BLOG #10: PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE

BLOG #10

PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES

Step 3:  PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE (concluded)

We have one more item under Step 3 that we need to discuss.  Then we shall proceed to Step 4.

LAYER 3: REPROOF, CORRECTION, TRAINING, EQUIPPING (cont’d)

(4)  Please look over our diagram again (below).  We have been dealing with Layer 3, and we have discussed REPROOF, CORRECTION, and TRAINING.  Now we will focus our attention on EQUIPPING.  Let’s review our key scripture in 2 Timothy 3:15-17:

15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(a)  What then is the end product of preaching/teaching when we have faithfully done all the aspects of the ministry the Word as indicated in Levels 1, 2 & 3 (please see diagram)? Let’s review our key scripture in 2 Timothy 3:15-17:

15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(b)  The end product is the man (and woman) of God (who are) complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.    Let’s note the words: complete, thoroughly equipped.   “artios  fit, complete, capable, sufficient; i.e., able to meet all demands (BAG)….  Exartizo completely outfitted, fully furnished, fully equipped, fully supplied.  The word was used of documents which were completely outfitted or of a wagon which was completely outfitted or of a completely outfitted rescue boat.” (Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament)

(c)  In our diagram we are putting EQUIPPING as an aspect or activity separate from teaching, reproof, correction and training.  Our key scripture, however, seems to indicate that the state of being complete and equipped is the end result of doing the ministry of Word in its aspects of GOSPEL (SALVATION), DOCTRINE (TEACHING), REPROOF, CORRECTION, and TRAINING.  But we are using the word EQUIPPING to describe “the finishing touches” (if you will) in the preparation of the servant of God who has to fulfill a four-fold role, according to 2 Timothy 2:3-7, 15 (please note the words in bold letters):

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops… 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

·      SOLDIER.  What knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character qualities should be possessed by a complete, capable, sufficient, fully equipped soldier disciple?  Ephesians 6:10-18 suggests the answer.

·      ATHLETE. What knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character qualities should be possessed by a complete, capable, sufficient, fully equipped athlete disciple? The answer must be based on truths found in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

·      FARMER. What knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character  qualities should be possessed by a complete, capable, sufficient, fully equipped farmer disciples?  The principles highlighted by the agricultural parables used by Jesus should guide us in formulating an answer (Mark 4).

·      SERVANT OF THE WORD.  What knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character qualities should be possessed by a complete, capable, sufficient, fully equipped servant of the Word?  The answer should include solid grounding in the principles, methods and practice of our diagram PREACH & TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES: A FRAMEWORK (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

(d)  Please note:  The complete, fully equipped man and woman of God pictured in 2 Timothy 3:17 is the end product of faithful preaching/teaching of God’s Word in the bottom  half of our diagram; the same person is also the end product in view of the completed growth process in the top half of our diagram.  To that top half we shall now turn our attention.

NOTE:  In our next blog posting we shall proceed to Step 4.