2 Timothy 4:5-8
Introduction:
1. Without a doubt, my children just rolled their eyes at this sermon title as it is my standard response when they grow impatient with difficult or tedious tasks.
2. I do not intend to aggravate them; I intend to teach them to focus and persevere in whatever they are doing, so they can do their best in every circumstance.
3. This attitude is imperative as we labor in the kingdom awaiting the reward.
Discussion:
I. The Challenge of Impatience
A. This may never have been more difficult than it is in this place and time.
B. We get almost everything immediately, and this generates impatience.
C. This makes perseverance in serving God difficult (Matthew 13:5-7, 20-22; 2 Timothy 4:10).
II. The Imperative of Perseverance
A. The crown Paul referenced is conditioned upon persevering through trials and remaining faithful to the end (Luke 9:62; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).
B. A host of other passages confirm the imperative of finishing what we started in serving Christ (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Luke 21:19; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:35-39; James 5:7-11).
C. We must have a mindset to never give up (Hebrews 12:1-3; James 1:2-4; 2 Peter 2:20-22).
III. All We Lack’s Finishing
A. Life’s brevity is another common theme in Scripture (Psalms 39:5; James 4:14), often coupled with the reality of difficulties (Job 7:6-7; 9:25-26; 14:1-2; Ecclesiastes 2:17-23).
B. This harsh reality demands a heavenly viewpoint:
1. Our hearts follow our treasures (Matthew 6:19-21, 25-34)
2. Earthly trials produce endurance leading to eternal glory, if we allow it to mold our hearts (Romans 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:14-5:6; Hebrews 12:10-11; James 1:2-4).
3. Such incentivizes godly living (Romans 8:24-25; 2 Peter 3:13-15; 1 John 3:1-3).
C. No matter the trial, we are always drawing nearer His salvation (Romans 13:11).
Conclusion:
1. Ready or not, our earthly struggle is rapidly drawing to its end.
2. Whatever struggles we are enduring, we must put our heads down and press towards the prize because we know all we lack is finishing.
Further Food for Thought
1. How do you suppose impatience impedes our daily labors in the kingdom?
2. Does your desire to reach the end of a trial ever rob you of spiritual growth?
3. How can we be more perceptive and gain the blessings trials are intended to add?