Day 4, Week 6 of Come, Lord Jesus Come (A Love God Greatly Study) Do the Work God Has Called You To

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 (SOAP – 2 Timothy 4:5)

You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 NET

Observations of Timothy’s Ministry:

• Paul has outlined Timothy’s ministry for him, making sure Timothy understands the importance of what God has called him to do.
  • Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. (v2)
• Paul makes sure Timothy knows that people will be harder to reach and some will need to be pulled back toward the truth.
  •  For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (v3-4)
• Timothy is then encouraged to stay faithful to his ministry, regardless of others turning away from the truth or even the temptation to turn away himself. (v5) He would need to …
  • be self-controlled
  • endure hardships
  • be faithful to spread the Gospel
  • fulfill what God had called him to do

Application: So What Does This Mean For Us?

Often when applying the Scriptures we have to see how a message to those in the New Testament church relates to us in the 21st century – but I believe this is one that applies across the centuries. Certainly we are living in a time like Paul described, where people no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They follow their own desires and look for teachers who tell them whatever they want to hear. They reject the truth and chase after myths. So as disciples of Christ, called to go and share the Gospel message and to make other disciples as we go, it seems we need the very same instructions Paul gave to Timothy. We must …

• be self-controlled
• endure hardships
• be faithful to spread the Gospel
• fulfill what God has called us to do

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, help us to be faithful to Your calling on our lives. Let us not neglect sharing the Gospel message nor all that we might need to do and say to help others NOT fall away. And please guard us from turning away ourselves. Instead, help us to endure hardships, to be self-controlled and alert, remembering our enemy – the devil – prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Help us to be ready with the message whether it is inconvenient or not – and help us to be patient with those who need to be reached. May we boldly follow Jesus’ example and serve You as You lead. – In Jesus’ name I pray – amen!

Reflections: Your turn

What is the mission God has called you to? What do you need to do to fulfill this mission?