This Tuesday night we will meet at Oh! Sushi to talk about how we will experience community in the next year. In the past we have held everything from Tuesday theology nights to random hang outs at different times during the week. On Tuesday we will discuss as a group how we want to build community for those involved in Oxygen. We want this to be a very collaborative process, so we encourage everyone to come out and give their thoughts about how they best experience community and growth. There are already multiple Bible studies being offered during the course of a regular week, but we want to discuss what other types of events and topics we might want to look at this year. Keep in mind that this meeting will have a significant impact on what the next year looks like, so it would be great if we could get as many people out as possible. Come with a head full of ideas, an empty stomach, and a passion for where the college ministry is headed in the next year, see you there!
This Tuesday night we will meet at Oh! Sushi to talk about how we will experience community in the next year. In the past we have held everything from Tuesday theology nights to random hang outs at different times during the week. On Tuesday we will discuss as a group how we want to build community for those involved in Oxygen. We want this to be a very collaborative process, so we encourage everyone to come out and give their thoughts about how they best experience community and growth. There are already multiple Bible studies being offered during the course of a regular week, but we want to discuss what other types of events and topics we might want to look at this year. Keep in mind that this meeting will have a significant impact on what the next year looks like, so it would be great if we could get as many people out as possible. Come with a head full of ideas, an empty stomach, and a passion for where the college ministry is headed in the next year, see you there!
This last Sunday night Dan Evans came to share at Oxygen. It’s amazing at times to hear how people process concepts found within scripture. Each one of us can delve into Gods word and have things revealed to us in many differing angles based on our walk through life and our own spiritual experience. Dan opened the word and went straight to a topic often avoided, pain. Not so much physical pain but perhaps at times the physical would be included in this topic but more so the pain involved with following Christ. I asked Dan to give me a brief overview of what he had shared.
“R.E.M. was right: Everybody Hurts Sometimes. But nobody wants to. We spend time, energy, and money trying to get to a place in life where everything is easy and we have no troubles. One problem, though. That’s not possible. It’s a futile waste of your time, energy, and money. Jesus said it himself, “In this life you will have many trials and sorrows.” So rather than trying to avoid them, how do we deal with them in a way that a follower of Jesus should?” Dan Evans
Dan gave some great ideas on dealing with pain within our faith and follow of Christ. This next Sunday night Pastor Andrew will take a shot at answering Dan’s question of, “how do we deal with them in a way that a follower of Jesus should?”. If Dan lead you into thinking through things in a new way or perhaps facing an old struggle then your not alone. Now lets join together for a look at where to go with this pain we will all endure.
This last Sunday night Dan Evans came to share at Oxygen. It’s amazing at times to hear how people process concepts found within scripture. Each one of us can delve into Gods word and have things revealed to us in many differing angles based on our walk through life and our own spiritual experience. Dan opened the word and went straight to a topic often avoided, pain. Not so much physical pain but perhaps at times the physical would be included in this topic but more so the pain involved with following Christ. I asked Dan to give me a brief overview of what he had shared.
“R.E.M. was right: Everybody Hurts Sometimes. But nobody wants to. We spend time, energy, and money trying to get to a place in life where everything is easy and we have no troubles. One problem, though. That’s not possible. It’s a futile waste of your time, energy, and money. Jesus said it himself, “In this life you will have many trials and sorrows.” So rather than trying to avoid them, how do we deal with them in a way that a follower of Jesus should?” Dan Evans
Dan gave some great ideas on dealing with pain within our faith and follow of Christ. This next Sunday night Pastor Andrew will take a shot at answering Dan’s question of, “how do we deal with them in a way that a follower of Jesus should?”. If Dan lead you into thinking through things in a new way or perhaps facing an old struggle then your not alone. Now lets join together for a look at where to go with this pain we will all endure.
