TRAINING THE TRAINING THE GENERATIONS TO GENERATIONS TO

COMECOME

Christa McAuliffe was the first teacher in all the world trained to fly and work in a space shuttle. She was the winner of the NASA Teacher In Space project over 11,500 applicants. She was scheduled to teach two lessons from the space shuttle, Challenger. Christa summed up her purpose in life with these words, “I touch the future. I teach.”

Unfortunately, Christa died with the rest of the seven member Challenger crew when it exploded 73 seconds after launch on January 28, 1986. By any standard she continues to “touch the future.”

THE NECESSITY OF TEACHING THE GENERATION TO COME.

The apostle Paul also knew how essential it is for each mature generation of Christians to pass on to the following generation the great truths of the Christian faith. He wrote his protégé Timothy. . .

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach other also.” 2nd Timothy 2:1,2.

The earthly ministry of the apostle Paul is drawing near to its end. More than any other apostle he has evangelized Asia, Macedonia, and Europe. A myriad of churches has been established. Faithful men have been taught and trained to properly teach and train others in every one of these churches

These churches started out as small groups of believers meeting in private homes but many had grown to be large congregations. They would impact the Roman Empire and from them would go forth missionaries to spread the gospel to other nations. Paul would shortly be executed by the guillotine. This was a settled decision. The only thing unknown was the time. In chapter four, verse 6 he writes,

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

Of all the preachers Paul had mentored, Timothy was the one in whom he had the greatest desire to reproduce himself. Paul revealed to Timothy God’s plan to train leadership for all generations that follow:

“The things you have heard from me. . .”Timothy heard the gospel from Paul on Paul’s first

missionary journey and joined Paul’s mission team on his 2nd mission journey. He rose to become a representative of Paul to churches and Paul’s “Fellow-worker’. (Romans 16:21). During this time Timothy heard the teachings of Paul many times over.

At the time of this writing Timothy was pastor of the church at Ephesus. He was looked upon as the most respected leader of the churches in Asia Minor. Paul encourages Timothy to pass on everything he has learned to “Faithful men.”

“Commit these to faithful men”. As Timothy taught God’s truth and how it was to be applied he would see what Paul had seen in him. From each congregation there would rise

certain ones who were committed as servants of Jesus Christ to learn, to live pleasing to God and

minister to the spiritual growth of their fellow believers. Paul exhorted Timothy to entrust all

he had learned to them.

“Who will be able to teach others also”. I have asked missionaries who have been

unusually successful on the mission field how they did it. Most often they would give an answer to this effect. . .”My main objective on the mission field is to work myself out of a job.” By this they meant they would win people to Christ, teach them God’s truth and how to be a godly Christian. They would then teach them how to teach and train others. When certain ones grew in spiritual maturity enough to lead, teach and train others, the missionary would move to another area and do the same thing again.

The Process The Teacher In Decline Who Has Taught The Teachers In Their Prime Who Teach The Faithful of The Time Who Will Teach The Generation Now In Line. . .

Repeated over and over.

THE TRUTH TIMOTHY WAS TO TEACH

By his life he was to provide the example of a servant of God cleansed from sin.

“Therefore if anyone cleanses himself. ..he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2nd Timothy 2:20-22.

Regarding Instruction, Paul directed Timothy,“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a

worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2nd Timothy 2:15.

Every Faithful Man should possess a clear knowledge of the five major themes in both the Old and the New Testament. They are as follows:

I. THE CHARACTER AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

God is the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe which He created.

God is Spirit: A non-material personal being Who is self-conscious and self-determining.

God is Infinite. (There are no limits to God.) Infinite in His being: He is everywhere. (Psalm 134:7-12. Infinite in His wisdom: God knows everything. Infinite in His power: With God nothing is impossible. Infinite in His holiness: Separate from all that is not

good and righteous. “…Be holy; for I am holy” Leviticus 11:44

Infinite in justice: “Righteousness and justice are the foundations of Your throne…” Psalm 89:14. Infinite in His goodness: His goodness is seen in His

love, compassion, kindness, grace, and mercy. “God is love.” 1st John 4:8.

Infinite in His truth: “…It is impossible for God to lie…” Hebrews 6:18.

In addition. . .God is eternal:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the LORD, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8.

God is unchangeable: “For I, the LORD, do not change. . .” Malachi 3:6. “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

II. THE DIVINE JUDGMENT FOR SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE.

Of the 1189 chapters in the Bible only four do not refer to the fallen, sinful ways of mankind. The first two chapters of Genesis, speaks of mankind before sin was committed. The last two chapters of Revelation speak of mankind in the new creation of heaven and earth. Every chapter in-between makes reference to man’s disobedience to God.

The second coming of Jesus Christ will be a time of judgment for all who do not repent of their sin and experience redemption by receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior.

III. THE DIVINE PROVISION OF A SINLESS SAVIOR TO BE THE SACRIFICE FOR MANKIND’S SIN

God is holy, righteous, and just. The Old and New Testaments declare that man is sinful:

“God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is non who does good, No, not one.”

Psalm 53:2,3.

Romans 3 quotes the above verses plus several others and concludes, “Therefore by the deeds of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Romans 3:10-20.By Scriptural statements and types God revealed

that the coming Messiah would become a sinless sacrifice to receive the just punishment for mankind’s sins.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

The risen Christ affirmed the above truth to His disciples in the upper room:

“Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.” Luke 24:46.

IV. THE DIVINE FORGIVENESS OF MAN’S SIN THROUGH REPENTANCE AND FAITH

The apostle Peter wrote the Jewish pilgrims in dispersion. . .

“. . .Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

2nd Peter 1:18-21.

Because God accounted the sacrifice of Jesus for sin before the foundation of the world He could exercise grace, mercy, and forgiveness in all ages to those who repudiated their sin and asked God in sincere faith to forgive them of their sins.

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same LORD over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:12, 13.

V. THE DIVINE PROMISE OF THE GLORIOUS

KING AND KINGDOMThe Old Testament promises an earthly kingdom

ruled by God’s Messiah. Included in that promise, is the salvation of believing Jews and Gentiles by way of resurrection or translation. King Jesus will return in power and glory and reign for a thousand years. The effects of the curse on the earth will be removed.

The present heaven and earth will pass away and be replaced by God’s creation of the new heaven and earth which will be the eternal home of God’s children.

These are the major themes that God’s “Faithful Men” must learn well and pass on

to each generation that follows.