by Pastor Wilson Teo
Big idea:
God wants us to be aware of the messiness in Disciple Making
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
We will see increase in wickedness, lovers of self, disobedient to parents...etc
No point engaging these people because their hearts are bent on godlessness..
Do we accept how the world define family or we obey God's instruction when he creates family?
Salt&light...
Olympic Games 2024
Last supper picture using drag queens....
How should we make sense of the messiness brought about by godlessness?
2 Timothy 2:15-16
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2 Timothy 2:22-23
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
Prove yourself in teaching and conduct
Go beyond just the ability to teach well but also live out God's word with integrity
Biblical integrity is "closely tied to the concept of wholeness, uprightness, and blamelessness before God. It involves living in accordance with God's moral standards and commands, both inwardly in one's thoughts and motivations, and outwardly in one's actions and speech.
- AI Gemini -
When someone has integrity, it refers to him having consistency in words and actions
Paul wanted Timothy to be a Disciple Maker with integrity and teaching to align to God's words.
Only then can Timothy present as approved minister in the eyes of church
2 Timothy 2:24-26
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
The devil was using them (opponents) to harm the church
Timothy must be consistent in word and in deed to live in the authority of God's word to overcome opposition. In the same way, Disciple Makers must have integrity in both words and deed to live in the authority of Gods word and overcome opposition
Don't hide weaknesses and only show good side
Looking at the scandals that evolves great ministers of God who had fallen. At the end of the day, It is not just what we teach and have said, what we have achieved in during our life on earth, but also How we live our lives
So how do we address the current scandals without riding on our moral high?
To develop and raise disciples makers with integrity
We must provide a safe space to share our struggles and be accepted for our weaknesses so that we can move forward
Be held accountable in a safe space
Transparency must be accompanied by accountability to find godly freedom and victory over our weaknesses
Life is messy with human shortfalls and weaknesses
2 Timothy 2:3-6
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
Paul gave three metaphors to encourage Timothy
Soldier
Timothy was expected to be single minded and not be tangled
Athelete
Compete by rules
Farmer
Work hard on the farm
Persevere through hardship and not give up, knowing there is a purpose for your suffering
To encourage Timothy to persevere through hardship, not to give up, and to know that there was a higher purpose to his suffering
John was the only one to die of old age, he was exiled, died as a prisoner. God blesses His people. As Disciple Maker we must also teach the full counsel of God's word. God blesses His people and allow suffering to grow our awareness and dependence on Him. Bible does not promise that belivers will not face any suffering. Instead it says God will be with us, To have an end in life no matter how difficult the journey is, and to look forward to the next challenge
Instead of blaming, overcome adversities ...
Why am I going through all these?
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters who suffers trials of many kinds. For the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And perseverance must finish it's course, so that you will be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:12
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.
We have Eternal assurance ...
Conversion
2 Timothy 2:11
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
Water baptism
Is not an option, it is a command from the lord Jesus lord.
Perseverance
2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
Apostasy
2 Timothy 2:12b
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
Pray for Hearts turnaround and return to Jesus Christ when they still can
Faithlessness
2 Timothy 2:13
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
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