WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.459 So Paul's final word to Timothy reflects the very first mark that we saw of the early church in 00:00:07.459 --> 00:00:16.620 Jerusalem, an unwavering commitment to the word of God. So then last week, I noted that God's people 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:25.379 are a gathering people. What I want to emphasize to you today is that God's people have the teaching 00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:33.979 of the Bible at the very core of everything that they do, and it structures and informs everything 00:00:33.979 --> 00:00:41.480 that they believe. If Acts 2 says they're a gathering people, 2 Timothy 4 says we are a 00:00:41.480 --> 00:00:50.340 bookish people. We are a biblical people. And of course, we understand the scriptures are the 00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:57.920 only path to a healthy church and to fruitful discipleship, and forsaking them for any other 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:07.340 focus or cause will inevitably lead to the judgment of God. And why is that? Why is it that we should 00:01:07.340 --> 00:01:14.100 consider the Bible and the scriptures to be so important to us? Why is it that they must be at 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:23.439 the core of all that we do and believe? Well, the scriptures carry God's power. God's word carries 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:35.340 with it God's power. Psalm 33, 6, by the word of the Lord, the heavens were made. By the breath of his 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:43.859 mouth, all of their hosts, even from the very beginning before man is ever created, we see that the word of 00:01:43.859 --> 00:01:51.500 God has a unique power of God that forms and creates all that we see and all that we enjoy today. And then 00:01:51.500 --> 00:02:00.099 he takes that power, and in his gracious love to us, he gives to us the written word that contains that 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:10.280 very power. 2 Peter 1, no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:18.719 carried along by the Holy Spirit. So then what we see in the power of God's word in creation, God then so 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:26.860 graciously using human instruments gives us his word here, a same word that carries the same power, 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:34.240 infused and carried along by the power of the Holy Spirit. Why wouldn't that be at the core of 00:02:34.240 --> 00:02:42.320 everything that we do and believe? We see that God's word is the means through which God's spirit 00:02:42.320 --> 00:02:51.620 does his work in and through us. In that passage of Ephesians 6 on the armor of God, remember when 00:02:51.620 --> 00:02:58.320 Paul gets to the very end, he says, and take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. 00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:06.840 It's the only offensive weapon listed in the armor of God. It's the weapon of the spirit, 00:03:07.819 --> 00:03:14.319 the Bible, the scriptures, that God does his work in us, that God does his work through us. 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:24.599 God's word is true. Proverbs 30, 5 and 6, every word of God proves true. He is a shield to those who 00:03:24.599 --> 00:03:31.879 take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:41.639 It's authoritative. Psalm 119, 9 through 11, how can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:47.939 according to your word. With my whole heart, I seek you. Let me not wonder from your commandments. 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:56.400 I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. God's word carries his power. 00:03:56.539 --> 00:04:02.500 He graciously gives it in the written word. It is the sword of the spirit that God does his work in us 00:04:02.500 --> 00:04:07.219 and then God does his word through us. And then we can have confidence that what we have is true. 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:13.659 It's the very words of God. And by nature of being God's word, it is authoritative for us. 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:22.980 It is be the guide of all of our lives. We are not to come to it to discern what is good for us and 00:04:22.980 --> 00:04:29.860 what isn't good for us. No, we come to it and we take everything by faith that it says. It is our 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:39.720 authority. And it's an eternal authority. Isaiah 40 and verse 8, the grass withers and the flower fades, 00:04:39.720 --> 00:04:50.840 but the word of our God will stand forever. It's God's plan for our salvation and for our sanctification. 00:04:51.820 --> 00:04:59.920 Romans chapter 10, verse 17, faith comes by hearing. Hearing comes through the word of Christ. 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:13.500 Jesus prayed in John 17, 17, sanctify them with thy truth. Your word is truth. It's only through the 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:20.259 Bible that we can know the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation for all who will believe. 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:29.900 David wrote in Psalm 19 that the scriptures are more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold, 00:05:29.899 --> 00:05:38.299 sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. So essential is the Bible to our spiritual health 00:05:38.299 --> 00:05:45.419 that Jesus himself says in Matthew 4, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes 00:05:45.419 --> 00:05:52.659 from the mouth of God. So what is to be at the very core of who we are? What is to be at the very core 00:05:52.660 --> 00:06:01.300 of all that we do? It must be the scriptures alone. It is only through the scriptures that we can know God. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:06.440 And it is only through the scriptures that we can know his son. And it is only through the scriptures 00:06:06.440 --> 00:06:11.840 that we can know the gospel. And it is through the scriptures that God accomplishes his purposes 00:06:11.840 --> 00:06:19.180 in and through our lives. And Jesus's own statement is bread will only get you physical life, 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:25.300 but you'll find spiritual life in no other place than in the very words of God. 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:33.900 Too many Christians are enslaved to their own thoughts and feelings when they should be feasting 00:06:33.900 --> 00:06:41.879 daily on the truth of God's word. Too many of us coming to the word saying, no, I don't like that very 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:47.340 much. Or no, that doesn't make a lot of sense to me when we should be coming to the word humbly 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:54.979 in submission to the fact that it is what God has given to us. Too many churches pressing forward 00:06:54.979 --> 00:07:03.219 in their own passions and causes, completely ignorant of the scriptures that make one wise 00:07:03.219 --> 00:07:12.479 unto salvation. There's a reason that Paul's final words to Timothy was a charge to preach the word of God. 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:20.540 Because Bible teaching is essential to a healthy church, but it's also the church's greatest temptation 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:29.520 to abandon it. So let's examine this challenge to Timothy and consider the role that Bible teaching 00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:35.360 is to play in our church. The first thing I want you to see here is the solemn charge. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:43.939 The solemn charge. Look again at verse one. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:50.280 who is to judge the living and the dead and by his appearing in his kingdom. 00:07:52.220 --> 00:08:01.740 The solemnity of this charge is in the fact that it is divinely issued and will be divinely judged. 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:08.879 It would be one thing if Paul was passing along his personal challenge to his young protege, 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:16.400 but Paul does not invoke his own authority in Timothy's life here. He invokes the very presence 00:08:16.400 --> 00:08:26.579 of God in issuing this charge. Before ever even describing the task itself, Paul calls to Timothy's mind 00:08:26.579 --> 00:08:33.340 the reality of Christ's lordship over his life and over his ministry in Ephesus. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:43.439 This wasn't just Paul's wish for his colleague. It was the divine commission of the almighty God 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:51.340 and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a charge that came directly from Christ, and it is to Jesus 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:58.100 that Timothy and every other pastor since will give an account when he returns. 00:09:00.180 --> 00:09:04.639 That's Paul's point here in verse one. Timothy, before I even tell you what to do, 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:10.600 you should know that this is coming from Christ himself, and Christ himself will judge you in the 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:16.720 end at his appearing as to whether or not you fulfilled this calling that is not coming from me, 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:27.379 Timothy. This is coming from the throne of God. Calvin said, he makes special mention of the judgment of 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:36.180 Christ because he will require of us, who are his representatives, a stricter account of our 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:43.860 failures in his ministry. It echoes James' words in James chapter three. 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:53.220 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with 00:09:53.220 --> 00:10:04.240 greater strictness. The writer of Hebrews says something similar in Hebrews 13. He speaks of 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:11.879 spiritual leaders in the church that they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:21.340 an account to God for that. And how is it that God has charged spiritual leaders to keep watch over your soul? 00:10:22.439 --> 00:10:30.439 Not through their eloquence, not through their style, not through their money, not through their giftedness, 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:32.580 but through the word of God. 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:43.420 Pastors will be judged for how they lead and whether or not God's word is the foundation of how they shepherd God's people. 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:54.980 But I think it's also true that congregations will be judged for how they follow and whether or not God's word 00:10:54.980 --> 00:11:00.320 is the foundation of how they live and function as a people. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.500 In this series, everything that we're going through right now is so important. 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:10.300 I think it's actually more important to me today than it was even three weeks ago when we began. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:16.399 And I'm beginning to see the significance of why we need to be studying some of these things that we are right now. 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:20.959 Because we will stand before God one day as his church. 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:25.500 This is not a game. 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:29.419 This is not that any of you treat it that way. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:33.959 This is not a thing that we do lightly. 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:43.059 Our responsibility together as a people is a God-given responsibility. 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:50.679 There is a divine charge given to us to acknowledge who we are in Christ 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:56.239 and to endeavor to please and honor him in the way that he has called us to do so. 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:59.799 This charge doesn't only belong to pastors. 00:12:01.859 --> 00:12:04.979 In one sense, it's issued to the entire church, 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:10.619 which is to take responsibility for itself and its leadership. 00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:16.439 Jesus, our Lord, Paul says here in verse 1, 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:22.459 he sees us now and he will judge us then. 00:12:23.719 --> 00:12:26.799 At his appearing in his kingdom, 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:31.659 we will give an account for how we obeyed his command. 00:12:33.579 --> 00:12:37.539 Therefore, let us together as a people for just a moment 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:41.059 feel the weight of this charge. 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:45.000 First, as it settles on me as your pastor. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:48.579 And then the weight of responsibility, 00:12:48.839 --> 00:12:52.319 that that then settles on your shoulders and on your hearts 00:12:52.319 --> 00:12:54.439 as the people of this church. 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:57.399 Look again at verse 2. 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:00.359 Here's the charge itself. 00:13:01.979 --> 00:13:02.819 Preach the word. 00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:09.200 Be ready in season and out of season. 00:13:11.140 --> 00:13:13.060 The divine charge is straightforward. 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.879 Timothy, Paul says, 00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:17.860 just preach the Bible. 00:13:19.540 --> 00:13:22.720 Do it when it's easy and do it when it's hard. 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.620 Do it when it's convenient. 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.960 Do it when it's not convenient. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:32.519 Preach the Bible when people love you for it. 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:37.440 Preach the Bible when people hate you for it. 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:39.500 Preach the word, Timothy. 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:43.400 In every season, in every circumstance, 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.740 this is your charge. 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.580 Preach the Bible. 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:53.200 And I want you to understand the nature of this task 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:55.420 that Paul is charging Timothy to fulfill. 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.440 To preach. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:00.500 The Greek word underlying this is keruso. 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:05.139 It means to proclaim aloud or to herald. 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:09.179 This is not preaching about the Bible. 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:13.559 It is passionately proclaiming the very words of God 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:15.559 as they are given in the Bible. 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:19.159 Preach the word, Timothy. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.980 Keruso, proclaim it aloud. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:24.819 Be a herald for your king. 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:27.699 Timothy, herald the message. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.340 Not your message, Timothy. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:31.399 Your king's message. 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:35.059 Go to the people that need to hear from the king. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:39.340 Sound the trumpet and cry with a loud voice. 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:42.819 Preach the word, Timothy. 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:48.600 The simple command brings into focus two potential errors. 00:14:49.439 --> 00:14:51.580 One is a form of preaching 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:54.740 that is ultimately disconnected from the Bible. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:59.799 It may be passionate and it may be motivating 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:02.960 and it may even contain the occasional reference 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:04.759 to a verse from the Bible. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:08.179 But when you really begin to discern its contents, 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:12.899 it's clear that the individual is preaching their own message 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:15.480 and using the Bible when it's convenient 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:17.559 to hopefully give a little support 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:19.059 to what they really want to say. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:21.899 It's preaching in a sense. 00:15:21.979 --> 00:15:23.179 It's proclaiming something, 00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:25.059 but it's not actually proclaiming the Bible. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:28.799 It's at this point that David and Goliath 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:33.000 becomes a story about how you can persevere 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:34.599 against that arrogant boss 00:15:34.599 --> 00:15:37.439 and slay the giant of overeating 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.719 that taunts you from the kitchen 00:15:38.719 --> 00:15:40.059 or whatever it may be. 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:44.799 But when we preach motivational and passionate sermons 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:48.019 that are disconnected from the true meaning of the Scripture, 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:49.899 that's not actual preaching. 00:15:50.099 --> 00:15:51.139 That's an error. 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:53.779 It's preaching in a sense, 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:54.500 but it's ultimately, 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.120 it's kind of disconnected from the Bible. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:57.539 That's one potential error. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:59.199 But then there's another error here 00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.159 that's a little more subtle. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:04.139 The second is a lesson on the Bible 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:05.839 that doesn't really involve preaching. 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:13.360 It may be a thoroughly stimulating discussion of the Scripture, 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:17.779 but it's absent of any passionate plea 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:21.179 for the hearer to respond to the message of God. 00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:24.120 And in this case, 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:28.059 the hearer learns everything there is to know about the Bible, 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:32.719 but they never know or love the God of the Bible. 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:38.279 They can argue effectively their theological positions, 00:16:38.599 --> 00:16:40.659 but the truths of the Bible 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:42.839 have never moved from their head to their heart. 00:16:46.119 --> 00:16:47.239 Or Paul says, 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:49.339 Timothy, just preach the word. 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:53.279 Take the message. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:56.159 Because the preacher's task 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:58.600 is not to engage with the text 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.879 for intellectual stimulation 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:02.980 or emotional motivation. 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:05.079 Although both of these things 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.579 may be true about preaching. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.879 That is not the aim or the goal. 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:11.539 He is to be a messenger 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:14.200 that declares the message of his king 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.740 to the people to which he has been sent. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:20.059 And this should affect the way you hear it 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.279 as a church. 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:25.160 And the way you seek it as a church 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:27.680 and the way you crave it as a church. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:30.460 What is it that you desire Sunday by Sunday 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.379 when you come? 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:34.019 Is it just that you want somebody to pump me up? 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:37.519 Do you want somebody to just dig in 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:39.279 and really get me questioned 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.559 everything that I've ever believed 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:42.019 because somehow that's stimulating? 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:47.059 Or do you want somebody to just tell you, 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.160 just bring out the book 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:50.779 and tell me what God has to say to me? 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.779 Jared, I don't want to hear what you have to say. 