Sharing God's Truth: Part 22 Timothy 4:1-5PSBC 1/28/01 In a nutshell: God has called us to join Him in the most important task of sharing His Truth–His Word. We are to do it by being prepared to share it at all times and doing it without fail. It is one of the two major ways God has designed to advance His kingdom into the hearts of human beings. (The other is being His light–see 1/14/01). I. Introduction A. My encounter with Eula When Eula came to work for our company in Arizona, she was looking for a part-time evening job to earn extra money to buy Christmas presents. She had a full-time job as the front desk supervisor at one of the larger motels in Scottsdale. She was a very respected person in the community, and among her co-workers. As I trained her to work at one of our larger office buildings, I had a chance to tell her about my relationship with Jesus Christ, and the centrality that that relationship had in everything I did–including how I ran my company. A number of months later, Eula's partner called in sick, and I had to take her place. As Eula and I cleaned the offices together for four hours, she asked me a lot of questions about my faith. I answered them as best I could. And at the end of the night, I asked her if she'd like a relationship with God, like I had. She said she would. And right there in the storage room of an office building, Eula prayed and asked Jesus Christ to be the forgiver of her sins and asked Him to be the leader of her life. Three weeks later, Eula was dead. She was murdered by a person who was renting a room from her, in her house, on Easter Sunday morning. That single incident changed my life. It showed me the urgency of the Great Commission. For the first time, I believe I saw the context of my life from eternity's perspective. B. No plan B Friends, this morning we enter into the second part of a two part message that is designed to help us understand what it means to "Share God's Truth". And this is really the third sermon in a triplet of messages that examine the two imperatives we state in our church purpose statement: We will Love, Accept, Guide and Partner to Share God's Truth and to Be His Light! Two weeks ago we examined what it means to be God's Light. Last week we just got into the introduction of what it means to Share God's Truth. If you missed either or both of those messages, I'd encourage you to order the tape or tapes of the messages you missed, or go to our web site (www.palmspringsbaptist.org) and read the full text versions there. I say that because what we are learning in these three messages is God's
"plan A" for reaching our nations; redeeming our cultures; and showing
every person who resides in our unique circles of influence... And friends, there is no "plan B"! You..., Christian man or woman, being God's Light, and Sharing God's truth in your unique circle of influence... is the only way God has planned for the people you know... to know Him. C. Recap last week Now, let me just briefly re-cap last week's part one of Sharing God's truth, so we get a running start into what God wants to teach us this morning. If you have you Bibles, turn to 2 Timothy 4. Last week we found out several things, but let me highlight these three... 1. When we are sharing God's truth with someone, we are doing something that is so important in the light of eternity, that it holds the rapt attention of God the Father, and Jesus, His Son, our Lord. 2. When we are sharing God's truth, we are doing, in God's eyes, the most important human endeavor any of us could ever be involved in doing. 3. Sharing God's truth isn't an option for any of us. It's a command. It is something God expects all of us to be doing from the pulpits of our daily routines. Saying all that, let's get into how God wants us to share His truth, or Preach His Word from the rest of verses in this section... II. How to Share God's Truth 2 Tim 4:2 Paul tells us that there are two ways, that everyone of us can Share God's Truth, or Preach the Word... A. Be Prepared in Season and Out of Season The first of those ways is to Be Prepared in season and out of season...to share God's Truth. That Greek word that's translated, be prepared, literally means be instant. It speaks of an urgency or a readiness to share God's truth. Now, a lot of people have been confused over what this means. Some have taken it to mean that you are to push the gospel of Jesus Christ on people whether they are interested in it or not – something like a Boy Scout who wants to do a good deed so much that he helps a woman across the street even though she doesn't want to go across the street. Some Christians have used this as an excuse to be rude to complete strangers, or interrupting conversations, or "getting into someone's face". But I think John Stott said it well, when he commented on this phrase. He said, "This is not a biblical warrant for rudeness, but a biblical appeal against laziness." Those of you who are seasonal guests, or snow birds, here in the Coachella valley, should understand this phrase very well. When you're not hear for "the season", you're at the other place you call home for that "other season". But the point is, no matter which place you are – here or in Washington state; here or in British Columbia; here or in Oregon... you're never NO PLACE. You're always someplace–you're either in season or you're out of season. And that's Paul's point, when he writes this verse. There should be no time in your life – no matter if you're young, old, or somewhere in between – that you're not sensing the urgency to share God's Truth at the appropriate time with the people you know. Eula's murder, back in 1992, pointed this out so dramatically to me. What if I hadn't been prepared that night to share my spiritual journey with her, and invite her to ask Jesus to be her Savior? I was the only Christian in her life on a regular basis. I can't help but think that if I hadn't been "prepared", if I didn't sense the "urgency", Eula would be in Hell right now, not in Heaven. Then, in the next three words, Paul gives us three ideas on how we can be prepared in reaching the people in our unique circles of influence... 