Sermon Tone Analysis

Previously

From life as the church (1Timothy) to service within the church (2Timothy).

The church being made up of many parts have important parts that are needed.

God provides what is needed (2Tim1:7)

Paul was reminding Timothy what God had created and provided in him and the means of the provision (see 2Tim1:5) came.

He challenged Timothy personal to stir up that which is inside, that which was given

God’s plan called for (ref: 1Tim1:7)

Fearless men

Strong men

Loving men

Sound men

(Insert Willing Men Needed PowerPoint here)

So after the stirring, the rekindling (1:6) the reminding (1:7) comes more instructions about the kind of men needed to serve the body and that is our subject before us today.

God’s plan, God’s method is sufficient, it is adequate when it is coupled with willingness of the right kind of men.

Keep in mind the word “willingness” as we go through the lesson this morning.

So, this morning as we look at willing men needed, just three simple points.

Men who are faithful

Men who are teachable

Men who are willing to teach

Willing men who are faithful

Does equipped equate to willingness?

God has equipped and God calls for the willingness to use the equipping.

Our first stop this morning, men who are faithful.

Our key verse this morning

and maybe in another version too.

Faithful to the Lord (Heb3:1-2; 1Tim1:12-13)

As the Lord set the example of faithfulness to the father, we have another good example in Moses

And even Paul attested to his faithfulness

Attested to the Lord considering him faithful.

(expand; the past does not define today or the future)

Faithful men, willing men whom the Lord can trust and rely on.

Faithful to the Word (2Tim1:13; 2Tim3:14)

Being faithful to the word means, well, look what Paul said to Timothy

Retain, and in other versions such words as hold fast, keep, follow pattern, hold firmly, hold tightly, take as your norm.

All of these call for willingness, call for an action.

So, now another scripture to consider

Men who know the truth (the word) and practice the word (put it into action).

Faithful to the church (Col1:7, 4:7; 1Cor16:19)

Men who are willing and are faithful to the church, the body of believers in which they serve, or should be serving the Lord on their behalf.

With such great biblical examples as

Epaphras

Or you can find Tychicus (Col4:7) or Aquila (1Cor16:19)

So, these men, the men God needs who are faithful are more than just Christians, God wants men who are willing.

(Insert John Gill Picture Here)

John Gill, bible expositor from 18th Century who wrote the “Exposition of the Bible” Commentary said this

“In other words . . .

God wants not only men who have received the grace of God, and are true believers of Christ, but are men of great uprightness and integrity; who having the word of God, will speak it out boldly, and faithfully, and keep nothing back that is profitable, but declare the whole counsel of God, without any mixture of adulteration; for the Gospel being committed to their trust, they would become stewards, and of such it is required that they be faithful; and therefore this is mentioned as a necessary and requisite qualification in them. .

.”

(Transition) Did you notice that it has to be willing and not just willing but applying the willingness by faith toe the Lord, the word and to the church?

Now that brings us to our next point.

Willing men who are teachable

Wise words, Godly words, Godly direction given (Deu6:6-8) but there must be a willingness to apply.

God’s method can work on all, but won’t work if there is no willingness.

Our willingness here is for men to be teachable.

I think I should give you that passage:

So, God needs men who are willing to be teachable

To be taught by others (2Tim1:5, 3:14-15)

Unless men are willing to be taught, God’s method won’t work, for there has to be a willingness.

Some godly examples

Timothy was taught by Lois and Eunice

Teaching that stuck with him from childhood which lead to his salvation through faith.

Teaching is not a one time thing, it is a process, You can see Timothy gleaning from Paul as they travelled together.

Think, ponder on have there been influential people who have taught you, impacted your life maybe from childhood or even in your adult life.

Maybe take a minute and thank them.

(Transition) Now all teaching does not come from others, there is some teaching that comes at the work, sweat of your own hands and brow.

Effort that you put in personally outside of what others do

To dig in and teach selves too (2Tim2:15; 1Tim4:13-16; Ezr7:10)

Notice a few words in this passage Be diligent, Present Yourself - diligent: according to Oxford dictionary (Adj): having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.

- So be diligent, diligent with a purpose to show yourself approved to God.

Purposed with results, unashamed, accurately handling the word of truth

Diligent with purpose with results, giving yourself to reading, exhorting, teaching.

But be careful to pay close attention to the teaching (the thing that you are diligently seeking personally outside of others).

Look at this beautiful verse tucked away in Ezra

Notice the order here:

Ezra set his heart.

Ezra was purposed to study the law (the Word).

Ezra studied to apply personally.

After applying personally he taught to others.

God needs men who do not wait on others, but are willing to be diligent themselves in seeking the Lord through His word on top of being willing to be taught by others.

(Transition) Ezra really sets up for our next point about teaching, but a quick word for application first.

Take every opportunity to be taught and to diligently teach yourselves through God’s word.

God needs, God desires men who have applied His word personally to then be a faithful man who is willing to teach.

Willing men who will teach

This is where the rubber meets the road.

God wants men not just to be faithful, to learn, but to apply and to teach others.

This has been geared to men thus far, but hold on women will be brought in before we close.

Unless there is a willingness of men to teach others, God’s method won’t work.

There must be a willingness with application.

Paul offers Timothy as a good example (1Cor4:17; 1Tim1:3, 4:6)

Timothy was sent to Corinth to remind, to teach, to teach the same thing being taught in every church.

Wonder what he is teaching, reminding them of?

Of Paul’s ways in Christ.

He later says imitate me as I imitate Christ (1Cor11:1).

So not just in Corinth was Timothy sent, but he was the minister, evangelist in Ephesus and Paul gave teaching instructions.

What is the purpose of these instructions?

To teach others to teach the truth and not some strange doctrine.

By Timothy teaching the brethren, Corinth, Ephesus, it will be proof that he is a good servant, nourished on the words of faith, the sound doctrine (teaching) you have been following (applying).

Teaching is sharing the love of God, the love for God with others through the word of God that brings faith, salvation and maturity.

(Transition) not all have the same ability to teach.

May we address that some too now?

Men willing teach according to their abilities (1Cor12:29; Jm3:1; Eph4:11; Heb5:12; 1Pt4:10-11; Rom12:3-8)