Gospel Faith

1 Timothy 1
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Pastor Colin begins his sermon by sharing a story about a dinner he had with a mentor, who asked him a provocative question about the most important thing he needs to do for The Orchard Church. His mentor advised him to define what it means to be a gospel-centred church, specifically suggesting that Colin identify the church’s distinctives and find scripture to support them.

Colin explains the importance of starting with scripture to derive messages, rather than using pre-existing messages and finding scripture to support them. He emphasises the difference between these approaches and stresses that the Bible should be the source from which to draw a church’s values and actions.

After a trip to Door County, Colin found that the book of 1 Timothy provided a clear outline of what God is looking for in a church. He notes that Paul’s letter to Timothy instructs about conducting oneself in God’s household, the Church of the Living God. Colin stresses the need for the church to aspire to God’s standards rather than human expectations.

Colin points out that a church should be rooted in truth and living under the authority of the Bible. He warns against allowing the church to become centred around individuals or factions. Instead, the church should focus on being Christ-centred and gospel-centred, ensuring that Jesus Christ and his teachings are at the core of all activities and messages within the church.

The pastor also provides practical advice on discerning when to stay in a ministry and when to move on. He advises that one should stay when others need protection, when one can help God’s people, and when there is a significant work to be done.

Furthermore, Colin discusses the dangers of being distracted by myths, endless genealogies, and focusing on anything that takes the central focus away from Christ. He emphasizes that these distractions can lead to controversy and division within the church.

In his conclusion, Colin shares that he has never experienced such a united and

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.

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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