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encouragement and exhortation.
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Friday, August
9, 2019
Strasburg
Pike pond, Lancaster County, PA
Click
to enlarge
"What You Have Become Convinced
Of"
Message
summary: Today's
church needs men
and women and
young people like
Timothy, who will
continue in what
they have learned
and have become
convinced of.
Listen to our
message on your
audio player.
"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 3:14,15).
Today we complete our short series from 2 Timothy 3:14,15. Wednesday we considered the importance of "continue" and in Thursday's message we studied the portion that states, "what you have learned" and "because you know those from whom you learned it".
Today let us consider the phrase "have become convinced of" which is an expression of our personal convictions. We hear the word "conviction" a lot these days. It's a talking point in both secular and religious circles. Opposing parties may have strong convictions though their views may stand in stark contrast.
Paul emphatically called Timothy to continue in what he had learned and had become convinced of.
Paul was confident that Timothy not only learned the great truths of the faith, but he had become personally convinced of them as well. He had an inner conviction concerning the truth and reliability of these things. Such confidence produces personal stability. Without this conviction of heart, it would have been difficult for Timothy to hold fast in the things he had learned amid so many persecutions and deceptions.
Conviction is defined as "the state of being convinced; of having a fixed or firm belief". This word has certainly trickled down from its original meaning, most especially in the political world. These days when many speak of their convictions they merely mean their present opinion which may very well change at any time with the current political and cultural winds. It's not hard to find prominent politicians only ten or fifteen years ago expressing what they called a deep conviction that marriage is between a man and woman only to flip flop when their position came at a cost. They are among the many who, as the Apostle Paul described, are "tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:14).
About 35 years ago a well-known politician expressed this view in writing to a constituent when he was in the House of Representatives, "It is my deep personal conviction that abortion is wrong." This same politician has now completely changed his view on this "conviction" (and many more I might add). You may think of similar examples, among politicians, theologians and even in your own life, which I hope will lead to you being "convicted" by the Holy Spirit in a theological sense about those subject matters in the Bible that "change not"!
What do you stand for today? What is it which you are convinced of and have a fixed and firm set of beliefs regarding? I believe this is one of the most important questions of life. Today, although the expression "having convictions" is bantered about and sounds good, many, including those who claim to be Christians, have convictions that vacillate with the wind. Their views are more established by current notions than a Biblical foundation.
Let us consider Paul's statement to Timothy in today's text. I want to receive it myself and urge you to do the same. "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of". This is in a section designated with the heading "Paul's Final Charge To Timothy".
Paul established two foundations for these convictions:
1) The Source of our convictions: "Our Godly Heritage" For Timothy “the source” of his biblical faith was from his grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice, who passed it down to him from childhood on (2 Timothy 1:5, and 2 Timothy 3:15). Paul discipled Timothy as a son in the faith along with other godly people of his time period.
2) The Basis of our convictions: "The Holy Scriptures" From his infancy Timothy was introduced to "the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
The faith message and lifestyle was passed down generationally to Timothy. This led to his own faith experience based on deep convictions about eternal matters. Today's church needs men and women and young people like Timothy, who will continue in what they have learned and have become convinced of. The church needs mature people who continue to proclaim truth regardless of how contrary it may be to the world's vacillating standards. What a sad spectacle to see an older person abandon previous convictions they held to be popular with culture. When barraged with attacks on these foundational convictions we should not weaken but uphold our resolve to remain firm. Will you join us in being a people of deep Biblical convictions?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
Prayer: Father,
there are so many
gray areas in life
where we may
differ with our own
family or even the
best of friends. We
may vary in our
preferences of
personality styles,
giftings, and
tastes. But when it
comes to the eternal
truths, unchanging
principles and
commands of
Scripture it is not
for us to pick and
choose. We must give
full attention to
the words of
Scripture and build
a godly heritage
that we can pass on
to our children and
our children's
children. We must
uphold and teach the
Scriptures that are
able to make us wise
for salvation
through faith in
Christ Jesus. We
want to remain
steadfast and faint
not as we seek to be
people of deep
conviction with
growing faith and
sterling character,
making a positive
difference in our
sphere of influence.