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:55.580 I want to hear what God has to say. 00:17:58.360 --> 00:18:00.040 My job's not to be the chef 00:18:00.040 --> 00:18:01.420 in the kitchen in that sense. 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:05.080 I'm the servant commissioned 00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:08.120 to take the message that God has prepared 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:11.340 to a people that need to eat. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.900 And of course, preaching 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:17.080 isn't always convenient. 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:19.899 It's not always joyfully received. 00:18:20.159 --> 00:18:22.359 But the charge is to be fulfilled 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.339 in all seasons, 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:25.179 in all circumstances. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.720 And if I'm ashamed of God's message 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:31.119 or if I attempt to alter it 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:32.919 before it ever gets to your ears, 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:35.639 my preaching will be powerless 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:37.899 and our church will fail. 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.299 It may grow, 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:41.699 but it will ultimately fail 00:18:41.699 --> 00:18:44.339 because there's no power 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.399 in what I have to say. 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:48.600 The power is not carried 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:49.740 through my words, 00:18:50.360 --> 00:18:51.880 but through God's words. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.019 Preach the word. 00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:56.060 Look at the second part of verse two. 00:18:57.060 --> 00:18:58.759 Reprove, rebuke, exhort 00:18:58.759 --> 00:19:00.480 with complete patience 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.660 and teaching. 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.460 This is not a command 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.880 for the pastor 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.980 to drive his people 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.019 with a heavy hand. 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:09.480 It's not the idea 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:11.440 of a spirit of lordship 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.140 over people. 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:13.580 That's not what Paul 00:19:13.580 --> 00:19:14.759 is commending here. 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:15.740 In fact, 00:19:16.280 --> 00:19:17.320 the Bible tells us 00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:18.360 that that's not actually 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.720 the way pastors are to lead. 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.600 First Peter chapter five, 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.800 elders are to exercise oversight 00:19:23.800 --> 00:19:26.420 not by domineering 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:28.100 over those in your charge, 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:30.320 but by being examples 00:19:30.320 --> 00:19:31.220 to the flock. 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:33.280 And how is it 00:19:33.280 --> 00:19:33.940 that a pastor 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.600 is foremost an example 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.420 to the flock? 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:38.920 By delivering the message 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.960 that God has given 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.779 in his word. 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.259 Kent Hughes said, 00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:45.060 if you enjoy 00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:47.340 reproving and rebuking, 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:49.140 you're probably not fit 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:49.860 for the ministry. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.860 It requires 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:52.539 that you have 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:54.120 no interior joy 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:55.640 in setting others straight. 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:58.340 But if you don't do it, 00:19:59.100 --> 00:20:00.500 you are a shirker 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.720 of the responsibility 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:03.140 to which you've been given. 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.460 Reproof, 00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:07.560 rebuke, 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:09.020 and exhortation 00:20:09.020 --> 00:20:10.480 is what the word 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.680 of God does 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.540 as it's preached. 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:17.300 Hebrews chapter four, 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.180 the word of God 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:18.840 is living. 00:20:19.540 --> 00:20:20.520 It's active. 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:22.120 It's sharper 00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:23.480 than any two-edged sword. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.579 It pierces 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.400 to the division 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.640 of soul and spirit, 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.519 the joints and marrow. 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.480 And it discerns 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.259 the thoughts 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.299 and intentions 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.259 of the heart. 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.319 And as we understand 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:35.819 the scriptures, 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:36.860 our hearts 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.880 and our intentions 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:39.059 by nature 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:40.500 are for ourselves. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.299 And then when 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:42.099 the word of God 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.640 comes in, 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.660 it's living and active 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.819 because it is the sword 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:46.000 of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:46.799 It's the way 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.660 that God's Spirit 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.740 does his work in us 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.740 and does his work 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.279 through us. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.319 This reproof 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:51.880 and rebuke 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:52.779 and exhortation, 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:54.099 this is the action 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:54.799 of the Spirit 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.899 through the word. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:58.200 And the pastor's job 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.720 is to take the word 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.920 and proclaim it 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.579 to the people 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:03.000 so that the word 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.099 does the rebuking 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.019 and the word 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:06.259 does the exhortation 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.319 and the word 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:09.379 does the reproof. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.519 Second Timothy three, 00:21:11.619 --> 00:21:12.200 you can see it 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.480 just a few verses ahead 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.920 in verse 16. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:15.920 Paul says, 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.680 all scripture 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.579 is breathed out 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.259 by God 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.819 and it's profitable 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.799 for teaching, 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:21.819 reproof, 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.720 correction, 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.000 and for training 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:26.019 that the man of God 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.799 may be complete 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.359 and equipped 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.480 for every good work. 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.759 This is the work 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.519 of the word 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:32.920 and when the message 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.980 of God is delivered, 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.700 it may come through 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:37.160 as if it is rebuke 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.799 from a man 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.940 but the purpose 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.539 of preaching 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.379 is not for me 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:41.299 to run your life. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.019 It is to deliver 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.720 the message 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.539 and let the word 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.379 do its work. 