2 Timothy 4:1-8
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About a 11 or 12 years ago I was in the back of the church trying to put a coat on a fidgety little girl a named Julianna. From what I remember she had a reputation of some drama and resistance that happened when it came time to putting on a coat. I don’t know if a similar thing was happening on this day, but as I was zipping up her coat she begin to protest with the word Ouh! Determined to get her zipped up in the coat I continued the zipping up until I was either stopped by Josslyn or finally alarmed by Julianna’s loud crying. (This was a matter of seconds). To this day I am embarrassed to say that as I zipped the coat down from the top of her chin I saw that I had zipped the skin of her neck into the zipper. Till this day she still has a mark on her neck to remember the incident.
Surely there was some inattention to detail on my part, but the problem that had developed was, I had become accustomed to not taking seriously her cries when putting her coat on.
We face a similar situation in our midst in which the proclamation of God’s not taken seriously. A familiarity with God’s word accompanied by a non-caring attitude of the world around us can lead to a non-chalant attitude toward God’s Word.
God is not casual about the proclamation of His Word. You must take the proclamation of His word seriously.
God is not casual about the proclamation of His Word. You must take the proclamation of His word seriously.
Transition: How do you take God’s Word seriously?
Be ready every time God’s Word is proclaimed
Be ready every time God’s Word is proclaimed
There is a motivation for the proclamation of God’s Word (v. 1)
God is present when His word is being proclaimed
His very words are being spoken
He is witnessing what is being said
There is a future accounting before Christ for what is done with the Word (v. 1)
All are accountable- messenger and receiver
It is about to happen
It is intended to be a culminating day of right living on earth (v. 8)What is ahead is a kingdom not a minor power. It will be a halting day for those who have ignored His words.
There is a specific agenda for the proclamation of God’s Word (v. 2)
The messenger needs to be always ready with the agenda whether the receivers are ready or not
God has a thorough work to do in your soul. Through His words he will correct, rebuke and encourage you. Without His words, you are left to your own imagination.
The word is so strong that it does not need to be forced upon people. It can be given with patience and clear teaching.
There is an alertness that is to accompany the Word (v. 5)
Suffering will discourage rather than grown the one not committed to God’s word.
There must be an alertness to always proclaim the gospel
Their must be an alertness to complete the task that is given
Illustration of Barry asking me what license plate number what just spoken over the radio.
Application:
Pray for the messenger of God’s Word- he has a serious duty.
Prepare- we are ready for what we think is important. Sleep, reading ahead, asking God for help, take the frustrating feelings to him (boredom, confused)
God knows what you need and what He intends to do.
Transition: As you take seriously the proclamation of God’s word there is something you must leave behind
You must leave behind your entertainment thinking (v.v . 3-4)
You must leave behind your entertainment thinking (v.v . 3-4)
Sound teaching is intended to be making you complete
If this is not happening, there will be teachings that will be taking that place. It is interesting to see that the false teachings are piled on top of one another- implying that they are not meeting the need.
The false teaching is a problem, but it is only an indicator of a bigger problem. Their is a heart that is seeking satisfaction through its own desires.
Illustration: I have seen this attitude take place with our young people at leadership camp
Application: God goes through great lengths in his covenants to be the God of His people. He is not about being a cheap- throw away for the next god that comes around with something exciting.
Isn’t it amazing to see that the cure for this entertaining society is a proclamation of the Word.
May the exposure we give to our own souls and our kids souls not be such a feast that we cannot endure sound teaching
Anticipate the victorious end of the proclaiming and heeding of God’s Word (v.v 6-8)
Anticipate the victorious end of the proclaiming and heeding of God’s Word (v.v 6-8)
Sacrifice in the proclamation of God’s Word is not void
There will be struggle. This is part of the course.
If you keep running, you will reach the finish line. If you are looking for breaks, you are not seeing the course rightly.
Loyalty to God’s message results in faithfulness in one’s life. Keep the standard the same
All that is left after the race is the certainty of reward. The pursuit is crowned with the attainment. Christ’s first appearing brought the reality of righteousness before God. His second coming brings the completion.
This end is seriously anticipated
Illustration of writing notes to Josslyn
Application: As you listened to the seriousness God has put on His Word, do you picture at the same time his eagerness to see you experience the end of what His word is intended to bring. (Picture of the child wanting Dad to open his gift)
The accuser says your endeavors to submit to God’s words are futile. God says the struggle ends in reward. Don’t try to measure the grandness of what you are doing to see if it is worthy of grand reward. Keep taking God’s word seriously (interacting with Him) and He will bring you to a sure reward.