WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.560 Now we turn to the preaching of God's Word. 00:00:05.660 --> 00:00:11.019 We're going to be looking at a passage from 2 Timothy 2, verses 1-7 this evening. 00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:16.620 As you turn there, there is a new obsession in the Knowlton household. 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:18.699 It is the Rubik's Cube. 00:00:19.480 --> 00:00:23.780 I know this toy has been around for 30 plus years now, but it's as if it was just invented. 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:26.699 Based on the amount of time my kids are playing it. 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:35.179 Okay, my oldest in particular has developed a profound addiction to the extent that she is told not to bring it to the dinner table or go to bed with it at night. 00:00:35.979 --> 00:00:39.859 But after a few weeks of playing with it on her own, realized this was a little too tricky. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:50.960 So, of course, turning to YouTube where you can find the solution to anything, she found some helpful hints on how to solve the Rubik's Cube and has since become a master at doing so. 00:00:51.379 --> 00:00:55.140 And so now the task is to see how quickly you can solve the Rubik's Cube. 00:00:55.140 --> 00:00:57.100 But not that alone. 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:03.120 What's been interesting to watch is her desire to teach everyone else in the house how to solve the Rubik's Cube. 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:09.900 She has sat me down on multiple occasions in order to try to teach me this methodology. 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:16.240 Unfortunately, I have yet to be successful, but her persistence is admirable. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:21.019 Not only does she want to enjoy this herself, she wants to pass it on. 00:01:21.019 --> 00:01:26.840 And so that's what we're going to be talking about tonight, this idea of discipleship. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:32.939 We've been talking the last several weeks as we've been going through this series about habits of a healthy church. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:37.299 And so tonight we conclude this series looking at discipleship. 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:41.519 Not only being disciples, but also making disciples. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:47.679 And so we all likely know the story in the Bible of Jesus and his 12 disciples that he had. 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:51.679 Jesus, these 12 served as Jesus' inner circle. 00:01:52.140 --> 00:01:53.819 They went with him and did ministry with him. 00:01:53.859 --> 00:01:56.280 They spent time with him both publicly and privately. 00:01:56.619 --> 00:01:59.479 They learned from him and were loved by him. 00:01:59.480 --> 00:02:05.219 But the tension that they received from Jesus, of course, was not meant to be exclusive. 00:02:06.320 --> 00:02:12.180 We know that after Jesus' resurrection and prior to his ascension, he gives his disciples a command. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:13.980 He gives them the great commission. 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:15.480 Of course, we know. 00:02:15.480 --> 00:02:22.140 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:24.580 teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. 00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:29.040 And behold, I am with you always, even until the end of the age. 00:02:29.479 --> 00:02:33.939 And so in the same way that these disciples were fed and were taught by Jesus, 00:02:34.119 --> 00:02:38.099 now they were commanded to do likewise to those around them. 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:42.000 They were called not only to be disciples, but to make disciples. 00:02:42.579 --> 00:02:45.979 And so that command that was followed by the New Testament church, 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:49.500 and that is certainly a command that we follow as well today. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:51.739 And so that's what we're going to consider. 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:57.019 How are we called to be disciples, and how are we also called to be disciple makers? 00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:05.540 And we see this in our text this evening, 2 Timothy 2, verses 1 through 7. 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:07.540 And I'll be reading from the ESV. 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:12.739 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:15.939 in which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:19.780 and trust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 00:03:20.579 --> 00:03:23.500 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 00:03:24.340 --> 00:03:26.840 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:29.379 since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 00:03:30.379 --> 00:03:33.439 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:37.520 It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 00:03:38.300 --> 00:03:43.199 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 00:03:44.199 --> 00:03:46.759 This is the word of the Lord. Pray with me. 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:55.199 Lord, I thank you for the privilege to be able to preach your word this evening. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:06.979 Lord, I ask that you empower me through your spirit, 00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:09.799 that I may speak with warmth and clarity. 00:04:10.339 --> 00:04:13.679 God, we desire to receive your divine truth this evening. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:20.079 And so may we both be convicted and comforted by your word. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:25.859 Through our time together, may we be edified and you be glorified, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:26.959 Amen. 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:33.759 Now, if you're not familiar with this passage or even the book of 2 Timothy, 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:37.779 this was a letter written by Paul to Timothy, 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:42.399 a young man who was one of Paul's disciples who was serving in Ephesus at the time. 00:04:43.719 --> 00:04:47.019 Now, this was actually Paul's last letter that's included in the Bible. 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:49.199 So it's somewhat of a farewell address. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:52.060 And we see that play out in this passage. 00:04:52.719 --> 00:04:55.360 You see, Paul at the time was imprisoned in Rome. 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:58.860 He knew that his death was imminent. 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:01.439 His days of ministry were numbered. 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:06.139 But not only that, the church in Ephesus was struggling at the time. 00:05:07.219 --> 00:05:09.199 Many were starting to drift from the gospel. 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:14.500 This was a place that had previously been really the epicenter for the spread of the gospel. 00:05:14.919 --> 00:05:18.939 Gospel expansion was occurring, and now it's at risk of dying out. 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:24.240 And so Paul is rightly concerned for the protection and the promotion of the gospel. 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:30.159 So he wants to give Timothy some final instructions in what was his last letter. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:33.920 And so we see three commands that are given by Paul to Timothy, 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:37.860 and these commands are going to serve as points for my sermon this evening. 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:43.900 And they are this, to be strengthened, to entrust, and to suffer. 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:45.759 One, be strengthened. 00:05:45.960 --> 00:05:46.720 Two, entrust. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:47.879 Three, suffer. 00:05:47.980 --> 00:05:49.600 So we're going to take those one at a time. 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:52.160 First, we're going to read verse one again. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:57.500 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:05:57.500 --> 00:06:02.560 Now, it probably would have been an easier mnemonic just to say, to be strong, 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.180 rather than to be strengthened. 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:08.939 In fact, if you have the ESV, that's how this verb is translated, to be strong. 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:13.240 However, the ESV, which I wanted to use tonight, is actually a more accurate translation 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:15.920 because it says, be strengthened. 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:19.879 This verb in the Greek uses the passive voice. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:23.139 And so if we put on our grammar school caps, 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:25.680 and remember the difference between active and passive. 00:06:25.840 --> 00:06:29.939 Active verb is when the subject of the verb is the one doing the action. 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:37.120 In a passive verb, the action is being done upon the subject of the verb. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:42.300 So Paul isn't saying here, you be strong, or you strengthen yourself. 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:45.319 He's saying, be strengthened. 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:48.639 Receive strength from outside yourself. 00:06:49.020 --> 00:06:52.100 And so I think this is vitally important as we take a look at this passage, 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:54.780 this active command to be strong. 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:58.720 This is the mentality that we normally see in society around us, right? 00:06:59.699 --> 00:07:03.040 To work hard, to be the best version of you. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:08.220 To study hard so you can get good grades, so you can get a good job. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:11.780 To work hard at your job so you can get a promotion. 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:16.259 To be emotionally stable so you can avoid depression or anxiety. 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:20.039 To make more money so you can have greater security in life. 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:24.279 It's all about self-empowerment and self-improvement. 00:07:25.219 --> 00:07:29.299 And unfortunately, we see this notion creep into the church as well. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:32.179 But this isn't what Paul is saying to Timothy. 00:07:32.299 --> 00:07:37.219 He's not saying, Jesus saved you, so you need to be strong and prove yourself to God. 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:43.680 He's not saying, Jesus died on the cross, so now you need to work in order to maintain your salvation. 00:07:43.820 --> 00:07:45.180 No, he's not saying, be strong. 00:07:45.260 --> 00:07:47.100 He's saying, be strengthened. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:51.580 And so we look to see, what are we supposed to be strengthened by? 00:07:51.640 --> 00:07:55.100 Very clearly, by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:58.600 We are strengthened by grace. 00:07:59.580 --> 00:08:04.220 And so if you've been around the church long enough, you probably have a definition in your mind of what grace is. 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:07.560 Grace is favor in the absence of merit. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:11.300 Or perhaps even better, grace is favor in the presence of demerit. 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:20.600 And while these are absolutely true, we are saved by God's grace, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:08:21.100 --> 00:08:23.660 This passage shows us something even more about grace. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:27.300 That grace is not simply just a disposition that we as believers have. 00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:32.700 It's not just a gift that we received sometime in the past at the point of conversion. 00:08:32.700 --> 00:08:37.920 We see here that grace is an ongoing means of empowerment. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:40.820 And we see Paul really talks about this often. 00:08:40.920 --> 00:08:45.920 I want to look at just a couple other passages where Paul talks about this grace that we have in our lives. 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:49.920 First, 2 Corinthians 9, verse 8 says this. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:59.759 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:03.360 Here's another verse, 1 Corinthians 15, 10. 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:07.319 But by the grace of God, I am what I am. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:10.120 And his grace towards me was not in vain. 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:12.460 On the contrary, I work harder than any of them. 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:17.439 Though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.220 So Paul is very clear. 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:23.200 God's grace should abound in us. 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:24.720 God's grace empowers us. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:29.580 God's grace enables us to live and follow after him. 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:33.799 And so if you're like me, I'm a big fan of podcasts. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:39.620 Rather, when I walk around town or I ride a bike, I usually listen to a podcast rather than music. 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:44.039 And if you know how podcasts work, though you can download a single episode of something, 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:47.460 usually if there's a podcast you like, you just click the subscribe button. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:52.720 And so when podcasts, new ones are released, it goes automatically to your phone for you to listen to. 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:56.780 Unfortunately for me, because of the fact that I subscribe to so many podcasts, 00:09:57.300 --> 00:09:59.759 I never have the time to listen to them all. 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:03.120 So they start building up and building up and building up until I have to delete them 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:06.000 because I've taken up all the space on my phone. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:09.040 And so grace functions in a similar way. 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:13.200 Much like a subscription, we keep receiving more and more of this grace. 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:14.460 It's not a one-time gift. 00:10:14.780 --> 00:10:17.440 It's a continuous, overwhelming stream. 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:22.280 And so that's why this verb, to be strengthened, is in the present tense. 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:25.879 It's not that we are strengthened just at the point of conversion. 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:28.200 It's not that we're strengthened every once in a while. 00:10:28.420 --> 00:10:34.120 It's that we are strengthened continually, daily strengthened by the grace of God. 00:10:35.400 --> 00:10:38.020 And so grace is the means of strength. 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:40.579 What is the source of strength in this passage? 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:47.039 It tells us, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:50.120 The source of our strength is Christ. 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:53.000 And so what does that mean to be in Christ? 00:10:53.079 --> 00:10:57.279 Just like grace, if you've been around the church, it's kind of common Christian jargon, right? 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:59.139 To talk about living in Christ. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:03.860 This is one of Paul's favorite phrases that he uses over and over again in his letters. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:10.519 And it's actually, if we go back to the chapter preceding our passage in 2 Timothy chapter 1, 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:16.379 we get a great explanation from Paul as to what it looks like to live in Christ. 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:19.539 So 2 Timothy chapter 1 verses 8 through 10 says this. 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:25.459 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner, 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:28.740 but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:32.259 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, 00:11:32.719 --> 00:11:37.059 not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and grace, 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:41.740 which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:46.120 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:51.560 who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:57.820 And so to be in Christ means to be in union and communion with him, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:00.779 which is brought about by the all-encompassing work of God. 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:04.659 Look at the work of God that's done, that is mentioned in this passage. 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:06.000 First, he saved us. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:07.700 He called us. 00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:10.279 He gave us his purpose and his grace in Christ. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:11.600 When did he do this? 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:13.320 Before the ages began. 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:16.440 This grace was ours from the beginning of time, 00:12:16.520 --> 00:12:20.340 and now it's fully revealed through the incarnation of Christ, 00:12:20.540 --> 00:12:22.440 who died and rose from the dead, 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:26.540 defeating death, bringing us life and light to all his people. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:36.160 And so to be strengthened by grace means to be fully reliant on the complete and ongoing work of Christ. 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:41.159 To be in Christ means that we are brought in relationship with him in such a way 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:44.419 that what is true of Christ becomes true of us. 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:49.980 His grace and his power becomes our experience and our possession. 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:53.839 And so this is really the essence of being a disciple, 00:12:53.959 --> 00:12:55.579 that we are to abide in Christ, 00:12:55.659 --> 00:13:00.579 that we totally rely on the work of Christ who saved us and sustained us 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:04.199 and equipped us and enabled us to live for him. 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:06.820 And so this is really key. 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:11.360 I don't want to breeze by this because this is really when we talk about discipleship, 00:13:11.520 --> 00:13:14.320 we can also often forget about this first part, 00:13:14.400 --> 00:13:16.540 what is most important in being a disciple. 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:18.200 It's a good thing to talk about discipleship, 00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:22.100 about sharing the gospel and teaching and training others. 00:13:22.900 --> 00:13:24.640 But we must first remember that it is, 00:13:25.520 --> 00:13:27.900 we are called to be rooted in Christ, 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:29.200 to hunger after him, 00:13:29.660 --> 00:13:31.480 to cling to him. 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:35.120 All our efforts to make disciples will be in vain. 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:37.600 There will be nothing more than religious charade 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:40.620 if we are not first grounded in Christ. 