You are Approved by God
2 Timothy 2:1-7, 11-13, 19 (NLT)
Debbye Turner Bell | Leadership and Discipleship Pastor | first aired on 08.14.2022
Introduction
Read Scripture
“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things……11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. 12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. 13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…….19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” —2 Timothy 2:1-7, 11-13, 19 (NLT)
I. History and background
A. This is Paul’s final letter before being tried and executed in Rome. Paul is asking Timothy to come be with him in prison in Rome.
B. Some have left the faith with errant teaching that encouraged arguments and debate. This letter is to encourage Timothy to stand firm in his faith and his calling. Paul warns Timothy to avoid vain arguments, false teachers and their false teachings.
II. The only real Gospel is Jesus Christ, the King descended from the seed of David, is resurrected.
A. We must remember our true
and our true mission.
III. Paul represented seven pictures of the Christian minister: 1) steward 2) soldier 3) athlete 4) farmer 5) workman 6) vessel 7) servant
IV. Following Christ is like being a
A. The motivating force of a soldier is to carry out orders.
V. Following Christ is like being an
A. We cannot live in disobedience to God’s commands and expect to have victory in our lives.
VI. Following Christ is like being a
A. The farmer gets to enjoy the fruit of his/her labor but we often focus on the fruit and forget about the labor.
VII. Coexisting truths of following Christ
A. If we die with Him, we will also live with Him.
B. If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him.
C. If we deny Him, He will deny us.
D. If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.
- He is true to us because He is true to himself.
VIII. Our
A. God’s grace is a source of power:
Ephesians 2:8-9
2 Corinthians 9:8
Romans 5:8
Titus 2:11
2 Corinthians 12:9
Romans 3:24
Acts 6:8
IX. Because of God’s grace given through Christ Jesus, we can stay the course. We can
A. John 16:33
B. Paul was literally willing to die for the sake of the gospel. We, too, must be willing to die, figuratively and even literally.
X. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 14, 16-18
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. … 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. ….. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” —2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 14, 16-18 (NKJV)
Call to Action:
1. Make an intentional effort to adjust your priorities to line up with what is important to God.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay focused on God’s mission, live according to God’s commands, and work diligently in God’s call on your life.
3. Turn away from those things that take your focus off of God.
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