1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,000 Now the idea for this series, I began a year ago 2 00:00:06,560 –> 00:00:09,780 in the Outback Steakhouse on Lake Cook Road. 3 00:00:11,080 –> 00:00:13,320 I was there because a very dear friend 4 00:00:13,320 –> 00:00:15,840 who comes to town from time to time 5 00:00:15,840 –> 00:00:20,000 and is in many ways a mentor to me, was here, 6 00:00:20,000 –> 00:00:22,959 we took the opportunity of an evening together. 7 00:00:22,959 –> 00:00:26,160 And as we got into the meal, he said to me, 8 00:00:26,160 –> 00:00:28,219 he has a way of asking provocative questions, 9 00:00:28,299 –> 00:00:31,600 he said, well, Colin, he said what do you think 10 00:00:31,600 –> 00:00:33,020 is the single most important thing 11 00:00:33,020 –> 00:00:35,299 that you need to do for The Orchard right now? 12 00:00:36,419 –> 00:00:39,959 So I sort of gave one or two thoughts that were in my mind 13 00:00:39,959 –> 00:00:41,279 and then did what I tried to do 14 00:00:41,279 –> 00:00:43,160 when I’m in the company of wiser people, 15 00:00:43,160 –> 00:00:45,259 and said, well, what do you think? 16 00:00:46,740 –> 00:00:51,740 And he said, you need to spell out 17 00:00:52,400 –> 00:00:55,000 what it means to be a gospel-centered church. 18 00:00:55,939 –> 00:00:59,560 So I said, well, how do you think I would do that? 19 00:01:00,860 –> 00:01:05,860 And he said, well, identify the distinctives of The Orchard 20 00:01:07,720 –> 00:01:10,559 and then find scripture that relates to each of them 21 00:01:10,559 –> 00:01:11,760 and lay it out. 22 00:01:12,779 –> 00:01:15,500 And I said, you know, 23 00:01:15,500 –> 00:01:18,199 I honestly don’t think I could do that. 24 00:01:19,580 –> 00:01:22,019 Understand, folks, there is a great difference 25 00:01:22,080 –> 00:01:25,760 between starting with a pre-existing message 26 00:01:26,680 –> 00:01:29,099 and finding scripture to support it 27 00:01:30,559 –> 00:01:32,839 and starting with the scripture 28 00:01:32,839 –> 00:01:36,599 and letting it give you its message. 29 00:01:37,980 –> 00:01:41,680 So we enjoyed the steak and moved on in the conversation 30 00:01:41,680 –> 00:01:44,599 and touched many other wonderful and helpful things. 31 00:01:44,599 –> 00:01:47,440 Then just a few weeks later, 32 00:01:47,440 –> 00:01:49,080 Karin and I had three days off 33 00:01:49,180 –> 00:01:51,500 and we decided we’d nip up to Door County. 34 00:01:52,400 –> 00:01:54,779 We wanted to set aside some particular time 35 00:01:54,779 –> 00:01:56,099 for reading and prayer 36 00:01:56,099 –> 00:01:58,860 and I just said to Karin the evening before, 37 00:01:58,860 –> 00:02:00,919 hey let’s take up a short Bible book. 38 00:02:00,919 –> 00:02:02,620 We just got three days and we’ll read it 39 00:02:02,620 –> 00:02:05,180 and use it as basis of prayer together. 40 00:02:05,180 –> 00:02:07,220 What book do you wanna pick? 41 00:02:07,220 –> 00:02:10,100 So she said, apparently randomly, 42 00:02:10,100 –> 00:02:11,740 let’s do one Timothy. 43 00:02:11,740 –> 00:02:12,960 It’s nice and short. 44 00:02:14,539 –> 00:02:16,220 Well, off we went to Door County 45 00:02:16,220 –> 00:02:18,300 armed with two copies of John Stott, 46 00:02:18,580 –> 00:02:20,460 excellent little common tree 47 00:02:20,460 –> 00:02:23,080 and enjoyed three very wonderful days. 48 00:02:23,080 –> 00:02:24,580 About half way through as we were reading 49 00:02:24,580 –> 00:02:26,460 this part of the scripture, 50 00:02:26,460 –> 00:02:29,059 I notice that Paul tells us precisely 51 00:02:29,059 –> 00:02:30,419 what one Timothy is about. 52 00:02:30,419 –> 00:02:33,300 You’ll see it in chapter three and verse 14. 53 00:02:33,300 –> 00:02:36,059 Paul says, although I want, I hope to come to you soon 54 00:02:36,059 –> 00:02:38,240 I am writing these instructions 55 00:02:38,240 –> 00:02:41,000 so that, so here’s why this letter was written, 56 00:02:41,000 –> 00:02:42,399 I’m writing these instructions 57 00:02:42,399 –> 00:02:45,000 so that if I’m delayed, you will know 58 00:02:45,000 –> 00:02:47,339 how people should conduct themselves 59 00:02:47,479 –> 00:02:50,419 in God’s household, which is the Church of the Living God. 60 00:02:52,039 –> 00:02:53,639 In other words, this whole letter 61 00:02:53,639 –> 00:02:56,960 has been given by God to tell us 62 00:02:56,960 –> 00:03:00,539 what he is looking for in a local church. 63 00:03:01,399 –> 00:03:04,440 In other words, one Timothy does exactly 64 00:03:04,440 –> 00:03:07,639 what my friend had been saying I need to do. 65 00:03:07,639 –> 00:03:12,639 It spells out what a church is for, 66 00:03:13,320 –> 00:03:17,520 what we are to pursue, how we are to behave, 67 00:03:17,520 –> 00:03:19,839 what it is that we are to be about. 68 00:03:21,679 –> 00:03:23,039 Folks, that got me going. 69 00:03:23,039 –> 00:03:24,740 That was in the Fall of last year. 70 00:03:26,279 –> 00:03:28,199 You know, as I do, that there are folks 71 00:03:28,199 –> 00:03:30,440 all over the country who talk incessantly 72 00:03:30,440 –> 00:03:33,720 about what they are looking for in a church. 73 00:03:33,720 –> 00:03:36,000 What are you looking for in a church? 74 00:03:37,479 –> 00:03:39,279 Well, whatever it is good for you, 75 00:03:40,679 –> 00:03:42,259 the real question that matters 76 00:03:42,259 –> 00:03:44,119 is not what you’re looking for in a church, 77 00:03:44,119 –> 00:03:45,699 not what I’m looking for in a church, 78 00:03:45,699 –> 00:03:48,100 but what is God looking for in a church. 79 00:03:48,100 –> 00:03:51,619 That’s the question that ought to matter to us. 80 00:03:53,059 –> 00:03:54,699 So I give you the background of this 81 00:03:54,699 –> 00:03:57,500 because I want you to understand one thing, 82 00:03:57,500 –> 00:03:59,279 and then as we move through the scriptures, 83 00:03:59,279 –> 00:04:01,740 many more things that are important 84 00:04:01,740 –> 00:04:04,080 or should become increasingly important 85 00:04:04,080 –> 00:04:06,220 for us at the orchard. 86 00:04:07,259 –> 00:04:10,039 It is not for us to decide what matters 87 00:04:10,039 –> 00:04:12,380 and then look for a few texts 88 00:04:12,380 –> 00:04:15,539 to support what we’ve already decided in advance. 89 00:04:16,619 –> 00:04:20,619 We want as best we’re able to start from the Bible 90 00:04:20,619 –> 00:04:23,820 where God tells us what is important to Him 91 00:04:23,820 –> 00:04:26,799 so that we can follow after His passion. 92 00:04:27,820 –> 00:04:30,059 In other words, we never come to the Bible 93 00:04:30,059 –> 00:04:33,059 as masters of this word. 94 00:04:33,059 –> 00:04:37,420 We come to the Bible in order to be mastered by it. 95 00:04:38,399 –> 00:04:41,760 We do not come as those who kind of pour over the Bible. 