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.300 And so that's the first command, 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:46.440 to be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ. 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.820 And so why do we need to be strengthened? 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:52.300 Paul tells us in his second command, 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.460 which is to entrust. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.659 Look at verse 2. 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:58.899 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:02.959 entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:07.159 And so Paul reminds us that we are strengthened by the grace of Christ 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:10.199 in order that we can share this grace with others. 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:14.579 I mentioned at the beginning that the church in Ephesus was struggling. 00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:18.600 Though it had been a place where missionaries had been sent 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:20.699 and sent out to see the spread of the gospel, 00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:23.139 now people were leaving the church. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:25.460 Many were leaving the faith. 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:30.179 And so Paul not only wanted to see the gospel preserved in this generation, 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:33.860 he wanted to see it passed on to future generations as well. 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:36.059 It's a desire that we see repeated throughout the Bible. 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:40.059 The Old Testament text that we looked at from Deuteronomy 6. 00:14:41.699 --> 00:14:44.080 It's Moses giving God's command to his people. 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:44.840 And what does he say? 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.960 He says to follow these commands, 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:49.120 that you may do them, 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:51.000 that you may fear the Lord your God, 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.919 you and your sons and your sons' sons, 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:56.460 by keeping all these commands and statutes, 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:58.779 which I command you all the days of your life. 00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:02.899 They wanted to see God's commands and his statutes, 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:06.399 the people of Israel continue to follow after God. 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:10.460 And so what does Paul here in this passage want to see passed on? 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:11.840 He says, 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:18.840 He's basically saying the whole gospel. 00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:24.399 All that I have spent my life teaching you about who Jesus is and what he has done. 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:25.220 This isn't a secret. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:28.960 This isn't a private revelation that Paul is conveying to Timothy. 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:32.580 No, this is the entire, the whole counsel of God, 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:35.700 which he has preached since his time of conversion. 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:41.600 A great phrase that I see Paul repeat, 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:43.460 both in 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy here. 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:45.520 He says it in the preceding chapter. 00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:48.980 He talks about this message being the good deposit. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:53.100 And it's this good deposit that was entrusted to him. 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:55.400 It's this good deposit that he's entrusted to Timothy 00:15:55.400 --> 00:15:58.300 and wants to see entrusted to others as well. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:01.360 And so when I was in law school, 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:05.220 I had to take a class called Wills, Trusts, and Estates. 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:08.500 It was not one of my favorite classes. 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.500 I really don't remember much about it. 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:12.220 I couldn't even tell you who taught the class. 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:14.100 But there's one thing that I remember from the class 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.879 is that a trustee, 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:19.779 his primary responsibility and his duty 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:23.060 is to the beneficiary of an estate. 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:26.940 So the trustee is someone who is named within the trust, 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:29.980 who is responsible for something that is not his, 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:32.040 whether it's money or land, 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:32.980 some sort of possession, 00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:34.000 some sort of asset, 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:36.639 and he's controlling it for the benefit 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:38.419 of the person named in the trust, 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.220 the beneficiary. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.419 And so we've probably heard stories 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:43.879 about trustees mismanaging money 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:46.379 or not doing what they're supposed to do, 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:49.100 this legal responsibility that they have to the beneficiary. 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:51.960 This is really what Paul is talking about here, 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:54.259 this image of a trustee. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:58.820 Paul is a trustee of God's invaluable treasure, 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:00.220 this good deposit, 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:02.720 and it's not meant for him alone. 00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:04.519 That's what he's trying to tell Timothy here. 00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:06.720 It's not his to hoard. 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.039 It's not his to keep. 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:08.779 As a trustee, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:10.519 it was his duty to protect it 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:12.319 and to share it with others 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:15.940 because it's those who hear the gospel. 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:18.339 They are the ones that are the beneficiaries, 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.700 you and me. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.819 And as we share it with others, 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:25.400 there will be others that reap the benefit forever. 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.140 And so we see this progression 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:29.280 that occurs in these couple chapters 00:17:29.280 --> 00:17:31.560 of Paul sharing the gospel, 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.519 and we see this gospel replicated 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:36.140 and shared and shared generation upon generation. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:38.780 Looking back at chapter 1, verse 12, 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:41.680 Jesus entrusted this gospel to Paul. 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:43.820 Paul then, in verse 14, 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:45.180 entrusts it to Timothy. 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.700 Looking at verse 2, 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:50.259 Paul instructs Timothy to entrust it to faithful men 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:52.400 who will then entrust it to others. 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:54.180 We see this replication 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:56.600 and this multiplication going on of the gospel. 00:17:58.300 --> 00:18:00.259 And so have you ever thought yourself 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:02.740 about your own gospel lineage, 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:05.440 your own gospel family tree, if you will? 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:08.080 Who was it that invested in you 00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:10.420 who shared the gospel with you, 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:12.600 who discipled you in the faith? 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:14.540 Do you ever think, 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:17.640 who was the person who invested in that person? 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:21.440 And who is the person who invested in that person? 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:25.259 And then thinking back about yourself. 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:28.980 Who are you going to invest in? 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:32.500 Who are you going to give this good deposit to? 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:36.280 Because this message doesn't stop with us. 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:38.680 We are trustees of the gospel. 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:41.980 There are more and more beneficiaries to be had. