The Church's Effectiveness Series

THE CHURCH’S EFFECTIVENESS

II TIMOTHY 1:1-2:2

Introduction: How would you rate your personal effectiveness concerning God? What about your church’s effectiveness? Are we really making any kind of a difference?

When you come to the second letter to Timothy, Paul is writing from the loneliness of a dungeon. He is awaiting a likely death. This would be his last letter to Timothy. It’s a crucial time. The truth is being passed. They need to maintain the momentum. What Paul was saying to Timothy was, “It is imperative

that you be effective in ministry.” Paul gives all of us valuable insight on how to become more effective in ministry.

I. Recognize the Will of God (1)

God has a plan for your life. For Paul it was to be an apostle. I can’t give you God’s specific plans for your personal life, but I can give you some general observations from this text.

A. Serve Him Wholeheartedly – Give it all you’ve got. Michael Jordan once said, “I can’t accept not trying…if it turns out my best isn’t good enough, then at least I’ll never be able to look back and say I was afraid to try.”

B. Pray for Others (3) – Find someone in need. Begin praying for them. Timothy was the object of Paul’s prayers.

C. Be Sensitive to Other People’s Pain (4) – Separation causes us great pain.

D. Look for the Best in Others (5) – Timothy had a lot of weak-nesses, faults and flaws. He was timid and shy. Later on Paul would gently address those. But for now he affirms him. He focuses on his assets not his liabilities. Jesus always commends when and where he can.

II. Use the Gift of God (6)

Stir up your gift. Fan it into flame. Set it ablaze. Here is the act of rekindling the embers of a dying fire. Here is an appeal for continual, vigorous use of his spiritual gift. See II Timothy 4:2-5. When you were saved, God gave you at least one spiritual gift, probably more. You are a gifted child. (I Cor. 12:1-11, 27-31; Romans 12:4-8) Don’t abuse or misuse your gift, but use it. Note a few observations about gifts.

A. It is a Gift – We can’t earn it and certainly don’t merit it. It is not based on your “I.Q.” but his “I love you.”

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B. God Uses Others to Affirm your Gift – “Laying on of hands.”

C. Use it Humbly but Courageously – John Wayne once said of courage, “Courage is being scared out of your wits but saddling up anyway.”

III. Testify to the Power of God (8)

People could have looked at Timothy and said, “Timothy, your Messiah has been crucified on a dirty cross and your mentor has been confined to a dungeon cell. Why would you want to follow those two losers?” Remind yourself of his power.

A. God has Made an Investment in Your Life – Don’t let it fail. Carry on the work.

B. God has Provided all the Help You Need – The Holy Spirit

C. Invest Your Life in Others (2:2) Note the words keep, guard and entrust. God poured himself into Paul. Paul poured himself into Timothy. Timothy poured himself into others. Others have poured themselves into us. We should pour ourselves into those coming behind us. “Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble!”

Conclusion: A warning: When you become an effective servant, you will face separation (4), humiliation (8) and isolation (15).