The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy from a Roman prison and encourages him to;
1) Hold on to sound teaching.
2) Guard the good deposit that is in us.
The Roman Empire was changing rapidly and Nero, was the presiding Emperor. After the death of his uncle Claudius in 54 A.D. Nero was nominated, helped by his mother Agrippina the Younger. Historic authors write about Nero’s mother, Agrippina the Younger, and how it was likely she was implicated in Claudius’ death and Nero’s nomination as emperor. She dominated Nero’s early life and decisions until he cast her off. Five years into his reign, he had her murdered.
Paul could understand how easy it would be to succomb to the Roman rule and the threats against the Christian believers. We subtly face many of the same threats today. It can be very easy to drift away from God’s Mission.
Mission drift occurs when an organization passively changes course. It not only happens to businesses, it can also happen to people. This sermon explains how we can fulfill God’s mission for our lives and keep from drifting off course. I recently heard a message about the importance of staying on our mission.
This message was given on July 15, 2018, by Pastor Andrew Wild. (Click here to listen.) Andrew is a pastor at Riveroaks Community Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Pastor Andrew began his sermon by citing that the Emperor Nero, had his own mother murdered. Nero’s mission was to be in complete control of the Roman Empire.
More about Emperor Nero
Nero was intentional, bold and unashamed of his determination to satisfy his own mission. Although his reign was short (13 years), he terrorized Christians, blamed them for setting fire to Rome, had his mother and wife killed. Finally when the fear of being overtaken by other rulers he took took his own life. He is quoted as saying, “What an artist dies in me!.”
During his reign he was instrumental in killing Christians for sport and thus Paul’s advice to Timothy was to stick to sound doctrine, guarding our hearts because of the truth that Christ lives in us. In spite of the difficulties and persecution, Timothy was able to teach and preach this message to others. I think this is good advice for all believers in the day and age we are living.
Keys to avoiding Mission Drift ~ Andrew Wild
- Be Intentional – You have been entrusted with a message of “the good news of salvation.”
- Be Bold – Don’t be ashamed to share the gospel.
- Be Willing To Suffer – Count the costs of being a disciple knowing the truth will always set you free but sometimes will cause you hardships.
- Be Faithful – There is an eternal reward of hearing, “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.”
If you want to avoid Mission Drift, hold on to the truths revealed in God’s Word. ~Andrew Wild
What a great challenge and word! We need to stay steady on the course with God as our Captain!
A really awesome book to read is Mission Drift.
Staying on course isn’t easy and it will cost you something. If it doesn’t then I would wonder if I was already adrift. I know the Lord’s prayer for each one of us is for us to finish our course well. Another word from Paul,
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
Luke 14: 28 -30 NIV
Even though the enemy and our own flesh is constantly trying to steer us off the course, we can rest assured, God will help keep us righted if we are willing to take a lesson from His word to;
- Hold on to sound doctrine.
- Guard the Good Deposit that is within us!
- Remember – YOU ARE ONE OF GOD’s TREASURES!
Searching for God’s Treasures,
Marlene
Marlene has been called to go and serve others
wherever God calls her.
She combines teaching, prayer, worship with the prophetic, words of knowledge and wisdom to bring salvation, deliverance & healing to those who are lost, hurting helping each other prepare for ruling and reigning with the MOST HIGH GOD!
from ashes to beauty…
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