1 00:00:10,700 --> 00:00:12,500 What a celebratory day. Amen. 2 00:00:12,900 --> 00:00:18,200 I encourage you that after the service that you greet and thank 3 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,900 the deacons and also the new members that will be 4 00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:24,500 acknowledged after the message, just greet them and thank God 5 00:00:24,500 --> 00:00:28,300 for them. And and is let's establish that 6 00:00:28,300 --> 00:00:32,900 culture of being a family, a family in the faith and as well 7 00:00:32,900 --> 00:00:35,100 after the service, I want to also mention. 8 00:00:35,100 --> 00:00:38,600 If you do desire to be baptized, please meet with Pastor Daniel 9 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,100 Bend NE and approach. And he will give you directions 10 00:00:41,100 --> 00:00:44,400 of how to be prepared for that day and so just please keep that 11 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:48,100 in mind. No more announcements meet me in 12 00:00:48,100 --> 00:00:49,900 your Bibles in the book is second Timothy. 13 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:59,200 And chapter and chapter 4. And together, we sang. 14 00:01:00,500 --> 00:01:04,700 And worship hasn't concluded. Now, we worship over the word of 15 00:01:04,700 --> 00:01:06,900 God as it is. Washed over us. 16 00:01:07,900 --> 00:01:11,100 And second Timothy chapter 41, verse to consider this 17 00:01:11,100 --> 00:01:13,500 afternoon. One verse that we will meditate 18 00:01:13,500 --> 00:01:17,200 on one verse that we believe suffice has to hear what God has 19 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:20,700 to say to us in this day and verse 5. 20 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:29,100 We read ask for you. Always be sober-minded endure 21 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:35,300 suffering do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your 22 00:01:35,300 --> 00:01:38,900 ministry. Lori, ask you that, you would 23 00:01:38,900 --> 00:01:40,800 empower the ministry of the word. 24 00:01:41,300 --> 00:01:45,800 We ask You O, Lord and we confess that our love is often 25 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:50,300 small, and it is cold. The Lord, take the fire. 26 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:54,400 That Jeremiah said, was your word and let it consume our 27 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:57,100 hearts. Let it burn up all the dross, 28 00:01:57,300 --> 00:01:59,700 all the things that we've gathered, that, that mean, 29 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:05,100 nothing that are trivial that are broken and unfulfilled 30 00:02:05,100 --> 00:02:06,900 longing. Well, we pray that you would do 31 00:02:06,900 --> 00:02:10,500 a cleansing work. As we receive your word, we 32 00:02:10,500 --> 00:02:13,200 pray, O, Lord, that this word would not be measured by 33 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:20,400 eloquence or even passion, but Lord, let the word do its work 34 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:23,400 and let us since the power of the Holy Spirit as he works 35 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:25,800 through the word into our hearts, this Is our deepest 36 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:30,400 desire that Christ would be seen that he would be cherished and 37 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:33,400 adored as his word is spoken to us. 38 00:02:33,700 --> 00:02:38,000 And so Lord, as you did on that mount hide all men, except the 39 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,800 God man Christ Jesus, in our midst, in our hearts, in Jesus 40 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:48,000 name, we pray, amen. This short verse is what we will 41 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:52,400 give our attention to today. And it is really a summary of 42 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:56,700 Paul's instructions to Timothy. It just really crystallizes 43 00:02:56,700 --> 00:02:58,600 everything that he's been saying up to this point. 44 00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:01,900 And as we look at this, this is directly given to a man who is 45 00:03:01,900 --> 00:03:04,800 called to be a minister. And a pastor of a church in his 46 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:09,400 day, the Apostle himself is ready to share with his 47 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:13,400 spiritual son of his soon, departure into glory. 48 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:17,200 And the reward that awaits him because he was a servant of 49 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:20,700 Christ and of the gospel and after touching on that Will 50 00:03:20,700 --> 00:03:24,400 conclude his letter by giving practical instructions for 51 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:28,900 immediate needs concerning him and, and warnings that dealt 52 00:03:28,900 --> 00:03:31,500 with their world. But as we will see in the coming 53 00:03:31,500 --> 00:03:33,500 weeks though, there is a context of do. 54 00:03:33,500 --> 00:03:36,700 It is clear that it is between two men and the Ministries that 55 00:03:36,700 --> 00:03:40,100 they represent, it is Rich with meaning for us today and we will 56 00:03:40,100 --> 00:03:42,800 learn that in the coming Sunday is of the Lord Wills. 57 00:03:44,100 --> 00:03:48,000 But today, as we look at this one verse, as we look at this 58 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:52,300 particular piece of scripture, we see four charges given to us 59 00:03:52,300 --> 00:03:57,900 in like, bullet point fashion and we can take our time on each 60 00:03:57,900 --> 00:04:02,800 of these charges and commands. But instead of looking at each 61 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:07,500 of them in great detail, we will focus on the last command, the 62 00:04:07,500 --> 00:04:10,000 last command, while not neglecting the others. 63 00:04:10,500 --> 00:04:12,800 But we want to just hear these three words and what they mean 64 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:17,899 as they really Piss. And they really summarize what 65 00:04:17,899 --> 00:04:20,899 Timothy's duty is and what is yours and mine as well. 66 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:28,400 Fulfill your ministry. Fulfill your ministry. 67 00:04:29,300 --> 00:04:32,600 Paul is about to spell out those heart-stirring words that I'm 68 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:36,600 sure you have heard at the funerals of faithful Saints. 69 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:40,300 I fought the good fight, I have finished the race. 70 00:04:40,500 --> 00:04:45,400 I have kept the faith. I can't imagine being able to 71 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,000 say anything less than that of my own life. 72 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:50,800 And I hope you, you hope to stay the same at the end of yours. 73 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:55,700 And this man who was a spiritual father with all of his heart 74 00:04:55,700 --> 00:04:58,400 desired for his Protege desired for this man, that he is 75 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:01,300 watched, grow over the years and his faith and in his practice. 76 00:05:01,300 --> 00:05:05,100 And in his ministry, he wants him to be able to ReSound that 77 00:05:05,100 --> 00:05:08,800 same declaration when his appointment with death arrives. 78 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:13,200 But the only way that Timothy can share in that sweet 79 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,900 experience. The only way that he would be 80 00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:18,700 able to reflect back on his journey throughout his days on 81 00:05:18,700 --> 00:05:22,300 the earth and be convinced that it wasn't a waste. 82 00:05:22,700 --> 00:05:26,600 The only way that he can even know a certain excitement at he, 83 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:31,900 as he is ready to enter into eternity is if he fulfilled his 84 00:05:31,900 --> 00:05:36,100 ministry. It can only come by knowing that 85 00:05:36,100 --> 00:05:42,300 you have done, just that. And Paul's desire for Timothy is 86 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:46,700 the leadership desire for you that every single one of you in 87 00:05:46,700 --> 00:05:50,900 this place would know now. And you would know at the end of 88 00:05:50,900 --> 00:05:57,400 your life, I have indeed fulfilled my Ministry. 89 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,900 But what does that mean? What does that imply? 90 00:06:05,100 --> 00:06:08,900 It is to commit yourself to the assignment that God has given to 91 00:06:08,900 --> 00:06:12,200 you until you arrived into Glory. 