96 00:04:41,760 –> 00:04:44,140 We come as those who want to place ourselves 97 00:04:44,140 –> 00:04:46,899 under the Bible, to be challenged by the Bible, 98 00:04:46,899 –> 00:04:51,899 changed by the Bible because it is the word of God. 99 00:04:53,359 –> 00:04:56,079 We want the Bible to be our critic. 100 00:04:57,079 –> 00:04:58,480 We want the Bible to tell us 101 00:04:58,480 –> 00:05:01,200 where we need to adjust course. 102 00:05:01,200 –> 00:05:02,959 We want to be living under the Bible 103 00:05:02,959 –> 00:05:06,339 on a constant and a continuing kind of basis. 104 00:05:06,339 –> 00:05:07,899 That is what it means folks, 105 00:05:07,899 –> 00:05:11,600 to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 106 00:05:11,600 –> 00:05:14,339 It means that we come to Christ’s word 107 00:05:14,339 –> 00:05:17,660 without preconditions. 108 00:05:17,660 –> 00:05:20,380 We come in the spirit individually and together 109 00:05:20,380 –> 00:05:25,380 of saying, Lord, whatever you say we will follow. 110 00:05:25,600 –> 00:05:28,399 So help us God. 111 00:05:29,500 –> 00:05:31,619 Now that’s always gonna be a challenging journey 112 00:05:31,619 –> 00:05:34,660 but how else would we come before the word 113 00:05:34,660 –> 00:05:38,220 of the living God of the universe? 114 00:05:38,220 –> 00:05:41,100 So please understand that when we talk about 115 00:05:41,100 –> 00:05:44,380 10 distinctives of a gospel centered church, 116 00:05:44,380 –> 00:05:47,579 when we speak from the scriptures 117 00:05:47,579 –> 00:05:49,700 about those things that matter to God 118 00:05:49,700 –> 00:05:53,679 that therefore must be defining for us. 119 00:05:53,679 –> 00:05:55,059 We’re not coming to this saying, 120 00:05:55,059 –> 00:05:58,660 hey, look at who we are and we’ve got it all worked out. 121 00:05:58,660 –> 00:06:00,859 No, nothing could be further from the truth. 122 00:06:01,279 –> 00:06:04,899 We are coming to the scriptures 123 00:06:04,899 –> 00:06:07,140 as a body of believers together 124 00:06:07,140 –> 00:06:10,380 with open minds and open hearts 125 00:06:10,380 –> 00:06:13,779 to find out what matters to God 126 00:06:13,779 –> 00:06:16,239 so that we can pursue his passion. 127 00:06:17,519 –> 00:06:19,500 That’s what I want to be about. 128 00:06:19,500 –> 00:06:21,380 I think you’re here because that’s what 129 00:06:21,380 –> 00:06:24,920 you want to be about as well. 130 00:06:24,920 –> 00:06:26,940 So let’s jump into this together, shall we? 131 00:06:26,940 –> 00:06:28,619 And I hope you have your Bible open 132 00:06:28,640 –> 00:06:31,540 at 1 Timothy and chapter one, 133 00:06:31,540 –> 00:06:33,480 and you notice that it begins with Paul 134 00:06:33,480 –> 00:06:36,459 introducing himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus 135 00:06:36,459 –> 00:06:38,700 by the command of God our Savior 136 00:06:38,700 –> 00:06:42,540 and of Christ Jesus our hope. 137 00:06:42,540 –> 00:06:45,940 Notice straight away that Paul who is writing this letter 138 00:06:45,940 –> 00:06:50,940 is an apostle and an apostle of Jesus Christ. 139 00:06:51,940 –> 00:06:55,299 Apostle simply means one who is sent 140 00:06:55,299 –> 00:06:57,019 and he is an apostle of Christ 141 00:06:57,100 –> 00:06:59,920 which means he was sent by Christ. 142 00:06:59,920 –> 00:07:04,799 Therefore Paul is one who is specially sent by Christ 143 00:07:04,799 –> 00:07:07,660 to speak on Christ’s behalf, 144 00:07:07,660 –> 00:07:10,600 rather like an ambassador is officially sent 145 00:07:10,600 –> 00:07:12,339 by a government to speak, 146 00:07:12,339 –> 00:07:15,140 the words that are given by the government 147 00:07:15,140 –> 00:07:17,299 and on their behalf. 148 00:07:17,299 –> 00:07:19,500 And then Paul tells us here 149 00:07:19,500 –> 00:07:24,380 that he is an apostle by the command of God. 150 00:07:24,660 –> 00:07:29,420 Now folks, that is an extraordinary statement. 151 00:07:29,420 –> 00:07:33,279 An apostle, by the command of God. 152 00:07:35,079 –> 00:07:36,679 Now folks, I have had the privilege 153 00:07:36,679 –> 00:07:38,119 and have the privilege and joy 154 00:07:38,119 –> 00:07:42,100 of serving as the senior pastor of The Orchard, 155 00:07:42,100 –> 00:07:47,100 and so I could describe myself as Colin, a senior pastor. 156 00:07:47,700 –> 00:07:52,700 But I could never, never say Colin, a senior pastor. 157 00:07:54,720 –> 00:07:57,059 By the command of God. 158 00:07:58,480 –> 00:08:02,239 The best I could say folks would be, 159 00:08:02,239 –> 00:08:05,959 Colin, a senior pastor, 160 00:08:05,959 –> 00:08:09,579 cause you guys invited me to come. 161 00:08:09,579 –> 00:08:10,679 I could say that. 162 00:08:12,140 –> 00:08:16,720 Of course I discerned God’s hand in that for my life. 163 00:08:18,440 –> 00:08:21,320 But it did not come by direct revelation. 164 00:08:21,940 –> 00:08:25,160 Paul’s Apostleship did. 165 00:08:26,760 –> 00:08:30,260 He was an apostle not by the invitation of the churches. 166 00:08:31,540 –> 00:08:34,820 He was an apostle by the command of God. 167 00:08:34,820 –> 00:08:36,640 No pastor could ever say that. 168 00:08:36,640 –> 00:08:38,080 You ever hear someone saying that? 169 00:08:38,080 –> 00:08:39,419 You’re probably in a cult. 170 00:08:41,159 –> 00:08:44,419 No pastor could say, I am here by the command of God. 171 00:08:44,419 –> 00:08:46,400 No missionary can arrive in a country 172 00:08:46,400 –> 00:08:49,380 and say, I am here by the command of God. 173 00:08:49,799 –> 00:08:52,880 We are called by the churches or sent by the churches 174 00:08:52,880 –> 00:08:55,099 and operate under their authority. 175 00:08:57,179 –> 00:09:00,320 But Paul said, I am an apostle by the command of God. 176 00:09:01,539 –> 00:09:05,580 Christ appeared to him on the Damascus Road. 177 00:09:05,580 –> 00:09:10,580 God appointed him as the apostle to the Gentiles. 178 00:09:13,140 –> 00:09:14,979 See we, pastors and missionaries, 179 00:09:14,979 –> 00:09:17,340 serve under the authority of the Word 180 00:09:17,340 –> 00:09:19,380 and under the authority of others 181 00:09:19,380 –> 00:09:21,200 who God places over us. 182 00:09:22,460 –> 00:09:24,580 But Paul was given authority. 183 00:09:25,880 –> 00:09:27,460 That is why he is able 184 00:09:27,460 –> 00:09:31,500 to write the word of God with authority for the churches, 185 00:09:31,500 –> 00:09:34,099 not just the church where Timothy was pastor, 186 00:09:34,099 –> 00:09:36,140 but for all churches everywhere, 187 00:09:36,140 –> 00:09:38,419 given authority as an apostle of Christ 188 00:09:38,419 –> 00:09:40,039 by the command of God. 189 00:09:40,039 –> 00:09:41,700 Now, folks, it is very important 190 00:09:41,700 –> 00:09:44,200 for us to understand the uniqueness 191 00:09:44,200 –> 00:09:47,320 of the apostles and of the prophets. 