5 OCCUPATIONAL REALITIES

                       2 Timothy 2:1-7                                 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I saw an interesting story on the news of a woman who was fired for selling Girl Scout cookies while on the job. She said it wasn’t fair- it’s not like she was making money off it- she was just trying to help her daughter. But wait- was she wrong? She stole her employer’s time to promote her daughter. She stole her employer’s business [she worked in a food store]. She made her employer to promote a cause he might not back. She broke the rules. Who knows what else? An occupation or relationship implies certain restrictions. For instance- I am a married man- therefore I should not be in a romantic relationship with someone else. I pastor this church so I should not be absent from my own pulpit to go to a sporting event.

 

I. SON – A RELATIONSHIP REMEMBERED [v. 1]

 

“in Christ” there is strength and grace

 

II. TEACHER – A RESPOSIBILITY REFERENCED

 

It must be learned [heard], understood, and [taught] passed on to be taught again

 

III. SOLDIER – A REASON REINFORCED [v. 3-4]

 

Endure hardness – to please God [being a good Christian is not easy, a sissy can’t do it]

 

IV. ATHELETE – A PRINCIPLE RETAINED [v. 5]

 

Sacrifice for the goal – cheaters will not win

 

V. FARMER – A PATIENCE REWARDED [v. 6-7]

 

There are worthwhile fruits to be enjoyed- now and later