Being a better follower

 

Watch the sermon here:  SERMON VIDEO

This passage is primarily about:

The Kind of Men we are to NOT Follow!! (2-9)

This will be an ongoing thing until Jesus comes back. Paul is talking about people inside the church who claim to be followers of Jesus.

In Ephesus, some of them were certainly elders.

Today, it refers to many of the popular TV preachers (anyone on TBN), even some SBC pastors fall into this category.

No church is immune to this danger. 

These are things to NOT be.

This is the “anti-elder” list. The opposite of the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.

For men will be lovers of self

They’re winsome

You’ll like them

They communicate well. 

They’ll make compelling arguments.

But they’re self-centered, and it spreads deep and reaches to every corner of a person. 

A. Lovers of Self

The summary characteristic.

his whole thing has invaded so much of our 

lovers of money - having money or things isn’t wrong, but do you love things? Or do you love God?

Boastful - Look what I have done!

Arrogant - I’m just a little better - a notch above

Revilers - insulting, slanderous,

disobedient to parents - always a bad thing

ungrateful - a lack of thankfulness

unholy - not consecrated to God

unloving - a hardhearted person.

irreconcilable - unwilling to be at peace with others

malicious gossips - greek: diabolos. Slander with evil intent

without self-control - Self controls is a fruit of the spirit.

without gentleness - again, it’s a fruit of the spirit rather than, not gentle.

without love for good - no interest in the good of those around you

treacherous - someone who will turn on you reckless - impulsive, rash, The opposite of wise, measured carefulness.

conceited - You’ll never convince them they’re being prideful about anything

lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

A mindset. Their pursuits are all self oriented.

While we all struggle with these things to some degree, when you see them consistently, or they begin to be a pattern, there’s cause for concern.

Ultimately, these people are

B. Charlatan Christians

holding to a form of godliness, but having denied its power. 

They can wear the mask quite well. They have the form, but no substance

The Command is crystal clear

Keep away form such men as these

They’re dangerous because they

C. Prey & Draw Away

They prey on the spiritually weak

John MacArthur says it very well:

Just as wrong doctrine leads to wrong living, so can wrong living easily lead to embracing wrong doctrine.

When you get stuck in this trap, whether you’re leading or following, you’re always learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.

Spinning your wheels and never getting anywhere

Someone who’s goal is not your sanctification cannot lead you where you need to go. (Repeat)

But don’t despair…

Verse 9 – But they will not make further progress, for their folly will be obvious to all, just as theirs was also.

God ultimately will protect His church

He will hold on to His people.

When we’re focused on Him, passionately pursuing knowing Him and making Him known…

false teachers will become obvious.

The solution?

God’s plan for discipleship.

The Family - the foundation

The Church - God’s plan for every believer

A Mentor - you need to be discipled.

you are Timothy

Who’s your Paul?

BUT you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings…

How to Be a Better Follower

Physical Presence

You have to be in physical proximity. You can do some things at a distance when necessary, but only because the foundation has been laid with physical presence.

Mental Presence

You need to intellectually engage. Listen, think, and learn.

Spiritual Engagement

Your heart must be involved

The Holy Spirit is what enables/causes this

How can you be a better follower?

A. Theologically

Teaching - those worthy of following are teaching you. Are you following what they teach?

2. Practically

Conduct

What routines do you need to put in place? 

Purpose (focus, motivating passion)

Can you clearly articulate your purpose?

A fired up follower of Jesus Christ. Radically obedient to a passionate pursuit of knowing God and making Him known.

Faith - Faithfully serving the Lord

If you only follow when it’s convenient

You’re not following Jesus, you’re following self.

Patience - Are you a patient person? 

Staying calm when provoked or when misfortune comes your way.

Not complaining - not getting irritated

It’s more than an attitude.  It’s a determined way of life

Love - Do you genuinely deeply love people?
Is it obvious?

Perseverance - expanding on patience to include suffering

We can have a settled confidence in the Lord because:

What persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!

We can trust in Him. 

So follow Him more closely every day. Find a mentor to help you follow Him better. Do all you can to help others follow Him as well. 

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

How to Be Useful to God

 If you didn't get a chance to watch the sermon, check out our YouTube channel. Here's the link:

Sermon Video

As you listen to the sermon, or after you've listened to it, here's a quick outline to help you remember and apply the passage:

The passage begins with a picture:

1. A Large House

The large house is the church. 

