St Theodore's

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  Sermon of the Week

Look up the passage

  21/5/06  
  The Ephesus Code for multiplying well-trained people
By Tim Johnson
2 Timothy
     
  Introduction
  In Australia today, there are over 20 million people but only a small fraction of Australians attend church. In the world there are over 6 billion people and the proportion of Christians is even less! We as a church are committed to seeing people come to know Christ and to grow in him and we are committed to mission world wide. But how are we to do this? A simple count of our clergy shows that there just are not enough to impact Melbourne, let alone Australia and the world. What are we to do? The answer is that we need more well-trained ministers. Not clergy, although we do need more of them, but we need more well-trained ministers. That is, committed Christian people who are well-trained and will minister with those around them. 2 Timothy gives us 3 clues about what a well-trained minister looks like: Well-trained ministers preach Christ. Well-trained ministers recognize gospel hindrances. Well-trained ministers constantly advance gospel ministry
  1. Well-trained ministers preach Christ
  Well-trained ministers preach Christ. In 2 Timothy we see that they do this in three ways. Firstly they preach Christ as risen Lord. Look at 2 Timothy 2:8-10:
 

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David -- that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

  It's strange as you read this passage that Paul describes the gospel: Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendent of David; and immediately says, it is for this reason that I am changed like a criminal. Why would someone chain you up for preaching that Jesus is a descendent of King David and that he is raised from the dead? Because to preach it is to say that in this person, Jesus, all the OT promises to David are fulfilled, Jesus is the King who will reign forever. He achieves this by his resurrection because he will never die but will reign as Lord forever. This is a radical doctrine! It was a radical doctrine in Paul's day because to proclaim that Jesus is Lord is to proclaim that Caesar isn't! Jesus is in charge of the Roman Empire not Caesar and people must bow their knee to Jesus and obey him. But it just as radical a doctrine today! To proclaim that Jesus is Lord is to proclaim that the PM isn't Lord, the US President isn't Lord, the world bank isn't Lord. Everyone and everything must submit to Jesus the king of the universe.
  But here is where the doctrine is most radical. If Jesus is Lord then that means that you are not! If Jesus is Lord then you need to bring every aspect of your life under his Lordship. It is easy to forget how radical this is. Some years ago I spoke at a Year 12 study camp to about 80 HSC students. In one talk I challenged them about attempting to be a 'sort-of' Christian, kind of a Christian but kind of not, choosing some bits you like, but not being too full on. I pointed out that there is no such thing as a 'sort-of' Christian because the message of the bible is that Jesus is the risen Lord, he is the king of the universe, he runs the show. Being a Christian means acknowledging that Jesus is the Lord and living for him. If you are picking and choosing what you'll do for Jesus and what you won't do, then guess what? Jesus is not the Lord, you are! This is not Christianity at all. If Jesus is Lord then all people need to submit to him. If Jesus is Lord then people need to submit every aspect of their lives to him. It is a radical, but well-trained Christian ministers must preach it because it is the gospel.
  Secondly, they preach Christ as saviour through grace:
  2 Timothy 1:8-10 8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
  We saw last week that in the church at Ephesus 'works' practices were creeping in. Marriage and eating certain foods were forbidden, in order to be 'spiritual'.
  And Paul needs to keep asserting that salvation is not according to our works but according to God's purpose and grace. It is Jesus' death and resurrection that saves us, not what we do! We shouldn't be surprised that there was a temptation in the church at Ephesus to try and sneak works back in. We only need to look at Church history, the church today, and even inside ourselves to see the constant danger of wanting to earn our standing with God rather than receive his grace. There is something in our sinful human nature, probably pride I think, that is constantly wanting to assert itself and do something for God. But no, it is not our work that saves us but Christ's work. We do not minister for love but from love. Well-trained ministers preach Jesus as saviour through grace not our works.
  Thirdly, they preach Christ as the subject of Scripture and key for godly living
  2 Timothy 3:14-17 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
  How do we know that Jesus is Lord and that salvation comes by grace? It is declared in the Scriptures! The well-trained minister constantly has the bible at hand. Why is this? Firstly, v.16 - all Scripture is inspired by God. That is actually one word 'God-breathed'. If you want to understand what that means, put your hand in front of your mouth and say 'St Theodore's'. Did you feel that? Those words were 'Tim-breathed' or 'Chris-breathed'. To say that Scripture is God-breathed is to say that it contains the very words of God. The well-trained minister must use the Bible because it is God's own words. But there is a second reason, v.16, it is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. That is very important! We could say that the bible is God's word so lets put it on the shelf and protect it. But no, the bible is God's word and it is useful and if it is useful then we should use it! Sadly, there are a lot of ministers who have a high view of Scripture but don't use it. Peter Adam tells his students at Ridley that when he sees them in twenty years time he won't ask them what they believe about the bible but whether they use it! Well-trained ministers constantly have the bible at hand because it is God's word and it is useful. They use it to teach, reprove, correct and train. Through it God's people become proficient and equipped for every good work. So well-trained ministers preach Christ as the risen Lord, as saviour by grace not works and as the subject of Scripture.
  2. Well-trained ministers recognize gospel hindrances
  Well-trained ministers also recognize three things which are hindrances to the gospel. Firstly, that gospel progress can be hindered by personal timidity and fear of suffering:
  2 Timothy 1:6-8 I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God…
  We get a wonderful picture of Timothy through the two letters Paul wrote to him: He is young, his health is not great, and he seems to have a timid and quiet personality. He needs constant urging from Paul to be bold in telling people about Jesus. Some Christians are fearless and bold and don't need reminding of this but a lot of us are more like Timothy! It is good for us to be aware of where we are scared and ask God to give us strength and boldness. We might be frightened about asking a friend to church, pointing out to a fellow believer some concerns that we have about them, leading some aspect of the church service, or any number of things. But even if we are frightened, and don't feel very strong, we can be assured that God is strong and God's gospel is powerful so we need to take risks for him knowing that he will support us. I was greatly reminded of this some years ago when I invited a friend to an evangelistic talk. I said something like, 'there's this talk on and don't feel under any obligation but if you've got nothing on and if you'd like to come don't feel that you have to, I'm not trying to pressure you etc.' It was the weakest invitation ever! But to my surprise they jumped at the chance. Well-trained ministers are aware that there timidity can hinder gospel progress but they trust in God for his strength.
  Secondly, that gospel progress can be hindered by false teachers and love of argument:
  2 Timothy 2:16-18 16 Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some.
  Sadly in the church at Ephesus people were teaching wrong doctrine. Hymenaeus and Philetus were claiming that the resurrection had happened and this false teaching, any false teaching, is dangerous. Paul describes it as like gangrene - which spreads and rots and kills. The well-trained needs to be aware of this and they need to deal with it:
  2 Timothy 2:22 - 26 22 Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, 26 and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will
  The well-trained minister lives right and has nothing to do with stupid controversies. If something is a peripheral issue, not central to the gospel, then it is pointless to waste energy becoming embroiled in it. But there are issues that need correcting, Gangrene needs to be cut out, or it will spread and kill the church. But notice how it is to be dealt with - kindly, patiently, and gently, so that people will come to repentance and know the truth. It is not a case of going in with all guns blazing but of correctly error firmly and lovingly. The aim is not to win the argument but to win back the person to God's truth
  Thirdly, gospel progress can be hindered by the self-centred world and its influence:
  2 Timothy 3:1-5 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!
  The well-trained minister must keep the delicate balance of being in the world but not of the world. We need to engage with our culture, to know it and live in it. But we must be aware that it will try and influence the church and we must resist that influence where it challenges God's truth. It is amazing how contemporary that list is: lovers of self , lovers of money and pleasure, holding to outward godliness but denying its power. Paul could be describing Australia as much as Ephesus! The well-trained minister needs to critique culture: engaged with it, but biblically critical of it, and not allowing it to influence the church and hinder gospel progress. So the well-trained minister recognizes gospel hindrances: Personally - timidity and fear, in the church - false teachers
  and in the society - the influence that the self-centred world exerts on us.
  3. Well-trained ministers constantly advance gospel ministry
  Finally, well-trained ministers constantly advance gospel ministry. There are two components to this. Firstly they strengthen their own ministry by example and word:
  2 Timothy 3:10-17 10 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness…
  Paul tells Timothy to look at his own example in order to be strengthened. That is one of the great advantages of church isn't it? We are encouraged as we see each other's lives. When we see others working hard to live for God, that inspires us to do the same. When we see naturally timid people taking risks, that inspires us to do the same. When we see others resisting the world's pressures, that inspires us to do the same. God gave us the church so that we can be strengthened by each other for the important task he has given us. In vv.14-17 Paul reminds Timothy to be strengthened by the God-breathed Scriptures. We have already discussed how useful the bible is and if the bible is useful then we should all use it to be strengthened. It is our guidebook for godly living so the well-trained minister should strengthen their ministry by example and word.
  Finally, they train others for ministry. How did Timothy come to faith in Jesus? 2 Timothy 1:5 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.
  That passage should be a great encouragement to parents and grandparents! Timothy's mother and grandmother came to believe in Jesus and through their teaching and example Timothy has come to faith in him too. The importance of words and example are emphasized in 2 Tim 3:14-15
  2 Timothy 3:14-15 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it,
   
