WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.800 Well, good evening. And I might refer to this a few times, but I'm not being slovingly dressed tonight with my Father's Day jumper on. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:16.719 I know that my signature blue shirt is lying on the back seat, but this is a Father's Day shirt before anybody asks. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:24.519 And Esther's not here tonight, but Esther took this little picture of Caleb and I not long after he was born. 00:00:24.699 --> 00:00:27.600 So that was my present from Caleb today. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:34.120 So, and I am going to refer to that, so I'm not just excusing it for that today. 00:00:34.380 --> 00:00:38.620 But it is interesting because it does actually slightly tie into what we're about to say tonight. 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:47.219 Now, we're continuing in 2 Timothy, and we are now in chapter 2, as Aaron has read. 00:00:48.120 --> 00:00:53.939 And we'll spend a little bit of time this evening thinking about this. 00:00:53.980 --> 00:00:55.700 Now, I have made a monumental mistake. 00:00:55.700 --> 00:00:58.540 I can normally preach from an iPad, and I make the text big enough. 00:00:58.679 --> 00:01:01.200 And not that I need glasses, but I have it printed off. 00:01:01.220 --> 00:01:03.440 I always have a backup, and it's rather small. 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:05.939 So you might see me peering at this. 00:01:06.140 --> 00:01:07.320 I'll just ask that you forgive me. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:09.840 Now, I want to ask you a question. 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:17.939 And it's not particularly well lit on the screen there, but does anybody know who these people are on the screen? 00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:20.319 I mean, spot on. 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:21.599 Spot on. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:23.899 I'm impressed. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:27.519 But they are the various Louis. 00:01:27.719 --> 00:01:31.439 So they are Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:34.719 And I need to be careful because we have a French man in our midst. 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:37.879 But these are French kings. 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:44.900 And there's an idiom that is often said, especially if you go on any tours. 00:01:45.260 --> 00:01:47.140 I've been to Paris hundreds of times. 00:01:47.260 --> 00:01:47.840 Not hundreds of times. 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:49.019 I've been to Paris a number of times. 00:01:49.099 --> 00:01:50.439 I've got hundreds and hundreds of photographs. 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:53.680 And every time that we go, there's a phrase that sticks in our head. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:54.420 And it says this. 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:56.120 Louis XIV built it. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:01:58.299 Louis XV enjoyed it. 00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:00.819 And Louis XVI lost it. 00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:08.259 And I don't think I need to say a huge amount more in that for you to have the picture in your head around what that actually means. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:10.919 You just need to go to the Palace of Versailles. 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:19.799 And you will see that the France that Louis XIV built was just incredible. 00:02:19.959 --> 00:02:24.180 In fact, I think he is maybe called the greatest king of Europe. 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:26.219 I might have that wrong, but I think that is right. 00:02:26.699 --> 00:02:29.219 And there's lots of good things that have been attributed to him. 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:33.599 Now, I know that we could spend hours and hours on a history lesson on the French kings, which we're not going to do tonight. 00:02:33.859 --> 00:02:36.639 But there's lots of things that could be attributed to him. 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:43.139 But one of the things that can be attributed to him is the fact that he built an incredible France. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:44.680 He's got an incredible legacy. 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:50.180 And I'm sure there's lots of things that we wouldn't necessarily appreciate in his life. 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:53.319 And, but there we go. 00:02:53.319 --> 00:02:57.120 Then you get the picture that Louis XV probably just enjoyed that. 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:01.199 And Louis XVI, well, he lost it. 00:03:01.959 --> 00:03:04.739 And it kind of ties into what we're going to be thinking about tonight in our verse. 00:03:04.799 --> 00:03:07.299 And I'm sure that you can pretty much see where we're going with this tonight. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:12.840 But you can see here where we're going to go in 2 Timothy chapter 2. 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:21.259 Now, the last two sessions that we've had from Craig and from Jonathan in chapter 1 have introduced us to some of the enduring themes throughout the letter of Timothy. 00:03:22.180 --> 00:03:28.259 You know, I think the slide that we had up there first, passing the baton of the gospel. 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:30.460 You know, this is an enduring theme throughout Timothy. 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:33.439 It's why Craig has given the sermon series the title. 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:36.539 At least I am attributed to you, Craig. 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:41.420 He's given that sermon series the title, passing on the baton of the gospel. 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:44.019 And we're introduced to this quite early on. 00:03:44.079 --> 00:03:50.099 You see that in chapter 1, verse 5, where Paul writes to Timothy and he says to Timothy in that verse, he says, 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:57.339 The faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and now I am sure dwells in you. 00:03:58.060 --> 00:04:00.859 You know, Paul writes to him, fan it into flames, you know, keep it alive. 00:04:00.959 --> 00:04:04.679 Something that the French kings couldn't do. 00:04:05.339 --> 00:04:08.219 But we see that in this book in 2 Timothy. 00:04:08.219 --> 00:04:19.519 We also, I think we see this in 2 Timothy as well, is Paul takes a bit of a step back and he looks at a much bigger picture than maybe we've seen in other letters that Paul has written, 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:26.779 where he's specifically addressing conflict or sin or sorting out other issues in some of the churches that he writes to. 00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:31.919 In this letter that he's written to Timothy, he takes a bit of a step back. 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:33.179 He's reflecting a bit more. 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:39.459 And I am sure that as we go through that, you'll maybe see that. 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:45.599 Then Craig and Jonathan both took us through the fact that there was suffering in there. 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:46.680 And I think this is another theme. 00:04:47.159 --> 00:04:53.000 And you see that there's a desertion that took place in Asia, verse 15 in chapter 1, where they've all deserted Paul. 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:55.979 And then he comes into chapter 2 and he writes this. 00:04:56.039 --> 00:04:56.240 He says, 00:04:56.240 --> 00:05:09.699 And Paul is calling Timothy a son and he's thinking about the things that he will pass on to him. 00:05:09.840 --> 00:05:10.939 So I've got my jumper on tonight. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:14.579 It's an enormous responsibility where you have a child. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:18.699 You do take a step back and you do think about what are you passing on? 00:05:18.699 --> 00:05:22.079 What are you impressing on that individual? 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:28.300 And are they going to be able to continue some of the things that I would like Caleb to continue? 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:32.800 And for parents in the room, or all of you have parents as well, 00:05:33.039 --> 00:05:37.539 there is probably some input into your lives that your parents would have liked for you to have continued. 00:05:37.899 --> 00:05:41.599 Whether that's a piano's lessons when you're 4, 5, and 6 and then you never touch that again. 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:45.800 Or whatever it is, there's certainly an input into a child's life. 00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:51.939 And in this sense, Paul is writing to Timothy, not as his own personal child in that way, 00:05:52.020 --> 00:05:53.120 but a child of the faith. 00:05:53.600 --> 00:06:00.020 It is the output of Paul's ministry into Timothy's life that has made Timothy who he is. 00:06:00.139 --> 00:06:04.139 Not singularly, because as I say, both in chapter 1 and in chapter 3, 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:08.319 you see that Lois and Eunice, his grandmother and his mother, 00:06:08.420 --> 00:06:10.259 had an enormous part to play in that as well. 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:12.819 But they have all poured into Timothy. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:19.000 And in that verse, in verse 1, it says, 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:22.420 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:25.019 Now, if I go back to the Lois here, 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:30.300 you're going to see that the motivation and the will that was in, 00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:33.939 and the determination that was in Lois the 14th, wasn't passed on. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:38.860 The wealth is passed on, the material wealth, 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:43.680 maybe some of the, lots of different things will have been passed on. 00:06:43.860 --> 00:06:48.540 But that, let's call it the spirit that was in Lois the 14th, wasn't passed on. 00:06:48.660 --> 00:06:53.220 That will, that determination, that motivation, it wasn't passed on. 00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:56.220 But when Paul writes to Timothy, 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:57.220 he says this, 00:06:57.220 --> 00:07:11.760 You know, it's not a strength that comes from within, 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:14.900 by our own determination or by our own might. 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:18.020 It comes from the Lord Jesus. 00:07:18.200 --> 00:07:23.760 It is that that is going to be the continuing motivation in Timothy's life. 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:27.039 That's going to be the source that's going to provide Timothy 00:07:27.039 --> 00:07:32.519 with the necessary grace that is going to be needed to keep him strong in this work. 00:07:33.099 --> 00:07:37.539 And therefore, there is going to be, as we see later on in our message tonight, 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:42.079 we're going to see that it can be passed on from generation to generation without fail, 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:45.500 unlike the French dynasty. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:48.500 Now, if we're going to be carrying out the work of God, 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:52.379 and in this context, it is the transmission of the word of God, 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:54.800 then we cannot do it on our own strength. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:58.579 You know, I think we can all affirm that in our own lives, 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:00.379 but it is a truth that's taught in the scripture. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:02.279 If we are going to work for God, 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:04.240 and if we're going to carry out the transmission, 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:05.819 so whether that's the preaching of the gospel, 00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:11.639 or in this context where Timothy is going to pass on what Paul has taught him, 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:16.439 then we have to do it in the strength that is provided to us by the Lord Jesus. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:20.620 Now, if you're like me when you're reading and you're preparing, 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:23.259 but certainly when we're having conversation in the house, 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:25.259 quite often different verses will come to mind. 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.939 It's something that encourages us at our growth group. 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:29.319 If we think that there's something going to be taught in scripture, 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:31.079 if we think we're uncovering something in scripture, 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:33.379 then where else in scripture is that being mentioned? 