Gold and silver - the nice dishes - the ones on display

Vessels of honor - The ones you pull out for a dinner party

Wood and earthenware - The daily use vessels.

Vessels of dishonor - the one that’s in the bathroom.

The vessels are believers.

• Honor - faithful believers

• Dishonor - unfaithful/compromising believers

We should aim to be vessels of honor. Useful to the Master. To be useful to the Master, you need to be sanctified.

A Guide to Usefulness

Usefulness begins with a Passionate pursuit of knowing God

2. FLEE & PURSUE (v. 22)

FLEE is a command. It should be the ongoing pursuit. Like a fugitive who never stops running.

Basic immaturity is in view here

When we’re less mature, we tend to focus on wealth,  power, having influence.

Ambition is often overemphasized.

Jealousy, envy and an argumentative spirit  fall into this category.

PURSUE has the same imperative force.

Pursue Righteousness - synonymous with obedience to God’s Word.

Pursue Faith(fulness)

Basic loyalty to God. An unwavering commitment to following Him.

Pursue Love

Agape love - a love that prioritizes the other person over yourself.

Pursue Peace

1. Peace with God

2. Peace with other Christians

Verse 22 concludes - with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart - a reminder toward unity.

The basic definition of discipleship is this: 

Helping one another follow Jesus better.

3. DISCERNMENT (v. 23)

Something that’s sadly lacking in many Christians today. (Basic spiritual maturity)

There are things that need to be filtered out. 

books you should avoid

preachers you should’t listen to

blogs/podcasts that not only not helpful

but harmful.

Discernment is necessary. 

Maturity precedes discernment. 

If it leads to a quarrel - avoid going down that path.

Reminder:

4. YOU’RE A SLAVE (v. 24-25)

These things are not optional for a slave. Slave applies to both Timothy and every believer.

the Lord’s slave must not be quarrelsome,

Instead of that: (another both flee and pursue)

Patient when wronged

Be kind to everyone. - this is certainly the opposite of quarrelsome. Spiritual maturity and humility are necessary

Able to teach

Reminding us about elders and their role in the Body, but this also applies to everyone. 

The idea is that we need to bring Scripture to bear on all situations. Chapter and verse is the first thing every time.

Patient when wronged

If you stay at any church for any length of time, you will be wronged at some point. You will also wrong someone eventually.

What do you do in that situation?

Be patient. Correct with gentleness.

Because: God has been, and is being abundantly patient with you. 

Read Colossians 3:12-15

Unforgiveness is just UNacceptable

Correction must be done in the right spirit, with the right heart attitude, or you’ll need correction yourself.

(Church discipline is certainly in view here)

The goal of discipline is discipleship. 

DISCIPLine. DISCIPLeship

4. The Aim: REPENTANCE (v. 25-26)

The hope of any correction, the hope anytime you’re corrected is repentance.

Principles for correction:

1. You cannot correct in self-righteousness. 

You must have compassion for them. It must be done in love and kindness with gentleness

It’s not about difference of opinion or preferences, but disobedience to Scripture.

Actual sinful behavior. 

Heart attitude is key: Humility must be the foundation 

2 - God Grants Repentance

It’s God that does the work in your heart, and in theirs. The Holy Spirit has to be at work. 

We can’t do this on our own

God Grants Repentance. It:

• Starts in the mind - with understanding

• Moves to the heart - acknowledgement - You own it.

• Leads to outward change. A new direction. A different attitude. Behaving differently.

3 - Full knowledge of the truth

God’s Word coming to bear on the situation.

If the error is a brother/sister wronging you, the gospel is the answer because without the work of Christ and His forgiveness, without the forgiveness that He extended to you, you would never extend that forgiveness to someone else. His forgiveness is the foundation for our forgiveness.

Let’s remain committed to digging deep into God’s Word and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, bring it to bear on all aspects of our lives!

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

 

Christianity is Discipleship!

To be a Christian is to be a disciple.

Chapter 1 - Foundational discipleship principles

1. Pursue Discipleship

• Who are you discipling?

• Who is discipling you?

2. Know the Gospel

Build reminders into your daily rhythm & routine

The more you rehearse the gospel, the easier it will be to share.