92 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:18,000 It speaks about way of life. One that is serious about 93 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:22,100 steadfast service to the Lord. A wholehearted commitment and 94 00:06:22,100 --> 00:06:25,500 desire to be diligent to serving God and the way that he has 95 00:06:25,500 --> 00:06:28,900 ordained for you and the way that he has planned for you and 96 00:06:28,900 --> 00:06:33,300 the way that he has prepared for you to fulfill means to make 97 00:06:33,300 --> 00:06:38,400 completion of Means that, you know, that with the grace and 98 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,700 the time and the strength, and the flexibility that you have 99 00:06:41,700 --> 00:06:44,500 been given, you've done all that, you can to fulfill the 100 00:06:44,500 --> 00:06:48,500 duties of the unique Ministry that the Lord Jesus Christ has 101 00:06:48,500 --> 00:06:53,400 called you to for the Long Haul. Fulfill your ministry. 102 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,900 And it is in that pursuit of life that you and I will know a 103 00:06:58,900 --> 00:07:03,300 richness of the soul. And it is in that pursuit of 104 00:07:03,300 --> 00:07:06,600 life that you and I will have a confidence that they're awaits 105 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:10,800 us, a reservation of rewards that will outshine all the 106 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:14,200 trophies and prizes that this world can offer. 107 00:07:15,500 --> 00:07:20,300 Fulfill your ministry. Fulfill your ministry before, 108 00:07:20,300 --> 00:07:22,500 Paul is about to speak of his death before. 109 00:07:22,500 --> 00:07:26,900 He's about to get personal, he gives this charge Timothy, I beg 110 00:07:26,900 --> 00:07:31,200 of you, make sure that your life surrounds around this knowledge. 111 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:35,100 I am serving the lord, everything orbits around that it 112 00:07:35,100 --> 00:07:38,800 is not a piece of the pie. It is the pie itself and I fill 113 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:42,100 it with all the other things that I must do as a human that 114 00:07:42,100 --> 00:07:46,200 needs to survive in this life. Fulfill your ministry. 115 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,700 And the spirit of God who expressed this desire for 116 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:53,500 Timothy through, Paul has no lesser expectations for you and 117 00:07:53,500 --> 00:07:57,700 I at this time in church history, I know things are busy. 118 00:07:57,700 --> 00:08:00,500 I know things are distracting. I know technology has developed. 119 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,300 I know a lot of things have advanced since Timothy's day but 120 00:08:03,300 --> 00:08:06,700 one thing hasn't changed. You have a call in your life. 121 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:12,100 When God extended his hand and gave you the opportunity to be 122 00:08:12,100 --> 00:08:13,700 saved. He also extended his hand. 123 00:08:13,700 --> 00:08:18,200 Once you said yes to serve him in a particular way it's not 124 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:21,000 that some have received salvation While others have 125 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,200 received salvation and a special call. 126 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:27,500 If you have been saved, God has also predestined for you. 127 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:31,200 A particular way of life that will glorify him as you are in 128 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:37,000 dwelt with his holy spirit. The holy spirit is not going to 129 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:40,500 make you a puppet. He invites you into fulfilling 130 00:08:40,500 --> 00:08:43,000 your ministry. That's not really a complex 131 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,700 subject that's Sunday, school level, understanding of the 132 00:08:45,700 --> 00:08:49,400 basics of this Faith but as much as you and I have heard that 133 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:52,100 growing up our allies and and almost doesn't have impact 134 00:08:52,100 --> 00:08:54,100 anymore because we're so familiar with him industry. 135 00:08:54,100 --> 00:08:56,200 I know I'm supposed to serve God and do this. 136 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,400 We all might understand generally that every Christians 137 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:01,800 to serve God to a specific capacity. 138 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,500 But the fact that this charge is laid out tells us that it's 139 00:09:06,500 --> 00:09:10,500 possible to miss the mark to actually miss the Mark. 140 00:09:10,500 --> 00:09:14,300 I can believe that all Christians should honor God with 141 00:09:14,300 --> 00:09:18,800 practical service but I can also miss the opportunities that the 142 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,100 Lord would have for me from the moment. 143 00:09:21,100 --> 00:09:23,400 I said, yes, until the moment when he says it's time to come 144 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:28,600 home, And that's what I want to address today. 145 00:09:30,500 --> 00:09:32,800 Because those same people who would acknowledge that yes God 146 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:35,300 has called me to a specific Ministry might have at one point 147 00:09:35,300 --> 00:09:38,600 of their lives usually in the early stages of Salvation. 148 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:44,300 Be totally consumed with the desire to do nothing else but 149 00:09:44,300 --> 00:09:47,200 reserved all your resources and give all your time as much as 150 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:51,600 possible to knowing that you play a part in advancing the 151 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,500 kingdom of God with your contribution. 152 00:09:55,900 --> 00:09:58,600 But why is it that when we study the trajectory of Christians 153 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:02,300 lives? Why is it that over time? 154 00:10:02,300 --> 00:10:06,400 Many of them in their service to God, in their Zeal for God, and 155 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:08,100 their dedication, to a particular Ministry of 156 00:10:08,100 --> 00:10:15,700 Ministries, fizzle out down to Mere Church, attendance Why is 157 00:10:15,700 --> 00:10:18,500 it that many good-hearted? Christians lose heart? 158 00:10:20,700 --> 00:10:23,400 Why is it that that dissipate? Why is it that it evaporates? 159 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:25,800 And we feel as though, we're just comfortable. 160 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,100 Observing Our Lives play out before us without 161 00:10:28,100 --> 00:10:30,800 intentionality. How does that happen? 162 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,000 Well, this message, aims to provide those insights and 163 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:38,400 understanding those insights. I pray that you and I would 164 00:10:38,400 --> 00:10:41,000 protect ourselves from these pitfalls that have sabotage, 165 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:45,900 many callings and have stolen, many crowns that were prepared 166 00:10:45,900 --> 00:10:48,400 to be laid on the Brows of those who have put their faith in 167 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:51,200 Christ. I want to, I want to tell you 168 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:54,400 today, why Christians quit? I'm not talking about pastors 169 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,800 quitting the ministry. They do in an alarming rate 170 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:59,700 every month by the way. I'm not speaking about pastors 171 00:10:59,700 --> 00:11:01,300 and speaking, about every single, one of us who's been 172 00:11:01,300 --> 00:11:03,900 called to serve the Lord, and that can be hidden. 173 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:06,400 That can be through speaking, that could be through serving, 174 00:11:07,300 --> 00:11:09,500 but why is it that so many Christians quit? 175 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,000 They don't quit on the faith. They don't quit on hearing 176 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:15,400 sermons, they don't quit on attending a local church but 177 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:18,000 their hands. Their hands are not on a 178 00:11:18,008 --> 00:11:21,700 specific plow. There are no Calais marks. 179 00:11:21,700 --> 00:11:24,200 There are no scars, there's no dirt underneath their 180 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:27,200 fingernails. How does that happen? 181 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,100 I want to give you very simple insights. 182 00:11:30,100 --> 00:11:33,400 That will hopefully protect you. And I, from ever, ever, ever 183 00:11:33,400 --> 00:11:35,100 living a life that is meaningless. 184 00:11:36,100 --> 00:11:40,500 If your ambition in life, is to retire somewhere and a nice home 185 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:43,800 where you paid off all your debts and you get to travel a 186 00:11:43,808 --> 00:11:46,600 bit more than you did before that you have a little bit more 187 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:49,100 freedom than you did when you re raising kids, I'm telling you 188 00:11:49,100 --> 00:11:51,200 that is not God's plan for your life. 189 00:11:52,700 --> 00:11:55,900 God wants you to serve him until your dying breath. 