Living for Christ

First Timothy chapter 1. I could tell you a story, maybe I should. Prime Minister of Canada some years ago, Pearson, was giving his acceptance speech in Parliament, and he was about my height, five, three and a half, don't forget the half. And the MP started to shout, get off your knees, get off your knees.

He said, gentlemen, a man standing in this house is dependent on his size from his shoulders up. So just keep that in mind. First Timothy chapter 1, reading from verse 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope, unto Timothy, my own son in the faith.

Now look down the chapter to verse 11. According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust, and I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry who was before a blasphemer, a persecutor and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly and in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Now I meant to read, well, we will turn to chapter 2 and verse 1. I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

Now over to chapter 6 and verse 14. Verse 13, I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate, witnessed a good confession, that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now the second epistle, chapter 3 and verse 14.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them, and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect or complete, throughly furnished unto all good works. Now finally, chapter 4 and verse 18.

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. And we know that God will bless what we have read from his word.

Many years ago, there was a very godly man in England, Bishop Handley, that said that the very reading of these epistles caused something of a mist to gather in his eyes. Something of a spiritual mist gathering in his eyes, as he read these, the last words of the great apostle to the Gentiles. Now you know that last words are always precious words.

Whether it's the words of a Moses to a Joshua, or David to a Solomon, here it is Paul to his genuine child in the faith, Timothy. And he's passing the torch of truth to Timothy. I understand that there's a city in England, near Meddingley, where there's a cemetery that's in memory of many World War I and II veterans that laid down their life in the service of their country.

And there's an eternal torch there that's always burning. And beneath it are these words, To you from failing hands we hold the torch, Be yours to hold it high. To you from failing hands we hold the torch, And be yours to hold it high.

Now that seems to me something of the impact of the message of the apostle to Timothy. As he's lying now in the Roman Mamertine prison in Rome, his head was soon to roll at Nero's block, and he recognizes that the end is near. We didn't read it, but he tells us, as he writes to Timothy, that he's to hold fast the sound doctrine that has been entrusted to him.

Now we recognize that. Some of us are getting near the end of the road. I notice even Murray's got a few more white hairs than the last time I saw him, and Mr. Christofferson, and a number of others.

Ten years from now, there are a number of brethren here who are doing what we term full-time work for the Lord, will be in heaven. And again, I would throw out the message. Where are the laborers? Where are the young men with brains and intelligence to take up the torch of truth, to have a burden in their soul for the lost and the perishing, not to be concerned about laying up treasures on earth, but to think beyond this life.

There's something that's far more important, and that's God's interest. Now, having said that, I want you to look at what kept this little man, Saul of Tarsus, going, those who know tell us that he seemed to travel 12,500 and some miles up and down in Asia Minor. There were no jets going from Chicago to London in those days.

Lots of his journeys was by ship. Lots of it was likely on a mule, or a camel, or even by foot. But he blazed a trail for God.

And here's what kept him going. The first verse that we read, he tells us that he had an almighty Savior. Ten times in this epistle, Paul talks about the Savior.

Who is he? Well, he tells us he's an apostle of Jesus Christ. Better, Christ Jesus. You say, is there a difference? Yes, there is.

Those that write at times to individuals, it's usually Christ Jesus. The man who was here, Christ, is now up there. And then when these New Testament writers write to New Testament churches, they usually use the reverse order, Jesus Christ.

You see, Paul didn't know Christ. He didn't know Jesus when he was on earth. But he knew him as the Christ who had died for him and had gone back to the glory.

So Paul says he had an almighty Savior. I was thinking early this morning of Luke's gospel, chapter 1. You know, Luke is the only gospel that tells us about songs. In chapter 1 of Luke's gospel, we read about the song of Elizabeth.

When the child wept in the womb of Mary, she was filled with the Holy Ghost and she said, Blessed art thou among women, blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Then later in that same chapter, Mary bursts out in song. My soul, she says, doth magnify the Lord.

My spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Savior. Then further down in that same chapter, it's Zacharias. And it says that he too was filled with the Holy Ghost.

And he says, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel. When you come into chapter 2, it's the angels that are giving that annunciation to the shepherds. Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior. So they knew the Savior. You know, songs of praise are a wonderful thing.

I was reading the other day about King Hezekiah toward the end of 2 Chronicles. It says he did what was right, as not his father Ahaz had done, but as his father David had done. And the first thing he did was again open the doors of the temple and bring the priests into their area of service.

And those offerings, the burnt offering and the sin offering, it says when they began, a song of praise began. And there had been no song among the people of God in the camp of Israel for over 300 years since David was upon the throne. But now under Hezekiah, there's revival and there's a song in the heart.

Let me ask you, dear child of God, is there a song in your heart today? As we were reminded this morning, particularly at the end of the meeting of that other man, the one that has won our hearts, do we find when we think about him, there's a response. There's something like a magnet that draws praise from our hearts to him. And if there isn't, you better go around the foundation.

