1 Tim. 4:1-11, DETERMINATION vs. faintheartedness (2)

c)    What is so important as to demand determination?  Paul said, A great and effective door has opened to me and there are many adversaries (1 Cor. 16:9).  Why would he not consider the many adversaries a reason to move on?  Paul’s answer, and our answer must be: we both labor (strive) and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe (1 Tm. 4:10).  It is the God we serve who makes this important; and it is the task He has given us, to make disciples of all nations, that tell us we must not give up in the face of adversity.

d)    Having said that, let us ask what is required for a determined Christian, one who can and will agonize to accomplish God’s goals?

i)      Acts 20:24:

(1)                        An unshakeable vision.  What does God want me to do in this situation?  Be like Jesus who, knowing what would happen at Jerusalem (the cross and resurrection), nevertheless steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51).

(2)                        An expendable life.  We realize our life has been given to us by God and we are His (1 Cor. 6:20).  Again, in the same context, Jesus lived and taught this truth (Lk. 9:23-25).  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life fore My sake will save it.

ii)   1 Cor. 9:25: A temperate lifestyle.  We believe we have time in our lives to do God’s will.  But we cannot waste time on useless or fruitless things.

iii)            Heb. 12:1: Unhindered righteousness.  We must run the race unhindered by sin.  For example, greed, the lust for money and things, takes away the life of its owners (Prov. 1:19). 

iv) James 1:4: Patience.  We don’t come to a successful end without this.  Ever.  One aspect of patience is that we must give prayerful thought to our actions before performing those actions.  The plans of everyone who is hasty, surely (come) to poverty (Prov. 21:5). 

v)    Prov. 22:29; 28:19: Diligence.  Paul both labored and suffered reproach. 

vi) Col. 1:29: God’s help.  Do not be fooled.  Only when we are strengthened by God’s strength is determination possible.  Paul’s labor and striving was according to His working which works in me mightily.

e)    Lastly, or perhaps “firstly,” remember that this was Jesus’ example for us.  His vision was unshakeable, to do His Father’s will (Jn. 4:34).  He agonized in prayer (Lk. 22:44) and in His suffering (Heb. 12:2).  And at the end of His earthly life we could say to His Father, I have glorified You on earth; I have finished the work which You have given me to do (Jn. 17:4).

Memorize Acts 20:24.