3. Pursue Relationships

You can’t just come Sunday mornings and think you’re on the path of discipleship. True discipleship requires deepening relationships. One of the best ways to pursue relationships here at Fellowship is Home Groups

4. Get a Leaf Blower/Stoke the Fire

If you’re a believer, there’s a fire in you that came in when you were saved.

What will you do this week to Stoke the fire?

5. Accept Suffering 

Suffering is part of the picture of being a disciple of Jesus.

1 Peter 4:12-16

6. Remember Your Calling

He began a good work in you

He will sustain you through every trial

And He will complete His work in you

7. Remember You’re Secure!

He saved you - He is sanctifying you - and He will glorify you when He returns. 

He is a faithful God

8. Theology Matters

Don’t shy away from learning theology

You cannot know Jesus better if you’re not growing in what you know about Jesus

9. Your Community Matters

Who you associate with matters.

The group of people you spend time with will influence you greatly (Proverbs 13:20, 1 Corinthians 15:33).

10. Be Strong in Grace

Timothy didn’t need more grace. He needed to be committed to and have full confidence in the grace that had already been poured out [on him] richly through Jesus Christ

(#11-14 are how to be strong in grace)

11. A Disciple Disciples.

One of the things a pastor does is systematic, careful, intentional theological training. 

Raising up & training pastors/elders & deacons is in view here. It’s one of the things a pastor does

It’s also the pattern of all believers

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and 

admonishing one another…

12. A Dedicated Soldier

A soldier is focused, willing to suffer, and prepared for endurance.

13. A Disciplined Athlete

To be a great disciple, you must have great spiritual  discipline. You must train with great determination. 

14. Hard Working Farmer

Farmers work hard. They have to toil every day.

It’s difficult, often thankless work.

Discipleship is not some great mystery that you just can’t figure out. 

It takes thought, hard work, discipline, and commitment. 

A radical obedience to a passionate pursuit of knowing God and making Him known.

The final four elements speak to

–– The Disciple’s Motivation

15. The Preeminent Christ

Remember Jesus Christ and what He did for you in salvation. Keep him in first place. He must always be THE priority

16. The Powerful Word

God’s truth goes forth in God’s power. 

Paul is in chains - the gospel is still going forth.

He is chained - God’s powerful Word is not.

17. The Purpose Eternal

God’s plan to save us stretches from eternity past to eternity future. Paul has full confidence in the proclamation of the gospel.

18. The Promise in Jesus

Salvation is dying to self

Suffering for His sake

Remembering that God is faithful in salvation

He is faithful to save those who trust Him.

He is faithful to His promise of condemnation for those who do not trust Him.

Spurgeon: “The same sun which melts wax hardens clay. And the same gospel which melts some persons to repentance hardens others in their sins.”

In Conclusion

2 Peter 1:10-11 – Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and choosing sure; for in doing these things, you will never stumble; ¹¹ for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

These elements must be every Christian’s daily pursuit!

Think on these things

Pursue these elements of faithful discipleship.

May God’s Word bring deeper sanctification to your life as you pursue Him in faithful, obedient discipleship.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

A Foundation for Discipleship

  

Check out the sermon here for the full explanation of the principles below:

This passage contains some great foundational discipleship principles.

1. Pursue Discipleship

• Who are you discipling?

• Who is discipling you?

The joy that comes from being in one or both of these relationships is indescribable

2. Remember the Gospel

Build reminders into your daily rhythm & routine

The more you rehearse the gospel, the easier it will be to share. 

3. Pursue Relationships

You can’t just come Sunday mornings and think you’re on the path of discipleship. True discipleship requires deepening relationships. One of the best ways to pursue relationships here at Fellowship is Home Groups

There’s something about gathering in someone’s home that doesn’t happen in any other setting.

The pursuit of Jesus in the company of friends 

4. Get a Leaf Blower/Stoke the Fire

You can’t kindle the fire without:

• church - gathering to worship

• the Word - saturating yourself more and more

• relationships - deepening friendships

The fire of passion for Jesus needs to be stoked. 

You’re not intended to do it alone.

To Do TODAY:

• Identify a potential relationship 

whether someone to help you grow - or someone to help grow

connect with them ASAP.

• Sign up for a Home Group

We’re all busy. Almost no one has extra time for one more thing, but we really do need (not want, but actually need) to pursue relationships and do everything we can to foster them. 

