Sermon Tone Analysis
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Opening prayer, dedication
Music ministry
307 Send the Light (1,3,4)
You're Worthy of My Praise
Another in the Fire
Word of God - Liturgist
2 Timothy 2:1-13
Message: “Veteran for Christ?”
This is the third week in a row where we have had some type of special or thematic worship services
We had a special service on Baptism
We had a special service on the Apostles’ Creed and Communion of Saints
And today we have a special service about being a veteran
Next week we will return to our more typical services
Since I finished Galatians 5 three weeks ago
I will be continuing in Galatians 6 next week
With our constant goal of exposing the truth of God’s Word, one verse at a time
This past Thursday was Veterans’ Day
A day we set aside as a country to honor those who have served in any branch of the military
Because of their willingness, dedication, and sacrifice we enjoy tremendous freedom
We even have the “well exercised” freedom to complain
“Veterans Day is NOT a day specifically for those who gave their lives for their country
But for everyone who served in the military
Specifically, everyone who served and were discharged with anything more than dishonorable discharge
So, on Veterans’ Day we celebrated those who served in the military
and completed their service at a level of more than dishonorable
Speaking for myself and Grace Church, thank those who served
Thank you for being willing (even if drafted)
Thank you for helping to assure the freedom we have to worship freely
Thank you for what you have given up and were willing to give up for us
At the risk of, identifying myself as ‘old’, I want to start with a look at the definition of the word ‘veteran’
This is not a biblical word and I am ‘seasoned’ enough to still use the Webster dictionary
Definition of Veteran
a former member of the armed forces
an old soldier of long service
a person of long experience
With the simple definition of a veteran being a person of long experience, the title of this sermon is a bit more clear
“A Veteran for Christ?”
But what about he question mark?
Stay tuned
Our core text today is Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy
Written by Paul while in prison awaiting trial and execution in the mid-60’s
Paul is encouraging Timothy to persevere in the truth
Timothy was trying to lead the church in Ephesus through troubled waters
Timothy was trying to replace elders because their leadership wasn’t godly
He faced persecution from the Roman government
Much like church today
Battling those in the church who don’t want to live godly lives, wanting to follow the culture instead
Battling intrusion of government into what God has ordained
And Paul is trying to fully equip Timothy to carry out his work in this setting
Because Paul knew he would be killed soon
So, Paul called Timothy to use the gifts he was given by God to do the work requested by God
In fact, this is addressed the first two lines of our Purpose Statement for Grace Church
Purpose of Grace Church
1. Teach the Word of God
2. Practice and live the Word
3. Attract and lead the unsaved to Jesus Christ
4. Provide a safe place for sinners
Teach the Word of God and how to live out that word
Hebrews 13:7
Then, encourage those he teaches to continue in truth
The story today began in 2 Timothy 2:1-2
Every good preacher/teacher keeps their eye out for others who can be teachers as well
We call it “teach the teacher”
It’s a method of “multiplying”
We count on this weekly
When we teach and preach from the pulpit
you are expected to learn and then take that message out to others
That’s how the Word of God spreads
This work is not done for earthly gain or popularity
It is not easy or painless
Paul reminds us that we are to “suffer as a good soldier for Christ” in 2 Timothy 2:3.
Similar to 2 Timothy 1:8
Every good soldier mus t be ready to suffer for the cause, for the mission
That’s why split loyalties are destructive
Paul called on Timothy to ENTRUST to faithful men the Word of God
So that a focus will remain on serving the “One who sent them”, meaning God
It was the Word of God, the sound doctrine taught by Paul
That was the treasure that was entrusted to Timothy
That is the treasure that is entrusted to each of us
Suffer, Focus, persevere for God’s purpose
In all things we do at Grace Church, we must do things according to what Paul wrote in the Book of Acts
We’v studied Acts in detail, but look at Acts 20:28
It is an absolute requirement that we live out Acts 20:28.
You may be thinking, that’s the pastor’s job
Which is true
I, along with the rest of the leadership
We all must live our Church lives, live our entire lives
Both understanding and demonstrating that the church belongs to God, not us
That we are entrusted with the truth of the full gospel
That we are each entrusted with the truth of the full gospel available to us
And we individually serve as soldiers for Christ to protect and promote God’s truth
True that the pastor and church leaders have a responsibility
The Congregation has a responsibility as well
The shepherd leads, but the flock must follow godly counsel as well
A large part of my job as your pastor is to pray for you
My prayers for you are much like Colossians 1:9-12
That’s how we pray for Soldiers of Jesus Christ
We don’t pray that there is no need for Jesus
We pray that Believers will become the soldiers needed to show the Goodness of Christ
That those who Believe will “grow in understanding of God’s will”
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