Rules of Engagement

Introduction:

We’ve heard a lot of people talking about revival lately. I’ve even been talking about it a lot. We need to take advantage of the interest.

It’s like the old sailors used to say, you have to take advantage of the wind. When the wind is against you or is not blowing, you just bob there in the water, but when a favorable wind begins to blow, you have to hoist up the sails and take advantage of it right then.

Well, we want to take advantage of the interest people have in revival and encourage people to seek Jesus. To do that, there are some rules of engagement we must follow.

God has chosen to bless certain means in the bringing of revival. Tonight I want to share with you some of these means and ask you to pray for God to use them in your life. I’m asking you to get to work tonight to help bring about revival in your life and in the life of this church.

2 Timothy 2:3–7 ESV

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

1. Share in Suffering for the Sake of the Gospel (v.3)

2 Timothy 2:3 ESV

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

If we seek to please the Lord, it is going to take us to the cross and we are going to crucify ourselves.

It is a painful process to deny ourselves, but we must also realize that we are going to suffer for the sake of the Kingdom.

When you make the decision to follow Christ, it isn’t a neutral decision. You are joining in the war and become a target yourself.

Paul says this as a prisoner waiting to die for the gospel.

2. Keep Focused on the Mission (v.4)

2 Timothy 2:4 ESV

4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

First in order to please God and not those of the world.

Second, don’t get sidetracked by non-important (civilian) pursuits.

3. Compete According to the Rules (v.5)

2 Timothy 2:5 ESV

5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Athletes competed for a wreath (crown) that was placed on the head of the victor. The crown would naturally die and fade away. We compete for a crown that is unfading.

1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

2 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

4. Work Hard for the Lord (v.6-7)

2 Timothy 2:6–7 ESV

6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Farmers do not expect a harvest if they don’t put in the work.

We have to work for the Lord if we are going to expect a harvest.

Questions for Prayer:

Am I willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel? What sacrifices am I willing to make?

Is the aim of my life to please God? Am I staying focused on the mission God has called me to?

Am I doing anything that might lead me to become disqualified in my testimony for Christ?

Am I serving the Lord in the capacity He has called me to? Do I need to find where God is calling me to serve?