How Giving Thanks Changes the World

 God's people have been giving thanks long before it was started in this country.  America did not invent Thanksgiving. 

James 1:16-17 - How soon we forget that all the good gifts we have are from God. 
Bitterness and Discontentment are results of ingratitude.  They are the marks of a crumbling society - one that refuses to honor God.  We, as God's children, cannot or should not be ungrateful.

2 Tim. 3:2-4, Rom. 1:21-24

Josh. 4:1-7, 19-24  - Before this, there was the exodus from Egypt, disobedience at Kadesh Barnea, a generation wanders for 40 years, Joshua takes them into the Promised Land.

I.   Reasons to give God Thanks
     #1.  For what He's done:  Examples:   Exodus, enemies, provided manna and quail in the wilderness, Pilgrims

Question:  What has he done for you?  Physically?  Spiritually?  We seldom give God credit.

     #2,   For what he's promised.  John 10:10  "I have come that you might have life..."  (direction, peace, purpose) Promised Land.  Ultimate Promised Land..  John 11:25-27 - Do you believe this?  What a day that will be. - God is doing good things in our lives right now.

There are many reasons to give Him thanks, but, How?

II.  How to give God thanks.
      #1.  Remember - ex. 12 stones after then crossed the Jordan. 
           Psm.  78:9-11 - Ephraimites condemned.  they failed to remember what God had done.  Remember daily in prayer - 1 Thess. 5:18  Count your blessings.
Pass down faith.  Demonstrate in front of your children what He's done.

III.  What are the results of giving thanks? 
       #1.  A grateful heart is a happy heart. = Psm. 9:1-2  God has a way of using gratitude to change heart and mind.
       #2.  People turn to God.  When have a grateful heart, look different - Matt. 5:16  As Christians, when we live a life of gratitude, we will look different to the world.

Psm. 67 - Before you eat, thank God for what He's done, promised.  Recount His faithfulness and provision through song like Psm. 13:6

What Parents Should Want for Their Children

2 Tim. 1:1-7

 Parents' greatest job, fears, joys - often wrapped up in their children.  

We all have desires for our children, wonder what to pray, what to teach.

From God - we see some of Paul's heart, desire and prayer.  Calls Timothy his son in the faith.  This written by the Apostle Paul.

2 Tim. 1:1-2 - Paul met Timothy during his 2nd. missionary journey. 
          Timothy had believing grandmother and mother, Greek father.  He impressed Paul who brought him along on his missionary journey.

1 Timothy is more a manual for church business.  Paul was hoping to visit Ephesus.

2 Timothy - more personal for Timothy.  Shows his love and care for Timothy.  Was in Roman prison at the time he wrote this.  2 Tim. 4:6-8 - eventually was executed for preaching the Gospel.

This letter comes when Timothy was a young pastor, but was struggling, dealing with desertions, heretics, Hymenaus.

Timothy was young. - 1 Tim. 4:12, 2 Tim. 2:22  sick - 1 Tim. 5:23,  timid - 1 Cor. 16;10
Paul brought him along, discipled, poured out, demonstrated.  He mentored him - similar to the way Jesus mentor his apostles.

 Parents should want:
#1.  Good Influences for their children.
        Prov. 13:20
        2 Tim. 1:3 - clear conscience.  Paul at the end of life.  Not how he was.  Heb. 10:22
        Need to get right.  Only way to get there is through Jesus Christ.

       2 Tim. 1:3-4 - see the love?  need to pray like that for children.  Has a Pastor's heart.  a Fatherly heart.

       2 Tim. 1:5 - Importance of godly fammily.  Taught, modeled.  

#2.  Have Sincere Faith - John 1:12 - Faith that won't fade with trials or successes - forever.

#3.  Develop and use their godly gifts.  2 Tim. 1:6   Serve the Lord with all they have.
       Fan into flame.  Charisma.  Spiritual gift (s) - (discernment, evangelism, giving, hospitality, leadership mercy teaching... )  Evangelist, Pastor. 
      Is a gift, but must work and use what have been given.
1 Tim. 4:14-15 - not only spiritual, but all gifts.  Praying and helping discover and practice.  If we don't fan the flame, the fire dies and the talents get taken.

#4.  Have Confidence to use their gifts.   2 Tim. 1:7  Are those who poke holes in confidence.  ie:  fear, cowardice.  Timothy struggled.  Why do we fear?  - embarrassment, failure, task too big not good enough, scared of naysayers.  All of that is not from God. 
God gives us power, Acts 1:8 - strength, power, ability.  That's from God.  Heb. 13:6

With that power, love, and self-control that we may not fall.

Wrap-up.
Paul eventually executed in Rom.  Not sure if Timothy ever made it to see him.  Paul would be so proud to see how Timothy was using his gifts.  Tradition records he faithfully served in Ephesus until he was 80.  God used him, was so bold that he was stoned trying to stop pagan festival there.  Stoned to death. 
He, like Paul, could say, 'I've fought the good fight.  I've finished the race.'

Challenge:  pray for and work with your children.  Work on this yourself.  Let us all strive to fan into flame the gift that God has given.

Suffering for Jesus

Suffering is a reality, a big part of the reality, and we all will suffer sometime.

2 Tim. 1:8, 12, 2:3, 2:9, 3:11, 4:5

Reasons for suffering:

1)  We live in a sinful, fallen world

2)  Our own sinfulness - we make bad decisions, etc.

3)  For discipline - Deut. 8:56, Heb. 12:6-7, Prov. 3:11-12

4)  For the sake of Christ - we are going to be opposed if we love Jesus.  Are people who hate Jesus.

