The Gospel Promise
Notes
Transcript
Handout
(S1)
TURN THE TEMPERATURE DOWN
To cool things down, we need to heat things up…in the church, followers of Jesus.
— Not calling for a protest, riot, to be agitators...
But, to be those who trust in the gift of God, given them, to share the good news of Jesus that transforms lives!
(S2) — SERIES (E2D) — EVANGELISM —INVITING
Make NEW Christians—Turn em’ into DISCIPLES—Send em’ OUT to make new Christians
Make NEW Christians—Turn em’ into DISCIPLES—Send em’ OUT to make new Christians
It’s not just about getting people to church…but CONNECTING people to JESUS
— Not selling a ‘get out of hell’ insurance policy but giving people hope in Jesus who is our ASSURANCE policy
— a life filled with the passion, purpose and peace of God
With the Gospel as good news, the church has the ability to lower the temperature of hate, manipulation, and political agendas...thorough the PROMISE of the GOSPEL
(S3)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
A call to this church, to turn up the heat of evangelism!
Do you get discouraged easily when it comes to sharing your faith?
—Mess it up, not be knowledge enough, do more harm than good?
The Gospel Promise is how God supernaturally equips flawed people like us, to offer a credible witness for Christ, in a jagged, manic, and hostile world?
The world that Jesus stepped into, the disciples dared speak, the apostle Paul proclaimed, and young Timothy preached, is much like world we live in today
—People in need of the good news of God! Jesus!
BIBLES — PRAY
(S4) —
Ever been consumed by something?
GETTING NEW GRILL
What consumes you? What keeps you from sharing the gospel? Are you on fire for Jesus?
Can I be honest, I’m getting there! I I have not felt the work of the H.S. in the church in a very long time
—It’s my problem not God’s
Paul’s letter to Timothy—words of encouragement
6 ...to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you...
“Am I on fire for Jesus?” If not then why? What’s missing, holding you back?
(S5) — The Gospel promise is good news for you
Followers of Jesus are called to live DIFFERENTLY, love GENEROUSLY, and speak BOLDLY!
Followers of Jesus are called to live DIFFERENTLY, love GENEROUSLY, and speak BOLDLY!
To STANDOUT— To sow God’s TRUTH in love—To speak with COURAGE
This is no doubt Paul's expectations of young Timothy, as he writes from prison, for no other reason than for doing the ‘work of God.’
John 17:4 “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”
Paul had sent Timothy to do the work of God in Ephesus, to encounter false teaching in the church. Encouraging him to stand firm in his witness of the good news of Jesus
Paul’s encouragement to was based on two things...
(S6) — The DEPTH of their Relationship...
3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
Their friendship was unique (son), and important to both of them—mentorship—Joy of teaching and learning
— Paul is imparting wisdom to his younger self...
Any of us more seasoned people got some words of wisdom to the younger?
(S7) — The AUTHENTICITY of Timothy’s faith
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
Solid Jewish training in the scriptures from his mother and grandmother…
— had became a believer (conversion) on one of Paul’s missionary Journeys (Acts 16:1-5)
— had grown into a respected leader and disciple of Jesus
Paul was proud…but Timothy was lacking only one thing...
(S8) — HIS FIRE FOR JESUS
6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you...
anazōpyreō— reactivate, arouse, stir up,or REVIVE! On fire for Jesus
Powerful testimony of a life transformed...
Timothy had recieved the Holy Spirit prior to his ministry...
— Not something new…he had to manufacture…do on his own…already had it in him
2 Timothy 1:14 “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”
The church already has what is needs, Pentecost...but sometimes we got to pour some gas on it!
(S9) — WET WOOD/DRIED OUT
God is the fire, we only need to fan our faith into flames
God is the fire, we only need to fan our faith into flames
The Holy Spirit will give the you the embers, but you got to ignite it
— God (pastor) is not going to attend church for you
—read the Bible for you—Financially give for you
—Serve/share your faith for you—Invite someone to church for you...
Lacking in any of these is a deficiency of the Gospel in us; only embers in our spiritual lives. Lacking the true flame of God’s spirit
YOUTH—CLAIM THEIR OWN FAITH
The H.S. ignites our wet wood, we gotta fan our faith into flames. Let’s be honest. its easy to get comfortable doing church...
— Leave evangelism to others
— we worry about what others may think? What to say? Doing more harm than good?
(S10) —
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity...