192 00:09:48,260 –> 00:09:51,599 God’s word does not come to us directly. 193 00:09:55,539 –> 00:09:58,539 God’s word comes to us through them. 194 00:10:01,280 –> 00:10:03,940 Very important to remember that. 195 00:10:05,140 –> 00:10:07,400 So when we read this letter 196 00:10:09,200 –> 00:10:12,539 we are not reading the opinions of Paul. 197 00:10:14,080 –> 00:10:15,479 I can’t get halfway through Timothy 198 00:10:15,479 –> 00:10:17,000 and say, well I didn’t really like that. 199 00:10:17,020 –> 00:10:19,919 It just sounds like Paul’s opinion. 200 00:10:21,380 –> 00:10:24,039 No we are hearing the word of God 201 00:10:25,119 –> 00:10:27,640 and the will of Christ 202 00:10:27,640 –> 00:10:31,599 as we do everywhere in the scriptures. 203 00:10:31,599 –> 00:10:34,000 I want you to notice right from the outset 204 00:10:34,000 –> 00:10:35,320 we’re gonna keep finding this, 205 00:10:35,320 –> 00:10:38,239 that this whole letter is full of Christ. 206 00:10:38,239 –> 00:10:40,159 These are the words of the apostle 207 00:10:40,159 –> 00:10:42,599 to the gentiles, sent by, by the command 208 00:10:42,599 –> 00:10:44,799 of God our savior. 209 00:10:44,799 –> 00:10:46,479 Isn’t that a beautiful statement? 210 00:10:46,799 –> 00:10:47,979 God our savior. 211 00:10:49,080 –> 00:10:51,200 Can you thank God that he’s our savior 212 00:10:51,200 –> 00:10:53,840 and Jesus Christ our hope. 213 00:10:53,840 –> 00:10:54,919 Our hope. 214 00:10:55,880 –> 00:10:58,119 Whatever you are facing in your life right now 215 00:10:58,119 –> 00:11:01,219 you can take even these words from the Lord 216 00:11:01,219 –> 00:11:03,840 and you can say there is hope for me 217 00:11:03,840 –> 00:11:05,159 in Jesus Christ. 218 00:11:05,159 –> 00:11:07,520 There is hope for you in Jesus Christ 219 00:11:07,520 –> 00:11:09,559 whatever you’re facing for we’re looking 220 00:11:09,559 –> 00:11:12,280 at the words of God our Savior 221 00:11:12,280 –> 00:11:15,280 and of Jesus Christ our hope. 222 00:11:16,200 –> 00:11:17,799 Now I hope that sets the framework 223 00:11:17,799 –> 00:11:20,119 for us to open this letter 224 00:11:20,119 –> 00:11:21,359 and over these next weeks 225 00:11:21,359 –> 00:11:23,239 for us as a body of believers 226 00:11:23,239 –> 00:11:25,799 to place ourselves under the authority 227 00:11:25,799 –> 00:11:27,679 of the word of God. 228 00:11:27,679 –> 00:11:29,799 The letter of course is for the whole church. 229 00:11:29,799 –> 00:11:31,080 It was read publicly. 230 00:11:31,080 –> 00:11:32,960 It’s for the entire congregation 231 00:11:32,960 –> 00:11:34,719 but I want you to notice that it begins 232 00:11:34,719 –> 00:11:37,280 with a personal word from the apostle Paul 233 00:11:37,280 –> 00:11:39,359 to Timothy the pastor 234 00:11:39,359 –> 00:11:40,919 and he says in verse three 235 00:11:40,919 –> 00:11:44,159 as I urged you when I went to Macedonia 236 00:11:44,200 –> 00:11:47,880 stay there in Ephesus. 237 00:11:49,000 –> 00:11:50,239 Now the church of Ephesus 238 00:11:50,239 –> 00:11:52,659 had been planted with great difficulty. 239 00:11:52,659 –> 00:11:56,140 You can read the story in Acts chapter 19. 240 00:11:56,140 –> 00:11:57,320 Paul took the gospel there 241 00:11:57,320 –> 00:12:00,599 and there was a riot after he preached, 242 00:12:00,599 –> 00:12:03,960 great difficulties and yet a church was born. 243 00:12:03,960 –> 00:12:06,960 Paul spent three years in this city. 244 00:12:06,960 –> 00:12:09,099 He says in Acts chapter 20 245 00:12:09,099 –> 00:12:12,840 when he says goodbye to the Ephesian elders, 246 00:12:12,859 –> 00:12:16,500 he speaks about how day and night he had taught them, 247 00:12:16,500 –> 00:12:18,559 he taught them even with tears, he said, 248 00:12:18,559 –> 00:12:22,020 so that Paul was emotionally invested 249 00:12:22,020 –> 00:12:23,780 in this group of believers 250 00:12:23,780 –> 00:12:27,159 because of his personal ministry there 251 00:12:27,159 –> 00:12:30,820 and he had appointed Timothy as the pastor 252 00:12:30,820 –> 00:12:35,820 to continue the work in this wonderful church. 253 00:12:35,960 –> 00:12:37,359 And in Acts chapter 20 254 00:12:37,359 –> 00:12:39,380 when Paul saying goodbye to the leaders, 255 00:12:39,380 –> 00:12:41,719 he says I know that after I leave 256 00:12:41,760 –> 00:12:43,679 savage wolves will come in among you 257 00:12:43,679 –> 00:12:45,679 and will not spare the flock. 258 00:12:45,679 –> 00:12:47,440 In fact even from your own number 259 00:12:47,440 –> 00:12:49,780 men will arise and distort the truth 260 00:12:49,780 –> 00:12:52,359 in order to draw disciples away after them 261 00:12:52,359 –> 00:12:53,919 so be on your guard. 262 00:12:55,239 –> 00:12:57,440 In other words Paul is telling the elders 263 00:12:57,440 –> 00:12:58,799 that in Acts chapter 20 264 00:12:58,799 –> 00:13:00,159 the elders of this same church 265 00:13:00,159 –> 00:13:02,559 where Timothy was the pastor 266 00:13:02,559 –> 00:13:05,799 that leaders need to protect the church 267 00:13:05,799 –> 00:13:08,080 from people who would make the church 268 00:13:08,080 –> 00:13:10,559 more about themselves than about Christ. 269 00:13:10,559 –> 00:13:11,460 That’s the point. 270 00:13:12,419 –> 00:13:15,479 That even from within a congregation 271 00:13:16,520 –> 00:13:19,239 even within a local body 272 00:13:19,239 –> 00:13:20,840 the church needs to be protected 273 00:13:20,840 –> 00:13:22,760 from folks who will rise up 274 00:13:22,760 –> 00:13:25,979 in order to draw away disciples after themselves. 275 00:13:25,979 –> 00:13:28,280 That is what Paul is saying. 276 00:13:28,280 –> 00:13:30,919 Leaders, elders, pastors need to protect the church 277 00:13:30,919 –> 00:13:32,679 from people who would make the church 278 00:13:32,679 –> 00:13:34,960 more about themselves than about Christ 279 00:13:34,960 –> 00:13:38,359 and that is what Timothy had to do as the pastor. 280 00:13:38,359 –> 00:13:39,700 And that is why Paul says 281 00:13:39,799 –> 00:13:41,580 in verse three back in 1 Timothy, 282 00:13:41,580 –> 00:13:43,820 stay in Ephesus. 283 00:13:43,820 –> 00:13:44,760 You’ve gotta stay there 284 00:13:44,760 –> 00:13:47,780 because you’ve got to do this important work Timothy. 285 00:13:47,780 –> 00:13:50,260 In particular you must command, verse three, 286 00:13:50,260 –> 00:13:55,179 certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer. 287 00:13:56,359 –> 00:14:00,020 Now folks when Paul says stay in Ephesus 288 00:14:00,020 –> 00:14:02,260 this raises a very practical question. 