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:49.560 it's not my job 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.540 to control your life. 00:21:51.260 --> 00:21:52.100 It's my job 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:52.960 to preach the word 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:55.860 and I'm more than 00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:57.100 willing to counsel you 00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:58.580 and to help you 00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.160 in any way 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:00.240 that I can possibly 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.320 be of help to you 00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:03.540 but it is the scriptures 00:22:03.540 --> 00:22:05.580 not my preferences 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:07.320 that must dictate 00:22:07.320 --> 00:22:08.720 your decisions in life. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:12.460 that's why Paul 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.299 wrote to Timothy 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.860 that his manner 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.400 must be 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.819 one of patience 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:20.299 because as we all know 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.620 people don't always listen 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:24.880 and if you have 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.500 no patience 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.319 you won't make it 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:26.980 very long 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:29.680 but then he also said 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.720 that his method 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:32.700 must be teaching 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.720 teaching. 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.799 teaching 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:36.640 it's a reflection 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.700 back to the charge. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:38.980 Preach the word 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.380 Timothy 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.920 be patient with people 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.759 as you do this 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.839 that should be 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.319 your manner 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:44.120 but then your method 00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.839 is just help them 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.839 understand the word 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:47.500 and then let the word 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.900 do its work. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.680 My call is to 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.440 faithfully preach 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:53.960 the Bible 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:56.000 so that your life 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.720 will be governed 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.539 by the authority 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.259 of Christ 00:22:58.259 --> 00:23:00.880 and if I do that 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.740 the right way 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.759 it will come 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.339 with plenty of 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:03.919 reproofs 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:04.480 and rebuke 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.419 and exhortation 00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:06.500 from God's spirit. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.139 Now 00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:09.980 Dick Lucas 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.819 I just want to show you 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.759 this before we move on. 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.419 Dick Lucas 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.039 was a pastor 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.779 for many years 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:16.359 and he was the rector 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.299 of St. Helens 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.939 Bishopgate 00:23:17.939 --> 00:23:18.439 in London 00:23:18.439 --> 00:23:19.859 for many years 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.459 and he used to teach 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:21.059 these lessons 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.659 on preaching 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:22.459 and he would draw 00:23:22.459 --> 00:23:23.079 this diagram 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.740 on the board 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:25.339 for his students 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.359 I think we have it up here 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.059 you can see it. 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.059 He would just draw 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.579 a straight line 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.319 across the board 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.259 and he'd say 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.000 the straight line 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.159 represents the scriptures. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.379 And then he'd draw 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:35.639 an arrow pointing up 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.579 above the line 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.319 and then he'd draw 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.279 an arrow pointing down 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.039 below the line. 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:41.240 The arrow going up 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:43.139 represented legalism. 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.039 It was when preachers 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.959 would take the scriptures 00:23:45.959 --> 00:23:46.559 and then they would 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.959 add something to it 00:23:47.959 --> 00:23:49.459 in order to burden 00:23:49.459 --> 00:23:50.439 the people 00:23:50.439 --> 00:23:51.459 with their own preferences 00:23:51.459 --> 00:23:52.480 or their own style 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.299 or their own message 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.159 or their own opinions. 00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:55.459 It would take the scriptures 00:23:55.459 --> 00:23:56.519 and add to it 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.559 and that would produce 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.599 legalism in the church. 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.279 And he said 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.259 and then there's the opposite 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.480 in where people 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.539 will fall far short 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.180 of the scriptures. 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.339 They'll abandon 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:04.879 the scriptures 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:06.339 to only preach 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:06.960 their opinions 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:08.119 and that will ultimately 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:09.940 descend into liberalism. 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:10.640 And then he would 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.400 look at the preachers 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.000 and he would say 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.460 men our job 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.940 is to hold the line. 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.759 To hold the line. 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.339 That's my job 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.099 in this church. 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.960 It's to hold the line. 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.539 That's your job 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.319 as a people. 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.740 To hold the line. 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:30.660 It's not just a charge 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.120 for me. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.279 The weight of this 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.640 settles on each of us 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:36.640 as we minister 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.359 to one another 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.480 and as we hold 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.500 Jared accountable 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:41.319 to holding the line. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.759 Preach the word. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.779 It's a solemn charge. 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.200 Number two 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.599 we see a prophetic warning. 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.059 Prophetic warning. 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.880 Look at verse three. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.700 For the time is coming 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.180 Timothy 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:56.079 when people will not 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:57.160 endure 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:59.060 sound teaching. 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:01.279 Now why do you think 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.759 Paul used endure 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:04.840 instead of 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.900 enjoy? 00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:09.160 Because he could have 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:09.880 very easily said 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.180 Timothy 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.100 there's coming a time 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:12.120 when people are no longer 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.860 going to enjoy 00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:13.519 sound teaching. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.720 But that's not the word 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.340 that he uses. 00:25:16.340 --> 00:25:17.259 He says no 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.580 there is coming a time 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.200 they're not going to 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.180 endure this anymore. 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:20.920 Why? 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:23.320 Because when the message 00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:24.400 of God is delivered 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.620 by the man of God 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:27.479 inevitably what proceeds 00:25:27.479 --> 00:25:28.119 out of the mouth 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.759 of the preacher 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:30.239 will regularly be 00:25:30.239 --> 00:25:31.259 characterized by 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.739 reproof and rebuke 00:25:32.739 --> 00:25:33.739 and exhortation. 00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:35.219 And that's not the kind 00:25:35.219 --> 00:25:35.939 of thing that we 00:25:35.939 --> 00:25:37.119 naturally enjoy. 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.979 That's the kind of thing 00:25:39.979 --> 00:25:40.939 that we must humbly 00:25:40.939 --> 00:25:42.459 endure. 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:46.000 Remember Paul isn't 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.979 talking about people 00:25:46.979 --> 00:25:47.959 outside the church 00:25:47.959 --> 00:25:48.439 right now. 00:25:49.219 --> 00:25:50.279 He's talking about the 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:52.259 people in the church. 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:54.799 And he told Timothy 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.339 that there would 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.579 inevitably be people 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.140 in the church 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.680 at Ephesus 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:59.059 who would no longer 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:00.059 put up with the 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.339 teaching that had 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:02.420 a corrective element. 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.440 Now it would be 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.240 one thing if they 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.980 were tired of 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:07.059 Timothy's corrective 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.900 personality. 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.660 If all he could do 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.319 was find something 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:10.940 wrong with them 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.660 and he was always 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:13.119 harping on all 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.879 these little things. 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.579 That would be one 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.379 thing for them to be 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.220 frustrated by. 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.640 But the idea here 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:19.140 is that professing 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.859 Christians will 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.900 sometimes reject 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.960 the very word of 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.960 God as it's 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.340 preached. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.320 This is not 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:28.100 Timothy presenting 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:29.240 himself in an 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.420 inappropriate way. 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:31.340 This is people 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.140 getting tired of 00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:32.820 hearing the message 00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:33.420 that God has 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.140 determined for them 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:34.580 to hear. 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:36.400 And they will no 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.480 longer endure that. 00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:40.000 Paul's warnings 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.940 meant to encourage 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.380 Timothy. 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:43.220 Remain faithful to 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.640 the task even when 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.480 church members are 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.420 tired of the Bible's 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:46.880 message. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:49.640 Timothy, people 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.680 won't always like 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:50.960 it. 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.720 But whatever you 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.640 do, preach the 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:54.940 word. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.220 Just preach the 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.520 word. 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.360 Look again at 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:58.860 verse 3. 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.300 But having itching 00:27:00.300 --> 00:27:02.160 ears, they will 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.960 accumulate for 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.040 themselves teachers 00:27:04.040 --> 00:27:05.759 to suit their own 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.220 passions. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.020 So Paul went on 00:27:09.020 --> 00:27:09.759 to say that when 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.800 churches get tired of 00:27:10.800 --> 00:27:11.480 Bible preaching, 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.600 they'll start looking 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.540 for leaders who will 00:27:13.540 --> 00:27:14.259 tell them what they'd 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:14.820 rather hear. 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:20.759 And we may at first 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.819 think, well, we 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.419 would never do 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:23.819 that. 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.119 Of course we would 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.539 never do that. 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.759 We may do that more 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.460 often than what we 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.079 think we do. 00:27:30.139 --> 00:27:30.779 Think about when 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.519 you're about to make a 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.379 big decision for your 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:32.720 life. 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.619 If you're like me, 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:36.119 you typically first go 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.039 to the people that you 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:38.279 know or at least 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.759 think are going to be 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.700 on your side, don't 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:40.919 you? 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:40.960 Don't you? 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.019 Don't you? 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.759 Think about it in the 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.599 lives of our children 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:48.500 when we watch them. 00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:51.099 It doesn't take them 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.319 very long to figure 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.700 out which parent is 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.839 better to ask in which 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.480 situation. 00:27:57.939 --> 00:27:59.119 If one's more lenient 00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.599 than the other 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.439 typically or if they 00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.679 know that that dad 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:02.659 gets really distracted 00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:03.399 during the baseball 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.379 game, if I ask him 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:04.980 during the baseball 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.619 game, I'm probably 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.559 going to get whatever 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.519 I want or whatever 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.539 and they know they 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.319 know where to go. 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:10.619 We have those people 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.579 in our lives or they 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.980 know the parent that 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.679 they can tell when 00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:14.259 they get in trouble 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.700 with school. 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.519 Because that's the 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.259 parent that usually 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:17.179 always finds an issue 00:28:17.179 --> 00:28:18.079 with the teacher before 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:19.139 they find the issue 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:19.740 with the student. 