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:44.660 And so now, 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:47.740 not only does Paul talk about 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:50.000 this duty of discipleship 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.440 as intended for 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:54.180 those in leadership. 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:54.920 Let's look. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.700 You may think that, 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:56.680 as he says, 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.259 this gospel is to be entrusted 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.920 to faithful men who can teach. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.980 And so as we look at that, 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.920 and if you know these pastoral epistles, 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:05.420 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:05.799 you may think, 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:06.000 well, 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.700 does that really mean me? 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.940 Because I'm not an elder. 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:12.680 I'm not a leader within the church. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:14.380 So maybe I'm off the hook. 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:16.700 But that's not what Paul is saying here. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.759 Because if we look further 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.680 into these pastoral epistles, 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.180 if we turn to Titus 2, 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:25.079 Paul's writing about the duty of discipleship 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:27.859 that's intended for everyone within the church. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.440 And he speaks specifically 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:31.079 to different people within the church, 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:33.039 different groups of people. 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:34.059 To old men, he says, 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:36.460 to teach what accords with sound doctrine. 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.960 To women, he says, 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.000 to teach what is good 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.019 and train younger women. 00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:42.500 To young men, 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.940 to be a model of good works. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.619 In your teaching, 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.920 show integrity and dignity. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.019 To bond servants, 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.279 show all good faith 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.019 so that in everything 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.940 you may adorn 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:53.659 the doctrine of God our Savior. 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:57.740 So it's our duty as disciples 00:19:57.740 --> 00:20:00.159 to entrust this good deposit to others 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:04.259 that we may see the spread of the gospel. 00:20:06.340 --> 00:20:07.600 And so this brings us then 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:08.960 to Paul's third command, 00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:09.720 to suffer. 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.920 Why do we need to be strengthened 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.600 by the grace that is in Christ Jesus 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:15.519 to entrust this message to others? 00:20:16.820 --> 00:20:17.880 Because it's hard work. 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:22.120 Because we should expect to suffer in it. 00:20:23.540 --> 00:20:24.740 Paul, in these last verses, 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.940 he gives three metaphors 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.140 for how we should suffer. 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:28.620 He looks at a soldier 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.759 and an athlete 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.540 and a farmer. 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.259 And I want to look at 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.280 each one of these specifically 00:20:32.280 --> 00:20:33.960 because they really highlight 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.980 a specific discipline 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.020 that we need to have 00:20:36.020 --> 00:20:36.620 as believers 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.660 and as disciples. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.280 So let's consider the soldier first. 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:40.820 Verse three. 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.840 Share in the suffering 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:44.660 as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:47.140 No soldier gets entangled 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.340 in civilian pursuits 00:20:48.340 --> 00:20:49.600 since his aim 00:20:49.600 --> 00:20:50.759 is to please the one 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.800 who enlisted him. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:55.300 I recently watched a documentary 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:57.240 about something called 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.099 Reception Day 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:59.299 that took place 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.220 at Westminster Military Academy 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.119 or not Westminster, 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.500 West Point Military Academy 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.720 in the U.S. 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:06.460 And this is when the new cadets 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.819 were brought into the academy, 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:09.259 their very first day. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:11.879 And it walked along with them 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:13.139 in what they had to do. 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:14.240 And it showed them 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.139 they arrive 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.859 and they go to this 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:17.099 brief orientation 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:18.240 and then they're given 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.980 60 seconds 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.720 to say goodbye 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.639 to their loved ones. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.000 From there, 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:23.079 they're given a bag 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.000 where they put in, 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.960 they're told to put in 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.079 only certain possessions 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.900 that they'll have 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:28.039 for the next several weeks 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:28.859 during basic training. 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.240 And then they're marched 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.759 to the barbershop 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.019 where they all get 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.920 their heads shaved. 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.500 They're put in companies. 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.900 They are taught how to march 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:38.059 and how to follow orders. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.000 And the day concludes 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.680 with an oath ceremony 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:42.440 that formally initiates 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.180 the new class 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:44.319 into West Point. 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.839 And so what's the purpose 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:48.240 of a reception day like this? 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.980 What's the purpose 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.900 of a basic training 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:52.259 that these soldiers go through? 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:54.039 I think it's really 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.099 to instill 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:56.740 single-mindedness 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.980 in these soldiers. 00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:58.400 It's the, 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.759 it's the soldiers' duty 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.640 to support 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.720 and to defend 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.980 enemies 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.480 both foreign 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.099 and domestic. 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.779 And so in order to do so, 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.680 they can't be distracted 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.799 by civilian pursuits. 