     2 Tim. 3:12, 1 Pet. 3:16-17, 1 Pet. 4:14-16
There will come times of persecution and suffering when we honor God.

Responses, when it comes, if it comes:

A)  Rejoice  - Acts. 5:41, Acts 16:25 - Paul and Silas thanking God in prison

B)  See it as an opportunity.  God uses hardships to grow us, to mold us.  Suffering helps us grow.

Result of suffering

   1)  Can strengthen your ministry potential - 2 Cor. 1:3-4
   2)  Can strengthen connection with others - God uses these times
   3)  Sometimes puts us in the right ministry environment. 
         Ex. Joseph, Paul - Phil. 1:12-14
   4)  It just makes us better - Rom. 5:4-5

God works all these things together for good.  2 Tim. 4:6-8

God has great reward for those who suffer and are obedient.  2 Cor. 5:10, Matt. 6:20

 

Closing Scripture:  Rom. 8:18-25

Ordination Service for Josh Smith

To ordain = set apart to an office, duty, task.....

Ordination = a ceremony wherein an individual is
          #1 - recognized as called, gifted for a task
  and   #2 - FORMALLY INDUCTED - into that office or given a title reflecting that

So... are gathered to FORMALLY recognize and induct Josh into the office of Pastoral MINISTRY

Pastoral Qualifications?  1 Tim. 3:1-7

Additional charges in Pastoral Epistles = 102  (my count)  - Timothy and Titus

Whittled down to 3 categories....

    A.  Preaching
    B.  Pastoring 
    C.  Personal Development   

So.....The Charge to Josh  

I.  Preaching - because this is a ministry of THE WORD!! - if not of the Word, is not preaching.
    1 Tim. 4:13
    Titus 2:1 - "teach according to sound Doctrine" - get it right
    2 Tim. 2:14 - Keep reminding, warn them  (REPETITION)

On one hand - "with great patience"
On the other hand - Titus 2:15 - "with all authority"

In other words, be authoritative, but don't be an arrogant Know it all!!!!

1 Tim. 6:2 - "urge these things upon the people"

II.  Pastoring (Shepherding)
Because this = ministry of Word AND of People!!   A person who doesn't do well with people can't be a pastor.
1 Tim. 4:12 "example" live the faith as well as preach it
2 Tim. 5:1-2  On one hand "exhort" (confront, challenge) without being arrogant
                     However, "don't rebuke sharply" and "treat people properly"
1 Tim. 5:21  "Without partiality"
                Some people are more likeable but all due equal respect and concern
2 Tim. 2:24   "kind to everyone" (includes non-believers)
2 Tim. 2:25   "gently instruct" those who oppose

Titus - "teach older men, teach older women, encourage young men, be a n example, show integrity"

Add:  2 Tim. 4:5 - don't be a 'short fused' preacher
       endure, do the work, discharge ALL duties!!!

Add also:  John 21 - "feed my sheep" IF you love me!!!!
And  1 Pet. 5:2-4

Octavia Baptist Church needs BOTH a preacher AND a pastor!!!

III.  Personal Development
1 Tim. 4:7 - TRAIN YOURSELF!!  Nobody is going to do it for you!!!

1 Tim. 4:14 - don't neglect your gift
1 Tim. 4:15 - be diligent (give self wholly to this)
1 Tim. 4:16  - watch LIFE and DOCTRINE  (persevere in both)

Add these....:  "flee sin, pursue righteousness"
                      "fan into flame the gift within you"
                      "guard what has been entrusted to you"
                      "endure hardship"
                      "join me in suffering for the gospel"
                      "fight the good fight of faith"

Summary:   1 Tim. 2:15
Only 1 person can develop you into a great preacher, pastor - YOURSELF!!! Even God won't do it without your cooperation adn effort!!!

This = your Calling, ministry, JOB!!
DON'T BE LAZY!  DEVELOP YOURSELF!! NEVER  stop studying, pursuing, developing, learning!

NOW  A Charge to the church - Josh is being ordained BY OBC to soon be your Pastor.  You have obligations and responsibilities also!!!!

#1.  If you recognize him as a preacher, teacher ... listen to him!!
Doesn't mean he's always right!  But always give due consideration and respect.

#2.  If you recognize him as a leader... follow him. 
    On one hand, he's not always right
    However, he is the one most likely to recognize God's Vision and direction

#3.  If you recognize him as a defender of the faith.... support him!  Example:  Ex. 17 - Israel and Amalekites
Aaron adn Hur holding up Moses' hands!! - a leader needs to be supported

#4. If you recognize him as a man of God... Pray for him!! - that is our obligation  
      The greater the ministry... the greater the pressures and attacks!! By Satan, by non-believers

NOTE - his call, position does not lessen his humanity!!
Therefore, 

#5.  If you recognize him as a fellow human being.... minister to him!!
      He will need - encouragement, compassion, sympathy, affirmation, backing, forgiveness!!! 
Jesus - "spirit is willing, flesh is weak"

#6.  If your recognize him as  a family man.... minister to his family!  If you want to bless him bless his family!

#7. If you recognize him as a n employee ... Pay him! 
      Don't be so "spiritual" that you are impractical!  1 Cor. 9:7-11

#8.  If you recognize him as an Outstanding employee... reward him!!   (this is more than money)
      IF he blesses this church and this community, then it is only fitting for the church and community to bless him!!

Closing:  presentation of Certificate of Ordination, signed Bible, prayer and congratulations!!