"Don't Quit"
Resilient - Week 2
Gary Moritz
Part of Resilient—Seven Traits for Longevity
February 25, 2022

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Introduction:

Christians should be resilient. Resilient Christians understand their identity in Christ. By being aware of who they are in Christ, they can persevere through difficult situations and adapt to tackle problems and pushback. Often resilient followers of Christ emerge from tough times and opposition stronger and better able to handle even more difficult situations.


Timothy was pastoring in a fast-pace, emerging trade city called Ephesus. He was a young pastor, leading in the first church as a minority within a majority voice of oppression and opposition. Paul encourages Timothy to be resilient through every situation so that He can stand for Christ within the culture. Paul also reminds Timothy to maintain faith and hope in Jesus’ resurrection and to raise up faithful leaders who will teach and share the good news of salvation through Jesus.


“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.” —2 Timothy 4:2

This collection of talks will help ground you in your faith and give you a foundation as you stand for Jesus Christ. This collection will include:


February 20 Remember Who You Are (2 Timothy 1:1-18)
February 27 Don’t Quit (2 Timothy 2:1-7)
March 6 Pursue Christ (2 Timothy 2:8-13)
March 13 Keep a Kingdom Perspective (2 Timothy 2:14-26)
March 20 Don’t Be Shocked (2 Timothy 3:1-9)
March 27 Stay Anchored (2 Timothy 3:10-17)
April 3 Finish Well (2 Timothy 4:1-8)


Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-7 (CSB, New Testament)

Today’s Takeaway: If you quit, you won’t have any stories to tell.

I. YOU MUST FIND THE TO FOCUS (2:1-2)

A. The

of strength (2:1–2a)

  1. God’s is your source of strength.
  2. God’s grace is found in .

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” —John 1:14

B. The

of strength (2:2b)

  1. Give your to faithful men and women.
  2. Give your to multiplication and the next generation of believers.

“Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.” —Ezra 7:10

II. YOU MUST FULFILL YOUR TO THE FINISH (2:3-7)

Paul shares three illustrations around the theme of endurance and perseverance.

A. The example of a

(2:3–4)

  1. Give all your energies to the warfare. (2:3)
    a. The

    is primary.
    b. The must be followed.
    c. There’s a to following Jesus.

  2. Give none of your energies to worldly affairs. (2:4)
    a. You can’t

    people.
    b. will come and go.
    c. Live for an audience of .

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul? 13Keep the Lord’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.” —Deuteronomy 10:12-13

B. The example of an

(2:5)

  1. An athlete has rules to .
  2. An athlete competes lawfully.
  3. An athlete hard.
  4. An athlete is accountable to the .

“Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” —1 Corinthians 9:27

C. The example of a

(2:6–7)

  1. A farmer works .
  2. A farmer works for the of many.
  3. A farmer depends on God to the harvest.
  4. A farmer waits for his .

Paul tells Timothy to

about his call and encourages him to not quit. (2:7)

“He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity 8so that he may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of his faithful followers. 9Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and integrity ​— ​every good path.” —Proverbs 2:7-9

CONCLUSION: What steps do you need to take today to focus on and fulfill your call?


DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:

1. What saps your strength to focus?

2. Which of Paul’s examples (soldier, athlete, farmer) do you need to copy right now to keep going?

3. Discuss some things that following Jesus has cost you.

4. What do you think Paul meant in verse 7 when he told Timothy God would give him understanding?


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