Joining God In His Work

Look at what God has done:

This morning we are taking a brief pause from the Gospel of John and we are going to be taking time to reflect on a few stories of what God has done this last year. This year continues to be a difficult one. I’m reminded that when the “cup of life” is shook, we get to see what is inside come out. What comes out sometimes looks like Jesus, and other times it does not.

God is always working. I know that God has done some amazing things in the lives of those that call City Chapel home. I know that time doesn’t allow us to share all that God is doing, but I have asked a few people that you know to come and share a couple stories with us about the wonderful works of God this last year. I’ve asked Pastor Josh Lott and Erin Richer to share a couple stories with you for your edification.

<Sharing Time>

We’ve heard testimony of those who have come and felt the loving compelling draw of the Father to Jesus, having once been a part of traditions that seemingly put up barriers and roadblocks not feeling like they had permission to know Him personally. God has done and continues to do great works in our body. For that we give Him thanks and praise.

God is still working:

Our text this morning is taken from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. If you have a Bible, or on your devices, please turn to 2 Tim 4:1-5 and if you are able, please stand with me as I read God’s word.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Pray

Thank you, you may be seated.

I want to speak to our passage a little this morning before I lay out what I hope will be an encouragement to you and a way forward in the time, place, and circumstance in which God has placed us here.

This book of 2 Timothy is a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to his “son in the faith” who he had set up as a pastor over the church that was in Ephesus. Ephesus was a metropolitan city, a port city, there was a diverse group of people in this bustling place. Sidenote: If we think about our Navy community and its transitory nature, I think we could find a lot of commonality with an ancient metropolis where many people were coming and going.

vs1. Paul charges Timothy with a task (a focus if you will) with the understanding in light of who God is and Jesus Christ… in other words, take this serious, these things have eternal consequence.

vs2. Preach the Word. What I’m doing this morning falls into what Paul’s exhortation was to Timothy. This may evoke ideas of standing on street corners and proclaiming God’s word to all those that will listen. There is a place in Hyde park in London, England that is famous for preachers (and others) to get up and engage the crowds; Speakers Corner. This might cause us palpitations if we think this is what we are called too. The word does evoke this image however another honest reading of this is “to make known” God’s word. When we take into consideration the rest of verse two we see it unfold.

We are to make God’s word known, in season (planned, organized, appropriate times/venues) and out of season (unplanned opportunities). Peter writing to the church in 1 Peter 3:15

English Standard Version Chapter 3

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

So as we go about our day, week, years, make known why we do what we do… it should be grounded in God’s word, Paul tells Timothy, sometimes this looks like a reprove (being convicted, being pointed in a better direction), rebuke (standing against unhealthy or helpful behavior), exhortation (encouragement and a challenge). Sometimes people get pretty excited about doing that… too excited… they get to play the HOLY SPIRIT and do His job! Don’t do that.

Both Peter (1 Peter 3:15) and Paul (2 Tim. 4:2) says to do this with patience, teaching, gentleness, and respect.

Those closest to us are probably the harder to do this with. But there are times where someone is walking in unhealthy, unhelpful, destructive behavior, and I have an opportunity to reprove, rebuke, and exhort. I spoke to a man who professed Christ but yet is abusive to his family. He had a hard time seeing it. I was stern, loving, patient, and taught from the Word of God what his role was wanting to be a follower of Jesus. We don’t save them. We don’t step in and take control, but we are conduits of God’s grace to people in sharing God’s living Word that will lead them into His presence and into His peace/shalom.

Paul reminds us in Romans 2:4, it is His kindness that is meant to lead us to repentance.

I have close friends that have permission to call out the “stuff” in my life. I tell our team at the church, you have permission to point things out to me, call me out when I’m out of line. We need each other to not just rebuke, but to exhort and build up.

vs3. People will not endure sound teaching. The time is coming and has been for a long time. In the midst of our current cultural climate, I’ve been grieved by the echo chambers we set up for ourselves. Very few engage with the intent of listening or learning. Most interactions on social media are us speaking to our own echo chamber. Paul 2000 years ago captures the state of the human heart that is still prevalent to today.

There have been many friends and family members who are alienated over the political environment, social requirements enacted on us, approaches to handling of the pandemic. Some feel passionate about it and feel as if they need to sever relationships because of where people stand. There are those who cause other people to sever relationships because of their attitude and approach (mean spirited, unkind, selfish). There is going to be a new news cycle, the pandemic will end (they all have), and what sort of influence will you/I have? What people can you affect for the Kingdom of God if you have alienated all of them because of your opinion on temporary issues.

vs4. says these people will turn away from the truth and wander into myths.

