Month: June 2024

2 Timothy, pt. 3

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Alan finished up the first chapter of 2 Timothy a few weeks ago. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

2 Timothy 1:9-18

Timothy was the pastor of the church of Ephesus (the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor). Paul is in prison, and this letter was his final written word.

  1. Paul’s Declaration (v. 9-12)
    • these verses were a hymn in the early church
    • Paul is declaring things that God has done for us through Jesus – fundamental things that we MUST be clear about.
      1. Christ saves us. (v. 9)
        • from sin & the curse of sin
        • we’re all physically dying, but everyone who is apart from Jesus is dying spiritually (Ephesians 2)
        • Salvation is an umbrella term for:
          1. justification: have been saved – reconciliation at the moment of trusting Him as our Savior (Romans 10)
          2. sanctification: being saved/changed – reconciled by His death; saved by His life (Romans 5)
          3. glorification: will be saved – away from the effects & presence of sin (1 Corinthians 15)
      2. Christ calls us to holiness. (v. 9)
        • ecclesia (Church) = called out ones
        • korban = something dedicated to the Lord
        • We are called out to be dedicated to the Lord.
        • “Be holy as I am holy.” (1 Peter 1)
        • Our righteousness must be greater
          • inward righteousness (Christ in us)
      3. Our saving & our calling are by God, not by us. (v. 9)
      4. Everything about the gospel is centered in grace, not works. (v. 9)
        • All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
          • sin = falling short of God’s glory
      5. Christ destroys death & reveals eternal life. (v. 10)
        • eternal life = to know God & His Son (have an intimate relationship with them) (John 17)
        • opposite of the gospel = Satan, who comes to steal, kill, & destroy (John 10)
      6. The gospel has to be preached. (v. 11)
        • The gospel has apostolic authority.
        • The gospel has to be taught (delved into) with the aim of making disciples.
      7. Christ will guard Paul’s work. (v. 12)
        • Like he’s made a deposit & Christ is keeping that work safe & ready for that day
          • lay up for yourself treasures in heaven (Matthew 6)
          • Christ, the Good Shepherd, guards (John 10, Psalm 23)
          • what we do for Christ is kept
  2. Paul’s Admonition (v. 13-14)
    1. Holding fast/enduring is a major theme in this letter
      • hypomeno = stay under the load
    2. Hold fast to what you’ve heard.
      • sound words/teaching
    3. Act on what you hear in faith & love
      • balance is necessary
    4. Sound words must be protected.
      • There must be objective truth or there’s nothing to hold on to.
      • Jesus is the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life
      • No one comes to the Father, except through Him (John 14)
  3. Paul Deserted and Refreshed (v. 15-18)
    1. The importance of presence.
      • We need other people in our lives.
    2. Those who show mercy will receive mercy.
    3. Deed done in the name of Christ will not be forgotten on “that day” (the day of judgment for reward)

How do you want to be remembered? As someone who refreshed others or as one who deserted those who needed you?

2 Timothy, Pt. 2

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Alan continued his teaching through the book of 2 Timothy by taking us further into chapter one. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

2 Timothy 1:3-8

  1. Paul’s Thanksgiving – v. 3-5
    • Paul is thankful upon remembering. (v. 3)
    • Paul served with a clear conscience.
    • Paul’s reference to his ancestors who served God.
    • Paul’s deep connection with Timothy. (v. 4)
    • Paul’s second remembering. (v. 5)
      • He tells Timothy about his spiritual lineage.
      • The name Eunice means “good victory.”
      • The importance of teaching in the family.
  2. Paul’s Gift to Timothy through God (v. 6)
    • Likely the gift was the office of pastor/teacher.
    • The charge is to keep the gift burning.
      • Gift is always associated with grace.
  3. God’s Gift to All (v. 7)
    • The negative
      • a spirit of cowardice
    • The three-fold positive
      • power = dynamis
      • love = agape
      • self-control (sound or sober mind) = sophronismos
    • Titus 2
    • God has given us all we need in Christ.
      • We just need to appropriate it. (2 Peter 1:3)
      • Will we allow the Spirit to work in our spirit?
  4. Paul’s Plea to Timothy (v. 8)
    • Two things not to be ashamed of:
      • testify to Christ
      • suffer for Christ
  5. Closing
    • We have all been gifted by God in various ways.
    • We are to appropriate those gifts in power, love, and self-control.

Paul’s Final Words

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Alan began a study of the book of 2 Timothy, the last letter Paul wrote before his death that we have in the Bible. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

Main Ideas in 2 Timothy

  • Paul’s final words: Second Timothy was written from prison while Paul was waiting to be executed. These are his final words to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy.
  • The necessity to hold fast to one’s faith in the face of cultural persecution
    • 2 Timothy 2:11-13 may have been an early hymn
    • endure (Greek: hypomeno): to stay under a load
  • The description of a disciplined Christian life
  • The problem of false teachers and dealing with them
    • how not to cave in to culture
    • Paul had no problem calling people out by name if they preached a different gospel
  • The vivid description of the last days
  • The nature of Scripture as God-breathed
  • The importance of bringing up children in the faith
    • Timothy’s mother and grandmother brought him up in the faith
  • The surety of Christ’s presence if and when others fail you

Paul’s Greeting (2 Timothy 1:1-2)

  1. Two Things Paul Makes Clear of Himself
    • He is an apostle of God by the will of God to do the will of God
    • He preaches and lives the Gospel of Life in Christ
  2. Paul’s Relation to Timothy
    • The necessity of producing spiritual children
    • What are we doing to encourage faith in other believers?
  3. Three Blessings to Bless Others With
    • grace vs dogmatism
    • mercy vs vengeance
    • peace vs division
    • What are we spreading?