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:10.759 So things like family 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.440 and comforts 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:11.859 and possessions, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.299 these things are put aside 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.279 in order that they may 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:16.319 fulfill their duty 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:17.359 to serve well. 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:19.759 And so Paul is saying 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.599 this is the mindset 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.559 that we must have 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.339 as disciples, 00:22:22.439 --> 00:22:22.979 that we must be 00:22:22.979 --> 00:22:23.919 single-minded. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.799 Our goal as disciples 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:27.479 is to make disciples. 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:29.539 And so we need to think, 00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:29.979 what's, 00:22:29.979 --> 00:22:31.019 what's preventing us 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.639 from doing that? 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:35.000 How are we to demonstrate 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:36.019 single-mindedness 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.059 in our Christian life? 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.000 Do we need to change 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.039 the way that we spend 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.619 our time 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.159 or our money? 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:43.860 Are we more focused 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:45.440 on protecting our comforts 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.259 than pursuing 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:48.160 kingdom-building activities? 00:22:50.580 --> 00:22:51.680 Just like a soldier 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.279 is supposed to be 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.320 distinct from a civilian, 00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:56.160 our lives also 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.900 are supposed to look 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.880 different than the lives 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.740 of those around us 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.800 who do not know Christ. 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.940 And so secondly then, 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.880 the athlete, 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.540 verse 5, 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:06.680 an athlete is not crowned 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.500 unless he competes 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.340 according to the rules. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.140 And so just like 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.700 a soldier 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.920 is to be single-minded, 00:23:12.040 --> 00:23:12.880 the athlete is supposed 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:13.980 to be self-disciplined 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:15.160 in how they race 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.220 and how they train. 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.940 Maybe one of the most 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.700 famous stories 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.300 of a cheater 00:23:21.300 --> 00:23:21.900 in a marathon 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:23.100 is a woman 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:24.820 named Rosie Ruiz 00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:26.400 in the 1980 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.400 Boston Marathon. 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.160 This is a woman 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:30.460 who came across 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.140 the finish line 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.820 in a blazing 00:23:31.820 --> 00:23:33.140 two hours and 31 minutes. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.160 This set an American 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.120 record at the time. 00:23:37.060 --> 00:23:37.580 And though there was 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:38.240 some suspicion 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.300 as to whether she 00:23:39.300 --> 00:23:40.100 really ran the race, 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:40.860 back in 1980, 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.460 there weren't 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.740 any sort of microchips 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.880 that athletes wore. 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.680 There were no cameras 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.300 at every corner. 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.020 So it really, 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:46.940 it took over a week 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.480 to determine 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:49.180 that she was actually 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:50.400 not the winner, 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.240 that she had cheated. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.420 There were some witnesses 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.080 that came forward 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:53.940 that said that she came 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.400 out of the crowd 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.100 at mile 25, 00:23:55.280 --> 00:23:56.240 so she ran one mile 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:57.020 in order to win 00:23:57.020 --> 00:23:58.180 the Boston Marathon. 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.320 But Paul here 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.140 is not only talking 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:02.780 about competing 00:24:02.780 --> 00:24:03.720 according to the rules 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:05.380 when we actually race, 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:08.060 but also as we train. 00:24:08.820 --> 00:24:09.080 You see, 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:09.640 in his time, 00:24:09.760 --> 00:24:10.360 there would have been 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:10.920 Greek rule. 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:11.940 The Olympics would have 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.440 taken place. 00:24:12.520 --> 00:24:12.880 There were actually 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:14.060 professional athletes 00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:15.120 that would have trained 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:15.980 for these competitions. 00:24:16.300 --> 00:24:17.380 And they had to follow 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.840 a rule to prepare 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:19.740 for 10 months 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:21.080 before their competition. 00:24:21.520 --> 00:24:22.040 They had to take 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:22.940 an oath to Zeus 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.820 that their preparation 00:24:23.820 --> 00:24:25.180 would be done properly. 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:27.200 And so, 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.560 we may know that 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.460 the Edinburgh Marathon 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.420 is next weekend, right? 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.180 If any of us 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.880 got up tomorrow 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:33.100 and decided, 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.740 huh, you know what? 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.460 I may start training 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.019 and run that thing 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.500 next week. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.740 We'd all recognize 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.259 that person 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.759 as being a fool, right? 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.759 Whether you run or not, 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.560 we all know that 00:24:40.560 --> 00:24:41.259 training for a marathon 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.560 takes time. 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.620 You have a running schedule. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.640 You do tempo work. 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.940 You do long distance runs. 00:24:47.060 --> 00:24:47.799 You have to change 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.400 your diet. 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:50.779 And so, 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.660 for us as believers, 00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.380 we know that 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:53.720 when we see this command 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:55.000 to be self-disciplined 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.880 and to be obedient, 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:56.720 there's nothing 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.519 that we can do 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:59.740 to earn God's favor 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.500 by keeping these rules, 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:03.819 but we do follow 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:05.059 Christ's example 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.740 as a guide 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.839 for our conduct. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.440 And so, 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.140 we have to ask, 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.859 are we self-disciplined 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:11.799 as God's disciples? 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.099 Are we spending time 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:13.619 in the Word? 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.200 Are we being faithful 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:15.559 in prayer? 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.359 Are we earnest 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.440 in worship? 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.619 Because there's no shortcuts 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.460 to cultivating 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.380 a relationship with God 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.460 like we just talked about. 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.519 In order to be 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.299 a disciple-maker, 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.379 we must first 00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:26.919 abide in Christ. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.859 We also see 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.700 there's no shortcuts 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:32.440 in disciple-making either. 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.099 Think of all the time 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:35.079 and energy churches 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.200 and ministries 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.940 have spent 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:38.180 in trying to figure out 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.619 ways to quickly 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.519 and easily 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.919 evangelize lost. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:43.539 You know, 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:44.480 here's a track. 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.460 Join this program. 00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:47.960 Come to this Bible study. 00:25:48.919 --> 00:25:49.799 And not say that 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.819 those things are bad. 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.639 Those can be 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:52.819 very effective tools 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.879 in sharing the gospel. 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.119 But they should not 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:57.460 be seen as 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:59.559 in isolation. 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.399 They cannot be done 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:02.379 or replace 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.159 the need for 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:03.980 participation 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.700 on our part. 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.379 Real, 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.939 effective discipleship 00:26:07.939 --> 00:26:09.240 is going to be 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.559 personal. 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.339 And so, 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:11.980 we think about 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.099 wanting to teach 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:14.559 someone from the Bible 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.500 or instruct them 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.439 how to read the Bible. 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.819 What's the best way 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.279 to do that? 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:20.079 is to read the Bible 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.539 with them. 00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.899 You want to teach 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.700 someone how to pray? 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.399 Pray with them. 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:26.180 Invite them into 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:27.079 your own prayer life. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.460 You want to teach 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.019 someone how to be 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.639 a good husband 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:31.259 or wife 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.920 or father? 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.160 Invite them into 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.680 your own home 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.359 where you can model 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.039 that for them. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:38.139 Are we self-disciplined 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.019 enough 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:40.819 in order to do this? 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:42.279 That we may set 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.279 aside time? 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.000 That we may 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.379 prioritize relationships? 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.540 That we may desire 00:26:46.540 --> 00:26:47.260 to invest 00:26:47.260 --> 00:26:48.720 in the next generation 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.340 in such a way? 00:26:51.820 --> 00:26:52.220 Lastly, 00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:53.000 Paul describes 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.980 a hard-working farmer. 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.580 In verse 6, 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.180 he says this, 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.000 It is the hard-working 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.400 farmer 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.600 who ought to have 00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:59.580 the first share 00:26:59.580 --> 00:27:00.140 of crops. 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:01.940 Now, 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.160 I don't know 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.820 if any of you 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:03.840 have a vegetable garden. 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.580 I've never really 00:27:04.580 --> 00:27:05.720 attempted a full-blown garden. 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.580 I've attempted 00:27:06.580 --> 00:27:07.520 an herb garden once 00:27:07.520 --> 00:27:08.980 or a herb garden, 00:27:09.020 --> 00:27:09.600 as you say here, 00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:11.300 and was only 00:27:11.300 --> 00:27:12.400 mildly successful. 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:14.100 There's a lot of effort 00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:14.780 you put into 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:16.480 planting the plants 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.460 and watering them 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.200 and protecting them 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.839 from insects 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.579 and the cold 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.599 and the heat. 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.960 And you realize 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.799 at the end of the day 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:24.119 what you have 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:25.859 profited in produce 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.639 you could have bought 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:27.259 at the supermarket 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.059 for a couple quid. 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.099 And so, 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:30.899 this is only talking 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:32.379 about a square meter 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:33.259 of land 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.379 in your back garden, 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.259 much less 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:36.879 a whole farm. 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:38.680 My family and I, 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.180 we went down 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.920 to the Yorkshire Nails 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:41.079 just last weekend. 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.920 And it's easy 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.940 to glamorize 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.779 farm life, right? 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.759 You see these sheep 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.440 and these cows 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:46.960 out in the fields, 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:48.259 you see rows of crops 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.620 growing, 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:48.920 you think, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.580 ah, that would be 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:50.660 kind of fun for a while 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.440 to live as a farmer. 