by David Brenneman
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:1-4.
When we come to Christ for salvation there's a work began in us by our Savior Jesus Christ. We become his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.
We are given tasks and assignments that are for us to do that are going to both exercise and grow our faith.
The man of God...read that well if you, my Dear Reader happen to be a born again man. This isn't directed towards those Dear Readers who are born again women. As we read in his letters to Timothy and to Titus and can find in his many other letters...men are called to lead in the Church. Men are supposed to be the Godly teachers of the Word of God. Both in the home and in the Church. In his letter to Timothy Paul explains why.
So the thoughts to you, the men reading this this morning...what are you doing to live up to this God-given responsibility?
Are you striving to make what He wants of you your highest priority?
Are you intentional about learning from the Word of God so that you may be adequate, equipped for every good work?
Are you studying the Word of God to show yourself approved by Jesus?
The men of God are supposed to be at the heart of the growing Church.
We're not to be bench warmers.
We're not to leave it to others.
We're not to ever abdicate our role and responsibility that has been given to us in Christ.
Are you seeking to know and to understand God's Word? We read all of its benefits in that it is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;".
In reading verse 17 read it slowly. Note what it isn't saying. It's not referring specifically to Pastors or Elders. The man of God. The men of God.
We're to invest in the Word of God as if not only our lives but the lives we will encounter depend on our efforts.
If other extra-curricular activities are in your way then you really are not putting God first in your life.
All things that we put in higher importance than our relationship with Jesus can be removed by Him in an instant if we persist in them.
A Life Principle of Dr. Stanley's is that anything we hold too tightly to will turn to ashes.
The Spirit promises to teach us men if we commit the time and effort to learn.
Women aren't entirely left out of the learning. Women, as Paul wrote, are to teach other women as well as children...and only those two groups of people.
They too, by being in the Word of God daily, can grow with respect to their salvation and be prepared to teach other women and children.
We seem to, as you look at humanity as a whole, have no difficulty in committing to anything that we allow ourselves to desire.
In the life of a Christian our commitment ought to always be in obedience to God's Word.
Those who try to uphold any doctrines other than what is upheld by Scripture are, according to God's Word, cursed. Let them be accursed it says. These accursed people will be those whom Jesus says to "depart from Me for I never knew you".
The twisting of the doctrine of the Scriptures, the destruction of God's intention for marriage, family, and individuals is what Satan and his minions are all about.
We must be in the Word of God to learn how to live out our salvation in Christ and to be able to refute such lies with the Word of God.
Get with God's plan and purpose for you. Quit running from it if you have been. Do all that you do as unto the Lord as we read in these same life giving Scriptures.
Seek to be found obedient to God's Word and not be among the disobedient.
Do you want to be giving an account of your life whereby Jesus says "Well done!" or will you hear of how your ways were not what He wanted of you? That you wasted your lifetime of opportunities to do what you were called to be doing?
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. First, not after you get what you want.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." Psalms 32:8.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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