With this post we look at the last chapter of 2nd Timothy. I hope these post have helped you as we have walked through 1st and 2nd Timothy the last couple weeks. If your up for a challenge take time to read first and second Timothy each day for a few weeks and see what happens in your life. The love and encouragement that Paul poured out to Timothy two thousand years is incredible instruction for us still today. Please take time to give feed back to Pastor Andrew if you have found this series of post helpful.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
MOTIVATION FOR GREATNESS
Timothy was Paul’s “son” in the Lord.
Timothy would do special assignments at the direction of Paul.
Paul would soon be leaving Timothy and going to Heaven.
Paul motivates Timothy to great living for the Lord.
EXHORTATION OF TIMOTHY – Vss. 1-2, 5
Timothy was encouraged to preach the Word of God faithfully, to be on the watch, to endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and to fully prove his ministry.
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES – Vss. 3-4
Timothy need to be faithful at the current time because more difficult times were coming.
EXAMPLE OF PAUL – Vss. 6-8
Paul was faithful to the end.
Paul would be rewarded in the future.
Those, like Timothy, who are faithful also will be equally rewarded.
2 Timothy 4:9-11, 21
PEOPLE LESSONS
Those mentioned by Paul at the close of this Epistle teach us some very important Spiritual lessons.
DEMAS – BE SPIRITUAL, LIVE FOR ETERNITY Vs. 10
Philemon 23, 24, Colossians 4:14
LUKE – BE LOYAL, LIVE FOR CONSISTENCY Vs. 11
“Only Luke is with me…”
Proverbs 27:10, 1 Corinthians 4:2
MARK – BE USEFUL, LIVE FOR MINISTRY Vs. 11
“…Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for
the ministry.”
What a change! Acts 13:13, Acts 15:36-41
TIMOTHY – BE PUNCTUAL, LIVE FOR IMMEDIACY Vss. 9, 21
Paul had a special need for Timothy as Paul prepared for his home
going. It was important that Timothy act right away. There are times
when we must act immediately to do what needs to be done.
In some cases tomorrow is too late!
With this post we look at the last chapter of 2nd Timothy. I hope these post have helped you as we have walked through 1st and 2nd Timothy the last couple weeks. If your up for a challenge take time to read first and second Timothy each day for a few weeks and see what happens in your life. The love and encouragement that Paul poured out to Timothy two thousand years is incredible instruction for us still today. Please take time to give feed back to Pastor Andrew if you have found this series of post helpful.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
MOTIVATION FOR GREATNESS
Timothy was Paul’s “son” in the Lord.
Timothy would do special assignments at the direction of Paul.
Paul would soon be leaving Timothy and going to Heaven.
Paul motivates Timothy to great living for the Lord.
EXHORTATION OF TIMOTHY – Vss. 1-2, 5
Timothy was encouraged to preach the Word of God faithfully, to be on the watch, to endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and to fully prove his ministry.
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES – Vss. 3-4
Timothy need to be faithful at the current time because more difficult times were coming.
EXAMPLE OF PAUL – Vss. 6-8
Paul was faithful to the end.
Paul would be rewarded in the future.
Those, like Timothy, who are faithful also will be equally rewarded.
2 Timothy 4:9-11, 21
PEOPLE LESSONS
Those mentioned by Paul at the close of this Epistle teach us some very important Spiritual lessons.
DEMAS – BE SPIRITUAL, LIVE FOR ETERNITY Vs. 10
Philemon 23, 24, Colossians 4:14
LUKE – BE LOYAL, LIVE FOR CONSISTENCY Vs. 11
“Only Luke is with me…”
Proverbs 27:10, 1 Corinthians 4:2
MARK – BE USEFUL, LIVE FOR MINISTRY Vs. 11
“…Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for
the ministry.”
What a change! Acts 13:13, Acts 15:36-41
TIMOTHY – BE PUNCTUAL, LIVE FOR IMMEDIACY Vss. 9, 21
Paul had a special need for Timothy as Paul prepared for his home
going. It was important that Timothy act right away. There are times
when we must act immediately to do what needs to be done.
