Message Notes

(I) POSSESSING SOUND THEOLOGY

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16

1. Paying careful heed to doctrine is enjoined

2. Diligence is to be maintained

3. The benefits:-

a) To the speaker

b) To the hearers

(II) CAREFUL DISTINCTION MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE FATHER AND SON

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” 2 Corinthians 1:3

1. Jesus

a) He is called “Christ”

i) “Christ” is a title

ii) It signifies His Messiahship

iii) It acknowledges the fact that He is the Anointed One of God

b) He is acknowledged as “Lord

i) Officially

ii) Personally

2. God

a) He is called “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”

b) He is also called “Father of mercies”

c) He is further addressed as “God of all comfort”

(III) SIGNIFICANCE OF HAVING THESE DISTINCTIONS UNDERSTOOD

1. It honours God and the Lord Jesus Christ

“That all should honour the Son just as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent Him” John 5:23

a) In the days of Jesus

The idea of honouring the Son was emphasised

b) In the days of Paul

The idea of honouring the Father was emphasised

2. It helps us to remember that God the Father is actively involved in our life

a) He is Father to us

b) He is most merciful

c) He desires to give us His comfort

“…As God has said:‘I will dwell in them And walk among them.I will be their God, And they shall be My people…I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters,Says the LORD Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:16, 18

3. It challenges us to cultivate a stronger relationship with God the Father

a) We should cry out “Abba, Father”

b) The Spirit of God would move us to do that

c) This would be possible only because of the redemption we have in Christ Jesus