Faith to serve

Bottom line: God knows those who are His, and He calls them to serve Him faithfully anyway

Verses about God knowing us

2 Timothy 2:19 “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.””

John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,”

Luke 12:7 “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Psalm 139:1–4 “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”

Paul’s mention of Timothy

Philippians 2:19 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.”

Philippians 2:22 “But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”

Acts 16:1–3 “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.”

Acts 19:22 “And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.”

Acts 17:14 “Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.” - Berea had truth seekers

Timothy’s faith and upbringing - Timothy’s experience traveling with Paul - The condition of the church in Ephesus - Timothy’s hardships in leading - Timothy’s keys to leading well

God knows those who are His - God’s call for us - Our responsibility of departing from iniquity

Timothy’s example

Top line: God is faithful, wants to edify people, wants everyone to be saved & He wants to use faithful people

Important: You must continue in the things you have learned, go back to the basics to make sure you don’t forget

You need to focus on you finishing the race, save yourself first, continue in the things you have learned and been assured of, the word you learned is the foundational element to you finishing the race

Issues: We try to compromise on our faith (Comprising your faith;depart from iniquity), we’re unwilling to surrender our ways because God’s way has tribulation (We want to make our own rules;Athlete), people focus on things which don’t bring any benefit (strive about words to no profit)

Continuing toward what He has called you to, even when the assignment becomes difficult