Thoughts on 2 Timothy

This past Sunday we touched on 2 Timothy at B & B Fellowship. As the day progressed I felt the need to look at it further. I then decided to look at it with our Wednesday night group. We read the whole book out loud from the Message Remix Bible. As an old friend used to say, "The Lord blessed me down to my shoes!"

2 Timothy is Paul's last letter. What was on his mind? What would you want to say to someone if it was your last letter?

I see it as a letter of encouragement, speaking of Timothy's "honest faith" and his "special gift of ministry". Paul says, "So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us." He goes on, "throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me.."

Timothy is warned to "stay clear of pious talk" (his words must be backed by a godly life) and to "run away from infantile indulgence" (run after mature righteousness).
"Refuse to get involved in inane discussions, they always end up in fights. God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool..."

It wouldn't be easy though. He would have to "take your share of the suffering for the Message". He says, "When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did." Paul was writing this letter from prison having been abandoned by many of his followers (2 Timothy 1:15). Timothy should not expect anything better, neither should we.

There's so much more. Get your Bible out and read 2 Timothy. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NLT) says, "You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." Read it and let me know what stands out to you.

Finally Paul says in chapter four, verse two (NLT), "Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching."

God bless y'all real good.

The Meeting Place Doesn't Manifest God's Kingdom

I entered the house church verses traditional church debate about two or three years ago. My wife attends a traditional church. I attend a fellowship that meets in a house on Sunday morning.

For those of you that might be concerned because my wife and I don't worship at the same place on Sunday morning, don't be. We have a small group that meets in our home on Wednesday nights. On occasional Sunday afternoons we meet with other believers for singing, prayer, Scripture reading, and fellowship. We are "not forsaking our own assembling together".

My two Sunday meetings are not defined. By that I mean they are less structured. Wednesday night is a little more structured. We have a Bible study, either a book of the Bible or a topical study. The folks that attend the Wednesday meeting have a pretty good idea what to expect.

The different meetings mentioned above are a part of God's kingdom. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." Mat.18:20.

Because of my situation, I feel I have more freedom to serve where I'm needed. I can help a friend with music ministry at his church. I can fill in for a youth pastor who's on vacation at another church. Guess what? When I'm doing those things, I get to fellowship with other members of God's kingdom!

Others are called to serve one particular assembly. My wife fits that category. She's a treasurer and board member. She's made a commitment to serve the Lord at the church she attends. Hey! We're all a part of God's kingdom!

Luke 9:49,50 says, "John answered, 'Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow us.' But Jesus said to him, 'Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."

The kingdom is manifest when people that are "for Him" gather. Where they gather is not important. It can be in a cathedral or a cafeteria, in a building or at a bus stop. I am really excited by what the Lord has been showing me concerning His kingdom! God bless y'all real good.

The Church (What Do You Think)

THE CHURCH. If I were to gather my Christian friends in a room and open a discussion about the church, it would probably release a set of fireworks that would make the Y2K New York harbor fireworks look like a sparkler in the hands of a 3-year old. The opinions (all based in Scripture) would be diverse to say the least.

What I would like to do is hear from you. How would you define "church"? I read a quote basically saying that we have replaced the "Kingdom of God" with "church" therefore losing the meaning of both. What do you think about that? Let's see some fireworks! (If this stirs up anger in you please count to ten before responding)

KoG

Okay, see if you can follow this. In a blog post written by Felicity Dale, she quotes author Phillip Mauro from his book, "The Church the Churches and the Kingdom". He writes, "… we cannot regard it as a matter of indifference but rather of grave concern that in our day the existence of the Kingdom of God as a present reality, the place and responsibility of every regenerated person therein and the great and precious truths and promises that pertain thereto, have all but faded out of the consciousness of those who have entered into that Kingdom by the door of the new birth;" (emphasis mine)

Our Wednesday group has been looking at the Kingdom of God (KoG) for the last several weeks now. It is changing my perspective of the Christian walk big time! Mauro's quote for me was a reality, "faded out of the consciousness". What does Scripture say?

-John the Baptist preached, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mat. 3:2)
-Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness". (Mat6:33)
-"Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God," (Mark 15:43)
-Jesus said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God," (Luke 8:10)
-"Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John3:5)
-"And he (Paul) entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God." (Acts 19:8

Vine's says,the Kingdom of God is (a) the sphere of God’s rule. The Kingdom is also (b) the sphere in which at any given time His rule is acknowledged.

This world needs to hear about this kingdom. You need to know about this kingdom. There are many verses that say what the kingdom is like (check out my April 21st post), what it is, and what it is not. John the Baptist preached the KoG, Jesus preached the KoG, Paul, Peter, James , and John preached the KoG. Get the picture? See how my perspective can be changed? How about you? Get a concordance and start studying. You will be changed! God bless y'all real good.

The Law of Liberty

The past couple of weeks James 1:25 and 2:12 has been the subject of conversation at Bible & Bagel Fellowship. It spilled over into my Wednesday group and also in a conversation with my wife and my sister. These verses talk about the "law of liberty". I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what that means.

The law of liberty is certainly not the law of the Old Testament. Christians are not bound to the ceremonial law. Jesus fulfilled it. I believe that is made clear in the book of Galatians. (Check out the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew to see how Jesus feels about the commandments.)

"So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." (Rom 7:12).The law could not save us because of our sinful flesh. "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom 8:8). Read Romans 7:13 through 8:17. Romans 7:14 says that the law is spiritual but we are of the flesh, sold under sin. Jesus took care of that (Rom. 8:1-4).

I believe the law of liberty is the gospel, the good news of forgiveness and freedom in Jesus. Romans 8:1-4 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

The Spirit of Christ dwells in all believers. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. We did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear (the opposite of faith). We are adopted, we are sons and daughters, and we are free!

Galatians chapter five, verses 13 & 14 says, " For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." James 2:8 says, "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well." When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment in the Law he said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a great definition of love.

We are now under the law of liberty. Free to love and serve God. Free to love and serve others. Free to share the gospel. Free to be merciful (James 2:13) What an awesome God we serve! God bless y'all real good.