Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-8
Introduction
A. When Paul says that he has “kept the faith”, what does he mean?
B. There is more to keeping the faith than just keeping house.
Discussion
I. Paul kept the faith by obeying it.
A. He preached obedience to the faith to all nations (Romans 1:5; 16:26; cf. Acts 26:19).
B. We keep the faith by keeping the commandments of God (Matthew 19:17; John 14:21; 1 John 5:3; 1 Corinthians 7:19).
II. Paul kept the faith by protecting it.
A. We don’t just hold on to things that are precious; we protect them (1 Corinthians 7:36-38; John 17:11-15; Ephesians 4:3).
B. Under the old law, the Jews were commanded to keep the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8; cf. John 9:16).
C. We need to keep ourselves pure (James 1:27), just as Paul tried to keep the faith (Galatians 2:5).
III. Paul kept the faith by refusing to let it go.
A. When a Roman guard let a prisoner go free, he often paid for his neglect with his own life (cf. Acts 16:23-27).
B. Once Paul found the truth, he wasn’t about to give it up (Proverbs 23:23)!
IV. Paul kept the faith by refusing to keep it to himself.
A. One way to “keep” something is by holding it back (John 2:10; 12:7).
B. When it came to declaring the gospel, Paul never held anything back (Acts 20:20-21, 27; Romans 15: 18-19; 2 Timothy 4:2).
Conclusion
To keep the faith we must obey it, defend it, and declare it to the world.