People Who Finish, Part 1

Photo by Jehane

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:16-18

The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me—the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.

Insights: Yesterday we looked at the characteristics of people who falter. Today and tomorrow we are going to look at people who finish. In the verses we have today we have four different characteristics of one who finishes well. Today will look at the first two and tomorrow the last two. The first characteristic we see is found in the phrase “he often refreshed me.” Onesiphorus was a lot like Barnabas and he encouraged Paul. He was like a fresh glass of water that quenches the thirst of one who has worked hard. Beloved, when I think of refreshing people I often think of the grocery store or Walmart. In other words, there are some people you see in the store and you turn down an aisle hoping they have not seen you. These people we try to avoid or not refreshing people, but rather are drainers of our energy.  Onesiphorus was not a drainer of energy, but rather was one who breathed in life into the one whom he encouraged.  The second characteristic we see of one who finishes well is they are tenacious. Notice the verse says he eagerly sought for Paul and then found him in Rome. One who finishes well will not give up on the assignment given to them by the Lord God. They will press on, they will overcome, they will finish or die trying.  Beloved, I fear the church today has lost this attitude of tenacity. We have compromised on so many issues we have no foundation with which to stand. Our commission to reach the lost is no longer paramount in our lives and the result is literally billions of people dying and going to the Lake of Fire. May the Lord grant to His church that steadfast spirit which will not give in or give up until the task is done.

Questions:

 1. When others see you coming, do they try to turn and avoid you?

 2. Are you like a bulldog which is tenacious and won’t give up until the job is completed?

Prayer: Father, let my life be a fresh encouragement to others.  Grant me a steadfast heart that will not give up on the assignments You have given to me.  Let me finish the race of life well.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

People Who Falter

Photo by Ceria Justianto

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:15

You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

Insights: This week we are going to look at the tale of two people. The first person we are going to look at is the one who falters in their faith. In today's verse we meet two individuals, Phygelus and Hermogenes.  These two individuals were ashamed of Paul because he had been arrested. Never mind the reason for the arrest was the proclamation of the gospel. We know they were ashamed of the Paul because back in verse eight and twelve Paul writes about this issue of one being ashamed. It is rightly deduced that Paul has this issue on his mind when he is writing to Timothy about these two men. They were ashamed that their preacher had been arrested. What these men did not realize was that being ashamed of Paul for spreading the gospel was the same as being ashamed of Jesus. The second issue we know about these men who faltered in their faith was that they had become doctrinally erroneous. The actual Greek word that is translated in the above verse as “turned away” is the very word from which we get the word apostasy.  Every time this word is used in the New Testament it is in reference to false doctrines. So to say that these men had turned away was not just a relational statement but a doctrinal statement. Understanding these two aspects of these men we can easily make a third assumption, and that is, these men were truly lost. They were ashamed of Paul, they started to believe false doctrines, and when you put these two together it is highly likely that they never truly had a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Beloved, let us be on guard with our own heart. Let us daily study the Scriptures in order to know true doctrine. And above all, let us not be ashamed of Christ Jesus in the proclamation of His gospel.

Questions:

 1. Have you ever been ashamed of someone for being totally devoted to Jesus?

 2. Do you know of anyone who has been led to believe erroneous doctrines?

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the times in which I have been ashamed of my fellow Christ-followers for their zeal for You.  My shame says more about my lack of faith than it does theirs.  Help me to rejoice in true obedience of those around me and to give it back to You for praise.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Grow from the Doctrine You have Heard, Part 2

Photo by Hans Splinter

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:14

Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.

