"Guard The Faith"

2 Timothy 1:1-14 “Guard The Faith”

1. We all know what it's like to guard our stuff

• We all need to protect, guard or defend something -- home, possessions, money, data.

• Tools such as state-of-the-art home security systems, electronic walls, retinal scanners, thumb and fingerprint readers, passcodes, barcodes, motion sensors and more -- they all exist to provide protection.

• We Lock doors, we have Watch Dogs, security systems, passcodes, Security Guards

• We all know our stuff is under attack but our faith is also under attack consider the following

2. Our Faith is Under attack

• Have you heard Ten Commandment monuments being removed from government properties;

• Prayer prohibited at school board meetings,

• School sporting events scheduled on Sunday mornings; I heard they want to pass a bill to allow facilities to sell acholohol at 10AM Sunday Mornings

• The society desires us to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"

• There is distorted Christian doctrine such as universalism

• In Paul’s day the Faith was under attack Paul says: "Guard the good treasure entrusted to you."

• The good treasure is the Christian Faith

3. Paul shares his feelings for Timothy

• First he tells Timothy vs 2 To Timothy, my dear son:

• Secondly he tells timothy he constantly remembers him in his prayers

• Thirdly Paul tells Timothy I long to see you so that he may be filled with joy.

4. Paul tells us how Timothy can guard his faith

• Paul says, in order to guard your faith prayer is essential I constantly remember you in my prayers

• Timothy sincere faith will help you guard 5] I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

• Paul tells Timothy to guard your faith you need to stir the gift 6] For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you .

• You have to set yourself on fire some said at Stinson last Sunday they were going to start a greater spiritual journey with God. Some were stirring the gift or flame by putting more coal on the train so it could climb the hill

• Paul shares with Timothy to guard the faith one must be persistent in faith[7] For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. [8] So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

• Fifth Paul tells us to guard faith by living a purpose-filled life the purpose is to live holy 9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life---

5. In conclusion Guard the Faith by

• Being that Prayer Warrior

• Sincerity I am serious about this stuff

• Fanning the flames and Stirring up the gift guards Faith Be the people of the Cross and Flame

• Persistence Guards our Faith I am resolved I am determined Paul said, “ I know in whom I believe and I am convinced that He is Able to Guard what I have entrusted unto him. I trust Jesus he destroyed death, brought life immortality to light