Sermons From Second Timothy - Fulfill Your Ministry (4:5)

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                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                      Fulfill Your Ministry (4:5)

INTRODUCTION

1. Encouraging Timothy to do the work of an evangelist...
   a. Paul charged him to "fulfill your ministry" - 2Ti 4:5
   b. That is, "fulfill in all its requirements, leaving nothing undone"
      - JFB

2. A similar charge was given to Archippus...
   a. "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord,
      that you may fulfill it." - Col 4:17
   b. The Greek suggests "that thou keep on filling it full. It is a
      lifetime job." - RWP

[The charge given to Timothy and Archippus is one that should be heeded
by all Christians:  "Fulfill Your Ministry".  "But do I have a
ministry?" one might ask. Yes, indeed, and therefore...]

I. WE NEED TO FIND OUR MINISTRY

   A. GOD HAS GIVEN MANY GIFTS...
      1. To each one God has given gift(s)
         a. He has given to each one a "measure of faith" - Ro 12:3
         b. We each have gifts "according to the grace that is given us"
            - Ro 12:6a
      2. Not all have the same gift(s)
         a. Not every member has the same function - Ro 12:4
         b. We have "differing" gifts - Ro 12:6-8
            1) E.g., prophecy, ministering, teaching, exhorting
            2) E.g., giving, leading, showing mercy
            c. For God's grace is "manifold" - cf. 1Pe 4:10

   B. EVERY GIFT OR MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT...
      1. All are important for the body to be complete
         a. None can say they are unimportant - 1Co 12:14-20
         b. None can say others are not needed - 1Co 12:21-25
      2. All are needed for the body to grow
         a. Growth come from the head, Christ - Ep 4:15-16a
         b. Also by the effective working of each part, doing its share
            - Ep 4:16b
            1) Otherwise the body is handicapped in service
            2) Otherwise the body is hindered in growth

   C. FINDING YOUR MINISTRY...
      1. Providence
         a. Consider your natural abilities
            1) Are you gifted in hand, speech, or heart?
            2) Some gifts are better suited for certain services
            3) Your natural abilities may suggest how God wants you to
               serve
         b. Consider your opportunities
            1) Were you called early in life, late in life?
            2) Were you called with skills already developed?
            3) Your circumstances when you obeyed the gospel may suggest
               areas of service - cf. 1Co 7:18-24
      2. Preparation
         a. Develop your abilities
            1) Not all abilities are self-evident; seek to develop as
               many as you can
            2) As your abilities become evident, seek to excel in them
               - cf. Ezr 7:10
         b. Utilize your opportunities
            1) Opportunities as provided by the Lord - cf. Mt 25:14-18
            2) Opportunities to even change your circumstances - cf.
               1Co 7:21
      3. Prayer
         a. Seek wisdom to discern your abilities
            1) Wisdom comes through prayer - cf. Jm 1:5
            2) Wisdom is given to those who so diligently seek it - cf.
               Pr 2:1-9
         b. Seek open doors to use your abilities
            1) The Lord often opens doors to serve Him - cf. 1Co 3:5
            2) We might also pray for opportunities to serve Him - cf.
               1Ch 4:10
      4. Presentation
         a. Commit your ways to the Lord
            1) Present yourself and your plans for service to the Lord
               - cf. Pr 16:3
            2) Let your attitude be like that of Isaiah - cf. Isa 6:8
         b. Make yourself available to the brethren
            1) Minister your gift(s) to your brethren - cf. 1Pe 4:10
            2) Follow the example of the Hebrew Christians - cf. He 6:10

II. WE NEED TO FULFILL OUR MINISTRY

   A. TO BLESS ONE ANOTHER...
      1. God desires that we minister our gifts to one another - 1 Pe
         4:10
      2. Even as Jesus came to serve us - Mk 10:45
      3. Are your brethren being blessed by the ministry God has given
         you?  Or have you...
         a. Been negligent to utilize your gift(s)?
         b. Allowed the world's distractions to keep you from being a
            blessing? - cf. Lk 8:14

   B. TO GLORIFY GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST...
      1. Through the gifts given by Christ to those in His church, God
         is to be glorified - 1Pe 4:11
      2. Even as Paul prayed for the Philippians - Php 1:9-11
      3. Is God being glorified by the fruits of your righteousness?  Or
         have you...
         a. Been negligent to develop your gift(s)?
         b. Allowed the love of the world to keep you from glorifying
            God? - cf. 1Jn 2:15-17

   C. TO FACE THE LORD AT THE JUDGMENT...
      1. The day is coming when the Lord will hold us accountable - Mt
         25:14-19
      2. Even as the master held his servants to accountable - Mt 25:
         20-30
      3. Are we preparing ourselves for that Day?  Or are we...
         a. Burying our talent(s)?
         b. Allowing fear to keep us from utilizing our talent(s)? - cf.
            Mt 25:25

CONCLUSION

1. May we take to heart the admonitions given to Timothy and
   Archippus...
   a. "Fulfill your ministry" - 2Ti 4:5
   b. "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord,
      that you may fulfill it." - Col 4:17

2. As we do so, remember the exhortations given to the Hebrew
   Christians...
   a. God will not forget your work and labor as you minister to your
      brethren - He 6:10
   b. But show diligence to the end, and do not become sluggish - He 6:
      11-12

In so doing, you will not only "Fulfill Your Ministry", but also
"imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises"...
- He 6:12
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