“Too many of us quit just shy of the blessing God has in store for us on the other side of our endurance.” -Pastor Andy Coats
I know everyone in church takes something slightly different away from the message shared each week. If you take nothing else away from my notes from Andy’s sermon today at Trinity Baptist Church, reread that statement several times.
We live in a society that teaches us to be unfaithful. When things get hard, we don’t allow God to grow us, we just move on. We turn our backs on God.
It’s easy to be unfaithful in a world that pushes us to live that way.
Movies, television, music, the internet … culture tells us it’s okay to be unfaithful in marriage. And when your spouse is unfaithful, it’s okay to move on.
The days of employees being faithful to their employers are long gone … primarily because the days of employers being faithful to their employees is also gone.
Culture drives us away from faithfulness. This isn’t something new. In 2 Timothy 2, Paul writes to Timothy knowing Timothy is ready to give up. The chapter is a word of encouragement.
**** 2 Timothy 2:3 ****
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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When was the last time you were in a place where you felt resistance, where it seemed easier to quit, where times were tough … so you turned to something easier? When times get tough, the world tells us to quit. We quit short, just shy of being able to fulfill what God has called us to do.
Get rid of your human instinct to quit when times get tough and instead walk in obedience and faith to Christ.
Andy shared…
3 Keys to Faithful Service
1. A FAITHFUL AIM
When you get out of bed every morning, what are you aiming to accomplish? Are you aimed at fulfilling the purpose God has for you, or are you aimed at fulfilling your own goals and desires? Are you following the rules of the world because they make you feel accepted in a world designed to counterculture to Christianity or are you living within God’s commandments?
**** 2 Timothy 2:4-6 ****
No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
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2. A FAITHFUL ATTITUDE
When times get tough, we must keep a faithful attitude by focusing on the hope that comes from our faith in Christ.
You get to pick your attitude. You get to pick if your attitude is based on the difficultly of your situation or the joy in your heart through your salvation in Christ. You get to pick your “Why is this happening to me” attitude or your “Thank you Lord for growing me so my testimony can shine through you” attitude.
**** 2 Timothy 2:8-13 ****
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
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3. A FAITHFUL ACTION
Your actions must reflect both your attitude and your aim. God designed your life for a purpose. God has a plan to use you. God has given you a platform to reach others. But your words about Christ without faithful acts of obedience towards Christ are just noise.
**** 2 Timothy 2:20-26****
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
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As you reflect on your devotion to Christ, ask if there are ways your aim, your attitude, and/or your actions have not been faithful to Christ. You have an opportunity to shift from being focused on the ways of the world to being fully devoted to Christ.
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