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.319 You know what I mean? 00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:21.720 We know how to work 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.339 the system. 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.259 And we do it all the 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.259 time in our lives. 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.579 And if we aren't 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:29.939 careful, we'll start 00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:30.960 to only listen to 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.819 pastors who will 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:33.519 scratch our particular 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:36.319 political, moral, and 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:37.579 theological itches. 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.879 Instead of seeking 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:42.700 for someone to be 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.839 faithful to the word, 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:45.980 we'll prioritize our 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.439 passions. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:49.199 We'll prioritize our 00:28:49.199 --> 00:28:51.619 opinions, secondary or 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:52.819 tertiary issues. 00:28:53.939 --> 00:28:55.179 And when a Christian or 00:28:55.179 --> 00:28:56.359 a church abandons a 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.319 commitment to the Bible 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:59.559 in this way, they will 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.059 inevitably find someone 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:03.159 who makes the Bible say 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.919 what they're most 00:29:03.919 --> 00:29:04.740 comfortable with it 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.019 saying. 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:08.799 wasn't this the big 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:10.879 issue in the real heat 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.799 of the COVID season 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:14.940 and the elections and 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.200 all the things back a 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.200 couple years ago, not to 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:19.480 give you any trauma all 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.099 of a sudden if you 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.599 haven't thought about 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.059 that in a while. 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.180 Wasn't this a part of the 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:25.480 issue in many churches 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.639 who were dividing and 00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.019 fighting? 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:29.359 I know people 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:31.000 personally who left 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:32.259 churches because they 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.200 were so convinced 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:35.119 during that time that 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.740 all of this was 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:38.480 pointing to an 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.839 in-time type of 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.500 situation. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.539 They believed the 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:44.099 vaccination was in 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:45.420 some way equivalent to 00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.299 the mark of the beast. 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.119 And because their 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.160 pastor wouldn't push 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:48.879 Donald Trump or 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.500 wouldn't push 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:51.019 anti-vaccination or 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.839 whatever it was, they 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:52.639 left the church and they 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.900 found them a pastor who 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:55.379 every Sunday stands up and 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.560 talks about all of his 00:29:56.560 --> 00:29:57.660 political things on his 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.420 soapboxes. 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:02.240 Under the guise of 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.300 Christianity and 00:30:03.300 --> 00:30:05.900 scriptural things, we 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.560 actually end up 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:09.220 abandoning the word to 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.180 find someone who will 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:11.060 suit our passions. 00:30:11.540 --> 00:30:12.560 Even if our passions 00:30:12.560 --> 00:30:13.380 are in line with the 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.720 word, we've left the 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:16.180 word to actually pursue 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:17.860 our own agenda. 00:30:19.520 --> 00:30:20.500 Itching ears. 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:23.160 Verse 4, in doing 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:24.420 this they will turn away 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.360 from listening to the 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:27.599 truth and will wander 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.639 off into myths. 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:31.159 So the result of 00:30:31.159 --> 00:30:31.979 itching ears is that 00:30:31.979 --> 00:30:32.879 people abandon the 00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:33.219 truth. 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:35.459 It won't be that they 00:30:35.459 --> 00:30:36.919 always abandon truthful 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:39.199 things or truthful 00:30:39.199 --> 00:30:41.339 ideas, but they will 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.359 turn away from the 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:43.619 authority of the Bible 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:45.319 in search for those 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:47.039 truthful ideas and in 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.939 support of those 00:30:47.939 --> 00:30:49.219 truthful things unless 00:30:49.219 --> 00:30:50.419 it happens to be 00:30:50.419 --> 00:30:51.199 convenient for their 00:30:51.199 --> 00:30:52.159 particular position. 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:54.160 people turn away from 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.540 their focus. 00:30:54.540 --> 00:30:55.240 Their focus will turn 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.140 from the word of God 00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:57.380 to sources with no 00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:58.180 divine authority. 00:30:58.779 --> 00:31:00.080 The equivalent of 00:31:00.080 --> 00:31:00.680 myths. 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:02.800 Three ways I think 00:31:02.800 --> 00:31:03.660 these myths show up 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.160 all the time. 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.240 One, I think people 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.640 get caught up in 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:08.340 sensational presentation. 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:10.840 Sensational 00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.580 presentation. 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.240 This is when people 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.259 turn away from the 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:16.100 supremacy of the 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:17.580 scripture to ecstatic 00:31:17.580 --> 00:31:18.440 experiences. 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:18.640 experiences. 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:20.980 They don't really care 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.080 what the preacher says 00:31:22.080 --> 00:31:23.080 so long as he says it 00:31:23.080 --> 00:31:23.759 in a way that is, 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:25.019 quote, powerful. 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.600 That's the word we hear 00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:27.100 all the time. 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.519 Man, that service was 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.900 so powerful. 00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:31.420 Nobody preached the 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:32.940 Bible, but man, was it 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.660 powerful. 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.380 Well, that's not the 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.380 power of the spirit. 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:39.600 That's the power of 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:41.000 ecstatic experience, 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.640 sensational presentation. 00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:43.960 And let me tell you, 00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:45.460 we pastors with 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.440 particular personalities 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.620 know how to do this. 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.380 We know we're, 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.080 part of our gifting 00:31:53.080 --> 00:31:54.220 is to communicate. 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.380 And we know how to 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:56.080 work a crowd. 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.240 And we know how to 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.279 build people up to a 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.980 specific thing. 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.460 Musicians are just as 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.000 good at it. 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.400 We know how to work a 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.420 crowd and give you an 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:04.640 experience that you will 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.059 enjoy. 