ORDINARY PEOPLE–EXTRAORDINARY DEEDS
SERVING GOD
Ordination Service
1 Timothy 4:11-16
INTRODUCTION:
A. Over the past few weeks we have been looking at how God, throughout history, has used ordinary people to do extraordinary deeds
1. I want to continue that series this morning as we take a look at a young man that the Apostle Paul mentored–a young man by the name of Timothy
a. Timothy was just a young man, possibly as young as 19 years of age, when he was thrust into a leadership position at the church in Ephesus
b. Timothy was called to be an evangelist, a proclaimer of God’s Word, a preacher
c. 2 Timothy 4:1b-2 (NIV)
I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
2. We have a young man with us this morning that is not all that much unlike Timothy–Jack a young man who is dedicating his life to full-time Christian service
a. I use that phrase "full-time Christian service" with a little bit of apprehension, because we have all been called into full-time Christian service.
Some of us are full-time Christians who work as farmers
Some work in factories
Some work in warehouses
Some work in the medical field
b. You see, there is no such thing as a part-time Christian
c. Jack is dedicating his life to the ministry–as a matter of fact he is being voted on by a congregation in Virginia, and, if chosen, will be their first paid youth minister.
3. Paul had some words of advice for Timothy, advice that I want to give Jack today
a. But, it is also good advice for all Christians.
b. READ: 1 Timothy 4:9-16
4. Key Verse - VS 12
I> IT’S NOT ABOUT AGE–IT’S ABOUT MATURITY
A. As I already mentioned, Timothy was a young man when he began ministering to the church at
1. It appears that that may have been a problem for some people in the congregation
a. Hadn’t really lived long enough to earn the respect of some of the older ones in the congregation
b. He didn’t have a lot of life experience
c. But Paul tells Timothy to not back down–don’t let that be a hindrance
d. I kind of know how Timothy felt.
ILL> In the first few years of my ministry, I was often asked to make hospital calls on people I had never met. Oftentimes people would say, "You’re a minister, but you’re so young! Can you be a minister at your age?" I would reply, "Well you have to start sometime."
I’m not sure why, but people don’t say that to me anymore.
ILL> I was just 22 years of age when I was hired in my first full-time position in a church. I was as green as the spring lawn. Because we were young they called us "the kids."
After being at the church just a couple of weeks one of the families quit coming. Their reason? I was too young. Two years later I left, they came back and I believe they are still attending that church to this day.
2. Some of that really won’t be a problem for Jack since he is planning to go into the youth ministry
a. After about 20 years people will be saying, "Aren’t you kind of old for a youth minister?
B. However, second part of that verse is very important–set an example
1. Everybody in this room is an example to someone
ILL> My older brothers set the example for me. Sometimes that was good, sometimes that was bad.
a. You teenagers, your younger brothers and sisters look up to you and want to be like you–what kind of example are you setting
b. People you work with are going to follow your example
c. Younger Christians look to older Christians for an example to follow
2. So, you and I are examples–the question is, "What kind of example are we giving them to follow?"
3. You see, it does make a difference how you live, what kind of commitment you have, what you say, how you act
a. The word "example" can also be translated as "mold"
b. We are to be so shaped by God, that in turn we can shape those around us
c. It’s not really about age–it’s about maturity
ILL> As far as age is concerned the point of this verse seems to be It’s What You Do—Not When You Do It That Counts!
For example...
"Ted Williams, at age 42, slammed a home run in his last official time at bat.
Mickey Mantle, age 20, hit 23 home runs his first full year in the major leagues.
Golda Meir was 71 when she became Prime Minister of Israel.
William Pitt II was 24 when he became Prime minister of Great Britain.
George Bernard Shaw was 94 when one of his plays was first produced.
Mozart was just seven when his first composition was published.
Now how about this? Benjamin Franklin was a newspaper columnist at 16 and a framer of the United States Constitution when he was 81.
You’re never too young or too old if you’ve got talent. Let’s recognize that age has little to do with ability." [Charles Swindoll. Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 104]
II> IT’S NOT ABOUT ABILITY–IT’S ABOUT GIFTS
A. VS 14 - do not neglect your gift
1. 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
2. I am a firm believer that every person in the Church has a gift that God expects to be used for the building of His kingdom
a. I thinks it’s easy to fall into the trap of negativity and look at ourselves and say, "Well I can’t do this and that."
b. God has placed in your life a gift that He expects you to use for His Church
c. Since it is a gift, it’s not what you can do on your own power, but what God wants to accomplish in your life
ILL> I can still remember when Jack stood up here in front of this congregation and said, "I want to be a youth minister." Jack had 2 major obstacles to overcome. First was financial–he didn’t have the money to attend college. All colleges are expensive these days, but a private college such as Bible college offers fewer scholarships. The second obstacle was a very real learning disability.
d. It’s amazing how God is able to take mountains and make bridges out of them.
e. Jack found out that because of his learning disability that he was eligible for quite a bit of grant money
I had to talk with the lady the was in charge of the grant and she asked, "Can a person make a living being a youth minister?"
I kind of chuckled
Evidently, she was not a church-going person because she had never heard of a person being a full-time youth minister.
Jack had to prove that being a youth minister was a legitimate way to provide for your family
f. God worked things out and now Jack will be graduating this Saturday.
B. That story is a reminder that we should not focus on how capable we are, but on how capable God is and what He wants to do through us
1. Where we see weakness, God sees possibilities
a. Where we see timidity, God sees a person who will lean on Him
b. Where we see walls, God see bridge building material
SONG> Got any rivers you think are impossible?
Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?
God specializes in things thought impossible.
And he can do what no other power can do!
2. It’s not about abilities, but about how God has gifted you to work in His Kingdom
III> IT’S NOT ABOUT APPROVAL–IT’S ABOUT COMMITMENT
A. VS 12
1. Being a committed Christian is not doing what everyone expects–it’s about doing what God expects
a. It’s doesn’t matter what the majority thinks–it matters what God thinks
2. The Church are not to be run that way either
3. Recently, when the Roman Catholic Church was looking for a new leader, it was suggested by many in the media that they find someone who was a little more liberal in their thinking–such as their attitude towards abortion and homosexuality
a. The Church does not change it’s teaching because society changes–what the Church teaches is to be based upon the Word of God
b. The things that God said were wrong 2000 years ago are still wrong today–He hasn’t changed and I don’t think He is going to now!
4. The Church is not based upon what the majority thinks, but it is based upon what is right!
a. In Noah’s day the majority of the people were sinful so God brought a great flood in which only 8 people were saved
b. Most of the people in Sodom and Gomorrah were living carefree lives plunging themselves into all kinds of sin–only a handful of people were saved before God destroyed the cities
c. In the days of the OT prophets, the majority of the people had strayed away from God, but the majority was wrong so God brought His wrath upon His people
d. In Jesus’ day the majority of the crowd demanded that Jesus be put on a cross
ILL> That is one of the things like about President Bush. He says He says that he doesn’t make decisions in the Whitehouse based on polls.
"You know, if a president tries to govern based on polls, you’re kind of like a dog chasing your tail."
"I don’t think you can make good, sound decisions based upon polls. And I don’t think the American people want a president who relies upon polls and focus groups to make decisions for the American people." CNN reporting on Thursday press conference. (April 28, 2005)
e. And I know that God does not want His Church to change its teachings based on the opinions of the majority
f. Rather we are to stand firm on what His Word says
g. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
5. We are to never give up, but continue working for the Lord, being examples–Paul mentions five areas
B. #1 - Speech
1. James 3:8 (NIV) says that the tongue "is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."
a. To put it bluntly, as Christians we need to watch our mouths
2. What comes out of our mouths really does make a difference
a. What do people say about the things that come out of your mouth
"I can’t believe he’d tell a joke like that"
"I can’t believe that she’d say something so off color like that."
3. With your mouth you can turn people toward God, or you can turn them away
4. Ephesians 5:4 (NIV)
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
a. Sometimes things are said that are not appropriate
b. Some things may be all right to discuss within a group of men or a group of women, but it may not be appropriate for a mixed group
c. We need to raise the standard a little higher!
5. Not just loose language, but gossip also
6. James 3:2 (NIV)
If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
C. #2 - Life
1. How you live
QUOTE> Be careful how you live your life. You may be the only Bible some people ever read.
ILL> When my brother Dave was dating his wife, they were invited to go on vacation with one of the elders in the church he was serving. Dave thought about it and thought it would be really nice to go the beach and just walk around together with his fiancé. They would have had separate rooms and they would have been watched by one of the elders, but the more he thought about it, the more it just didn’t seem right. Even though everything would have been on the up and up, he just didn’t want to give people something to talk about.
D. Love
1. John 15:13 (NIV)
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
2. That is what ministry is all about–loving people
a. Loving your wife and family, loving the people in the congregation, loving people in spite of their mistakes, shortcomings, and sins
b. I think it’s easy to forget what the Bible says, that we all fall short of glory of God
c. We need to pick each other up in love and help each other reach the finish line
E. Faith
1. Unswerving commitment to God
a. There are always going to be temptations
b. Some of the detours of life look pretty attractive but so often lead to dead ends
c. We are to walk on the straight and narrow path
F. Purity
1. There would not be an AIDS epidemic in the world today if people lived pure lives.
a. It would not be a concern
b. It wouldn’t be talked about in the news
c. There would be no need for fund raising events
QUOTE> You can’t be holy if you aren’t committed wholly.
2. If you expect people not to look down on you, you need to set a godly example
a. There are people watching you–watching how you live and how you walk with God
IV> MY CHARGE TO YOU
A. Eight things I have learned and am still trying to learn.
1. You don’t know it all!
a. Even though you are about to graduate from Bible College, you really don’t know it all!
b. I was always told that it takes about four years to get over your college education.
I didn’t know what that meant at first, but now that I have walked down that road I can say that it’s true.
You need to realize that now is when your education really begins.
2. Always be willing to learn
a. Take advantage of meeting with other Christians, youth ministers,
b. Ask others what they are reading, what is good.
3. Be a cheerleader for the leaders in the church
a. You will have disagreements privately, but publicly you need find as many reasons as possible to praise you co-ministers, elders, deacons
b. For the congregation–if you are constantly criticizing the minister or other leaders in the church, people probably will not want to come when you invite them
4. Learn from criticism
a. I don’t take criticism well, but I think I’m better than I used to be
b. When criticized (and you will be), before getting upset, ask yourself if the criticism has any merit.
c. While everything may not have credibility, there may be some truth that will make you into a better minister.
5. Don’t put yourself in compromising positions.
a. Never put yourself in a position where you are alone with youth or someone of the opposite sex
b. Be on guard
c. If you think it can’t happen to you, it probably will
6. Don’t forget your family
a. When you get married you need to understand your wife is a gift from God–you need to minister to her
b. You commitment to God must come first
wife, kids, church, job
7. Instead of always doing what is urgent, learn to do what is most important
a. There are always going to be things that are urgent
b. Tried to do those things that are important and beneficial to your ministry
c. It’s better to leave some of the urgent things undone than to not have time to do those things that will benefit the church
8. Learn to delegate.
a. I am awful at this one, as well
b. People may not do it the same way that you would–they might do it better.
V> ORDINATION
A. Lyle - Letter
B. Maurice -
1. Acts 13:1-3 (NIV)
1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
2. Jack, today you are being set apart by this congregation for the purpose of full-time ministry
a. Do you, Jack, feel called by God to dedicate your life to the full-time ministry.
b. Have you thoughtfully and prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of the Christian ministry?
c. Do you desire to serve the Lord full-time in ministry, serving in whatever capacity He sees fit for your life?
3. Then because of your desire and because we have seen in you a special commitment to the Lord, we ordain you and set you apart for the purpose of full-time Christian ministry.
C. Have Jack kneel
D. Elders lay hands on Jack
E. Carnell & Bruce to have prayer.
VI> CONCLUSION:
A. There are no "nobodies" in God’s eyes
1. You have been bought with a great price–the blood of Jesus Christ
