2 Timothy 2:2
"and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
Last weekend I took a couple of guys with me on my speaking trip to Saskatchewan. It was good to not travel that long straight highway alone!!! There were a couple of moments when I wondered if it would have been easier to roll by myself (Chad and Dryden know exactly when those moments were!). But 99% of the time it was excellent. Here is the rub. When the weekend was over, I felt like I had not made the most of a great opportunity, that being really intentional with "entrusting to faithful men" what I have heard in my life from Christ through Paul...and the other authors of scripture. I was convicted again, especially at this stage of life, of the need to be passionately intentional in preparing this next generation. If we are going to do this, there needs to be a couple of elements present...
1. we need to be hearing.
We can't pass on what we haven't heard. We must continue to hear from Christ.
2. We need others to be a part of this intentional journey
Paul wanted Timothy to acknowledge the others that have been a part of the journey. He didn't want Timothy to just rely on him, but to realize that others were affirming this teaching. We need to be careful that our students are not "Sid" disciples, but Christ disciples.
3. we need to seek out "faithful men". We need to be intentional about this. Find them, put time into them, exhort them. Give them a vision. Brody, find those guys and prepare them for when you die...pass it on!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Strength Phase
2 Timothy 2:1
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
I am sitting here in my office, taking a look at my next three weeks. I have a leadership class in BC which will be great. But I also have a major 2 day bike ride coming up which has a 145 km day and a 52 km day. This makes me nervous. Why? Because I haven't trained. I should ride today, but I desperately wish that somehow by sitting here, I could just "become in shape". Unfortunately it doesn't work that way.
As I sit here, I have also been reflecting on the reality that I long to be bolder in my faith...perhaps stronger. The reality is, it doesn't "just happen". I actually have to engage the process. Paul commands Timothy to be strong in his faith...over and over throughout this book. He must engage. Here's the great news, the command to be "strengthened", is not just an imperative, it is also passive, which means that Timothy's work is to put himself in a position where Christ will do His work of strengthening. It is "in Christ Jesus" that He is strengthened. It is Christ that ultimately does His strenghthening as we engage His grace through His Word.
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
I am sitting here in my office, taking a look at my next three weeks. I have a leadership class in BC which will be great. But I also have a major 2 day bike ride coming up which has a 145 km day and a 52 km day. This makes me nervous. Why? Because I haven't trained. I should ride today, but I desperately wish that somehow by sitting here, I could just "become in shape". Unfortunately it doesn't work that way.
As I sit here, I have also been reflecting on the reality that I long to be bolder in my faith...perhaps stronger. The reality is, it doesn't "just happen". I actually have to engage the process. Paul commands Timothy to be strong in his faith...over and over throughout this book. He must engage. Here's the great news, the command to be "strengthened", is not just an imperative, it is also passive, which means that Timothy's work is to put himself in a position where Christ will do His work of strengthening. It is "in Christ Jesus" that He is strengthened. It is Christ that ultimately does His strenghthening as we engage His grace through His Word.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friends Matter
2 Timothy 1:15-18
15 You are aware that p all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to q the household of Onesiphorus, for he often r refreshed me and was not ashamed of s my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome t he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on u that Day!—and you well know all the service he v rendered at Ephesus.
One of the things i remember about my father was his willingness to stand alone. While he was far from perfect, what I remember about him was that he stood for what he perceived to be right, even when the odds were stacked against him. But as I reflect back on his life, I would suggest that his preference was not to stand alone, but rather to stand back to back with someone else. He was ferociously loyal to his friends, and if he needed to "fight a battle", he wanted to do it with someone else.
I have come to understand that I don't like fighting battles alone. I want to be willing to stand alone, but I would prefer to do so with others. It seems like this was Paul's preference as well. He is clear about the two who turned and ran, and the one (Onesiphorus) who stood. We need people like Onesiphorus, and we need to be like Onesiphorus. Paul is clear, we will have to stand, we will suffer, but we should not do so alone. Brody my friend, I pray that over the next years we will stand together for the sake of the Gospel. God bless.
15 You are aware that p all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to q the household of Onesiphorus, for he often r refreshed me and was not ashamed of s my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome t he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on u that Day!—and you well know all the service he v rendered at Ephesus.
One of the things i remember about my father was his willingness to stand alone. While he was far from perfect, what I remember about him was that he stood for what he perceived to be right, even when the odds were stacked against him. But as I reflect back on his life, I would suggest that his preference was not to stand alone, but rather to stand back to back with someone else. He was ferociously loyal to his friends, and if he needed to "fight a battle", he wanted to do it with someone else.
I have come to understand that I don't like fighting battles alone. I want to be willing to stand alone, but I would prefer to do so with others. It seems like this was Paul's preference as well. He is clear about the two who turned and ran, and the one (Onesiphorus) who stood. We need people like Onesiphorus, and we need to be like Onesiphorus. Paul is clear, we will have to stand, we will suffer, but we should not do so alone. Brody my friend, I pray that over the next years we will stand together for the sake of the Gospel. God bless.
