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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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2010 GBC THEME -
3 “Training
Faithful Disciples and Leaders for Ministry” (2Ti 2:2) Pastor I. THE CALLING OF A FAITHFUL
DISCIPLE AND LEADER II. THE CONTENT FOR A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE AND
LEADER III. THE COMMITMENT BY A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE AND
LEADER A. “Entrust These to Faithful
Men” 1. In this
series of “Training Faithful Disciples and
Leaders for Ministry” (2Ti 2:2), we
defined what a disciple and a leader is: a) A
“disciple” (mathetếs from manthánō – to learn) means
a learner, follower, and imitator of Jesus who in turn helps other to do the
same (Mt 10:24-25; Mt 13:52). This is a divine mandate upon all believers (Mt
28:19-20). b) A “leader” is a disciple who leads by
example and by his spiritual service to Christ and other believers (Lk
22:26). c) Furthermore, each believer has a divine
calling to be a disciple and be apart of the discipleship of others. Jesus
commanded His disciples to “make disciples” (aorist imperative of
mathêteúō – to become and make learners). Paul commanded
Timothy to “entrust” (aorist imperative of paratithêmi – place alongside)
the truths of the faith to faithful men who will teach others, which in
essence is discipleship. 2. What is
it that Timothy was to teach others? The things that Timothy heard from Paul
and was to entrust to others was sound doctrine (fr hugiainō –
healthy or soundness, metaphorically, sound doctrinal teaching 1Ti 1:10)
and treasures from the Scriptures (2Ti 1:13-14). 3. The next question we must ask is who are
faithful men, disciples, or leaders? What is the characteristic of a faithful
disciple of Christ? We will look at the definition of faithfulness, Paul’s
ideal of faithfulness, and practical applications of faithfulness. B. Definition of Faithfulness 1. The
Greek word in 2Ti 2:2 for “faithful” is pistós. Pistós comes
from the Greek root peíthō and means to persuade or win
over. This is also the same root for pistis, which means to trust or
believe. The one who believes in Christ has been won over by the truth in
Christ. 2. Pistós then, means to be worthy of belief, trust, or
confidence. It is one who is reliable and dependable. It is one who is able
to win the trust of another based on their fidelity. 3. Pist́os
is first and foremost used of God. a) Faithfulness
is a perfection and attribute of God’s character (Dt 32:4). b) God’s word is faithful because God Himself
is perfect in faithfulness (Dt 7:9; 2Co 1:18). c) God is faithful in His mercy to those in
Christ (La 3:23; 1Jn 1:9). d) God cannot go against His faithful
promises or judgment (2Ti 2:13 cp. Re 19:11 cp. Re 17:14) C. Description of
Faithfulness for Disciples and Leaders for Ministry 1. Paul
uses three metaphors to teach what a faithful disciple and leader is from 2Ti
2:3-6: a) A good
soldier (3-4) b) A triumphant athlete (5) c) A hard-working farmer (6) 2. From
these metaphors, he defines four characteristics of a faithful disciple and leader: a) A
Faithful Disciple And Leader Suffers Hardship (3). (1) “Suffering
hardship” in the Greek is one word, sugkakopathéō. Literally
it means to “endure ill treatment together” or share in suffering evil.” A
good soldier could not possibly think that his days in service are going to
be easy. A good soldier of Jesus Christ should not think service will be easy
either. (2) Paul uses himself in this letter as an
example. (a) Paul
suffered as a faithful disciple sharing Christ (2Ti 1:18). (b) Paul suffered as a faithful disciple living
godly Christ (2Ti 3:12). (c) Paul suffered imprisonment (2Ti 2:9). (d) Paul asks and expects Timothy and other
faithful disciples to join him in suffering (2Ti 1:8; 2:3). (e) Paul suffered the desertion of other disciples
(2Ti 4:5). (f) Paul suffered as a faithful disciple unto
death (2Ti 4:6-9). (g) Faithfulness is ultimately expressed by a
commitment unto death (Re 2:10). b) A
Faithful Disciple And Leader Is Heavenly Minded (4). (1) A
faithful disciple and leader does not become entangled (emplekō –
weave or intertwine) in life’s affairs. (2) Faithfulness is preeminently expressed by a
wholehearted commitment to God (1Sa 2:35). (3) Faithfulness is consistently expressed by a
commitment to the least things (Mt 25:21; Lk 16:10). c) A
Faithful Disciple And Leader Serves With Godliness (5) (1) Faithfulness
is expressed by making sure our living does not contradict our teaching (1Co
9:26-27). (2) Faithfulness is expressed by keeping
ourselves from reproach (1Ti 3:2, 7 – elder; 1Ti 3:10 – deacons; 1Ti 5:7 –
all believers) d) A
Faithful Disciple And Leader Produces Fruitfulness (6). (1) Faithfulness
is dutifully expressed by a carrying out a task to completion (Pr 25:13). (2) Faithfulness is fruitfully expressed by a
commitment to teach and disciple others (2Ti 2:2). D. Dictums of Faithfulness
for Disciples and Leaders 1. From the
vast Scriptures on faithfulness, we are able to gain encouragement from God.
He is faithful to aid us in our pursuit of being faithful disciples and
leaders in ministry. a) Since God
is faithful, His disciples must imitate His faithfulness (Ga 5:22). b) Believers must develop faithfulness to the
Lord and others so they can be entrusted with the privilege of discipleship
(1Ti 1:12). c) Believers are called the faithful because
God is working in them and through them (Ep 1:1). d) God is faithful in calling the believer to
salvation, sanctification, and ministry (1Co 1:9; 1Th 5:23-24). e) God is faithful to keep us faithful in
ministry even in the midst of trials and temptations (1Co 10:13). f) God is faithful to keep us faithful in
ministry even in the midst of suffering and spiritual warfare (2Th 3:3). |
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