Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

We are about start the journey of a new year in AWANA.

Like any other year, we have no idea what the future holds.

What we do know is that we have an obligation to reach as many children and their families as God leads our way.

Currently, we look to be a little short handed on volunteers.

It is definitely an area in which we need to pray that God would bring more laborers into the harvest.

Something a little different this year is our promotion for AWANA at Centerfest.

We have no idea how God will bless our efforts.

However, what I do know is that no matter how many kids God blesses us He will provide.

He always has.

Tonight, I want to spend just a few minutes giving you the challenge found in our AWANA theme verse.

That verse is 2 Timothy 2:15 which says...

As many of you already know, this verse is the foundation for all that we do in AWANA.

Let’s take just a few minutes to examine this verse as we get ready for this new AWANA year.

Look at the verses surrounding this verse.

Remember that this is the Holy Spirit’s letter to a young pastor.

He is encouraging Timothy to do several things as a pastor.

One of those things is found in the preceding verse, verse 14 which says...

Note that instruction to Timothy here.

He was to “put them in remembrance.”

What things was he to remind them about?

Well, he to remind them all that the Holy Spirit instructed or reminded Timothy about in chapters 1 and 2. Essentially at the heart of all these two chapters is the call to be a soldier of Christ.

Thus, a soldier who is...

Courageous (2 Timothy 1:8-12) - “Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (v.8) “I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (v.12)

Faithful (2 Timothy 1:13-18) “Hold fast the form of sound words...” (v.13)

Strong (2 Timothy 2:1-2) “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and the things which thou has heard...”

Single-minded (2 Timothy 2:3-4) “…endure hardness…no man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this world...”

Disciplined (2 Timothy 2:5-10) “…if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully”

Confident (2 Timothy 2:11-13) Confident in the promise of God.

“It is a faithful saying...”

Then when we come to our text, a solider of Christ must be

SOUND IN HIS/HER FAITH

The AWANA them verse gives instruction on how a believer remains SOUND in their FAITH in God.

Note there are three parts to this verse.

You might mark them as A, B, and C.

First is verse 1A which says...

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV 1900)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Note that we are to STUDY.

Our duty as AWANA leaders, helpers, and volunteers is to study the Word of God ourselves.

We cannot teach others what we do not know.

Thus, we are told right from the beginning that sound soldier of Christ who maintains a steady faith in Him is one who studies.

The word “study” means to show or have keen interest, intense desire, or impatient expectancy.

It has the idea of someone so eagerly awaiting the opportunity of a lifetime.

It is kind of like a kid who is going to the circus or the zoo for the first time.

They just cannot wait for that day to arrive.

And, throughout their entire time at the circus or the zoo they are full of energy and excitement at everything they see.

We, too, must have an intense desire and an impatient expectancy each time we approach God’s Word.

If we are excited each night of AWANA about the chance to know and learn God’s Word then that excitement will rub off on the children who come.

In fact, one of the downfalls of AWANA or any ministry is when the those involved (leaders, helpers, and volunteers) are not excited.

I know that life can be tough be we must come to AWANA each evening with an excitement to show ourselves “approved unto God.”

That brings me to this next thought.

We are to STUDY so that we can SHEW.

The word “shew” means to present something formally.

Here we are to present ourselves as ones who have studied God’s Word.

Thus, we are not only to have an excitement, but we must also come already knowing the Word ourselves.

Again, look at that first part.

It says STUDY shewing or presenting yourself as “approved unto God.”

That word “approved” means tested.

In other words, you life must be able to pass the test of one who belongs to the Lord.

That means we must come in each night to AWANA not only eager to learn and to help others learn, but we must also come with attitudes and actions that belong to a follower of Christ.

There is one thing that I know about children and that is this.

You cannot be a fake before them.

They can read right through you.

If you are genuine in your walk with the Lord, they will know.

On the other hand, if you are not, they will know that also.

Now note the B part of this verse.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV 1900)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Soldiers of Christ should not shy away from work.

God created both men and women to work.

As believers, God expects us to fulfill His original design as workmen.

Workmen are workers.

They work hard.

They understand the task at hand and the importance of completing that task.

Folks, we have been given a awesome task in AWANA.

We are training boys and girls about Christ.

We are teaching them the importance of God’s Word.

They are the next generation.

We already have generations that have been lost to the teaching of God’s Word.

However, each Wednesday night throughout the school year, God places in our hands the teaching of His Word to these precious souls that walk into our Family Life Center.

It is task that we must not take lightly.

It is task that when all is said and done at the end of each year that we are “not…ashamed.”

Only those who do not STUDY and LIVE the Word of God are those who will stand ashamed.

The word “that needeth not to be ashamed” is just one word in the Greek.

The essence of that word is that there were no action taken to cause shame.

Therefore, we are reminded once again about our testimony for the Lord.

Once again we are reminded that we have an awesome obligation.

So let’s determine here tonight that we are going to come in each AWANA club night with an eagerness to serve the Lord knowing we have a great responsibility with these kids.

Now note the last part - C!

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV 1900)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The soldier who is determined to study, to shew himself approved, and works seeking not to be ashamed is one who will desire to “rightly” divide the word of truth.

Again, the words “rightly dividing” is just one word in the Greek.

It literally means to analyze correctly in order to cut straight.

As a carpenter, I understand these words.

You see if you want a straight cut that matches what you are doing, you must carefully analyze what you are doing.

There is a saying among carpenters that says “Measure twice, cut once.”

In other words, don’t be careless and haphazard in what you are doing.

Additionally, don’t get in such a hurry and try to just guess.