Jump Start # 2781

2 Timothy 2:2 “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

The sermon is an extension of the preacher. His thoughts, his talents and his personality go into making and shaping the sermon just the way it is. Some sermons are short. Some are long. Some are all business, to the point. Others have stories, quotes and illustrations. Some sermons step on our toes. Some bring a tear to our eyes. Some we never remember and others we can’t forget. Some are easy to follow and very logical, point one, point two and point three. Others are like listening to a story and it takes a while to figure out what it is all about. Some sermons use a ton of verses. Others look at only one, but it’s a careful and detailed look.

I read something the other day about sermons. It was written by a young preacher. He claimed we got it all wrong. The way we preach these days is not the way it was originally done, was his thinking. He was advocating dropping the sermon and having more intimate and casual settings where things were not so structured and people could just talk. He claimed that our model of preaching came from the Romans and not the early Christians. His proof for that was what he read in a book.

I tend to think that this young guy is all wet. Jesus, the greatest preacher, didn’t follow the model he was pushing when the Sermon on the Mount was preached. Paul didn’t follow that model at the Mar’s Hill sermon.  Even back in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah that model was not used. The law was read. Words were explained. Sense was made of the Scriptures. That sounds pretty much like our typical Sunday sermons. It’s rather odd and strange that someone would go to a book that tries to explain original preaching yet does not look at actual sermons found in the Bible.

So, all of this leads to this question, “What is a sermon supposed to do? What’s the point? What’s the purpose?”

First, a sermon isn’t supposed to be a vitamin that gives us 100% of our daily spiritual needs. That’s not the point. If the only time we are opening our Bibles is Sunday during a sermon, then we are cutting our own legs out from under us. The sermon is just one of many, many tools that can help be learn, grow and become as God wants. It’s not the only tool in the toolbox.

Second, a sermon can change our lives. It did for Peter’s audience in Acts 2. There, the sermon connected the dots between prophecy, Messiah and Jesus. Once those dots were connected, they could see and they believed. They repented and were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

Third, a sermon can change our thinking. We can come into a church building pretty sure about things and in the course of a few minutes realize that what we thought was true, really isn’t. It can make us realize that we haven’t forgiven someone. It can open our eyes to the way God wants us to walk and think. It can help us get our priorities in the right order. Sermons can do that.

Fourth, a sermon can fill our hearts with hope. Hearing about the promises of God, learning about what happens after death, understanding grace, and seeing the joys of Heaven can lift our spirits and prompt us to live better and holier. There isn’t much hope these days. Gloom and doom seem more common than anything. What’s wrong is obvious. One wonders if there is anything right. A sermon can show us that God came into this world and changed eternity for those who will love Him and follow Him.

Sermons are not intended to compete with TV. We preachers are not stand up comedians. Having the audience on the verge of clapping, shouting and filled with excitement is not the drive of sermons. For those looking for that, they will bounce around from place to place, until they find it. And, what they will find is cotton candy theology. It looks great. It tastes wonderful. But there’s nothing there. One doesn’t even have to chew cotton candy—it just melts in your mouth. So tasty and so wonderful. And, so is cotton candy theology. No doctrine. No warnings. No truths. Just good times. Just building foundations upon the sand. And, when the storms come, and they always do, cotton candy theology doesn’t offer any help. Hard to laugh through a funeral of a young person. Hard to laugh when you are standing in the shadows of a Job, or hiding in fear with Elijah.

Paul told Timothy to preach the word. He didn’t say, “Preach yourself.” He wasn’t preaching politics. He wasn’t preaching social reform. He wasn’t preaching about all the ills of the Roman government or Roman society. He was to preach God’s word. It was God’s word that would save their souls. It was God’s word that would change their lives. It was God’s word that hope, faith and love are built upon.

Preach the word—that’s what was done back then. That’s what needs to be done today.

Roger

Jump Start # 2600

2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

NOTICE: Monday is a holiday so there will be no Jump Start.

