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Men's Leadership Support Group Meeting notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/mensupport/20051111.m.htm

MEN'S LEADERSHIP SUPPORT GROUP
Part XI: Functioning Effectively As A Leader Under Pressure - 2 Timothy
A. Staying Strong In God's Grace As A Leader Under Fire
(2 Timothy 1:1-2:1)
  1. Introduction
    1. Christian leaders seeking to do God's will in an evil world face spiritual opposition in a variety of forms!
    2. 2 Timothy was written by Paul who was near martyrdom as an apostle (2 Timothy 4:6, 16), and it was sent to Timothy who faced trials in his pastoral duties, 2 Timothy 1:8. We thus study 2 Timothy to see how to function as God's leaders under fire, beginning with the key to godly strength under fire (as follows):
  2. Staying Strong In God's Grace As A Leader Under Fire, 2 Timothy 1:1-2:1.
    1. In the introduction, Paul mentioned Timothy's tears (verse 4); in view of the tears shed by the elders at Ephesus upon hearing they would not see Paul alive on earth again in Acts 20:37-38, it is possible Timothy felt vulnerable to trials without the presence of the Apostle Paul, his steady "father" in the faith!
    2. Besides, Paul mentioned Timothy's need to avoid timidity in the face of persecution (2 Timothy 1:7a, 8), the same problem Timothy apparently habitually faced in light of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 16:10.
    3. If we add that Paul referred to his own imminent martyrdom in 2 Timothy 4:6, we understand that Timothy felt vulnerable to trouble without Paul, a vulnerability that would eventually spread to other pastors throughout Christendom in light of the Roman government's coming persecution of the faith!
    4. Yet, in the face of such issues, Paul wrote for Timothy to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" in 2 Timothy 2:1. Since this order is introduced with the words, "Thou therefore ," (2 Timothy 2:1a KJV), we know the "grace that is in Christ Jesus" in which Timothy is to be STRONG in leadership is described previously [via the inferential particle, "Therefore" that relates to what precedes it] in 2 Timothy 1:1-18:
      1. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on the truth that his OFFICE as a pastor at the Ephesian Church was of Christ, not himself or another man or angelic being to the contrary, 2 Timothy 1:1a.
      2. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on the truth that he served in his leadership role by the WILL of GOD, not himself or another man or angelic being to the contrary, 2 Timothy 1:1b.
      3. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on the AUTHORITY of GOD that had directed him to serve in his role, an authority not of himself or another man or angelic being to the contrary, 1:2-3.
      4. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on the GIFT for SUPERNATURAL SERVICE that, by the Holy Spirit's enabling, equipped him to function with power, love and self-discipline as opposed to timidity in his role despite his own fears, or before all other men and angels to the contrary, 1:6-7.
      5. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on the POWER of the INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT for service and boldness and strength for facing persecution from all sources to the contrary, 1:7-8.
      6. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on God's CALL that had directed him to minister, 1:9a.
      7. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on the ETERNAL PURPOSE of God for his role as a pastor dating back to eternity past before all the trouble he currently faced had risen, 2 Tim. 1:9b,c.
      8. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on the power and authority of the GOSPEL of the CRUCIFIED and RISEN Christ that brings life and immortality to all who believe it, 2 Tim. 1:10.
      9. Timothy was to be a strong leader by relying on the PATTERN of SOUND WORDS exampled for him in Paul's ministry; by using this pattern, he would excel in the work, 2 Timothy 1:12-13.
      10. Timothy was to be a strong leader in avoiding apostasy in his own belief by relying on the HOLY SPIRIT to sustain a right doctrinal orientation to the truth of Scripture, 2 Timothy 1:13-14.
Lesson: Pressed by foes and aware of his frailty, Timothy was to be a strong leader via God's grace.

Application: May we be strong leaders (1) by trusting in God's appointment of us to our leadership roles, (2) by trusting in His will for us in them, (3) by trusting in His authority for us to function in them, (4) by trusting in His spiritual gift for service in them, (5) by trusting in His power to handle persecution in them, (6) by trusting in His call for us to lead in them, (7) by trusting in His eternal purpose for us in them, (8) by trusting in His Gospel of salvation we proclaim in them, (9) by trusting in His pattern of sound words in them and (10) by trusting in His apostacy-proof might of the Holy Spirit to stay doctrinally sound in them!