Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come!

It is very special to reflect on Christ's 1st. Coming

A favorite Christmas song is "Joy to the World".  Was written by Isaac Watts - 1674 - 1748.  A non-conformist, meaning he didn't conform to the teachings of the Anglican Church.

Message = first 4 lines of song.  

Are 4 points on the importance of Christ's advent.  Should be great joy at Christmas time.

I)  Joy to the World!  The Lord is Come!  This should bring us great joy.

Question:  Why should the world rejoice?

      A)  Christ's coming showed God's good will to men. - John 3:16-17
      Shows how precious we are to Him.  Christ came willingly to demonstrate God's love for us  

     B)  Christ's coming made the Father visible - John 14:6,9  Matt. 1:23, Isa. 7:14  (700 plus years before)
           He is the image of the invisible God.  Jesus is our perfect example.  Humans will let you down.

     C)  Christ's coming showed God keeps His word!  Hos. 11:1 (Egypt)  Micah 5:2 (Bethlehem), Isa. 7:14 (born of a virgin.  All promised 600/700 years earlier.
            God's faithfulness in the past gives confidence He'll continue to be faithful.  All of us have been let down by somebody sometime.  God will never let us down!  God wants good for us!

II)  Let Earth Receive Her King
      Jesus is King whether you recognize it or not.  Whether it's labeled hate speech or not.  He is not dethroned.  Truth is truth whether you like it or not.
      Not just for the Jews, for for all nations.  We are to be a part of a Messianic Psalm.  If we are in Christ, are part of His kingdom.  Psm. 2:8, Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 1:8  Rev. 1:5-6 
He is ruler of the kings of the earth.  Has made us a  kingdom of priests.  Psm. 2:1-12 - warning

III)  Let every heart prepare Him room
       Who is the us?  Gen. 12:3 - Gal. 3:7-8 - ... of the faith....  Eph. 2:8  is not generic faith  acts 4:11-12 - must submit to Christ
       Give life to Jesus.  Will never find purpose until you do.  Is no better time than the present to give your life to Christ.

IV)  And Heaven and Nature Sing  - Is what your were created to do... all creatures and creation created to serve and worship God.
Psm. 19:1 - the Heavens declare   Psm. 98:7-9 - what inspired Isaac Watts
Heavenly Beings - Job 38:4-7, Isa. 6:2-3, Rev. 4:8, Rev. 5:11-14  
Song "All Creatures of Our God and King" written in 1225 - We were created in God's image with more responsibility than any other created thing on the earth to praise Him.

So----- what should this season inspire us to do?
REJOICE!  Trust God more!  Serve the King!  Submit our heart to Him!  Join creation in His worship!

St. Francis Assisi wrote "All Creatures of Our God and King" in 1225 which tells all created beings to praise the Lord.  Will never find joy and satisfaction until you do!

Onesiphorus, A Brother Born for Adversity

 As believers, we should be good to people. 

Onesiphorus - great example of what to be and what to be as a believer and a friend.

Paul was a great friend and had great friends:  can see this from groups, fellowship tender words, was ripped away when had to leave them, was gifted.  

Examples:  Onesimus, Epaphroditus, Priscilla, Aquila, Thychicus (a beloved brother), Tertius, Ampliatus (my beloved in the Lord), Luke (with him during his imprisonment), Timothy, and of course, Onesiphorus.

Paul = writing to Timothy from an awful prison to encourage and instruct.  Probably = last words.  He was lonely, and knows his time is coming to an end.

2 Tim. 1:13-15 - Guard and Practice because:

1)  People will abandon the faith.  Example:  Matt. 13:20-21 - Parable of the sower.  When hard times come, is a time for growth, the real believers stay firm. 
     So, build and train - is good to know the 'why' we believe.

2)  Serving the Lord can FEEL lonely   But, are never alone if really in the faith.  Psm. 94:14, Matt. 28:20, Heb. 13:5-6, Rom. 8:31-35
     Temptation.  

Lessons from Onesiphorus.    2 Tim. 1:16-18

A.  Be a real bro.  Prov. 17:17    How?

B.  Be present - ministry of presence is fairly easy now.  Was a lot harder in Paul's time.

C.  Make an effort - Matt. 25:37-40  traveled a long distance to go to Paul.  searched earnestly, at great risk, had a history of service

D.  Have your brother's back.  He was not ashamed of Paul.  Was a friend all the time.  Gal. 6:2, Heb. 13:1-3, John 13:34-35, John 15:13 - greater love hath no man....  Brothers should defend, care for each other.  We should have a special love for other Christians

E  Inspire others to be better believers.  We can be inspired by others to do better. 
    Heb. 11, Heb. 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 11:1 - Imitate me as I imitate Christ --- let that be a goal in our lives.