This Jump Start reaches yet another milestone, number 2600. Who would have thought. Another milestone also reached is our readership. It is at an all time high. Both of these are amazing to me personally and I am glad through this medium we can connect, touch, encourage and help one another. Thank you for all the kind words you have sent. Several have said, “we have never met, but I feel like I know you through your writings.” That’s special and I do hope we can meet on this side as well as on the other side.

Our verse today identifies legacy, passing the baton. Paul taught Timothy. Timothy was to teach others. The others were to teach even more. And, this has been the model that still works from the first century. I was taught. I have taught others. There are others I taught who are out teaching more. In turn, those will teach others. We teach the doctrine of the Bible. We teach the principles. We teach the applications. We teach what passages mean. We bring Jesus alive in the hearts of others. We change the hearts of others. This, in turn, changes their eternal destination. This impacts their family.

Now, as in any area of life, a person needs to learn. It’s one thing to teach what the Bible says. But then that person needs to learn how to teach others. Training people to teach is a valuable visionary aspect of each congregation. Training men how to give lessons, preach and help others is something that is never a waste of time. As Paul wrote these words to Timothy, he knew his time was about up. Two chapters later he would reveal that the time of his departure had come. He was about to be executed. He wouldn’t be around. Timothy had been taught. Now, Timothy was teaching others. In time, Timothy would have to leave and it would be those others who would carry on. It has always been this way. The kingdom is much larger than any one of us. It will survive without us. But, it is up to us to pass that baton on.

Here are a few ways this can be done:

First, do some team teaching. Someone who is in the position of a Timothy, finds someone who has desire, ability and talent. Together they teach a class. The Timothy teaches most of the lessons and the other watches and learns from Timothy. Between classes, some follow up and tips and helps are given by Timothy. The next session of classes, Timothy teaches less and the other teaches more. Confidence, experience and ability begin taking shape. Now, the one Timothy trained is ready to take on classes all by himself. As he does this, Timothy looks for someone else to train.

Second, preachers can spend some time with men helping them prepare lessons for invitations and sermons. This doesn’t have to be a formal preacher training program, but sharing tips, advice and help. Show how to look at a passage. Explain the value of a few good books that explore words or the background settings to passages. Show them how to make an outline. Helping them, helps the church. Paul taught Timothy. Timothy taught others.

Often you see what happens when this isn’t done. A preacher leaves or dies. Suddenly nearly everything comes to a halt. No one knows how to teach a class very well. Preachers from other congregations are called to fill in because no one there knows how to give a decent sermon. That congregation relied upon the preacher but they never developed or trained others. Vision was lacking. There was no legacy plan established.

Third, nearly all of us who are active in teaching and preaching can look back to someone who took the time, was patient with us, and guided us and helped us. We stand upon the shoulders of those before us. We would not be here today had it not been for others who taught us and helped us. Those people in our lives are dear to us. They are our heroes. Now, it’s our turn to do the same for others. Passing that baton is important.

Now, this leads to the introduction of our latest book, “The Friday Five.” For the past couple of years we have posted on our website five simple statements, an outline you might say. They come out every Friday. They still do. Friday Fives is what we call them. These are not layered with passages, nor filled with thoughts. These are the bones, the skeleton upon which one can build lessons. These came from my sermons, articles, classes and things I have picked up here and there. This is a great beginning place for someone needing ideas to build an invitation or a sermon. It’s like a sermon seedling book. Here’s the ideas, now you must plant it and develop it. There are 126 short outlines or “Friday Fives” in this booklet. We offer this for free. It’s just one way this Timothy can help others.

If you would like a free copy of “Friday Five” email me (Rogshouse@aol.com) and please include your mailing address. “The Friday Five” is our 26th book that we have produced.