Fear is not of God—Fear is the devil trying to stop you from sharing Jesus
— Being on fire for Jesus, through the promise of God
Three Spiritual Weapons to REVIVE your FIRE for Jesus
(S11) —
7 But God...has given us, His Spirit, of power, love, and self-discipline.
I. POWER (dynamis)
I. POWER (dynamis)
“The undoing of timidity” (IVP Commentary)
Literally, it describes the ability to perform an activity; by extension…through he presence of God in the believer
It is the supernatural ability to live into what God asks of us
— Great commission—Called the church to be witnesses
— Pentecost—Empowered the church to witness
For Paul it was The power to preach in defense of the gospel against false teaching
1 Corinthians 2 “4 Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.”
Have we lost our nerve, unwilling to face any opposition?
FACEBOOK/PERSECUTION
Without the power of God we are like a Motorboat without a motor/Sailboat without a sail
(S12) — YOU CAN DO THIS!
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Followers of Jesus are called to Live DIFFERENTLY !
Followers of Jesus are called to Live DIFFERENTLY !
Not a deeming power, but a persuasive power when its coupled with…the 2nd spiritual weapon to REVIVE your FIRE for Jesus
II. LOVE (agapē)
II. LOVE (agapē)
Love in the N.T. is much more than a feeling…it is the ‘supernatural’ disposition God gives his children toward the world
1 John 4:20 “If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”
Its Sacrificial, its based on God’s truth, not human feeling
(S13)
Unconditional love does not require unconditional approval. A failure to share faith is a failure to love.” (Rev. Bishop)
Love is, not wanting to leave any person a without an opportunity to live a life of passion, peace, and purpose in Jesus. Even those we don’t love
SAMARITANS
God gives you the power to LOVE— YOU CAN DO THIS WELL!
(S14) —
Followers of Jesus are called to Love GENEROUSLY!
Followers of Jesus are called to Love GENEROUSLY!
Power coupled with love along with…the 3rd spiritual weapon to REVIVE your Fire for Jesus
III. SELF-DISCIPLINE (sōphronismos)
III. SELF-DISCIPLINE (sōphronismos)
— being wise, of sound mind (KJV)
(S15) —
“Paul has in mind a measure of control over one’s thinking and actions that allows a balanced outlook on any situation. When everything is coming unglued, this quality of “levelheadedness” will keep the Christian focused calmly on the power and love that the Spirit provides.”
Listening to God in the moment and every moment
PING
Evangelism—Develop a consistent but sane (simple) plan of listening to God and stick to it
1 Corinthians 2:16 “ For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.”
Self discipline is having the mind of Christ consistently — YOU CAN DO THIS CONSISTENTLY!
(S16) —
2 Timothy 4:5 “5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
Followers of Jesus are called to speak BOLDLY
Followers of Jesus are called to speak BOLDLY
— with self-discipline—having the mind of Christ
Timothy had a deep realtionship with Paul who encouraged him—His genuine faith…he only needed to rekindle the embers of his faith
“Timothy was in need of recalling and appropriating all that the Holy Spirit makes available to believers. The human part in this involves the decision to submit to the Spirit, to live in reliance on his power, love, and self-discipline.” 1–2 Timothy & Titus (Relying on the Holy Spirit (1:6–7))
As a follower of Jesus…you have what you need to share your faith…to do it well and do it consistently thirough the gospel promise of God
(S17) —
The H.S. will TEACH, EQUIP , and INSPIRE you to share Jesus—You only need to fan into flame the GIFT you are given!
The H.S. will TEACH, EQUIP , and INSPIRE you to share Jesus—You only need to fan into flame the GIFT you are given!
Galatians 5:25 “25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
The same gift of God given to Paul, Timothy, and the church…
Three things Timothy had…Genuine Faith—Relationship—Through the Gift of God he would find his fire for Jesus!
How do we supercharge our evangelistic mission of CONNECTING people to Jesus. By fanning into FLAME the Power—Love—Self Discipline of Christ in us.
SURRENDER…let go of what keeps you fearful (timid). It’s not of God
PRAY…listen for the pings
DEPEND…on the H.S.
FEED…your spirit
(S18)
8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord…
To turn the temperature down…we got to heat things up. Are you on fire for jesus?
— A bit timid with sharing your faith? Maybe your only missing one thing..
The promise of God…to teach, Equip, and Inspire you to share Jesus!