BE USEFUL IN GOD'S HOUSE - Part 2

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=398563" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=95 BGCOLOR="#330066" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="048005f0dkblkv.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Preach The Word</b></FONT><B>     </b><B>|    </b><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preach The Word"><U><B>home</b></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2 Timothy"><U><B>2 Timothy</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL"><U><B>Daniel</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ZECHARIAH: "><U><B>Zechariah</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MARK"><U><B>Mark</b></U></A><B>    I    </b><A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOPICAL STUDIES"><U><B>Topical Studies</b></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>BE USEFUL IN GOD'S HOUSE - Part 2</b></div> <div> 2 Timothy 2:22-26</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Usually when I have the opportunity to counsel single Christians on how to spot a good potential mate, one of the key observations I share with them is this, "Does that person do now what you expect him/her to do after your married?"  "If not, please tell me what assurance you have that this will change?"  <B>The point:</b>  "Where's your Christian life today?"</div> <bR> <div> Today we continue to answer the question, "How can a Christian be useful in God's house?"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1. BY RENOUNCING THE FLESH AND PURSUING THE HOLY SPIRIT.  (22)</b></div> <bR> <div> "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."  Rom. 8:5</div> <bR> <div> Here the Lord is telling us to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"</b><B>flee"</b></FONT> what the sinful nature loves with a passion to do.  The Greek term for <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"</b><B>flee</b><B>"</b></FONT> here is "phuego" from which we get the word  "fugitive".  And "fugitive" is what the Christian is when it comes to his relationship with his old sinful nature: he's running away from it.  It's not a once and for all "break", from the flesh.  It's a constant running so he won't become its prisoner again.  Paul is actually saying here, "Continually discipline yourself to run away from <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"the evil desires of youth."</b></FONT>  What <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"</b><B>evil desires of youth</b><B>?</b></FONT>"</div> <bR> <div> Well, Timothy wasn't a teenager, as we understand <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"youth"</b></FONT> today. Commentators believe Timothy was in his late thirties, early forties.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"The evil desires of youth"</b></FONT> include much more than sensual desires. They refer to the basic sinful desires that seem to be at their prime during young adulthood:  Pride, Selfishness, Greed, Immorality, Adultery, Criticism, jealousy, envy, complaining, discontentment, and everything else that is common to natural man yet contrary to God's will. </div> <bR> <div> God says, "Run from it as if you were running away from a life-threatening plague!" </div> <bR> <div> But, as many people find out to their own dismay, running away from some thing bad is not enough. When you flee from wrong, you must run "toward" what is good. And here God gives <B>5 good things you should pursue</b>, which boil down to a godly lifestyle.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"Righteousness"</b><B>:</b></FONT>  "dikaiosunein", which refers to "whatever conforms to the revealed will of God… the sum total of the requirements of God… doing what's right in God's eyes."  <B>Vine, W.E</b>. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Mat.6:33</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Faith":</FONT>  "pistis"  Mentioned in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Galatians 5:22</FONT> as a fruit of the Spirit.  Speaks of having strong, firm convictions.  Absolute, total trust and confidence in God. </div> <bR> <div> "Love"<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >:  The is agapé love which is motivated and based on commitment instead of emotion. It doesn't act necessarily because "it feels good" but rather because "it is right".</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Peace":</FONT>  "Eirene" appears in every book of the N.T. except <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >1 John</FONT> and speaks primarily of "harmony". Harmony with your fellow man, your neighbor, your fellow church-members.  Being a "peace-maker" instead of an adamant "trouble-maker" which fits the present context.</div> <bR> <div> "Pure heart":<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Here he comes again with the importance of hanging-out with the spiritual and faithful Christians. Not all Christians </FONT><B>"call on the Lord out of a pure heart"</b><B>.</b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Obviously, this is not a call for us to judge what we can't see in the </FONT><B>"heart"</b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > of another believer.  But, some evils of the heart can be very clearly seen by either what a believer habitually says or does;  </FONT><B>Matthew 15:18-19</b><B>  </b></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. BY AVOIDING EMPTY TALK (23)</b></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Timothy had already been warned about this same exact thing in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>1 Timothy 1: 3-6/4:7</b></FONT>.  Please turn there with me. </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >The Greek terms for </FONT><I><B>"</b></I>foolish and stupid<I><B>"</b></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > also carry the idea of talk that is untrained and undisciplined.  Paul is not condemning intelligent debates or discussions with honest people who are sincerely searching for truth.