Guard the Gospel
Vs 13
“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
- we are to follow Paul, and what He is preaching. We have our guidelines, we have our way of living that we are to follow.
- we are to be obedient with two attitudes, faith and love, as we receive them or see them in Christ Jesus.
- We must guard this deposit, this calling, the calling of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to make sure that our calling is not ripped from us or left behind. We must remain vigil. How? Through the power of the Holy Spirit. Again, grace! Always grace!!
- faith and love should be what defines how we live out Paul’s sound words. Fully trusting Christ, sacrificially loving others.
- we must guard the gospel!!!! We must preach the gospel well. We must not water it down. We must be clear!!! Even though we will be persecuted. We must guard the gospel!!!!!
With faith and love, by the power of the Spirit, we must be faithful to the gospel!!
Two days ago I watched the movie “Arthur” (I think that’s what it was called…maybe King Arthur”). Whatever the case, Arthur and his men were given a charge to guard a certain remote part of the Roman Empire. For the first 15 years, they did it as soldiers of the Empire, but their last stand came as free men. They had the choice to stand or run…and in the face of insurmountable odds, they stood, sacrificially they stood! I was inspired (my wife, was not nearly as inspired as I…the acting wasn’t that great!).
In Paul and Timothy’s day, people were attacking the gospel, changing it, recreating it, destroying it. Paul’s charge to Timothy was to follow his teaching and guard it! To be the one who would sacrificially stand against all odds, and defend truth of Jesus Christ. We live in a time where the gospel is continuously under attack, whether it is Dan Brown and his movie series, whether it is the compartmentalization of faith that pop culture adhere’s to, whether it is the direct attack on the authority of scripture by people of the Jesus Seminar, we must stand. Unlike Arthur however, we do not do so with violence, we do so with love and faith. Faith that Christ is true, will give us wisdom and is able to endure, and faith that He is more valuable than anything this world offers. And with love, a love that is sacrificial, gentle and respectful. Of course this is impossible. On our strength we cannot do this. But it is not on our strength that we must. Over and over again Paul reminds Timothy that this is not about His strength, but God’s, and again He reminds Timothy that it is by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us that we can stand. My man Brody…guard the gospel bro. It has been entrusted to you. You must stand.
“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
- we are to follow Paul, and what He is preaching. We have our guidelines, we have our way of living that we are to follow.
- we are to be obedient with two attitudes, faith and love, as we receive them or see them in Christ Jesus.
- We must guard this deposit, this calling, the calling of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to make sure that our calling is not ripped from us or left behind. We must remain vigil. How? Through the power of the Holy Spirit. Again, grace! Always grace!!
- faith and love should be what defines how we live out Paul’s sound words. Fully trusting Christ, sacrificially loving others.
- we must guard the gospel!!!! We must preach the gospel well. We must not water it down. We must be clear!!! Even though we will be persecuted. We must guard the gospel!!!!!
With faith and love, by the power of the Spirit, we must be faithful to the gospel!!
Two days ago I watched the movie “Arthur” (I think that’s what it was called…maybe King Arthur”). Whatever the case, Arthur and his men were given a charge to guard a certain remote part of the Roman Empire. For the first 15 years, they did it as soldiers of the Empire, but their last stand came as free men. They had the choice to stand or run…and in the face of insurmountable odds, they stood, sacrificially they stood! I was inspired (my wife, was not nearly as inspired as I…the acting wasn’t that great!).
In Paul and Timothy’s day, people were attacking the gospel, changing it, recreating it, destroying it. Paul’s charge to Timothy was to follow his teaching and guard it! To be the one who would sacrificially stand against all odds, and defend truth of Jesus Christ. We live in a time where the gospel is continuously under attack, whether it is Dan Brown and his movie series, whether it is the compartmentalization of faith that pop culture adhere’s to, whether it is the direct attack on the authority of scripture by people of the Jesus Seminar, we must stand. Unlike Arthur however, we do not do so with violence, we do so with love and faith. Faith that Christ is true, will give us wisdom and is able to endure, and faith that He is more valuable than anything this world offers. And with love, a love that is sacrificial, gentle and respectful. Of course this is impossible. On our strength we cannot do this. But it is not on our strength that we must. Over and over again Paul reminds Timothy that this is not about His strength, but God’s, and again He reminds Timothy that it is by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us that we can stand. My man Brody…guard the gospel bro. It has been entrusted to you. You must stand.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
open your eyes...
2 Timothy 1:12 (English Standard Version)
12which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
It was 18 years ago last month that my father passed away. It was good to reflect on his role in my life. There are few people who have had as much of a positive impact on me as my dad. I trusted him. If I was in danger, I looked to him. If I had questions, I could ask him. If he was around...things were cool. I had no worries. I trusted him. Do you know why? Because I knew him. I had spent time with him, watched him, talked with him, journeyed with him. I knew him.
I wonder if the reason we struggle in our journey with Jesus might be because we don't really know him.