289 00:14:03,280 –> 00:14:05,059 When you’re involved in a ministry 290 00:14:06,099 –> 00:14:08,219 when should you stay 291 00:14:08,380 –> 00:14:11,380 and when is it time to move on to something new? 292 00:14:12,599 –> 00:14:14,039 They’re a very real question. 293 00:14:14,900 –> 00:14:18,020 When God has got you involved in something 294 00:14:18,020 –> 00:14:20,820 how do you discern a time of transition? 295 00:14:20,820 –> 00:14:23,640 How do you discern that in your working life? 296 00:14:25,119 –> 00:14:27,820 Of course, it was very easy for Timothy. 297 00:14:27,820 –> 00:14:30,820 If an apostle tells you to stay, you stay. 298 00:14:30,820 –> 00:14:32,460 Easy. 299 00:14:32,460 –> 00:14:34,859 But we don’t have an apostle to tell us 300 00:14:34,859 –> 00:14:37,719 our particular steps in that kind of a way. 301 00:14:38,419 –> 00:14:39,979 So I want you to notice the reasoning. 302 00:14:39,979 –> 00:14:43,020 I had someone write to me from another church just this week 303 00:14:43,020 –> 00:14:44,020 as a brother in Christ, 304 00:14:44,020 –> 00:14:46,239 and say I’m really in the middle of this question, 305 00:14:46,239 –> 00:14:48,260 how do I evaluate whether I should stay 306 00:14:48,260 –> 00:14:50,159 or whether it’s time for me to move on? 307 00:14:51,580 –> 00:14:53,619 I found this very helpful just meditating 308 00:14:53,619 –> 00:14:55,460 on this scripture this week. 309 00:14:55,460 –> 00:14:57,500 Notice what’s behind Paul’s reasoning. 310 00:14:57,500 –> 00:15:02,219 Number one, you stay when other people need to be protected. 311 00:15:03,239 –> 00:15:05,559 See the one who runs away when the wolf comes 312 00:15:05,559 –> 00:15:07,780 is a hired hand. 313 00:15:07,859 –> 00:15:10,599 Jesus says the shepherd stays 314 00:15:10,599 –> 00:15:13,760 even if it means giving his life 315 00:15:13,760 –> 00:15:15,359 when the flock needs protecting. 316 00:15:16,359 –> 00:15:20,760 Number two, stay when you can bring help to God’s people, 317 00:15:20,760 –> 00:15:24,460 when you can help bring unity to God’s people. 318 00:15:24,460 –> 00:15:29,460 Paul says the goal of this command is love, verse five. 319 00:15:29,580 –> 00:15:32,400 So as long as you can contribute to the unity 320 00:15:32,400 –> 00:15:35,299 of the body of Christ you have reason to stay. 321 00:15:36,280 –> 00:15:39,099 Number three, stay as long as you can 322 00:15:39,099 –> 00:15:42,340 have a redemptive influence in people’s lives. 323 00:15:42,340 –> 00:15:45,159 Timothy’s aim is to minister to these folks 324 00:15:45,159 –> 00:15:47,559 who’ve got off track, with the purpose 325 00:15:47,559 –> 00:15:50,619 of bringing them back into the right place. 326 00:15:50,619 –> 00:15:52,900 And if God has placed you in a position 327 00:15:52,900 –> 00:15:55,799 where he is using you in a redemptive way 328 00:15:55,799 –> 00:15:57,260 in the life of other people, 329 00:15:57,260 –> 00:15:59,320 don’t move away from that quickly. 330 00:16:00,280 –> 00:16:05,280 And stay as long as there is a great work to be done. 331 00:16:06,099 –> 00:16:08,979 As long as there is a great work to be done. 332 00:16:08,979 –> 00:16:10,580 Now, I think Timothy needed this word 333 00:16:10,580 –> 00:16:11,780 and this encouragement. 334 00:16:11,780 –> 00:16:13,380 There were some pretty difficult people 335 00:16:13,380 –> 00:16:14,979 in the church at Ephesus. 336 00:16:14,979 –> 00:16:16,140 And there must have been times 337 00:16:16,140 –> 00:16:19,219 when Timothy felt that he wanted to go somewhere else. 338 00:16:19,219 –> 00:16:20,700 And Paul says, stay. 339 00:16:20,700 –> 00:16:25,700 Because there is a great work for you, Timothy, to do. 340 00:16:26,700 –> 00:16:29,200 Now, what is he to do as he stays? 341 00:16:29,200 –> 00:16:31,799 Well, the whole letter answers that question. 342 00:16:31,799 –> 00:16:33,859 But it begins right here. 343 00:16:33,859 –> 00:16:38,859 Stay in Ephesus so that you may command certain men 344 00:16:38,880 –> 00:16:41,760 not to teach false doctrines. 345 00:16:42,640 –> 00:16:46,359 Now, when Paul speaks about false doctrines, 346 00:16:46,359 –> 00:16:48,799 it immediately tells you that even at this 347 00:16:48,799 –> 00:16:51,559 earliest stage of the church, 348 00:16:51,559 –> 00:16:54,479 there were certain doctrines taught by the apostles 349 00:16:54,479 –> 00:16:58,119 and received by the churches as true. 350 00:16:58,400 –> 00:17:00,640 And the Bible speaks about this. 351 00:17:00,640 –> 00:17:03,159 It describes the body of truth 352 00:17:03,159 –> 00:17:04,880 that was taught by the apostles 353 00:17:04,880 –> 00:17:07,400 and received by the churches in different ways. 354 00:17:07,400 –> 00:17:09,880 It describes it as the faith 355 00:17:09,880 –> 00:17:12,900 once delivered to the saints, Jude 3. 356 00:17:12,900 –> 00:17:15,800 The pattern of sound teaching, 357 00:17:15,800 –> 00:17:19,040 the good deposit that was entrusted to you, 358 00:17:19,939 –> 00:17:22,640 if you want this in one word, 359 00:17:22,640 –> 00:17:26,839 or maybe it’s two words it would be the gospel. 360 00:17:26,839 –> 00:17:28,099 The gospel, that’s what it is 361 00:17:28,099 –> 00:17:30,199 when you talk about the gospel, 362 00:17:30,199 –> 00:17:33,239 the deposit, the faith, the apostolic doctrine, 363 00:17:33,239 –> 00:17:35,040 the pattern of sound teaching 364 00:17:35,040 –> 00:17:36,839 that which has been entrusted. 365 00:17:36,839 –> 00:17:38,979 And Timothy, here’s what you need to do 366 00:17:38,979 –> 00:17:40,920 as the pastor of this church. 367 00:17:41,880 –> 00:17:43,239 Guard the gospel. 368 00:17:44,079 –> 00:17:46,680 Keep it front and center of the church. 369 00:17:46,680 –> 00:17:47,680 Preach the gospel. 370 00:17:47,680 –> 00:17:48,760 Live the gospel. 371 00:17:48,760 –> 00:17:50,160 Advance the gospel. 372 00:17:50,160 –> 00:17:53,000 If necessary die for the gospel Timothy 373 00:17:53,000 –> 00:17:55,400 because that is the trust that is given to you 374 00:17:55,400 –> 00:17:57,040 and to the elders of the church 375 00:17:57,040 –> 00:17:59,959 and to everyone who bears the name of Jesus Christ. 376 00:18:01,800 –> 00:18:04,479 And notice what Timothy is to protect the church from. 377 00:18:04,479 –> 00:18:06,699 Not only those who will deny the truth 378 00:18:06,699 –> 00:18:09,579 but secondly those who will distract from the truth. 379 00:18:11,199 –> 00:18:13,119 Certain men, verse three, 380 00:18:14,099 –> 00:18:18,500 devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. 381 00:18:22,280 –> 00:18:25,280 Now the word myths simply means 382 00:18:25,339 –> 00:18:26,140 stories 383 00:18:28,239 –> 00:18:32,479 and Paul is describing here men within the church 384 00:18:33,540 –> 00:18:36,400 who just love to tell stories. 