January 19, 2017
Paul is writing to his disciple, Timothy, and he says these poignant words. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:12-15 (NIV)
There is so much here to unpack in my 450 word blog.
Let see if I can break it down for us.
1. If we are going to live “Godly” lives then we can also expect persecution. This is interesting. Have you experienced any harassment lately? I don’t mean the kind due to your own negligence or bigotry, but due to your faith in Christ and the love for humanity. If not, maybe we are not all that Godly. Ouch! Jesus did say that we ought to beware when all men speak well of us.
2. There are going to be evil people around us who are deceived and their intent is to deceive. To live true and straight with evil people around there is the probability of persecution. Or there may be the temptation to deception in order to avoid persecution.
3. Listen to what Paul says to Timothy in verse 14. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,”
These are relevant words for us today. We can listen to the best preachers in the world by a click of the button. Paul is encouraging Timothy to continue in the teaching he learned from people who knew him and who he knew intimately. Jesus knew his disciples and the disciples knew him. Paul said there are 10,000 teachers, but not many fathers. Teaching that impacts our lives the most is from those that we know and from those that know us. The reason this is important is because we can see their fruit or the outcome of their lives and they can see what is developing in us.
4. The last point here is this. Paul says continue in it. When we are young in the faith we are eager to learn. What can happen is as we get older we may veer off into uncharted territory by teaching that is not tested. I believe this is why he inserts the piece about “evil men who are deceived and being deceived.” What protects us from going sideways is sticking to the foundational truths that we learned from those that knew us.
The modern word for this would be having a mentor in your life. I have made it my point to have people in my life that really care about me, that have gone further than me, and who have the kinds of outcomes in their lives that I want to emulate. If you want to be wise as verse 15 above declares, then continue in what you have learned and become convinced of.
Growth Groups
Growth Groups will be starting at KCF March 2nd!
Interested in knowing more or signing up? Contact the KCF Office 250.352.1722 or office@kcfoffice.com or sign up on Sunday at the Guest Table.
Support for Haiti Mission Team
A Team is going to Haiti January 28th to February 10th. We can participate as a church family with our prayers, support, finances etc. You can donate by Interac (debit or credit), cheque payable to KCF (notation for Haiti Trip), Paypal at www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com to KCF General (Notation for Haiti Trip) or cash.
International Tasting Faire
We are partnering with Rotary to host the International Tasting Faire. Tickets are available at KCF at $50/person (you will receive a $20 tax receipt). The money raised for this event will go towards our teacher in Haiti and towards food security, namely Our Daily Bread. What we need are auction items for the silent or toonie auction. Do you have a service you could provide, or have a friend or favorite business you could ask to provide a gift certificate? Please reply to this email if you have something you would like to donate or to volunteer your time.
Healing Rooms
The Healing Rooms is offering a training day this coming Saturday, January 21st , 9am to 5pm at Bigby Place, 509 Front Street, Nelson for anyone who might want to come and check out what it is and if they might want to become a part of it. There is no obligation to join if you want to come to the training. For more information contact Patricia at 250.352.5130 or nelsonhealingrooms@gmail.com.
Calendar of Events
Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.
Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Pastor Jim
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5