November 15, 2015 | 2 Timothy 3:16-17 |
Don’t you wish there was a spiritual “Swiss army knife” to equip us to survive in this sinful world? God has given us His Word, a kind of spiritual survival equipment for the soul. In the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he told Timothy that the Bible had everything he needed to be fully equipped as a Christian. We can be fully equipped with everything we need as Christians through God’s Word.
October 25, 2015
Paul’s final charge to Timothy: “Preach the word!” Pastors wear many hats, but preaching is job number one. And not just preaching anything, but preaching the Word of God. Not politics or philosophy, nor self-help tips, but Word proclaiming, Christ-centered, gospel preaching. Pastors are to “be ready.” This means they are to prepare. To study and pray, so that they are always prepared to preach. They are to use every tool in an effective communcator’s toolbox to proclaim the Word which is able to lead people to salvation. Their preaching is to be “convincing” (using argumentation, persuasion), “rebuking” (correcting sin, illustration), and “exhorting” (application, calling out) and this with great patience and a willingness to teach and explain. Do you support the preaching of the Word?
October 24, 2015
Paul told Timothy that there is a time to retreat and a time to advance. As it regards “youthful lusts,” the command is to “flee.” Unlike the instruction to “stand firm” against the devil (Eph. 6:11), lust is not defeated by direct assault. It is to be avoided. When an image in a movie or magazine causes arousal, turn it off or throw it away! When the stomach growls for the apple, get out of the orchard! Run away! And run towards “righteousness.” “Pursue” it. Chase after it. Pursuing righteousness leaves less time for lustful temptation. Pull your affections off your idols and put them on Jesus. Pursue Christ!
October 23, 2015
This is the powerful, world-changing strategy of discipleship through the process of multiplication! Paul told Timothy to disciple others in the same way he had been discipled. We all need a Paul to mentor us. A Barnabas to walk alongside as a peer to encourage us. And a Timothy that we can invest in and disciple. Are you seeking these three powerful relationships?
November 30, 2014 | 2 Timothy 4 |
In this conclusion of our Not Ashamed sermon series, Pastor Gary Combs goes verse by verse through 2 Timothy 4. Paul charged Timothy not to be ashamed to take up the call of proclaiming God’s Word and fulfilling his ministry until the end. We can hear this same call for our generation to take up the call to the gospel ministry until our time on earth is finished.
November 23, 2014 | 2 Timothy 3 |
Pastor Gary Combs continues the sermon series entitled, “Not Ashamed,” with this message from 2 Timothy chapter 3 about how to respond to the growing number of attacks on the Scriptures in these last days and to continue growing in your reliance on God’s Word.
November 16, 2014 | 2 Timothy 2 |
Pastor Gary Combs continues the sermon series entitled, “Not Ashamed,” with this message from 2 Timothy chapter 2 about the seven images that the apostle Paul offered to help us “rightly handle” the word of truth. This is part two in a four part expositional series through the book of 2 Timothy.
November 9, 2014 | 2 Timothy 1 |
Pastor Gary Combs begins an expositional sermon series through the book of 2 Timothy entitled “Not Ashamed.” In this first sermon based on chapter one, he discusses how the apostle Paul encouraged his young protege Timothy not to be ashamed to testify about Jesus because it is Christ in us that overcomes our shame. We can overcome the tendency to be ashamed about giving our testimony about Jesus by receiving this encouragement from God’s Word.
October 25, 2014
Paul gave final instructions to Timothy as he faced the real possibility of execution for preaching the gospel. He wanted Timothy to be unafraid of suffering and willing to work hard for the sake of the Good News. Like a captain issuing orders to one of his men, Paul charged Timothy to “fully carry out” his mission. Notice Paul’s particular language. “Work” – make telling others the Good News about Jesus something you labor at, not just occasionally or accidentally, but with the awareness of one who has been employed by God to do so. “Fully carry out” – don’t balk in the final stretch, but run with all your might across the finish line. Jesus was obedient to “fully carry out” His ministry, even unto the cross. This is our commission too. Finish well. Starting well is good, but finishing well is most important. Are you willing to fully carry out the ministry God has given to you?
October 24, 2014
“Inspired” – From the Greek word, Theopneustos, which literally means, “God-breathed.” The Bible is a spiritual book and it is spiritually discerned. It is useful not only for knowing, but for doing. It is therefore both spiritual and practical. It contains the gospel which gives us the wisdom to receive salvation, so it is the Book of Life. The Spirit of Christ uses the Word to wash us and to conform us to His image, preparing us for our wedding day (Eph. 5). The Bible is unique. There is no other book like it. It is the written Word of God.