190 00:11:56,700 --> 00:11:59,800 God wants you to be spent for him. 191 00:12:00,500 --> 00:12:04,400 God has put too much in you for you to look, no different than 192 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:06,800 those who are pursuing the American dream. 193 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:11,800 There's a kingdom dream. There is a vision Beyond this 194 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,700 life and that's what makes Christians so unique. 195 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,200 Not just where we're going because we put our faith in the 196 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:19,600 perfect savior. But how we're getting there? 197 00:12:20,700 --> 00:12:22,400 And what we're doing in the meantime. 198 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,400 Can I tell you why? Some Christians, do not fulfill 199 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,600 their Ministry. Let me give you one meet me in 200 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:31,200 the book of Colossians chapter 4. 201 00:12:39,700 --> 00:12:42,800 Colossians chapter 4. Let's go to verse 17 together. 202 00:12:43,500 --> 00:12:45,500 This book is one of the most gripping. 203 00:12:46,700 --> 00:12:50,000 Letters that portrays the supremacy of Jesus Christ. 204 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:55,200 But in this wonderful wonderful spelled out theological 205 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:59,300 Masterpiece, you come to verse 17 and you see that the Apostle 206 00:12:59,300 --> 00:13:04,100 Paul makes a personal appeal to a man named Mark Hoppus. 207 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:08,900 And what does he say to our campus and verse 17 of 208 00:13:08,900 --> 00:13:16,400 Colossians chapter 4, he says, and say to our campus See that 209 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:20,200 you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord? 210 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:25,600 See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received 211 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,500 in the Lord? Our capacity is only mentioned 212 00:13:28,500 --> 00:13:31,500 here and in the book of Philemon that's it. 213 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:35,200 We don't have much to work with. But whoever this, man, our 214 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:39,200 campus is, we can, at least make to strong conclusions about who 215 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:41,000 he is. And number one, the first thing 216 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,900 that we can understand about this man is that he himself 217 00:13:43,900 --> 00:13:48,800 knew, What he was given by the Lord for the Lord. 218 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:53,000 He knew what he was supposed to do as a Christian. 219 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,100 If you ask them, what is your ministry? 220 00:13:56,100 --> 00:13:57,600 What do you do? What's your service? 221 00:13:57,600 --> 00:14:00,700 He can, he can tell it to you, he can, he can spell it out. 222 00:14:00,700 --> 00:14:03,100 You can say, this is how I serve in my local church. 223 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:04,900 This is what I do with my resources. 224 00:14:05,100 --> 00:14:10,100 This is what occupies my time. But what's concerning here is, 225 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:13,500 apparently there's some hesitation apparently there's 226 00:14:13,500 --> 00:14:17,700 some loss of enthusiasm here enough for Paul, the Apostle to 227 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:21,900 be concerned concerned enough to write this out in a letter that 228 00:14:21,900 --> 00:14:25,000 would be read publicly, not just to one church but different 229 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:27,000 churches. I mean, he's calling him out. 230 00:14:29,200 --> 00:14:32,600 We're not giving the reason why. But one thing that we want to 231 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:35,900 touch on is this, he knew what it was and someone wants to 232 00:14:35,908 --> 00:14:38,300 encourage that as you come to this verse, why don't you 233 00:14:38,300 --> 00:14:40,700 replace our campuses name with your own? 234 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:45,300 And read it as though, it was directed to you and see how your 235 00:14:45,300 --> 00:14:47,700 heart response to such an admonition. 236 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:52,400 So I come to this verse and I read and to, and say, to Daniel, 237 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:56,100 say to Daniel Batar, say see that you fulfill the ministry 238 00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:58,000 that you have received in the Lord. 239 00:14:58,700 --> 00:15:01,900 I put your name there, mentally and read that over and over 240 00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:04,100 again. And then ask yourself, how does 241 00:15:04,100 --> 00:15:07,300 your heart respond? Would you say something along 242 00:15:07,300 --> 00:15:09,700 the lines of as a response to Paul? 243 00:15:10,900 --> 00:15:12,900 I understand. But Paul I got to be honest I 244 00:15:12,908 --> 00:15:15,100 don't know what it is that the Lord has called me to. 245 00:15:15,700 --> 00:15:18,100 I don't know what I have received in the Lord. 246 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:20,700 I don't know what my part is to play. 247 00:15:20,700 --> 00:15:23,500 I don't know what I am to exactly fulfill. 248 00:15:24,700 --> 00:15:28,400 If that is the case and my question to you is in response. 249 00:15:28,600 --> 00:15:31,200 Are you satisfied with remaining in the unknown? 250 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:36,700 Is that not challenge you? This is not cause you to 251 00:15:37,100 --> 00:15:40,000 prayerfully consider what it is that the Lord has called you. 252 00:15:40,100 --> 00:15:44,000 What he has reserved for you to receive because God's will for 253 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:45,600 you. God's will for you is not just 254 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:47,500 for archivist. It's for all of us in this place 255 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:50,400 is that you would discover what he has planned for you. 256 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:53,800 And it's not much of a mystery. God is more eager for you to 257 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:55,600 obey him. Then you are to obey him. 258 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,200 God is more eager for you to experience the joys of serving 259 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,600 him than you are. And so we have to understand 260 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:08,200 here. there are copies new and he was not to remain idle. 261 00:16:09,100 --> 00:16:12,000 He was to be active, he was to be engaged. 262 00:16:12,100 --> 00:16:17,200 He was to be busy. Therefore, pray fully evaluate 263 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:21,600 your desires if you want to know how you can come one step closer 264 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:23,700 to understanding what it is that the Lord has called you to 265 00:16:23,900 --> 00:16:29,200 prayerfully, evaluate your desires as indicators of how you 266 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:32,400 might serve God. Paul use that same thing with 267 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:34,400 Elders. As those who desire, the office 268 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:38,200 of a overseer, desire. What did the passions in your 269 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,000 heart? What do you feel like you're 270 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:43,400 inclined to if you just let your thoughts rest. 271 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:45,000 What do you see? Happening. 272 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:47,000 What brings you Joy? What brings you excite? 273 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:50,300 What motivates, you examine such a thing? 274 00:16:50,700 --> 00:16:53,000 And it from that place also consider your gifts as 275 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:56,400 indicators, of how you can be effective for the glory of God. 276 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,100 Desire is one thing but then look at the ability, there's a 277 00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:01,700 match. The desire though I may not be 278 00:17:01,700 --> 00:17:04,300 matured, there has to be some kind of skill. 279 00:17:04,500 --> 00:17:06,599 What is the gifting? What is natural to you? 280 00:17:06,700 --> 00:17:09,599 What flows out of you, what is not forced? 