385 00:18:38,060 –> 00:18:39,199 They’re devoted to it. 386 00:18:39,199 –> 00:18:40,520 Notice that word, in other words 387 00:18:40,520 –> 00:18:42,359 they have an affection for this. 388 00:18:43,439 –> 00:18:46,339 They want to tell stories that’ll make people cry. 389 00:18:46,339 –> 00:18:49,300 They want to tell stories that’ll make people laugh. 390 00:18:49,300 –> 00:18:50,800 They want to give the congregation 391 00:18:50,800 –> 00:18:52,719 chicken soup for the soul. 392 00:18:55,280 –> 00:18:59,160 And you know, that that’s still widely the case? 393 00:18:59,160 –> 00:19:00,300 Tell them stories. 394 00:19:00,300 –> 00:19:02,239 And there are whole congregations 395 00:19:02,239 –> 00:19:04,160 that are saying to their pastors 396 00:19:04,160 –> 00:19:06,560 if you get up on the platform just tell us some stories. 397 00:19:06,560 –> 00:19:09,719 Make us laugh, make us cry, tell us stories. 398 00:19:11,760 –> 00:19:15,599 And Paul says, there will always be folks 399 00:19:15,599 –> 00:19:17,880 within the church and that is what they’ve been 400 00:19:17,880 –> 00:19:20,439 brought up on, that’s what they have an appetite for, 401 00:19:20,439 –> 00:19:22,520 that’s what they think is the best thing in all the world, 402 00:19:22,520 –> 00:19:24,040 that’s what they love. 403 00:19:26,260 –> 00:19:28,640 And Timothy, don’t let the church go there 404 00:19:28,640 –> 00:19:32,280 because no one will become deeply rooted in Christ that way. 405 00:19:34,660 –> 00:19:39,219 Then there’ll be others who have a different turn of mind 406 00:19:39,219 –> 00:19:42,180 there into, notice the phrase, endless genealogies. 407 00:19:43,359 –> 00:19:46,959 Evidently there was great interest in what line 408 00:19:46,959 –> 00:19:50,119 you came from among some folks in the church in Ephesus 409 00:19:50,119 –> 00:19:52,359 and I suppose you can see why that would be of interest 410 00:19:53,079 –> 00:19:56,560 especially to Jewish believers so early in the church. 411 00:19:56,560 –> 00:19:59,500 How do I get back to Abraham. 412 00:19:59,500 –> 00:20:02,099 And if I’ve been a more direct line back to Abraham 413 00:20:02,099 –> 00:20:04,280 than you have, then I got more clout in the church 414 00:20:04,280 –> 00:20:05,540 than you have, you know? 415 00:20:07,900 –> 00:20:12,339 By the way the New Testament begins with a genealogy, 416 00:20:12,339 –> 00:20:14,839 Matthew Chapter one. 417 00:20:14,839 –> 00:20:19,839 And the genealogy brings us to Jesus. 418 00:20:20,560 –> 00:20:24,160 What’s being talked about here is endless genealogies. 419 00:20:25,359 –> 00:20:28,199 And an endless genealogy never gets you to Jesus. 420 00:20:29,040 –> 00:20:31,420 So here are folks who are just caught up 421 00:20:31,420 –> 00:20:36,420 in pursuit of fascination of Bible trivia, if you like. 422 00:20:38,260 –> 00:20:40,239 And they never get to Christ. 423 00:20:41,660 –> 00:20:45,040 And Paul says Timothy, you have got to protect the church 424 00:20:45,040 –> 00:20:46,520 from that kind of stuff. 425 00:20:47,439 –> 00:20:48,880 Because there will always be people 426 00:20:48,880 –> 00:20:51,560 and some will rise up even from within the church 427 00:20:51,560 –> 00:20:55,459 who will want to get involved in all kinds of stuff 428 00:20:55,459 –> 00:20:57,839 that does not have Jesus Christ at the center. 429 00:20:57,839 –> 00:21:00,000 You’ve got to protect the church from that. 430 00:21:02,400 –> 00:21:07,400 Now, I heard Don Carson make a comment recently 431 00:21:08,199 –> 00:21:10,380 that really resonated with me. 432 00:21:12,619 –> 00:21:14,660 He is taught, as most of you know, 433 00:21:14,660 –> 00:21:17,339 for many years in a distinguished way 434 00:21:17,339 –> 00:21:20,520 and still does at Trinity International University. 435 00:21:21,719 –> 00:21:22,959 And he said this, 436 00:21:23,819 –> 00:21:25,640 I’ve found over the years 437 00:21:26,939 –> 00:21:31,099 that my students don’t learn what I teach. 438 00:21:32,479 –> 00:21:36,260 They learn what I’m excited about. 439 00:21:37,640 –> 00:21:38,979 That’s very perceptive. 440 00:21:41,239 –> 00:21:44,260 Parents, your kids will not learn what you teach, 441 00:21:45,260 –> 00:21:47,459 they will learn what you’re excited about. 442 00:21:48,900 –> 00:21:50,800 Folks who come into this church this year 443 00:21:50,800 –> 00:21:52,800 and then the next 10 years, God-willing, 444 00:21:53,939 –> 00:21:55,619 will not learn what we teach, 445 00:21:55,619 –> 00:22:00,079 they will pick up what we are excited about. 446 00:22:02,060 –> 00:22:06,400 And the reality is that there are folks all over the place 447 00:22:07,780 –> 00:22:08,619 in our country 448 00:22:09,880 –> 00:22:14,099 who believe in Jesus but are quietly bored with their faith 449 00:22:14,359 –> 00:22:15,939 and are looking for some other cause 450 00:22:15,939 –> 00:22:20,119 to jump on idea to get into project, to engage in 451 00:22:20,119 –> 00:22:22,380 and that’s the thing they’re gonna get excited about. 452 00:22:24,939 –> 00:22:28,000 And I want you to notice the effect of that. 453 00:22:28,000 –> 00:22:31,699 Verse four, these, that is when you get excited 454 00:22:31,699 –> 00:22:34,540 about other things besides Christ. 455 00:22:34,540 –> 00:22:36,040 What happens in the church is that 456 00:22:36,040 –> 00:22:38,180 it promotes controversies rather than 457 00:22:38,180 –> 00:22:40,439 God’s work which is by faith. 458 00:22:40,439 –> 00:22:43,800 So Paul is taking us right to the very heart now 459 00:22:43,800 –> 00:22:46,920 of what causes strife and division in churches. 460 00:22:47,800 –> 00:22:48,979 Here’s how it happens, 461 00:22:48,979 –> 00:22:51,500 a few people have a particular passion. 462 00:22:52,420 –> 00:22:55,079 They want the whole church to embrace their passion 463 00:22:55,079 –> 00:22:57,939 and for it to become about their passion 464 00:22:57,939 –> 00:23:00,920 and that always leads to division. 465 00:23:00,920 –> 00:23:02,040 I have to say to you, 466 00:23:04,920 –> 00:23:09,920 if your passion is not about Jesus Christ, 467 00:23:10,420 –> 00:23:13,579 if Jesus Christ is not front and center 468 00:23:13,619 –> 00:23:15,380 of the passion of your life, 469 00:23:16,699 –> 00:23:19,319 you will in all likelihood become a divisive person 470 00:23:19,319 –> 00:23:20,319 within the church. 471 00:23:21,560 –> 00:23:22,780 Because what is your passion, 472 00:23:22,780 –> 00:23:24,180 what you’re really excited about 473 00:23:24,180 –> 00:23:25,839 will be the thing that moves you. 474 00:23:27,739 –> 00:23:30,859 Now you see why Paul says even in relation to himself, 475 00:23:30,859 –> 00:23:33,560 because we all have to watch our own hearts on this, 476 00:23:33,560 –> 00:23:38,560 Paul says may I never boast about anything 477 00:23:38,780 –> 00:23:42,020 except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 478 00:23:42,020 –> 00:23:43,260 Why does he say that? 479 00:23:43,280 –> 00:23:45,760 Because if I get onto being really excited 480 00:23:45,760 –> 00:23:49,280 about anything other than Jesus Christ and him crucified, 481 00:23:49,280 –> 00:23:52,099 then that’s gonna be divisive and destructive for the church 482 00:23:52,099 –> 00:23:55,439 Jesus Christ and him crucified is front and center. 