A Soldier, an Athlete, and a Farmer

In this worship service, Pastor Grant Gilliam's sermon text is 2 Timothy 2:1-7, where Paul instructs Timothy on ministry and serving the Lord.

Sermon Notes:

Paul instructs Timothy on how to be faithful in the Gospel ministry:

• Strength for ministry - Where will Timothy find his strength when he is weak? Paul tells him to be strengthened in Grace. Not in his gifts, talents, knowledge, wisdom, or experience. We go to the Lord in the Grace we have been given, and rely on that grace to provide us with the strength we need to serve Him. God's grace, security, love, and victory are our superpowers! And this same grace covers us when we sin. We never outgrow needing this grace. What does it take to receive that grace? We have to know we need it and turn to God, asking for it. God gives more grace to the humble. To be strengthened, we have to flex the muscle of faith.
• Strategy for ministry - What's the Game Plan that Paul shares with Timothy? Entrust the Sound Doctrine of the Gospel to other faithful men and guard this good deposit. Give the message. Guard the message. Be good stewards of the message. Then those faithful men will teach others the message, to guard it, and to be good stewards of it. This is a multiplication process.
• Similarities to consider - Soldier - share in the sufferings as a good soldier; embrace the suffering. The Christian life is difficult. It's a life change, trusting in something you cannot see. Have realistic expectations, but look to the One who enlisted you. He leads by example. He's not beneath hard work. And don't get entangled in civilian work. He's warning Timothy about distractions that entangle us in our purpose to serve the Lord Jesus. When we are entangled, we are not doing what we were created to do. An Athlete - Don't cut corners. Be self-disciplined. Do the right thing. Don't cheat. You can't microwave character. It takes time, prayer, and hardship. The Farmer - It's a call to hard work. Working hard out of respect for the office.

Then Paul instructs Timothy to think of these things, and we should, too. Let them fill our minds. Determine to be present, to pray, and to be open and eager to do our part.

At the end of the sermon is the Installation of Officers and Deacons.