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Timothy was the Apostle Paul's son in the faith and a leader in the
church at Ephesus. Paul founded that church (Acts 19), but by the
time he wrote his second epistle to Timothy, the church and its
leaders were characterized by doctrinal error and sinful behavior.
And by the way, bad behavior is always attached to bad beliefs.
Second Timothy is the last letter Paul wrote. It was written shortly
before he gave his life in the cause of Christ. He wanted to pass the
baton of spiritual leadership to Timothy, and he didn't want
Timothy to accept it in a weak state. The church was experiencing
persecution in Rome, many wouldn't accept the instructions
Timothy received from Paul, and Timothy was confronted by
sophisticated philosophical opposition. Paul knew Timothy was
young and apparently of timid disposition. In the face of such
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circumstances he required strength of will. Paul thus writes to him,
telling him as it was from his death bed what it takes to be a
follower of Christ who impacts and influences people for God and
good. He does so by using four teaching illustrations that reveal
what it takes to live a life of spiritual excellence.
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ILLUSTRATE: No matter what situation those around
may be in, we can have a word of encouragement.
Im lonely I know a friend that sticks closer than
a brother.
Im fearful God is in control, He is on His throne.
Im un-loved For God so loved the world that He
gave his only Son.
Im in need God is able to supply our need
according to his riches in glory.
Ive sinned If we confess our sins, he is faithful
to forgive us.
Im under attack no weapon formed against us
shall prosper. And when the enemy comes in like a
flood the Lord shall raise up a standard against him.
Im intimidated by the enemy greater is He that is
in you, than he that is in the world.
Im facing death yea thought I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.
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Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the
sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
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4. His Example in Servitude.
B. The Encouragement.
Titus 2:1-8 But as for you, speak the things which are
proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be
sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in
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patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be
reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much
wine, teachers of good things 4 that they admonish
the young women to love their husbands, to love their
children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good,
obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God
may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the young
men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing
yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine
showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound
speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an
opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of
you.
C. The Endowment.
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Ephesians 6:10 finally my brethren be strong in the
Lord and in the power of His might.
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Isaiah 41:10 be not dismayed for I am your God. I
will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold
you with my righteous right hand.
When you are strong in the Lord you are ready for the task,
and resolved to see it completed.
E. The Entrusting.
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Faithful men believing, loyal, and reliable. Those who
would not compromise in the face of adversity or
persecution, in other words those who would not stray from
the path of the truth:
Our responsibility:
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II. THE TENACIOUS SOLDIER.
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2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things
which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For
the things which are seen are temporary, but the things
which are not seen are eternal.
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ILLUSTRATE: The greatest objective in ministry must be
to please God and not self or people.
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III. THE TRAINING ATHLETE.
A. His Discipline.
Anyone who competes in athletics As Paul uses an
Olympic Athlete as an illustration, it is important for us to
know that the Olympic athlete had to contract to train at a
minimum of 10 months for the event they were to compete
in - to compete required discipline.
B. His Devotion.
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James 1:22-25 But be doers of the word, and not
hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a
hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man
observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he
observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets
what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the
perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a
forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be
blessed in what he does.
A. Effort.
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THE POWER OF THE SEED.
1. It Saves.
2. It Strengthens.
3. It Sets Free.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free."
4. It Sustains.
5. It Shows.
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