There's something wrong if there's not a song of praise in your heart and in my heart. So Paul says he had an almighty Savior. In verse 11 of chapter 1, very quickly, he says, Now here's a dependable trust that he has been given.

God enabled him. Weymouth in his translation says it was God who gave him the power. It wasn't of self.

It was all God given. A dependable trust. God enabled me.

God gave him just what was necessary for his work for God. And that's why in verse 15, he says in that well-known verse that we often use in preaching the gospel, And Monsignor Ronald Knox says in his New Testament translation, I like that. Faithful is the saying.

What a welcome it deserves that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I was the greatest of all, and he welcomed me. What enablement.

What trust. Then very quickly, look what he says in chapter 2. He tells us that he has a prayer hearing and a prayer answering God. We know that.

He exhorts Timothy to pray. To give thanks. To make intercession.

There are technical differences. Praying and intercession and thanksgiving. But it's to be for all men.

You ever pray for President Obama? Believe me, he needs our prayers. I pray for him every day. Pray that God will save him.

Pray that God will give him wisdom. We think of young men and young women. Some known to us.

They're in Afghanistan and Iraq. And they're facing death and danger. At the hands of those who have absolutely no regard for human life.

We need to pray that God will give wisdom to those that are in authority. That these privileges that we enjoy will continue. That we may live a peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

I don't know if you know it or not. But there are definite movements being made in this country. To control everything of Christian outlook.

Behind it all is the enemy. Satan himself. He's determined to put out of existence everything that speaks of God.

It's in our school systems. Can't say the Lord's Prayer anymore. You see, there are consorted efforts being made.

And even affecting Christian testimony in the assemblies. If these laws were carried out. We would not be able to gather as we do.

Today. In the name of the Lord Jesus. So, dear brethren.

We have to pray. We need to pray. How much there is to pray for.

Spiritual needs among the people of God. Those that have turned out of the way. In this very epistle.

Paul tells us about some who have turned aside. Some that have missed the mark. Some that have come short.

And he was burdened about them. And we need to constantly pray. Many passing through deep waters today.

I could tell you of numbers of the people of God. That are knowing the trials of the way. But you know, when you bring God into circumstances.

That changes everything. Mr. Jeremy Menealy. Who was involved in the 1859 revival in Ireland.

When in one year approximately. 100,000 souls were saved. Factories were closing.

People were walking the streets. Laying down in the fields. Crying to God for mercy.

And that dear man, Mr. Menealy. Lost his wife. And after the burial.

He was sitting at an open fire. In his living room with his three sons there. Tom and Joseph.

And John. And they looked at him. And they saw that his lips were moving.

And so one of the boys went over beside their father. And here's what they heard him say. Eli.

Eli. Lama Sabachthani. Eli.

Eli. Lama Sabachthani. In the midst of his sorrow.

He was thinking of the suffering of Christ. We had the sad privilege just a week ago. Of burying my brother.

Down in Florida. As a result of cancer. In his early days.

He did a lot of gospel preaching. With Mr. Oliver's father and his uncle. In eastern Canada.

And a few days before he died. I visited him. He was sleeping most of the time.

In the intensive care unit. And he said to me, Eric. I've been thinking about the love of God.

I said yes. Then he said it's everywhere. And then he talked about.

God's love. In giving his son. To go to the cross.

To put away our sins. I wonder how I'll end. When the end comes.

What will be in your thoughts when. You come to the end of the road. You see.

This man knew something of a God. Who had an interest. In every circumstance.

In our lives. And so he exhorted Timothy. To pray.

For those that are in authority. Pray one for another. A dear brother known to some here.

At one of the Iowa assemblies. Who's in heaven now. Told me that he prayed.

Every day. By name. For the members of that assembly.

Now I've never done that. Mentioned everybody. Individually in prayer.

But he did. And he was a man that knew God. And he would come in after a long day.

In the field. On his tractor. And sit down with his Bible.

And spend time in prayer. And before he knew. The sun was rising.

He had spent all night. Over the word of God. And I don't have to tell you.

That when he stood up. In the stout assembly. He had bread.

For God's people. You see. That's what we need in our day.

Men that get to know God. Through his word. And in prayer.

Then again. Quickly in chapter 6. Something else that encouraged Paul. He talks about.

A glorious appearing. Of our great lord. And savior.

Jesus Christ. A glorious man of God. Manifestation.

Not only the rapture. But beyond all of that. When you and I. Which are mortal.

Will put on immortality. And the corruptible. Will put on incorruption.

But then beyond all of that. There is that day. When he will appear.

In pristine glory. In that glorious millennial reign. And you and I. Shall be linked with him.

But quickly in chapter 2. Of the second epistle. I want you to notice. Something else that.

I observed. He has a sure foundation. Listen to it.

The foundation. Of God. Standeth sure.

It's immovable. Having this seal. The lord knoweth them.

That are his. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ. Depart from iniquity.

How good to know that. There is a sure. Foundation.

Assemblies gathered. To the name of the lord Jesus. Not only here.

But right across. This world of ours. They're founded.

