November 3rd – Measuring Success – Commandment 6: Measure Success by God’s Standards

2 Timothy 2:19 - 22

 

2 Timothy 2:19-22  “But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Those who claim they belong to the Lord must turn away from all wickedness."  In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.  Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”  (NLT)

 

Paul gives a way to measure spiritual progress

 

  1. Measure spiritual devotion by commitment to the local church (1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:10)
  2. Measure spiritual development by growth in Godliness.  Paul gives two IMproper methods for determining maturity:
    1. Measuring growth materialistically  (1 Tim 6:5)
    2. Measuring growth legalistically  (2 Tim 3:5)
  3. Measure spiritual discipleship by reproduction  (2 Tim 2:2)  Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to “make disciples...teaching them”
  4. Measure potential by God’s call and anointing (2 Timothy 1:6, 14; 4:11) we often judge leadership potential by evaluating a person’s abilities, gifts or even their past.  Moses, Rahab and Mark remind us that kingdom potential is related to calling and anointing by God.

(Outline from Jerry Gifford Jr., Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky)

 

My Sermon Notes

 

  1. Be ready for “everyday use”
    1. Be Clean
    2. Be Strong (don’t bend to temptation)
    3. Be Available  (“top drawer”
  2. Run from ANYTHING that will stain you
    1. Youthful lust
    2. Childish pride
    3. SIN
  3. Follow ANYTHING that will make you do right
    1. Good teaching
    2. Sound Doctrine
    3. Encouragement
  4. PURSUE
    1. Faith
    2. Love
    3. Peace
  5. Enjoy the companionship of Fellow Believers
    1. Church
    2. Sunday School
    3. Small Groups
    4. Prayer
    5. Study
    6. Relaxation/leisure time