No Matter What
July 6, 2024

Do Your Best

Main Point: The gospel is worth us giving our best


You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. —2 Timothy 2:1-15

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. —2 Timothy 2:1-15 (cont.)

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.—2 Timothy 2:1-15 (cont.)


  • All I can give God is my best, with His help. But all God wants is my best.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might —Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. —Colossians 3:23

  • To give God our best we need to have the focus of a dedicated soldier

    Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. —2 Timothy 2:3-4

  • To give God our best we need to have the integrity of an honest athlete

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. —2 Timothy 2:5

  • To give God our best we need to have the diligence of a hardworking farmer

    The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. —2 Timothy 2:6

  • No matter how much we give for the gospel of Jesus Christ, Jesus promises we will receive much more in return.

    “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. —Mark 10:29-30


Takeaway: “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” —2 Timothy 2:1


Discussion Questions:
1. Have you had the blessing of having someone in your life that pushed you to be your best, when you otherwise might have slacked off?
2. What are some characteristics of dedicated soldiers that you would say also apply to
followers of Jesus?
3. What are some characteristics of professional athletes that you would say also apply to followers of Jesus?
4. What are some characteristics of hardworking farmers that you would say also apply to followers of Jesus?

Table Discussion Question: What one change could you make in your life that would help you bemore focused or diligent in your walk with Jesus?