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.100 And then you realize 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:52.900 all the effort 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.920 that's needed 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.180 in order to be a farmer. 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.539 The truth is 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.980 that the farmer 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.759 is not hardworking, 00:27:58.820 --> 00:27:59.620 he's not going to be 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.660 a farmer for very long. 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.519 And so, likewise, 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.559 we are called 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.680 to hard work 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.160 for the sake 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.680 of the gospel. 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.700 Spiritual work 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:09.000 is going to involve 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:10.240 exertion. 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.500 And so, 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.240 Paul says this 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.339 if we look at Galatians 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.599 chapter 6, 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.579 verses 7 through 9, 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.400 Paul says this, 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.299 Do not be deceived. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.559 God is not mocked. 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.700 For whatever one sows, 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:22.200 that he will also reap. 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.799 For the one who sows 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.839 to his own flesh 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.259 will from the flesh 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.859 reap corruption. 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.740 But the one who sows 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.480 to the Spirit 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.640 will from the Spirit 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:31.720 reap eternal life. 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.960 And let us not grow weary 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.819 of doing good. 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:36.059 For in due season 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.940 we will reap 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:38.559 if we do not give up. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:41.740 So, pursuing holiness, 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.579 sharing the gospel, 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.440 making disciples, 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:45.099 we recognize 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.220 that this is hard work. 00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:48.639 And so, all these metaphors 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.319 of the athlete 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.940 and the soldier 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.679 and the farmer, 00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:51.480 they illustrate 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.539 this whole hardness 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.679 that's needed 00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:55.259 by all believers 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.240 to be focused 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.480 and self-disciplined 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.460 and to be hardworking. 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.179 These are traits 00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.799 that if we don't possess them 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.679 we shouldn't expect 00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.879 to see results. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.679 But we recognize again 00:29:06.679 --> 00:29:07.480 that this is why 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:09.220 Christ has strengthened us 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.079 with his grace. 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:10.720 It's not only 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.480 by his grace 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.900 that we have the ability 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:15.079 to serve and to suffer. 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.259 It is by his grace 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.980 that we can see results 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:19.279 that we may reap reward. 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:21.579 Each one of these metaphors, 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.319 the soldier, 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:22.920 the athlete, 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.440 the farmer, 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.779 we see a specific reward 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.420 that they receive. 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.059 The soldier, 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.759 it is to please his commander. 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:29.079 The athlete is to receive 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.500 the crown. 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:31.000 The farmer is to have 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:32.099 the first share of the crops. 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.740 And it's all grace. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:37.500 We can't take credit for it. 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.559 We don't deserve it. 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.599 Christ is the one 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.519 who strengthened us 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:42.819 to suffer by his grace 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:44.339 and it is by his grace 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.620 that we are blessed 00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:46.819 with results. 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.660 And so we could really 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.200 stop there 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:52.259 and walk away 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.039 with a charge 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:54.099 to be disciples 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.160 and make disciples. 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:57.000 But Paul gives us 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.859 one last instruction 00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.319 in the passage 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.960 in verse 7. 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.359 He says this, 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.339 to think over 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.219 what I say 00:30:02.219 --> 00:30:03.779 for the Lord 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.339 will give you 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.059 understanding 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:06.419 in everything. 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:09.019 One of the commentators 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.500 I read that, 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.359 he said that a modern 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:11.519 translation of this text 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.319 would simply be 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:13.439 Paul saying 00:30:13.439 --> 00:30:14.319 pay attention 00:30:14.319 --> 00:30:15.159 and listen up. 00:30:16.699 --> 00:30:17.599 If you're a parent, 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.419 you may be used 00:30:18.419 --> 00:30:19.359 to using that phrase 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:20.059 on your children. 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.059 You give them instruction 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.759 and realize it goes 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.279 in one year 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.179 and out the other. 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.019 So before you give 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.859 the instruction again, 00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:25.379 you make sure 00:30:25.379 --> 00:30:26.259 you have their attention. 00:30:26.459 --> 00:30:27.539 Listen to what 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.500 I'm telling you. 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.599 Pay attention 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.459 to what I'm saying. 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.219 And so let's not 00:30:33.219 --> 00:30:33.980 walk out of here 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.500 this evening 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:36.099 without taking 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.899 these commands 00:30:36.899 --> 00:30:37.379 to heart. 00:30:38.919 --> 00:30:39.859 We need to consider 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:40.459 how does this 00:30:40.459 --> 00:30:41.039 apply to us? 00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:41.659 Certainly we've heard 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:42.559 about being disciples 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.359 and disciple makers 00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:43.740 again. 