8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: Hymn of Praise: # 347 Spirit Song Prayer Hymn: #471 Move Me Hymn of Response: # 701 When We All Get To Heaven

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: Hymn of Praise: # 347 Spirit Song Prayer Hymn: #471 Move Me Hymn of Response: # 701 When We All Get To Heaven"

Ginger Mills
6 years ago
Views:

1 In I Timothy & II Timothy: October 20 th, 2013 Book Theme: God is your faith / God is your stability. Sermon Title: Paul & Timothy were Amazing Men. Sermon Topic: Faithful Service and Living Sermon Text: II Timothy 4:6-8 Speaker: Pastor Bob Vale Biblical Focus: I Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Scripture Lesson: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: Hymn of Praise: # 347 Spirit Song Prayer Hymn: #471 Move Me Hymn of Response: # 701 When We All Get To Heaven 11:00 a.m. Solid Praise Worship Service: Check with Kevin Plank s list.

The book of I Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul around 61 A.D. in the area of Macedonia. The book of II Timothy was written during the fall of Rome around 67 A.D. Who is Timothy?

2 The book of I Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul around 61 A.D. in the area of Macedonia. The book of II Timothy was written during the fall of Rome around 67 A.D. Who is Timothy? He was a young evangelist, who was converted on Paul s first missionary Journey. Paul is basically writing to one of his missionary associates named, Timothy. Paul was encouraging him as a young evangelist. Paul & Timothy traveled as missionaries starting new churches in the following cities: Corinth, Berea, Troas, Ephesus, Thessalonica, and Rome. This book along with II Timothy and Titus are known as the Pastoral Epistles. Paul was teaching Timothy how to organize the leadership of a church. I Timothy is basically a manual on the structure and leadership of a church. Knowing Timothy was young and going into new towns to preach, teach and set up churches, Paul encouraged him about his youth in I Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

3 Both Paul and Timothy died as Martyrs for their faith. Timothy s Death: The Bible does not say how Timothy died. However tradition tells us he was stoned to death in Ephesus, while trying to stop a pagan worship ceremony; so that he could preach the Gospel. He was dragged through the city and stoned to death. Timothy would have been around 80 years old when this happened in 97 AD. Paul s Death: According to tradition Paul was beheaded in Rome. There are three important points within these two letters that I would like to talk about today. 1. Christ as Mediator: I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 2. Heresy and false teachings in the church of that day: I Timothy 1:3-4 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith. (Joyce Myers and Joel Olsteen) Health and Wealth Gospel. Current and past cults in America: 3. This is Paul s last letter before he dies. II Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

4 1. What is a Mediator: Christ is our Mediator: I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. a. A Mediator is much like a messenger and defense lawyer who defends you and speaks on your behalf in front of the great judge. God almighty, a holy judge. Illustration: When I was growing up my dad work in a large factory for many years. He was a part of the United Auto Workers Union and was actually a leader within the union. Over the years he was everything from a union steward to the union president. When some of the factory workers needed representation and were in fear of losing their jobs, my father went into talk to the management on their behalf. He was the only person who could do so as the union representative. He was their mediator. Not just anyone in the factory or even the person charged could talk to management; Only the union mediator. b. Jesus takes our request for prayers and forgiveness directly to God the father on our behalf. 1. John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Illustration: Signing a check for payment. When I sign a check for payment of something I want to purchase. I know I have the money to cover it in my bank. Once I fill in the amount, I then sign my name at the bottom. No other name will work to get money out of my account. Jesus Christ, paid the price for all of humanity to receive forgiveness on the cross. It is his name alone that signs the checks to cover the price for our sins.

5 Since a Holy, Holy, Holy God can have nothing to do with sin, Jesus Christ, who took the worlds sins up on the cross takes them for us and cleanses us. Remember Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him (Christ) the iniquity of us all. Acts 4:12 also says, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Jesus Christ is our Mediator: 2. Heresy and false teachings in the church of that day: I Timothy 1:3-4 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith. a. In that day and time the church in Ephesus was dealing with false teachings: 1. Myths: Jewish fables and old wives tales of the day. They were dealing with the new members of the church wanting to worship angels, rather than God. 2. Endless Genealogies: The endless genealogies was an effort by the new Jewish Christians to make a vain attempt to get more status in the new church by trying to prove you were related to an old testament patriarch or from the line of David or from a priestly line. It was to get one up on the new Gentile believers. Why can t they just get along!!!

