Pass It On Down
II Timothy 2:1 -2
Most family dynasties don't last beyond the third generation in the business world. But the Ford family's fifth generation -- the great-great grandchildren of Ford Motor founder Henry Ford -- now are among the ranks of the company, according to The Wall Street Journal. This means that there have been five generations of Ford's involved in that business. And it all started with Henry 114 years ago in 1903. (Source) http://www.autonews.com/article/20130701/OEM02/307019967/at-ford-5-from-gen-5-in-the-family-business-of-great-great-granddad
The reason that his family is still involved over a century later is because each generation invested in the next generation.
You may not have inherited a business, but maybe you have received some "family heirloom". Perhaps you inherited a certain possession that holds financial value or sentimental value that has been passed down from generation to generation. Some of you may have intentions of passing down something special to your children or grandchildren. There is nothing wrong with handing down material possessions. But understand this, one day those material possessions will pass away. Jesus warned us not to store up material goods that would rust and rot. He encouraged us to store up treasures in Heaven. And I hope that you are doing just that.
But I want you to understand that we can leave behind something special here on earth. Each of us should leave behind a legacy of faith. In order for us to do this, we must live our lives investing in others. Not only do we have this opportunity, it is our responsibility. How can we leave behind such a legacy? This process involves evangelism and discipleship.
- I would like to look at this passage of scripture and consider the simple thought "Pass It On Down".
In order to pass down a legacy of faith, we must be involved in the process of discipleship. Understand that discipleship is more than just evangelism. Discipleship involves evangelism, but it is not evangelism alone. Discipleship involves evangelism, teaching, fellowship and accountability.
This is modeled in Jesus' relationship with His Disciples. - Jesus called those 12 men to "follow Him" . He revealed Who He was unto them. They recognized Him as the Messiah and followed Him. (This was evangelism.)
For more than 3 years, Jesus never ceased to teach them. They were present for the Sermon on the Mount... the Olivet Discourse and many other sermons. They also were blessed to receive personal instruction from Jesus away from the crowds. (This was teaching.)
As they traveled they broke bread together (often). They spent precious time together. They developed a closer and deeper relationship with Jesus.(This was fellowship)
There were also times when Jesus had to rebuke His disciples. Do you remember the times when He looked at them and said "O ye of little faith". Or that time when He looked at Peter and said "get thee behind me Satan"? (This was accountability)
This discipleship model was also seen in Jesus' relationship with Paul, and that is where I would like to begin to examine this journey of discipleship today.
Notice our selected text again - 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
In these verses we will see that: Jesus Discipled Paul, Paul Discipled Timothy, Timothy Discipled Certain Men, Those Men Discipled Others, Someone Discipled Us and We Must Disciple Others.
- Notice:
I. JESUS DISCIPLED PAUL - "what you have heard from me"
What Paul taught others, he learned directly from Jesus Himself. Listen to what he says in - Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
It is likely that this teaching or "revelation" took place during the three years, in part of which he sojourned in Arabia. Paul received no instruction from the apostles, he was taught by the Lord Himself. But when he met the Apostles his Gospel exactly agreed with theirs. Jesus had a plan for Paul long before He confronted him on Damascus Road. He told Ananias that "(Saul) is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. (Acts 9:15-16)
Do you see that? Jesus said "I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake". Jesus called him to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. And He trained and equipped Paul to do what he had called him to do. Jesus invested time in Paul. There was much for him to learn and he did not learn it all overnight. The Lord spent time teaching him of the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. He taught him many other things throughout the remainder of his life and Paul spent his days teaching those things to others.
- One of those men was Timothy. Notice that:
II. PAUL DISCIPLED TIMOTHY - "what you have heard from me"
What had Timothy heard from Paul? The answer is found in the previous chapter: 2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Paul taught Timothy the doctrine of the Lord. It seems that Timothy was a convert as a result of Paul's ministry. Paul refers to him as his "own son in the faith". The scriptures reveal Paul's great love and admiration for Timothy.
Timothy traveled with Paul on his journey through Phrygia, Galatia, and Mysia. Also from Troas and Philippi and Berea. From Athens Paul sent him to Thessalonica for a while. Later we see him with Paul at Corinth, Ephesus and in Asia. Near the end of his life, as Paul was in prison, he wrote to Timothy requesting him to join him. He sought his companionship and he requested that Timothy bring certain items to him. It is believed that after Paul was killed for the cause of Christ, Timothy settled in Ephesus. He labored there until he himself found a martyrs grave.
I share that brief biography in order to show all of the time these men spent together. As they journeyed throughout the region doing the Lord's work, Paul invested in Timothy. His desire (as noted in our text) was that Timothy do the same for other young men.
Timothy was well prepared for the ministry. But he did not gain his knowledge by sitting in some seminary. He learned by being mentored by the greatest Christian that ever lived. He received first hand... on the job training. As they sat around the campfire at night Paul taught Timothy the ways of the Lord. When they broke bread together Paul taught him the precious doctrine of Christ. As they walked those dusty roads in Asia, Timothy was being trained for the ministry. When Paul would stand before a crowd and deliver the Word of God, Timothy was there listening and learning. Timothy didn't just read of the persecution and opposition that Paul endured, he witnessed it first hand.
Jesus spent time training Paul for the work of the ministry. Likewise Paul invested time training Timothy to do the work of the ministry. Paul's end goal was for Timothy to take what he had learned and train others And that is just what he did:
- Notice that:
III. TIMOTHY DISCIPLED CERTAIN MEN - "what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men"
Notice the progression of discipleship. Jesus trained Paul, Paul passed it on down to Timothy, and Timothy passed it on down to certain faithful men. We are not told who these "men" are, but it is important that we note that it was "faithful men" ....PLURAL! Discipleship is not about addition...it is about multiplication.
Though Paul spent much time investing in Timothy, he also trained Titus, Silas and a host of others. Each of those men took what they had learned and discipled others. Just as Paul had invested into Timothy, Timothy found certain men and taught them the doctrine of Christ. He invested in them...He worked with them and he trained them. The purpose of Timothy training them is so that they could carry on the process of spiritual reproduction.
Notice the progression: From Jesus to Paul, Paul to Timothy, Timothy to faithful men, and those faithful men were to "teach others also".
- Notice that:
IV. THOSE MEN DISCIPLED OTHERS - "what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
The men who were taught by Timothy continued the process. What did they do? It is simple... they obeyed the Great Commission! - Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Here is what happened: They went out and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They pointed people to the Savior. The Holy Sprit convicted people of their sins. Some of those people trusted Christ as their Savior. These men who had given themselves to the ministry baptized them in the name of the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit. But unlike most churches today, they did not stop when they got them in the water.
They carried out the entire great commission. They taught those new converts the doctrine of Jesus Christ. More than just teaching them, they invested in them. They trained them to continue the process. They trained them to PASS IT ON DOWN... And that is just what they did.
Maybe you are curious as to what happened next.....Maybe you would like to know how far the message traveled. Perhaps you are interested in how many people were reached with the process of discipleship. I could tell you the answer, but I think it would be easier for me to show you. Look around you... the fruit of generations of spiritual labor is all around you!
- Those men reached others, those reached even more and on and on the process went until...
V. SOMEONE DISCIPLED US
The majority of you profess to be born again Christians. This is possible because of the faithful service of generations of Christians. Each of us owe a debt of gratitude to those who were willing to obey Christ's command to "go and make disciples". The truth is, we have many different people who have invested in our lives. God has placed certain people in our path in order for them to point us to him.
I was blessed to have Grandparents who lived for the Lord and taught me about Him. Likewise, I had parents who took me to church and taught me about Jesus. At that church were people who taught me in Sunday School. Others who worked with me in VBS, Nursery and Children's Church. There were several pastors throughout my life who stood in the pulpit and preached the truth and even poured into my life outside the church. There were laymen who lived that Christians life in front of me and were examples of what happened when Jesus changes a life. I have also been fortunate enough to have some close Christian friends who help teach me along the way. I am thankful that God placed some people in my life who were willing to "pass it on down".
- One more time I ask you to notice the process: Jesus Discipled Paul, Paul Discipled Timothy, Timothy Discipled Certain Men, Those Men Discipled Others, Someone Discipled Us and finally:
VI. WE MUST DISCIPLE OTHERS
As Christians it is our responsibility to go and make disciples. Not only is it our responsibility... it is a privilege. Jesus made it clear what we were to do and that He would empower us to do it. - Acts 1:8 ...ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
It is that simple... we are to be witnesses of Jesus Christ! That is why we are here! Many people think that Jesus died so that we could go to Heaven. If that is the case, why are we not translated the moment we are converted? The fact is we have all been saved to serve!
And as long as you walk this earth, Jesus expects you to point people to Him. That is all we have to do... point them to the Savior! He will do the saving! Once He saves them, then we can help them grow and mature in the faith! Our part in this process begins with simply being a witness. A witness is one who "bears witness to the truth".
In a courtroom setting, a witness is called upon to tell what they have seen and know to be true. As witnesses we are to tell the world what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. We are to take what has been given to us and "pass it on down".
I would like to take a moment and do just that. If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, I want to invite you to surrender to Him today.
Let me tell you how to do that:
First of all you must admit your sin. - Romans 3:23 says "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God".
Second, you must understand that you cannot live good enough to qualify for Heaven. - Titus 3:5 "it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us".
Third, you must believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins. - Romans 5:8 "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us".
Fourth, Trust in Christ and Him alone for salvation. - The sacrifice of Christ does you no good until you receive Him by faith. Acts 16:31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved"
If you will do this you will be saved, and then you too can "Pass It On Down!"