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:37.019 It's a way that we can be sure that we are interpreting scripture 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:39.559 in the way that it should be interpreted. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:42.039 But, you know, if your mind is just wandering slightly there, 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:43.980 and you're thinking, well, if that's the case, 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:45.980 if we can't carry on God's work, 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:49.000 and in this case it's the transmission of God's word in our own strength, 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:51.480 well, is that something that the Bible teaches? 00:08:51.699 --> 00:08:52.399 And you know this. 00:08:52.459 --> 00:08:53.879 We've taught it with the kids recently, you know, 00:08:53.919 --> 00:08:56.839 trust in the Lord and lean on your own understanding. 00:08:57.339 --> 00:09:00.219 At our wedding day, I've mentioned this from up here before, 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.459 you know, Jim spoke on, you know, 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:05.360 unless the Lord builds a house, then the laborers labor in vain. 00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:08.159 A hymn that we could have sang tonight, it says, 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:10.759 we rest on thee, our shield and our defender, 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:13.259 we go not forth alone against the foe, 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:17.080 strong in thy strength, safe in thy keeping tender, 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:20.460 we rest on thee, and in thy name we go. 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:23.259 You know, I think we are very familiar with the fact that as Christians, 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:27.279 we do not do anything for God in our own strength. 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:29.200 We are enabled by him. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:30.319 If we're going to be something for God, 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.639 if we're going to be useful for God, 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:34.539 if we're going to be used for God in the furtherance of the gospel, 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:36.639 then we must rely on him. 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:39.159 Now, I want to be kind when I say this, 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:42.379 and that only makes people sit up because you think I'm going to be unkind, 00:09:42.459 --> 00:09:43.600 but I'm going to be kind when I say this. 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:45.199 Quite often, you hear people, 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:49.439 especially, you know, Christians who are talking about something that they're going to do for the Lord, 00:09:49.699 --> 00:09:52.039 and again, there's a verse that should come to mind as I say this, 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:55.659 and in their conversation, 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:59.159 they never mention the Lord once. 00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:02.679 They talk about the places they're going to go, 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:04.039 the things that they're going to do, 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.740 the results that they're going to see, 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:08.679 but they never mention the Lord once. 00:10:09.559 --> 00:10:11.199 Either the fact that he has called them, 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:14.199 and that he is leading them to do something, 00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:16.259 or that he is enabling them to do something, 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:17.819 it's all about what they are doing. 00:10:17.959 --> 00:10:19.679 Now, as I say, I say that kindly, 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:23.860 because we can all be in that situation where we say something, 00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:25.820 and because we haven't qualified it, 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:27.460 then, you know, we could be, 00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:29.620 you know, I could be speaking to myself in that situation, 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:31.200 but you understand what I'm saying there. 00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:34.200 There are people who want to go out in their own strength and do things, 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:35.620 and I think when we come to Scripture, 00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:39.200 Scripture clearly teaches us that if we're going to be something for God, 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:41.560 then we have to do it in his strength, 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:49.259 and the strength that was offered to Timothy through the Lord's grace 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:51.039 is also offered to us. 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:56.339 It's the same source of grace that is available to us as well. 00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:59.639 Now, not only is Timothy to be strengthened himself, 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:04.219 but he is to provide the spiritual strengthening to others. 00:11:04.319 --> 00:11:06.159 You know, if we look in verse 2, 00:11:06.459 --> 00:11:08.919 we see there that he has been charged with this responsibility 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:12.079 to communicate to others the inspired teachings 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:15.240 that he has received from the apostle. 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:17.399 Now, as I said at the start there, 00:11:17.719 --> 00:11:18.899 you know, I think we can read this letter, 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:23.259 and we can assume that Paul is somewhat anticipating his own death. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.500 He's taking a stand back, 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.860 and he's looking at that bigger picture. 00:11:26.959 --> 00:11:32.019 I think it's also, you know, a theme in this book, 2 Timothy. 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:35.340 It's just taking that stand back and looking at that big picture. 00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:38.899 You know, it's easy for us just to be consumed. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:40.000 I'm consumed like this, 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:43.440 and, you know, I must admit I don't have a will. 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:45.580 Now, you think that you should have a will, 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:46.980 certainly if you have any assets, 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:49.139 and if you've got any offspring, 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:51.440 then, you know, that would be the logical thing to do. 00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:54.700 But, well, I haven't one of my own. 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:55.879 If you go in the file cabinet, 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:58.379 you'll find a big folder of different things 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.419 that people have given us, 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:01.720 either Rachel or myself or jointly. 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:03.519 A number of people who have given us, 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:06.039 asked us to either be their power attorney 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:08.159 or to be the executor of their wills. 00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:10.219 But what they've done is they've taken a step back, 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:11.939 and they've realized that they're not here forever, 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:15.799 that at some point that they're going to be called home, 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:17.159 they're going to leave this earth, 00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:19.679 and that their affairs should be in order. 00:12:19.819 --> 00:12:20.639 And they've asked us, 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:23.039 they've entrusted us to carry that out. 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:26.980 And that is just in the reflection 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:27.639 that when you're young, 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:28.759 you don't really think about this. 00:12:29.099 --> 00:12:30.079 It's normally when you get older, 00:12:30.079 --> 00:12:32.120 you think of all the coulda, shoulda, woulda, 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:34.539 and you put your will in order at that point, 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:36.099 and you tell your family what it is, 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:39.599 and you've reflected on where you are in life. 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:41.919 Now, I think Paul has slightly done that in here 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:43.939 as he's writing this. 00:12:44.319 --> 00:12:47.439 He's anticipating that he will go to be with the Lord soon, 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:50.039 and he is writing this letter to Timothy, 00:12:50.099 --> 00:12:52.299 and I think there's various verses that we could pull out 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:54.860 that would maybe confirm that. 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:57.279 But, you know, he's faithfully taught Timothy 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:59.000 in the presence of many witnesses. 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:01.299 You come into verse two, and it says this, 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.500 and what you have heard from me 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.679 in the presence of many witnesses 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.839 is entrusted faithful men 00:13:04.839 --> 00:13:07.759 who will be able to teach others also. 00:13:08.859 --> 00:13:10.519 You know, not only is Paul looking at his own life 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.199 and going, actually, 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:14.319 my days on this earth are numbered, 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.799 and I want to ensure that the message 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:18.339 that has been entrusted to Paul 00:13:18.339 --> 00:13:19.459 is passed over to Timothy, 00:13:19.599 --> 00:13:21.319 but his life too is short, 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:23.599 and his service for the Lord will be shorter, 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:26.479 and he should also order his ministry 00:13:26.479 --> 00:13:27.919 in the same way, 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.599 so that others could be prepared 00:13:29.599 --> 00:13:30.740 to carry out the teaching 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:32.580 that Paul has entrusted to Timothy, 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:36.060 and that Timothy will entrust to others. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:38.159 Now, not that we're going to spend 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:38.960 a huge amount of time on this. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:39.940 I don't necessarily, 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.820 in fact, I believe this to be the case. 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:43.419 I don't think this is teaching us 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:45.340 about any kind of apostolic succession. 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.799 I don't think that we envisage that 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:48.600 in the New Testament. 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:50.899 I also don't think it necessarily correlates 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.919 with anything that you see in other churches 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:54.139 where there's an installation 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:55.659 and an ordination of a minister 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:56.519 or anything like that. 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:59.679 I think this teaching that we have here 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.719 in 2 Timothy 2 00:14:00.719 --> 00:14:03.939 is just simply God's instructions 00:14:03.939 --> 00:14:08.100 for how the church is going to ensure 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.039 that there's a succession 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.860 of competent teachers, 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:14.059 and it starts here from Paul to Timothy, 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.799 and then it goes forward. 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:20.339 You know, Craig's points from the first week, 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:23.019 and JT iterated them last week as well, 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:25.799 around these three ways 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:26.639 that that was going to happen. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:27.720 One was in evangelism. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:30.079 There's also in discipleship, 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.159 and there's also in training. 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.819 You know, I don't think that Timothy is writing, 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:36.100 sorry, Paul is writing to Timothy 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:38.079 who's envisaging that this is only going to be taught 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:39.579 to elders because you see that, 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:41.120 that it's in the presence of men and witnesses. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:46.980 Nor do I think that this has only been taught 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:48.139 to those who will be teachers. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:51.860 This has been taught to the church as a whole, 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:55.720 and in the way that Paul has taught Timothy 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:57.019 in the presence of men and witnesses, 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:59.840 then Timothy will go and do likewise. 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:01.100 You know, it's nothing that should be done 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.519 in secret or behind closed doors. 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:04.259 You know, I believe that the teaching 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.600 is for everyone, 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:08.159 even though not everyone will become a teacher, 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:11.580 as we see in the qualifications in Timothy, 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:14.139 and also as is mentioned in James. 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:17.420 But we see here that Paul is entrusted 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:18.440 something to Timothy, 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:20.300 who's then going to entrust it to others, 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:24.099 and we see here a picture of a steward. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.719 Now, it's not explicit in here, 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:28.699 but there are four pictures we're going to look at. 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:31.279 The steward, the soldier, the farmer, 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.959 the athlete and the farmer. 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:35.559 The steward is not necessarily mentioned explicitly, 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:36.599 but he is in here. 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:38.679 Something that has been deposited to Timothy 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:40.740 that he is going to take care of, 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:43.240 and he is going to then pass on to others. 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:47.440 Now, I think that is a fairly normal concept. 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:49.960 The things that, in life with us, 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:51.379 the things that I've acquired, 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.500 put into a will, 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:56.779 I'll ask for it to be distributed to whoever, 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.440 and on and on it goes. 00:15:58.539 --> 00:16:00.480 And you see there the legacies in Britain 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.120 and elsewhere, 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:05.419 where faithful generations have stewarded a possession. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:07.019 Now, it normally comes to ruin 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:09.139 over somebody who's very self-indulgent. 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:11.120 Not only did we see that in the kings, 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.679 but if you even look in our day and age, 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:14.899 and Scotland is littered with castles and houses 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:18.480 that were in custody of families 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.639 for generations and generations, 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:21.759 and then somebody was self-indulgent, 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:22.700 and they lost it. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:25.879 But Paul is writing to Timothy, 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:29.159 and he is pointing out 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.360 that there's four generations here, 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:31.399 so unlike the three generations 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.240 and these French kings, 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.700 there's four generations here, 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:36.560 so it's neat the fact 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:37.799 that there's four rather than three. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:40.200 But you first get Paul, 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.820 so Paul is the first generation there. 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:44.060 He's anticipating that he has passed it on to Timothy 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:45.660 and the many witnesses. 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:48.780 They, in turn, are going to pass it on to faithful men 00:16:48.780 --> 00:16:52.460 who, in turn, are going to pass it on to others. 00:16:52.780 --> 00:16:53.420 And as I say, 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:56.720 this is all done in the strength 00:16:56.720 --> 00:17:01.360 that is provided by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:03.440 You know, I think the Bible emphasizes 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:07.480 the importance of an every-member evangelism. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:09.940 We had a young couple over for lunch recently, 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:13.980 and I had mentioned wryly 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:16.319 this priesthood of all believers. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.720 If you've been brought up in a church 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.920 like I was brought up in, 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.660 then that would have been a common phrase. 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.759 It normally goes over the head of most 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:24.920 because it's a slightly old-fashioned phrase, 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.200 but what we would say in Brunsfield 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:28.180 is an every-member ministry 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:30.480 or an every-member evangelism. 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.900 You know, the job of evangelizing 00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:34.120 is not just for the pastor 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:35.820 or for elders or for church staff. 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.740 It is for us all. 00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:39.860 Now, obviously, if these people aren't evangelizing, 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:40.920 then there's serious questions 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.740 that should be asked, 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:44.400 but it is something for us all to do. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.740 It's what the Bible teaches. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.580 It's what's envisaged. 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:48.000 It's what we believe here at Brunsfield 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:50.680 is that there is a part to play for everybody, 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:53.240 and everybody should play their part. 00:17:53.320 --> 00:17:55.160 Now, we were in a growth group, 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:56.280 and if you're in my growth group, 00:17:56.340 --> 00:17:57.440 then you'll remember this, 00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:01.320 but Aaron is one of our members in a growth group, 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.759 and he challenged us one night, 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:03.440 and he said, you know, 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:06.460 if we all spoke to one person, 00:18:06.840 --> 00:18:07.880 and I'll get my maths wrong 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.779 because I'm not a mathematician, 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.279 but he said, 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:11.840 if we all spoke to one person once a month, 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.600 there's 12 times over the year, 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.400 say there was 12 people there, 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:17.820 there's 144 gospel conversations 00:18:17.820 --> 00:18:20.240 that could take place 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:22.120 just from our conversation that night. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.820 You know, I think if each of us 00:18:24.820 --> 00:18:26.420 done our part in sharing the gospel, 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:29.200 then just think of what the result would be 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.620 even in one generation. 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.360 Paul is writing to Timothy, 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:34.080 and he's anticipating four generations, 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:37.039 but just think what would be done 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:39.320 if we each took our responsibility seriously 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:42.080 and passed on the message of the gospel, 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:44.720 passed on the message that we find in the Bible, 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:48.680 and just think of what the result could be. 00:18:48.800 --> 00:18:50.420 Now, it has to be done 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:54.100 in the strength that enables us to do so, 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:56.000 which is in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:58.880 We also understand that there are things 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:01.880 that obstruct us and distract us, 00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:04.180 and, you know, namely the flesh, 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.900 the world and the devil, 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.140 these things come in 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:10.039 and they want to disrupt the work of the gospel. 00:19:11.320 --> 00:19:14.320 But I think if we were just to take a step back 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:16.300 like Paul has and just reflect on our lives, 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:18.400 I wonder if we would really say 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:21.380 that we've done what we could have done, 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:23.640 or maybe even we've done what we should have done 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:25.840 in terms of telling others about the gospel. 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.940 You know, I think we could do a great deal better 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:30.759 than the record so far in each of our lives, 00:19:30.800 --> 00:19:33.240 and I speak to myself in that regard 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:35.420 as much as I speak to anyone else. 00:19:36.520 --> 00:19:38.420 Now, if you come back to the passage here, 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.680 you'll see here that Timothy 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:43.220 is to entrust the truth to faithful men. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:45.500 That is men who are believers 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:49.559 and men who are dependable themselves. 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:53.039 Now, if I'm going to leave something, 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.460 and this is interesting, 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:56.660 if I'm going to leave something for Caleb, 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:59.180 then I've got to have it first. 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:01.200 There's no point in writing a will 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.660 if there's nothing in it. 