Sermon Tone Analysis

2 Timothy 2:1-7

Living Effectively as a Christian

/Preached @ SBNBC 10~/22~/06/

 

*Introduction*

 

                The Revolutionary War is filled with stories of heroism and bravery – soldiers and commanders who gave up much for the cause of the United States’ freedom.

The Revolutionary War is filled with stories of soldiers and commanders who were very effective in their positions and ultimately helped secure the U.S. its’ independence.

I would like to tell you the story of one Brigadier General who was very effective in his position, and I will call him Ben.

Ben was no stranger to adversity and difficulty before the War.

He grew up in a wealthy family, at least wealthy until his father made several bad decisions that plunged the family into debt and then his father turned to alcoholism to numb the pain.

Ben’s mother died by the time he was 18, leaving him to care for his sisters and his father, and his father died when Ben was 20.  Ben approached life aggressively, started a pharmacy and bookstore, and then eventually founded a West Indies trade company that provided Ben with much wealth.

When war came about, Ben enlisted and quickly found himself being promoted due to his bold courage and success on the battle-field.

Soon he was promoted to Brigadier General and participated in many famous encounters with the British, probably the most famous being the Saratoga Campaign during which by his brash courage and military brilliance had almost single-handedly handed the British a loss.

Although his leg was injured greatly, he fought to not have it amputated so he would not be rendered useless for the war effort, and through agonizing recovery he eventually had regained enough use back in his leg to serve again.

Even during his military successes, though, he faced hardships of false accusations by those who envied him, and had managed to overcome the harshness of his detractors.

Ben was one of Washington’s most trusted and reliable generals, and had epitomized the model of the effective Revolutionary War general.

Just like Ben was an effective general for Washington, you must be an effective Christian for God.

* *

*Proposition*

 

                You need to have a Christian walk that is characterized by effectiveness.

* *

*Interrogative*

               

                How do I live a Christian life characterized by effectiveness?

By following the 4 metaphors that Paul uses in this passage.

In order to live effectively according to these 4 metaphors, God first reminds you that you need to be continually empowered by Him.

We need to quarry~/mine the treasures which are found in God’s Word.

In quarries~/mines, what is being looked for is already there, we just need to put in the work to obtain the benefits of the quarry~/mine.

* *

*Body*

 

*I.

**Live effectively in your Christian walk by modeling a teacher (vs.

2).*

*A.

In order to teach, you must first know your subject.*

/        1.

Explanation/

·         The subject is the word of Christ that Paul passed on to Timothy

·         The subject for us is the whole Word of God, the Bible

·         Timothy must have effectively learned his subject, for Paul know entrusts him with carrying on the torch, with standing as Paul’s representative in the church of Ephesus.

/2.

Illustration/