CompetitIve Faith – 2 Timothy 2:1-5

FAITH & God – Competitive

Foundation Verses 2:1-3

      BE STRONG in Jesus Christ

      ENTRUST teaching to reliables

                For reliables to teach

      JOIN in Suffering

Vs 5 competing 

“Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown(G) except by competing according to the rules. “

COMPETING

Illus: pick a sport…..

     Investment – $

     Time

     Sweat

     Sacrifice 

What is Paul trying to get across to Timothy…?

Paul doesn’t treat his FAITH lightly….

     – Serious

     – Continuous Commitment 

     – Don’t lose sight of it ???

              He needs reminding?

How about us?

ACCORDING TO THE RULES

Golden Rule

MATTHEW 7 – NASB 

12 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

(13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.)

2 Great Commandments

MATTHEW 22:36-40

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Contrast:

       Competition against ???

        The big lie – 

               that our relationship with God can be replaced ….

               that that can wait till later

We & TIMOTHY ARE FACING :

     THE PERPETUAL FORK IN THE ROAD

         How is my TIME best spent ? 

         What about when life is DIFFICULT ? 

                Isn’t easier better?

         Why SACRIFICE when pursuit of pleasure is easier?