Serving practically: In the grace of God
Serving as the church - 2 Timothy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 1:10:52
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The Steward
The Steward
The steward is a servant, a servant entrusted with the possession of someone else. A precious treasure we are entrusted with, that is our subject matter today.
(insert: A treasure worth seeking picture here)
A treasure worth having is a treasure worth sharing.
Treasure worth having comes from the Word of God.
As a steward of this treasure, the treasure of God’s grace we need to know it (the doctrine of grace) so we can share it with others. So a good steward needs to be a diligent student of the Word of God.
Many seek the wisdom of man to validate the wisdom of God and that is backwards. God’s word is truth, God’s word is wisdom and man’s wisdom should be judged in line with God’s word not the other way around.
In looking at the doctrine of grace, and it is by grace through faith in which we are saved (Eph2:7) we should build on that grace through the scripture to understand the treasure that has been given that we are stewards of.
In our passage we are told to be strong in the grace given, and we will see that in a moment. So, having said that today we are going to delve through the scripture to have a reminder, or have a great revealing of God’s grace.
There is a danger of apostasy today just as there was in the church at Ephesus in whom Timothy is overseeing. Many in Asia had forsaken Paul and left him like Phygellus, Hermogenes (2Tim1:15); others have strayed from the truth and understanding of God’s grace like Hymenaeus and Philetus (2Tim2:16-18)
Paul give admonishment to Timothy regarding the possibility of apostasy
13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
He is told to treasure that which has been entrusted to him. God’s grace to teach others about it.
We see that in our verse today too.
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
So, my friends, stewards of God’s grace, here is what is coming this morning:
God’s grace that is in Christ
Knowing God’s grace be strong in God’s grace (1Tim2:1)
God’s grace in Christ
God’s grace in Christ
To understand God’s grace you need to have understanding of God and God’s plan and provision for man. What we have (grace) changes what we say and what we do.
God’s grace in Christ brings freedom (Rom8:1-2; Eph1:7; Rom3:23-24)
For in Christ there is no condemnation
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
For in Him we have forgiveness of sins, we have our redemption.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
(Expand on the riches of His grace)
We are in need of His grace, should be reminded of His grace which is in us through the blood, because we all fall short, but by His grace we are redeemed.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
God’s grace in Christ brings victory (Jn8:31-36; Jn7:37-39; Rom8:2, 12-13; 1Pt4:10-11)
Jesus offer of grace is free to free us, give us victory over dominion of sin.
In summary of Jn8:31ff, If we continue on in the word, we will be His disciples, we will know the truth and the truth will make us free. - no longer a slave to sin.
If you flip over one chapter to Jn7:37-39 you see this.
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Victory over the power of sin is within, it is the Holy Spirit that was to be given, that now has been given to those who believe and have had their sins forgiven. Wait, I should give a couple more encouraging scriptures on this.
2 A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
and
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
It is by the Spirit, the power of the Spirit that we are able to put to death the deeds of the body! —- just one more on this.
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
(expand the riches of His glory!)
God’s grace enables us to bear fruit and to serve (Jn15:4-5; Rom12:6; 2Cor9:8; 1Pt4:10-11)
We cannot bear fruit unless we abide in Him according to (jn15:4-5) So by abiding in Him you can bear fruit, fruit that is for the common good.
God’s given grace is able to, well, let me show you
8 And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.
So, as Peter mentions, just like Paul does to Timothy, we need to be good stewards of it, be strong in the grace of God.
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
God’s grace through Christ brings hope (2Th2:16; Tit3:7; 1Pt1:13; Eph2:7)
God’s grace brings us, gives us hope, a good hope
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
It is by His grace that we become heirs
7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Have you ever heard the term grace upon grace? - as stewards we are in position to be recipients of even more grace to come
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
grace as seen in
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
(Transition) God’s continued grace grows us, transforms us, hopefully encourages us so we can serve practically in it. Paul instructs, admonishes Timothy in our passage to be strong in God’s grace.
1 As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus.
Be Strong in the grace
Be Strong in the grace
Strength, endurance, perseverance all take effort, but what about grace? YES! Not to receive it, for it is free but to know it, understand it, to be strong in it, it takes strength, which means effort.
Strength through obedience to His Word (Rom10:9-10, Act2:38; Jn14:21, 23; Mt28:20; Rev3:15-19; Jm1:22-25)
Did I mention that we are doing a scripture marathon today regarding God’s grace? Maybe I should have, well anywho here we go on regarding being strong in the grace of God and how to do it. - - - first stop obedience
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
Obedience by confessing with your mouth
Obedience by believing in your heart
These two things bring about righteousness and salvation
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Obedience to the word brings repentance and baptism which is for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit
Obedience in keeping his commands as one who loves Him and will be loved by the Father (ref: Jn14:21, 23)
Obedience to the teaching of the word
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Why, obedience, not for salvation, it is from salvation, we want to walk by faith, we want to be doers of the word not just hearers as noted in (Jm1:22-25); we do not want to be lukewarm Christians.
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
Strength through prayer (Act8:22; 1Jn1:9; Eph3:16; Php4:6-7; Col4:2; 1The5:17; 1Pt4:7; Heb4:14-16)
Strength in prayer that the intention of your heart maybe forgive (ref: Act8:22)
Or look at one we maybe familiar with if you are here on Wednesdays.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Through prayer (confession) He is faithful and righteous to forgive us!
To forgive and to strengthen us in our inner man
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Strengthen you, forgive you, and give you peace to overcome anxieties we may face in this world
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So we are called to be diligent in prayer
Pray earnestly (Col4:2)
Pray without ceasing (1The5:17)
Be purposeful, of sound judgment and sober spirit (1Pt4:7)
Be fervent in prayer (1Pt4:8)
Be bold when we come to the throne of grace (Heb4:14-16)
Must give you one of these at least
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Strength through fellowship (Act2:42; 1Cor12:12-14, 17;22; Heb3:12-14; Heb10:24-25; Eph4:15-16)
Fellowship is important, it is demonstrated in the early church and it calls for us to be inter-dependent on one another
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
add
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.
and to finish the thought a few verses later
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
Fellowship needed to avoid unbelief or hardness of heart
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
so lets be good stewards of the manifold grace of God and look for ways to stir up love and good works (ref: Heb10:24-25) - for every part is needed, bring your part so we can be whole.
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Let us be held together! In love as serving the body in the grace of God.
(Invitation slide- Gods amazing grace)
As we serve together in God’s amazing grace may the love of God our our love for God shine through to others (expand).
Are you a recipient of God’s amazing grace (expand)?
(Song) (Prayer) (Close)