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.160 And I think this is a bit of a challenge for us 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:06.920 because I think, 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:09.039 and I see this in our industry, 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.380 and I think maybe you'll smile 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:12.260 if you can see this in your workplace 00:20:12.260 --> 00:20:13.940 or in other places. 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:16.380 Some of us want to become people 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:17.540 who pass things on 00:20:17.540 --> 00:20:19.120 before we have it for ourselves. 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:22.280 You know, Paul has taken this treasure 00:20:22.280 --> 00:20:23.900 and he's given it to Timothy, 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.060 and Timothy's understood it. 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:27.120 We're going to see this in verse 7. 00:20:27.540 --> 00:20:28.740 Timothy's meditated on it. 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.800 He's understood it. 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:30.980 He knows how it applies. 00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:33.340 He's then passed it on to dependable, 00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:35.280 faithful people 00:20:35.280 --> 00:20:37.840 who will then pass it on to other people. 00:20:38.560 --> 00:20:39.460 You know, there's a, 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:41.039 I don't know if anybody's ever heard 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:44.779 of a songwriter called Ray Bolt. 00:20:45.340 --> 00:20:46.960 I'm thinking maybe Fiona may have. 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:50.140 But there's a line in a song 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.860 that he once sang. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:53.559 It's a kind of 90s album or CD 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.460 if you've had it at that point. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:54.779 And it said, 00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:56.460 I think I'll skip all the homework 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:58.579 and still get an A on the test. 00:20:59.100 --> 00:20:59.940 And it kind of makes you smile. 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.700 As a Christian writer, 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.799 it kind of makes you smile. 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.680 But I think there's a danger 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:07.000 that sometimes Christians sometimes do that. 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:09.039 They've hardly understood the truth for themselves 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.319 before they want to pass it on. 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.379 You know, that's not to, 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:13.759 and you'll see this in Paul writes to Timothy, 00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:15.599 you know, nobody should prejudice him 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.359 because he is young. 00:21:16.899 --> 00:21:18.460 That is not what's taught in here. 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.980 But there is an expectation 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:23.359 that we have received, 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.279 we've understood, 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.920 it's put into practice, 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:29.399 and it is then shared. 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.899 You know, it's one of the qualifications, 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.759 and this is not written to elders, 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:34.000 but it is one of the qualifications 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.359 for elders, 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:37.039 that they are able to teach, 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.720 and that we can observe 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.660 the manner of their life. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.980 That is that they have understood 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.940 what the Bible says, 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:43.440 they've put it into life, 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.039 they order their own affairs 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.279 and the affairs of their house well, 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.859 and therefore you can observe it. 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:49.359 And in doing so, 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.900 that you have a greater trust 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:52.099 in what they're going to do 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.379 and teach and preach, 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:55.259 because you can observe it in their lives. 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.420 And I think that that's something, 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:58.259 just to challenge us in here, 00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:00.700 even though Paul is writing to Timothy 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:02.740 and saying this is going to be a transmission 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.860 that is going to go from you 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.799 to others, 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.880 to faithful men 00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:06.860 who are going to teach others, 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.500 I think that's just a challenge 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.080 for us in there, 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:10.140 that we should get stuck in, 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.500 that we should read the Bible, 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.319 that we should know it, 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:13.519 that we should love it, 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:14.759 and that we should allow it 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.720 to change our lives. 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:18.400 And without giving the alliteration, 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.980 I've just told you 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:20.000 what the four sessions are 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:22.299 at our church weekend away next week. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:25.100 So you'll also have heard this expression 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:27.500 that says that God doesn't call the equipped, 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:29.779 he equips the called. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.899 And while this is not a verse in the Bible, 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:33.680 I think it's a theme that we see 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.819 running through the Bible. 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:37.899 And you'll see it in many people, 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.779 you know, you think of Aaron, 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.500 Moses, you think of others 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.240 who on the face of it 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.759 aren't somebody that looks like 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.139 they should be used by God, 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.779 but God equips the people 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.000 who he calls. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:50.639 And if we are going to find ourselves 00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.819 in 2 Timothy here, 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.399 we don't have, like Moses, 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.379 you know, we don't have to come up 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.059 with the excuses 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:57.200 that we're not, we can't speak, 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.980 we can't, you know, 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.240 we're not good at this or that 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.920 or the next thing 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:02.279 because what the Bible teaches is 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:04.580 if we are going to be called by God 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:07.660 to transmit the message 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:09.240 that we've received to others, 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:13.019 then he will equip us to do that. 00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:16.700 Now, I just want to move on slightly 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:19.259 and I'm just going to pull out 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:21.539 a couple more examples here 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:23.519 as we get into these other pictures 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:26.519 that the Apostle Paul uses 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:28.100 to just to try and illustrate 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:29.019 some of the truth 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.779 and some of the qualifications 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:32.080 and some of the caveats 00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:33.799 that he's going to give to Timothy 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:36.500 that is going to teach him 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.860 of how he's going to do this. 00:23:38.100 --> 00:23:40.380 So Paul is asking him to be strengthened 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:42.160 by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:44.019 He's then given him this commission 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:48.039 or this charge to communicate 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:50.079 what he has received to others 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:52.019 and Paul is going to give him 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:53.440 a little bit of three pictures 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:55.259 of how he's going to do this. 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:57.119 Now, you come into chapter two 00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:58.400 and you'll see that there's a number 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:59.660 of pictures that Paul uses. 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.139 First of all, he's used that, 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.819 my child, so he's used the son 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:04.180 in verse one. 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:06.160 We're going to think now about a soldier, 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:08.799 which we see in verses three and four. 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.639 We think about an athlete in verse five 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:12.740 and a farmer in verse six. 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:15.920 And next week, I can't remember 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.700 who's speaking next week, 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.880 but next week when we look 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:18.740 at the rest of the passage, 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:21.400 we'll see there that there's other images 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.700 that Paul uses. 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.839 He goes on to elaborate on the soldier, 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.220 but he also thinks about a worker 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:28.240 and the vessel and the servant. 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:31.240 And he's given Timothy these different pictures 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.700 to help him to understand. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:35.259 You look in verse seven and it says this, 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.960 think over what I say 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.880 for the Lord will give you understanding 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.660 in everything. 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:41.920 The reason that we're given these pictures 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:45.060 that we're going to depict different truths 00:24:45.060 --> 00:24:47.660 around how Timothy's going to carry out his work 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:50.320 is just so that we can look on them 00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:53.000 and we can understand really what it is going to mean 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.380 to take this word, 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:56.860 this treasure that Paul has entrusted to Timothy 00:24:56.860 --> 00:25:02.140 and to entrust that to others 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:05.640 from Timothy. 