How can we stir up love and good works   Heb. 10:24 - one of the chief jobs of Christians

Challenge:  think am I refreshing the saints?  Am I loyal to God and his people?  Am I pulling people to or pushing them away?  Can't love the Lord and hate His people.

Closing Scripture:  Eph. 4:29-5:2

2 Timothy 1:8-14

 In the New Testament, we have Pastoral Epistles  (1 & 2 Tim, Titus)
                                            and Prison Epistles  (Ephesians, Philipians, Colossians, Philemon)

2nd. Timothy = Both!!  in other words - TO Timothy FROM prison.

Closed Acts with Paul in Rome under house arrest!  Evidence suggests were 2 Roman imprisonments.
So NOW (2nd. Tim) Paul IN prison awaiting execution.  (is pretty confident that he will be executed)

So.... pens "last words" to Timothy  (at Ephesus)
Hence, there is much advice, instruction, encouragement - MOST of which applies to ANY and ALL Christians!
Note:  Timothy is in charge of all the churches in the area.

(Josh did 2 Tim. 1:1-7 last time)   Today = 2 Tim. 1:8-14

BUT, ... vs. 8 begins with "therefore", So leading up to this? 
              vs. 3 .... I thank God as I remember you"
              vs. 5 .... I'm reminded of your sincere faith"
              vs. 6.... fan into flame ... the gift within you"

In other words, "because of who you are and what you are called to do (the task before you) ... additional advice!

2 Tim. 1:8-14 - Watch  for specific charges that apply to Timothy AND to you!

4 Specific Charges:

I)  Don't be ashamed (of the Gospel)

II)  Join me in suffering (for the Gospel)

III)  Follow the pattern (you've been shown)

IV)  Guard the good deposit (you've been given)

I)  Don't be ashamed  (of the Gospel, of me)  - Vs. 8
      Why 'ashamed?? 
(A)  THEN  - Example:  Alexamenos = weakness!  Worshiping a God who was crucified and hung naked on a cross.  Showed sign of weakness to Romans.  Ridicule in Rome still found today.  Christians saw this as a great victory over death.  Mockery still true today.

(B)  NOW = foolish!!  ie:  direct your life based on myths, legends, antiquated morals?"  (still a mockery)

Paul's answer ... #1)  2 Tim. 1:12 - "I know WHOM I have believed" 
Christianity is more than a belief system.  It = a personal interaction with a risen Christ!

                         #2)  Rom. 1:16-17 - "it is the Power of God... to salvation"
In other words, it works!!!  John 14:6,  Acts 4:12

II)  Join me in suffering  (share in)  Vs. 8b

     A)  suffering for the gospel - in other words, when presenting, promoting the Gospel entails a degree of suffering .... DON'T SHY AWAY!
     B)  suffering by the Power of God - ie:  with the Presence and assistance of God.  When are suffering for the Gospel, are NEVER alone!  

Note:  vs. "His prisoner" - (Christ's)
implied:
     C)  Suffer well  (properly - in an exemplary manner)
ie:  when suffering is not immediately, directly tied to the Gospel ... Nevertheless.. Christians should suffer in a manner that shows Faith and Confidence in God - 2 Tim. 2:3,  1 Pet. 2:21  (context = slavery)

III)  Keep to the Pattern  (vs. 13)  in other words, what you've been taught (the truth), is true... DON'T DEVIATE FROM IT!!!
early on.... many received the Gospel But wanted to "adjust, correct, improve on it" 
example:  Gnostics
Today? = Same!!!  example:  Progressive Christianity 
Titus 1:9 - applies to more than "elders".  Should be true of all Christians. "If it's new, it's probably not TRUE!" 

Closely related...
IV)  Guard the good deposit - Vs. 14
"you've been ENTRUSTED with something valuable & precious..."GUARD IT!!"  watch over, protect, keep safe, be diligent, alert, attentive.
Which = (1) protect it from corruption - on one hand, can't keep others from corrupting, BUT can keep self from corrupting it!
              (2)  put it to use Example:  Parable of the Talents - "wicked, lazy servant"
Don't SIT on your salvation!
Note:  closing of 1 Tim. 6:20 - with help of Holy Spirit

Add: 
V)  Entrust this deposit to others 2 Tim. 2:2
     ie:  evangelism, discipleship, teaching, training, equipping, etc.
Which = Pass it on and multiply the effects!

2nd. Timothy is full of direct, explicit charges ... to Timothy, to US... to you! 
So... (1)  give serious consideration to these charges
and  (2)  measure your faith according to them.!

Closing scripture:  2 Tim. 4:1-5