483 00:23:55,439 –> 00:23:57,640 That is the center of our passion. 484 00:23:57,640 –> 00:24:01,500 That is the point around which we are united together. 485 00:24:01,500 –> 00:24:04,800 May this church never be about anything 486 00:24:04,800 –> 00:24:08,300 except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 487 00:24:09,400 –> 00:24:12,479 Brothers and sisters, we are not here for ourselves. 488 00:24:12,479 –> 00:24:14,859 We are not here to advance our own cause, 489 00:24:14,859 –> 00:24:17,199 our own ministry, our own passion. 490 00:24:17,199 –> 00:24:18,680 We are here for Christ. 491 00:24:18,680 –> 00:24:20,420 We are here for the gospel. 492 00:24:20,420 –> 00:24:23,400 Timothy, don’t let anyone ever 493 00:24:23,400 –> 00:24:26,500 move the church away from that, never. 494 00:24:29,020 –> 00:24:32,160 So, it seems to me as I’ve pondered this, 495 00:24:32,160 –> 00:24:35,359 that a church that is rooted in the truth, 496 00:24:35,359 –> 00:24:38,599 neither denying it nor becoming distracted from it 497 00:24:39,239 –> 00:24:42,280 is what God is looking for among us. 498 00:24:45,079 –> 00:24:47,859 I want you to notice something else here in verse five, 499 00:24:47,859 –> 00:24:52,380 that the goal of this command is love. 500 00:24:54,199 –> 00:24:57,479 The goal of the church being rooted in the truth 501 00:24:57,479 –> 00:25:01,619 and centered in Jesus Christ is love. 502 00:25:02,920 –> 00:25:06,119 The reason that you are to fulfill this command, 503 00:25:06,119 –> 00:25:07,540 verse three, that is to tell people 504 00:25:07,640 –> 00:25:10,819 not to teach false doctrines and myths and so forth. 505 00:25:10,819 –> 00:25:13,660 The reason you’re to take that difficult action 506 00:25:13,660 –> 00:25:17,020 is that the reason is love. 507 00:25:18,099 –> 00:25:19,380 In other words Timothy, the only way 508 00:25:19,380 –> 00:25:21,439 that you will have real unity among God’s people 509 00:25:21,439 –> 00:25:23,780 is by keeping Jesus Christ and his gospel 510 00:25:23,780 –> 00:25:26,099 front and center as soon as anything else 511 00:25:26,099 –> 00:25:30,140 takes central stage, you will have controversy and division. 512 00:25:30,140 –> 00:25:31,140 That’s what he says. 513 00:25:32,959 –> 00:25:36,040 Now folks let me tell you this candidly and with joy. 514 00:25:38,020 –> 00:25:42,660 Next Sunday, I will God willing begin 515 00:25:43,540 –> 00:25:47,140 the 30th year of being a pastor. 516 00:25:47,140 –> 00:25:50,339 I can’t get over the privilege that has been 517 00:25:50,339 –> 00:25:52,560 and continues to be mind serving, 518 00:25:52,560 –> 00:25:56,660 two churches and two continents of the world 519 00:25:56,660 –> 00:25:58,140 still amazes me. 520 00:25:59,380 –> 00:26:04,380 One for 16 years in London and then for the last 13 years 521 00:26:04,660 –> 00:26:06,479 and continuing to be my privilege now 522 00:26:06,479 –> 00:26:08,619 to serve as your senior pastor. 523 00:26:10,160 –> 00:26:13,160 And as I’m about to begin my 30th year as a pastor, 524 00:26:14,479 –> 00:26:16,640 I can honestly say to you today 525 00:26:18,000 –> 00:26:21,719 that I have never in 30 years 526 00:26:22,680 –> 00:26:25,979 experienced a pastoral staff so united, 527 00:26:26,859 –> 00:26:29,079 a church board so focused, 528 00:26:30,380 –> 00:26:35,040 a congregation so unified 529 00:26:35,040 –> 00:26:36,800 around a common vision 530 00:26:38,060 –> 00:26:41,300 as I see in the orchard today, 531 00:26:41,300 –> 00:26:44,260 and I say that to the praise and to the glory of God 532 00:26:44,260 –> 00:26:48,500 and with the deepest thankfulness of heart. 533 00:26:49,420 –> 00:26:50,859 Now you may say, well if that’s the case, 534 00:26:50,859 –> 00:26:53,500 why are you talking about all this stuff then? 535 00:26:53,500 –> 00:26:54,359 Here’s why. 536 00:26:55,699 –> 00:26:58,260 Because folks, we need to know what a gift that is 537 00:26:59,160 –> 00:27:02,540 and we need to know how to protect it, 538 00:27:02,560 –> 00:27:05,520 how to guard it, how to keep it, 539 00:27:05,520 –> 00:27:08,000 how to feed it, how to extend it. 540 00:27:08,000 –> 00:27:11,760 We need to know what a treasure that is. 541 00:27:11,760 –> 00:27:14,040 We need to know what could destroy it. 542 00:27:14,040 –> 00:27:16,319 We need to be wide awake 543 00:27:16,319 –> 00:27:18,520 so that as God calls us forward 544 00:27:18,520 –> 00:27:21,920 in a unique moment of privilege and opportunity, 545 00:27:21,920 –> 00:27:23,880 we may be, in Jesus’words, 546 00:27:23,880 –> 00:27:26,619 as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. 547 00:27:27,560 –> 00:27:29,000 That’s why God speaks to us. 548 00:27:30,000 –> 00:27:32,900 I think right here is what we want to be about. 549 00:27:35,319 –> 00:27:36,780 We guard the unity of the church 550 00:27:36,780 –> 00:27:40,859 by keeping Jesus Christ front and center. 551 00:27:40,859 –> 00:27:43,099 And that’s what we want to do. 552 00:27:43,099 –> 00:27:45,359 We want to be people who are putting down deep roots 553 00:27:45,359 –> 00:27:46,979 into the word of God. 554 00:27:47,900 –> 00:27:50,180 To be growing in our life in Jesus Christ 555 00:27:50,180 –> 00:27:51,199 and to be bearing fruit 556 00:27:51,199 –> 00:27:53,459 wherever He places us around the world. 557 00:27:53,459 –> 00:27:56,479 So here to fill out is the first distinctive then 558 00:27:57,400 –> 00:27:59,099 of a gospel-centered church. 559 00:27:59,099 –> 00:28:02,180 A gospel-centered church is rooted in truth 560 00:28:02,180 –> 00:28:03,300 and growing in love. 561 00:28:03,300 –> 00:28:05,160 And you can never separate these two. 562 00:28:06,699 –> 00:28:10,400 Rooted in Christ’s truth and growing in Christ love, 563 00:28:11,420 –> 00:28:13,619 we want to be about God our savior 564 00:28:13,619 –> 00:28:15,420 and about Jesus Christ our hope. 565 00:28:15,420 –> 00:28:16,859 Nothing more, nothing less, 566 00:28:16,859 –> 00:28:19,180 and nothing else. 567 00:28:20,339 –> 00:28:21,219 Now in the last moments, 568 00:28:21,219 –> 00:28:22,540 let me ask this question. 569 00:28:22,540 –> 00:28:23,819 What’s it going to take then 570 00:28:23,819 –> 00:28:26,459 to keep us rooted in truth 571 00:28:26,920 –> 00:28:29,000 and growing in love? 572 00:28:29,000 –> 00:28:32,339 If this is what God is calling us to in the scriptures, 573 00:28:32,339 –> 00:28:35,900 how are we going to keep pursuing it with passion? 