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:05.779 And if we're not 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:07.059 careful, we'll abandon 00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:08.200 the truth for the 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.980 experience. 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:10.680 And we can't do that. 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:11.779 That's a myth. 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.460 Some are blinded by 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:15.539 moral degradation. 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.900 More and more, people 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:18.800 are turning away from 00:32:18.800 --> 00:32:20.180 the Bible because they 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:21.540 don't appreciate God's 00:32:21.540 --> 00:32:23.140 position on marriage or 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:25.519 on sex or on gender or 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.880 on abortion or on 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:28.080 whatever the issue is that 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:29.120 you want to talk about. 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:34.340 Rather than to submit to 00:32:34.340 --> 00:32:36.460 God's truth, they turn 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.140 away from it. 00:32:37.780 --> 00:32:38.880 Because there's always 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:40.660 going to be churches that 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:42.880 will accommodate immoral 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:44.580 practice and immoral 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.079 belief. 00:32:45.919 --> 00:32:49.259 They are fraught with 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.419 churches like that in our 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:50.779 area. 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.980 It wouldn't be hard to 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.259 find. 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.960 But then there's some that 00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:57.619 are distracted by useless 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.899 speculation. 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:02.220 These are the people that 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.439 just want to fiddle around 00:33:03.439 --> 00:33:04.460 with stuff that doesn't 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:04.859 matter. 00:33:07.199 --> 00:33:09.199 A good preaching service to 00:33:09.199 --> 00:33:10.079 them would be when the 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:11.619 pastor stands up and poses 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.539 some kind of question. 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:15.219 Like, if God is our 00:33:15.219 --> 00:33:17.319 powerful, can he create a 00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:19.059 rock that is too heavy for 00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.699 him to lift? 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.379 And let's think about that 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.139 for a few minutes. 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:26.399 It doesn't matter. 00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:28.099 It's senseless stuff. 00:33:29.699 --> 00:33:31.879 It's over-obsessing about 00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:33.679 end times thing and how you 00:33:33.679 --> 00:33:35.279 think it's all going to come 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:36.239 out. 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.339 I'm not saying that we don't 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:38.359 need to study those things. 00:33:38.439 --> 00:33:39.759 I'm just saying some people 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.339 get so distracted by it that 00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:42.420 they end up actually leaving 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:43.720 the word in the process. 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:47.220 Wanting to suit their own 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:49.240 passions, professing 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.299 Christians will turn away 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.359 from the Bible to find 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:52.400 someone who will scratch 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:53.019 their itch. 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.940 Let's not be a people that 00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:56.980 are just looking for someone 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.960 to scratch our itch. 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:00.640 Give me somebody that 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:01.519 preaches the word. 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.819 Finally, we'll be finished. 00:34:03.879 --> 00:34:04.720 A faithful minister. 00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:06.420 A faithful minister. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:07.259 Verse 5. 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.599 As for you, Timothy, 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:11.800 always be sober-minded, 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:14.039 endure suffering, 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:16.220 do the work of an evangelist, 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.960 fulfill your ministry. 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:20.860 So rounding out his final 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:22.340 instruction, Paul lists four 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:23.740 things that should be true of 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:25.480 Timothy's pastoral leadership 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:26.240 in the church. 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:28.079 And all four of these things 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.619 fall underneath the charge 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:31.000 of preaching the Bible, 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.800 and they confront the 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:34.840 temptation to give in to 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.920 those with itching ears. 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:37.039 That's what these four things 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.720 are really about. 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:38.740 It's a summarization. 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:40.200 First thing he says, 00:34:40.680 --> 00:34:42.119 always be sober-minded. 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.519 Now don't be confused. 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:46.320 Typically when we hear 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:47.820 sober or sober-minded, 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:49.519 in our day we immediately 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.780 think to something having 00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:52.599 to do with substance abuse 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.360 or alcohol. 00:34:53.720 --> 00:34:54.820 That's not what Paul's 00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:55.539 getting at here. 00:34:56.200 --> 00:34:57.659 I actually like the NIV's 00:34:57.659 --> 00:34:58.480 rendering in this. 00:34:58.760 --> 00:35:00.300 It says keep your head. 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:02.300 Keep your head in all 00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:03.000 situations. 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:05.220 Be focused, Timothy. 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:08.019 We might say in our day, 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.200 whatever happens, 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:11.019 don't lose your mind. 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:14.039 Don't give in to the anxieties. 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:16.940 Don't give in to the fears. 00:35:17.200 --> 00:35:19.059 Even in the face of criticism 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:20.039 and persecution, 00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:20.619 Timothy, 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:22.740 the pastor's task is to stay 00:35:22.740 --> 00:35:25.079 focused on preaching the Bible. 00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:26.800 Just preach the word. 00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:28.099 Stay focused. 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.460 Keep your head, 00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:30.200 Timothy. 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:32.659 Then he says, 00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.960 endure suffering, 00:35:34.419 --> 00:35:36.819 which was a familiar instruction 00:35:36.819 --> 00:35:38.699 to the New Testament church 00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:39.980 because early Christians 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:42.639 endured so much suffering 00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:44.219 and martyrdom for their faith. 00:35:44.619 --> 00:35:45.980 Even in the context 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:46.659 of this letter, 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.739 Paul is writing 00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.579 from a prison cell 00:35:48.579 --> 00:35:49.399 where he knows 00:35:49.399 --> 00:35:50.519 he's about to be killed. 00:35:51.759 --> 00:35:52.279 Certainly, 00:35:52.779 --> 00:35:53.699 Timothy would have faced 00:35:53.699 --> 00:35:54.419 the anxieties 00:35:54.419 --> 00:35:55.419 that come along with that. 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:56.259 But let's not 00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:57.460 too quickly leave 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:59.619 the context of the text. 00:36:01.220 --> 00:36:01.740 Surely, 00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.780 part of this suffering 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:04.980 that Paul is warning about 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:06.619 includes the criticism 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:08.460 of those in the church 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:10.679 with itching ears, 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:13.019 refusing to endure 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.820 the sound teaching 00:36:13.820 --> 00:36:14.420 of the Bible. 