ORDERS FROM HEADQUARTERS

2 TIMOTHY 4                                      

Pastor Rick Jackson

Several years ago, a missionary and I were discussing the state of churches in the U.S. and he told me that many solid fundamental churches are facing declining numbers, unfaithful members and difficult situations. Not long after that discussion I sat down with a pastor from Union County and learned he has been having problems retaining members. One of our members spoke with a church with uber-nice facilities in Keystone and discovered they were facing dwindling numbers long before the COVID situation. A local pastor of a good sound church in the area shared with me that despite declining attendance, about half ours, he would not succumb to the temptation of bringing in worldly music. We both also agreed that we would not stop preaching the Word as well. Why not bring in questionable music? Why not quit teaching the parts of the Bible that make people uneasy? There are reasons galore but one is simply, “Orders from Headquarters!”

I. THERE IS THE PROBLEM OF CARNAL CHRISTIANS [v. 3-4]

1. Dislike Solid Teaching [v. 3a]

2. Delight in Superficial Teachers [v. 3b]

3. Decide Fables Supplant Truth [v. 4]

II. THERE IS THE PERFECTION OF CHANGELESS CONDITIONS [v. 1-2]

1. The Presence of God [v. 1, Galatians 1:20]

Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

1 Timothy 5:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;

2. The Preeminence of the Word [v. 1-2, 3:15-17, 1 Peter 1:23]

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

3. The Person of Christ [v. 1, John 8:35-36, Hebrews 13:8]

And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

III. THERE IS THE POWER OF A CONSIDERABLE CHARGE [v. 2, 5]

1. Preach the Word [v. 2, Galatians 1:10]

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

2. Persevere the Watch [v. 5a]

1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1 Th. 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

3. Prove the Work [v. 5b, Luke 1:1]

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another : another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.