574 00:28:37,219 –> 00:28:38,699 Now it’s an important question 575 00:28:38,699 –> 00:28:40,119 because if you look at verse 6, 576 00:28:40,119 –> 00:28:41,239 Paul makes it very clear 577 00:28:41,239 –> 00:28:44,280 that some people will be distracted. 578 00:28:44,280 –> 00:28:46,579 Some folks will wander away 579 00:28:46,579 –> 00:28:49,060 and turn to meaningless talk. 580 00:28:50,020 –> 00:28:52,020 By the way, notice the word wander. 581 00:28:52,020 –> 00:28:54,339 It’s very rarely that someone in church 582 00:28:54,339 –> 00:28:57,500 just suddenly outright denies the truth. 583 00:28:57,500 –> 00:29:01,119 What happens is that over time people wander 584 00:29:02,219 –> 00:29:04,859 and they lose their moorings, 585 00:29:04,859 –> 00:29:07,439 they drift from the truth. 586 00:29:08,520 –> 00:29:10,880 Now you don’t want to be that kind of person, 587 00:29:10,880 –> 00:29:12,660 I don’t want to be that kind of person, 588 00:29:12,660 –> 00:29:14,699 so we need to be alert to the danger. 589 00:29:16,060 –> 00:29:19,300 I think that there are four warning signs 590 00:29:19,300 –> 00:29:21,819 for wanderers right here 591 00:29:21,819 –> 00:29:24,640 and I put them to you in the form of questions 592 00:29:24,640 –> 00:29:27,959 that I found really useful to ask freshly to myself 593 00:29:27,959 –> 00:29:29,500 in this last week. 594 00:29:30,439 –> 00:29:33,699 Number one, am I always looking for something new? 595 00:29:35,400 –> 00:29:38,420 If that’s you, you are in danger of wandering from the truth 596 00:29:38,420 –> 00:29:40,660 and that’s what got people into the endless genealogies 597 00:29:40,660 –> 00:29:41,760 and the myths you see. 598 00:29:42,900 –> 00:29:45,579 They were not satisfied in Christ. 599 00:29:47,420 –> 00:29:48,500 And you know what? 600 00:29:48,500 –> 00:29:50,619 People who put down a deep root in Christ 601 00:29:50,939 –> 00:29:52,739 are infinitely satisfied in him. 602 00:29:54,119 –> 00:29:56,000 And if you’re always looking for something new, 603 00:29:56,000 –> 00:29:57,979 it almost certainly means that your root 604 00:29:57,979 –> 00:29:59,619 is not deep in Christ 605 00:29:59,619 –> 00:30:02,479 because otherwise, you would be finding satisfaction in him 606 00:30:02,479 –> 00:30:04,099 as millions around the world today 607 00:30:04,099 –> 00:30:06,099 and throughout history have done and do. 608 00:30:07,239 –> 00:30:08,619 Am I always looking for something new? 609 00:30:08,619 –> 00:30:09,459 That’s a warning. 610 00:30:09,459 –> 00:30:10,979 You could easily wander away. 611 00:30:12,599 –> 00:30:17,599 Second, do I like to talk while avoiding action? 612 00:30:18,000 –> 00:30:19,160 Notice he says verse six, 613 00:30:19,160 –> 00:30:22,260 they’ve turned to meaningless talk or empty talk. 614 00:30:23,319 –> 00:30:25,599 So here are folks who love to pontificate, 615 00:30:25,599 –> 00:30:27,439 especially amongst other Christians. 616 00:30:27,439 –> 00:30:28,979 And they’re always going on about, 617 00:30:28,979 –> 00:30:31,680 oh, we should be this, and we ought to be that, 618 00:30:31,680 –> 00:30:33,579 and we should be doing the other, 619 00:30:33,579 –> 00:30:34,880 and so forth and so on. 620 00:30:34,880 –> 00:30:35,959 And you know what? 621 00:30:35,959 –> 00:30:40,359 It’s a mask over an unholy life. 622 00:30:41,500 –> 00:30:43,119 And Paul says, there’s some folks like that 623 00:30:43,119 –> 00:30:44,339 in the church in Ephesus. 624 00:30:44,339 –> 00:30:45,900 You don’t wanna be that person. 625 00:30:46,900 –> 00:30:51,180 Fool of pious talk, seeing the Bible as a bunch of ideas 626 00:30:51,180 –> 00:30:54,520 to be discussed rather than God’s word to be obeyed. 627 00:30:54,520 –> 00:30:56,140 If that’s you, you’re in danger 628 00:30:56,140 –> 00:30:57,579 of wandering from the truth. 629 00:30:59,219 –> 00:31:03,020 Third question, do I want to teach more 630 00:31:03,020 –> 00:31:04,540 than I want to learn? 631 00:31:05,859 –> 00:31:08,119 Notice it says here, they want to be teachers, 632 00:31:08,119 –> 00:31:08,959 verse seven. 633 00:31:10,180 –> 00:31:12,880 There are folks who want a position within the church, 634 00:31:12,880 –> 00:31:15,079 and they’re more interested in teaching others 635 00:31:15,099 –> 00:31:17,040 than learning themselves. 636 00:31:18,219 –> 00:31:21,979 So if you love to teach but you don’t love to learn, 637 00:31:21,979 –> 00:31:24,619 you are in danger of wandering away from the truth. 638 00:31:26,660 –> 00:31:28,420 That includes pastors, by the way. 639 00:31:30,079 –> 00:31:33,939 Fourth, does my confidence exceed my knowledge? 640 00:31:35,579 –> 00:31:38,739 Verse seven, they want to be teachers of the law 641 00:31:38,739 –> 00:31:41,660 but they do not know what they are talking about. 642 00:31:42,540 –> 00:31:43,939 That’s a very forceful language. 643 00:31:43,939 –> 00:31:44,979 Paul speaks about men 644 00:31:45,540 –> 00:31:47,719 who are leading in the Church 645 00:31:47,719 –> 00:31:50,939 who may be very forceful and very confident 646 00:31:53,180 –> 00:31:55,920 but he says they don’t know what they’re talking about. 647 00:31:57,520 –> 00:32:00,680 Folks, I have seen this many times. 648 00:32:02,300 –> 00:32:05,500 A man or a woman who has a shallow root in the truth 649 00:32:05,500 –> 00:32:08,119 reads a book, goes to a seminar, 650 00:32:09,719 –> 00:32:13,500 hears a talk, and suddenly, they get excited 651 00:32:14,280 –> 00:32:17,660 about that one thing that they’ve heard or got hold of 652 00:32:17,660 –> 00:32:19,979 and suddenly, this person with a very shallow root 653 00:32:19,979 –> 00:32:21,819 in the truth who’s got excited 654 00:32:21,819 –> 00:32:23,359 feels that he or she knows more 655 00:32:23,359 –> 00:32:25,459 than his or her teachers. 656 00:32:26,979 –> 00:32:29,619 They now know what the Church needs 657 00:32:29,619 –> 00:32:31,719 and what it should be doing. 658 00:32:31,719 –> 00:32:33,280 This person feels that he or she 659 00:32:33,280 –> 00:32:35,800 should be now given a platform 660 00:32:35,800 –> 00:32:37,839 for what they have discovered 661 00:32:37,839 –> 00:32:39,579 and when other believers don’t buy 662 00:32:39,579 –> 00:32:41,339 what they have discovered, 663 00:32:41,339 –> 00:32:43,800 become dogmatic and angry and beligerent, 664 00:32:43,800 –> 00:32:47,199 this person feels that he is the only one 665 00:32:48,420 –> 00:32:50,579 who really sees the truth 666 00:32:51,800 –> 00:32:53,979 and what he doesn’t see is that 667 00:32:53,979 –> 00:32:57,660 he is quietly wandering away from the truth. 