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:07.300 Now, Paul starts by using, 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:07.800 in verse three, 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:11.480 Paul starts by using this image of a soldier. 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.380 And I don't think it's, 00:25:12.780 --> 00:25:14.600 I think you look through Paul's writings 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:15.640 as a whole, different letters, 00:25:16.040 --> 00:25:19.140 and he uses the image of a soldier often. 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.320 I don't think that's surprising 00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:22.040 since he lived in a military state 00:25:22.040 --> 00:25:24.380 and he himself was in prison. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:28.160 And he describes in these verses 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:30.960 the characteristics of a good soldier. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:33.720 A good soldier of Jesus Christ. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:37.019 You know, Timothy should endure suffering 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.420 and hardship in verse three, 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:40.640 sharing the suffering as a good soldier 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:42.279 of Christ Jesus. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:44.160 You know, you only need to look at 2 Corinthians 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.720 and in chapter 11, 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:47.960 and you'll see that list of that many hardships 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.140 that Paul had to endure 00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:52.579 in his work for the Lord. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.600 You know, when we think about the soldier, 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:55.440 we're going to, 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:57.140 it's describing a soldier 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:59.140 who is on active duty. 00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:01.380 Now, I'm going to have to confess something. 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:04.300 I did sign up for the military at some point. 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.560 I signed up for the signals 00:26:05.560 --> 00:26:08.440 and I was hoping to be a member 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:10.940 of the 81st Signal Squadron, 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.860 which is a territorial army, 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.680 it's a weekend warrior, 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.960 but it's a signals, right? 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.620 It's telecoms. 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:18.580 And I thought this would be something 00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:20.020 that I would quite enjoy doing. 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.500 You know, I enjoy getting out 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:23.280 and getting a bit muddy at the weekends 00:26:23.280 --> 00:26:23.960 and stuff like that. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:26.140 And this would be a way to serve. 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.680 But unfortunately, that was not to be. 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:31.259 And probably it turned out very wise in the end, 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:32.720 but that wasn't something to be. 00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:35.600 But the picture here is about a soldier 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:36.860 on active duty. 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:38.259 Not somebody sitting at home, 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.380 not a dad's army, 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.579 not a weekend warrior, 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:42.299 but somebody who is in the thick of it, 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:44.259 somebody who is in combat. 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:46.960 And when you picture that individual, 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:49.420 especially if they're in combat 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.660 or if they're in another country, 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:52.480 you know, they don't entangle themselves 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:54.519 with the affairs in the other country, 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:54.839 do they? 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.259 You see these pictures on the news 00:26:57.259 --> 00:27:01.720 of those incredibly large camps 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.940 all over the Middle East 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.700 and other places 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:05.680 where you see the British and Americans 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:07.720 and other armies stationed. 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.860 And you see individuals 00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:11.039 who are not engaging 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.559 and entangling themselves 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:14.839 in the affairs of this life. 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:16.200 Now, we come back to this, 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:18.079 we come back to our passage here, 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.519 and we're not necessarily 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:22.579 in the same circumstances 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:25.059 because our charge is to go 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:27.179 and to take the message 00:27:27.179 --> 00:27:28.319 that we've been entrusted with 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.980 and to pass it on to others. 00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:32.279 So does that mean then 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.759 that if we are going to be involved 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.539 in the Lord's service 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.679 that we're not to be involved 00:27:35.679 --> 00:27:36.919 in some secular activities? 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.839 Well, I don't think the Bible 00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:39.619 teaches that at all. 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.839 You know, you just have to look 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:42.720 into Paul's life 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.919 and you see that he was a tent maker. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.179 In fact, he confirms 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:46.840 that he provided 00:27:46.840 --> 00:27:47.960 for his own necessities. 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:50.880 And you see there 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.779 that there are many people 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:53.600 who worked for the Lord 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:55.200 and were involved 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:56.500 in secular activities. 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.920 Nor do I think it means 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:59.279 that we should absent ourselves 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.720 from some of the legitimate things 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.960 that we have to do as parents 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.820 or as children or as friends. 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:06.019 There are legitimate aspects of life 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:07.340 that we must be involved in. 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:09.360 We can't absent ourselves from that. 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.360 I don't think it's 00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:11.680 what the Bible teaches. 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.900 In fact, it doesn't. 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:16.820 If you think of just 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:19.240 the furtherance of the gospel 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.440 and how that's been aided 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:22.060 by people who have worked hard 00:28:22.060 --> 00:28:25.140 and who have given generously 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.980 to the Lord's work 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:27.620 and have seen the gospel 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.700 being propagated 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.700 right over the world. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.880 You think of the missionaries 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:32.680 that have left the shores of the UK 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:34.180 and ended up right over the world 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:36.740 and all of the mission bodies 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.360 that are out there, 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.880 the mission organizations, 00:28:39.040 --> 00:28:40.500 you think of some of the folks 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.680 that we're involved in as well. 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:43.460 Now, that wouldn't happen 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.700 unless it was those 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.600 that were working secularly 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.820 and earning a living 00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:49.240 and giving generous to the Lord. 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:51.140 So the Lord doesn't envisage 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:52.120 and Paul doesn't envisage 00:28:52.120 --> 00:28:53.980 as he's talking to Timothy here 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:57.140 that we should just all become monks 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:58.100 and hide ourselves away 00:28:58.100 --> 00:28:58.860 and devote ourselves 00:28:58.860 --> 00:28:59.680 to the work of the Lord 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:00.720 or in that way. 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.640 It doesn't envisage that. 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.960 But what it emphasizes is this 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:05.960 and the emphasis is on 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.220 the word entangles. 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:09.240 You know, the soldier 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:11.980 mustn't allow the ordinary affairs 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.740 of life to become 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:14.779 the main objects of his existence. 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.660 And I think this is a big challenge 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.799 for modern day Christians. 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:22.539 The accolades of our employment, 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.720 the material benefits 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.559 that that brings, 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.660 the car and the house 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.220 and the holidays 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:28.420 and all these other bits and pieces. 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.839 Sometimes that we make that 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:31.360 the main focus of our existence 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:33.319 rather than what Paul 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.759 is teaching here. 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:37.500 You know, we do have to work. 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.720 We have to earn a living 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.859 to provide for ourselves. 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.019 That's a biblical principle 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:42.519 and provide for our families, 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.819 which is a biblical principle. 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.779 But it mustn't be 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:46.420 the be all and end all. 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.379 It mustn't be the main aim 00:29:47.379 --> 00:29:47.859 of our life. 