The Kind of People We Need

2 Timothy 4:9-12

As we go through life, we will have people going in and out of it.  

• Some are coming – Timothy – v. 9
• Some are leaving – Demas has forsaken me – V. 10
• Some are with you – Luke is with me – V. !!
• Some left and are coming back – Get Mark and bring him for he is useful to me for ministry – V. 11

We must know WHO WE NEED and BE WHAT THEY NEED.

Refreshers

Bible word translated refresh – 

REFRESH – anapsycho – to relieve/ to cool off / encouragement after a time of anxiety and trouble

• He refreshed me – Onesiphorus 

2 Timothy 1:16 (NKJV)
¹⁶ The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 

REEFRESH –anapauo – to take ease / to cause to rest

• The church refreshed him – Titus

2 Corinthians 7:13 (NKJV)
¹³ Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 

• He refreshed the church – Philemon

Philemon 1:7 (NKJV)
⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

Refiners

Refine – to take what you have and make it better

Acts 18:24-26 (NKJV)
²⁴ Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
²⁵ This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
²⁶ So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 

THEY MADE HIM BETTER

Acts 18:27–28 (NKJV) 

²⁷ And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; ²⁸ for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. 

Restorers

Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)
¹ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 

1. What is restoration?

Restore – NT:2675 katarti/zw katartizo (kat-ar-tid’-zo); from NT:2596 and a derivative of NT:739; to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust:

The word translated “restore” has a number of meanings, all of which help us understand how to restore someone who has been caught in sin:

• Setting a broken bone. We should be helping to reduce pain and promote healing and rehabilitation.
• Mending a fishnet. We should repair torn relationships in order that they might be returned to useful service.
• Refitting a ship after a difficult voyage. We should fix the damage, restock the supplies, and prepare the vessel for its next voyage.

(The Life Application Commentary Series)

To mend what has been broken; to repair; to fix or adjust; to arrange or put in order; to strengthen, complete, to make one what he ought to be

2.  Who is in need of restoration?

    Overtaken – NT:4301- NT:4301 prolamba/nw prolambano (prol-am-ban’-o); from NT:4253 and NT:2983; to take in advance, i.e. (literally) eat before others have an opportunity; (figuratively) to anticipate, surprise:
   

Fault-NT:3900 – NT:3900 para/ptwma paraptoma (par-ap’-to-mah); from NT:3895; a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression:
KJV – fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass.

3.  Who can minister restoration?

Spiritual – NT:4152 – NT:4152 pneumatiko/$ pneumatikos (pnyoo-mat-ik-os’); from NT:4151; non-carnal,

Who is spiritual?

a.) One who can properly judge/evaluate – 1 Cor. 2:15/Heb. 5:13-14

1 Corinthians 2:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
Hebrews 5:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

b.) One who is not involved in envy (jealousy), strife, or division 1 Cor. 3:3

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NKJV)
¹ And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
² I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
³ for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
⁴ For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? 

c.) One who acknowledges the authority of the written Word – 1 Cor. 14:37

1 Corinthians 14:37 (NKJV)
³⁷ If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

d.) One who is able to restore others – Gal. 6:1

4.  How to restore?

a)  With Gentleness

Finally Paul explained how to restore in one word: gently. He used the same word form in 5:23, translated “gentleness.” Those walking in the Spirit and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit will be gentle. They should apply that quality in dealing with sin in the church. They should be humble and patient, realizing that no one is immune to sin — even the “entrapping” kind. They must speak the truth while being considerate of the other person’s feelings. They must always act in submission to God and his Word. Then leaders can help without resentment or a judgmental spirit (see also 2 Tim 2:24-26; James 2:13).

(The Life Application Commentary Series Copyright)

b)  Considering yourself

5.  Why are we to restore?

1. To fulfill the law of Christ – Gal. 5:14 – Love your neighbor as yourself
2. To avoid the deception of self importance – Gal. 6:3
3. To keep you from avoiding self examination – Gal. 6:4

Conclusion

I need people who are:  Refreshers / Refiners / Restorers

I need to be a:  Refresher / Refiner / Restorer