Series Final: My Life Poured Out: 2 Timothy People’s stories are powerful.  As we conclude 2 Timothy, we see how the people in Paul’s life teach us lessons about our lives.  

What motivates you more… the carrot or the stick?  Many people think the Bible is all about the stick – punishment for doing wrong.  But as we see today, there’s so much carrot to look forward to and this is what keeps us going in the hard times.

As this year quickly draws to a close it’s a good time to recommit to our mission for 2019.  As fewer people in our city identify as Christians, the need is even greater for us to make followers of Jesus by being followers of Jesus.

Our passage today is a call to remember.  It was written for Timothy to remember what he had been through with Paul, and that he should press on by that example, and for us that we should remember Jesus and press on for Him.

When we see how people in the world mislead and deceive, it can be easy to despair.  But all that is happening confirms what the Bible says.  Take heart, God’t truth will always prevail.

We live such cluttered lives that our focus on the important things in life can be easily lost.  It is particularly tragic when the Christian’s attention is drawn away from Jesus and his mission in the world.  Today we will see Paul’s prescription for persevering with Christ.

It can be hard to keep following and serving Jesus when so many seem intent on criticising what we believe.  Paul’s letter to Timothy is a great encouragement to keep going and never be ashamed of our Saviour Jesus.

We all want wisdom.  When to speak and when to stay silent?  When to make a purchase?  Do I use the milk a date after the use-by date?  Today we’ll see that God’s wisdom says to be bold and try things, knowing God rules the world and is in control.

Today we are faced with so much uncertainty in life.  But today we will see that Jesus offers us complete certainty about life after death.

What’s better?  I think we all want what’s best, but in a world where absolutes are hard to know, we usually need wisdom to decide what’s better.  The Preacher in Ecclesiastes shares some such wisdom in this passage.