1. The first idea is to correct. Some translations use the word, reprove. Others translate this word, convince. No matter which word you use, they all mean that we are to address the mind. We could maybe say it better, by saying... presenting a systematic, reasonable case that answers a person's questions and removes intellectual obstacles. Probably one of the best at doing this in recent years, is a fellow by the name of Josh McDowell. Josh has written two excellent books that can serve as a model for this idea of correcting or convincing. The books are Evidence that Demands a Verdict, and More Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Josh presents the truth of the gospel in an evidentiary way that cannot be confused. These books are must reading for all of you, if you've never read them. They will help you become an expert at the reason and the logic of God's truth. 2. The second word that Paul uses to tell us how to share God's truth is the word, "rebuke". If "correct" focuses on the mind, "rebuke" focuses on the conscience. Rebukes are used in situations where someone we know has gotten themselves involved in sin, and needs a word that will appeal to his or her conscience to get them out. You see, there are sins that some of the people we know are involved in, that are so personally destructive, so hurting of others, so depersonalizing, and dehumanizing that it's necessary for us to speak a word that points out the evil effects of their wrong doing, and touches that person's conscience. Illustration: There was a church sign in Olathe, Kansas a few years ago that
communicated something that a particular church didn't want to communicate...
The sign had the motto of the church in the wrong spot. It read... Friends, we have to care about people all the time–not just on Sundays. And we have to care about them enough to rebuke–appeal to their conscience–if the situation warrants it. When you do that, you are also Sharing God's Truth. 3. The third word that Paul uses is the word "encourage". This refers to sharing your faith so it appeals to a person's will. You see, there are times when the people with whom we're sharing God's truth, need to overcome their fears, and they need to be encouraged to act. Illustration: At our last CMA meeting, one of our members asked us to pray for Jerry, a customer he had just met through his work, who had an interest in motorcycles. After an extended conversation with this guy from our club, Jerry indicated an interest in Christianity. But he said he wasn't ready to commit to Christ because of what he might have to give up–he liked to drink and party too much, he said. So, this guy from our club, who had given up the party and drug scene when he became a Christian, gently encouraged him, from experience, that what he would be giving up didn't compare to what he would be gaining through a relationship with Christ. And through that encouragement our CMA member introduced Jerry to a relationship with Jesus Christ. You see, many people are fearful to try something new–like a relationship with God–or they are fearful to believe something that they cannot prove or see. This is where encouragement through our understanding and our experience, comes in. Encouragement challenges people's wills by setting aside their fears so they can believe the truth of the gospel. So, to recap this first way that Paul says to Share God's truth, or to Preach the Word is by being prepared at all times, with the ability to appeal to the mind, the conscience and the will. Now, in the last part of verse 2, Paul shows us a second way to Share God's Truth... B. Be unfailing in patience and in teaching What Paul is saying here, is that regardless of the situation, no matter if you're appealing to the mind, or the conscience, or the will...in all these ways, be unfailing in being patient and be unfailing in being a teacher or instructor. 1. Patience Now, patience in this context simply means, leaving the results to God, and
never giving up in your appeal to the mind or the conscience or the will. For
instance... You see, if we really believe that there is not a person whom we make eye contact with that God doesn't love and doesn't desire to have a relationship with, then we just have to be prepared to share God's truth with that person when God puts them in our path–and leave the results to Him. God knows what He's doing. John 6:40 God just wants us to be ready to be used by Him at the appropriate time in a person's life. And never, never, never, never, never, give up on any person. That's patience. Friends, I wouldn't be standing in front of you this morning, if back in 1988, some men from Scottsdale Bible church hadn't been patient with me. 2. Teaching The second thing we are to be unfailing in, is teaching or instructing. Now, here I want to point you to another word from Jesus. You might think Paul is talking about a classroom situation, or actual verbal instruction. But I don't believe this is the case. I say that because of what Jesus said about teaching... Luke 6:40 Teachers are going to influence their students by the way they live. Students will become just like their teachers through the teacher's influence. So, your life is a teacher to the people around you. Can you can honestly say to anyone who knows you, "Live like I live. Do what I do. Value what I value. Because I am consistently following the teaching and instruction of my Lord, Jesus Christ as it is recorded in the Bible."