Roger

Jump Start # 1709

2 Timothy 2:2 “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.”

Passing the baton—it’s hard in relay races and it’s hard in life. As one generation ages, the next generation moves into the positon of taking over. We see this all around us. Some of the great Rock ‘n Roll legends are now in their 70’s. I saw an interview with Ron Howard. We remember him as little Opie on Mayberry. He looks like an old man now. No one confuses me with being a young preacher any more. There is a spiritual legacy that is important for all of us to realize. Often, we don’t. It slips upon us and before we know it others are being pressed into service, often without fully knowing what they are doing.

The thrust of what Paul is saying in this passage is about the message. Teach others what you have heard from me. The King James states this: “…the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” You teach faithful men who will be able to teach. From Paul to Timothy, to faithful men, to others. Teach the same thing. That thought is found throughout the N.T. Philippians 4:9 is a great example of this. Don’t be original. Don’t be different. Don’t be unique. Don’t try to find what no one else has ever seen before. Teach what you were taught. Teach what Paul taught. That very thought would suck the air out of what a lot of moderns are doing today. They are doing anything and everything except what you find in the Bible. They have fooled the crowds. Feelings are in and doctrine is out. Paul wouldn’t put up with much of this junk today. Teach what he taught.

But there is another lesson here as well. Not only should the substance be taught to others, but how about the methods of teaching. Often, we hand someone a class book and tell him to go teach. He may never have taught before. He may not know how to teach. I understand this personally. I was in two preacher’s training programs and yet, I was never taught how to teach. I was given an assignment and pointed to a classroom. Maybe this very reason is why many congregations struggle to find teachers. Maybe it would be good to teach others how to teach.

Let me share some simple thoughts with you.

First, the Sunday morning class and the Wednesday night class are different. It’s different with kids and it’s different with adults. With children, they are sleepy on Sunday morning. It’s hard to get them going. Some come late. It’s a mess. On Wednesday, those same kids have been to school, had sugar and they are bouncing off the walls. The approach may need to be different. With the adults, it’s just the opposite. Sunday morning, they are alert and ready to learn. On Wednesday evening, they are tired. It shows in their faces. Same people, but different attention spans. The teacher needs to know this and make adjustments.

Second, in both high school classes and adult classes, you will find some who want to dominate. They want to answer every question. The teacher must be careful to call on others and draw others into the discussion. If he doesn’t, it won’t take long for people to think it’s a one-on-one class. The teacher and Mr. Dominate. Some get a kick out of being cute, sarcastic, and controversial. They like to push the envelop. They like to challenge the teacher. For these people, each class is an attempt to “stump the teacher.” Rather than add to the wealth of the class, they like to side track things, get the teacher off the subject and watch him sweat. How do you handle these situations? You can’t send someone to the principal’s office. There is no such thing. It helps being taught how to teach. The teacher is in charge of the class. He needs to lead it in the direction that he wants. He needs to stay with the material that he is supposed to teach. Some questions need to be answered in private. Some subjects are nothing more than an exercise in chasing rabbits. Not all rabbits need to be chased.

Third, at the end of the day, the Bible must be taught. That’s why we call these exercises, “Bible classes. “ That’s what they are. The word of God needs to be explained. Chit-chatting about a bunch of nothing, getting off telling stories and jokes and talking politics wastes valuable time. Do those things after class when you go out to eat with others. The teacher must do his homework. He needs to put his nose into the books and study. He needs to look at words and understand what passages are teaching. He needs to anticipate questions. He needs to challenge the thinking by asking thought provoking questions.

I have seen tired folks on a Wednesday night, leave energized and excited about what was studied that night. They saw the value of what was taught. This means the lessons need to be practical, relevant, and helpful. Even what seems to be dry and dusty Old Testament passages can be brought to life by the good work of a teacher.

