Preparation Series

Title: Preparation for Joining the Story

Theme: How to be prepared to share our story with others.

Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Introduction

Last Wednesday night we started a short series called Join the Story. It is important that we see this life as a journey and a story in history that is being written. We play an important part in this story. It is vital that we play our part.

It is vital that we “pick up the mantel” that the Lord has called us to. It is vital as we learned last week that we witness to others and tell people our story. It is vital that we join with others in this journey.

The Lord never called us to be hermits.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Why? Because they are left to their own demise. The common theme of Judges is “there was no king in the land and every man did that which was right in their own eyes”

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

So we understand that it is important that we bring others in but also that we assemble ourselves together.

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Importance of assembling ourselves together

a) stir up love

b) stir up good works

c) exhort one another

Let us once again review our opening scripture and glean some more study.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

This shows the weight of what Paul was about to say to Timothy here.

(2) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Preach – herald, proclaim,

Be ready – be instant – stand by, be present,

(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; (4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (5) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 MSG I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, (2) so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. (3) You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. (4) They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. (5) But you--keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.

1 Peter 3:14-17 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."(15) But sanctify the Lord God [20] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:14-17 MSG Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. (15) Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. (16) Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. (17) It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad.