The reading today is 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1 to 5 and it is page 1197 in the church bibles.
! In the presence of God in Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing in his kingdom, I give you this charge.
Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season.
Correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Good morning again, church.
Just before I'm going to share God's word, let me just pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the privilege we have to come and have an audience with you.
Lord, I pray that you will help me to faithfully teach and preach your word.
Lord, I pray that you open up our ears, the eyes of our heart.
Lord, help us to understand how this text speaks to us.
I pray within hearing it, Lord, you shall renew our minds.
And I pray that you would help us, that we will be doers of this word.
Help us to apply the application to our lives, Lord.
So we don't just gather weekly, meet, hear your word and walk out the same.
But help us, Lord, to change, Lord.
That we would display more of your splendour, your glory and your beauty.
So Lord, be with me and help me by your spirit.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Amen.
So this text that Sarah has just read for us.
This chapter is a continuation of what we heard Steve preach last week.
It contains some of the very last words spoken or written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy.
They certainly are some of the last that we know to have survived before his martyrdom.
For many years, he labours as an apostle and travelling evangelist.
Before he wrote, as we would hear next week in 4-7, he writes,
I fought the good fight of faith, I finished the race.
I kept the faith.
And in verse 8, he goes on to say,
Now he awaits the crown of righteousness which has been laid up for him in heaven.
And also to us who long and await the appearing of Jesus Christ.
These words are Paul's legacy to the church, to us.
So we start with verse 1, as we see here now.
In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead.
And in view of his appearance and his kingdom.
I charge you, Timothy.
This charge is presented, as we may understand,
someone charged and put under oath in a court of law.
Then urged, or it is demanded of them to give evidence or testify as a witness.
Because based on the outcome of the evidence, a decision will be made.
This charge is addressed in the first instance to Timothy in Ephesus.
But I would say it is also applicable in a secondary sense
to everyone who is called into evangelistic and pastoral ministry.
I would even go further to say to all Christians,
in the light of us being called to the obedience of the faith and the great commission.
So let's look at these two verses.
Let's look at verse 2 and verse 3.
The nature of the charge in verse 2.
So the nature of the charge that Paul gives to Timothy
is in three words.
Preach the word.
The message Timothy is to communicate is called the word.
A spoken utterance.
It's to preach it and teach it.
It is God's word that God has spoken.
We're reading John 1.1.
We know in the beginning was the word and the word was with God
and the word was God.
John 1.14 tells us the word became flesh
and made his dwelling or his tabermacle amongst us.
So be a witness to Jesus Christ, the living word of God.
Paul does not need to pacify any further
for Timothy will know at once that it is the body of doctrine
which he has heard from Paul
and which Paul has committed to him to pass on to others.
He's already been informed to keep the pattern of sound doctrine.
Read that in 1.13.
And to guard the good deposit of the faith.
1.14.
This same charge is laid upon the church of every age
and even us here today.
We have no liberty to invent our message
but only to communicate the word which God has spoken
and communicated to the church.
The name Timothy for this matter means to honour God
or means honouring God
which essentially signifies someone who holds God in high regards
and demonstrate respect or reverence for him.
Paul chose Timothy to be a mission apprentice
who would help grow the churches Paul had established.
You read about that in Acts 16.1-5
Timothy is to preach the word.
Proclaim what God has spoken.
His responsibility is not to just hear it
not just to believe it and obey it
nor just to guard it from every falsification
nor just to suffer for it
and continue in it.
But it's to preach and teach it to others.
It is good news of salvation for sinners.
For he is to proclaim, make it known
just as Paul had done
for in the same footsteps of Jesus Christ
preaching who Jesus preached the kingdom of God.
And we the church are also called to preach, proclaim
and teach the word which West Kilburn I would say
do that faithfully.
And there are no various ways we can all do this.
Sorry, there are various ways that we can all do this.
Not everyone is going to go out into the community
like I will often do and knock doors at the book table.
Some of us will want to share with our close friends
and close associates.
Some within our local social networks
and also through social media networks.
And some with colleagues in other ways.
Maybe through handing out tracts or gospel booklets
and through ministry teams serving others
to demonstrate their love acts of deeds
where others in the team will share
and verbally communicate the gospel.
Others will pray for courage, seeking God
and hoping for an opportunity to share Christ.
If the word is not proclaimed, it's not the gospel.
Gospel ministry is one of proclamation.
Whichever way we seek to do it
we are called to be the light of the world
living in this dark age.
People need to hear the word of God.
Timothy instructed, primacy is instructed
and prepared.
He needs to be prepared in season and out of season.
Whether the time seemed favorable or not
he was charged to preach the word
and that is to conduct himself
as an official messenger of the gospel.
He wasn't being told to be insensitive
or to ignore people's privacy.
I believe he was to be prepared
meaning to be alert
and ready to discern opportunities
even when they seemed challenging
or he might be fearful, lacking the courage.
So we have no liberty
to barge into other people's privacy
or tread on their toes if you like.
No.
The occasions Paul has in mind
are probably welcome or unwelcome
not for the hearer
but for the speaker.
It's like a call to be on duty
at all times
convenient or inconvenient.
So we don't have biblical warrants
or license for rudeness
but maybe a biblical appeal
against laziness.
And with that I want to ask you
or maybe you can ask yourself
what does it look like
to be prepared in season
and out season for you?
I share what it looks like for me.
As many of you know
I'm an evangelist
and I work with an organisation
where we are primarily focused
on churches throughout London
to see how we go into the community
to proclaim the gospel.
So in season would be for me
I already know
I'm going to go out into the community
with other like-minded people
or people who desire
to proclaim the gospel.
So I'm really prepared.
I've looked at scripture
to know what God's word says.
I've prayed for opportunities
and I go out
and trust in the Lord
and his spirit
to give me opportunities
to interact with people.
And often when I finish
it's praise the Lord.
I can see the need
for the gospel to be proclaimed.
Now what does it look like
for me out of season?
Well, last week
I was at home
and had a maintenance man
come to my house
to fix my back garden gate
which was broken
and it needed amending
to strengthen it again
so from the outside
people probably couldn't push it
and it falls or caves in.
So he came
and when he came
he was a lively chap
I would say, right?
Really lively.
You know, I had a few tattoos
but very lively
and engaging, you know.
And he mentioned
that he had come from Greenwich
and I thought
a fellow South Londoner.
He looked pretty much
bold and courageous
but, you know,
he was really loving and warm.
He really was.
Anyway, you know,
we established a little bond
and he got on with his work
and I sat down in the kitchen
doing my work
and meditating upon this verse
I thought, wow,
in season and out of season.
What does that look like?
I thought, I'd love to share
the gospel with him
but, you know,
he just seemed really bold
and courageous
and, you know,
someone I thought,
well, we've had a nice little banter
but I don't know
about sharing the gospel.
But sitting down,
sitting down,
I thought I would love to,
I have to do something.
So I came to the conclusion
I would just give him some tracts
when he's about to leave.
Anyway, the time came
he finished the work
and he was about to leave.
So I said to him, right,
listen,
I really would love you
to take these tracts
and read it.
I really believe
they can be a blessing to you.
It's something that I believe
will share some good news with you.
He looked at it quickly
then he said to me
he's a Christian.
We got into a conversation.
Yes, he's professing Christ
but he's not going to church
and he needs discipleship
to see what Christ
really looks like.
So that was something
what was out of season.
I was not prepared
but I took the opportunity.
Another opportunity,
again,
when it was out of season.
Three weeks ago,
I was in Wales
and I was in the sauna.
Somebody asked me
what am I doing here?
We just had a conversation.
I told them.
They said,
oh, you sound like
you're from London.
I said, yes.
They said,
what are you doing here?
I said,
I'm down here
to support a church
and outreach
and preach down there.
They said to me,
what would you say
the gospel is in one sentence?
And I told them.
And when we finished there,
you know,
they asked me my name
and shook my hand.
I remember their name.
I won't call it out
in case, you know,
they listen.
And there's somebody
where I will be praying for.
But I would count
those two occasions
of being out of season.
I wasn't prepared.
I was engaging,
doing other things,
but that season came.
And I believe
this is what Paul
is saying for Timothy
to be prepared.
For those who preach
and teach the word,
as well as those
who share the word,
let us continue
to seek opportunities
like I've just shared
with you
to help people come
to know the living God
through Christ Jesus,
our risen Lord and Saviour.
Next slide.
Now,
this slide you can see there,
this would clearly,
I would say,
was out of season.
Liverpool forward,
Cody Gappo,
received a formal warning
for the football,
from a football association,
right,
after displaying
a Christian message
during a Premier League match
against Tottenham and Otspurs.
Following a goal,
Gappo lifted his jersey
and revealed an undershirt
bearing the message,
I belong to Jesus.
He raised both hands
towards the sky
in a clear expression
of his love for Jesus.
The incident drew attention
due to existing
FA and FIFA regulations
prohibiting players
from displaying
political, religious
or personal messages
on the field.
While Gappo's gesture
was an open declaration
of his faith,
it fell under the restriction
prompting disciplinary action.
Now,
this is an opportunity
that Gappo
probably considered,
if I score a goal,
Lord,
if you give me
the opportunity
to score a goal,
this is what I'm going to do.
And this is what
some footballers players
do,
Christians.
They wear it under there,
but they've got no reason
to take off their shirt
unless they score a goal.
So God clearly
blessed them,
he scored a goal
and he thought,
I'm going to be a witness.
That was out of season
because he received
the backlash,
the next one.
Now,
again,
this is out of season.
I don't know
where the person
were to say,
wake up and repent,
Jesus is coming.
But clearly,
you know,
as this person
was being filmed,
you know,
on news,
someone,
opportunities,
took the opportunity
to actually just
share this message.
And though he's not speaking,
but the sign
reads for itself
and you can imagine
the millions,
if not billions,
people who saw that
and God's spirit
can speak to them
in the way
that he does.
So with those things,
we're told in the Bible,
therefore,
since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud
of witnesses,
let us throw off
everything that hinders
and the sin
that so easily entangles
and let us run
with perseverance
the race marked out
for us,
fixing our eyes
on Jesus,
the pioneer
and perfecter
of our faith.
It is like a race
of perseverance
for Timothy
against false teachers
in Ephesus.
Furthermore,
Paul,
when he was in Ephesus,
the last time
before he was leading it,
he called the elders
and the leaders together,
right?
And he speaks to them
and he says to them
in Acts 20,
25 to 27,
Now I know
that none of you
among whom
I have gone about
preaching a kingdom
will ever see me again.
Therefore,
I declare to you today
that I am innocent
of the blood
of any of you,
for I have not hesitated
to proclaim to you
the whole will
or the whole counsel
of God.
preaching the word
should consist
of the whole counsel
of God.
Let God's word
do the work
only God's work
can do.
Faith comes by hearing
and we know hearing
through the word
of Christ,
so it's important
that God's word
is to be preached.
That means
when we preach
or we teach,
sharing the gospel
is important.
When we share the gospel,
we want to share the gospel,
which is the power
of Christ
unto salvation.
We want to talk
about the story
of God.
We want to talk
about the response
of God.
We want to talk
about the blessings
of God
and we want to talk
about the God
of the gospel
and the people
of the gospel,
which are us.
Timothy
is to trust
in God
and his ability
to lead him
to proclaim the word
with all teaching
in fullness
so people
would come
to a saving grace.
This charge
is presented
to him
in the presence
of God
the Father
and Christ Jesus.
So preaching
the word,
we understand now
from the way
Paul is communicating
to Timothy,
preaching the word
is a matter
of utmost importance
and it's something
that I will say
our pastor Steve,
he prides
the word
to a high level.
It's not easy
to be able
to come here
and share God's word
without sitting
with the pastor
to make sure
we have God's word
to present
in the right light.
So you are
in the right place
and I want us
to just figure
and imagine this now,
right?
Preaching the word,
it's a matter
of life and death.
Let us imagine
four high-rise apartments,
imagine that,
right?
Each apartment
has 20 floors
and only four
fire wardens
assigned to these buildings.
So that's one
to each building
with 20 floors.
If a fire were
to break out,
it would require
a significant amount
of work
and considerable time
to notify
all the residents
to evacuate
the premises.
However,
if more people
were trained
and aware
of what to do
in the event
of a fire,
it would be
quicker and easier
for all residents
to be notified
and evacuated,
thereby saving
more lives.
And that's the kind
of picture
of the gospel,
you know,
with people
out in our community
and society.
The more people
would feel
equipped
and able
to articulate
and share
what the gospel
is,
the more people
would have the opportunity
to hear this good news.
