GCC Session 2: Piper opening 2 Timothy
Here's my notes from the talk by John Piper. This was yesterday now, but I did not manage to get an internet connection yesterday. These are just the notes as I took them, obviously, so may be inaccurate in places!

John Piper is now being introduced by Don Carson. Observing the contrast between them as one who started as a pastor who ended up teaching in Seminary (Don) and another who went from Seminary teaching to pastors (John).

I am on a limited battery life, because I have 31 mins left, and I bet Pipes won't be 30 mins. So this will be briefer!

Interesting observations from the Donster on different ways of preaching. Tim K gets the main idea of the text right, and then applies. On the other hand, John P is like a dog, who takes a text and worries it like a bone. Gets things out Carson has never seen in 40 years. Each preacher has his own style - the diversity of gifts.

John Piper:

Reading 2 Timothy 1:1-12

Main point of paragraph - ‘Timothy, keep feeding the white hot flame of God's gift in you, namely: unashamed courage to speak openly Christ and suffering for the gospel.'

4 aspects of this passage:

1. Where does that point come from?

2. Is it the point of just this paragraph or the whole book

3. How do we feed the white hot flame in us?

4. Lets take how he did it and do it.

1. Where does this point come from?

Preach so people can see it. Don't generalise. Show the text.

Verse 6. Fan the flame. Make it hot hot hot... white hot. Not hot but HOT!

So keep on feeding it. Fan it. Blow oxygen on it. Keep on.

Fanning what? The gift in you. The ongoing presence of that fire, depends on Tim's obedience to verse 6. Verse 7,8 - courage to speak openly. When all your feeding is done and your flame burns brightly, and you are suffering well - you will know where it came from - God! God did this in you. ‘...by the power of God' That suffering sustaining flame is God's work. It is coming from outside you.

How does Timothy get the gift of this power? Through the laying on of my hands... Imagining... maybe Timothy's kneeling. They are gathered round him and praying that God would come. "Lord gift this man beyond anything he has known in his life so far - we know his weaknesses..." And then God speaks to Paul. And Paul then says something like "In answer to our prayers, God is going to give you a flaming hot courage for Christ beyond anything you have ever known" and I think at that point Timothy weeps. Reason: v4 ‘as I remember your tears'. Surely more likely than just something about them saying goodbye one time, re the commentaries!

I want this to happen for you... Piper says I am old enough to be your father, and want this for you real bad...

2. Is it the point of the whole paragraph or the whole book?

14 re-statements of this point through the book. It is the point of the whole book!

3. How do we feed the white hot flame?

How do you get the power? Answer, linking 1:2 and 2:1.

2:1... By the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

1:2 - Grace mercy and peace from God the Father. So easy to breeze over these. Every epistle of Paul begins with some form of grace TO you. All 13 end with some form of grace be WITH you. Why?

As they read his apostolic word, grace is coming to them. And when they get to the end, the church is ready to dismiss, discuss etc... Paul saying "as you finish reading this, the grace that has been coming through, will go with you... hold to it by faith"

So the Word mediates grace. As people hear the word they are receiving grace.

Ref Acts 20 farewell - the word of his grace!

Pastors this is what your people need.

4. Do it

What did Paul say in addition to make it happen?

3 things.

A. He said that Timothy's faith as authentic and he's speaking as a father loving his son.

V3-5. Paraphrase: Timothy I believe with all my heart that your faith is real eveen though it came from your gran and mom and not your ad. I know your dad was not there for you in these matters.

It's from your mom, yes but your faith is still authentic. You're a moma's boy - my - beloved - son. You didn't have a dad there. I am him.

B. (...battery died... so missed a bit here...)

...Timothy, when you speak as a preacher or teacher, you are going to suffer. Look at me, my life has not been easy, but I AM NOT ASHAMED. Even in prison.

Reason we don't need to be ashamed? He is able - powerful - to guard what has been deposited. So if fire is needed, he'll give it.

Look at me, your dad, sitting in jail. Unashamed. Learn from me.

C. ...and this is the most important point, though not the main point...

...He will put a support under your courage.

V9,10

This grace you need, was not given you when you converted, but before the world began.

God set his face to strengthen you and make you courageous before time... before anything else was.

This is the sort of thing weak people need. Why?

I want you to know that your calling is not based on anything you do, feel, think, act.

The contrast here is not between works and faith.

It is between works and God's purpose and grace.

Timothy, I want to strip you of every possible reliance for salvation, calling, boldness, speaking - that those things are dependent on you in any sense at all.

Good place to stand as a mama's boy.

From eternity, God planned to do you good forever.

Keep feeding the white hot flame of God's gift in you, namely: unashamed courage to speak openly Christ and suffering for the gospel.'