? You see, friends, this is unfailing teaching... When you live a life consistent with what you say you believe–consistent with what God's Word teaches–consistent with what a follower of Jesus Christ should be doing. Author, Madeleine L'Engle, wrote (front of bulletin)... Evangelism is not what we tell people, unless what we tell is totally consistent with who we are. It is who we are that is going to make the difference. If we do not truly enjoy our faith, nobody is going to catch the fire of enjoyment from us. If our lives are not totally centered on Christ, we will not be Christ-bearers for others, no matter how pious our words. So, there you have it. Two ways to Share God's truth ... 1. Be prepared to speak God's truth to a person's mind, conscience or will. Why are these two ways of sharing God's truth so important? Look at verses 3 and 4... III. Why We Need to Share God's Truth 2 Tim 4:3-4 We don't have a lot of time left, but let me give you just one example of this in our society today... A. Survey In the January 10th issue of USA Today, this year, a survey was taken by the New York-based policy research agency, Public Agenda. Here was their conclusion... "Americans say religion makes for a better world. But the old-time idea of religion–church attendance, denominational teaching, even belief in God–has been replaced by a commitment to personal ethics and morality." The researchers surveyed 1507 adults. Through their research, they found... –58% said it was not necessary to believe in God to be moral and have good
values. That's an example of not putting up with sound doctrine. That's an example of believing in a myth. B. Don't know the truth In verses 3 and 4, Paul describes perfectly, the time in which we live. Our
modern society is not putting up with sound doctrine–they are refusing to
believe in truth. They would rather have their ears itched with what makes them
feel good, than believe truth. Do you know why? And this really struck me as I've been listening to opponents of John Ashcroft's nomination for Attorney General, on TV and the radio, or read the letters to the editor in our local paper..., is that few people are even willing to hear the truth about this man. It's not like they are willing to listen to truth and then decide whether he's the right or wrong person for the job... No, they don't even want to hear truth. Many senators' minds, and the minds of special interest group leaders were immediately made up against Ashcroft, because of the truth of his Christian views. Understand... opposition to John Ashcroft's nomination runs far deeper than anything political. The man is being resisted because of the Christian views he holds. And that resistance is there because people today don't want to admit their sin, they don't want to give up their passions, and they don't want to submit to God. C. Connection to Patience and Teaching Now, don't miss the position of verses 3 and 4 to the command to be unfailing
in patience and teaching in verse 2. Verses 3 and 4 are talking about people's resistance
to God's truth. But God says that there are two things that they won't be able
to resist or argue with– That's how you break through the modern myths of today's society with the truth of God. IV. Conclusion Now, look at verse 5 for the conclusion to what Paul is teaching regarding sharing God's truth... 2 Tim 4:5 4 important things to keep in mind as we share God's truth the way Paul tells us to do it... A. Keep your head Keep your head– in other words, don't get angry and frustrated with people or with situations. It's not going to help. B. Endure hardship Endure hardship– in other words, If you think sharing God's truth is going to be easy, you got on the wrong boat. But remember, with God's power you can do anything God asks you to do. C. Do the work of an evangelist Do the work of an evangelist– We call this "doing Great Commission Work". I believe that ignoring this advice is what makes a church a Fortress. A fortress never attacks, never breaks down barriers, or never takes territory. But having the Great Commission at the core of everything we do, makes us a FORCE. And a Force is what breaks down barriers; a Force attacks the strongholds of the enemy; a Force takes back territory lost to the enemy. And Jesus said that when we are operating under the Great Commission– doing the work of an evangelist –even the gates of Hell itself will not be able to stand against that FORCE. D. Discharge all the duties of your ministry Discharge all the duties of your ministry– The ministry God has given to Palm Springs Baptist Church is to Love, Accept, Guide and Partner to Share God's Truth and to be His light. And if you're not involved in that process somewhere at this church, you're not discharging all the duties of your ministry. So if you're on the sidelines, have the courage to ask God what it is that He wants you to do to get into the game–then do it. Billy Graham said, "Every generation is strategic. We are not responsible for the past generation, and we cannot bear full responsibility for the next one; but we do have our generation. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age and take advantage of our opportunities." (Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 4.) Friends, it is of eternal importance, how well we heed the apostle Paul's admonition to Preach the Word–or share God's truth. Because God will hold us responsible! The eternal destiny of the people you know, is at stake! Amen. |
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This page was last updated on Sunday, October 31, 2004 03:37 PM
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