1You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Be Strong in that Grace
What is grace
God’s Empowerment
Paul understood Suffering
He knew about being
++Misunderstood
++Betrayed
++Abandoned
++Persecuted
++Afflicted
Grace Sustained Him
He had received grace
++God's unmerited Favor
++A touch from God
++A transformation
Grace Helps Us
2 Timothy 2:3–4 NKJV
3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Grace helps us see through the difficult times
The life of a soldier requires
++Character
++Courage
++Conditioning
John 15:13 NKJV
13Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Grace helps us see through the difficult times
2 tim 2:5
2 Timothy 2:5 NKJV
5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
Grace helps us do the right thing- the right way
The life of an athlete requires
++Disciple
++Dedication
++Delayed Gratification
1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV
24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV
27But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Grace helps us do the right thing- the right way
2 Timothy 2:6 NKJV
6The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
Grace help us understand the value of investment
The Farmer understands
++The Seasons
++The Soil
++The Seed
Genesis 8:22 NKJV
22“While the earth remains,Seedtime and harvest,Cold and heat,Winter and summer,And day and nightShall not cease.”
The Soldier, the Athlete, the farmer all work for the benefit of another. Paul is teaching us on the intrinsic value of service.
He teaches us that what he calls us to do
++Will take endurance
++Must be done the right way
++Is an investment
Hebrews 6:10 NKJV
10For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
God never forgets
Hebrews 6:18 NKJV
18that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
God cannot lie
Titus 1:2–3 NKJV
2in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