• Write down a Stoke the Fire” Plan

If you’re a believer, there’s a fire in you that came in when you were saved.

What will you do this week to Stoke the fire?

James 1: 22 – become doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

We must aggressively pursue the path of humble discipleship. 

It starts with the foundation laid out in these verses. Join us at Fellowship Baptist Church next Sunday (in person or online) to continue with us in this study…

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

God's Word on Pastors & Plurality

Say this out loud:

As a Christian, the goal is MY Sanctification

In response to that, I would tell you: As a pastor MY goal is YOUR Sanctification.

Between 1 & 2 Timothy, we’re turning to Titus 1:1-9 to lay the foundation for the Bible’s teaching on Elders.

Two questions:

1. What does the Bible say about Elders?

2. What does that mean practically?

1. What does the Bible say about Elders?

The terms: elder, pastor (or shepherd), overseer, are interchangeable.

1 Peter 5:1-2 – I exhort the elders among you..

shepherd the flock of God

overseeing not under compulsion, but willingly

³ nor yet as lording it over those allotted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Acts 20:17, 28 – talking to the elders (v. 17) the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd (pastor) the church

The Consistent Pattern in the New Testament is a plurality of pastors.

Acts 11:30, James 5:14-15, Acts 15 & 21, 

Acts 14:20, Acts 20:17, Philippians 1:11, Thessalonians 5:12, Hebrews 13:17, Titus 1:5, 1 Peter 1:1 & 5:1

Alexander Strauch: “[We] don’t challenge the plurality of deacons in an effort to create a singular deacon, yet many challenge the plurality of elders. It is odd that most Christians have no problem accepting a plurality of deacons but are almost irrationally frightened by a plurality of elders that is far more evident in the New Testament.”

There’s an abundance of instruction both about and to elders all through the New Testament. 

More than anything 

Pastors are Shepherds

First and foremost, God is our Shepherd:

Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 80:1, 95:6-7, 23

Jesus is our good Shepherd

John 11 – “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Pastors are actually Jesus’ undershepherds

Four primary tasks of a pastor:

1. Know

Pastors are people people — they desire to know those in their care.

John 10:14 – I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,

1 Peter 5:2 – shepherd the flock of God among you,

Pastors pursue their sheep - attentive to them. Knowing their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs so that they can serve, care for, and minister to needs. 

2. Feed

Sheep rely on their shepherd for healthy food. 

John 21:15-17, 2 Timothy 2:15, 4:2

A steady diet of God’s Word is absolutely essential to your spiritual growth. 

Jeremiah 3:15 – I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

The pastor’s duty is to feed the sheep in his care with the Word of God

2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17

3. Lead

1 Timothy 5:17 - lead well means to lead faithfully

1 Timothy 3:1 -office of overseer is an office of leadership

1 Peter 5:2-3 – shepherd the flock…, overseeing (an official responsibility)

4. Protect

Sheep need protection - there are wolves out there. They have no natural ability to protect. 

The New Testament contains many warnings about false teaching:

Galatians 1:6, Acts 20:28-30, 2 Timothy 4:3

Pulling it all together:

Ephesians 4 – [Jesus] gave gifts to men.

Which includes

Some as pastors and teachers,

And He gives us these gifts:

for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ,

so that we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there… being joined and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the properly measured working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Benjamin Merkle, 40 Questions about Pastors and Deacons lays out several practical benefits of a plurality of pastors:

Biblical accountability. Godly fellow elders are a great means for holding the pastor accountable to live, teach, and lead faithfully. In addition, sharing authority among a number of men can keep one man from wrongly lording it over the congregation

Wisdom. There is more wisdom to be found in a multitude of counselors (Prov. 11:14; 24:6).

Balance. No one man has all the gifts that are necessary to build up the church. Having a plurality of elders serves the church by bringing men with different gifts into the church’s leadership who can complement the pastor’s strengths.

Burden sharing. Caring for the whole church is a burden God does not intend one man to bear alone. Even the most faithful, gifted pastor needs help from other godly men in order to pay careful attention to himself and to all the flock (Acts 20:28).

Sets an example for the church. Having a plurality of elders demonstrates that the work of ministry is not reserved for a select few. Rather, it provides an example of maturity for every man, particularly when some of the elders are men who work ordinary jobs and are not paid by the church.