In some cases tomorrow is too late!
As we continue 2nd Timothy the challenges just get harder. 2nd Timothy chapter 3 is a place we should turn to frequently for a reminder of the courage we must have to live out our faith. As with the other readings take time to read the passage as a whole and not simply the verses we are focusing on. 1st and 2nd Timothy are wonderful letters that can truly inspire us to live out our faith in a bold and loving fashion.
2 Timothy 3:1-7
GUT CHECK!
When we say a person “has guts” we mean that they have courage.
A “gut check” is a situation that puts us to the test to see whether we have “guts” or courage.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 talks about the “last days”, which we are probably in.
These verses are also a challenge to Christians to take a gut check! Do we have the courage of our convictions?
WHAT DO I LOVE? Vss. 1-4
Do I love myself more than I love God?
Do I love pleasure more than I love God? Vs. 4
HOW DO I LIVE? – Vss. 5-6
Do I have just a form of godliness, without any real power to live a godly life?
That power is the result of being yielded and having faith. Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:11-14
HOW DO I LEARN? – Vs. 7
Many Christians sit in church and Sunday School, but never learn. Their lives never change.
Oh, they may have some “head knowledge” but they lack “heart knowledge”. They have not applied what they have learned to daily living.
As we continue 2nd Timothy the challenges just get harder. 2nd Timothy chapter 3 is a place we should turn to frequently for a reminder of the courage we must have to live out our faith. As with the other readings take time to read the passage as a whole and not simply the verses we are focusing on. 1st and 2nd Timothy are wonderful letters that can truly inspire us to live out our faith in a bold and loving fashion.
2 Timothy 3:1-7
GUT CHECK!
When we say a person “has guts” we mean that they have courage.
A “gut check” is a situation that puts us to the test to see whether we have “guts” or courage.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 talks about the “last days”, which we are probably in.
These verses are also a challenge to Christians to take a gut check! Do we have the courage of our convictions?
WHAT DO I LOVE? Vss. 1-4
Do I love myself more than I love God?
Do I love pleasure more than I love God? Vs. 4
HOW DO I LIVE? – Vss. 5-6
Do I have just a form of godliness, without any real power to live a godly life?
That power is the result of being yielded and having faith. Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:11-14
HOW DO I LEARN? – Vs. 7
Many Christians sit in church and Sunday School, but never learn. Their lives never change.
Oh, they may have some “head knowledge” but they lack “heart knowledge”. They have not applied what they have learned to daily living.
Today we continue 2nd Tim. I really enjoy the passage from chapter 2 that we are looking at today. Last Sunday night this was my focus of our sermon at Oxygen and is over and over agin a core verse that I return to for wisdom. Take time to read through this passage not simply the area this post focuses on. I again challenge all of you to read through 1st and 2nd tim daily to see what God reveals to you through these incredible letters. Today we focus on making it count.
2 Timothy 2:1-4
MAKE IT COUNT!
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Whatever we do for the Lord Jesus must be done with sincere fervency! We might not get a second chance to make a positive impression in some one’s life. We must make whatever we do count for Christ!
When Paul wrote the Epistle of Second Timothy, he was preparing for his own departure from this earth. He was giving Timothy specific instructions that would help Timothy minister even after Paul had been removed from the scene. It is as if Paul is telling Timothy in Chapter 2, verses 1-4, “Make it Count! Tale advantage of your opportunities, and this how you do it! In this passage Paul speaks of:
SONSHIP AND STRENGTH – Vs. 1
Paul calls Timothy his Son, or his child. Timothy is called this because paul led Timothy to faith in Christ. Paul wants Timothy to “Make it Count” because he is Paul’s spiritual child, and because Timothy was a child or Son of God.