Outline of 2 Timothy

  1. Chapter 1
    • Paul’s greeting (v. 1-2)
    • Paul’s Thanksgiving (v. 3-5)
    • Paul’s Gift to Timothy (v. 6)
    • God’s Gift to All (v. 7-10)
    • Paul’s Self-Assessment (v. 11-12)
    • Paul’s Charge to Timothy (v. 13-14)
    • Paul’s Words About Others (v. 15-18)
  2. Chapter 2
    • Paul’s Charge to Timothy (v. 1-7)
    • Paul’s Call to Remember (v. 8-9)
    • Paul’s Hymn of Endurance (v. 10-13)
    • Paul’s Words on Avoidance (v. 14-19)
    • Paul’s Words on Purity of Living (v. 20-26)
  3. Chapter 3
    • Paul’s Description of the Last Days (v. 1-5)
    • Paul’s Suffering (v. 10-14)
    • Paul’s Words About the Nature of Scripture (v. 15-17)
  4. Chapter 4
    • Paul’s Charge to Timothy (v. 1-5)
    • Paul’s Testimony and Surety (v. 6-8)
    • Paul’s Assessment of Others, Requests, and Final Outcome (v. 9-17)
    • Paul’s Final Farewell (v. 19-22)

Millennial Reign

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Hello all! I know it’s been a while, and I apologize, but I will do my best to get caught up on posting messages over the next few days. This message is the last in Terry’s short series on the Millennial Reign of Christ (the second message did not get recorded…sorry!) To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

Millennial Reign

New Heaven & New Earth will come after the Millennium. The Millennium is to fulfill covenant promises to Israel, including the building of Ezekiel’s temple.

Israel has not had a king since the exile – the throne of David has been empty, waiting for Jesus, where He will reign from during the Millennium.

1/3 of the Jews will survive the Tribulation & will enter the Millennial Kingdom.

The White Throne Judgment happens at the end of the Millennium, followed by the Eternal State in the New Heavens & the New Earth.

Amos 9:13-15 – the bounty of the harvest in the Millennium & the Eternal State.

There will be no evil, no rebellion going into the Millennium. He will order everything according to His righteousness. The saints will help administer His kingdom of everlasting righteousness on earth.

Longevity of life will return (Isaiah 65). The earth will be repopulated. Most important change: God will reign with man, just the way He originally intended it. No faith will be required, because Jesus will be on earth, in charge of everything.

The knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth like the water fill the oceans (Isaiah 11:9).

The presence of God will make fear unnecessary. There will be total peace & joy.

Isaiah 60:1-22 fully describes the relationship between Israel & the nations during the Millennium.

Isaiah 2:1-4

  • v. 1: Written to Judah & Jerusalem
  • v. 2: Millennial Kingdom
    • last days
    • house of the Lord will be elevated on the highest mountain around
    • all nations will go out to the house of the Lord
  • v. 3: God Will Judge
    • those born during the Millennium will want to rebel & God will have to judge them
    • Peace among the nations
      • no more war
      • weapons will be useless for war
    • the threat of war is eliminated
      • all conflicts will be handled by Jesus & His administrators

Isaiah 9:6-7

  • v. 6a: Christ’s First Coming
  • v. 6b-7: Christ’s Second Coming
    • government on His shoulders alone
      • no corrupt politicians, etc.
    • Wonderful
    • Counselor
    • Mighty God
    • Prince of Peace
    • no end to His rule & His peace
    • rule from David’s throne
    • perfect justice & righteousness
    • FOREVER
    • God will do this

Isaiah 11:1-9

  • v. 1: From the Line of David
  • v. 2-3: Attributes of Christ
    • Spirit of the Lord is on Him
      • wisdom
      • understanding
      • counsel
      • might
      • knowledge of the Lord
      • fear of the Lord
      • will delight in the fear of the Lord
    • will not judge unjustly
  • v. 4: Will Judge with Righteousness
    • protect the weak & poor
    • zero tolerance for any rebellion
  • v. 5: Righteousness
    • will surround Him
  • v. 6-8: Changes to the Animal Kingdom
    • may be what it was like in the Garden of Eden
    • no more violence even amongst the animals
    • even humans will be at peace with all the other animals
    • this is how God intended things to be
      • this is right relationship with God
  • v. 9: The Hope of the Believer – The Heart of God
    • it will be even better in the eternal state than the Millennial Kingdom
    • God has so much in store for His people

Our blessed hope is the coming of the Lord!