And that's part
of the work
that I do
working with churches
in London.
Next slide.
Whoever preaches
and teaches
the word
will have to.
We're still in verse 2
for those who are
looking at your Bible
and follow God's word,
right?
We're still in verse 2.
So whoever would preach
and teach the word
will have to,
as he's saying
in verse 2,
they will have to
correct
those who
misinterpret
the word
or read
into the word,
not able
to allow
God's word
to interpret
and translate
itself
and communicate
itself to them.
They will also
at times
rebuke some,
though it's a rather
harsh word,
it seems a harsh word,
which generally
means to express
disapproval
or criticism,
often intending
to correct
someone's behaviour
or action.
It's all about
the intent
of the person's
heart who's
given the rebuke.
Jesus is to judge
the living and the dead.
So in a situation
of rebuke,
we would do well
to remember
our place,
not seeking
to be judges
and communicate
and we need
to seek to
communicate
in a loving way.
Paul shows
his disapproval
and opposes
Peter to correct
him.
You'll see that
in Galatians 2,
11 to 14,
as Peter was
eating with
the Gentiles
and then when
some other Jews
came up,
he drew away
from them,
you know,
kind of a bit
of a hypocrite
and Paul opposes
him to his face
and rebukes
him for that.
And of the utmost,
we are to
preach the word,
you know,
we who preach
the word are
to encourage
with a great
patience and
careful instruction.
God's word
is there to
equip the
servant of God
for every good
word.
We heard that
last week as
Steve preached.
It serves its
purpose for
a variety of
ministries.
And God's word
is the one that
really corrects
and rebukes
and deals with
us.
The connection
of the charge
given in verse
one and
verse two
to preach
the word.
If we preach
the word,
it will correct
you,
it will rebuke
you,
it will encourage
you.
We just need
to be open
to what God
wants to do
in and through
our lives.
God will
often do a
surgical work
in our hearts,
meaning that,
you know,
we naturally
resist what
God wants
to do.
We naturally
gravitate to
sin and
oppose God.
but God
will be
doing a
work in
our lives
for his
word and
the spirit
to help
us to
conform and
understand that
God is
speaking to
us.
He will be
refining us
to be more
like Christ.
And the
Bible tells us
no discipline
seems pleasant
at the time
but it seems
painful.
Later on,
however,
it produces
a harvest of
righteousness and
peace for those
who have been
trained by it.
The harvest
here comes to
those who
allow God's
word and
truth,
no matter
how hard or
painful you
may find it,
to restrict you
from doing
what you want
to do.
It will
train you and
cause you to
conform to
God's perfect
will and be
more like
Christ Jesus.
Verse 3,
we're going to
look now,
which I read
earlier.
The reason
people will
not put up
with sound
doctrine is
because of
what Paul
mentions,
right,
in,
you'll see
that in
chapter 3,
verse 1 to
5.
We had
that two
weeks ago,
but ultimately
in verse 4
there,
right,
because they're
lovers of
pleasure rather
than lovers
of God.
The remedy,
the cure to
restore us to
our natural
intended purpose
is the
preaching and
teaching of
the word,
so we hear
it.
It's proclaiming
Jesus is
Lord of all,
as we hear in
Philippians 2,
10,
11,
that at the
name of
Jesus,
every knee
should bow
in heaven,
on earth,
and under
the earth,
and every
tongue acknowledge
that Jesus
Christ is
Lord to
the glory
of God
the Father.
We are
called to
acknowledge our
shortcomings,
our sinful
ways,
or rather
our wrongdoings.
Sometimes
intentionally,
often we do
it unintentionally,
but that is
the state of
us,
for which
we will have
to give an
account one
day.
No matter
our best
efforts,
it doesn't
compare to
a holy,
righteous,
just,
and perfect
God who
loves us
dearly.
Our only
hope is
placing our
trust in
Jesus Christ
by faith,
where we
will come
to know
that God's
truth will
ultimately
set us
free from
the deception
and lies
we seem
to hear
continually
around us
in our
society.
When
people fail
to listen
to and
reject
sound
doctrine,
verse 3,
they gather
together
teachers to
say what
their ears
want to
hear.
they
substitute
God's
revelation
and truth
of himself
with their
preferred
likings,
their own
subjective
truth,
sorry,
their own
subjective
taste.