Insights: Today, we look at the final two aspects of growing through the doctrines that we've heard. The first point for today is the word guard. Noticed Paul is telling Timothy to guard the treasure which has been entrusted to him. This treasure is more than just his salvation, it is the doctrinal truths by which we live our lives as Christ followers. All too often we have a theology that is an inch deep in a mile wide. The reality, however, ought to be we are not just wide in reaching people, but we are deep in our understanding of the Word of God. All too often, I hear people say it's okay for me to believe one thing and for them to believe another, but the truth is doctrine matters. What we believe about the core tenets of our faith are vital to our walk with Jesus. Unfortunately, too many of those sitting in our church pews do not truly understand and know the core doctrines of our faith. Let me encourage you to study the Bible in order know the core doctrines. After you know them, then guard them because they are indeed a treasure. I want you to notice the last point as well in this verse. Notice with me that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to guard the treasures of the doctrines we have. Our guarding is not based upon my intellectual assent or pursuit, but on the Holy Spirit administering in me the ability to defendant the faith. Let us not become arrogant in our own self-sufficiency, but let us daily be dependent upon the Holy Spirit for our strength and power. Beloved, if you will live life from this perspective, you will be amazed at the confidence with which you will be able to live life. There has been a theme throughout this entire week and that theme has been growth. Let us grow in our walk with the Lord God.

Questions:

 1. Have you ever had to defend your faith in regard to the core doctrines of Christianity?

 2. On whom do you trust for power when you defend the gospel, the Holy Spirit or yourself?

Prayer: Father, I praise You for sealing me with the Holy Spirit.  Thank You that He leads and guides me.  He enables me to defend the doctrines of our faith.  He is truly the source of any power I may possess here on earth.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Grow from the Doctrine You have Heard, Part 1

Photo by Maria Teresa Ambrosi

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:13

Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Insights: Today and tomorrow we will be looking at how we grow from the doctrines we have studied and heard. In today's verse we see Paul telling Timothy to retain the standard. This standard is the Bible. In other words, God has given us His Word and we adhere to it. As we adhere to this Word we are indeed retaining the standard. The only way we can know the standard is by reading the Bible. Beloved, let me challenge you to spend time daily in God's Word. The more time you invest in the Bible, the more you will know the Father. The second aspect to this growing from the doctrines we have studied and heard is actually listen to preaching. Paul told Timothy to retain the standard of words which he had heard from Paul. We in the 21st century are some of the most fortunate individuals of all time. The reason we are so fortunate is because of technology. Every week there are literally hundreds of thousands of sermons uploaded onto the Internet. As a result, we can literally be fed from godly men and women every day. I personally listen to Alastair Begg every single day Monday through Friday. His words inspire me and challenge me, and I hope I am a better Christian as a result of his teaching. Beloved, let me encourage you to also listen to godly preaching on the radio, or through podcasts, or actually in worship services. There is no excuse to not be hearing solid biblical exposition in our modern day technological society. My prayer is your faith will indeed grow as you learn the doctrines from the Scriptures. May there truly be godly men and women in your life to speak words of truth to you from the Scriptures. I then pray you will also be one who speaks words of life into other people. May God be brought glory because of your faithfulness.

Questions:

1. Do you daily spend time in the Bible?

2. How often do you listen to solid biblical exposition of the Bible?

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me Your Word, the Bible.  Thank You for equipping so many godly men and women who have preached the Bible in such a fashion as to help me understand Your Word even better.  May I be found faithful to Your Word and as a communicator for Your glory.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Grow from the Faith You have Experienced

Photo by eNrikeFot

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

Insights: Over the past two days we have observed how we grow in faith as we observe the example of others. Our faith does not just grow from observing others, but we also have our faith grow because of our very own experiences. In today's verse we observe four areas in which we have experienced faith grow in our lives. The first one actually is the same as the first example of observing others and that is that we suffer for the gospel. The second aspect of our experience deals with our ability to not be ashamed of the gospel. The reason we are not ashamed of the gospel is because we know Jesus. This knowledge of Jesus is the third part of our experiences. When I say we know Him I am not talking about an intellectual pursuit. I am, rather, talking about an intimacy of knowledge. In other words, because I have spent time with Him, I know Him. This knowledge is very relational and it is not based on rules of conduct. To one who does not have a relationship with Jesus, this type of knowledge is foolishness to them. These people who do not have a relationship do not have the capacity to understand the faith we have in our Savior, Jesus. The last part of this experiential knowledge comes from the fact that we can trust in Jesus' power. Notice with me in today's verse that it is Jesus who guards or keeps our soul for eternity. We have entrusted our very lives to Him and as result we are convinced He is able to bring us to His heavenly home. So are eternal security is not dependent upon our faithfulness, but upon His and because He is trustworthy we can have full confidence and hope in our future glory with Him. Beloved, I pray you have experienced Jesus in this kind of fashion. May your faith grow daily as you pursue intimacy with the Savior.

