THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
“I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke these words in 1954 to a gathering of church leaders.1It’s interesting to hear those words coming from a man who had to make major decisions every day.
When you think about it, though, few things truly fall into both categories.
- Exercise is important, but not urgent.
- An email message can be extremely urgent, but not necessarily important.
Of course, some things really are both urgent and important. One example is a medical emergency. Another example is the task given to every disciple of Jesus: sharing the good news of Christ with others. People have no more important decision to make than to choose Christ, and now is the time for us to point them to Christ and help them understand everything at stake.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
2 Timothy 2:1-2
1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
What Paul described in these verses is the process of discipleship, which involves knowing and walking in the truths of Jesus and leading others to do the same. To disciple someone, then, begins with helping them to know and embrace the good news of Jesus Christ. All of this is reflected in the Great Commission Jesus gave His disciples at the end of His earthly ministry: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20).
Paul had invested much time and effort in teaching and discipling Timothy. Now, he encouraged Timothy to pay it forward, investing in others who would likewise “teach others.” Paul told Timothy to invest his life in men who had proven their love for the Lord. Once these men were faithfully trained, they in turn were obligated to invest in others. This is God’s method of multiplication. Each disciple is entrusted with the gospel and has a responsibility to share it with others.
Joseph Brucato is a great example of what goes wrong when we don’t take discipleship seriously. Brucato was a mailman in Brooklyn, New York. One day, his supervisor happened to walk past the mailman’s personal car and saw it was full of mail. The supervisor confronted him, and Brucato admitted he sometimes didn’t deliver all the mail. He blamed alcohol and depression. When postal inspectors went to his apartment, they found 40,000 pieces of undelivered mail—some 2,500 pounds!
The missing mail included several personal messages—many of which were both important and urgent. But because the mail was never delivered, people were robbed of what they needed to hear.
Sadly, many Christians do something far more outrageous than hoarding mail: they hoard the good news of Christ.
Paul’s challenge to Timothy echoes the Great Commission. In the same way Paul shared Christ with Timothy and discipled him, Timothy could share Christ and disciple others. And because someone shared Christ with us, we can do the same for others. In fact, we must do the same for others.
3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
Sharing the good news of Christ isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s downright hard—perhaps even dangerous. We are to persevere, however, even if doing so brings challenges.
Paul gave Timothy three examples of people who persevere:
- The soldier. A soldier’s one duty is to obey his commanding officer. And, like good soldiers, we are to persevere in our obedience to Christ. Our primary goal is to please Him, even when it requires us to go on the front lines of spiritual warfare.
- The athlete. Paul likely was familiar with the Olympic games. In his day, athletes trained in the presence of the judges during the month before the games. If an athlete violated the rules, the judges imposed corporal punishment or heavy fines. To be victorious, the athlete needed diligence, self-control, and discipline.
- The farmer. A hardworking farmer should get to enjoy the compensation of his produce. But he has to persevere in working his crops for months before he sees the fruit of his labor. The faithful witness also may get to enjoy the fruits of his or her labor by seeing people come to faith in Christ.
Sharing Christ isn’t easy. It takes focus, discipline, and hard work—but the payoffs make it all worth it.
Let me tell you about Azzam, a Christian in Somalia who has a passion for sharing the gospel and God’s Word. Unfortunately, he must smuggle Bibles into his country, and the only way he’s been able to do this is in coffins. Azzam will actually climb into a coffin and lie underneath a deceased body. He travels this way to Kenya, where he gets Bibles. Then he finds another coffin headed to Somalia and travels back home with the Bibles. Azzam said: “I love the irony that caskets for dead people are used by God to bring new life in Somalia! Many are being transformed into the likeness of our Savior.”3
Azzam is an inspiring example of what Paul was teaching: that we are to be disciplined, do whatever it takes, and endure suffering when necessary in order to advance the cause of Christ.
2 Timothy 2:8-10
8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Jesus is the ultimate example of perseverance in the face of suffering.
- Jesus is the greatest example of a soldier. He was obedient even to death for us. He fought the ultimate battle for us—and won (see Phil. 2:8-9).
- Jesus is the greatest example of an athlete. He endured until He was victorious over sin and death and gained the prize—our salvation (see Heb. 12:2).
- Jesus is the greatest example of a farmer. He alone has the power to break apart the hardened soil in a person’s life to bear spiritual fruit (see Matt. 13:1-23).
Paul also knew about persevering for the sake of sharing Christ. While he was writing his letter to Timothy, he was in chains in a Roman prison. Worse, he knew he soon would be put to death by his captors (see 2 Tim. 4:6). Amazingly, even in chains, Paul declared that “God’s word is not chained.” Paul knew he might die, but the gospel never would. In fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ had become Paul’s very life; he called it “my gospel.”
How do you want to spend your life? Will you persevere for the gospel, or will you wander away from your task when the going gets tough? The choice is yours.
LIVE IT OUT
What will you do to share the good news of Jesus?
