EPISODE 0059 | Called To Contend
THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0059
What does it mean to truly "contend" for our faith in today’s world? In this episode, Pastor Stephen unpacks Paul’s guidance to Timothy, showing how perseverance, mentorship, and spiritual growth empower us to stand firm. Discover practical steps to guard the faith, pass on wisdom, and build resilience as committed followers of Christ.
SPIRIT is THICKER than BLOOD .
God’s Call To Contend
1. The Call to Christ. Paul consistently emphasized the importance of preserving the purity of the Gospel. He entrusted Timothy with the same Gospel that was entrusted to him.
2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT) "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."
Fear – Know – Love.
2. The Call to Endure Hardship. Paul emphasized the necessity of suffering for the sake of Christ and urged Timothy to remain resilient.
2 Timothy 2:1 (NLT) "You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
Grace – Unearned Favor of God. Giving you the good things you don’t deserve. Don’t waste the grace.
Romans 6:1-2 (NLT) Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?
3. The Call to Grow Up. Paul often provided advice about the necessary qualities of church leaders. This guidance not only set standards for others but also provided personal benchmarks for Timothy.
1 Timothy 3:1 (NLT) "This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position."
Ephesians 4:14-15 (NLT) Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
4. The Call to Unity. Timothy was warned about the rise of false teachings and the importance of combating them, specifically Godless chatter and half truths.
1 Timothy 6:20 NLT "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge."
5. A Call to Prayer and Worship. Paul underlined the importance of prayer and appropriate conduct during worship.
1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT) "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them."
6. The Call to Spiritual Family. Paul gave instructions on how various members of the church, such as widows, elders, and slaves, should be treated. To lead our families in a way that reflects the family of God.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NLT) "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."
7. A Call to Perseverance and Personal Growth. Paul advised Timothy to be diligent in his personal spiritual growth, to stay rooted in the Scriptures, and to continue in what he had learned. Why?
2 Timothy 2:1-3 (NLT) Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
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