Questions:

1. Are you ashamed of the gospel?

2. Do you authentically know Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I am grateful I know You.  May my relationship with You ever be before me and a world who observes my life.  My I hold fast to the power of Jesus who guards my eternity and grant me grace to share Your love.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Grow from the Example of Others, Part 2

Photo by Glenn Euloth

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:10-11

It has now been made known through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He has destroyed death. Because of the good news, he has brought life out into the light. That life never dies.  I was appointed to announce the good news. I was appointed to be an apostle and a teacher.

Insights: The next two examples Paul gave to Timothy was the way in which he lived a victorious life because of Jesus’ work.  In other words, Jesus destroyed death.  He brought life to those who were dead in their trespasses and sin.  Paul was trying to help Timothy understand the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.  He gives us life.  He gives us strength.  He gives us peace.  He gives us victory.  He is our all in all.  He is our sufficiency to live through the day.  He is our Savior.  As a result of all He did for us, then we have no other option than to follow the example of Paul.  We must grow in His grace and because of His life transforming work in us, we are compelled to announce the good news to everyone.  Jesus is the only way one gets to heaven and because He is the only way, we must love the world around us and tell others about His great mercy and grace.  We need to help the world understand that apart from Jesus they will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.  They will be in eternal torment and in pain.  Beloved, let us follow the example of Paul.  Let us walk valiantly in this world because of the victorious work of Jesus.  Let us then proclaim this victory to everyone out of the gratitude we have for His redemptive work.  He has forgiven us such a great debt, how can we not share His love with others.  Let us be found faithfully living out of His victory when He returns to take His children home.

Questions:

1. Do you feel confidence in knowing Jesus is your victory over sin and death?

2. To whom are you sharing the gospel?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the victory Your Son has given to me.  Grant me the boldness to share His victory to others as I preach and teach the gospel.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

Grow from the Example of Others, Part 1

Photo by National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-9

So don’t be ashamed to give witness about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that.  God has saved us. He has chosen us to live a holy life. It wasn’t because of anything we have done. It was because of his own purpose and grace. Through Christ Jesus, God gave us that grace even before time began.

Insights: This week we are going to look at three ways in which we grow through motivation.  Today and tomorrow we are going to look at how we grow through the example of others.  Wednesday we will look at how we grow from the faith we have experienced personally.  Thursday and Friday we will learn about how we grow through the doctrines we have been taught.  Today, specifically, we learn from these two verses that we have fellow believers who have suffered for the gospel.  Paul is presently in prison for sharing the gospel and Paul is telling Timothy to not be ashamed of him for being in prison.  The reason is because his imprisonment is due to his obedience to proclaiming the gospel.  Paul has this kind of confidence because of the salvation with which he was called.  In other words, because his salvation is dependent on Jesus and Jesus only, he is confident in his salvation.  We, as outside observers, can see this life change in others and then we can begin to live our lives in that kind of faith as well.  Beloved, let me encourage you to find individuals with whom you can model your life.  Learn from their faithfulness and then live your life in the same way and become an example for others around you.

Questions:

1. Are you prepared to grow in your faith through suffering?

2. Does the security that your salvation is dependent on the work of Jesus comfort you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the godly examples You have placed in my life.  May my life grow into such a life that I might be an example for others as well. Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.