Do You Have What It Takes?
II Tim 1:5
Intro: Paul writes to Timothy to encourage him to do the work of God that has been assigned unto him. In so doing, he bolsters Timothy’s confidence by expressing his opinion that Timothy has what it takes to do the job. He does this in verse five by comparing him with his mother and grandmother. Timothy’s father was not a believer, but his mother and grandmother were devout women.
I want to preach to you today and ask you, “Do you have what it takes?” To be a parent, to lead your children right, to steer them in the path of eternity, to set the proper example, Do you have what it takes? To be a parent it takes:
I. Faith Unfeigned: This word unfeigned means sincere, without hypocrisy, without dissimulation. These three: Lois, Eunice, and Timothy had this kind of faith. The just shall live by faith- their confidence is in God. To them, faith is more than a philosophy of life; it is the very principle of life. The righteous shall live his whole life by faith. He is saved by faith (Acts 16:31), he is kept by faith (I Peter 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation”), and lives by faith (Gal 2:20). His faith shall be tried many times and in many ways (I Peter 1:7), but faith will always be vindicated, because it is more than equal to any occasion. Faith knows how to wait on the Lord (Isa 40:31), and it is always victorious (I John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”) Faith defies reason, it moves mountains, it does not always face facts, and it never gives up. Faith says, “God is working out His perfect will in my life, and I can wait, endure, and suffer.” Faith does not make anything easy, but it does make all things possible. Faith is taking God at His Word and asking no questions. By faith, the mind trusts in God; the heart responds to the love of God; the will submits to the commands of God; and the life obeys in the service of God. Faith is paradoxical. It goes beyond reason. It believes without understanding “why.” It sings in prison, it glories in tribulation, it chooses to suffer, and it accepts every trial as the plan of God. Faith is important because it honors God, and God always honors faith.
II. Fervency of Prayer: Hannah is the greatest example of this. I Sam 1:13, prayed from her heart without a word spoken out loud. Eli rebuked her for being drunk, but she said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.” When is the last time you poured out your soul before God? How long has it been since you prayed with fervency for your children and grandchildren? “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 When you don’t feel like praying, pray. When you think that all hope is gone, pray. When it seems like you have it handled yourself, pray! When it’s out of your hands, pray! Prayer is just as big as God is, strong as God is, can reach as far as God can reach. Don’t ever give up; just pray!
III. Favor With God: Luke 1:28, “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Mary had favor with God. These words “highly favored” mean to be endued with special honor or to be made accepted. This was said unto Mary, for soon she would have the living God living within her. Surely, all who are saved may say the same. We have been “highly favored.” We have been endued with special honor. We have been made accepted in the family of God by grace. WE HAVE THE LIVING GOD LIVING WITHIN US!
IV. Fighting Spirit: II Samuel 21, Rizpah’s sons were taken for the sins of their father and suffered to die, but Rizpah spread her sackcloth on the rock and fought the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field to keep her children from being devoured. If you will be a parent with whom the Lord is pleased, you need a fighting Spirit. The birds of prey in this world seek to destroy your children. The sin of their fathers has been passed on to them putting them under judgment, and we must spread our prayercloth over the Rock of Ages and fight the fowls of the world until the rains of the Holy Spirit fall on our children and grandchildren! When she did so, the king heard of it and took action! He will hear, he will help, if we will fight!
Do You Have What It Takes?
