FBC Daily Devotions

WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE

Read 2 Timothy 4:6.

In the previous verses, Paul instructed Timothy to preach the word, instruct and correct with gentleness and patience. In our passage today, he gives the reason – Paul is nearing the end of his life, and his ministry will end soon. This news, up till now setting at the periphery of this letter, must have forced Timothy to consider the weight of his responsibilities and the loss of a father and friend. Could he do it without his mentor? Could he keep the faith going? Imagine for a moment you were Timothy with the weight of Christianity on your shoulders. Yes, there were others who would be there with you, but it wouldn’t make the task easy. Could you withstand the pressure?

When I consider that Faith Bible Church has been in existence since 1950, it is a sobering thought that all of that could come to a crashing halt with a leadership that goes off the path. Because God is the One who is ultimately in control of all things, I believe He might not allow the church to flourish (at least I hope He wouldn’t) under false teaching. Because of the investment of so many lives committed to Christ and FBC, the leaders of FBC back in 1950 created a leadership structure intended to protect against a wandering generation of new leaders. How did they do this? They created an Executive Board made up of perpetual (lifetime) board members. One of their primary directives was to and still is to ensure that the by-laws of the church, consisting of essential doctrines of the faith among other things, would be adhered to from one generation to the next. This was a wise decision on their part, and it certainly helps take the weight off the pastors. While it doesn’t alleviate the need to preach and teach truth, it does spread the responsibility across a larger group.

That said, the need for a congregation to live by the truth taught by its leaders is necessary for a church to continue on as God intends. While much responsibility rests on God’s leaders, it also rests on His people as well. Whether you are a leader or a follower, we are all followers of Christ tasked with the responsiblity to carry on the faith.

To consider: Carrying on the faith begins with each person choosing to live in the truth of Christ. Do you know the essentials of the faith?

What are some truths you learned from Sunday’s message? How can it make a difference this week?

Looking back over the week, what are some of the things God impressed upon you? Take some time today and pray that God would help you make any needed changes in your life a reality.

FULFILLING YOUR LIFE’S MISSION 

Read 2 Timothy 4:5.

One verse with many imperatives – be sober (or “keep your head”); endure; work; fulfill.  All of them carry a sense of forging ahead with an unceasing commitment to finish well. The specifics are directed to Timothy as a leader of the early church and as a key individual to carry the torch of faith to the next generation. He would face the hardships of a leader, the frustrating resistant that evangelists must feel all the time, and the pressures to meet the expectations of a spiritual hero in Paul. This was no easy assignment. But really, don’t we all have our own tough assignments? If Paul were here today, he might say to each one of us: keep your cool in all situations because the work’s going to get hot; pull up your bootstraps; I want you to work hard, very hard to finish the work God has for you.

Have you ever worked on a long and difficult project and saw it to completion? I’ve never built a house like Craig has, but I can imagine the determination and tenacity required to finish a project of such magnitude. One does not need to accomplish that kind of project to appreciate the necessity of hard work. Small projects require a certain amount determination as well. But here’s the thing: Paul is saying our entire life is to take on that characteristic. That same attitude and determination is to be applied to our Christian life. Our life is not merely a one time project, but a lifetime project from beginning to end. We are to be fulfilling God’s kingdom work – that’s what our life mission is to be all about.

To consider: What is your mission in life? How determined would you say you are at fulfilling that mission?

Consider doing the following exercise:

1) List at least five things you are currently working on in your life (this would include things in your work, marriage, family, home, ministry, etc.).

2) Next to each item, write down what purpose it is ultimately serving (e.g. work provides the needed income to provide for the family; trying to demonstrate love more in my marriage is helping to improve our marriage relationship.)

3) Next to each item write down how determined you are at accomplishing those goals (e.g. 10% effort, 75% effort, and so on).

4) Now ask if these are areas that God would have you spend your limited amount of time and if they are in line with God’s mission for you. If your answer is, yes, then great! How much effort are you putting in those areas? If your answer is, no, then consider adjusting your goals to align with God’s mission for you.

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Questions for Home Groups

1) Where in your life do you put in the kind of effort Paul describes in v. 5?

2) Where are you putting your efforts? Consider completing the exercise described above.

NOTHING LIKE THE BASICS

Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

Have you ever felt like everything you believe about Christ and the Bible – all the various doctrines and outworkings of such – they don’t seem like they are going to last to the end of the century? Indeed, if statistics are accurate, the evangelical movement is losing ground fast. There are fewer adherents to mainstream evangelicalism today than the decade before. Trends don’t look good. Whether this was brought on by a failure to pass on the torch by the current or last generation or whether it is simply spiritual warfare gaining ground on God’s people is difficult to say. But when I read the passage today, I can’t help but see the truth in Paul’s words. Verse 3 says people will not endure sound doctrine, as if to say that doctrine must somehow be endured like a leaky faucet. People like the new stuff. We get so easily tired of the same old, same old. One thing I have learned in my short years on this earth is the same old is what is solid, firm, stable, and what will get us through this life and into the next. The fundamentals of the faith cannot be over-taught, over-worked, or over-emphasized. Time and again when I see people stumbling through life (and don’t we all), it almost always comes down to the fundamentals. “How is your walk with God going?” I’ll ask. Not surprising, there will be little time spent with God, and little prayer throughout the day.  There may be a lack of Christian fellowship. Maybe a bad attitude or closed ears when it comes to teaching or preaching.

How about you? Have you found yourself wanting something more exciting, more interesting, easier on the mind? One of the greatest challenges we face in today’s fast-paced, competitive society is the discipline and the wisdom to simply sit still, read the Word of God, and get back to the basics of life.

Recently, I was talking with Pastor Glen about his recent vacation. “Did you bring any good books with you?” I asked, to which he responded that he had brought several books with him, but in the end, he decided to just read the Bible. I’ll take that as good advice and do the same on my next vacation.  

To consider: We can spend our time reading many good books, but there is none more life-changing and interesting than the Bible. Take time to make reading it a regular part of your life.  

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Questions for Home Groups

1) What kinds of things are “tickling the ears” of current Christians?

2) Do you ever feel like an old fogey with old beliefs that don’t seem to have any relevance today? If so, how do you deal with a culture that seems to look down upon such thinking?

3) Do you see the church in general being responsible for turning people away, or are people simply turned off to old ways of thinking? Explain.

4) Let’s be honest, reading the Bible can be difficult at times. What can be done to help inspire you to read it during those difficult times?