668 00:32:59,660 –> 00:33:01,839 It’s a warning sign. 669 00:33:01,839 –> 00:33:05,099 Does my confidence exceed my knowledge? 670 00:33:06,520 –> 00:33:09,260 So, we want to stay rooted in the truth, 671 00:33:09,260 –> 00:33:10,560 growing in love. 672 00:33:10,560 –> 00:33:12,959 We don’t want to be those who wander away, 673 00:33:12,959 –> 00:33:15,640 so, how can we stay there? 674 00:33:15,640 –> 00:33:18,000 How can we get back if you’re in danger of wandering? 675 00:33:18,000 –> 00:33:19,680 How do you get back? 676 00:33:20,599 –> 00:33:25,160 Well, notice one more time in these last moments, verse five 677 00:33:25,160 –> 00:33:27,920 the goal of this command is love? 678 00:33:28,880 –> 00:33:31,780 Being rooted in truth and growing in love 679 00:33:31,780 –> 00:33:35,140 and where does the love come from? 680 00:33:35,140 –> 00:33:36,319 What a great statement this is. 681 00:33:36,319 –> 00:33:38,079 He tells us where love comes from. 682 00:33:38,099 –> 00:33:40,119 Do you want to love more? 683 00:33:41,219 –> 00:33:45,739 You want more love in your home, in your marriage? 684 00:33:45,739 –> 00:33:48,619 Where does love come from, it’s right here in verse five. 685 00:33:48,619 –> 00:33:52,780 The goal of this command is love which comes from, where? 686 00:33:53,800 –> 00:33:56,040 It comes from a pure heart 687 00:33:58,239 –> 00:34:00,859 and a good conscience and the sincere faith. 688 00:34:00,859 –> 00:34:03,400 How can you become a more loving person 689 00:34:03,400 –> 00:34:07,959 and be very sure that you will not be a divisive person? 690 00:34:08,479 –> 00:34:10,280 How can you be someone who contributes 691 00:34:10,280 –> 00:34:12,580 to the advance of the unity of the church 692 00:34:12,580 –> 00:34:16,060 and does not hinder the unity of the church? 693 00:34:16,060 –> 00:34:17,800 How can you be a more loving husband, 694 00:34:17,800 –> 00:34:20,280 a more loving father, a more loving wife, 695 00:34:20,280 –> 00:34:21,939 a more loving mother? 696 00:34:23,439 –> 00:34:25,939 How could you love your enemy? 697 00:34:29,620 –> 00:34:32,580 And Paul says here’s where it comes from, a pure heart. 698 00:34:32,580 –> 00:34:36,620 Literally that means an undivided heart. 699 00:34:36,800 –> 00:34:40,979 The double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. 700 00:34:42,159 –> 00:34:45,959 And maybe this morning, our response to this message 701 00:34:45,959 –> 00:34:49,040 would be for you to say, Lord, 702 00:34:49,040 –> 00:34:53,060 I see my own half-heartedness right now. 703 00:34:53,060 –> 00:34:55,020 I’m one of these people who sort of believes 704 00:34:55,020 –> 00:34:56,959 and is quietly bored with my faith 705 00:34:56,959 –> 00:34:59,860 and I’m looking for something else to get excited about. 706 00:34:59,860 –> 00:35:02,919 And I ask today that you would give me a heart 707 00:35:02,959 –> 00:35:06,179 that is filled with a new passionate love for Jesus Christ. 708 00:35:07,959 –> 00:35:10,239 Can you see what a difference that would make to you? 709 00:35:11,520 –> 00:35:16,520 And it comes from a clean conscience, a good conscience, 710 00:35:16,679 –> 00:35:19,320 which means a conscience that is at rest with God. 711 00:35:19,320 –> 00:35:22,219 Is there a sin in your life? 712 00:35:22,219 –> 00:35:24,879 And you’ve allowed it to remain? 713 00:35:24,879 –> 00:35:27,860 And your conscience right now is not at rest 714 00:35:27,860 –> 00:35:29,360 because in the presence of God, 715 00:35:29,360 –> 00:35:31,320 your conscience is activated 716 00:35:31,320 –> 00:35:32,679 and there’s an internal struggle 717 00:35:32,679 –> 00:35:34,360 that’s going on in you right now. 718 00:35:36,719 –> 00:35:39,719 Can you see what a blessing it would be for you today 719 00:35:39,719 –> 00:35:41,739 to come clean with Jesus, 720 00:35:42,699 –> 00:35:46,179 to repent of what you have held onto to this moment, 721 00:35:47,379 –> 00:35:49,659 and to be washed by the precious blood 722 00:35:49,659 –> 00:35:51,719 of Jesus Christ today? 723 00:35:53,219 –> 00:35:54,360 That’s gonna change you 724 00:35:54,360 –> 00:35:57,199 because instead of being this uptight person, 725 00:35:57,199 –> 00:35:59,360 and a lot of your anger and your discontent 726 00:35:59,379 –> 00:36:01,320 actually may come from this, 727 00:36:02,879 –> 00:36:05,360 you’re gonna be in a position to love. 728 00:36:06,879 –> 00:36:08,699 And it comes from a sincere faith 729 00:36:08,699 –> 00:36:10,439 which means you really trust Christ. 730 00:36:10,439 –> 00:36:12,000 You don’t just say I’m a believer. 731 00:36:12,000 –> 00:36:13,419 You trust Christ. 732 00:36:14,399 –> 00:36:16,520 You trust him on the day that you lose your job 733 00:36:16,520 –> 00:36:19,679 and you trust him on the day that you find another job. 734 00:36:19,679 –> 00:36:21,280 You trust him at the wedding. 735 00:36:21,280 –> 00:36:23,280 You trust him at the funeral. 736 00:36:23,280 –> 00:36:25,439 You trust Jesus Christ 737 00:36:25,439 –> 00:36:27,500 because he’s worthy of your trust. 738 00:36:27,500 –> 00:36:28,520 He’s Christ! 739 00:36:29,699 –> 00:36:34,459 And love comes from a sincere faith. 740 00:36:34,459 –> 00:36:35,959 Now folks the Lord Jesus Christ 741 00:36:35,959 –> 00:36:37,439 is able to give you today 742 00:36:37,439 –> 00:36:41,699 a pure heart, a clean conscience, a sincere faith. 743 00:36:41,699 –> 00:36:43,699 That is why he died. 744 00:36:43,699 –> 00:36:45,600 That is why he’s alive. 745 00:36:45,600 –> 00:36:49,060 And if you receive these gifts from him today 746 00:36:49,060 –> 00:36:53,000 you will be able to love! 747 00:36:53,000 –> 00:36:57,340 You’ll be able to love your wife more deeply, 748 00:36:57,340 –> 00:37:01,840 your husband, your children, your parents. 749 00:37:01,840 –> 00:37:05,100 You will increasingly become someone 750 00:37:05,100 –> 00:37:07,739 who contributes to the unity and harmony of others 751 00:37:07,739 –> 00:37:13,580 rather than the division and destruction of others. 752 00:37:13,580 –> 00:37:14,979 You receive these gifts 753 00:37:14,979 –> 00:37:19,100 you will increasingly love the church. 754 00:37:19,100 –> 00:37:21,040 and most of all you will love the Son of God 755 00:37:21,040 –> 00:37:23,580 who loved you 756 00:37:23,580 –> 00:37:26,800 and gave himself for you. 757 00:37:26,899 –> 00:37:29,739 Father, 758 00:37:29,739 –> 00:37:33,159 we bless you 759 00:37:33,159 –> 00:37:38,239 for the truth in which we can be rooted 760 00:37:38,239 –> 00:37:43,139 and the love that flows to us from Jesus Christ. 761 00:37:43,139 –> 00:37:46,340 Grant us to grow deeply in both 762 00:37:46,340 –> 00:37:48,239 for your praise, and glory, and honor 763 00:37:48,239 –> 00:37:51,139 and it is in Jesus’ name that we ask it. 764 00:37:51,139 –> 00:37:52,159 Amen.