THREE PICTURES OF FAITHFUL

SERVICE
2 TIMOTHY 2:3-7

3 You therefore must endure[a] hardship as a good soldier of Jesus

Christ.
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this

life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless

he competes according to the rules.

6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

7 Consider what I say, and [b]may the Lord give you understanding in

all things.
INTRODUCTION:
1.) AS PAUL SOUGHT TO ENCOURAGE TIMOTHY IN HIS WORK
AS AN EVANGELIST…

2.) THE LESSONS TO BE GLEANED FROM THESE “PICTURES” IS

NOT LIMITED TO EVANGELIST…

[WITH THAT IN MIND, LET’S LOOK CLOSER AT THE FIRST

“PICTURE” IN WHICH WE ARE REMINDED OF…]
I. THE DEDICATION OF A SOLDIER
A.) LONGSUFFERING…
3 You therefore must endure[a] hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 1:8 New International Version (NIV)

8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his

prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Matthew 5:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

B.) FOCUSED
4aNo one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs,

Luke 8:14 New International Version (NIV)

14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as
they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and
pleasures, and they do not mature.

1 Timothy 6:9 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into
many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction.
C.) DEVOTED

4b. so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

2 Corinthians 5:9 New International Version (NIV)

9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the

body or away from it.

Colossians 1:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in

every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the

knowledge of God,
THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE A
SOLDIER WHO SERVES HIS/HER
COUNTRY WITH HONOR, ASK
YOURSELF: “DO I SERVE MY LORD
AND HIS KINGDOM WITH THE
SAME DEDICATION?”
II.) THE DISCIPLINE OF AN ATHLETE
A.) OBEDIENT
5 Similarly,anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive
the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

Luke 6:46 New International Version (NIV)

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

James 1:22 New International Version (NIV)

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do
what it says.
B.) SELF-CONTROLLED

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 New International Version (NIV)

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets

the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They

do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that
will last forever.
26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight

like a boxer beating the air.

27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I

have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:25 New International Version (NIV)
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it
to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last
forever.

1 Corinthians 9:27 New International Version (NIV)

27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have
preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

[AS YOU WATCH ATHLETES COMPETING IN

THE DIFFERENT SPORTS, LET THEIR
EXAMPLE SELF-DISCIPLINED CHALLENGE
YOU IN YOUR OWN SERVICE TO THE LORD.]
III.) THE DILIGENCE OF A FARMER
A.) HARDWORKING
2 Timothy 2:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
Matthew 9:37-38 New International Version (NIV)
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest

field.”
John 4:36 New International Version (NIV)
36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal
life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
B.) MOTIVATED
2 Timothy 2:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the
crops.
1 Corinthians 15:58 New International Version (NIV)
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing
move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the
Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Romans 6:22 New International Version (NIV)

22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become
slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is
eternal life.
CONCLUSION:
1.) FROM THESE “THREE PICTURES OF FAITHFUL SERVICE”, WE
GLEANED THAT CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE…
A.) DEDICATED LIKE SOLDIERS.
B.) DISCIPLINED LIKE ATHLETES.
C.) DILIGENT LIKE FARMERS.
2.) ARE WE WILLING TO LEARN FRO THESE THREE “PICTURES”…?
A.) WILLING TO SUFFER IN OUR EFFORTS TO PLEASE THE LORD…?
B.) WILLING TO DISCIPLINED OURSELVES TO RECEIVE AN
IMPERISHABLE CROWN…?
C.) WILLING TO WORK DILIGENTLY THAT WE MIGHT BENEFIT FROM
THE FRUIT THAT OUR LABORS…?
2 Timothy 2:7 New International Version (NIV)

7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you

insight into all this.

MAY GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

&
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
AMEN