‘Timothy, it’s faithfulness that counts’ (2 Timothy 2:1-7)

Any talk about being ‘soldiers of Christ’ may be a bit ‘on the nose’ for many today. Images of the Crusades might quickly come to mind. But this was the metaphor that Paul used the most in 2 Timothy 2:1-7 as the Apostle urged Timothy to do many things that would show him to be a faithful servant of His master and trustworthy with the gospel.

Message

Outline

• The fourth in this series
• What we’ve noted from chapter 1
• The ‘imperfect’ first century church
• See how Paul called Timothy to be …

  1. Strong in grace (v.1-2)
  2. Ready for suffering (v.3)
  3. Faithful in service (v.4-7)

William Booth and the Salvation Army
Your task and mine….!

‘Timothy, be an encourager with the truth of the gospel’ (2 Timothy 1:13-18)

As Paul wrote to the younger pastor/teacher Timothy from his Roman jail cell, his time on earth was short, and Timothy’s time on earth would soon become more complicated with the rise of many false teachings and teachers. So what Paul wanted Timothy to do was be committed to the truth of the gospel – not be like others who fell away – but remain strong like Onesiphorus who not only sought out the Apostle in jail but met his needs there. We find this is 2 Timothy 1:13-18 were we read of a man who was a great encouragement to the imprisoned Apostle.

Message

Outline

• The third in this series
• Paul’s example and what he expected of Timothy
• The passing of that baton
• See how Paul pointed Timothy toward …

  1. Committed to the truth of the gospel (v.13)
  2. Guarding well the truth of the gospel (v.14-15)
  3. Living out the truth of the gospel (v.16-18)

That ministry of encouragement
What will you do…?

‘Real repentance’ (Jonah 3:1-10, Rev Peter Phillips)

Message

Outline

• What’s unbelievable here?
• Jonah’s sin
• Your sin and mine
• See how the text speaks of….

  1. Jonah’s second chance – a gift of grace
  2. Jonah’s repentance – proven genuine by obedience

‘Fruit in keeping with repentance’
Responding to the grace of God…
Something you need to put right?

‘Noah’s flood – a deluge of evidence’ with Rod Walsh, 7pm on Fri Oct 25 at St John’s.

Evidence for design abounds in this world. Even some ardent atheists acknowledge this, but they deny the need for a Designer, attributing it to ‘evolution’. Modern science reveals design that ‘shouts out’ that God created, as the Bible says. However, many reject God on the basis that he must be god to allow the terrible events and suffering that we see in the world today. The idea that there was a ‘global flood’ that covered the earth and any suggestion that the ‘Noah’s Ark’ story is true, now gets laughed at by many. But the Bible holds this out as a fact, and in this world there is evidence in support of it. Do you know what that evidence is?

Rod Walsh, a well known speaker on Creation matters, from Creation Ministry International, will present some of this faith-affirming evidence that will encourage you in his topic, ‘Noah’s Flood – A Deluge of Evidence’. It’s on at St John’s, 7pm on Friday 25 October 2024. Supper follows and tables full of CMI resources. Come and join us!

‘Timothy, hold fast to the gospel’ (2 Timothy 1:8-12)

In 2 Timothy 1:8-12, we find that the Apostle Paul was just ‘getting warmed up’ after his initial greeting to Timothy. After establishing the reasons why he was so thankful for Timothy, Paul proceedes with some exhortations to Timothy to take responsibility for the gospel, not so much teaching it (not yet anyway), but suffering for it. Paul was in prison and facing death and he was doing all this for the sake of the gospel. Timothy was not yet in prison and not yet facing death, but he was still called to live a li9fe of faithfulness to the gospel as Paul did – regardless of the outcome.

Message

Outline

• The second in this series
• What we learned about Paul and Timothy
• The passing of the baton
• See how Paul speaks of …

  1. The content of the gospel (v.9-10)
  2. His suffering for the gospel (v.11-12)
  3. Timothy’s responsibility with the gospel (v.8)

Five French young men
Faithful unto death…

‘Timothy, remember my calling and yours’ (2 Timothy 1:1-7)

The letter of Paul to Timothy that we know as 2 Timothy is significant for a number of reasons, but mainly because it stands as Paul’s last letter before his execution. Written to his younger son and trainee Timothy, a pastor-teacher in the first century, it is full of warm feelings from Paul to Timothy, but also strong advice and exhortation about Timothy’s task and the way he ought to fulfill his calling. In 2 Timothy 1:1-7, Paul sets some foundations in place, especially in regard to his own confidence in the Lord and, to a degree, also in Timothy.

Message

Outline

• The first in this series
• Paul’s last letter and from prison!
• Paul’s attitude
• See how Paul tells us of his confidence in …

  1. The certainty of his calling (v.1)
  2. The sufficiency of the Lord’s supply (v.2)
  3. The sincerity of Timothy’s faith (v.3-5)

Fan this into flame…
What God has given his servants…

‘Jacob’s journey to Bethel and beyond’ (Genesis 35:1-29)

The text of Genesis 35:1-29 tells us that Jacob finnaly headed from Shechem, where there had been much disgrace brought upon his family, to Bethel, where God renewed so many of His promises to Jacob’s family. With three revelations of the Lord to Jacob on the way to and while at Bethel and three deaths in Jacob’s immediate family, the chapter is full of highs and lows for Jacob. As the last in this sermon series, it’s good to see how Jacob played a special role in the coming of the One who was Jacob’s (Israel’s) greater Son, Jesus the Messiah.

Message

Outline

• The sixteenth and last in this series
• The context of this chapter
• Jacob and Bethel
• See how Moses tells us of Jacob’s journeying…

  1. To Bethel (v.1-5)
  2. At Bethel (v.6-15)
  3. From Bethel (v.16-29)

Where his story began…
Who his story leads to…