Phil Ryken’s sermon on 2 Timothy 1:13-2:13 was really quite outstanding. Some things that stuck out to me were:
– the ministry of transmission
– the faithful work of ministry
– the closing encouragement for perseverance in the Gospel
Here’s the outline…
6 sections related to faithfulness in life and ministry…
1) An apostolic call to faithful ministry (13-14)
This call includes a doctrinal (body of knowledge) aspect and a practical (living what we actually believe) aspect.
2) A personal example in faithful ministry (15-18)
Negatively in the people who had abandoned Paul and positively in Onesiphorus who: 1) loved men who preached God’s Word, 2) was courageous, 3) was effective and fruitful wherever God placed him.
3) Further instructions about the sacred trust entrusted to faithful men (1-2)
In ministry, hard work is combined with enabling grace. Grace flows through us to others. We are called not only to a ministry of reception, but also a ministry of transmission.
4) Illustrations of the faithful work of ministry (3-7)
Three illustrations emerge: 1) military – soldiers don’t get distracted, 2) athletic – with all diligence, 3) agriculture – hard work is a synonym for pastoral ministry. We must work hard.
5) Command to remember the faithful Savior (8-10)
Jesus went to the cross/rose again and in so doing, demonstrated the heartfelt, lifelong commitment to which we are called. This Word of the Gospel can’t be bound, but will bear fruit.
6) Absolute faithfulness of faithful God to His people (11-13)
Even we are faithless, God is faithful and can’t deny Himself. Our unfaithfulness (not final rejection, but failing in life and ministry to serve and obey like we should) can’t stop the Gospel’s work through us.
Lots of encouragement emerged from these works. May God continue to inspire applications from this.