The Godly Life

Introduction:

2 Timothy – Paul writes to encourage the young evangelist…farewell address. Today’s text, found in 3:10-15 – especially powerful. We possess tremendous potential. God sees possibilities with us that we cannot imagine. Each one of us can impact those around us w/Jesus. Today we will discuss 9 qualities of life Paul transmitted to Timothy. If we implement these into our life, we will live a godly life.

I. We communicate through our preaching – 3:10     You have carefully followed my doctrine…

A.     Doctrine is important. It’s OK to talk about & discuss doctrinal matters.

1.     1 Tim. 4:6 – sound doctrine; Titus 2:7 – purity in doctrine.

B.     Know it, practice it, and communicate it humbly and practically.

II. We communicate through our practice – 3:10     My manner of life.

A.     What manner of life?  Following Jesus.

1.     1 Corinthians 11:1 & others passages – follow me as Galatians 2:20

B.     Is that what your life is saying?

III. We communicate through our purpose – 3:10    Purpose…

A.     Our life’s purpose is whatever we would die for right now.

B.     What is your purpose?

IV. We communicate through our perseverance – 3:10     Faith…

A.     Faith, here, means being faithful under pressure. (Fidelity).

B.     Even if dark clouds have gathered round us – we don’t abandon our spiritual principles. We do not abandon ourselves to despair.

C.     We persevere because of the promises of God – 1 Peter 1:3-5

V. We communicate through our patience – 3:10      Longsuffering…

A.     Word means to have patience with people.

B.     People can bring out the worst in us, must not let them control us.

C.     Gal. 5:22-23 – fruit of the Spirit is patience.

VI. We communicate through our philanthropy – 3:10    Love…

A.     Paul was not only a God-lover…but he was a people lover.

B.     He seized opportunities to do good to those around him, reaching them with the good things of God. He writes: Romans 12:10; 13; Galatians 6:2, 9-10

VII. We communicate through our Patience with Circumstances – 3:10    Perseverance.

A.     Prior word for patience primarily covered how we deal with people.  Word here is dealing with how we deal with our circumstances.

B.     Wonder how many times Paul felt like he had some setbacks?

C.     What about us? We sometimes deal with poor circumstances.

VIII. We communicate through our persecutions – 3:11     Persecutions…

A.     Flip through Acts and 2 Corinthians. Read the details of how Paul was persecuted.

B.     When we keep sharing the gospel, despite the persecution and hostile rejection of those around us, Christ will be seen in us.

IX. We communicate through our pain – 3:11     Afflictions…

A.     2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18 – Paul possessed the treasure of the ministry in a jar of clay that the excellence might be of God.

Conclusion:

A.     Our greatest communication isn’t with our lips, but with our lives.

B.     Sooner or later, what we really believe will be seen in what we are.