281 00:17:09,599 --> 00:17:13,200 What is there that has a Grace and that others can recognize 282 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:15,099 when you do this. I'm blessed. 283 00:17:15,099 --> 00:17:18,800 I can smell the fragrance of the spirit of God through that as 284 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:23,400 you serve in such a way. And from there also, examine the 285 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,599 needs around you. And do not think little of them. 286 00:17:27,500 --> 00:17:30,000 Everybody that wants to know, God's will wants a message from 287 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:31,600 Heaven. They want an angel to appear in 288 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:35,900 their room, but it's much more simple than that to understand. 289 00:17:35,900 --> 00:17:38,700 And to fulfill your ministry does not mean that you will have 290 00:17:38,700 --> 00:17:42,100 some ministerial position that you have some title that you 291 00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:44,600 have some long-term tenor, that's not the case. 292 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:48,400 It can be as simple as opportunities that come up from 293 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:51,300 time to time and you joyfully submitting yourself. 294 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:55,000 To that opportunity, knowing that you're fulfilling a need. 295 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:59,600 It can be seasonal, it can be sporadic, it can be here and 296 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:03,700 there, but, you know, within your soul, I am doing something 297 00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:09,000 for the Lord. And the question is, after 298 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,700 knowing that archivist, understood what his ministry us. 299 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:15,500 As you heard earlier. Why isn't that he is not walking 300 00:18:15,500 --> 00:18:20,200 in it. I would like to add, even this 301 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,900 thought that in your pursuit of wanting to know what it is that 302 00:18:22,900 --> 00:18:25,800 the Lord has called. You consider the undefined 303 00:18:25,900 --> 00:18:28,500 Ministry that our campus is called to. 304 00:18:28,500 --> 00:18:30,900 We aren't told what he's supposed to be doing here. 305 00:18:31,700 --> 00:18:34,000 Some have guessed was it a pastoral position? 306 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:37,800 Was he a deacon? What was he doing in here? 307 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,900 And I believe that the mystery is Divine Design. 308 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:43,400 I believe the fact that is not spelled out. 309 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:47,400 Invites us to realize that no matter what type of ministry 310 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,200 that it is. Wherever God has called, you 311 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:53,800 whatever it is that he has predetermined for you to be 312 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:59,900 providentially position in it. Deserves eagerness, it deserves 313 00:18:59,900 --> 00:19:03,300 wholehearted commitment. It deserves for you to give 314 00:19:03,300 --> 00:19:07,700 yourself over with all that is in your heart, it's not just a 315 00:19:07,700 --> 00:19:11,900 particular Ministry, it's a Ministry, the ministry that God 316 00:19:11,900 --> 00:19:17,400 has invited you in some would guess that the reason why our 317 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:22,500 Corpus is not in this, the way he's supposed to be, is from a 318 00:19:22,500 --> 00:19:28,400 clue in the verse right before it And when this letter has been 319 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:32,100 read among you have, it also read in the Church of the 320 00:19:32,100 --> 00:19:36,100 laodiceans and see that. You also read the letter from 321 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:40,300 laodicea and say to our campus. See that you fulfill the 322 00:19:40,300 --> 00:19:42,100 ministry that you've received in the Lord. 323 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,600 How does that connect? Well, one tradition is as not 324 00:19:45,600 --> 00:19:48,200 dogmatic. This is not this. 325 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:50,700 You can be opinionated about this and your salvation will be 326 00:19:50,700 --> 00:19:54,500 secure, okay? Some would say that the flow of 327 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:58,100 thought here, might indicate that our campus was a member of 328 00:19:58,100 --> 00:20:02,200 the church in laodicea. He was either a leader of that 329 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:05,800 church, or he was some prominent figure within that congregation 330 00:20:05,900 --> 00:20:08,900 or he was just somebody who just attended there was a member of 331 00:20:08,900 --> 00:20:12,200 that local assembly. And if it is the case that our 332 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:16,800 campus was from that church, Where laodicea is also mentioned 333 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:18,900 is in the Book of Revelation chapter 3. 334 00:20:19,700 --> 00:20:23,200 It is the church that is known for being lukewarm. 335 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:29,300 It is a church that is being condemned by Christ for not 336 00:20:29,300 --> 00:20:32,500 being completely worldly but not being blazing hot for the Lord 337 00:20:32,500 --> 00:20:36,900 either. And if tradition is right then 338 00:20:36,900 --> 00:20:39,400 for archivists to be from their makes total sense. 339 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,200 Why he is not fulfilling his ministry. 340 00:20:42,100 --> 00:20:46,100 He is among those that gathered as a church regularly but were 341 00:20:46,100 --> 00:20:51,000 lukewarm they were you know is one day they're in it one day, 342 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:54,800 they're not there. They were not totally sold out 343 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:57,000 for the cause, but some days were better than others. 344 00:20:57,400 --> 00:20:59,700 You can find the one day where they are blazing for the Lord. 345 00:20:59,700 --> 00:21:01,700 And other day stretch of time there. 346 00:21:01,700 --> 00:21:07,600 They just cold and indifferent. One of the signs of lukewarmness 347 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:11,100 is a lack of care of whether or not you are actually serving the 348 00:21:11,100 --> 00:21:15,200 lord. It's not even a burden, that's 349 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:17,300 void. It's just, I'm just here. 350 00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:19,600 I'm just floating in this church. 351 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:23,500 I'm just floating in life if our campus rust from that church. 352 00:21:23,700 --> 00:21:26,400 Then, could it be that lukewarmness plagued, his heart. 353 00:21:27,100 --> 00:21:30,300 And one of the ways in which, you can see that dominating. 354 00:21:30,300 --> 00:21:34,200 Somebody's soul is when their hands are not busy. 355 00:21:35,500 --> 00:21:37,300 Is when they're not willing to lay down their lives, in some 356 00:21:37,300 --> 00:21:40,600 particular way, there's no inquiry, there's no prayer, 357 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:42,200 there's no law or what is it that you have of me? 358 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:43,900 Like, what Paul says, on the road to Damascus? 359 00:21:44,100 --> 00:21:46,400 What shall I do? Lord that, that question isn't 360 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:49,400 asked. It's not sought after. 361 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,000 And the Church of laodicea. What was the problem? 362 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:54,400 Well, they were satisfied and riches. 363 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:57,900 They were satisfied in luxury. They actually boasted in how 364 00:21:57,900 --> 00:22:02,000 much they were succeeding in life and God says you're 365 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:03,800 pitiable. You're poor, you're naked. 366 00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:06,700 You're blind. In the world. 367 00:22:06,700 --> 00:22:08,600 You look like you're enjoying yourself. 368 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:12,000 You're having much pleasure and there's Comfort there. 369 00:22:12,500 --> 00:22:14,700 But are you fulfilling your ministry? 370 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:17,700 Are you fulfilling your ministry? 371 00:22:18,300 --> 00:22:20,500 I have to say quite honestly that many Christians can live 372 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:25,000 decades in the faith and that that's, that's never a concern. 373 00:22:25,100 --> 00:22:29,300 It might have been at one point but it's never a reoccurring 374 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:32,200 theme in their lives. Wherever God places. 