Here are some tips that might help:

• Watch how others teach. Notice how they get through the material, the use of time, the questions they asked and how they handled questions.
• Talk to teachers. Ask them your “teaching” questions.
• Find useful material to do your research and homework.
• Put yourself in the context of the passage. Read it slowly. Look at the words. Consider things. Think. Look.
• Teaching is interesting if you find what you are teaching is interesting. Become passionate about your topic. Write some of your own material. Come up with your own questions.
• Get out of your comfort zone. If you don’t know how to use powerpoint, learn. If you don’t know how to make attractive class material, learn.
• The class is your friends. Remember that. They will help you. Don’t create a “me vs. you” situation. Be natural. Share yourself with the class. That will make you seem more real.
• Don’t get stuck always teaching the same way. There is a place for lectures, but don’t always lecture. There is a place for homework, but don’t always give the class homework. There is a place for quizzes, but not every week and every time. Not every study has to be, nor should be a verse-by- verse study. Try different approaches. Look at the text from different approaches. Notice questions asked in the text. Notice the reactions to miracles. Notice prayers said. Analyze sermons you find in Scriptures. Make your study fresh, interesting and useful.
• Keep on schedule. Most places use the quarter system. The classes are already set for what follows your class. So if you are supposed to finish a subject in that quarter, do just that. Don’t backlog the next set of classes because you got side tracked and didn’t finish what you were supposed to.
• Remember, above all, you are teaching God’s word. Be accurate. Be careful. Be honorable to God’s word. This is not a time to push your agenda, trash those you don’t like, air your complaints or try to introduce change. Teach God’s word. Remember, Paul to Timothy, to faithful brethren, to you.

When you teach God’s word you change lives. You give hope to those who are about to give up. You answer questions to those who were dwelling in fear and doubt. You show Christ to the very people who need Him. What a great honor and task teaching God’s word is. Give it your best. Always say a prayer before you begin. If one week doesn’t go so well, fall back, regroup, think about what you could have done differently and then get back in there.

Paul to Timothy…to faithful brethren…to us. Now, who will we pass this on to?

Roger

Jump Start # 1395

2 Timothy 2:2 “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.”

  Once in a while, and not every often at that, a person experiences something so special that it is nearly a once in a lifetime experience. I’ve been to some weddings like that. The atmosphere, the setting, the music, was magical. It was such a special event and I’ve never seen anything like that again. Yesterday, was one of those rare, special and once in a lifetime events. It took place in a small town’s high school gym. A large crowd of over 300 people had gathered to celebrate the life of a former principal, a friend and a spiritual giant. The gathering was a funeral, a most unique funeral. It started with the playing of the National Anthem. The high school marching band played. The family, sitting in the front roll, across from the open casket, heard story after story of this magnificent man who touched so many lives. There were periods of amazing laughter. There were moments when the tears flowed. My friend was a giant in that community. Estimates of over 1,200 people stood in line for hours at his visitation. The high school gym that held his service was named after him, even though he never coach a game. I was honored to be on stage and read one of our Jump Starts that I had written about him. The service was long, but very fitting. He was a leader, a hero and a faithful believer.

Funerals have a way of making a person think. Solomon grasped that when he said that it was better to go to the house of mourning than the house of feasting. Funerals have a way of putting the brakes on in life. It makes us slow down, think and reflect. A person can’t help but wonder, who will come to my funeral? What will be said? What am I doing now that is really making a difference in people’s lives?

It is an interesting study why some people are the way they are. The bottom line of course is choices. They have chosen, most times, the easiest course to pursue. But even within a family, some stand out and others don’t. Some are making a difference, and some make little difference. Some are leaders, and some are not. Some are spiritual giants and some don’t seem to be interested. The bottom line is choices.

There are some fundamental choices in life that shape us and determine the course of our actions. Choices such as Christ. Choices such as being a worshipper of God, a reader of the Bible, and the people we allow to influence us, shape and mold our hearts into what we are today.

It’s this last choice, the influencers in our life, that I want us to give some thought to. We are all impressed by certain people. It may be the Hollywood crowd. This is why magazines are devoted to following that scene. Who is wearing what and who is kissing who and who is doing what must be important to some folks or else those magazines wouldn’t sell. For others, it’s the world of sports. They follow their heroes with devoted interests. Then there are our friends. Work friends. School friends. Life long friends.