Now 4
and 5,
we'll look
at verse 4
and 5.
People
turn aside
to myths.
Today we
have preachers
filling large
arenas by
telling people
what they
want to
hear about
money,
or they
tell people
whatever
you believe
in you
can receive
that.
They
entertain
them by
proclaiming
bizarre
doctrines that
appeal to
people's
curiosity.
And with
that whole
careers are
often made
and spent
on reinterpreting
the Bible
and reducing
the words of
Jesus to
a few
moralising
sound bites.
us to
present
something in
a way that
removes any
theological
understanding
surrounding it.
1 Timothy 1,
3 and 4,
Timothy says
to Peter,
people were,
it talks about
people were
talking false
doctrine and
myths,
promoting
speculations
rather than
advancing God's
work which is
by faith in
Christ Jesus
and his
word.
And at
times,
little
conversation
with my
brother Seth
the other
day as we
sat down in
Steve's office,
you know,
Seth went out
in the
community and
he said this
resonates with
him, you
know.
It seems
often sometimes
when you do
go out into
the community
and you are
sharing Christ
and people may
say that they
believe in God
or believe in
Christ but
clearly they do
not believe in
the Christ that
we preach and
teach about in
the Bible.
and it seems
like masses
sometimes prefer
myths than
truth.
This is why
Timothy and the
present church,
we, we of the
living God, we
must preach the
word in its
historical setting
and within the
context of the
whole Bible,
making the
appropriate
biblical connection
and discerning
all the ways it
is a revelation
of Jesus Christ.
That's why we
must persevere in
the studying and
teaching of God's
word.
people need
help with the
application of
doctrine and
members need
help to evaluate
which voice they
are hearing and
listening to.
There's always two
voices.
We see that at the
start of the Bible
in the book of
Genesis, right?
In Genesis chapter
three, verse one
to three, we hear
the serpent say to
Eve, did God
really say?
Then we say Eve
saying in part,
you must not eat
but she also added
and you must not
touch.
God did not say
that.
And I think we,
you know, we
still need to
learn and
discern what
God's word really
says.
We don't want to
add to it and
we don't want to
take away.
We also see in
Psalms one,
blessed are the
person, you
know, who
delights in the
law of the
Lord and
meditates on
his Lord day
and night or
the one who
sits with a
scornful, the
sinners.
So we need to
discern and
really sit down
that we understand
God's voice and
understand whose
voice we're
listening to.
And how do we
know if we are
listening to God's
word, his
voice and how
do we discern
his voice?
Well I'd say
first we need to
read our Bibles.
God speaks to us
primarily first and
foremost through his
Bible, through his
word.
So we need to do
that, that we are
trained in hearing
God on a personal
one-to-one level
as well as
fellowship with
elders, mature
people who teach
the word of God.
After all, God
loves to speak
to us and
reveal himself and
his plans and
his purpose for
us and our
lives.
We should also
follow the text
faithfully as
it's preached and
trust the Lord will
bear witness to
his word, checking
that what is being
preached is what
the word says.
And that's why it's
important even as
I'm preaching that
you have your Bible
open in front of
you to hear what
I'm preaching to
see that it's in
line with the text
that I'm talking
about.
We see this
example in Acts
chapter 17
verse 11.
We hear about
the Berean Jews
who were more
noble character
than the
Thessalonians.
For they received
the message with
great eagerness and
examined the
scriptures every
day to see if
what Paul said
was true.
And in this
biblical account
in Acts 17,
the Bereans are
described as
individuals who
received the
teachings of
Paul and
Cyclos with
eagerness,
but also with
a discerning
spirit.
They didn't
blindly accept
the message.
Instead they
searched the
scriptures daily
to verify the
truth of what
was being taught
to them.
This practice
of diligently
examining the
scriptures,
comparing them
to the message
being presented
is what made
them more noble
than those of
Thessalonica who
were more prone
to accept things
at face value.
So we can see
there could be
error if you just
accept things at
face value.
You have a
responsibility as
God wants to and
God is willing and
open to speak to
you.
We need to give
ourselves that
time to make
sure we show
we're receptive
and we too want
to hear from
him.
Now ask
yourself,
which ones of
these two would
you be?
Like the Bereans
who search the
scriptures or the
Thessalonians who
take things at
face value?