- Pray. If you’ve never told someone about Christ, begin with prayer. Pray that God will bless you with boldness and wisdom. Pray for an opportunity to share Jesus with someone whom God has prepared.
- Learn. Seek out new information and new strategies for sharing the truth of Christ with others. If possible, begin by enrolling in an evangelism class at your church, or by connecting with someone who can mentor you.
- Join. Join a group in your church that regularly engages in evangelistic outreach or goes on mission trips for the purpose of sharing the gospel.
Sharing the gospel is a massively important endeavor because eternity is at stake. Sharing the gospel is also incredibly urgent, since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Let these two truths frame every decision you make in the days and weeks to come.
Teacher's Notes:
Song-Pass it on
Click Here to Watch & Hear
Street Witnessing
Click Here to Watch
Let’s face it — we tend to take shelter in our own comfortable lifestyles. Because of fear or disdain or perhaps apathy, we often have a difficult time reaching out to share the gospel.
2 Timothy 2:1-10
Paul’s writing: Writing against the background of his own hardship because of his commitment to the gospel, Paul exhorted Timothy to be strong and faithful in his service to Christ. These verses come from Paul’s second letter to Timothy, which Paul wrote from a Roman prison. It was likely the last of all his epistles. So, the instructions Paul wrote need to be read with the sense of urgency that was behind them, having come from one who stood faithfully for Christ and would soon be laying down his life for the cause of the gospel.
Reasons not to share: As Christians, it’s easy to come up with any number of reasons not to care for others as we run the race of life — and it’s especially easy to find reasons to avoid sharing the gospel. It seems we always have somewhere to go, something to do, or a fear of rejection getting on our way.
I was blind, but now I see: Paul’s life was a series of races in which he spent his time stopping to save others along the way. As a matter of fact, God himself stopped Paul on his journey to Damascus, blinding him in order to help him finally see the truth. After that moment, Paul’s true identity in Christ allowed him to see his own life as having one true goal: helping others find salvation in Jesus Christ. Talk about a race well run!
ONE GREAT TASK
Each of us must share the gospel.
I. Share Christ with Others - 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Where was Timothy supposed to receive strength for his tasks?
- depend on God’s grace,
- know that God’s favor provided that strength
- grace is God’s blessing we don’t deserve … but He wants to bless us with strength … whether we deserve it or not
How can someone be strong in grace? (v. 1)
- Grace means undeserved favor. Just as we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we should live by grace (Colossians 2:6). This means trusting completely in Christ and His power. He will give you the strength to do His work.
What does Ad Infinitum mean? (v. 2)
- If the church were to consistently follow this advice, it would expand geometrically as well-taught believers would teach others and commission them, in turn, to teach still others. Disciples need to be equipped to pass on their faith; our work is not done until new believers are able to do His work.
Why is it vital to pass on the gospel message rather than just receiving it?
What is the difference between sharing the gospel and making disciples?
- God calls all of us to serve Him
- every believer should be ready to share the Gospel
- God gives spiritual gifts to every believer that he expects us to use for His ministering to one another
- discipling means creating another disciple … training them to be another communicator of the Gospel
Why can’t discipleship happen apart from relationships?
Moving from “Got To” to “Get To”
I’m a list keeper.
- My week starts with creating a to-do list.
- The first task on my list is to create a to-do list.
The tasks on my to-do list can be categorized this way:
1. Things I’ve got to do.
That’s it.
Of course, not everything I do during a day makes it on my list. I don’t need a daily checklist or reminder to:
- Hug my wife.
- Call my sons.
- Eat a pumpkin spice bagel for breakfast.
- Read my Bible.
These are things I get to do, not things I’ve got to do. Do you hear the difference?
- Things I’ve got to do. These are tasks to accomplish. I may not mind doing them, but I do need a reminder that I’ve got to complete them.
- Things I get to do. I enjoy these “tasks.” I don’t even have to think about doing them. I thoroughly enjoy them, and they’re second-nature to me.
So what shows up on your “got to” and “get to” lists?
- Ask yourself the same question I’ve been pondering: Do I see talking about Jesus and sharing my faith as a “get to” or a “got to?” Every Christian knows that sharing our faith is important. I’m tempted to give you another list—all the passages that call us to share the gospel of Christ—but we know we’re called to do it. People need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Without Christ, people have no hope. They have no eternal life.
Point: Move from “Got To” to “Get To”
The gospel of Jesus Christ is an unchanging message. Sharing Christ is a task given to all Christians. When we see people as Jesus sees them—made in His image, but in need of forgiveness and hope—and we love them as Jesus loves them, sharing Christ moves from something we’re supposed to do to something we want to do. I pray that loving others and sharing Christ become joyfully second nature to us.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
II. Persevere in Sharing Christ - 2 Timothy 2:3-7 (NIV)
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
Paul gives 3 examples of people who persevere and endure: soldiers, athletes, and farmers.
