Do You Have "Staying Power"?

If there is anything our world needs, today, it is for Believers to have what I call “Staying Power”

I can’t believe the number of men my age who are giving up the ministry and find something else to do. People are leaving the Church for no apparent reason.

Just a generation ago it was common for a man to start a job as an apprentice and grow with the company until he retired.

With today’s economy and restructuring people are being forced to look for other fields of work.

Not only is there a lack of security in the work place but in other places as well.

Marriage vows are not taken seriously today and many are just practicing or taking marriage out on a test drive. After they run it around the block and kick the tires, they may sign the dotted line. Many will trade in the old model as soon as the warranty runs or at the first sign of trouble.

Staying power is hard to come by and the Church is seeing it today, as well.

What do we do to develop “Staying Power”

1. Stay True to the Faith v3,4.

“ 3.When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth.

4.Don't let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don't help people live a life of faith in God.”

When we are not focused on the Word of God we will, most likely, be distracted by and become curious about other teachings.

When we are not grounded in Truth, we can become engaged in fruitless searches for something new…something different…

I used to work for a local Mazda Dealer, as their master technician. I also was responsible for the big [muscled headed] Rottweiler, named Rambo. Rambo was a good dog and would listen well…except to the command “Stay” He would soon become distracted by other things and leave his position to go and investigate them.

The early Church had to deal with Gnostics, who taught that…matter is evil…salvation comes through knowledge. If you think you are saved you are.

They questioned the Virgin birth of Christ based some of their theology around angel mythology.

You may be saying…”how can people be so gullible as to be caught up in something like that?” BUT

In the late 19th and the early 20th century there was a teaching called “Neo-Orthodoxy” which said that the first eleven books of Genesis was a myth. Adam and Eve were not real people but representatives of mankind.

No Virgin Birth…No Crucifixion…No Resurrection…In other words, the Bible is not the inherent Word of God. There are some mistakes and some things that may not be true…

These teaching are still alive in our world today and we must hear the cry of Paul to Timothy to remain true to the Faith…

There is a purpose for staying true. Vv5-7

“5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.

7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don't know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.”

Not having it causes endless searching.

I read about a Sunday School teacher who was interviewed by a local newspaper. This man was allowed to teach in a church, even though he did not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to salvation.

He told the reporter that a person does not have to believe in Jesus to teach the Bible.

I talked to a Pastor friend, recently who told me that he had the same kind thing going on in his church. As soon as he found out, he removed the teacher from his position. My only problem with this decision is that the man was allowed to stay in the class, where he greatly influenced the other men.

Staying power results in the edification of the body…builds the body up.

Staying power also puts down roots of sincere faith. Roots that are deep enough to stand firm, when the winds of doubt are blowing around you.

2. Stay True to the Facts: vv 12-17

Here is a simple fact for you: I am a sinner…lost and bound for hell, without Jesus Christ…

Staying power not only allows us to stay true to the faith but also true to the facts.

“12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,