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:49.599 Rather, that we have to keep Christ 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:53.140 and the furtherance of the gospel 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:54.799 in a very prominent place 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.980 in our life 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:57.420 and these other things 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.119 that are legitimate, 00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:59.000 they must be there 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:00.960 in the background supporting. 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:04.140 Also in this picture of a soldier, 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:05.020 we see there that 00:30:05.020 --> 00:30:07.160 he must keep himself 00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:08.240 in readiness 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.180 for the orders 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:10.620 of the one 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:11.980 who enlisted us, 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.880 enlisted him. 00:30:13.560 --> 00:30:14.840 When he gets the orders 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.540 from headquarters, 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.540 then he must be ready 00:30:16.540 --> 00:30:18.420 to please him. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.080 You know, 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:22.180 his desire is to please, 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.780 the soldier's desire 00:30:23.780 --> 00:30:24.840 is to please the one 00:30:24.840 --> 00:30:25.640 who enlisted him. 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:27.460 But for us as a Christian, 00:30:27.840 --> 00:30:28.920 then we can say 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:29.720 that we have been enlisted 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:31.240 by the Lord Jesus. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:32.480 And our love for him 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:34.779 should encourage us 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.339 to maintain 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:37.079 a slightly lighter hold 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:38.140 on the things of this world 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.799 and that, 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:42.620 as we have seen in Paul, 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:44.660 taking that step back 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.900 and if anybody's, 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:46.799 as I say, 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.880 if anybody's written a will, 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:49.079 you take a step back 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.700 and you realise 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.299 that you're only here 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.079 for a short time 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:52.299 and that you are going 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.259 to pass on this 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.660 to somebody else 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.299 in the future. 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.579 And the encouragement there 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.240 as a soldier 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.000 is that we would hold 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.819 these things lightly 00:30:58.819 --> 00:31:00.939 rather than just amass them 00:31:00.939 --> 00:31:02.559 for ourselves. 00:31:03.919 --> 00:31:04.879 We then come on 00:31:04.879 --> 00:31:05.759 to the next verse 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.319 and it says this, 00:31:06.399 --> 00:31:08.299 an athlete is not crowned 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.179 until he competes 00:31:09.179 --> 00:31:11.500 according to the rules. 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:11.919 You know, 00:31:11.939 --> 00:31:13.019 the figure changes 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.740 and this is where 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.799 there's just a little bit 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.919 of a different aspect 00:31:15.919 --> 00:31:17.399 that comes out 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:19.619 in Paul's writing here. 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.759 And this is an athlete 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.799 that competes in games 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.579 and it could be 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.439 in any kind of sport. 00:31:23.939 --> 00:31:24.539 I think normally 00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:25.460 when we think about athletes, 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.399 we think of running the race. 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.139 Paul writes about that 00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:28.279 in another area, 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.839 but this could be 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.799 in any kind of game. 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.940 And they compete 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:34.379 in order to receive a reward. 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:36.019 But in order to do so, 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:37.339 they must obey 00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:38.240 the rules of the game. 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.500 And so it is 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.399 in Christian service. 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:41.599 You know, 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:42.399 how many times 00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:44.139 do we look at some Christians 00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:45.180 who have started out well 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:45.720 and I think 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:47.420 in the modern day 00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:48.379 where so much is 00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:50.579 videoed and shared online, 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:52.099 we see this even more. 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:53.519 People who start out strong, 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.839 who make bold claims 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.480 for the Lord 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:57.480 and yet fall short 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.319 of the finish line. 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:00.960 You know, 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.819 they become disqualified 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:04.680 because they weren't able 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.480 to maintain 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:07.099 an obedience to God's word 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.120 and a devotion to it. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.460 And this charge 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:11.339 has been given to Timothy 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.759 to entrust it 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:14.079 to faithfully, 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.259 to entrust it 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.039 to faithful men 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.740 who will entrust it 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.339 to other people. 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.480 Some of it's become 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:20.400 a popularity context. 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.339 Some of it's all 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.000 about themselves. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:23.200 You'll know about it 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.940 and some of us 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:24.359 will smile 00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:26.220 as you'll probably remember 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.519 at churches like this 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.440 where it all became 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.140 about the pastor. 00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.119 It all became about 00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:30.839 that leading brother. 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.640 It all became about 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:33.039 the main man. 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.400 And then when something happened, 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.920 the whole church fell apart. 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:38.819 And you don't need to look, 00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:40.400 I'm not thinking about Brunsfield 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:40.980 in this aspect, 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.819 but you don't need to look 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.799 too far from Brunsfield 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.460 to see that. 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.660 People who were very, 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.200 very gifted 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:47.119 and yet they didn't do 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:48.359 what is outlined here 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.079 in 2 Timothy. 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.599 They didn't pass it on 00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:52.159 and they didn't pass it on 00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:54.119 with the qualification 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:55.500 that the individual 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.759 be strengthened by the grace 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:58.259 as in Christ Jesus. 00:32:58.619 --> 00:32:59.639 That's why Louis XVI 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.939 lost it all 00:33:00.939 --> 00:33:02.439 because he couldn't 00:33:02.439 --> 00:33:03.519 pass on that spirit 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:05.099 that was there. 00:33:06.159 --> 00:33:07.359 So, as we're thinking 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:08.139 about this athlete, 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:09.439 what are the kind of rules 00:33:09.439 --> 00:33:10.799 in connection to Christian service 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:12.240 that we should observe? 00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:13.199 Well, you know, 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.799 you don't have to look 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.859 too far in Paul's writings 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:16.219 to find a number of things 00:33:16.219 --> 00:33:19.599 that are the rules 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.559 that says you've got to, 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.059 an athlete is not crowned 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:22.679 unless he competes 00:33:22.679 --> 00:33:23.439 according to the rules. 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.559 Well, first of all, 00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.399 you read about it 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:26.719 in 1 Corinthians. 00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:28.480 Paul writes that a Christian 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:30.519 must practice self-discipline. 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.939 Well, any athlete 00:33:31.939 --> 00:33:32.879 that's going to compete 00:33:32.879 --> 00:33:33.579 is going to have to 00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.579 be self-disciplined. 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.759 I don't have the body 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.559 of other people 00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:37.059 in this room 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.459 and it's because 00:33:37.459 --> 00:33:38.359 I'm not self-disciplined. 00:33:38.419 --> 00:33:39.099 I don't go to the gym. 00:33:39.459 --> 00:33:40.379 I don't lift weights. 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.439 There are some people 00:33:42.439 --> 00:33:43.019 here that do 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.019 and they're in much 00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.879 better shape than I am. 00:33:45.199 --> 00:33:46.099 But if you're going 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:47.259 to compete as an athlete, 00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:48.240 then you've got to be 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.099 disciplined. 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.480 1 Corinthians 9, 27 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.279 tells us that. 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.359 You come then 00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:54.259 to 2 Corinthians 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:55.680 in chapter 10 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:56.599 and in verse 4 00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.700 and it reminds us 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.599 that we've got to fight 00:33:58.599 --> 00:34:00.859 with spiritual weapons, 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.279 not carnal weapons. 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:03.200 We don't fight 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:05.400 in the same way 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:06.339 that the world fights. 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.319 Our fight 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:08.300 is a spiritual fight 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.780 and we therefore 00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.519 fight with 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:12.599 spiritual weapons. 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.099 We're also encouraged 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.400 to keep ourselves pure 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:18.160 and you can think 00:34:18.160 --> 00:34:18.740 about the diet 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:19.599 in that sense 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:21.039 of an athlete. 00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:23.900 And lastly, 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.920 we are also 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:27.900 encouraged to be patient 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.599 and I think 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.000 if you're going 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.539 to be an athlete, 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:30.460 then results 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:31.579 don't come overnight. 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.900 You've got to be patient 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.340 if you're going 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:34.920 to see results 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.660 and these are just 00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.599 a few ideas 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.119 that you'll see 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:37.720 dotted about, 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.500 certainly in Paul's 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.380 letters that you'll see 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:39.940 dotted about 00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:41.320 around some of the rules 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:42.320 that you would have to keep 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:43.000 if you're going 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.940 to maintain 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:45.980 this image 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.579 of an athlete 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.460 and if you're going 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:47.980 to compete 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.920 according to the rules 00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:50.280 and in return 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:51.320 have that crown, 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:53.320 that never-fading crown 00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:53.980 that will be given 00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.440 to us 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.519 as we have thought 00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:56.460 about in verse 18 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:57.679 from the Lord 00:34:57.679 --> 00:34:58.579 on that day. 00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:00.579 And then 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:02.079 we come on 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:02.500 to 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:05.559 the farmer 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.780 in verse 6. 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.219 In fact, 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:10.039 just one point 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.579 that I want to make 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:11.119 about the athlete 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.539 is this, 00:35:11.619 --> 00:35:12.159 that there is no 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:13.139 spare time Christians. 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.139 You know, 00:35:14.179 --> 00:35:14.799 it's easy to go to the gym 00:35:14.799 --> 00:35:15.299 once a week, 00:35:15.359 --> 00:35:15.759 you're never going 00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:16.460 to see gains. 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.500 But there are no 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.519 spare time Christians. 00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.399 It's a contradiction 00:35:20.399 --> 00:35:21.359 in terms, right? 00:35:21.859 --> 00:35:22.079 You know, 00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:23.319 if you are going 00:35:23.319 --> 00:35:23.940 to compete, 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.259 if you're going 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:24.899 to be that athlete, 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:26.159 then it is that 00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:27.420 daily discipline 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.739 that must happen. 00:35:28.839 --> 00:35:29.379 It's basically, 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:30.039 if you look at 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.679 some of these people 00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:31.339 and I've been thinking 00:35:31.339 --> 00:35:31.639 about, 00:35:31.899 --> 00:35:32.519 I was thinking about 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.000 Andy Murray 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.440 and the car 00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:33.960 on the way in, 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.460 what his mother 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.379 poured into him, 00:35:36.879 --> 00:35:37.699 there was a result 00:35:37.699 --> 00:35:38.500 that happened there. 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:40.219 But his whole life, 00:35:40.339 --> 00:35:41.480 his every single 00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.219 fibre of his being 00:35:42.219 --> 00:35:43.380 was focused on 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:45.460 his sport 00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:46.639 and to achieve 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:47.059 the crown 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:48.440 that that would bring. 00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:51.039 Then we move on 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:53.000 to verse 6 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:54.440 and this is the 00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:56.139 hard-working farmer 00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:58.059 who would partake, 00:35:58.199 --> 00:35:59.079 would first partake 00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.820 of the crops. 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:00.840 You know, 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:01.320 according to all 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:01.760 the principles 00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:02.320 of righteousness, 00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:03.539 the one who labours 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.559 to bring forth crops 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:05.539 has a right 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:06.699 to participate in them. 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:08.000 Now, 00:36:08.359 --> 00:36:11.019 I don't necessarily 00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:11.819 think that 00:36:11.819 --> 00:36:13.960 there's a self-indulgence 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.659 in this way 00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:15.239 that means that 00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:15.699 you've just got 00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:16.079 this right 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:16.619 to take out 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.559 the part for yourself. 00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:18.699 I think scripture 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:19.319 would teach us 00:36:19.319 --> 00:36:20.039 that we should give 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:21.239 the Lord the first part. 00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:22.699 But when we come 00:36:22.699 --> 00:36:23.480 on to the transmission, 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.439 and I was thinking 00:36:24.439 --> 00:36:25.359 about this just as I left, 00:36:25.419 --> 00:36:25.859 but when we come 00:36:25.859 --> 00:36:26.599 on to the transmission 00:36:26.599 --> 00:36:28.139 of the word of God 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:29.359 from one generation 00:36:29.359 --> 00:36:29.939 to the next 00:36:29.939 --> 00:36:30.500 to the next, 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.460 and anybody who's preached 00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:32.419 will understand this. 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.219 As you study, 00:36:33.439 --> 00:36:34.000 as you read, 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:35.639 as you start to understand 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.400 what has been taught 00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:36.960 in the scripture, 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:39.699 who understands it first? 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.420 In fact, 00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:41.960 in all the reading 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:42.379 that I've done 00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:43.179 over the last couple of weeks 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:44.219 in preparation for this, 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.539 there's an enormous amount 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.319 that I have learned 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:47.259 that I probably 00:36:47.259 --> 00:36:48.519 maybe knew some of it, 00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:49.379 I didn't know it all, 00:36:49.779 --> 00:36:50.739 and there's been connections 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:51.900 to other places in scripture 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:53.299 that I've been meditating on this 00:36:53.299 --> 00:36:54.299 that I've really understood. 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.199 And I've said, 00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:55.460 ah, 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:56.460 there's a version there 00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:57.420 that teaches me this, 00:36:57.619 --> 00:36:58.779 or this is some, 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.299 you see, 00:36:59.339 --> 00:37:00.079 the same example 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.779 that Paul writes 00:37:00.779 --> 00:37:01.480 to somebody else, 00:37:01.739 --> 00:37:02.559 to another church 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.299 in another place. 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:04.859 And in a sense, 00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:05.780 in the transmission 00:37:05.780 --> 00:37:06.880 of God's word, 00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:09.200 there is the sense 00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:11.700 that as we diligently sow, 00:37:12.180 --> 00:37:13.200 and as we plant, 00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:14.000 and as we water, 00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.300 then the farmer 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:16.059 who does that, 00:37:16.160 --> 00:37:16.760 in a sense, 00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:17.940 he's already received 00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:18.440 that reward. 