Paul is clear, the reason he does not struggle, (which by the way, if we look at verse 8, means a willingness to suffer...as in really suffering!), is because he knows him. He has seen Jesus. He has journeyed with Jesus. He has been forced to trust Jesus. He knows Him!! In knowing Him, he has become convinced that He is able...He is convinced that He is powerful. I wonder if the reason I struggle to believe that Christ is all powerful is because I rarely find myself in a position where I need His power? I play it pretty safe. He understands that Christ is powerful to guard either the gospel, in the sense that it will stand and not be found wanting, or Paul, as in He will guard Paul and keep him to the day of salvation. ESV would suggest the gospel, other versions would suggest Paul. Either will do. He will guard us.
I am convicted. I must take the time to know my Jesus. I need to see Him, so that I will trust Him. Open my eyes Lord.
Friday, May 1, 2009
I have hope…because it’s not about me!
2 Timothy 1:9-12a
“who saved us and called us to a holy calling not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer.”
Last night my wife asked me how I was doing…not in light of work, or world crisis, but in light of my Calgary Flames. Yup, I’m a Flames fan, and so, like many other Flames fans, I am left wondering why our team, which was just beat in the first round of Stanly Cup play-offs, and in one minute completely dominate most teams, and then in the next, play like they belong in my recreation hockey league…especially with the talent they have, talent that has proved itself in the past (Todd Bertuzzi) but seem to be struggling in the present. My response? It’s been so long for so long, so so long! (You may need to read that over more than once!).
Wow, I’m glad Christ doesn’t work with me that way. Paul continues to speak to Timothy about the work of Christ in His life, both his work in the past and his in the future. Paul is clear, that Christ saved Timothy (past) and has called Timothy (future). This is huge. I think so often we phrase our journey with Christ primarily as a moment in the past (when did you get saved?). But salvation is so much more than a moment, it is an eternity…which begins here on earth! But here is the amazing part, Timothy’s response both in the past, and in the future has very little to do with his abilities or his production (Paul’s words are that it has nothing to do with his works), but everything to do with Christ’s plan (purpose) and power (grace). How great is this! We have not been called because we are good enough. We are not secured because we are good enough. It is not about us, it is about Him!!!! Our world is out of control right now, but hope is not in our hands, it is in Christ’s hands! This does not mean that we do not engage the journey…absolutely not. Paul said clearly in Philippians 2 that we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling…” but it does mean that we must acknowledge the fact that our ability to engage, our desire to engage, our awareness of our need to engage, comes directly from Christ (Philippians goes on to say, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” God’s grace makes us able to fight, to engage, but it is God’s grace! Paul goes on to say that His purpse and grace, which began before time, for Timothy and for those who are His followers, has been manifested, activated, seen, engaged, (my new favorite word!) in Christ’s work on the cross. There is absolutely nothing more precious than Christ’s work on the cross. Everything hinges there. If the cross were not real, Paul is a liar (He says so in 1 Corinthians 15. But the cross is real, Paul is not a liar. We have hope. This is worth suffering for.
2 Timothy 1:9-12a
“who saved us and called us to a holy calling not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer.”
Last night my wife asked me how I was doing…not in light of work, or world crisis, but in light of my Calgary Flames. Yup, I’m a Flames fan, and so, like many other Flames fans, I am left wondering why our team, which was just beat in the first round of Stanly Cup play-offs, and in one minute completely dominate most teams, and then in the next, play like they belong in my recreation hockey league…especially with the talent they have, talent that has proved itself in the past (Todd Bertuzzi) but seem to be struggling in the present. My response? It’s been so long for so long, so so long! (You may need to read that over more than once!).
Wow, I’m glad Christ doesn’t work with me that way. Paul continues to speak to Timothy about the work of Christ in His life, both his work in the past and his in the future. Paul is clear, that Christ saved Timothy (past) and has called Timothy (future). This is huge. I think so often we phrase our journey with Christ primarily as a moment in the past (when did you get saved?). But salvation is so much more than a moment, it is an eternity…which begins here on earth! But here is the amazing part, Timothy’s response both in the past, and in the future has very little to do with his abilities or his production (Paul’s words are that it has nothing to do with his works), but everything to do with Christ’s plan (purpose) and power (grace). How great is this! We have not been called because we are good enough. We are not secured because we are good enough. It is not about us, it is about Him!!!! Our world is out of control right now, but hope is not in our hands, it is in Christ’s hands! This does not mean that we do not engage the journey…absolutely not. Paul said clearly in Philippians 2 that we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling…” but it does mean that we must acknowledge the fact that our ability to engage, our desire to engage, our awareness of our need to engage, comes directly from Christ (Philippians goes on to say, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” God’s grace makes us able to fight, to engage, but it is God’s grace! Paul goes on to say that His purpse and grace, which began before time, for Timothy and for those who are His followers, has been manifested, activated, seen, engaged, (my new favorite word!) in Christ’s work on the cross. There is absolutely nothing more precious than Christ’s work on the cross. Everything hinges there. If the cross were not real, Paul is a liar (He says so in 1 Corinthians 15. But the cross is real, Paul is not a liar. We have hope. This is worth suffering for.
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