Help us, in the name
of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
* Study note: "have become convinced of." This phrase is translated a bit differently in various versions each adding value to the rich sense of the Greek word it translates. "and hast been assured of" (KJV), "and are confident about" (NET), "and which you know are true" (Phillips), "and have been assured of" (Wuest), "things of which you are certain" (BBE), "and have become convinced of" (NASB, NIV), "of which thou hast been fully persuaded" (Darby), "and your belief that has been confirmed" (Barclay), "firmly believed" (ESV), This word (epistothes) is used several other times in the New Testament such as "in full assurance" (Hebrews 6:11, 10:22).
"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 3:14,15).
Today we complete our short series from 2 Timothy 3:14,15. Wednesday we considered the importance of "continue" and in Thursday's message we studied the portion that states, "what you have learned" and "because you know those from whom you learned it".
Today let us consider the phrase "have become convinced of" which is an expression of our personal convictions. We hear the word "conviction" a lot these days. It's a talking point in both secular and religious circles. Opposing parties may have strong convictions though their views may stand in stark contrast.
Paul emphatically called Timothy to continue in what he had learned and had become convinced of.
Paul was confident that Timothy not only learned the great truths of the faith, but he had become personally convinced of them as well. He had an inner conviction concerning the truth and reliability of these things. Such confidence produces personal stability. Without this conviction of heart, it would have been difficult for Timothy to hold fast in the things he had learned amid so many persecutions and deceptions.
Conviction is defined as "the state of being convinced; of having a fixed or firm belief". This word has certainly trickled down from its original meaning, most especially in the political world. These days when many speak of their convictions they merely mean their present opinion which may very well change at any time with the current political and cultural winds. It's not hard to find prominent politicians only ten or fifteen years ago expressing what they called a deep conviction that marriage is between a man and woman only to flip flop when their position came at a cost. They are among the many who, as the Apostle Paul described, are "tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:14).
About 35 years ago a well-known politician expressed this view in writing to a constituent when he was in the House of Representatives, "It is my deep personal conviction that abortion is wrong." This same politician has now completely changed his view on this "conviction" (and many more I might add). You may think of similar examples, among politicians, theologians and even in your own life, which I hope will lead to you being "convicted" by the Holy Spirit in a theological sense about those subject matters in the Bible that "change not"!
What do you stand for today? What is it which you are convinced of and have a fixed and firm set of beliefs regarding? I believe this is one of the most important questions of life. Today, although the expression "having convictions" is bantered about and sounds good, many, including those who claim to be Christians, have convictions that vacillate with the wind. Their views are more established by current notions than a Biblical foundation.
Let us consider Paul's statement to Timothy in today's text. I want to receive it myself and urge you to do the same. "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of". This is in a section designated with the heading "Paul's Final Charge To Timothy".
Paul established two foundations for these convictions:
1) The Source of our convictions: "Our Godly Heritage" For Timothy “the source” of his biblical faith was from his grandmother, Lois, and mother, Eunice, who passed it down to him from childhood on (2 Timothy 1:5, and 2 Timothy 3:15). Paul discipled Timothy as a son in the faith along with other godly people of his time period.