6 Illustration: When I was a youth pastor in a small southern town in Georgia, there was a history of the first Lutheran settlers who pioneered the area in the early 1700 s. They were known as the Salzbergers from Germany, who came to America and settled on the Savannah River. Many of the folks in the area were decedents of the Salzbergers. I began to notice how being connected in some way to the Salzbergers was a bit of a status symbol. It was often a question I heard come up, when I heard new folks move into the community or attend the church. They would ask if they were decedents of the Salzbergers. Even some high school students would ask this question to new kids. There was almost a feeling of, Were better than you because you don t have that historical connection; Although they would never say that. Did you know there are obvious false teachings in the global church today? In America there are currently 3,000 different Christian denominations and church affiliations; each having their own spin on the gospel truth! Many point the finger of heresy to the others. The biggest false teaching seen in America today is The Health and Wealth Gospel; Taught by some very successful Christian leaders. Joyce Myers & Joel Olsteen are the biggest proponents of this teaching within the church. Basically they are saying that if you are a faithful and good Christian, you should be blessed financially and materially. This sounds great to materialistic Americans who have bought in to the thinking that more is better.

7 3. Paul s Final Salutation: This is Paul s last letter / Epistle before he dies. II Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. What was Paul saying as his last words? a. Vs. 6. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 1. Poured out as a drink offering: Paul was predicting his own death. He was relating his upcoming death to the symbolism of communion as a blood /wine offering to God. He was following the example of his savior to give his life for the cause of the gospel. 2. The Time of my departure is at hand. Paul was in a Roman jail and he knew it was just a matter of time before he would be killed for his new beliefs. He was seen as a traitor to the Jews and a threat to the Romans. (Sound familiar? Jesus also had this same difficulty.) Paul spent two years as a prisoner in Rome and according to the writings of Ignatius, Paul was beheaded under the emperor Nero. He died a Martyr. b. Vs. 7. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 1. I think Paul was an athlete. There are other places where he talked about the Christian life as a race. Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the

8 race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Question: How are you doing on your race in life? 1. Remember that life is a marathon and not a 100 yard dash. 2. Are you meeting the goals you once set out for yourself? 3. Have you seemed to be stuck on mile 10 and just can t seem to go any farther? 4. In your race of life; do you seem to be taking two steps forward and one step back? 5. Are you just fine and exactly where you and God feel you need to be at this time in your life? I have some advice for you: Hebrews 12:1b -2a let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Get rid of things that slow you down or trip you up in life. You and God know what those things are. c. Vs. 8. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day. 1. Paul is talking about the day when Christians are rewarded in heaven for the good things they have accomplished on earth. 2. I Peter 5:4, calls this the Crown of Glory. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 3. James 1:12 calls this the Crown of Life. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

9 Folks, Heaven is a place beyond our own wonder and amazing imagination. I Corinthians 2:9 says that no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no eye has seen what God has prepared for those who love him. Final Illustration: As I get older, I find that I appreciate God and people and good and lovely and noble things more and more intensely; so it is pure delight to think that this enjoyment will continue and increase in some form in heaven. (What form, God knows, and I am content to wait and see), literally forever. In fact Christians inherit the destiny which fairy tales envisaged in fancy: we (yes, you and I the silly saved sinners) live and live happily, and by God's endless mercy will live happily ever after. What shall we do in heaven? Not lounge around but worship, work, think, and communicate, enjoying activity, beauty, people, and God. First and foremost, however, we shall see and love Jesus, our Savior, Master, and Friend. Prayer: Oh Lord, we thank you for the life of Paul. For his heart of sacrifice and service to you. May we follow in his footsteps of our hearts burning for the savior Jesus Christ. Words of Wisdom: Hatred, Gossip and an unforgiving heart unlock no doors in heaven. However, repentance, forgiveness of others and a relationship with God, open the gates of heaven as if someone said, Open Sesame. Benediction: I pray that you will dance like there is nobody watching. Love others like you will never be hurt, sing loudly like there is nobody listening and live like it s heaven on earth. Because a life with Christ is heaven on earth. May God bless you until we meet again. Amen

10 Pastor Bob s Sermon Notes: 1. Christ as Mediator: I Timothy 2:5 2. Heresy & false teachings in the church: I Timothy 1: Paul s last words & letter before he dies. II Timothy 4:6-8

THE PREACHER S EPISTLES

THE PREACHER S EPISTLES 1 TIMOTHY 2 TIMOTHY TITUS MAX DAWSON AUDITORIUM BIBLE CLASS February April, 2018 A STUDY OF RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH The Preacher s Epistles 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus