Be Strong

Introduction: David Shannon’s David

With so many ways to go wrong, how do we go right?

Paul gives four commands to Timothy about how to go right in a world that’s gone wrong.

Answers the question of how do we fulfill our calling in Christ

Be Strong

This is an unusual passage, because we have four commands in quick succession. (one more next week)

Paul’s first admonition to Timothy in facing the difficulty of living out his faith is to be strong in the grace of Christ

Paul does not tell Timothy to strengthen himself

As Christians, the grace of Christ is our source of strength, not our own will

This goes against the “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” idea

Rather, we are to rely on Christ: how do we do this?

: Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart

Dwell on Christ’s grace

: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If we don’t know Christ, we don’t know how to rely on his strength.

Entrust the Faith

Immediately on the heels is the command to entrust the faith to others, who will also teach others

Paul wanted Timothy to look at those around him and figure out who would not only receive the faith but pass it on to others

This is thinking one step ahead of what we often do

This command is in keeping with the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...

How do we do that? Look around you (when you’re not here)

Look for someone to whom you can entrust the faith; Timothy was not Paul’s biological son, but he became Paul’s son in the faith.

Pray that God would open your eyes to who it is (Why not? Christ said he would be with us always; I imagine he knows a thing or two; this isn’t like a math test with no peeking!)

Adopt someone; be adopted - Do we see the Gospel as something to be entrusted (something valuable); I’m going to entrust you with...

: ...I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

Onesimus, Timothy, Titus

Join the Suffering

Faith in Christ is no party

Matthew:

The New International Version Chapter 16

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

The New International Version Chapter 10

22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,

It is important not to let hardship take us off-mission

as I mentioned last week, we are easily ruled by comfort

it is quite easy for us to say that things are too hard

Remain focused on the mission, particularly when it gets difficult Romans

The New International Version Chapter 8

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

The New International Version Chapter 10

22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,

Who is speaking this truth into our lives when we can’t hear it ourselves?

This will help us keep a long view on our work and purpose

Reflect

Not all of faith is “do, do, do”; Paul wants Timothy to stop and reflect on his words and to gain the insight of Christ.