Will people turn away because of the truth or because of the one speaking the truth.

Pastor Counseling a couple- “I just told them the word of God” (he was offensive)

Nationalism, Religious-Nationalism, Consumerism, Relativism are all myths that people by into in our culture. The gospel is counter to all of these world views.

We have multiple sermon topics here that we could take a couple weeks on… but this is not the point… the focus I would have for us today is in vs5.

vs5. is our responsibility. Be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist… fulfill your ministry

Sober-minded: well balanced, self control (fruit of the Spirit) or self-possessed in all circumstances… in other words don’t lose your mind engaging with people. Allow others to partake of the fruit of the Spirit in your life through you self-control and engagement of others while living in our community. No need to be insecure (reactionary) around the truth, you know it, you can convey it, and allow the truth bear itself out to be true.

There seems to me to have been twice as much done in some ages in defending the Bible as in expounding it, but if the whole of our strength shall henceforth go to the exposition and spreading of it, we may leave it pretty much to defend itself. I do not know whether you see that lion—it is very distinctly before my eyes; a number of persons advance to attack him, while a host of us would defend the grand old monarch… with all our strength. Many suggestions are made and much advice is offered. This weapon is recommended, and the other. Pardon me if I offer a quiet suggestion. Open the door and let the lion out; he will take care of himself. Why, they are gone! He no sooner goes forth in his strength than his assailants flee. The way to meet infidelity is to spread the Bible. The answer to every objection against the Bible is the Bible.” -CH Spurgeon; Speeches at Home and Abroad, Annual Meeting of the British and Foreign Bible Society, May 5th, 1875

Endure suffering: this is not an easy one. It is in our suffering that we see God clearly. It is in our suffering that our senses are acutely attuned to His presence.

“I bear my witness that the worst days I have ever had have turned out to be my best days. And when God has seemed most cruel to me he has then been most kind. If there is anything in this world for which I would bless him more than for anything else it is for pain and affliction. I am sure that in these things the richest tenderest love has been manifested to me. Our Father’s wagons rumble most heavily when they are bringing us the richest freight of the bullion of his grace. Love letters from heaven are often sent in black-edged envelopes. The cloud that is black with horror is big with mercy. Fear not the storm. It brings healing in its wings and when Jesus is with you in the vessel the tempest only hastens the ship to its desired haven.” - CH Spurgeon

Do the work of the evangelist: Evangelist is the one that proclaims the good news. The good news of the truth, the good news of Jesus, the good news that God so love the world that He showed us in this way; that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. God has given us what we need for life and godliness; He has shown us what is good and this is what we have the opportunity to meet people.

Gerry Breshears, head of the theological department at Western Seminary in Portland says that gospel answers two pivotal questions… where do you hurt and what are you afraid of. When we get to know people and their story, often times if they don’t know Jesus, there is a revelation of where they hurt (what are some wounds they are carrying… abuse, trauma, addiction, abandonment, etc.) or what they might be afraid of (parents walked out on them, spouses/friends abused them, fear of commitment, etc.). The opportunity we have is to share how God has affected us. How has God transformed your relationships (with the way you view yourself, friends, colleagues, spouse, children, your parents, etc.), how has God delivered you from destructive behaviors or thoughts, how has following Jesus changed your life?

The work of the evangelist is carrying the good news of how God has transformed your life and you impart it to others. It doesn’t mean that you are the one equipped for every persons hurt or fear that comes your way, but you can lead them into a testimony of how God has moved in your life… you are making the invisible attributes of God visible through your story and through that, communicating the grace of God through the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and glorification of Jesus. That He is worthy to be followed and given full allegiance too. In that allegiance we find hope, peace, and salvation.

A couple pro-tips:

God is already at work in the lives of people around you. (Jhn 16:8-11)

You get to ask God, where are you at work, how are you at work in the lives of those I’m around. God would you give me ears to hear and eyes to see how you are working?

We are not creating the work, we are joining God in the work. We are not bringing God anywhere, God is already present in these places we find ourselves. (Ps. 139)

Sit with your story. Be able to share your story of how God has changed you, shaped you, delivered you, and why you seek to follow Him today (Rev. 12:11)

Then with patience, kindness, gentleness, and respect, teach those who are able and willing to listen… then you will be fulfilling that ministry of proclaiming, imparting the Word of God.

If you haven’t been with us since we’ve been studying the gospel of John; Jhn. 1:1, 14 share with us that the Word of God is Jesus. It is the good news that though we are opposed, even a far off from God, He has seen fit to bring us near through the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and glorification of Jesus.

