Sermons From Second Timothy - What Kind Of Men God Makes (1:7)

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                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                    What Kind Of Men God Makes (1:7)

INTRODUCTION

1. The relationship between Paul and Timothy was like that of a father
   to a son - 2Ti 1:1-2
   a. Whom he prayed for daily - 2Ti 1:3
   b. Whom he longed to see - 2Ti 1:4
   c. Whom he remembered fondly - 2Ti 1:5

2. As any father would his son, Paul sought to encourage Timothy to be a
   man...
   a. To make good use of the blessings and opportunities given to him
      - 2Ti 1:6
   b. To become the kind of man God intended him to be - 2Ti 1:7

[What does God intend for a man to be?  What kind of man is God willing
to create for those who submit to His workmanship?  Using Paul's words
in 2Ti 1:7, we note that...]

I. GOD MAKES FEARLESS MEN

   A. MEN OF GOD DO NOT ALWAYS START OUT BOLD...
      1. Peter displayed cowardice on several occasions - Mt 14:30;
         26:69-75; Ga 2:11-12
      2. Paul confessed fearful tendencies - 1Co 2:3

   B. YET MEN OF GOD DEVELOPED BOLDNESS...
      1. The council noted the boldness of Peter and John - Ac 4:13
      2. Paul later confessed confidence in the face of trial - Ac
         20:24; 21:13

   C. HOW GOD MAKES FEARLESS MEN...
      1. As faith and love increase, fear decreases
         a. Fear is indicative of little faith - Mt 8:26
         b. Love casts out fear - 1Jn 4:18
      2. Boldness comes through prayer
         a. The apostles prayed for boldness - Ac 4:29-31
         b. Paul solicited prayer in his behalf for boldness - Ep 6:
            18-19

[As men of God grow in faith, love, and prayer, God removes the spirit
of fear.  As we return to our text (2Ti 1:7), we also observe that...]

II. GOD MAKES STRONG MEN

   A. MEN OF GOD START OUT WEAK...
      1. Even the apostles had their moments of weakness - Mt 26:40-41
      2. All disciples start as babes in Christ - cf. 1Co 3:1

   B. YET MEN OF GOD ARE TO BE STRONG...
      1. As Paul exhorted the Corinthians - 1Co 16:13
      2. As he exhorted the Ephesians - Ep 6:10

   C. HOW GOD MAKES STRONG MEN...
      1. By providing the right kind of armor - Ep 6:10-17
      2. By providing the aid of His Spirit in the inner man - Ep 3:
         16,20
      3. By providing a relationship with His Son - Jn 15:5; Php 4:13

[As we grow in truth, righteousness, faith, and prayer, God's Son and
His Spirit will provide what aid we need to be strong in the service of
the Lord.  From our text we also learn that...]

III. GOD MAKES LOVING MEN

   A. MEN OF GOD DO NOT ALWAYS START OUT LOVING...
      1. The apostles were often jealous of one another - Mt 20:24; Lk
         22:24
      2. James and John developed the reputation as "Sons Of Thunder"
         - Mk 3:17; cf. Lk 9:54

   B. YET MEN OF GOD DEVELOPED LOVE...
      1. John, "Son of Thunder", became the apostle of love - 1Jn 4:
         7,11
      2. Peter would refer to Paul as "our beloved brother" - 2Pe 3:15

   C. HOW GOD MAKES LOVING MEN...
      1. By loving us - 1Jn 4:10-11; cf. 1Th 4:9-10
      2. By providing Jesus as an example of love - 1Th 3:16; cf. Jn
         13:34-35

[As we allow ourselves to be moved by God's love for us, we will grow in
our love for others.  Finally, we see from our text that...]

IV. GOD MAKES SOUND MEN

   A. WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A SOUND MIND...
      1. The Greek word is sophronismos - "1) an admonishing or calling
         to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control; 2) self-
         control, moderation" - Thayer
      2. "The Greek word denotes one of sober mind; a man of prudence
         and discretion. The state referred to here is that in which the
         mind is well balanced, and under right influences; in which it
         sees things in their just proportions and relations; in which
         it is not feverish and excited, but when everything is in its
         proper place." - Barnes
      3. It depicts one who is stable and self-controlled in both life
         and doctrine

   B. THIS QUALITY TO BE FOUND IN MATURE CHRISTIANS...
      1. Bishops (elders) must be sober (sophrone) - 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8
      2. Older men are to be temperate (sophrone) - Tit 2:2
      3. Older women are to teach (sophronizo) younger women
         a. To be sober (sophronizo) - Tit 2:4
         b. To be discreet (sophrone) - Tit 2:5
      4. Young men like Timothy - 2Ti 1:7

   C. HOW GOD MAKES SOUND MEN...
      1. Through obedience to the words of His Son - cf. Mt 7:24-25
      2. By setting one's mind on the things of the Spirit (i.e., the
         word of God), producing the fruit of the Spirit - cf. Ro 8:5-6;
         Ga 5:16,22-23

CONCLUSION

1. For those willing to submit to the workmanship of God, He will
   create...
   a. Fearless men
   b. Strong men
   c. Loving men
   d. Sound men

2. Such qualities are not limited to those of the male gender...
   a. They are virtues found in women as well
   b. Especially when older women exemplify and teach them to the
      younger women

3. We may not start the Christian life with these qualities; new
   Christians often have...
   a. Cowardice
   b. Weakness
   c. Hatred
   d. Instability

But God is willing to "give us" (2Ti 1:7) courage, strength, love, and
stability.  Are we willing to submit to His workmanship in our lives...?

Note:  The main points for this outline was taken from a sermon by
Alexander Maclaren, in his "Exposition Of The Scriptures"
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