Purpose: Growing In Christ Series

Title: Christian Growth

Theme: Show the importance of growth in finding our purpose

Text: 2 Timothy 2:1 - 7

Introduction

Paul here is giving Timothy some instructions as a father in the ministry. He makes an analogy between three areas of life compared to being a Christian. I believe that Paul does this to help Timothy understand the using of his gift of pasturing. This can also be applied to 1) general Christian life 2) gifts 3) our calling.

So let us look at this from the perspective of gifts.

2Ti 2:1-7

(1) You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

The word that is important is the word grace. This is where we get our calling from. It is by God’s grace that He uses us. Grace is used as “unmerited favor” but also as the “power to be and do what God has called us to be and do”. It is God’s power.

Unmerited favor PLUS _ Darrel Rice teaching

?Grace is the empowering presence of God enabling me

to_____BE_________what God created me to_____BE______

and____DO_______what He has called me to_____DO_________

Luke 2:40, And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (NKJV)

John 1:14, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (NKJV)

This is encouraging because yes it is not what we deserve. Nor do we “deserve” the power of God to work in us. Nor do we deserve the.

As in how God uses us and His grace to empower us to do what God has called to do. We don’t deserve it but it is by God’s grace that we can be a part of His work for the kingdom.

Strong – not in my own strength but in the “grace of Christ Jesus”

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephes. 6:10).

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).

Rom_8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Looking past our weaknesses

2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.

4 Challenges and Analogies

Be a Teacher – Disciple maker

(2) And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

Paul tells Timothy don’t just keep these teachings to yourself but pass them on to others. Then expect them to pass it on to others. This is what a true teacher does. They don’t teach to give out knowledge but they teach so that the student may get it, apply it and pass it on to others.

Father, Mother, Grandparent

"Every Christian must look on himself as a link between two generations. Not only has he received the faith; he must also pass it on. E.K. Simpson writes on this passage: 'The torch of heavenly light must be transmitted unquenched from one generation to another, and Timothy must count himself an intermediary between apostolic and later ages....The teacher is a link in the living chain which stretches unbroken from this present moment back to Jesus Christ. The glory of teaching is that it links the present with the earthly life of Jesus Christ' " (The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, p.181f).

Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.

Have a Paul, a Barnabas and a Timothy

Key: Entrust that which you have learned

Goal: Find others who can pass on

Be a Soldier

(3) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (4) No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer

Soldier – don’t get caught up with daily affairs but please his commanding officer

Three Purposes

1) Train

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved (pleasing) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2) Guard

Proverbs 24:3 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

3) Fight

Ephesians 6:10 - The Armor of God

Key – Don’t get involved with civilian affairs