03/03/2024 Midtown Church Elk Grove
Series –Ready, Set Grow: Finding Your Calling and Purpose
A More Complete Christian Life
Dr. Efrem Smith
Main Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 (NIV)
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
“The Journey of Discovering the Christian Life”
Biblical Background: Seeing Ourselves as Spiritual Children, Citizens of the Kingdom of God, and Having a Calling and Purpose
Our Purpose is to Make God’s Kingdom Known in the World as God Has Gifted Us
1.) Our Lives Should Preach (2 Timothy 4:1-2)
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
2.) Our Lives Should Present Truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
3.) Our Lives Are a Ministry to Others (2 Timothy 4:5)
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Final Thought: Our Ministry Lives Are Worth Fighting For (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
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