As believers what are the lessons we learn from the faithfulness of the soldier?
- not involved in civilian affairs
- please/obey his commanding officer
- learn to obey quickly and without question
- learn your task, responsibility, job thoroughly
- focus on your responsibility, not distracted with everyday civilian matters
What lessons can we learn from the athlete?
- train long and hard
- make sure to have the proper diet
- give up other things in order to focus on that sport
- build up endurance
- practice your skill repeatedly
- learn to function well as a team
- diligence, self-control, discipline
What lessons can we learn from the farmer?
- know when to plant, when to harvest
- know what crops are best
- work starts early, continues on until late
- sometimes have to work very long hours to finish planting or harvesting when the time is exactly right
- take care of equipment
- keep track of weather which can affect the crops, the livestock
- study new ways of farming, livestock care
As Timothy preached and taught, he would face suffering, but he should be able to endure. Paul used comparison with soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want.
- Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline.
- Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules.
- Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient.
Have you ever risked something in order to share the gospel with someone?
Which emotions do you experience when you think about sharing the gospel with someone?
Which emotions do you experience when you think about that person being saved?
What distractions should you eliminate from your life to better focus on the message of Christ?
Point: Persevere for the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest.
But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with Him.
Paul told Timothy to reflect on his words, and God would give him insight. God speaks through the Bible, His Word, but we need to be open and receptive to Him. As you read the Bible, ask God to show you His timeless truths and the application to your life. Then consider what you have read by thinking it through and meditating on it. God will give you understanding.
III. Focus on Christ - 2 Timothy 2:8-10 (NIV)
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
What did Paul say was his gospel?
- who Jesus was/is
- Jesus is the Messiah, the Sent One – a direct descendant from King David as prophesied in the Old Testament
- Jesus died on the cross for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved for our sinfulness
- Jesus rose from the dead, giving us a new spiritual life, an eternal life
What was Paul currently going through?
- suffering
- chained like a criminal
- under house arrest in Rome
What things in life can distract us from the glorious gospel we have to share?
What kinds of things do we sometimes have to suffer or endure as believers?
- people make fun of us
- in today’s culture Christianity is often legally curtailed
- conservative Christian beliefs are often denigrated, vilified, attacked as “narrow minded” or “hate mongering”
Why was Paul willing to endure anything?
- for the sake of those who need to hear the Gospel
- for the sake of those who would hear and accept salvation
- a little suffering was nothing compared to the needs of the unsaved around him
What unique opportunities do you have to share the gospel today because of your current life/work situation, where you live, relationships, realm of influence?
- people at work
- neighbors
- people you play sports with (or your kids play sports with)
- extended family members
- people you meet where you regularly shop or do business with (restaurants, dry cleaner’s, auto repair, health care, etc.)
Paul was in chains in prison because of the gospel he preached. The truth about Jesus is no more popular in our day than in Paul’s, but it still reaches receptive hearts.
- When Paul said that Jesus was God, he angered the Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy; but many Jews became followers of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24).
- He angered the Romans who worshiped the emperor as god; but even some in Caesar’s household turned to Jesus (Philippians 4:22).
- When Paul said Jesus was human, he angered the Greeks who though divinity was soiled if it had any contact with humanity; still many Greeks accepted the faith (Acts 11:20-21).
The truth that Jesus is one person with two united natures has never been easy to understand, but it is being believed by people every day. Despite the opposition, continue to proclaim Christ. Some will listen and believe.
When Paul says “obtain the salvation,” is he contradicting grace?
- Salvation is not something that can be earned, as Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8-9. Paul is referring to being faithful to the end, not to a way to earn salvation.
What distracts us from keeping our attention on Jesus?
What are some steps we can take to focus on Christ and keep away from distractions that prevent us from sharing the gospel with others?
Point: Remember, I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great savior!
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Redeemer. Jesus Christ is the Anointed One of God, who by His resurrection conquered death and the grave. Jesus’ resurrection is at the heart of the gospel. The world may oppose and even try to bind those who share the gospel, but the Word of God itself can never be bound or limited by its greatest foes. The apostolic message challenges believers to be faithful in sharing the gospel no matter the circumstances. Salvation is found in Christ alone.
LIVE IT OUT
A review of Scripture and of the church history confirms that Christians often have faced attacks for their faith, sometimes severely, even at the cost of their lives. Jesus warned His disciples this would occur, so we ought not to be surprised. Opposition to Christianity is not just a fact of history; it also is a present reality. In some parts of our world, opposition to the gospel and its followers continues to have deadly results. In our own country, the opposition rarely has reached that level of intensity, but it is present nonetheless in various other forms.
Still, believers are to focus on living out their faith convictions in Christ and sharing the gospel message with a sense of urgency. “We must decide that godliness is worth any cost, that redemption is worth every effort, that God’s honor must surpass our own. Then we will be fit for His service. As believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we must not neglect our one great task.
Each of us must share the gospel.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
No comments:
Post a Comment