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:45.299 But what does this 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.639 mean for each one 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.019 of us? 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:47.639 This is something 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.500 that we're all called 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.240 to as believers. 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:52.439 And so do we desire 00:30:52.439 --> 00:30:53.439 to be strengthened 00:30:53.439 --> 00:30:54.799 by the grace of God 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.859 to be faithful disciples? 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.519 Are we eager 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.419 to entrust 00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:59.179 the gospel 00:30:59.180 --> 00:31:00.700 to the future 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.259 generation? 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.320 Are we willing 00:31:02.320 --> 00:31:03.180 to answer the call 00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:03.660 to suffer 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.380 in doing so? 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:06.100 Do we desire 00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:07.220 to see the gospel 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.480 advance in our homes, 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.860 in our churches, 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.980 in our communities, 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.740 within our families? 00:31:14.860 --> 00:31:15.360 You know, 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.120 we're in the middle 00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:17.100 of the Renew Buclue 00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:18.880 campaign right now. 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.380 And certainly we desire 00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:20.920 to have a building 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.580 that's welcoming 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:22.380 and functioning 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.100 to be able to do 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:23.519 the preaching 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.259 of God's word 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.340 and do various ministries. 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:26.220 But as has been 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.759 said before, 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:28.259 if our vision 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.939 is simply just 00:31:28.939 --> 00:31:29.419 to make a more 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.000 comfortable place 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.500 for us, 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.639 all our efforts 00:31:31.639 --> 00:31:32.059 are going to be 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.399 in vain. 00:31:34.199 --> 00:31:34.959 When we talk 00:31:34.959 --> 00:31:35.879 about Renew Buclue, 00:31:35.959 --> 00:31:36.519 it's the renewal 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.579 of our hearts. 00:31:37.699 --> 00:31:38.220 It's the renewal 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.319 of our relationship 00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:40.299 with God. 00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:40.799 It's the renewal 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:41.500 of our commitment 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.319 to love 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.959 and serve our city. 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:44.539 It's a renewal 00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:46.959 to see Christ's kingdom 00:31:46.959 --> 00:31:47.599 come. 00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:50.000 And so that's 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.799 the true disciple 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.720 of a disciple, 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.619 the true desire 00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.259 of a disciple 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.599 that we should have. 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:57.139 And so I want 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.139 to end with a quote 00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:59.579 from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 00:31:59.959 --> 00:32:00.859 the German theologian. 00:32:00.939 --> 00:32:01.899 This is from his book, 00:32:02.459 --> 00:32:03.339 which I highly recommend, 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:05.219 The Cost of Discipleship. 00:32:05.239 --> 00:32:06.039 And he says this, 00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:08.259 And if we answer 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.639 the call to discipleship, 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.939 where will it lead us? 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.799 What decisions 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:14.219 and partings 00:32:14.219 --> 00:32:14.899 will it demand? 00:32:15.699 --> 00:32:17.199 To answer this question, 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.219 we shall have to go 00:32:18.219 --> 00:32:18.679 to him, 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.879 for only he knows 00:32:19.879 --> 00:32:20.419 the answer. 00:32:21.459 --> 00:32:22.500 Only Jesus Christ, 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.319 who bids us 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.240 follow him, 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.299 knows the journey's end. 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:27.179 But we do know 00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:28.519 that it will be a road 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.679 of boundless mercy. 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:32.819 Discipleship means joy. 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.879 Pray with me. 00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:40.939 Lord, we thank you 00:32:40.939 --> 00:32:41.720 for the encouragement 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.919 of your word this evening. 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:45.639 We thank you 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.519 for the privilege 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:48.720 of being called disciples. 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.599 And we know 00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:51.240 that it is not 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:52.240 of our own strength, 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:54.779 it is only by your grace 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.700 that we may follow 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.299 after you. 00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.759 And so, Lord, 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.819 we ask for your grace. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:01.620 May it abound in us. 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:05.819 May we desire it richly 00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.720 in our lives 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.559 to experience 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.940 and to share with others. 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.900 May we take these commands 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:12.720 of Paul to heart, 00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:14.519 to desire to entrust 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.099 the gospel 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:16.599 to others, 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:18.919 to see your kingdom 00:33:18.919 --> 00:33:19.639 expand 00:33:19.639 --> 00:33:21.139 and the gospel 00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:21.799 multiplied. 00:33:23.679 --> 00:33:24.379 And God, 00:33:24.459 --> 00:33:26.240 may we be willing 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.859 to suffer 00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:28.339 to see this happen. 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:31.599 To put our comforts aside 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:33.619 that we may follow 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:34.419 wholeheartedly 00:33:34.419 --> 00:33:35.059 after you. 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:38.799 God, we know 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.960 that there is 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:42.919 a extreme calling 00:33:42.919 --> 00:33:43.819 that looks very different 00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:46.559 from those 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.839 in our secular world. 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.200 And so, 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.200 we ask for your help 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.019 and your guidance. 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.200 We ask, 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:54.440 Lord, 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.419 first and foremost, 00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:57.179 that you draw us 00:33:57.179 --> 00:33:57.960 close to yourself, 00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:00.539 that you give us 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.899 a hunger for you, 00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:03.620 that we may follow 00:34:03.620 --> 00:34:04.140 after you 00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:05.100 and abide in you. 00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:07.200 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.220 Amen. 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:13.139 Now we're going to sing 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:13.860 our last hymn.