What now?

I want to encourage us in this season to take three steps in order to walk in our calling as doing the work of the evangelist. Let us not be intimidated by that word. It is simply proclaiming the good news in our circles and spheres of influence as God gives us the opportunity. Here’s the journey I hope you will be going on with me this year.

Pray for three people you are in relationship with that you want to come to know Jesus. Write their names down on a 3x5 card (as many as you need), or set reminders on your phone through out the day, and pray that they would come to faith in Jesus Christ. Commit to pray for them everyday.

Pray that God would draw them to Jesus and they would see their need for Him

Pray that God would use you to impact their lives to yield their heart and lives to Him

Pray that God would bring others across their path that they might be used to draw them to Jesus

Pray for those “divine appointments” for God to line up the circumstance for you to speak to their hurts or fears

Pray that God would give you the words for that moment they want to follow Jesus. That they would yield their affections, heart, and life to Him, desiring to live in full allegiance to King Jesus.

You would look to find yourself in the rhythms of the community. HS/Club Football games, farmers markets, parades, festivals, schools, community organized events, etc. Volunteering at or in organizations.

Often times it is easier for us to have more Christian friends than non-christian friends. There’s two views on this… we are a come and see culture (only)… that by our witness they will desire Jesus… but actually when we adopt this part and not the second, which is what Jesus commanded those who would follow Him… it’s “Go and die” (not a good bumper sticker slogan)… but He spoke to us who follow Him, lose your life for my sake (purposes, will, desires) and you will find your life.

Getting into the rhythms of our community put us in the pathway of those that God is working in and drawing to Jesus.

Once we get into the rhythms of our community we can then reflect again on point one (praying for people to come to know Jesus).

We are reshaping our community groups… this going to be community groups 2.0. What we have called our community groups in the past are now going to be called “Small Group Bible Studies”. They meet in homes, have fellowship, sometimes a meal, prayer, and study God’s word. We love this, they are still going. What we are calling community groups now will look like this:

If you call City Chapel of Bremerton home and want to walk into this new season with us… here is what community groups will look like:

Invite two to three people/couples that you love, are in relationship with, and that love Jesus deeply to a regularly scheduled meal time (dinner once a month, every other week, once a week). You can host or maybe change it up and those who are into it can share who hosts.

Invite a non-christian that you are in relationship that you love and think would get along well with those in your party and would value getting together with other people over a meal.

Eat together… repeating as often as agreed upon.

Live life together: sharing in the things of life… ups and downs at work… family… fun hobbies… allow those outside of the church to come and see the goodness of God in your life and in the lives of those who are at the table. Be normal, allow God to work through who you are, who He has created you to be, and who He is making you into.

That’s it.

In reading the life of Jesus and even Paul, God moves through our authentic, transparent lives to touch and move in others as He draws them to Jesus. Let it sit with you that none of the disciples were saved/Christians when Jesus called them. They all dealt with some sort of disbelief or misalignment to who Jesus was at that moment. Trust that God will use you right where you are (doubts, foibles, imperfections and all) to bring Himself glory.

We will gather on a regular basis after church to share a meal together (once a month or every other month) to share in the stories that God is doing through the community groups. It will be a time of encouragement, fun, laughter, and be awe-struck at all that God is doing in and through those that are stepping out to love people, share their lives, and impart God’s goodness making His invisible attributes visible in this particular way.

There will be times where nothing seems like it’s happening (hopefully we’re still having a good time), but there will be times where God makes known to us the powerful work He’s doing in us and through us.

If this sounds desirable to you… there is a connect card in the pew in front of you. Would you just write out that you are interested in being a part of this… please put an email or phone number and then we will reach out with meeting dates, encouragements, and helpful tidbits when getting together with others in this way.

Closing

Would you stand with me

Church, God is doing wonderful things around us. His coming is near and we want to be about the work of the Kingdom. Pray for those around you that you want to come to know Jesus. Get into the rhythms of the community around you. Share a meal together with those that God is leading to taste and see that God is good, and blessed is the one who puts their trust in Him.

We are still in the midst of pandemic. If you do not feel comfortable meeting in a home with known or trusted individuals, or you just don’t have the opportunity to do that… we can work on ways to get creative if this is something you feel God calling you to be apart of. Looking at options to have a zoom dinner or a space to connect that might be larger (accommodating for social distancing)… I’d love to explore that with you.

Church, I look forward to what God will do this year.

Ephesians 3:14–21 ESV

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.