00:37:18.820 --> 00:37:19.340 And, you know, 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:21.120 I say this as I preach tonight, 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.059 there's a lot 00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:23.140 that I have learned of this 00:37:23.140 --> 00:37:24.099 that I can't even convey 00:37:24.099 --> 00:37:25.140 in the half an hour 00:37:25.140 --> 00:37:25.680 that we've spent, 00:37:25.760 --> 00:37:26.780 I can't convey it to you. 00:37:27.140 --> 00:37:27.599 Some of that 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:28.539 you will need to go and read 00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:29.880 and understand for yourself. 00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:31.680 And I think that's kind of 00:37:31.680 --> 00:37:32.640 what's envisaged here, 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:34.679 that hard-working farmer 00:37:34.679 --> 00:37:35.179 who ought to have 00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:35.739 the first share 00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:36.960 in the crops. 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:37.659 Well, 00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:38.900 in the transmission 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:39.599 of God's word, 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:40.460 I think that is where 00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:41.099 that, 00:37:41.759 --> 00:37:43.500 I think that's where 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:43.960 the example 00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:44.699 kind of comes out. 00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:45.639 And then lastly, 00:37:45.699 --> 00:37:46.379 we get to verse 7. 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:47.039 It says this, 00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:49.719 think over what I say, 00:37:49.779 --> 00:37:50.199 for the Lord 00:37:50.199 --> 00:37:50.799 will give you 00:37:50.799 --> 00:37:51.619 understanding 00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:52.219 in everything. 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:53.400 You know, 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:54.000 there's more to these 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.460 illustrations 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:55.900 than just a soldier 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:57.500 and the brief illustration 00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:58.059 that we've given, 00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:59.360 or just an athlete 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:01.139 or the farmer 00:38:01.139 --> 00:38:02.619 as we have just mentioned there. 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:02.880 You know, 00:38:02.900 --> 00:38:03.779 there's far deeper, 00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:05.139 there's a lot 00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:05.920 that you can glean 00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:06.779 as you just think 00:38:06.779 --> 00:38:07.420 about these things, 00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:08.539 as you meditate on them, 00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:09.139 as you see 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:10.659 different passages 00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:11.320 and verses 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.219 come together 00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:13.099 to build a picture 00:38:13.099 --> 00:38:14.299 of what God envisages 00:38:14.299 --> 00:38:16.340 the Christian worker 00:38:16.340 --> 00:38:17.820 to look like. 00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:18.799 You know, 00:38:18.820 --> 00:38:19.579 Timothy is exhorted 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.460 to consider them 00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:22.079 and to meditate on them. 00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:23.079 And as he does so, 00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:23.639 Paul prays 00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:24.079 that the Lord 00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:24.559 will give him 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:25.239 understanding 00:38:25.239 --> 00:38:26.759 in all things. 00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:27.860 You know, 00:38:28.040 --> 00:38:28.880 Timothy will realize 00:38:28.880 --> 00:38:29.940 that the Christian ministry 00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:32.480 does resemble warfare 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:36.140 in a picture sense. 00:38:36.200 --> 00:38:37.960 It does represent athletics. 00:38:38.180 --> 00:38:40.400 It does represent farming. 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.100 You know, 00:38:41.120 --> 00:38:42.200 and in each of these 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.220 responsibilities, 00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:44.500 each of these occupations 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:46.120 has their own responsibilities, 00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:47.360 their own nuances, 00:38:47.540 --> 00:38:48.320 their own caveats. 00:38:48.780 --> 00:38:49.660 But in each of these, 00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.840 they also bring 00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:51.640 their own reward. 00:38:52.560 --> 00:38:54.240 And as I say, 00:38:54.380 --> 00:38:56.260 Paul is stepping back 00:38:56.260 --> 00:38:56.840 and he's having 00:38:56.840 --> 00:38:58.400 a bigger picture. 00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:59.760 He's having a big look 00:38:59.760 --> 00:39:01.000 not only of his own life, 00:39:01.380 --> 00:39:02.320 but to those 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.040 who will come after. 00:39:03.180 --> 00:39:04.240 But if you even just 00:39:04.240 --> 00:39:05.140 read through 2 Timothy, 00:39:05.260 --> 00:39:06.000 you'll see that he takes 00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:08.100 a much bigger step back. 00:39:08.300 --> 00:39:09.760 And as you see in here, 00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:10.760 it says in verse 3, 00:39:11.020 --> 00:39:11.980 chapter 1, verse 3, 00:39:12.240 --> 00:39:12.800 I thank God 00:39:12.800 --> 00:39:13.380 whom I serve 00:39:13.380 --> 00:39:14.720 as did my ancestors. 00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:16.400 You'll then realize 00:39:16.400 --> 00:39:17.540 as you work through 00:39:17.540 --> 00:39:18.120 that there is 00:39:18.120 --> 00:39:19.460 a wide lens 00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:21.500 on the eternal history 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:22.960 that Paul is looking at. 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:24.079 And then as we come 00:39:24.079 --> 00:39:25.000 into verse 18 00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:26.059 at the end of chapter 1 00:39:26.059 --> 00:39:27.079 there, it says this, 00:39:28.119 --> 00:39:29.720 May the Lord grant him 00:39:29.720 --> 00:39:30.699 to find mercy 00:39:30.699 --> 00:39:34.780 from the Lord 00:39:34.780 --> 00:39:35.519 on that day. 00:39:36.800 --> 00:39:38.139 And he's writing 00:39:38.139 --> 00:39:43.300 about Onesiphorus 00:39:43.300 --> 00:39:45.280 who was looking for him 00:39:45.280 --> 00:39:47.539 when those who had 00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:48.519 all deserted them in Asia. 00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:50.759 And he is looking for him. 00:39:50.820 --> 00:39:51.219 It says he often 00:39:51.219 --> 00:39:52.599 refreshed me 00:39:52.599 --> 00:39:53.639 and was not ashamed 00:39:53.639 --> 00:39:54.400 of my chains. 00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:56.440 But when he arrived in Rome, 00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:57.519 he searched for me earnestly 00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:58.679 and he found me. 00:39:58.960 --> 00:39:59.519 And Paul's thinking 00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:00.199 about the reward 00:40:00.199 --> 00:40:00.880 that he will have 00:40:00.880 --> 00:40:01.320 on that day. 00:40:01.380 --> 00:40:02.019 So Paul is taking 00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:03.039 this big step back 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:04.159 and he's realizing 00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:04.960 that he only has 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:06.099 this tiny part to play 00:40:06.099 --> 00:40:07.039 in history. 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:08.259 And it's an incredible 00:40:08.259 --> 00:40:09.079 part to play in history 00:40:09.079 --> 00:40:10.039 because it gives us 00:40:10.039 --> 00:40:11.039 what we have today 00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:11.880 in our scripture. 00:40:13.639 --> 00:40:14.559 You think it's just 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.920 what Paul's legacy is 00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:17.139 that he has left for us 00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:19.900 in this book 00:40:19.900 --> 00:40:20.440 that we have 00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:21.279 and that we so 00:40:21.279 --> 00:40:23.619 dearly treasure 00:40:23.619 --> 00:40:24.339 and cherish. 00:40:24.879 --> 00:40:25.440 Well, my encouragement 00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:26.059 tonight is that 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:26.940 we should read it, 00:40:27.559 --> 00:40:28.519 we should understand it, 00:40:28.719 --> 00:40:29.420 we should obey it, 00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:30.619 we should love it, 00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:31.519 we should allow it 00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:32.359 to change our lives. 00:40:33.379 --> 00:40:37.519 And it says this, 00:40:37.639 --> 00:40:38.759 think over what I say 00:40:38.759 --> 00:40:39.759 for the Lord will give you 00:40:39.759 --> 00:40:40.779 understanding in everything. 00:40:41.839 --> 00:40:42.019 You know, 00:40:42.199 --> 00:40:43.079 I don't necessarily, 00:40:43.079 --> 00:40:44.339 I think God calls, 00:40:44.759 --> 00:40:45.460 God equips 00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:46.360 those who he calls, 00:40:47.000 --> 00:40:47.699 but he doesn't just 00:40:47.699 --> 00:40:48.760 give special understanding 00:40:48.760 --> 00:40:49.840 to those who teach. 00:40:50.179 --> 00:40:50.260 You know, 00:40:50.300 --> 00:40:51.300 we have a particular 00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:52.920 responsibility to be able 00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:53.599 to teach it in a way 00:40:53.599 --> 00:40:54.500 that you can understand it 00:40:54.500 --> 00:40:54.980 and you can put it 00:40:54.980 --> 00:40:55.500 into practice 00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:56.940 and that it can 00:40:56.940 --> 00:40:58.240 transform our lives. 00:40:58.659 --> 00:40:59.559 But each and every one 00:40:59.559 --> 00:41:00.599 of us has a responsibility 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:02.059 to get to know 00:41:02.059 --> 00:41:02.860 the Word of God 00:41:02.860 --> 00:41:03.940 and to understand it 00:41:03.940 --> 00:41:04.960 and to put it into practice 00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:06.079 and where possible 00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:07.599 to share it with others 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:08.420 and to compete 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:09.579 in the ways 00:41:09.579 --> 00:41:10.179 that we have 00:41:10.179 --> 00:41:11.740 thought about 00:41:11.740 --> 00:41:12.280 as an athlete 00:41:12.280 --> 00:41:13.820 or in the ways 00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:14.199 that we have thought 00:41:14.199 --> 00:41:14.739 about a soldier 00:41:14.739 --> 00:41:19.460 or as a farmer. 00:41:19.619 --> 00:41:19.759 Now, 00:41:19.960 --> 00:41:20.699 the last slide 00:41:20.699 --> 00:41:21.319 I wanted to share 00:41:21.319 --> 00:41:22.139 just before we finish. 00:41:24.039 --> 00:41:24.500 So the verse 00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:25.119 I quoted earlier 00:41:25.119 --> 00:41:25.539 that said, 00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:25.739 you know, 00:41:25.819 --> 00:41:26.299 we rest on thee 00:41:26.299 --> 00:41:26.980 our shield 00:41:26.980 --> 00:41:27.819 and our defender, 00:41:27.939 --> 00:41:28.639 we go not forth 00:41:28.639 --> 00:41:29.779 alone against the foe, 00:41:29.879 --> 00:41:30.639 strong in thy strength, 00:41:30.759 --> 00:41:31.839 safe in thy keeping tender, 00:41:31.919 --> 00:41:32.480 we rest on thee 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:33.439 and in thy name we go. 00:41:33.899 --> 00:41:35.359 The verse 3 says this, 00:41:35.639 --> 00:41:36.719 we go in faith, 00:41:37.399 --> 00:41:39.079 our own great weakness feeling 00:41:39.079 --> 00:41:40.419 and needing more 00:41:40.419 --> 00:41:40.879 each day 00:41:40.879 --> 00:41:41.759 thy grace to know, 00:41:42.259 --> 00:41:43.319 yet from our hearts 00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:44.539 a song of triumph 00:41:44.539 --> 00:41:44.940 pealing, 00:41:45.380 --> 00:41:46.340 we rest on thee 00:41:46.340 --> 00:41:47.940 and in thy name 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.860 we go. 00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:50.039 Thank you for listening. 00:41:50.039 --> 00:41:50.920 Thank you for listening, 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:50.920 00:41:50.920 --> 00:42:20.900 Thank you.