375 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:33,300 You that question should be asked. 376 00:22:33,300 --> 00:22:37,900 Okay, Lord here I am at this place, may not be my choice, it 377 00:22:37,900 --> 00:22:41,300 may not be where I necessarily plan to be but what is it that 378 00:22:41,300 --> 00:22:45,500 you have for me to do here? Fulfill your ministry. 379 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:49,400 The reason why people give up, is there even started to begin 380 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:52,700 with. They don't know, and they are 381 00:22:52,700 --> 00:22:56,200 content with that. But I would also want to say 382 00:22:56,200 --> 00:23:01,800 something that as I'm bringing this before you, some people are 383 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:04,900 really burdensome times because of the mystery of what it is. 384 00:23:04,900 --> 00:23:08,400 They make it very complicated or it's not sophisticated enough or 385 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:11,800 it's not obvious enough or doesn't seem to be as impactful 386 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:15,700 as what's happening right here. What happens here for 25 minutes 387 00:23:15,700 --> 00:23:19,400 on a Sunday. May I show you how God values 388 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:22,900 all Ministry. May I show you how God Praises, 389 00:23:22,900 --> 00:23:25,300 what we would often ignore and neglect. 390 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:27,900 It's an obscure texts that often people read over and don't 391 00:23:27,900 --> 00:23:31,000 consider the impact of, but the Holy Spirit saw no. 392 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:34,000 So necessary for us to read those simple versus in order to 393 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:38,200 understand how God views every person fulfilling their 394 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:42,700 Ministry. Third John, let's go to that 395 00:23:42,700 --> 00:23:44,700 epistle together. It's only a few verses. 396 00:23:52,700 --> 00:23:54,200 And look at verse five, no chapters. 397 00:23:54,200 --> 00:24:00,400 Only one, look at verse 5. John, the Apostle is writing to 398 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:05,400 a man named Gaius. And he says, in verse 5 beloved 399 00:24:06,300 --> 00:24:09,300 it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these 400 00:24:09,300 --> 00:24:13,700 brothers strangers, as they are, who testified to your love 401 00:24:13,700 --> 00:24:17,700 before the church, you will do well to send them on their 402 00:24:17,700 --> 00:24:20,400 journey in a manner. Worthy of God, what's Happening 403 00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:23,400 Here. John is praising this man named 404 00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:27,900 Gaius, because he was putting much effort into doing, what 405 00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:30,800 when missionaries would travel by when they would come by his 406 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:33,200 street, his town, he opened his doors. 407 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:34,800 And he gave him a bed to sleep in. 408 00:24:35,700 --> 00:24:38,300 He gave them food. He gave them a little money for 409 00:24:38,300 --> 00:24:41,600 travel. He brought them in from the 410 00:24:41,608 --> 00:24:43,700 cold. He protected him from threats 411 00:24:43,700 --> 00:24:49,400 outside. All Gaius did was nurture and 412 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:52,100 Supply, the needs of the sent ones who would go out to preach 413 00:24:52,100 --> 00:24:55,800 the gospel. And he's saying it is a faithful 414 00:24:55,800 --> 00:25:00,600 thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers and they were 415 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,600 strangers. He didn't know them. 416 00:25:02,700 --> 00:25:05,700 It's like, as those speaker was coming to this church and 417 00:25:05,700 --> 00:25:08,200 somebody would volunteer and say, let him stay at my place. 418 00:25:09,100 --> 00:25:12,300 I know of a church, then when they have their conference big 419 00:25:12,300 --> 00:25:15,300 church, what they do is they don't put their pastors and 420 00:25:15,300 --> 00:25:17,500 hotels, but the members of the church, all open their homes. 421 00:25:17,500 --> 00:25:19,900 To these pastors, who are coming for that Pastors conference. 422 00:25:20,300 --> 00:25:23,000 It's the same idea here. But look, what are you goes on 423 00:25:23,008 --> 00:25:26,100 to say in verse 7, for, they have gone out for the sake of 424 00:25:26,100 --> 00:25:29,300 the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles unbelievers. 425 00:25:29,500 --> 00:25:33,200 Now look at verse 8, therefore we ought to support people like 426 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:37,600 these that we may be able to be fellow workers for the truth. 427 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:44,300 Now here's the thing, we applaud the ones who are sent out, we 428 00:25:44,300 --> 00:25:47,900 applaud the missionaries and the evangelists the ones who put 429 00:25:47,900 --> 00:25:50,800 their time and effort on the street corners and in the 430 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:52,800 jungles. And to go from conference to 431 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:55,600 conference, to build up the Church of Jesus Christ. 432 00:25:56,500 --> 00:26:00,400 God Praises them as well but he also applauds the ones who take 433 00:26:00,400 --> 00:26:06,200 care of them. Not just the scent, but the 434 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:09,800 supporters of the sent. There's a whole letter here 435 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:14,900 dedicated to that Ministry. And not only that, he actually 436 00:26:14,900 --> 00:26:19,000 says that we may be in the verse of verse 8 and verse a fellow 437 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:23,200 workers for the truth. So it's not some sub Ministry. 438 00:26:23,300 --> 00:26:27,800 It's a partnership in God's eyes, who would have thought, 439 00:26:28,700 --> 00:26:32,100 who would have thought that the shunammite woman who opened her 440 00:26:32,100 --> 00:26:34,300 room for Elijah or Elijah rather? 441 00:26:35,300 --> 00:26:37,900 What's the fit in this kind of Praise with to be, was to be 442 00:26:37,900 --> 00:26:41,100 commended the same way guys, was all she did, is that she notice 443 00:26:41,100 --> 00:26:43,000 that this man would come in and out of town. 444 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:45,600 And so, she asked her husband, why don't we do something for 445 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:48,600 this profit? And so they build a room and I, 446 00:26:48,608 --> 00:26:50,000 whenever he came to town, he would come. 447 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,900 And and she would feed, I'm sure it was wonderful Middle Eastern 448 00:26:52,900 --> 00:26:56,000 food. And that's all that's all he 449 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:59,900 received. A place to sleep and food to 450 00:26:59,900 --> 00:27:02,800 eat. And whatever that woman thought 451 00:27:02,800 --> 00:27:04,700 in that moment. According to this, with the 452 00:27:04,700 --> 00:27:09,800 harmony of scripture, she was a faithful partner a fellow worker 453 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:15,300 to the prophet of God. So sometimes as we sit here, we 454 00:27:15,300 --> 00:27:18,800 hear challenging message on being a minister and being a 455 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:21,500 serve and then being a slave of Jesus Christ. 456 00:27:21,500 --> 00:27:24,400 We wonder okay well what is it? Send me as a martyr. 457 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:27,300 Wherever I got to go, hold on. God may call you to be a martyr 458 00:27:27,300 --> 00:27:29,600 and he'll make it very clear and you'll give you the grace to 459 00:27:29,600 --> 00:27:33,000 endure the sword. But what if it is got, if God is 460 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:37,900 just calling to open your house. Is that a lesser thing in your 461 00:27:37,900 --> 00:27:39,700 eyes? It's not to him. 462 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:44,100 What if his is just to pray for those who preach? 463 00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:45,900 That's what you're supposed to do. 464 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:49,200 Just take a little bit more time in your day to dedicate time to 465 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:50,700 showering. The men that you know, who 466 00:27:50,700 --> 00:27:55,300 Proclaim God's word with intercession What if what if 467 00:27:55,300 --> 00:28:00,000 it's just you intentionally coming intentionally reflecting 468 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:03,100 on people that you know of this church and you will Target 469 00:28:03,100 --> 00:28:08,400 people with sincere prayed up Spirit lead encouragement. 