Notes of Faith February 5, 2026
“A CHALLENGE TO MINISTRY”
II Timothy 2:1-26
Let’s Begin - - - - In Jeremiah’s call to the ministry - he was sovereignly called and gifted (cf Jeremiah 1:4-10). A true minister of God must be called and gifted. Any other reason to go into the ministry is bogus. In II Timothy 2:1-16 we have a self-portrait of a man called into the ministry of the Word.
1a. He must be a Man Who Understands the Grace of God (v. 1b).
Be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Being an expositor of the Word of God in the ministry is not difficult - IT IS IMPOSSIBLE! To be the right kind of preacher requires a clear grasp of the Grace of God and how to appropriate and relate to that Grace.
Schooled in Grace - Titus 2:11, 12
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.
Established in Grace - Hebrews 13:9a
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.
2a. He Must be a Man Who is Committed to Spiritual Reproduction - a Discipling Mindset (verse 2.)
And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
1. The doctrine - the Apostle’s doctrine.
2. This doctrine is to be committed to faithful men “to deposit or to entrust.”
3. To faithful men - trustworthy men who can be depended on.
4. Who will be able to teach others.
Passing the old truth to new men.
3a. He Must Seek to be a Well Disciplined Individual (verses 3-13) - three pictures; (the arena of discipline)
1b. As a soldier (vs. 3, 4, 8-13)
1. A disciplined soldier learns to adjust to hardship (v. 3).
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (v.3)
The word “hardship” suggests the whole round of hardship that comes with being a soldier for Jesus Christ on the front line of battle - - - to endure affliction or rough treatment that often leaves battle scars - - - thick skin and soft heart (never reverse the two).
We must learn to endure Hardship without becoming Hardened.
2. A disciplined soldier develops a singular focus to commitment and calling (v.4).
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier (v.4).
The man of God must avoid becoming involved in secular interest and pursuits that would dull the keen edge of ministry. Does not imply renunciating family, friends, etc. but warns against preoccupation with things that entangle. They entangle when they pull you away from your commitment.
3. A disciplined soldier learns to keep the source of his power and authority constantly before him (v. 8).
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my Gospel.
Exalt Jesus Christ, your captain. we must never lose sight of Him - - - keep Him before you always (Battle cry - “remember the Alamo/Pearl Harbor”). This is not just remembering a cause to fight for - but that He is your resurrected leader - - - the source of your power and authority. He is the one who has conquered already - and guarantees that if you look to Him you will not fail. (Hebrews 12:1,2)
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Fallen giants have forgotten this somewhere along the way.) Make up your mind that you are not going to become a casualty.
4. A disciplined soldier learns to concentrate on his purpose for serving (v. 10).
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
“God’s elect”. If you lose sight of the importance of people - you lose your purpose for serving.
Principle of success - Love people - Use things.
5. A disciplined soldier learns to trust and following his leader without question (vs. 11-13).
It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
2b. As an athlete (v.5).
And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
The discipline of an athlete. The athlete in training had a rigid schedule involving diet and physical exercise. If they did not stay with that schedule they were disqualified. The disciplines of the Christian ministry are exacting. The man of God must run according to the rules. This means that he must be willing to give the time and effort that is necessary to be the best preacher he can possibly be. We must avoid the Samson mentality.
3c. As a farmer (v. 6).
The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
The discipline of a farmer. This involves labor to the point of weariness - patiently sowing the seed and cultivating the ground. Sometimes the results are slow in coming - - - sometimes you have to look for the long term yield of your labor. The principle of financial support is taught in this passage (cf. I Tim. 5:17).
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
The church that calls a man to give his full time to a ministry ought to free him up to do that work.
4a. He Must be a Man Who is Committed to the Word of God (vs. 14-21).
Lack of respect for the Word of God disqualifies a man from the ministry. Verse 15 spells out the nature and extent of that commitment.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of Truth.
The minister should seek to be nothing less than an approved workman (Note requirements for doctors, attorneys, etc.) Be skilled in your practice. Don’t be guilty of spiritual malpractice!
In the professing church (Christendom), there is the true and there is the false (vessels to honor and to dishonor) - make sure that you are a vessel that honors Jesus Christ.
5a. He Must be a Man with a Servant Mentality (vs. 24-26).
And the Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
A servant must concentrate on pleasing his master. He must avoid getting involved in issues that cause divisions.
The servant must seek to maintain a patient and kind disposition, not quick to retaliate toward those who oppose him.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
YOU are the Lord’s bond servant!
YOU are doing His work!
YOU are His representative!
Pastor Charles Covington
I believe that these notes were used for a sermon. They are not dated or labeled as other “pen pulpits” are. Nevertheless, as I have found them with the others, I am sharing them with you. This speaks to any and all called by God, gifted with the Spirit of God, to serve God. All Christians should know the truths taught through the Scriptures in this message. You are called to serve! There are many rewards both earthly and eternal! It is not an easy labor. Satan and his minions will battle you at every turn but you already have won the victory in Christ and with Christ always at your side in the battle! May we accept the call and obey the commandments…
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…and love your neighbor as yourself! Love God! Love others!
Pastor Dale