</FONT></div> <div> What he's condemning is wasting precious time trying to discuss with someone who is obviously not interested in learning the truth, but mearly having peoples attention and arguing just for the sake of arguing.  </div> <bR> <div> "Any church member who persist in such "unprofitable and worthless" behavior is to be severely disciplined. "Reject a factious man after a first and second warning"  (Paul writes to Titus), "knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned."  (Titus 3:10-11)  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>MacArthur, p. 98</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Why, should we not tolerate such <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"foolish and stupid arguments"</FONT>? Because this little organ called the "tongue" has the power to divide a church right down the middle.</div> <bR> <div> "The discerning heart seeks knowledge but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly." Prov.15:14</div> <bR> <div> "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit." 18:21</div> <bR> <div> "A gentle tongue can break a bone." 25:15b</div> <bR> <div> "As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks."25:23</div> <bR> <div> "He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue." 28:23</div> <bR> <div> "The tongue is the only tool that grows sharper with constant use."</div> <div>           <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>Washington Irving</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> "No member of our body needs so great a number of muscles as our tongue, for this member exceeds all the rest in the number of its movements." <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>Leonardo de Vinci</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> "My diet is balanced. My food is the best. But it's the words I have eaten that I cannot digest."  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>Swindoll</b></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>3. BY CULTIVATING AN ATTITUDE OF MEEKNESS (24)</b></div> <bR> <div> I'm sure you're all familiar with Jesus words, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Mt. 5:5</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Meekness<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > = gentleness, kindness, non-aggressive, power under control.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> It's quite a contrast with the usual way of the world. When a sinner in today's world wants to attain a goal he usually adapts an approach that is the exact opposite of meekness. He pushes, and shoves, and crushes anyone and everyone who gets in his way. Married people divorce so they can concentrate more on their "work". It's the tyrant mentality; "I have a kingdom to conquer and woe to those who get in my way!" And the media makes heroes out of such people. Why? Because "all that counts is the goal, the success, the prize."</div> <bR> <div> But how different it is when it comes to <B>God's view</b> of success. It's not just "the prize" that counts, but your attitude on your way there.</div> <div>  </div> <div> "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, who ever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many."  Mk 10:42-45</div> <bR> <div> And "slave" is the Greek term here in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >2 Timothy 2:24</FONT> translated as <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"The Lord's servant"</FONT>.  Some translations have <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"bond-servant"</FONT>.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A disciple of the Lord, according to this verse, has at least <B>4 important characteristics.</b><I><B>  </b></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>-"</b></I><B>He must not quarrel</b><I><B>":</b></I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Not get involved in heated arguments or angry disagreements.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>-"</b></I><B>He must be kind to everyone</b><B>"</b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >:  Not harsh, abusive, insulting or despising.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>-"</I><B>Able to teach</b><B>":</b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Not have a degree, but able to communicate clearly what you know of God's word.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>-"</b></I><B>Not resentful</b><B>":</b><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Another translation says, </FONT>"patient when wronged."<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > He doesn't let himself be controlled by the injustice done to him. He doesn't harbor these things for too long. He's quick to forgive and forget and go on. </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4. BY BEING PATIENT WITH THOSE WHO OPPOSE YOU (25a)</b></div> <bR> <bR> <div> In order to <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>"</b>gently instruct<B>"</b></FONT> those who aggressively attack you, you need a lot of patience. And the biblical idea of patience is to "abide, or stay quietly, faithfully, obediently under" a load, or an attack. It means, "Don't panic. Don't let people push your buttons and lead you into sin with them."</div> <bR> <div> And what really helps us do that is to remind ourselves of God's Sovereignty, Wisdom and Absolute Goodness in everything He permits to come our way.</div> <bR> <div> Without a doubt, one of the best examples of such patience in the Bible is <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Job</FONT>.   Read with me <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >James 5:7-11</FONT></div> <bR> <div> So what does James tell us to remember about Job's patience under severe trials and before his opponents?  He says, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"You have… seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." v.11</FONT></div> <bR> <div> And this ties in very well with our final point in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >2 Timothy 2:25b-26.</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>5. BY ALWAYS BELIEVING AND HOPING IN GOD'S MIRACULOUS INTERVENTION.  (25b-26)</b></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Here Paul gives the reason and purpose for being patient with those who cause disruption and trouble in the local church. </div> <bR> <div> According to these two verses, rebellious Christians who take pleasure in opposing the Pastor, of any Christian who is ministering correctly in his church, they need 3 things:</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To repent</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">To come to their senses</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Escape from the trap of the devil.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>A. Be Patient and Pray That God Will Grant Them Repentance. (25)</b></div> <bR> <div> Notice here <B>who</b> it is that will make them repent: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" ><B>God</b></FONT>.  So it's <B>not "you".</b></div> <div> It's not up to you to twist their arm and persuade them.  And how so many of us do this. And it doesn't work. Why? Because it's a supernatural thing.  I have rarely met people so hardheaded, stiff-necked and immovable as Evangelical Fundamentalist Christians who think they're right in just about everything. Only God can change such a person. </div> <bR> <div> And that's where your faith and hope must be when conflicts happen in the Church.  Repentance is an about turn from error to truth.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>B. Be Patient and Pray That They Will Come To their Senses. (26a)</b></div> <bR> <div> What does that mean, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"come to their senses"</FONT>?  Well, in Greek it's one word, <I>"</I>Ananepho<I>"</I> and literally means to <B>return to soberness</b>.  Soberness from what?  From being intoxicated with strife, bitterness, falsehood, pride, selfishness and false doctrine.  </div> <bR> <div> I've seen Christians like this. Some had glistening eyes and foam at the mouth because they were so worked-up. Holy War is the most brutal form of war there is. </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >MacArthur writes,</FONT> "The destructive effect of false teaching and sin numbs the conscience, confuses the mind, erodes convictions, and paralyzes the will."  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>2 Timothy</b><I><B> </b></I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I> </I>Scary thought, isn't it? You think you'll be able to change a person like that?  No, you won't.  God says, "Be patient and pray."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>C. Be Patient and Pray That They Will Escape The Devil's Snare.  (26b)</b></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Now, here's a scary thought.  If a believer falls into sin and deliberate disobedience, Paul says he can get caught in </FONT>"the trap of the devil"<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > who will take him </FONT>"captive to do his will."<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Sin is a powerful thing. Even a believer can easily fall into it and be deceived into becoming the devil's tool while attending church.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> I personally believe every local church has at least one of those. I mean if the Son of God had 12 Apostles and one of them was a devil, we better be pretty good to escape it!</div> <bR> <div> Now, let me leave you with a strong word of caution here. These verses are not calling you or anyone else to a "witch hunt".  I couldn't disagree more with most Pentecost and Charismatic Churches who see and blame demons everywhere and for everything.  I believe that a large part of the problems in the church and in the world are caused more by our own sinful flesh than anything else. So please don't start trying to find <I>the </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"poor brother/sister who's caught in the devil's trap and thereby bringing demons in God's house"</FONT></div> <bR> <div> PETRA:  "Why are you seeking for the devil when you should be seeking the Lord."</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>SUMMARY</U></b></div> <bR> <div> God gives us some very practical and clear advice here, if were serious about being useful in His house. How can you be useful in God's house?</div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By keeping yourself clean (20-21a)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880008000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By having God alone as your master (21b)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By making Yourself Available For the Lord To Use. (21c)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880008000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By Being Willing, Eager and Ready To Serve Him (21d)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By renouncing The Flesh and Pursuing the Holy Spirit (22)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880008000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By Avoiding Empty Talk (23)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By Cultivating An Attitude of Meekness.(24)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880008000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By Being Patient With Those Who Oppose You (25a)</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011880000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">By always Believing and Hoping In God's Miraculous Intervention (25b-26)</div> <bR> <div> "That's a lot!!" <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > You might say.  Just follow this word of advice, </FONT>"Just turn your back on the flesh and walk in the Spirit and these things will gradually fall into place."</div> <bR> <div> "Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit… the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." </div> <div> Galatians 5.16-26</div> <bR> <div> "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14</div> <bR> <div> Amen and God Bless You All.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>