The most frequent command in the Bible is to “Fear not.” Fear stems from trusting in ourselves, rather than God. When we operate in fear, at least three things happen: we become weak, we hate what we fear, and we fall apart. Whether inside the lines of athletic competition, in a heated argument, or a […]
Fear Paralyzes. Faith Catalyzes. Part 2 (2 Timothy 1:7)
In Christ to Instruct – Connect with the Heart of Others (2 Timothy 2:22-26)
Have you ever tried to debate someone into the kingdom of heaven? Perhaps, what started out as a healthy exchange of different experiences led to a foolish argument that didn’t honor the heart of Christ. Paul taught we connect with the heart of others by avoiding stupid arguments that produce quarrels (see 2 Timothy 2:23). […]
In Christ to Instruct – Heart to Heart (2 Timothy 2:22-26)
When you communicate with others, do they connect with God’s heart? When we are in Christ to instruct, we connect heart to heart. We engage with God’s heart to reach the hearts of others. God’s heart is the vertical component of the cross; the hearts of others represents the horizontal component. What is the spiritual […]
In Christ to Instruct – Getting the Word into Our Words (2 Timothy 2:14-21)
How often does the wisdom of the Bible flow into your words? When we are in Christ to instruct, we get the Word into our words. The Word represents the vertical, our words the horizontal. We are to keep reminding others of what we glean from the Word, warning them before God against quarreling words […]
In Christ to Instruct – Learn to Teach (2 Timothy 2:1-13)
When we are in Christ to instruct, we learn to teach. Learning is the vertical component of the cross; teaching is the horizontal. In order to learn, we must engage in the grace of Christ. Paul wrote: “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1). There […]
In Christ to Instruct – 4 Barriers to Evangelism and Discipleship (2 Timothy 2:1-2)
How do you plan to equip and release future generations with the gospel of Christ? Rarely is this question addressed because we remove ourselves from the responsibility for at least four reasons captured in the following statements: “I’m not worthy;” “I’ll create conflict;” “I don’t have time;” or “I don’t know enough.” First, we feel […]