On a sure foundation. And there is no assembly. Will ever rise.

Any higher. Than its leaders. That's why we need men.

Who know God. And God's ways. And they give themselves.

And we thank God for every brother. That gives himself. For the assembly.

We need men to be raised up. With an exercise. Not only.

In full time. Work in the gospel. But.

To take responsibility. In assembly testimony. You know there's no retirement.

From that position. Just like in the work of the lord. My kids say to me.

Dad when are you going to retire? You're in your 80's. Well you keep going. Until you start speaking funny.

And then they put you in the Marian home. Or somewhere. And say he wasn't such a bad fellow.

But you see in leadership. In the assembly. There is no retirement.

You don't go off to an island. In the Caribbean. And forget all.

About the assembly. As long as possible. As long as you have your.

Faculties dear brother. And God has placed you in leadership. He expects you to function.

In that capacity. Until the lord. Takes you home.

What a wonderful privilege it is. A thankless job. You know Mr. Wark.

That we heard in our earlier days. One of the greatest expositors. Of the word of God.

That I listened to. He used to tell when he was a boy. In Ireland.

And if there was an apple tree. With all kinds of stones and sticks. Underneath it.

You knew the boys had been at the apples. Trying to get them out of the tree. And then he would say.

That's the way it is in leadership. In the assembly. You get the criticism.

You get the stones. You get the sticks. But.

There was a brother who said years ago. You have to have the. Heart of a child.

And the hide of a rhinoceros. You do it for God. And recognize.

The award is coming. The day. Of accounts is ahead.

And so. There's a sure foundation. Then in chapter three.

Paul says. Timothy had an infallible book. You notice what he says.

About this book. Every word of it. Is God breathed.

Peter tells us that. Holy men of God. Speak.

As they were moved by the Holy Ghost. And he says from a child. Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures.

And I understand. That word Scripture. Is the Greek word.

Grammatic. Where we get our word grammar from. Suggesting that Timothy.

Learned the language. From the Scriptures. From his mother.

And his grandmother. Eunice and Lois. They're able he says.

To make thee wise unto salvation. And every word of it. All Scripture is given.

For. Doctrine. That's to.

Tell us what's right. And then for reproof. That's to tell us what's.

Not right. And then for correction. That's to tell us how to get right.

And for instruction. To tell us how. To stay right.

So that's what Timothy had. An infallible book. And you and I have.

A book. That will answer every problem. In your life.

You're looking for direction. Young people. Looking for guidance.

Wondering. Should I go to this university? Should I go into this professional office? What shall I do? Well I want to tell you. God can give you direction.

From a Scripture out of context. Mr. Maxwell. That we labored with in earlier days.

Used to tell. About the occasion. When he was exercised to move to Canada.

To serve the Lord. On the prairies. And he went in for his exam.

And because he only had one kidney. The doctor. Rejected him.

He wasn't given permission. To leave the country. One day's reading.

And he came across this. Verse. I think it's in Daniel.

And he called his wife. He said. Listen to this.

God says. Gather up the stuff. We're going to Canada.

Gather up the stuff. Now that had nothing about. Immigrating to Canada.

But he took that little expression. As God speaking to him. And so if you're looking.

For direction in your life. It comes from this book. Circumstances.

Your own personal exercise. And what does the word of God. Say.

To me. And so this infallible book. It needs your own interpretation.

It's like. Defending a lion. You don't have to try to defend it.

You just let it out of the cage. And it defends itself. The word of God.

Is his own defense. And that's the book. That you and I. Prize today.

I hope you read it. I hope you read it every day. Did you read any this morning? Or you said.

I had to get up early to come to the conference. Well we all did. But you see.

God wants us to get something. Every day. To fortify us.

In this. Godless world. And finally.

In chapter 4. Paul tells. Timothy. In verse 18.

That he has an unfailing. Hope. The Lord will preserve me.

Unto his. Heavenly kingdom. Absolute assurance.

Preserving him. And you and I. Have that hope. That he's coming.

Everything. Points to his. Soon return.

But I want to tell you. He'll go with us. All the way.

Some years ago when. My wife and I were in Australia. You've all heard of London.

That used to carry people across the. Niagara on a. On a rope and wheel men across. On a walk across.

On a rope with men on his back. And in a wheelbarrow. And even had a stove out there.

And cooked a meal on one occasion. Well a brother told me. That when Blondin visited Australia.

His grandfather. Was a little boy. And Blondin.

Put a rope across the Murray River. One of the big rivers in Australia. And he said to the boy.

Do you think I could carry you. Across to the other side. And he got on his shoulders.

And he took him. All the way to the other side. In later years.

That man was saved. And when he was giving his testimony. He would tell that.

Just as Blondin. Carried me. All the way to the other side.

My savior. Will take me safely. To the other side.

Dear brother dear sister. One day very very soon. Our lord will come.

And you and I will be. Safely home. And then the toils of the road.

Will seem nothing. When we get to the end. Of the way.

Thank you for listening. The lord bless you and bless his word.