Remain on Mission

Does your church look different than it did a couple of years ago? Have a lot of people moved away or stopped attending? Have you wondered if your church will survive? If you are in that boat, take courage from today’s scripture. Paul exhorts Timothy to remain on mission.

‭‭1 TIMOTHY‬ ‭4:1

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,”

Paul’s first letter to Timothy is meant to encourage a young pastor shepherding a church by himself. We are not aware of the correspondence between the two, but you can tell by the tone that Timothy is feeling a little discouraged. Paul tells him not to fear but to stir up the gift inside to preach the Word. At the same time, Paul is realistic. He tells Timothy that many will fall away from the faith in the last days. They will be led away by lying spirits and evil doctrines.

All Things in Common

During the 1970s, a move of God started to happen in some churches around the United States. This movement was different because it was happening amongst the hippies and surfers. It was soon called the Jesus movement, and thousands of teenagers and college students came to know Jesus. There was a spirit of love present the church hadn’t seen in decades. That unity was made possible by people seeking Jesus. They had all things in common.

‭‭ACTS‬ ‭2:44‬

“And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common.”

The early church was powerful and effective because of the Holy Spirit and was a unique unity brought on by selfless sacrifice. The church was growing, and all the needs were met because the Spirit had moved on certain people’s hearts to give. This attitude and atmosphere made it welcoming to everyone. Outsiders could tell there was something different than the normal synagogue life, and it was attracting people in droves.

Feed the Flock

When Peter encountered Jesus after the crucifixion, he needed to be encouraged. After denying Jesus three times, he felt like a complete failure. Jesus looked at Peter and asked him three times if he loved him. When Peter answered yes, he told him to feed his sheep. That was Peter’s role from that day forward. The church needs to be fed, and it comes from the pastor. They need to feed the flock.

Ezekiel 34:4

“The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.”

Corrupt Priests

Israel has a history of priests who neglected the people. They worried more about getting rich than instructing the flock in the knowledge of God’s Word. This left a country that was ignorant and susceptible to following other gods. In the Old Testament, God judges the priests and charges them with neglecting the people. A pastor’s job is to feed the flock.

Walk In the Light

Walking from a dark room to one that is well-lit can shock our senses. Our eyes squint, we move our hands to cover our eyes until they can adjust, and there is a tingling sensation all over our body. Once we adjust, we are okay. Coming from a life of sin to one of following after Christ can be a similar adjustment. We know we are doing the right thing, but we were much more comfortable in our past lives. Paul tells us to walk in the light.

Ephesians 5:8,11

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”… “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

Walk in the Light

The Ephesians had come from a pagan culture that catered to every pleasure. “If it felt good, then do it” was the day’s motto. Once they started following Jesus, it felt awkward. The light of God’s Word exposed their past life, and there was a temptation to hide in the darkness. Paul urges them to walk in the light. Break off that lifestyle and friendships that were unfruitful and dark.

Humbly At His Feet

Jesus wants us to sit humbly at his feet. Think about Mary and Martha. Martha was busy doing the jobs that made her an excellent host. Mary just sat humbly at his feet and learned. There is nothing wrong with working hard, but Jesus wants us to come and sit humbly at his feet. The woman we see today was a lady with a bad reputation, but she went to Jesus’ feet, cleaned them with her tears, and anointed his head with oil.

Luke 7:44-48

Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Genuine Faith

Want to recognize genuine faith? Watch a church go through a division. Those with genuine faith will rise to the top. Those whose hearts are indeed Christ’s will be made evident. Sound strange? Faith is tested by fire. Nothing increases the flames more than factions in a church. Genuine faith will see through all the hyperbole and apply scripture biblically.

1 Corinthians 11:17-22

But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

The communion ceremony of the first-century church looks different than it does today. They were often called love feasts, and people would come together for what we know as a potluck and celebrate communion by eating together. In Corinth, it had become a gluttonous affair. The wealthy brought more than they needed and did not share, while others went home hungry. They were getting drunk on the wine and gorging on food. This was the opposite of what the love feast was supposed to be.

Time For Battle

A soldier knows when it’s time for battle. He can feel it in his bones, and his mind starts the mental preparation. He goes through a checklist in his mind of everything that he will need to take on the enemy. He wants to be prepared while at the same time unhindered by anything that will slow him down. As Christians, we are soldiers in God’s army. We cannot go blindly through life thinking that nothing stands against us. Satan is fully equipped to take us out. It’s time for battle. Are you prepared?

Ephesians 6:12

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Time for Battle

The battle is real. It’s not like what you see in the movies with armies facing one another. It is covert operations that seek to catch you off guard. The enemy is constantly plotting ways that will trip you up. He knows that you are most vulnerable if you stumble and are down. If he can keep you down eventually, you will give up. Much of the Spiritual battle is in mind—the attacks of doubt, the bouts of anger, the lingering bitterness.

Tempted in Every Way

Jesus was tempted in every way like every other human on earth. He experienced the pain and struggles that all of us face. That is why he can relate to our lives and be the bridge between God and us. When you are tempted, remember that Christ has gone through it and provided a way out of it. Look to him for your help.

Hebrews 4:15

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.”

Tempted in Every Way

The author of Hebrews writes theology unlike anywhere else in the Bible. The first four chapters are ripe in what scholars call Christology or the study of Jesus. Hebrews 4:15 is a prime example. We are told that Christ experienced the same temptations that we face. He endured Satan in the desert, and the attacks of the Pharisees yet did not sin. Our Savior was tempted in every way.

A Joyful Spirit

What gives the Christian a joyful spirit? What brings us to that place where peace and joy permeate everything we do? Isaiah provides us with a clue. He tells us that a joyful spirit comes from being right with God. Some things steal our joy, and then we do things that make us lose our joy. We need to prevent the latter and be on guard for the former.

Isaiah 58:9, 11

“Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Going thru the Motions

The Jews were attending church, learning scripture, and even fasting, but nothing was happening. It was because their actions were contrary to God’s Word. They were going through the spiritual motions of following Jesus, expecting big things, and couldn’t figure out why nothing was happening. God looked at all of it and told them their heart was not in it.

Prayer That Changes People

Prayer changes things, but most of all, it changes people. As Paul is writing his letter to Timothy, he urges him to lead the people in prayer. Paul knows this is where the church’s power is and that if they want to see the Spirit do a work in their community, they need to be interceding for its leaders and people in power. Prayer changes people. It can even move those opposed to the Gospel’s work through the church.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Prayer should Include Four Things

Prayer should include four things; requests, praise, intercession, and thanksgiving. Supplications, or requests, are the needs we bring to God. Praise is the adoration and worship we give to God. Intercession means to stand in the gap for someone else. When you lift up the needs of others, you are interceding. Finally, every prayer time should include a time of thanking God for who He is.