  15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
  Well-trained ministers are also to train others in the church:
  2 Timothy 2:1-2 You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; 2 and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.
  If we are to multiply well-trained ministers then our churches need to training centers. There is an old puzzle where two choices are given: Would you take a billion grains of rice or if one grain of rice is placed on the first square of a chessboard then two grains on the second square, four on the next square and so on, doubling the grains each time. At first sight the billion grains of rice sounds great. But in actual fact this doubling of rice on the chessboard would result in enough rice to cover the entire surface of the earth! What we need in our churches is chessboard style training. We need to train up people who will train up people who will train up people and so multiply the number of ministers to take the gospel of Christ to the whole world! I was greatly encouraged this week when I picked up this newsletter from the Sydney University Evangelical Union. There at the bottom of this page is trainee staffworker Sarah Thompson who lists amongst her key growth times in her Christian life later high school and first year uni. Why was that so encouraging to me? I was her bible study leader in her first year at University and trained her to lead bible studies when I was a trainee staffworker. Now she is doing the same sort of job and teaching and training others and I pray that the people that she trains will one day train others to proclaim Jesus as Lord, share the gospel of Grace and use the God-breathed Scriptures, to be aware of gospel hindrances like personal timidity, false teaching, the influence of the world And to train people, who will train people who will train people.
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