"HE IS ABLE"
2 TIMOTHY 1-2:7
SEPTEMBER 13, 1992

INTRODUCTION

A. Paul has been released & then rearrested

1. His last letter... Read 4:6-18
2. Most personal of his letters

B. Letter of encouragement to Timothy

1. Timothy's sensitive character (note vrs. 4)
2. Tough times... Would the church survive?

a. No status, staff, budget or buildings
b. Chief spokes person about to be killed

I. THE CALL TO MINISTRY (8-12)

A. The Gospel (8-11)

1. He Saved us (9a)

a. "I thank God, whom I serve... with a clear conscience" (3)

2. He Called to a holy life (9a)
3. His purpose and grace... before the beginning of time (9)
4. Revealed by Jesus (10)

a. He destroyed death
b. He brought life & immortality to light

B. Paul's Call: a preacher, an apostle, a teacher

1. "By the will of God" (1)
2. Each person's call is unique (I Cor. 12-4, Rom 12, Eph 4)
3. We are all called "Of this Gospel..." (11)
father, mother, carpenter, janitor, banker, farmer, business person
4. "You are not your own... therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor 6:19)
5. Calling is out of who you are... Work is what you do to support your calling

II. ADVICE FOR MINISTRY

A. "Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord..." (8a)

1. Note Heb 13:23; 2 Tim 2:11-13

B. "Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God..." (8b)

1. That doesn't sound fun!!
2. Serious discipleship will cost you something
3. Discipleship is not an option: "Go therefore and make disciples of every nation..."
4. Discipleship demands that Jesus and His interests are put in primary position

a. Fear of rejection: very debilitating
b. Cure for Lukewarmness is a personal, growing relationship with Jesus

C. Be Consistent in the Word: "pattern of sound teaching" (13)

1. Easy to get caught by whatever new thing is coming by Praise, shepherding, prophecy, demons, principles, principalities
2. D.L. Moody "This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book."

D. "Guard the deposit that was entrusted to you"

1. Word, people
2. With the Holy Spirit

E. "He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day" (12)

1. Read 2:13
2. "He is able"

a. My God

King: of the Jews, Israel, Righteousness, Glory, K of K, Ages, Heavens
The heavens declare the Glory God, no one define the limits of HIS Love no one can see His bounds by telescope, no barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. Do you know HIM?

He is enduringly strong, entirely sincere, eternally steadfast, immortally gracefully, imperially powerfully, impartially gracefully Do you know Him?

He is the greatest

He's God's Son, He's the Sinner's savior, He's unparalleled, He's unprecedented, He's Holy, He's August, He's Sovereign, He stands in the solitude of Himself. Do you Know HIM?