September 18, 2005
"Portraits of a Maturing Christian"
A Call to Faithfulness—Part 14
2 Timothy 2:1-26
1. A maturing Christian is reproductive.
You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.
—2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
"Healthy Christians reproduce the life of God."
...I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit...
—John 15:16
His master replied, "You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest."
—Matthew 25:26-27
"God made an investment in you with the expectation that you would share it with others."
2. A maturing Christian is loyal.
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army.
—2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT)
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
—Titus 1:16
"You can't love God and live like the devil."
3. A maturing Christian is disciplined.
Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.
—2 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)
Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step...I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
—1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)
4. A maturing Christian is hardworking.
Hardworking farmers are the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
—2 Timothy 2:6 (NLT)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
—Colossians 3:17, 23
"Remember who you are working for."
5. A maturing Christian is diligent.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
—2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
—Proverbs 13:4 (NKJV)
His master replied, "Well done , good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
—Matthew 25:21
6. A maturing Christian pursues purity.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
—2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT)
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
—1 John 3:2-3
7. A maturing Christian is patient.
The Lord's servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people. They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will believe the truth.
—2 Timothy 2:24-25 (NLT)
"Only God causes a person to grow up in Him."
"Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."
—Matthew 20:26-28 (NLT)
Lifework
There is to be a progression in the Christian life. God's word challenges us to become leaders not just followers. Maturity means stepping up to your place in leadership
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you...solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
—Hebrews 5:12-14
A Call to Faithfulness—Week 14
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- By nature, are you a leader or a follower? What were the characteristics of the best leader you have ever known?
- What have you learned about the cost of following Jesus since you were being born again?
Digging Deeper: Read 2 Timothy 2:1-26
- What is grace? What does it mean to be strong in grace?
- Why is passing on the truth of God's Word, sound doctrine and godly principles for living, so important to the Church?
- What do you learn about the Christian life from a soldier? What does getting involved in civilian affairs relate to in the Christian life?
- What does the athlete teach us about the Christian life? What do you think competing by the rules relates to?
- What does the hardworking farmer teach you about the Christian life? How do we share in the crop?
- What does the illustration of a workman say about how we should live. What would bring shame on a workman?
- What does the image of gold and silver articles and wood and clay articles say about how we should live? (Look at verses 20 and 21) How do we practically pursue purity? (verse 22)
- Why is patience such an important virtue for those who would seek to bring Christ to lost people?
Applying It To My Life
- In what area of your life are you preparing yourself for God's special use? How are you developing as a leader?
- Of the four goals in verse 22, which do you need the most work on? How can you do something about it this week?