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:17.460 Even when his own people 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.179 turned on him, 00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:19.980 it was Timothy's task 00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:21.380 to remain faithful. 00:36:22.179 --> 00:36:22.980 Endure the suffering, 00:36:23.159 --> 00:36:23.420 Timothy. 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:26.180 Do the work 00:36:26.180 --> 00:36:26.960 of an evangelist, 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:27.579 Paul says. 00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:29.980 He didn't intend 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:30.559 for Timothy 00:36:30.559 --> 00:36:32.880 to begin an itinerant ministry 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.840 or to set up 00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:34.860 a tent 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.760 for a camp meeting 00:36:35.760 --> 00:36:36.700 in the middle of town. 00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.579 That's not what he meant 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:38.200 by this. 00:36:39.180 --> 00:36:39.920 He just meant 00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:40.700 preach the gospel. 00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:45.159 To preach the Bible 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:45.960 in such a way 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:46.599 that sinners 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.400 are rebuked 00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:48.159 for their sins 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:48.720 and called 00:36:48.720 --> 00:36:49.680 to believe 00:36:49.680 --> 00:36:51.139 and follow Jesus Christ. 00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:52.099 In fact, 00:36:52.159 --> 00:36:53.200 the gospel of Jesus 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:54.579 is to infuse 00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:55.639 the entire meal 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:56.419 of God's word. 00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.579 That's the reason 00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.299 we preach. 00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:00.960 It's the reason 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:01.579 we gather. 00:37:02.419 --> 00:37:03.419 It is the gospel 00:37:03.419 --> 00:37:04.279 that has made us 00:37:04.279 --> 00:37:04.980 who we are. 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.480 It is the gospel 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.279 that calls us 00:37:07.279 --> 00:37:07.980 to be what God 00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:09.299 wants us to be. 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.899 Preach the gospel, 00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:11.339 Timothy. 00:37:11.819 --> 00:37:12.299 Finally, 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:13.399 he summarizes it. 00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.579 Fulfill your ministry. 00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:18.239 In other words, 00:37:18.879 --> 00:37:19.119 Timothy, 00:37:19.279 --> 00:37:19.899 just do what you've 00:37:19.899 --> 00:37:20.759 been called to do. 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:22.960 And what was 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.640 he called to do? 00:37:25.060 --> 00:37:25.940 Preach the word. 00:37:27.720 --> 00:37:28.860 Preach it in the pulpit. 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:31.320 Preach it as you visit 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:31.780 with people 00:37:31.780 --> 00:37:32.500 in their homes. 00:37:33.640 --> 00:37:34.640 Preach it as you sit 00:37:34.640 --> 00:37:35.980 over coffee 00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.700 with someone. 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.240 Preach it 00:37:38.240 --> 00:37:39.540 in your counseling sessions. 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:40.620 Preach it 00:37:40.620 --> 00:37:41.600 on the golf course. 00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:43.300 Preach it at lunch. 00:37:44.200 --> 00:37:44.560 Preach it 00:37:44.560 --> 00:37:45.380 whenever you can. 00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:46.020 Timothy, 00:37:46.140 --> 00:37:46.760 your job 00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:48.360 is to teach the word. 00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:49.740 Stay focused 00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.380 on the Bible 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:51.140 wherever you are. 00:37:51.240 --> 00:37:51.880 That's how you'll 00:37:51.880 --> 00:37:52.760 shepherd your people. 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:55.519 He wasn't called 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:56.280 to fulfill 00:37:56.280 --> 00:37:58.539 superfluous expectations 00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.700 that are so often 00:37:59.700 --> 00:38:01.660 levied onto church staffs. 00:38:01.700 --> 00:38:02.480 That's not what 00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:03.340 he was called to do. 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.180 He was called 00:38:05.180 --> 00:38:06.019 to preach the word 00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:07.120 in all circumstances. 00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:09.280 Now, 00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:10.079 a healthy church 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:10.880 will pray for 00:38:10.880 --> 00:38:13.059 and seek leaders 00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:14.680 who will be committed 00:38:14.680 --> 00:38:15.460 to the task 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:16.320 of preaching the word. 00:38:16.320 --> 00:38:18.940 and then it will 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.860 encourage 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:20.880 those leaders 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:22.340 in their task 00:38:22.340 --> 00:38:24.160 and hold them 00:38:24.160 --> 00:38:24.640 accountable 00:38:24.640 --> 00:38:26.400 to that task. 00:38:30.740 --> 00:38:31.780 I know you may be thinking, 00:38:31.900 --> 00:38:32.039 you know, 00:38:32.100 --> 00:38:32.660 this is supposed 00:38:32.660 --> 00:38:33.300 to be a series 00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:34.180 on what we're supposed 00:38:34.180 --> 00:38:34.559 to be doing 00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:35.080 as a church 00:38:35.080 --> 00:38:35.559 and this seems 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:36.200 like a message 00:38:36.200 --> 00:38:36.780 that probably 00:38:36.780 --> 00:38:37.740 should be directed 00:38:37.740 --> 00:38:38.500 toward pastors. 00:38:40.160 --> 00:38:40.940 But I already told you 00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.559 this charge 00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:42.180 is more than 00:38:42.180 --> 00:38:42.960 just to Timothy. 00:38:43.680 --> 00:38:44.440 This would have been 00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:45.519 read to the whole church. 00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:48.780 If the pastor 00:38:48.780 --> 00:38:49.620 is to be a preacher 00:38:49.620 --> 00:38:50.300 of the word, 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.820 doesn't that mean 00:38:51.820 --> 00:38:52.640 that the church 00:38:52.640 --> 00:38:53.640 is to be a people 00:38:53.640 --> 00:38:54.400 of the word? 00:38:58.600 --> 00:39:00.320 If Lakeside Bible Church 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:01.539 is going to mature 00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.740 in God's grace 00:39:02.740 --> 00:39:03.880 and grow 00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:05.280 in spiritual health, 00:39:06.280 --> 00:39:08.740 mustn't we remain 00:39:08.740 --> 00:39:09.780 unwaveringly 00:39:09.780 --> 00:39:10.800 committed 00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.860 to the word of God? 00:39:11.860 --> 00:39:14.440 And when I say growth, 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.200 I hope you understand 00:39:15.200 --> 00:39:15.720 what I mean. 00:39:17.120 --> 00:39:18.180 I mean growth 00:39:18.180 --> 00:39:18.800 in the spirit, 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:21.680 growth in our call, 00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:24.460 growth in spiritual health. 00:39:24.740 --> 00:39:25.880 And if God sees fit 00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:26.460 to build that 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:27.400 in some other way, 00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:28.780 that's God's business. 00:39:29.240 --> 00:39:30.099 But if we're going to be 00:39:30.099 --> 00:39:31.079 what God has called us 00:39:31.079 --> 00:39:31.360 to be, 00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:32.460 whether we're 20 people 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:33.820 or whether we're 200 people, 00:39:34.220 --> 00:39:36.680 it's going to have to come 00:39:36.680 --> 00:39:38.000 through an unwavering 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:38.380 commitment 00:39:38.380 --> 00:39:39.400 to the word of God. 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:42.599 It needs to be 00:39:42.599 --> 00:39:43.480 at the very core 00:39:43.480 --> 00:39:44.340 of all that we do. 00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:46.500 It needs to be 00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:47.700 the very foundation 00:39:47.700 --> 00:39:48.220 of everything 00:39:48.220 --> 00:39:49.099 that we teach 00:39:49.099 --> 00:39:50.079 and say we believe. 00:39:51.740 --> 00:39:53.039 And we need to ensure 00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:54.639 that those who lead us 00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:56.000 remain faithful 00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:56.760 to their call. 00:39:59.059 --> 00:39:59.980 We don't need to be 00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:01.340 a people with itching ears 00:40:01.340 --> 00:40:02.780 who turn away 00:40:02.780 --> 00:40:03.740 from God's truth 00:40:03.740 --> 00:40:06.019 even to truthful things, 00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:08.360 but find their authority 00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:09.559 in the Bible. 00:40:10.760 --> 00:40:11.700 And then we must 00:40:11.700 --> 00:40:12.420 stand fast. 00:40:13.760 --> 00:40:15.440 Stand fast on these things. 00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:17.680 Study them faithfully. 00:40:18.579 --> 00:40:19.240 Talk of them. 00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:20.780 Teach our children. 00:40:21.740 --> 00:40:22.500 And then let them 00:40:22.500 --> 00:40:23.140 be our guide. 00:40:23.140 --> 00:40:23.240 Thank you.