2/5/14

From Mark Copeland... Fulfill Your Ministry ( 2 Timothy 4:5)

                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                      Fulfill Your Ministry (4:5)

INTRODUCTION

1. Encouraging Timothy to do the work of an evangelist...
   a. Paul charged him to "fulfill your ministry" - 2Ti 4:5
   b. That is, "fulfill in all its requirements, leaving nothing undone"
      - JFB

2. A similar charge was given to Archippus...
   a. "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord,
      that you may fulfill it." - Col 4:17
   b. The Greek suggests "that thou keep on filling it full. It is a
      lifetime job." - RWP

[The charge given to Timothy and Archippus is one that should be heeded
by all Christians:  "Fulfill Your Ministry".  "But do I have a
ministry?" one might ask. Yes, indeed, and therefore...]

I. WE NEED TO FIND OUR MINISTRY

   A. GOD HAS GIVEN MANY GIFTS...
      1. To each one God has given gift(s)
         a. He has given to each one a "measure of faith" - Ro 12:3
         b. We each have gifts "according to the grace that is given us"
            - Ro 12:6a
      2. Not all have the same gift(s)
         a. Not every member has the same function - Ro 12:4
         b. We have "differing" gifts - Ro 12:6-8
            1) E.g., prophecy, ministering, teaching, exhorting
            2) E.g., giving, leading, showing mercy
            c. For God's grace is "manifold" - cf. 1Pe 4:10

   B. EVERY GIFT OR MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT...
      1. All are important for the body to be complete
         a. None can say they are unimportant - 1Co 12:14-20
         b. None can say others are not needed - 1Co 12:21-25
      2. All are needed for the body to grow
         a. Growth come from the head, Christ - Ep 4:15-16a
         b. Also by the effective working of each part, doing its share
            - Ep 4:16b
            1) Otherwise the body is handicapped in service
            2) Otherwise the body is hindered in growth

   C. FINDING YOUR MINISTRY...
      1. Providence
         a. Consider your natural abilities
            1) Are you gifted in hand, speech, or heart?
            2) Some gifts are better suited for certain services
            3) Your natural abilities may suggest how God wants you to
               serve
         b. Consider your opportunities
            1) Were you called early in life, late in life?
            2) Were you called with skills already developed?
            3) Your circumstances when you obeyed the gospel may suggest
               areas of service - cf. 1Co 7:18-24
      2. Preparation
         a. Develop your abilities
            1) Not all abilities are self-evident; seek to develop as
               many as you can
            2) As your abilities become evident, seek to excel in them
               - cf. Ezr 7:10
         b. Utilize your opportunities
            1) Opportunities as provided by the Lord - cf. Mt 25:14-18
            2) Opportunities to even change your circumstances - cf.
               1Co 7:21
      3. Prayer
         a. Seek wisdom to discern your abilities
            1) Wisdom comes through prayer - cf. Jm 1:5
            2) Wisdom is given to those who so diligently seek it - cf.
               Pr 2:1-9
         b. Seek open doors to use your abilities
            1) The Lord often opens doors to serve Him - cf. 1Co 3:5
            2) We might also pray for opportunities to serve Him - cf.
               1Ch 4:10
      4. Presentation
         a. Commit your ways to the Lord
            1) Present yourself and your plans for service to the Lord
               - cf. Pr 16:3
            2) Let your attitude be like that of Isaiah - cf. Isa 6:8
         b. Make yourself available to the brethren
            1) Minister your gift(s) to your brethren - cf. 1Pe 4:10
            2) Follow the example of the Hebrew Christians - cf. He 6:10

II. WE NEED TO FULFILL OUR MINISTRY

   A. TO BLESS ONE ANOTHER...
      1. God desires that we minister our gifts to one another - 1 Pe 4:10
      2. Even as Jesus came to serve us - Mk 10:45
      3. Are your brethren being blessed by the ministry God has given
         you?  Or have you...
         a. Been negligent to utilize your gift(s)?
         b. Allowed the world's distractions to keep you from being a
            blessing? - cf. Lk 8:14

   B. TO GLORIFY GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST...
      1. Through the gifts given by Christ to those in His church, God
         is to be glorified - 1Pe 4:11
      2. Even as Paul prayed for the Philippians - Php 1:9-11
      3. Is God being glorified by the fruits of your righteousness?  Or
         have you...
         a. Been negligent to develop your gift(s)?
         b. Allowed the love of the world to keep you from glorifying
            God? - cf. 1Jn 2:15-17

   C. TO FACE THE LORD AT THE JUDGMENT...
      1. The day is coming when the Lord will hold us accountable - Mt 25:14-19
      2. Even as the master held his servants to accountable - Mt 25:
         20-30
      3. Are we preparing ourselves for that Day?  Or are we...
         a. Burying our talent(s)?
         b. Allowing fear to keep us from utilizing our talent(s)? - cf.
            Mt 25:25

CONCLUSION

1. May we take to heart the admonitions given to Timothy and
   Archippus...
   a. "Fulfill your ministry" - 2Ti 4:5
   b. "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord,
      that you may fulfill it." - Col 4:17

2. As we do so, remember the exhortations given to the Hebrew
   Christians...
   a. God will not forget your work and labor as you minister to your
      brethren - He 6:10
   b. But show diligence to the end, and do not become sluggish - He 6:
      11-12

In so doing, you will not only "Fulfill Your Ministry", but also
"imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises"...
- He 6:12

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011


From Gary.... By GUM!!!





Yesterday, my wife and I watched this old black and white film; not expecting much, but hoping it would come close to the rave reviews I saw on the net.  Well, it was not only better than the reviews, it was so good that I watched it again this morning. You will see above the main characters, played by Charles Laughton, John Mills, and Brenda De Banzie.  Underneath the pictures is a promotional trailer, which gives you the gist of the story.  The movie is named Hobson's Choice, but after watching it twice, I still ponder whose choice is really being referenced.  The father, the oldest daughter, the boot hand, the other daughter's or their soon to be husbands?  Perhaps, in a way- all of them.  When it comes to choice, I am reminded of the choice that the apostles had to make before the council (The Sanhedrin).  Here is the tale...

Acts, Chapter 5
 27  When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,  28 saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.” 

  29  But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.  30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree.  31 God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.  32 We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33  But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and determined to kill them.  34 But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.  35 He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.  36 For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.  38 Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.  39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!” 

  40  They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. 

  42  Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ. 
Even though the movie is about about choices, there is something else here; something about surprises when choices are made. And this surprise is really what struck me about the film. The boot-hand repeatedly uses the exclamation "By GUM" to express his surprise and wonder at each and every amazing turn of events.  The council was undoubtedly taken by surprise at what the apostles did and it was only with persuasion that they decided not to kill them.  After they finally let them go, the apostles went right back doing what they were INSTRUCTED NOT TO DO!!! We are NOT TOLD what happened when they heard about what happened after verse 42.  But, somehow I have a feeling that someone uttered the Jewish equivalent of BY GUM!!!