2) The Basis of our convictions: "The Holy Scriptures" From his infancy Timothy was introduced to "the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
The faith message and lifestyle was passed down generationally to Timothy. This led to his own faith experience based on deep convictions about eternal matters. Today's church needs men and women and young people like Timothy, who will continue in what they have learned and have become convinced of. The church needs mature people who continue to proclaim truth regardless of how contrary it may be to the world's vacillating standards. What a sad spectacle to see an older person abandon previous convictions they held to be popular with culture. When barraged with attacks on these foundational convictions we should not weaken but uphold our resolve to remain firm. Will you join us in being a people of deep Biblical convictions?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
Prayer: Father,
there are so many
gray areas in life
where we may
differ with our own
family or even the
best of friends. We
may vary in our
preferences of
personality styles,
giftings, and
tastes. But when it
comes to the eternal
truths, unchanging
principles and
commands of
Scripture it is not
for us to pick and
choose. We must give
full attention to
the words of
Scripture and build
a godly heritage
that we can pass on
to our children and
our children's
children. We must
uphold and teach the
Scriptures that are
able to make us wise
for salvation
through faith in
Christ Jesus. We
want to remain
steadfast and faint
not as we seek to be
people of deep
conviction with
growing faith and
sterling character,
making a positive
difference in our
sphere of influence.
Help us, in the name
of Jesus we pray.
Amen.* Study note: "have become convinced of." This phrase is translated a bit differently in various versions each adding value to the rich sense of the Greek word it translates. "and hast been assured of" (KJV), "and are confident about" (NET), "and which you know are true" (Phillips), "and have been assured of" (Wuest), "things of which you are certain" (BBE), "and have become convinced of" (NASB, NIV), "of which thou hast been fully persuaded" (Darby), "and your belief that has been confirmed" (Barclay), "firmly believed" (ESV), This word (epistothes) is used several other times in the New Testament such as "in full assurance" (Hebrews 6:11, 10:22).
Yesterday
we made six
company visits and
want to share
some photos taken
in Lancaster
County as we
traveled from
location to
location.
We came up
behind this Amish
horse-drawn wagon
with a father and
daughter early
yesterday morning as
we crossed the
Conestoga River on
Route 322 east of
Ephrata. There was a
convoy of similar
wagons probably
headed to a harvest.
As we
passed we saw their
non-padded makeshift
seats.
These
Mennonite children
are riding along
with dad for a wagon
ride north of New
Holland, PA.
Also north
of New Holland this
Amish mother had
apparently been
shopping and was
returning home on
her scooter. You
can't see them but
she had a little boy
and girl standing on
the scooter in front
of her!
This
family was out
enjoying a pleasant
summer day on a
spring wagon near
Bird In Hand. As you
can see this is a
real wagon, not the
commercialized
"buggy rides"
advertised in the
sign on their right.
We wonder if the
little girl is
pointing to the sign
and saying, "We are
on a real Amish
Country buggy ride".
We picked
some items up at
Costco for the Lapp
family on the Old
Windmill Farm.
One of the family
goats just had to
get in our van to
see if there was
anything for him.
Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
"I
Know Whom I Have Believed"
Video
Antrim Mennonite Choir
You won't find this old hymn in most modern hymnals. Consider its words today.
You won't find this old hymn in most modern hymnals. Consider its words today.
We need more men
like Daniel to stand for
God and right;
Men clean and strong, who hate the wrong,
And for the truth will fight.
When those controlled by evil their base designs pursue,
We need more men like Daniel who never prove untrue.
We need more men like Daniel their virtue here to show;
Men bold, sincere, who know no fear when called to face the foe.
Though dangers dark may threaten, they crave not ease or rest.
We need more men like Daniel who boldly stand the test.
We need more men like Daniel whose faith defied the king;
Who knelt and prayed when plans were laid
his shameful death to bring.
But God sent down His angel His all to guard and shield;
We need more men like Daniel whose hearts will never yield.
Men clean and strong, who hate the wrong,
And for the truth will fight.
When those controlled by evil their base designs pursue,
We need more men like Daniel who never prove untrue.
We need more men like Daniel their virtue here to show;
Men bold, sincere, who know no fear when called to face the foe.
Though dangers dark may threaten, they crave not ease or rest.
We need more men like Daniel who boldly stand the test.
We need more men like Daniel whose faith defied the king;
Who knelt and prayed when plans were laid
his shameful death to bring.
But God sent down His angel His all to guard and shield;
We need more men like Daniel whose hearts will never yield.
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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