470 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:14,200 You know how God sees it, you're a fellow worker. 471 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:20,100 To the Grand drama of redemption in the world, you are a fellow 472 00:28:20,300 --> 00:28:23,700 worker. Whatever it is whether it's 473 00:28:23,700 --> 00:28:26,300 opening your house or being the person who goes from house to 474 00:28:26,300 --> 00:28:29,200 house because you preach and you have an itinerant Ministry. 475 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:34,500 God sees it as a partnership. He will praise them equally. 476 00:28:36,600 --> 00:28:39,600 The reason why people don't fulfill their Ministries because 477 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:43,100 don't even know what it is. They don't really care to know 478 00:28:43,100 --> 00:28:47,100 what it is. That's a tragedy because Paul 479 00:28:47,100 --> 00:28:51,200 says see to it meaning. Hey, make sure our campus knows 480 00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:53,800 I'm calling him out. You can't be idle. 481 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:57,400 You got to get busy, God's called you to something and were 482 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:00,900 feeling the neglect of your ministry, get to it again. 483 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:05,100 Another reason why people do not fulfill their Ministry is back 484 00:29:05,100 --> 00:29:07,500 in our main text. Let's go back to 2nd Timothy 4 485 00:29:07,500 --> 00:29:19,000 5. at first glance, when we read that verse, they kind of seem 486 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:25,800 like disconnected commands But when you reflect on it long 487 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:29,100 enough and you actually merge them together, what you see is a 488 00:29:29,100 --> 00:29:33,000 wonderful insight to the potential of God's work in and 489 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:35,800 through us. What do I mean we read be 490 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:39,100 sober-minded endure suffering. Do the work of an evangelist, 491 00:29:39,100 --> 00:29:41,000 fulfill your ministry. Well what does that have to do 492 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:44,100 with one another? I argue that you can make these 493 00:29:44,100 --> 00:29:48,100 commands and place them into two separate categories. 494 00:29:48,700 --> 00:29:53,700 The first to deal with Timothy's focus and attention to the inner 495 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:58,800 N. Be sober, minded endure 496 00:29:58,800 --> 00:30:01,000 suffering. What does that mean? 497 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:04,700 That that's internal. In other words, make sure you 498 00:30:04,700 --> 00:30:09,000 disciple yourself. Don't worry about preaching to 499 00:30:09,008 --> 00:30:13,000 your congregation preach certain truths to your own soul. 500 00:30:14,300 --> 00:30:18,300 Establish yourself from within you're going to have to wrestle 501 00:30:18,300 --> 00:30:19,900 with some of your thoughts Timothy. 502 00:30:20,500 --> 00:30:23,400 You're going to have to deflect certain lies that will try to 503 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:25,900 weaken your convictions and your courage. 504 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:29,900 So, before you do anything else, make sure that your mind is 505 00:30:29,900 --> 00:30:34,100 sober, make sure that you have the inner fortitude because the 506 00:30:34,100 --> 00:30:38,400 second reason why people do not endure in fulfilling their 507 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:41,900 Ministry is because they have failed to understand the 508 00:30:41,900 --> 00:30:43,900 difficulties, there are in Ministry. 509 00:30:45,700 --> 00:30:48,200 Because look at the second set. The first set is inward. 510 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:51,000 Look at the second one. Do the work of an evangelist, 511 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:55,400 fulfill your ministry. Those are Timothy's energy and 512 00:30:55,400 --> 00:31:00,100 attention going to other men. The first set yourself, the 513 00:31:00,100 --> 00:31:04,600 second set to those around you and even as a pastor you're 514 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:08,500 going to teach but do the work of an evangelist and what way 515 00:31:09,500 --> 00:31:12,900 Preach the gospel. As you teach God's word, there 516 00:31:12,900 --> 00:31:16,000 are people in your church. Timothy as a pastor, you're 517 00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:18,400 going to occupy much of your time around those who are 518 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:20,000 Saints. But they're going to be people 519 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:22,800 from within who are unconverted. Is that you today? 520 00:31:24,700 --> 00:31:28,200 Is that you today? Are you unsaved? 521 00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:34,300 The church is supposed to have pastors that in their teaching, 522 00:31:34,300 --> 00:31:36,500 verse by verse chapter book by book. 523 00:31:36,500 --> 00:31:41,900 Yes, through that should call, Sinners to repentance and faith. 524 00:31:42,700 --> 00:31:46,000 And that is why you hear the gospel from this Pulpit, almost 525 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:49,700 regularly because pastors are called to preach to those in the 526 00:31:49,700 --> 00:31:51,800 midst. Who do not know Christ. 527 00:31:53,700 --> 00:31:55,600 Not just do the work of an evangelist. 528 00:31:56,800 --> 00:32:00,200 Fulfill your ministry, your pastor, still give your time to 529 00:32:00,200 --> 00:32:02,900 ministering into feeding the shepherding and counseling and 530 00:32:02,900 --> 00:32:07,200 praying with those who are walking with Jesus Christ. 531 00:32:07,300 --> 00:32:08,800 What's the point? You understand? 532 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:13,800 These categories to our internal to our external and the the 533 00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:18,000 point of that organization is that you and I cannot be 534 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:23,200 effective in our service to others unless we are first sound 535 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:28,400 and secure in our own Souls. He didn't say, do the work of an 536 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:32,100 evangelist, fulfill your ministry, be sober-minded and 537 00:32:32,100 --> 00:32:34,700 endure suffering that's to put the cart before the horse. 538 00:32:34,700 --> 00:32:39,400 He says, you need to be sober and you need to be ready. 539 00:32:39,700 --> 00:32:43,400 And then you can be an evangelist, and then you can 540 00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:46,800 fulfill your ministry. You have many Believers with 541 00:32:46,800 --> 00:32:50,800 Zeal and excitement, Who want to serve God. 542 00:32:51,700 --> 00:32:55,500 But they had no longevity. They burn out. 543 00:32:55,500 --> 00:32:59,000 They give up. They move from church to church. 544 00:33:00,700 --> 00:33:04,300 They sign up for a Ministry like Peter, they declare their 545 00:33:04,300 --> 00:33:08,700 dedication until death. And all it takes is a is a 546 00:33:08,700 --> 00:33:11,100 little trouble, a little turbulence and they're out. 547 00:33:11,100 --> 00:33:13,000 And now we got to fill it up again and then we gotta fill it 548 00:33:13,000 --> 00:33:15,500 up again. Why I'll give you one reason why 549 00:33:16,100 --> 00:33:20,100 they're not sober minded. And they are not prepared to 550 00:33:20,100 --> 00:33:23,100 suffer. What does Paul mean to be 551 00:33:23,100 --> 00:33:27,500 sober-minded means to be clear in your thinking means to be 552 00:33:27,500 --> 00:33:30,100 alert. It's the opposite of being 553 00:33:30,100 --> 00:33:33,900 influenced by external substances. 554 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:38,000 When a man is drunk, he cannot control his thoughts. 555 00:33:38,100 --> 00:33:40,200 He is influenced by something else. 556 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:43,300 Determining his words and his actions and his behavior what? 557 00:33:43,300 --> 00:33:46,900 He's telling his you before. Anything else, you need to get a 558 00:33:46,900 --> 00:33:50,700 grip on yourself. You better know how to be 559 00:33:50,700 --> 00:33:54,000 clear-headed. What's the context? 560 00:33:54,100 --> 00:33:56,300 Well, throughout this time, we've been hearing that the 561 00:33:56,300 --> 00:33:58,600 world that Timothy was living in, was going to change 562 00:33:58,600 --> 00:34:00,800 drastically. There's going to be a rise of 563 00:34:00,800 --> 00:34:02,800 depravity. There is going to be people 564 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:05,700 lining up to going to these sir. How's the church's? 565 00:34:05,700 --> 00:34:10,300 We're teaching demonic things. And so with this shift coming 566 00:34:10,900 --> 00:34:14,900 with the hype of the newest and the latest with sin, all around 567 00:34:14,900 --> 00:34:17,699 them with events breaking out on the headlines. 