It is of the utmost importance that you make your life count by becoming a child of God. (Explain the Gospel using John 1:12-13.)
Coming along with sonship is strength. Paul instructs Timothy to be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” There are times when we will feel extremely weak, inadequate, and overwhelmed. Sometimes we will not feel capable of doing or facing what God wants us to do or face. We need the grace of Christ to carry us through. As a Christian, I am in Christ. I must appropriate His strength. John 15:4-7, Galatians 2:20
DISCIPLESHIP AND DISCIPLING - Vs. 2
Timothy was a disciple. He was a learner, an adherent, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was discipled in the things of Christ, and Paul had taught him many things.
As disciples, we must continue to learn and grow. 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Timothy 2:15
As disciples, we must learn to disciple others. Paul told Timothy to pass on the things he had learned from Paul to faithful men who would be able to teach others.
We are all disciples of Christ. We all should be discipling others. Matthew 28:19-20
ENDURANCE AND ENTANGLEMENTS – Vss. 3-4
A good soldier of Jesus Christ endures hardship.
A good soldier does not get entangled with the things of this life.
As good soldiers we should:
Eat, but not be entangled in eating
Sleep, but not be entangled by sleeping
Take furlough, but not be entangled in vacation
Have recreation, but not be entangled in recreation.
We do these things so we can please the one who has enlisted us to be a soldier.
Today we continue 2nd Tim. I really enjoy the passage from chapter 2 that we are looking at today. Last Sunday night this was my focus of our sermon at Oxygen and is over and over agin a core verse that I return to for wisdom. Take time to read through this passage not simply the area this post focuses on. I again challenge all of you to read through 1st and 2nd tim daily to see what God reveals to you through these incredible letters. Today we focus on making it count.
2 Timothy 2:1-4
MAKE IT COUNT!
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Whatever we do for the Lord Jesus must be done with sincere fervency! We might not get a second chance to make a positive impression in some one’s life. We must make whatever we do count for Christ!
When Paul wrote the Epistle of Second Timothy, he was preparing for his own departure from this earth. He was giving Timothy specific instructions that would help Timothy minister even after Paul had been removed from the scene. It is as if Paul is telling Timothy in Chapter 2, verses 1-4, “Make it Count! Tale advantage of your opportunities, and this how you do it! In this passage Paul speaks of:
SONSHIP AND STRENGTH – Vs. 1
Paul calls Timothy his Son, or his child. Timothy is called this because paul led Timothy to faith in Christ. Paul wants Timothy to “Make it Count” because he is Paul’s spiritual child, and because Timothy was a child or Son of God.
It is of the utmost importance that you make your life count by becoming a child of God. (Explain the Gospel using John 1:12-13.)
Coming along with sonship is strength. Paul instructs Timothy to be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” There are times when we will feel extremely weak, inadequate, and overwhelmed. Sometimes we will not feel capable of doing or facing what God wants us to do or face. We need the grace of Christ to carry us through. As a Christian, I am in Christ. I must appropriate His strength. John 15:4-7, Galatians 2:20
DISCIPLESHIP AND DISCIPLING - Vs. 2
Timothy was a disciple. He was a learner, an adherent, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was discipled in the things of Christ, and Paul had taught him many things.
As disciples, we must continue to learn and grow. 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Timothy 2:15
As disciples, we must learn to disciple others. Paul told Timothy to pass on the things he had learned from Paul to faithful men who would be able to teach others.
We are all disciples of Christ. We all should be discipling others. Matthew 28:19-20
ENDURANCE AND ENTANGLEMENTS – Vss. 3-4
A good soldier of Jesus Christ endures hardship.
A good soldier does not get entangled with the things of this life.
As good soldiers we should:
Eat, but not be entangled in eating
Sleep, but not be entangled by sleeping
Take furlough, but not be entangled in vacation
Have recreation, but not be entangled in recreation.
We do these things so we can please the one who has enlisted us to be a soldier.
