones he talked about the most were not roman soldiers or a pagan government. He talked about people within the church.

As Christians, we can’t allow us to be divided by people from within.

What is Paul talking about here? He had Hymenaesus and Alexander kicked out of the church. Church discipline for people who have become distractions from the main thing. Perhaps its the same people he talked about up in chapter 1. Those false teachers who cared more about myths and speculation than the Gospel and seeing people saved.

Sometimes it’s appropriate to cut ties with people who distract you from the main thing. Especially when they think they are following Jesus.

Illustration: We probably all have a few people in our lives that are distractions. Not everyone is worthy of being handed over to Satan. Only those people that get in the way of doing what God has called you do to.

Application:

There are times to write people off, but it’s never for spite or for the purpose of hurting them. It’s to get them to see that they are a sinner in need of a savior.

Response: Are you keeping the main thing the main thing?

Summation:

Authentic Principle: Keep the Main thing the main thing.

1. Don’t let the past distract you. (1 Timothy 1:12-14)

2. Remember the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

3. Pass it on (1 Timothy 1:17-19a)

4. Don’t get distracted by the wrong people (1 Timothy 1:19b-20)

Response: Are you keeping the main thing the main thing?

Closing Illustration:

For 45 years, North Hills has endeavored to keep the main thing the main thing.

And for the next 45 years, we hope to do the same.

Our hope and our prayer is that through North Hills many people will come to know Jesus.

It started with the vision of 1 man, Gene Dodson who envsioned after God broke his heart for the kids of this city.

On a ride along with a police officer and seeing a group of, what the police officer said here lost causes. He asked, what can be done for them?

Nothing, it’s too late for them. You have to get them when they are younger.

So North Hills was started to get them when they are younger.

From Preschool through 12th grade. And a church that sees the vision and supports it with their tithes and offerings and with their prayers.

Now you might think that the school is the main thing. It’s not.

The main thing here is that we want everyone to know that Jesus Christ came to save sinners like me and you.

That’s the main thing in everything we do.

It’s our job to make the main thing the main thing.

Here’s to another 45 years.

Let’s pray.

Week 4 of 2020-2021 Sermon Series: Authentic

Generation to Generation: The Main Thing

1 Timothy 1:12-20

Authentic Principle: The MAIN thing is to make the MAIN thing the MAIN thing. 1. Don’t let the PAST distract you from the main thing. (1 Timothy 1:12-14) 2. The Main Thing is the GOSPEL. (1 Timothy 1:15-16) 3. PASS on the main thing to others. (1 Timothy 1:17-19a) 4. Don’t let the wrong PEOPLE distract you from the main thing. (1 Timothy 1:19b-20)

Response: Are you keeping the MAIN thing the MAIN thing?

Opening Discussion:

What is the most important thing about being a Christian? How do you determine the main things in your life? Especially your Christian life?

Sermon:

How does Paul describe his life before meeting Jesus?

Why does Paul say he received mercy from God? How can Paul’s story serve as an example to others about God’s grace and mercy?

What does Paul entrust to Timothy?

What does it mean to a good conscience? What does a bad conscience look like?

How do we reconcile Paul’s past wrongs and the grace he received? Does God’s grace and mercy absolve him of all the bad things he has done?

Why does Paul deal with Hymenaeus and Alexander the way he does? Why might they not receive grace and mercy in this instance?

What is the main thing for Paul?

Application:

Can you relate to Paul’s story? Have you experience the grace and mercy of God? What is that like?

How do you respond to God’s grace and mercy in your life?

Who entrusted the gospel to you? Who are you entrusting it to?

Do you have any Hymenaeuses or Alexanders in your life? How might you deal with them like Paul?

How can you keep the main thing the main thing in your life and the life of the church?

How would North Hills be different if everyone kept the main thing the main thing?