It's like 10.
Paul calls
Timothy to be
different.
Now with all of
these things,
the false teaching
and all what he's
saying there,
we're seeing in
this verse 5,
but you,
but you.
Despite all that
is taking place,
Paul continues to
speak pacifically
to Timothy in a
way that calls for
his attention.
So now he
encourages him to
keep his head
or be sober
minded in all
situations,
enduring
hardship.
We can imagine
the hardship
you're in an
environment and a
community where
people want to
distort the
gospel,
where you may
seem that you're
labouring week
and week out.
You know,
if I use my
dear sister Jenny,
you know,
she labours week
and week out
with the youths,
you know,
doing a wonderful
job there in
seeing God's
word being
proclaimed,
but you know,
it's about
enduring hardship
sometimes in the
natural how
things look.
We're called
to walk by
faith,
not by sight.
We're called to
believe in God,
what God says
God will do.
It's not based
on our
experience really
so much,
or it's not
based so much
on what we see
as we know
we can be
prone to
be disillusioned
and be
discouraged,
which is right,
we do,
but at the same
time we all
are called to
endure hardship
because in
gospel ministry
it is often
hard.
So he's called
to endure
hardship,
do the work
of an evangelist
and discharge
all the duties
of your ministry.
Timothy is to
continue Paul's
mission to the
Gentiles,
to correct
false teaching,
guard the
gospel,
teach sound
doctrine,
endure suffering,
preach the
word,
which includes
proclamations,
more so as
well,
to unconverted
and disciple
believers in
the faith.
So the call
to endure
is persevere.
Paul is sure
that Christ
will make a
visible appearance
and that when
he appears
he will both
judge the
living and the
dead in
verse 1
and consummate
his kingdom.
Now these
three truths
remain and
is true.
The appearing.
Christ will
appear one
day.
The
judgment.
There will
be a judgment
for each and
every one,
believer,
non-believer.
But believers
we know we
have Christ
and his
kingdom will
come.
and earth
will be done
away with.
So we
should be as
clear and
certain an
expectation to
us as they
were, as
Paul and
Timothy were.
Having this
expectation,
hopefully it
shouldn't fail
to power and
influence our
ministries because
we know there's
an end,
reward and
goal.
For both those
who preach the
word, teach the
word and those
who listen to
it,
must give an
account to
Christ when he
appears.
We are
called as
Christians to
a life of
obedience to
the faith.
And as we
see, Jesus
will judge the
living and the
dead.
Jesus is
judge over
heaven and
earth and
all things.
Now, imagine
in a courtroom,
a judge's
primary role is
to ensure that
fear and
impartial
proceedings within
the bounds of
the law.
They preside
over trials,
making rules
and past
sentences based
on information
presented during
the case.
Jesus is the
judge who will
judge the living
and the dead.
Paul lived with
a sense of
urgency,
referencing the
last days in
Timothy 3, 1,
to bring the
awareness here
that whether we
are alive or
dead, when
Jesus returns,
we will all
still be judged
by him.
And if some
of us may
consider, okay,
someone's died
2,000 years
ago, what
about them?
Revelation is
trying to give
us a picture,
right?
That everybody
that God has
created and
given breath of
life within
their lungs,
whether they're
living now or
whether they
died, they
will stand
before him and
give an
account.
Revelation 20,
12 to 13
tells us,
I saw the
dead great and
small, standing
before the
throne, and
books were
opened, which
is the book
of life.
The dead
were judged
according to
what they
had done.
As recorded
in the books,
the seed gave
up the dead,
they were in
it.
2 Corinthians
chapter 5,
verse 10
tells us,
For we must
all appear
before the
judgment seat
of Christ,
so that each
of us may
receive what
is due to
us for the
things done
while in
the body,
whether good
or whether
bad.
The application
for us is
to preach the
word and
not be
discouraged.
We do
this because
one day we
too will
stand before
Jesus and
we desire
that we will
hear, well
done, good
and faithful
servant.
That is our
desire and
that's the
desire of this
church here.
That is all
of our
aim that
we all
raise up
and grow
together to
be mature
disciples.
It can
seem easy
to give up
and keep
silent but
what happens
then when
we stand
before the
righteous
judge?
And we
want to
encourage
those who
have not
yet responded
to the
invitation to
trust Jesus
to be their
Lord and
Saviour.
If there's
anybody here
today we do
want to
encourage you.
Ephesians 2,
1 to 3
tells us and
it speaks to
us and me
as a believer.
And you
were dead in
your trespasses
and sins in
which you
once walked
following the
course of
this world,
following the
prince of
the power
of the
air, the
spirit that
is now at
work in the
sons of
disobedience,
those who
have not yet
acknowledged
and made
Jesus Christ
their Lord
and their
Saviour,
among whom
we all once
lived in the
passions of
our flesh,
carrying out
the desires
of the
body and
the mind
and were
by nature
children of
wrath like
the rest of
mankind.
Again, as I
said as
believers, many
of us who
profess and
believe in
Jesus Christ
now, we
too were
children of
wrath, as
in like some
people who
have not
fully made
Jesus their
Lord and
Saviour are
still children
of wrath.
The verse
of Ephesians
2, 3
refers to all
people as
by nature
children of
wrath.
It describes
how humanity
before encountering
God's grace
is inherently
inclined towards
sin and
deserving of
God's judgment.
This verse
highlights a
state of
human beings
apart from
God's
intervention
and redemption.
Imagine this,
another picture.
Now, from what I
know, usually on
the news, I
probably hear about
hurricanes and
tornadoes and
wildfires.
I probably hear
about it more
so in the
United States
of America or
see pictures,
tornadoes and
hurricanes.
Now, I want us
to imagine, for
children of
wrath, usually
if there is a
hurricane or a
tornado coming,
the weather
forecast,
emergency
services, they
would let us
know, can you
please evacuate
West Kilburn,
Queen's Park and
the surrounding
area.
We would all
take to our
cars and flee.
There would
probably be a
long line of
traffic because
everybody would
be trying to
flee the area.
Now, we can
only imagine, we
would flee because
a Gale Force
5, Category 5 or
maybe Category 7
hurricane, that
would probably
wipe out these
buildings and leave
it all flat,
decimated.
You come there,
you probably see
nothing left.
Well, let me
say, God's wrath
would be so much
more severe than
that.
There is no
chance.
Just wipe out.
But the good
thing is we have
a loving God, a
loving Father who
dearly loves us,
who truly is
calling us to a
place of repentance
and faith and
trust in Jesus
Christ as our
Lord and our
Saviour.
And it's a matter
of just trusting
in the Gospel
that you hear
week in and
week out and
believing,
Lord, help me.
In your own
way, just
harking to make
himself known
to you, I
believe he
surely will.
So, those
who believe in
Jesus but are
yet to walk in
the obedience of
the faith, maybe
some have not
responded to
baptism, which
that is something
as a demonstration
walking towards
the obedience of
the faith.
I believe in
Jesus, so a
step we baptise
to signify the
old person died,
a new person
rose, and it's
a step to
walking in
obedience of
God's word.
Maybe there's
some that
attends week
in, week
out, but is
not part of a
fellowship.
I would call
those to maybe
consider committing
to a faith-based
church that
preach God's
words uncompromisingly.
and let me
encourage you in
the presence of
the believers
here and
ultimately in the
presence of God
and Christ Jesus
who will judge
the living and
the dead.
So I encourage
you to trust and
believe in Jesus
Christ and you
will never be put
to shame.
so the application of this whoever we are primarily Timothy is telling sorry Paul is
telling Timothy preach the gospel as for the pastor's office Steve as he does week in week
out he preaches faithfully that's his office that we hear God's word faithfully as people
in evangelistic and pastoral roles secondary you're called likewise and I would say even the
church as we're called to make disciples so with that we are in a church that preach the gospel
and you have the responsibility to hold a minister's ear accountable that you hear the gospel
but for you to do that you need to read the gospel so with that I'm going to pray
father God your word be clears now may God no sorry may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God
our father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace comfort your hearts and
establish them in every good work Lord we thank you for today thank you for your word Lord I pray
that you would help us Lord in areas where we may shy away Lord help us Lord to to grow to be faithful
Lord that we can be ministers of reconciliation Lord to share your word with those who you bring into
our lives so um continue to work in us Lord and continue to keep us faithful to the gospel preaching
your word in season and out of season thank you Lord we love you thank you that you send your word
to heal us bless your people Lord we pray in Jesus name amen