Title: Preparation for Joining the Story
Theme: How to be prepared to share our story with others.
Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Introduction
Last Wednesday night we started a short series called Join the Story. It is important that we see this life as a journey and a story in history that is being written. We play an important part in this story. It is vital that we play our part.
It is vital that we “pick up the mantel” that the Lord has called us to. It is vital as we learned last week that we witness to others and tell people our story. It is vital that we join with others in this journey.
The Lord never called us to be hermits.
Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Why? Because they are left to their own demise. The common theme of Judges is “there was no king in the land and every man did that which was right in their own eyes”
Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
So we understand that it is important that we bring others in but also that we assemble ourselves together.
Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Importance of assembling ourselves together
a) stir up love
b) stir up good works
c) exhort one another
Let us once again review our opening scripture and glean some more study.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
This shows the weight of what Paul was about to say to Timothy here.
(2) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Preach – herald, proclaim,
Be ready – be instant – stand by, be present,
(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; (4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (5) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 MSG I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, (2) so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. (3) You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. (4) They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. (5) But you--keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.
1 Peter 3:14-17 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."(15) But sanctify the Lord God [20] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:14-17 MSG Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. (15) Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. (16) Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. (17) It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad.
Preparation of the Servant
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Prayer and Preparation
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
Preparation and in the Word
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Preparation for Battle Ephesians 6:10-20
(10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts.
(11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
put on – sink into, invest
whole armor - every piece not leaving any thing off
(12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
This is why our armor is so different. It is who we wrestle against, not flesh and blood but the spiritual realm.
(13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. – Our Grit
Whole armor of God, everything, not leaving out one piece.
(14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, - Our Character
having put on the breastplate of righteousness, - Our Holiness
(15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; - Our Attitude
(16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. – Our Protection Why?
Faith – that which we stand on when nothing else makes sense.
Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(17) And take the helmet of salvation – Our Assurance, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; - Our Truth
(18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, - Our Communication
Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts.
being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
Ephesians 5:15-21 See then that you walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time (make the most of every opportunity), because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (18) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (21) submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Preparation – Knowing God’s will
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