568 00:34:18,199 --> 00:34:21,100 Timothy could be tempted to be influenced by such things. 569 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:26,100 He could be swayed and so he had to be so Concrete in his 570 00:34:26,100 --> 00:34:29,100 Doctrine in his ministry, practice through the waves, that 571 00:34:29,100 --> 00:34:33,000 would crash on him and in his church, but not just the World 572 00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:36,300 At Large Timothy's personal World was going to be changed. 573 00:34:36,300 --> 00:34:39,300 His mentor has beloved friend, was going to die. 574 00:34:40,100 --> 00:34:41,500 He's not gonna be able to hold his hand. 575 00:34:41,500 --> 00:34:43,500 He's not gonna be able to send letters to encourage him from a 576 00:34:43,507 --> 00:34:46,100 distance. Timothy is going to go into the 577 00:34:46,100 --> 00:34:48,699 cloud. He's going to go into the storm 578 00:34:48,699 --> 00:34:50,900 by himself at least without Paul. 579 00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:54,500 With all of that being considered. 580 00:34:54,500 --> 00:34:59,400 Paul says, ask for you, Timothy, you better get control of your 581 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:07,600 thoughts, Because unfortunately, if you are a person cannot be 582 00:35:07,600 --> 00:35:11,400 composed. And those who do not practice, 583 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:17,100 sobriety of the Soul. Who are easily moved by breaking 584 00:35:17,100 --> 00:35:20,800 news, whether it's in your own life, or in the world, who are 585 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:24,000 easily taken up by emotions, they're easily angered. 586 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:28,600 They're easily made sad. Those people who are determined 587 00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:31,300 to serve God, but are also influenced by such things. 588 00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:34,300 Will not be able to fulfill their Ministry. 589 00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:37,400 You just not going to happen. He'll be sporadic. 590 00:35:37,400 --> 00:35:39,800 It'll be like fireworks. It will come here and there. 591 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:43,200 But the ministry is that there will be a part of will suffer. 592 00:35:44,300 --> 00:35:47,800 Which brings us to the next point because they're not ready 593 00:35:47,800 --> 00:35:51,800 to suffer. Ministries and local churches 594 00:35:51,800 --> 00:35:55,400 often suffer because the people who are serving in those 595 00:35:55,400 --> 00:35:59,800 Ministries, did not anticipate the pain of serving God. 596 00:35:59,800 --> 00:36:01,100 Oh, you think it's just for pastors? 597 00:36:03,500 --> 00:36:06,500 Is a pastor, a separate body? Are we all not connected as 598 00:36:06,500 --> 00:36:09,900 members of one body? When my hand hurts the rest of 599 00:36:09,908 --> 00:36:15,700 my body feels it? When there is pain in my leg, 600 00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:19,200 it's screams throughout my my frame. 601 00:36:21,700 --> 00:36:25,400 You know, this. How much is Paul going to 602 00:36:25,408 --> 00:36:28,800 mention suffering in one letter? Join with me, in suffering, 603 00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:31,200 sufferings here suffering, their suffer suffer suffer, suffer, 604 00:36:31,200 --> 00:36:32,800 suffer suffer. So you think the Bible is trying 605 00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:42,200 to give us a hint Serving. Jesus Christ is not easy. 606 00:36:43,800 --> 00:36:47,500 If you believe otherwise you will not be able to fulfill your 607 00:36:47,500 --> 00:36:51,400 ministry. And if it is been easy, give it 608 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:55,100 a little bit of time, if it has been easy for a long time, if it 609 00:36:55,107 --> 00:36:58,400 has been easy for years, maybe you're doing something wrong. 610 00:37:01,600 --> 00:37:06,500 It's costly. It's demanding, it's often 611 00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:11,000 underappreciated there are challenges from within and there 612 00:37:11,008 --> 00:37:15,900 are obstacles outside. Sometimes Ministry is often made 613 00:37:15,900 --> 00:37:19,800 more difficult because of stubborn Saints and often 614 00:37:19,800 --> 00:37:24,700 because of satanic forces that try to throw ministries of 615 00:37:24,700 --> 00:37:28,400 course. And again, all you have to do is 616 00:37:28,400 --> 00:37:31,500 be dedicated long enough to a church that preaches God's word 617 00:37:31,500 --> 00:37:34,400 for you to feel what I am talking about. 618 00:37:36,400 --> 00:37:42,000 It's a very unique experience. And as I said earlier, People 619 00:37:42,000 --> 00:37:45,800 suffer. Because Ministry suffer and 620 00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:48,100 Ministry suffer because the ministers weren't ready to 621 00:37:48,100 --> 00:37:52,600 suffer. Ask the people in the parking 622 00:37:52,600 --> 00:37:55,400 Ministry if there's such thing as obstacles. 623 00:37:56,300 --> 00:37:59,700 Ask people in the hospitality Ministry, are there challenges. 624 00:38:00,100 --> 00:38:01,900 Ask the people who serve in Sunday school. 625 00:38:02,600 --> 00:38:06,600 It's not roses. Ask any Ministry. 626 00:38:07,300 --> 00:38:12,900 If there is anything within that has caused them to be pressured, 627 00:38:13,100 --> 00:38:15,500 that's cause them to pray a little bit longer that's cause 628 00:38:15,500 --> 00:38:19,000 them to contemplate their involvement in that Ministry and 629 00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:22,500 you will know that there is suffering in every Ministry. 630 00:38:24,800 --> 00:38:27,300 People don't see it, people don't believe it. 631 00:38:27,900 --> 00:38:30,900 And some when it gets really hard believe that the solution 632 00:38:31,700 --> 00:38:34,200 is to go to another place where they will be less pain and less 633 00:38:34,200 --> 00:38:36,300 trouble you're in for a surprise. 634 00:38:37,600 --> 00:38:40,000 Reminds me of the Whimsical story of a preacher who shared 635 00:38:40,000 --> 00:38:43,500 about a pastor, who came to his wife one day because he had 636 00:38:43,500 --> 00:38:46,200 received the call from a town next door. 637 00:38:46,700 --> 00:38:49,100 And he was invited to be a pastor of another church. 638 00:38:49,300 --> 00:38:50,900 And so, he sits down with his wife. 639 00:38:50,900 --> 00:38:54,500 And he says, listen, I just got a call to another church. 640 00:38:54,800 --> 00:38:58,300 The church is larger. It's much better, the people 641 00:38:58,300 --> 00:39:02,500 cause less trouble. They are refined their cultured 642 00:39:02,700 --> 00:39:06,500 and they don't cause issues from within the pay is better. 643 00:39:06,900 --> 00:39:10,400 So get Honey, I'm gonna go upstairs and I'm going to ask 644 00:39:10,400 --> 00:39:13,600 the Lord if it's his will for us to move to that church. 645 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:19,100 And his lovely wife, innocently said, fine, I'll come up with 646 00:39:19,100 --> 00:39:20,800 you and we'll pray together and he goes home. 647 00:39:20,800 --> 00:39:23,100 I know you stay down here and you pack. 648 00:39:30,900 --> 00:39:32,400 People don't want to stick it out. 649 00:39:35,200 --> 00:39:37,000 People have come into this thing, whether a pastoral 650 00:39:37,000 --> 00:39:42,400 position or anything else, Less in terms of involvement and 651 00:39:42,400 --> 00:39:48,800 demand. and when the going gets tough, I'm out of here. 652 00:39:50,700 --> 00:39:53,600 And I believe, we're seeing the repercussions of this 653 00:39:53,800 --> 00:39:58,900 individualistic mentality in the church and marriage and 654 00:39:58,900 --> 00:40:04,000 everything else. If it doesn't benefit me, the 655 00:40:04,000 --> 00:40:07,200 moment it begins. It gets costly and demands. 656 00:40:08,200 --> 00:40:11,100 I'm out of here. You will not be able to fulfill 657 00:40:11,100 --> 00:40:15,700 your ministry. Lastly. 658 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:20,000 Why do people not fulfill? Why do people quit? 659 00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:22,400 Why do people give up? Why are people inconsistent 660 00:40:24,100 --> 00:40:26,600 Because they keep Desiring somebody else's Ministry. 661 00:40:28,300 --> 00:40:31,300 When Paul told Timothy to fulfill your ministry, he was 662 00:40:31,300 --> 00:40:37,600 calling him to be faithful to his ministry to his ministry. 663 00:40:37,900 --> 00:40:40,200 The one that God called them to nothing more. 664 00:40:40,300 --> 00:40:43,500 Nothing less than that. Even when he told to do a work 665 00:40:43,500 --> 00:40:45,400 of an evangelist, he didn't say, you are an evangelist. 666 00:40:45,400 --> 00:40:46,700 He didn't say become an evangelist. 667 00:40:46,700 --> 00:40:49,400 That's the office. He says, in your pasture, it. 668 00:40:49,400 --> 00:40:53,300 Make sure that you have Evangelistic qualities, you're a 669 00:40:53,308 --> 00:40:57,200 pastor still. Many Believers get themselves in 670 00:40:57,200 --> 00:41:01,200 trouble, you know why? Some because they are lazy in 671 00:41:01,200 --> 00:41:04,100 their own lane others because they want to drive in someone 672 00:41:04,100 --> 00:41:07,100 else's. Fulfill. 673 00:41:08,600 --> 00:41:12,800 Your ministry. There are some who strive to 674 00:41:12,800 --> 00:41:17,400 operate in something that God has not wired you for They did 675 00:41:17,400 --> 00:41:21,100 not receive a Grace to perform or execute it. 676 00:41:22,100 --> 00:41:24,200 Others want to feel more responsible. 677 00:41:24,200 --> 00:41:26,300 They want to feel as though they're making more of an impact 678 00:41:26,300 --> 00:41:29,800 serving people and because of that they neglect the exact role 679 00:41:29,800 --> 00:41:32,500 that they've been given because they've spread themselves, so 680 00:41:32,500 --> 00:41:36,100 thin and their attention is given house where except the 681 00:41:36,107 --> 00:41:37,800 very thing that God needs you for. 682 00:41:39,900 --> 00:41:43,000 And there are others who ran romanticize, what Ministry can 683 00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:47,000 offer to self or to a sense of identity. 684 00:41:47,200 --> 00:41:50,500 And so they begin to covet something that God is obviously 685 00:41:50,500 --> 00:41:55,000 not giving you or gifted you for and then because that's not met 686 00:41:55,500 --> 00:41:57,500 the disturbance of being covetous. 687 00:41:57,500 --> 00:42:01,600 Is now being felt among those who are trying to serve God. 688 00:42:03,700 --> 00:42:07,200 Can I tell you the most satisfying way to serve the most 689 00:42:07,200 --> 00:42:10,200 satisfying way to serve? God is when you are submitted to 690 00:42:10,200 --> 00:42:15,000 his providential permission. When you just just like make it 691 00:42:15,000 --> 00:42:20,000 simple, man, just make it so simple, just submit like, Lord. 692 00:42:20,000 --> 00:42:23,100 What is it? You know, my gifts here is the, 693 00:42:23,100 --> 00:42:24,500 here's the place. I'm at. 694 00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:28,100 Here's the family. I'm with, here's my schedule use 695 00:42:28,100 --> 00:42:30,200 me. Use me. 696 00:42:31,500 --> 00:42:33,800 I don't have to feel like I'm the savior of the world. 697 00:42:34,300 --> 00:42:38,900 I don't have to feel like I'm the next big thing just use me. 698 00:42:42,400 --> 00:42:46,500 That will save you from a lot. If you just simply believe that 699 00:42:46,500 --> 00:42:50,200 you are A Separate Peace with other separate pieces, that when 700 00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:55,900 put together is a masterpiece of God's Grand advancement of his 701 00:42:55,900 --> 00:42:58,900 kingdom and this generation, it's so enjoyable. 702 00:42:59,800 --> 00:43:02,400 It's so wonderful. We're all wearing the same 703 00:43:02,400 --> 00:43:04,400 jerseys were all wearing the same uniform. 704 00:43:04,500 --> 00:43:11,000 We all have the same cause And if we do that, right, that is 705 00:43:11,000 --> 00:43:12,900 the necessary ingredients for growth. 706 00:43:13,200 --> 00:43:16,700 If you're in this place today and you are passionate about 707 00:43:16,700 --> 00:43:19,500 seeing growth both in size because more means more people 708 00:43:19,500 --> 00:43:22,700 saved. And you believe that you want to 709 00:43:22,707 --> 00:43:25,700 see greater strength a greater testimonia, a brighter light 710 00:43:25,700 --> 00:43:28,200 greater power flowing from the place that you've committed 711 00:43:28,200 --> 00:43:31,100 yourself to, can I just tell you what we need to do, I'm closing 712 00:43:31,100 --> 00:43:34,300 with this verse just meet me there in Ephesians In Ephesians 713 00:43:34,300 --> 00:43:49,700 chapter 4. Ephesians 4:15 pulses. 714 00:43:49,700 --> 00:43:54,400 Rather speaking truth and love we are to grow up in every way 715 00:43:54,400 --> 00:43:58,200 into him. Who is the head into Christ from 716 00:43:58,200 --> 00:44:03,600 whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint 717 00:44:03,700 --> 00:44:07,100 with which it is equipped. Now, look at this, when each 718 00:44:07,100 --> 00:44:14,900 part is working properly, Makes the body grow so that it builds 719 00:44:14,900 --> 00:44:20,600 itself up in love. Do you know how we can be free 720 00:44:20,600 --> 00:44:24,500 from being stagnant? Do you know how we can be free 721 00:44:24,500 --> 00:44:28,000 from from just not seeing anything move throughout the 722 00:44:28,000 --> 00:44:31,700 years is when every single person is determined to say just 723 00:44:32,600 --> 00:44:36,000 just tell me what it is, Lord show me what it is, I will stay 724 00:44:36,000 --> 00:44:38,000 there, I will do it. If there's more, you'll give me 725 00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:40,700 the grace to do more, if it's just this then I will do it as 726 00:44:40,700 --> 00:44:44,200 best as I can by the empowerment of your Holy Spirit and when 727 00:44:44,200 --> 00:44:49,400 each when each part not in Bolt is moving and all the little 728 00:44:49,400 --> 00:44:52,900 tricks, all the little things. And any any kind of equipment or 729 00:44:53,200 --> 00:44:58,100 Kind of thing moves, then things begin to advance and more ground 730 00:44:58,100 --> 00:45:01,800 is taken up for the glory of God, we would get a much trouble 731 00:45:02,100 --> 00:45:07,100 if in our physical bodies, our fingers didn't want to operate 732 00:45:07,100 --> 00:45:08,800 in the way. They are call to operate because 733 00:45:08,800 --> 00:45:15,600 they're protesting to be ears. And if our right foot with 734 00:45:15,600 --> 00:45:18,600 Scream to us constantly in pain because it wanted to be a hand, 735 00:45:18,600 --> 00:45:22,900 we would be paralyzed And that sounds silly and that sounds 736 00:45:22,900 --> 00:45:24,900 ridiculous. But then what about the body of 737 00:45:24,900 --> 00:45:30,900 Christ? When there is different parts in 738 00:45:30,900 --> 00:45:34,300 the local assembly who have members, not willing to move in 739 00:45:34,300 --> 00:45:36,000 the way that God has called in to move. 740 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:39,900 And instead of there being a concert, the same concept as you 741 00:45:39,900 --> 00:45:43,500 see, this happening right here, hopefully, it's not distracting. 742 00:45:43,800 --> 00:45:46,000 This concert of the body flowing and Unison. 743 00:45:46,100 --> 00:45:49,300 This body flowing in harmony instead of there being a 744 00:45:49,300 --> 00:45:51,900 concert. It's chaos. 745 00:45:54,200 --> 00:45:56,900 You see one arm limping. You see one leg not moving. 746 00:45:56,900 --> 00:46:02,400 And and and God is just saying, just if you just all trust in me 747 00:46:02,400 --> 00:46:05,000 and you just say, Lord, put me where I need to watch How I can 748 00:46:05,300 --> 00:46:09,100 I can fashion, you and watch the vitality and watch the grace. 749 00:46:09,100 --> 00:46:12,700 I will flow through this body, picking things up, moving 750 00:46:12,700 --> 00:46:17,800 forward, protecting itself. Only one each part is working 751 00:46:17,800 --> 00:46:20,800 properly. Why do many Christians not 752 00:46:20,800 --> 00:46:23,800 fulfill their Ministries? Some don't care. 753 00:46:24,200 --> 00:46:26,800 They, I mean, after this it's quite possible, you're just like 754 00:46:27,300 --> 00:46:31,800 whatever. Some did not anticipate the 755 00:46:31,808 --> 00:46:33,500 hardships that come with Ministry. 756 00:46:34,400 --> 00:46:36,800 And some complicate, the Simplicity of fulfilling the 757 00:46:36,800 --> 00:46:38,500 ministry that God has called you to. 758 00:46:39,500 --> 00:46:43,900 So, I hope and pray that with this charge, we would continue 759 00:46:43,900 --> 00:46:46,300 in the attitude and direction that we have been up to this 760 00:46:46,300 --> 00:46:49,900 point, fulfill your ministry. Let's pray. 761 00:47:07,900 --> 00:47:13,100 Louis, thank you for this word. Do we see the wonderful Insight 762 00:47:13,100 --> 00:47:17,700 of being able to allow your spirit to work in us first to be 763 00:47:17,700 --> 00:47:19,600 sober, minded and to endure suffering. 764 00:47:19,600 --> 00:47:22,100 Before we actually have any chance of being effective 765 00:47:22,100 --> 00:47:25,300 long-term to reaching the lost and fulfilling our ministry, 766 00:47:25,300 --> 00:47:28,500 among one another, and so Lord, help us be sober. 767 00:47:28,500 --> 00:47:34,100 Minded, help us, help us have the strength and the the honesty 768 00:47:34,100 --> 00:47:38,500 of the reality of serving you. When we lose hope and 769 00:47:38,500 --> 00:47:42,500 motivation, help us see Christ who serve the father with great 770 00:47:42,500 --> 00:47:46,500 challenges and those, three years, great, great obstacles, 771 00:47:46,500 --> 00:47:50,700 persecution, threats hunger, sleeplessness, sleeping in a 772 00:47:50,707 --> 00:47:54,500 storm. And we thank you for this body 773 00:47:54,500 --> 00:47:57,500 of people who want to serve. You may, that may that be true 774 00:47:58,100 --> 00:48:01,800 and the days and months and years to come that that what 775 00:48:02,100 --> 00:48:04,200 moved us forward? Yes your grace. 776 00:48:04,200 --> 00:48:10,200 Yes, your word, the Lord every part working properly We long to 777 00:48:10,200 --> 00:48:14,700 obey you and just be the part. That you have providentially 778 00:48:14,700 --> 00:48:17,200 allowed us to be. We give you worship now. 779 00:48:17,200 --> 00:48:19,200 In Jesus name, amen.