The Church Rediscovering its purpose V

The Church The living body of Christ, not a government, structure, religion.

Those that have separated themselves to follow and serve God in real life

Rediscover? Have we lost sight or maybe not stayed up with the Holy Spirit?
Purpose? Never Changes! Even when circumstances do!

Rediscover! We can lose our way, forget our purpose, become confused and afraid to do the will of God, but we can do recover what we have lost, we can begin again, we can start anew, and do all that the Lord has planned for us to do.

2 Timothy 1: 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Reasons Timothy was forgetting his purpose

Afraid and ashamed

Timothy was afraid.

He was young and didn’t feel adequate for the Job.

Paul reminded him it was by Faith!

There was persecution and many being killed.

Are we justified in being afraid to lose our jobs when there are people losing their lives for the Gospel?

Timothy was ashamed.

Ashamed to testify of the Lord because of his weaknesses

When things don’t seem to work. (I am sure he testified to some that when they trust in the Lord, that they would always be protected, healed, etc…)

Are we ashamed (for ourselves) when these things happen? Yes!

Ashamed of Paul’s imprisonment

When our leaders are defamed, misunderstood, slandered, imprisoned, etc… * Ashamed of Paul’s seeming failure in Ministry

V: 15 you know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me

Pastor Jerry so many people have come and gone through this church! (are you ashamed for me, of me, the church, Jesus?
Lord have mercy on Onesiphorus,…often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. (even the once faithful will disappoint you! * Are we ashamed? Yes! do not be ashamed (it’s a choice)

But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God…

…Who saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

Saved and called to a purpose

Fan into flame the gift of God

What you heard from me, keep (on doing and practicing) as the pattern i. Continue doing what you know is right and good
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you

i. V:14 Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

ii. V:12…he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus

Stay close to the Lord in Relationship, the grace you need is in him. #. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier
It’s training for something greater
But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God…

Reflect on what I am saying

the Lord will give you insight into all this