Month: August 2024

Pastor Alan finished up his series in the book of 2 Timothy with chapter 4, verses 9-22, “The Final Farewell.” We have a tendency to skip over these verses at the end, but they hold very valuable lessons. To hear this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

The Final Farewell

2 Timothy 4:9-22

Paul is dealing with final matters, and as he does, he mentions numerous people. Some are his friends and allies; others are harmful enemies. Paul did not have a problem calling people out by name if they were causing harm to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. Dealing With a Deserter (v. 10)
   • Demas – loved this world
   • Drift happens when we love the pleasures of this present world more than the coming Kingdom
   • John’s description of the “world”
     • kosmos – a sphere of order that is in direct opposition to God
     • 1 John 2:15-17 – lusts of the eyes, lusts of the flesh, pride of life
     • 2 Timothy 3:2-4 – lovers of self, money, pleasure
     • Revelation 2
       • Smyrna
       • Pergamum
       • Thyatira
   • This world is insidious, and it is tugging away at us constantly
2. Dealing With Others (v. 10b-13)
   • Sending them out
     • Timothy
     • Luke
   • Seeing their best
     • Mark
   • Give them a mission
     • Paul asks Timothy to bring him his most necessary items:
       • cloak (warmth)
       • Scripture
3. Dealing With Opposition (v. 14-15)
   • Don’t be afraid to confront opposers
   • Realize God’s in charge
   • Always be on guard
4. Dealing With Being Alone (v. 16-18)
   • Practice forgiveness
   • Practice Christ’s presence
     • Paul’s secret to ministry:
       • Colossians 1:27
       • Philippians 4:13
       • 1 Corinthians 15:10
       • John 17:20-23
       • 1 Kings 19
   • Stay at the task
     • David’s folly
   • Remember the final outcome
   • Praise God
5. Dealing With Fear & Weakness (v. 19-22)
   • Rely on the truest friends
   • Remember the Spirit God gave us
     • 2 Timothy 1:7
   • Pray for the grace of God in everything we do
     

We were blessed to have Dr. Jeff Leigh visit our little church and share a wonderful message with us. He taught about Elijah’s experience from 1 Kings 19. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included notes from his message with links to Scriptures he references. Enjoy!

Lessons from the Valley – 1 Kings 19:1-18

Ephesians 6:13 – it’s not about the tremendous victory in your battle; it’s about simply standing strong in the midst of your valleys.

Valleys are tough things to go through. They reveal our character and weaknesses, what we are standing on. But they can also strengthen us.

1 Kings 19:1-18

• Elijah had a tremendous victory in 1 Kings 18 – then Ahab & Jezebel threatened his life. Instead of standing, Elijah ran.
• Simple things can send you running if you don’t stand in the Lord.

1. What Are the Valleys We Create?
   • Fear + Running
   • Expectations
   • Self-orientation
   • Isolation
2. Things We Run to Instead of God
   • The past (what worked before)
     • What is the significance of Mt. Horeb?
     • How are v. 11-12 similar to things in Exodus 19 & 20?
       • Exodus 19:16, 18 & 20:18, specifically.
   • What we understand (our own wisdom)
     • What does Jesus teach the disciples in John 16:25-33?
3. How Does God Rescue Us?
   • Still, small voice; His Word
     • “What are you doing here?” v. 13
       • Echo of Genesis 3:9
   • Gets us up & starting to fulfill His commands v. 15-16
     • Directing us uniquely
   • Helps us to see others v. 18-21
     • Those who are around us
     • Those who are also IN the fight
       • 7000 faithful
       • Elisha
4. What Mountain Can We Always Stand Upon, Even When in a Valley?
   • Luke 10:17-20
     • Don’t rejoice in the little (or even big) victories in your valleys – rejoice in your salvation by faith through grace. That is the unfailing/unfading mountain that will always give you strength.

Pastor Alan is still taking us through the book of 2 Timothy. One week did not get recorded properly, but I have posted the outline below (for 2 Timothy 2:14-26). The following Sunday took us into 2 Timothy 3. To listen to that message, simply click play on the audio player below. The outline can be found below, with links to Scriptures referenced. Enjoy and be blessed!

2 Timothy 2:14-26: A Study in Contrasts

1. Marks of a Good Teacher (v. 14-15)
   • gives constant reminders (v. 14a)
   • gives direct warnings (v. 14b)
   • is accountable to God (v. 15a)
   • can pass inspections (v. 15b)
   • has nothing to be ashamed of (v. 15c)
   • gives straight direction in truth (v. 15d)
2. Marks of False Teachers (v. 16-18)
   • practice empty chatter (v. 16a)
     • all style, no structure
   • teach and live ungodliness (v. 16b)
   • spread destruction (v. 17)
   • stray away from the truth (v. 18a)
   • undermine people’s faith (v. 18b)
3. A Firm Foundation (v. 19)
   • false teaching gives no foundation (v. 19a)
   • God’s solid foundation has two dynamics (v. 19b)
     • it bears a seal
     • it demands an action
4. Two Types of Lifestyles (v. 20-26)
   • Marks of a Noble Lifestyle
     • cleanses himself of evil behavior (v. 21a)
     • is used of God (v. 21b)
     • pursues righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace (v. 22a)
     • keeps company with true believers (v. 22b)
     • doesn’t engage in controversy and infighting (v. 23)
     • doesn’t lose their cool (v. 24a)
     • kind, competent, patient, correcting (v. 25)
   • Potential Results of a Noble Life (v. 25b-26)

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2 Timothy 3: Two Kinds of People Contrasted

1. What are the Last Days? (v. 1)
   • The period between Christ’s ascension and His return
   • “the days of Noah” – the last of the Last Days
     • 2 Peter 3
     • Jude 18-19
     • 1 Timothy 4:1
   • Described as difficult
   • The Amplified Bible says, “dangerous, troublesome, great stress”
   • The Greek word is the same as translated “violent” in Matthew 8:28, describing demon possessed men.
2. The People of the Last Days (v. 2-4)
   • Paul uses 18 words to describe them.
   • They can be summed up as the:
     • decadent
     • deviant
     • defiant
     • deceitful
     • disobedient
3. The Three Deviant Affections
   • All begin with the phrase “lovers (philos – emotional affection) of…”
     • self
     • money
     • pleasure
4. The Other 15 Vices or Sins
   • Romans 1:18-32
     • boastful
     • arrogant
     • blasphemers
     • disobedient to parents
     • ungrateful
     • unholy
     • unloving
     • irreconcilable
     • slanderers
     • no self-control
     • savage
     • opposed to good
     • treacherous
     • reckless
     • conceited
   • Use this list to examine yourself!
5. The Cloak of Religion (v. 5a)
   • There is only the outward appearance of goodness and religiosity
   • No Holy Spirit
6. How to Respond (v. 5b)
   • Avoid!
7. The Predators (v. 6-9)
   • This is NOT saying that all women are weak-minded!
   • It is saying that there are predators who prey on the weak and vulnerable.
8. Switch Gears! (v. 10-17)
   • What to be and do in the last days:
     • “You, however…”
       • follow sound teaching and teachers (v. 10)
       • have a purpose (v. 10)
       • have faith, patience, love, and endurance (v. 10)
       • accept suffering (v. 11-12)
       • beware of evil people (v. 13)
       • be grounded in Scripture (v. 14-15)
       • accept rebuke/correction (v. 16)
       • be capable of getting equipped (v. 17)
9. Conclusion
   • We should always be in the process of self-examination, confession, and repentance in light of the certain accountability.