Stand Firm

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Cor. 15:58
I had the privilege to preach for the DNOW event at Edwards Road Baptist Church this weekend.  Thankful for this church and their partnership in discipleship.  Here are my outlines from the services.

SESSION 1 – Stand Firm in the World

  • 2 Tim. 2:1-7; 2 Tim. 4:9-10
  • Make sure whatever you are living for is worth the one life you have to offer.
  • You must learn how to live from Christ’s love rather than for Christ’s love (2 Tim. 2:1).
  • If there is a true profession of faith, there must be a true progression of faith (2 Tim. 2:2).
  • Discipleship is taking everything you know about Jesus and passing it on to another (2 Tim. 2:2).
  • To identify with the salvation of Jesus implies you will identify with the suffering of Jesus (2 Tim. 2:3).
  • Soldiers who forget they are at war are those most prone to become a casualty (2 Tim. 2:4).
  • Make your life’s sole obsession to be pleasing to Jesus (2 Tim. 2:4).
  • You cannot be in love with the perfect Savior and the present world at the same time (2 Tim. 4:10).
  • Demas – Col. 4:14, Phile. 1:23-24; 2 Tim. 4:9-10

SESSION 2 – Stand Firm with One Another

  • 2 Tim. 2:22-26
  • Run From
    • To flee something does not mean to see how close you can get to it without actually touching it.
    • Get as far away as you can from sinful passions and pursuits.
    • How could I live for what Christ died for?
  • Run To
    • Fleeing lusts and pursuing righteousness is one motion.
    • Replace your unrighteous desires with righteous desires.
    • You can be successful in fighting temptation once you believe that Christ’s way is better than the culture’s way.
  • Run With
    • In order to flee youthful lusts, you have to run somewhere with somebody.
    • If pursuing Jesus, you must align yourself with people going in the same direction.
    • Are the people closest in your life taking you closer to Jesus or further from Jesus?

SESSION 3 – Stand Firm on the Word

  • 2 Tim. 3:10-17
  • The only way to stand firm for Christ is if your beliefs and your behaviors are found in the Bible (2 Tim. 3:10).
  • Spiritual disciplines are not meant to make you more liked by Jesus but to make you more like Jesus (2 Tim. 3:14).
  • God’s Word is profitable for teaching – showing what’s right.
  • God’s Word is profitable for reproof – showing what’s not right.
  • God’s Word is profitable for correction – showing how to make it right.
  • God’s Word is profitable for training in righteousness – showing how to keep it right.
  • All of God’s Word equips all of God’s servants for all of God’s tasks (2 Tim. 3:17).
  • No discipline is more important than regular Bible study because it encourages every other spiritual discipline.
  • Bible Reading Reminders:
    • Prepare a Bible reading plan to give you a direction and a goal (Ps. 119:10).
    • Plan when to study and set yourself up for success (Eph. 5:16).
    • Partner together with a friend to stay accountable (Prov. 27:17).
    • Pray that God will speak to you through his Word as you begin (Eph. 1:18).
    • Persist in your reading even if you miss a day or longer (Prov. 24:16).
    • Practice a truth by applying it into your life (Josh. 1:8).
    • Present a truth you learned to someone else that very day (Ezra 7:10).

SESSION 4 – Stand Firm Through the Gospel

  • 2 Timothy 1:8-10
  • Never be ashamed of who Jesus is or what he has done for you (2 Tim. 1:8).
  • The gospel is the good news of how we are saved by the person and work of Jesus (2 Tim. 1:8-9).
  • We were not only saved from something but for something.
  • Our calling is that we are saved by the good news so we can share the good news (2 Tim. 1:9).
  • The gospel in 15 words:
    • God creates us.
    • God convicts us.
    • God saves us.
    • God sends us.
    • God rescues us.
  • If our lives were saved by the gospel, then they should be set apart for the gospel.
  • Jesus was never “Plan B” (2 Tim. 1:10).