Are You Faithful?

(2 Timothy 2:1-7)…..You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ You therefore must endure 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 may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

How do we spot a faithful man/woman? Paul uses the example of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer…..

    1.  The Soldier

• The soldier does not turn tail and run at the first sign of trouble
• He does not drop his weapons and run from the battle

• The good Soldier will not entangle himself in the affairs of this life – so he can please the one who enlisted him

• If we are faithful –  we will not let the world keep us from serving God 
• Read: (Matthew 6:24) (Luke 9:57-62)

    2.  The Athlete

• Read: (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
• The faithful man learns from the athlete what it means to be dedicated
• The athlete will spend countless hours training for the glory of victory

• There are a lot of people serving God by their own rules – this does not mean they are faithful – a faithful man serves by obeying the rules

   3.  The Farmer

• From the farmer we learn that the faithful man/woman is hard working
• Read: (Philippians 3:14)
• This pressing on denotes working hard
• If we are faithful – we will hard in our service to Him
• We are not working to be saved – but because we are saved

 e.  How can I show myself a faithful man/woman?

             1.  Live by faith – (Romans 1:17)

             2.  Stand fast in faith – (1 Corinthians 16:13) (Philippians 1:27)

             3.  Continue in faith – (Acts 14:22)

             4.  Be strong in faith – (Romans 4:19-25)

             5.  Abound in faith – (2 Corinthians 8:7)

             6.  Be grounded in faith – (Colossians 1:23)

             7.  Be sure of my faith – (2 Timothy 1:12)

Lord please help us to be like this!