Its Time To Grow Up Part 5 Series

It’s Time To Grow Up Part 5

If Justice Had Prevailed

Scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:11-2, 8, 11-14

Introduction

Happy Easter!!! This morning is part five of my series, “It’s Time to Grow Up.” This morning, the subtitle of this message is “If Justice Had Prevailed.” We are slowly working our way to Second Timothy 2:15. This morning we will begin with Second Timothy 2:1.

Last week I shared with you that baby Christians tends to be constipated spiritually because they receive the Word of God and just keep it within themselves. They do not share their faith with anyone so the Word within them just keep backing up. Remember what was recorded in Hebrews 4:12? It says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” If the Word of God is living and active within us (feeding and sustaining us spiritually) why would we want to keep it to ourselves? If we know someone who is dying spiritually why would we not want to feed them from our source? I mean it’s not like we will ever run out as long as we are in God’s Word. We all have family members and friends who are dying spiritually and we may not be talking to them, so there is a high likelihood that talking to the strangers may be even more remote. As you listen to the message this morning, listen for the words that will enable you to craft your message, your testimony. Take those words and chew on them until you are ready to swallow. When you have digested the words and have sown them in your hearts, release them to others. You will be a part of God changing someone’s life.

This morning I want to ask you two questions. Question one, as your pastor, can I trust you? I am not asking if you trust me, but if you can be trusted. Only you and God know if you can truly be trusted. If I can trust you, raise your hand. The way I posed that question to you makes it difficult for you not to raise your hand publicly because no one is willing to admit publicly that they cannot be trusted by their pastor. Now, based on the answer to the first question, here’s my second question. Oh, if the answer was “no” to the first question you do not need to answer this second question because you can’t affirm the second question without affirmation of the first one. The second question is this, are you faithful? As you consider your answer, turn with me to Second Timothy 2:1.

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he was writing to encourage Him. In the second chapter of Second Timothy, Paul writes, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (Vss. 1-2) In these two verses Paul told Timothy to be strong and to take the Word that had been taught to him and entrust it (to give somebody responsibility for something) to faithful men who would do what – teach others! These faithful men would take the Word given to them by Timothy and go out and teach others? This is how the Word of God spreads. The Word of God is not spread through the bookstores or through online purchases. It is spread through our mouths!!! While the bookstores and online stores offers a place for people to find resources to help them understand what has happened in their hearts, the true witness comes through our testimonies – one heart reaching another. The Word of God is alive – it’s not dead even though many just store it on their book shelves with their other books. God’s Word is so alive and growing within us that we literally have to force ourselves not to speak up and share it. We have to make a conscious decision not to talk about our faith because His Word is within us seeking to get out. Now I do not want gross anyone out, but I need you to see this. When someone is sick to their stomach and are about to throw up its content, what do they do? They put their hands to their mouth to try and hold it in while they rush to the restroom to release it. Many Christians are walking around with their spiritual hands on their mouths trying their best to keep the Word of God within them. I want you to know that it’s okay to throw it up! Remove your hands and let it go! Stop worrying about offending someone as you may actually save their life! So when the Word, through the Spirit of God, rises up within you, let it go!!! Do not hold it back! Jump down to verse eight.