Our passage talks about the molding and influence in a spiritual direction. Paul mentions “faithful men.” Those faithful men were to be taught what Timothy had learned. In turn, because of their faithfulness, they would teach others. It was a passing of the baton, one to another. In Galatians, Paul referred to “spiritual” ones who would restore one who has fallen by the wayside.

Faithful men and spiritual men—God’s people. Godly influences. I can’t help but think that the higher the quality of people we surround ourselves with the better we will become. If we hang around with low life, we will become low life. If we hang around and allow ourselves to be influenced by faithful men and spiritual men, then guess what? Those things tend to help us make the right choices and influence us to being faithful and spiritual ourselves.

We get this lesson when we are talking to teenagers. We love to use 1 Cor 15:33, “evil companions corrupt good morals,” to add some substance and weight to what we are saying. We can leave the impression that Paul wrote those words for a Friday night devo with teens. The evil companions in that chapter are brethren who were denying the resurrection of Christ. The evil companions may well have been in their 40’s, 50’s or even 60’s.

Faithful men—surround yourself around them. Notice them. Learn from them. We get this in other areas of life. If you want to be successful with money, you learn, listen and watch what successful people do. If you listen to your broke cousin for advice, you’ll be broke like he is in no time. If you want advice about exercise, you don’t ask a couch potato. You ask the neighbor who runs everyday or the guy at work who goes to the gym. If you want to make a difference in your life and walk with the Lord, you don’t seek advice on Google, where every nutcase can post anything. You seek out faithful men. You notice what faithful men do.

So here is a short list of things to consider:

1. Have you ever noticed what makes the shepherds of the congregation tick? What are their habits? What is a typical day like for them? They are spiritual leaders. They are experienced spiritually. They know what they are doing, so just what is it that they are doing? Have you asked them, “What are you reading?” Have you asked them, “What are your prayers like?” You see them visiting the hospitals. You see them hanging around the church building, long after most have left. You see them teaching classes. You see them talking to others. Faithful men—right before our eyes. Do we allow them to influence us?

2. Have you ever really considered what your preacher does? Sure we see the classes and hear the sermons. There’s the bulletin, website stuff and things like that. But what does he do? How does he do it? Faithful men, do I see the footprints that he is leaving for me to follow?

3. Godly men and women, often not even in the congregation where you worship, but you know about them. People you see attending meetings. People you are drawn to because they have a caring heart. People who go out of their way to encourage you. What makes them that way? Why are they that way?

God places faithful witnesses all around us. I could start with New Albany, Indiana, where my congregation meets and begin a list of faithful witnesses. The circle would grow to those in Southern Indiana, then the state of Indiana, then all across this nation, folks in Florida, Texas, California, Minnesota,  the East Coast, Africa, India, Philippines, Norway and on and on, all across this planet. Men and women who have chosen to follow the Lord. Men and women who are encouragers, helpers and have that special kind heart. Men like my friend Jim, who we buried yesterday, who touched so many. Their kind is not easily forgotten. They will continue to speak, like Abel, though they are gone.

Sometimes we do not see the value of including faithful people in our lives. Sometimes we do not name the faithful of God as our dearest and closest friends. Some come and worship, but keep their distance. They don’t get close to others and as a result they miss out on being influenced for the better. Some don’t know faithful people and it shows in their choices and their decisions.

It has been said that we will be exactly the way we are in five years except for the people we hang around with and the books we read. Influencers in our lives.

Paul wanted Timothy to teach faithful men who in turn would teach others. Men who would be true to God’s word. Men who understood faithfulness with God. Men who loved the Lord and His ways. Men who treasured God and His people.

The best people on the earth are Christians. They are not perfect. They are not without mistakes. They are not finished becoming, but they are the best. Faithful ones—these are the people who we need to ask for advice. These are the ones that you need to listen to. These are the ones that you need to have in your home. These are the ones that will make you a better person.

Faithful ones—are you such a person yourself?

Roger