Running To Win - "Get Set…"
2 Timothy 4:1-8

INTRO: Well the Olympic Games are over, history, soon to be forgotten. Well there may be a few things about them we may not forget. Their accomplishments were often unbelievable. I want to take time today, continuing a series on Running To Win and compare our running the race that we are in to the Olympics.

Paul, in 2 Timothy 4 knew he was in a race. It actually was a race for his life too. He was doing his best to win, his best to do well, his best to help his friends and those he come into contact with win their race too.

During this series we will look at three different aspects of Running To Win. Last week, we looked at the preparation needed (or "Get Ready!"). Today, we will look at the participation contributed (or "Get Set!"). And next week, Lord willing, we will look at the presentation awarded (or "Go!").

Paul knew that competing for the Lord is like a difficult wrestling match. It takes a lot of hard work and help from our coach to win. But win we can with God's help.

Eph. 6:10-12 ¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

He also knew the hard work will payoff great dividends.

2 Tim. 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Last week we looked into 2 Timothy 4. I want to read this again today and use a portion of it for our message. If you will remember last week we used the first eight words in verse five as our text. I want to continue on in verse five today using the last half of that verse.

2 Timothy 4:1-8 ¹I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; ²Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. ³For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ⁵But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. ⁶For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: ⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Running To Win - "Get Set…" - page 2

We are going to use two main thoughts today. First, when we look at running to win (for the Lord), I see our Foremost Purpose "…do the work of an evangelist…" And then I see the need for our Full Participation "…make full proof of thy ministry." Lets get started…

Olympians work hard. They train virtually year round. Many train form one Olympics to the next. For them it is a fulltime job! Not only do they train, they sacrifice. They often give up friendships, give up family. For what, a piece of cloth and metal? Well it is more than that. We need to be dedicated just like they are when it comes to serving the Lord. We need to be will to have a foremost purpose in our lives - serving the Lord well…

Foremost Purpose - "…do the work of an evangelist…"

Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Tim.1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 ¹Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; ²How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. ³For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; ⁴Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ⁵And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 Putting His purpose first in our lives, points to the fact we need to give Him our…
Full participation - "…make full proof of thy ministry."