Final thought:

1 Timothy 3 – if any man aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.

If we’re not looking for elders… meaning if we don’t have a context in which someone aspiring can pursue that at Fellowship - we’re missing out and we’re doing one another a disservice.

If someone aspires, is examined, and is qualified - he should be affirmed and assigned to the role. 

Remember: Elders are to be practical examples of what it looks like to pursue sanctification. 

If you are truly in pursuit of sanctification, you should seek out and welcome help from those designed and gifted by God for that task.

Since elders are God’s gifts to the church, they should be received as such. There’s no perfect number, but we should seek a true plurality in our leadership team. 

Send me your questions and I’ll address them next week in Part 2.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob

Lessons in Sanctification

 

1 Timothy 4:7 – train yourself for the purpose of godliness,

Sanctification is to be the primary pursuit of the Christian life. Everything else flows out of that.

1 Timothy 6:2 – Timothy’s instructions regarding what we find in Chapter 6 –  Teach and exhort these things

The first three lessons:

1. Sanctification in our Work

Wherever you work, from a factory floor worker to a fortune 500 executive, you are to regard your boss (supervisor, manager, etc.) as worthy of ALL honor. If he or she is a believer - even more so.

If your boss was asked “who’s your best employee?” Would your name come up?

If your co-workers were asked, who’s your favorite co-worker?” Would they mention you?

John MacArthur says, Your work is either praise or blasphemy.

If you’re not at least in the running to be best employee… If you’re not a joy to work with to all your co-workers…

What needs to change?

What do you need to do before showing up for work tomorrow?

What do you need to do different this week?

Your job is a significant part of your life and a factor in your sanctification. 

The next two things woven together here.

2. The Jewel of Contentment

verse 6 stands out in a very compelling way

It’s right alongside what Paul says in 

Philippians 2:14-15 – Do all things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

 

Contentment, the opposite of grumbling, disputing, complaining, criticizing, murmuring, etc. is a means of great gain. When we live contented lives we shine as lights in the world and we bring glory to God

It adds weight and authenticity to the gospel we claim to believe

Rather than murmuring, which the Bible calls rebellion, we need to remember that we’re children of the King of Heaven, 

who has literally every resource at His disposal. Who owns the cattle on 1,000 hills, but who is also the One in whom ALL wisdom resides

The One who is the very definition of love

When we are discontent, we’re complaining against God and His plan. 

We question His wisdom, 

Doubt His power, 

And deny His mercy

Contentment, however is worship

Highlighting the power of grace in affliction

Preparing the soul to receive mercy

Turning our hearts away from our own selfish desires and points us to what God has so richly provided.

3. Defcon 1

We must always be prepared for the assault that false teaching brings. The false prosperity gospel appeals to our flesh. It strokes the lure of materialism that we all struggle with. 

With the prosperity “gospel,” Jesus becomes some sort of genie in a bottle and God is turned into a cosmic slot machine.

But the gospel is not about the physical or the material. The gospel doesn’t save you from, poverty, sickness, or adversity.

The gospel saves you from sin.

Here’s the question:

(Be ready for me to call you this week & ask)

How are you growing theologically?

What are you doing, on a regular basis, to increase your foundation of theological knowledge? 

How are you growing in understanding the Bible?

Are you increasing in your comprehension of the breadth, length, height, and depth of what Jesus did?
Ephesians 3 tells us that to be filled with all of God’s fullness, it begins with knowledge.

_________________________________________

What is the NEXT step do you need to take:

1. At Work 

It’s part of your sanctification - an opportunity to honor the Lord by truly honoring the person who has been placed in authority over you. 

What step do you need to take at work?

2. In Contentment

What is it that causes you to be discontent?

How can you take the next step, and pursue trusting God more? He is in control of the situation. He’s sovereign. He ordained it.

3. In Theology?

How do you need to pursue deeper knowledge?

Read the Bible more?

Join a discipleship group?

Read a good theological book? (Call me, I’d love to help you find a good one)

Bottom Line:

Where are you at in your understanding of the gospel?

If you don’t embrace that you need to know the gospel more and better and deeper, you’re in a place of pride that you need to be pushed out of.

Seek to grow this week:

1. At Work

2. In Contentment

3. In Knowlege/Theology

I”m praying that we all grow in these areas of sanctification this week.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Rob