2 TIM. 2: 1-7

ENTRUST THE GOSPEL TO THE FAITHFUL

Introduction:

By the grace of God, we are now on our 5th year. Praise God!

Our Theme for this anniversary is ENTRUST (isalig, itugyan in cebuano).

We ENTRUST to God the purity and growth of His Church

We want to be faithful in the VISION that God had ENTRUSTED to us

When we started 5 years ago, we came up with a vision for the Church.

“To see a multitude of faithful Gospel-Centered believers; continually practicing Christ-Centered living, committed in disciple-making and actively participating in A-group. All for Godʼs glory and honor”

How can we see a multitude of faithful Gospel-Centered believers?

It will not happen automatically...

Our passage will remind us that we have to ACT on the God-given responsibility to the CHURCH.

A. RESPONSIBILITY OF RAISING UP THE NEW GENERATION FOR CHRIST

Paul entrusted the gospel to Timothy; now Timothy must entrust it to others. The apostles intended for teaching and traditions to be passed on to others (Acts 2:42; 2 Thess 2:15).

HOW TO RAISE UP THE NEW GENERATION for CHRIST?

3 Important Points

1. FIND STRENGTH THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD (v1)

Those entrusted with the Gospel must be dependent on the grace of God for his strength.

2 Timothy 2:1 NASB95

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Timothy must rely on God’s empowerment (i.e., grace), not his own. This command echoes Paul’s command to the Ephesians about spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:10 NASB95

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

GRACE is the inward source of strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB95

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Application: prayer and devotion

2. FIND THE FAITHFUL AND TRAIN THEM

(LEADERS/TEACHERS)

Paul wanted both women and men to be taught sound words in order to teach these to others. But, for the important process of accurate transmission, students must have two qualifications. They must be faithful or trustworthy (2:2)

2 Timothy 2:2 NASB95

2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Application:

- Election of Deacons for our local church

- Election of Elders in the future

- Discipleship classes

- Christian Education Program

Why entrust the gospel to the faithful?

Because their will always be the threat of false-teachers and false doctrine!

We need faithful men and women who are able to teach so that the church will be able to fight or contend and be victorious against the false teachers and false doctrines that may come in.

Jude 3 NASB95

3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

contend for the faith.

hand down to the saints, the faith.

3. LET THE FAITHFUL TRAIN OTHERS

(DIVISION OF LABOR) -

2 Timothy 2:2 NASB95

2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

competent to teach This qualification for an elder (see 1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9) was especially needed because of the threat of false teachers.

How many among us is able to teach?

by God’s grace we can see more teachers/preachers in the future...

by God’s grace we can see more workers in the future...

“Imagine for a moment, 2-3 years from now, every member is a worker.”

B. THE ENTRUSTING PROCESS WILL INVOLVE SUFFERING AND SACRIFICES (V3)

2 Timothy 2:3 NASB95

3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

suffering for the Gospel (repeated 5 times)

Paul assures Timothy that continuing on in the faith will not be in vain.

Paul challenged Timothy to focus attention and energy on his ministerial task.

Paul provides three examples of groups who endure: soldiers, athletes, and farmers.

Each of them offers examples of staying focused on the goal they are trying to attain.

ILLUSTRATION:

1. ACTIVE SOLDIER - fit and always ready, to please his commander

2 Timothy 2:3–4 NASB95

3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

The analogy is that soldiers are focused on the task set before them by their commander. Timothy needs to keep this same type of focus as he follows Christ Jesus.

2. ATHLETE - fit and focused on the goal.

2 Timothy 2:5 NASB95

5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

Here Paul emphasizes not so much the discipline required to be an athlete, but the need to follow the rules of the game. If Timothy expects a crown of righteousness, then he must behave in godly ways.

3. FARMER - hardworking, will receive the fruit of his labor in due time.

2 Timothy 2:6 NASB95

6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

Last, Paul gives an example of a farmer who expects to see the fruit of his or her labor. In each of these roles, the people work diligently and with a singular focus. This is really the point Paul is making rather than trying to draw too much from each analogy.

“WE entrust the harvest to the Lord!”

C. GOD WILL GIVE GUIDANCE TO THE CHURCH WHEN THE CHURCH SUBMITS

2 Timothy 2:7 NASB95

7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Consider what I am saying But Paul encourages Timothy to rely on God to give him insight into his sayings.

PROPER RESPONSE:

Because you have been saved by Christ, and is now member of the family of God, and of this local church, take part in the VISION that God has ENTRUSTED us:

A. What shall you do with the Gospel that has been entrusted to you?

You have the seed of the Gospel.

Will you just keep it to yourself?

Are you afraid of suffering?

B. When shall you make use of your God-given talents, skills, and resources to bring more people to Christ?

You have the tools to plant the seed? When are you going to plant?

Today, Next month? Next year? When you are retired?

C. ENTRUST to God the outcome of our LABOR.

after we have done sharing the Gospel, used our God-given gifts to help plant new churches, then we entrust to God the harvest.

CONCLUSION:

We have been entrusted with the Gospel and it is now our responsibility to entrust the Gospel to the next generation, preparing them for the battle ahead, and God will accomplish through us the growth of the Church.