LISTEN
This sermon was preached by Rich Balmforth at the CCM Kingsway site of Christ Church Manchester on Sunday 14th February 2021.
SERIES
This message was part of the ‘SERIES NAME’ series, preached at Christ Church Manchester’s church in Burnage in EARLY/MID/LATE YEAR. The full series included the following sermons:
BIBLE VERSES
This sermon was based on 2 Timothy 4:1-22.
1In 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: 2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For 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. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now 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.
Personal Remarks
9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Final Greetings
19Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.
22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
KEY POINTS
Preach the Word
- This is more than just standing at the front of church delivering a sermon it is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who do not yet know him.
- When Paul is telling us to preach the word, or share the good news, he knows that this will increase your confidence in Jesus. I’ve always found that when I’ve helped on Alpha courses or was going into a conversation where I was intentionally going to share my faith that in the days, minutes leading up to it I’ve got closer to Jesus on a personal level. My confidence in Jesus increases as I look to him to give me the words to say.
Be Ready In and Out of Season
- There are certain times and points in life when God just gives you an open goal to share the gospel and then there are other times when you’re completely caught off guard and the last thing on your mind is to go out and share Jesus with people.
- Being ready in and out of season enables you to be on the front foot, seize opportunities when you weren’t expecting them.
- A real handy way of doing this is having a few stories of where God has moved in your life well-rehearsed in your head so that when an opportunity in a conversation presents itself you can share confidently.
Reprove, Rebuke and Exhort
- To fulfil our ministry we must stay close to Jesus. In this age where there are so many distractions and things trying to pull us away from Jesus having people, in a loving way, rebuke you and encourage you to get back on track is vitally important.
- The act of wandering off into myths is slow, gradual, and sometimes unnoticeable. It take us as a community to stop people in their tracks from wandering off and move them back towards Jesus when we notice that this is happening. Knowing truth, staying close to the truth that is in the bible is a great way of stopping the steady wander.
Stay Patient
- God’s timing is impeccable and we know that sometimes that we have to wait.
- It is easy to get disheartened when we are waiting for God to answer a prayer, breakthrough in someone’s life or give insight into a situation but Paul writes in Romans that God works all things for the good of those that love him.
- Often that time in the waiting is shaping and moulding you for something better. Staying patient helps you fulfil your ministry.
Endure Suffering
- Suffering is a given for Christians. Jesus tells us to count the cost of becoming a disciple and to take up our cross and follow him. We may not face the harassment and punishment that Paul faced, but many people around the world today still do.
- We may be overlooked for a job, have to cut off relationships or be called to give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. It is at these times that our faith and trust in Jesus is tested the most. Those who have been through it and come out the other side, will testify of God’s faithfulness and goodness to them.
- By staying close to God in the midst of suffering we meet with Him and receive hope, hope that is given to us through the pouring out of God’s love. We grow during the hard times which enable us to learn from God, be refined by God and stay faithful to him and fulfil our ministry.
Do The Work Set Out Before You
- For Timothy this was the work of an evangelist. God may have given you the gift of healing, if so use it. If prophecy, actively seek to hear from God for the church and the world. For others you may have a particular calling to work with children, create social enterprises, help the poor or be a full time parent
- We are promised a great reward for fulfilling our ministry and staying the course. The reward of being with Jesus, in his perfect righteousness forever.
- To love his appearing means that you were thrilled that Jesus appeared the first time and are eager to see his return and be with him again. To love his appearing is to love him, long for him, desire him above all things and cherish him.
- Don’t lose focus of Jesus, don’t wander off into myths but look to him and hold tight to him because there will come a time when we stand before him and I know that I want to say like Paul:
I ran the race.
I fought the good fight.
I kept the faith.
MORE SERMONS
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