Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org
Men's Leadership Support Group Meeting notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/mensupport/20060113.m.htm

MEN'S LEADERSHIP SUPPORT GROUP
Part XI: Functioning Effectively As A Leader Under Pressure - 2 Timothy
C. Staying Motivated As A Leader Under Fire
(2 Timothy 2:8-13)
  1. Introduction
    1. Christian leadership in any institution has not only its exciting, "high water" moments of blessing, but also the "lows" of confusing, dispiriting, discouraging times. When a leader is under fire in his oversight, such "lows" can be especially difficult to handle, and have often led leaders to resign from their work or roles.
    2. Paul supplies specific motivations God offers to leaders under fire to keep them functioning (as follows):
  2. Staying Motivated As A Leader Under Fire, 2 Timothy 2:8-13.
    1. God motivates leaders to keep leading by recalling the victorious resurrection of Christ, 2 Timothy 2:8:
      1. Though Jesus Christ was cruelly crucified and died, He victoriously rose from the dead, and His death and resurrection form the base of the Gospel to be believed for victorious salvation , 2 Tim. 2:8b-9a.
      2. Accordingly, Paul urged Timothy not to forget that victorious salvation Gospel even though he were to suffer persecution for proclaiming it: after all, it was the eternally life-saving Gospel, 2 Tim. 2:9a.
    2. God motivates leaders to keep leading by recalling the great benefits of continuing to lead under fire:
      1. Though Paul was writing this epistle from prison (2 Tim. 2:9b), he rejoiced that the Word of God he proclaimed was not bound, that it could penetrate the souls and minds of men to disciple them, 2:9.
      2. Armed with this encouraging thought, Paul relayed to Timothy he endured all the persecutions he faced for the truth he proclaimed, for he realized it would lead those God foreknew to faith in Christ and provide for them eternal salvation, 2 Timothy 2:10!
    3. God motivates leaders to keep leading by recalling the early and true Christian sayings about God's various blessings in their serving in accord with His will in their leadership roles, cf. 2 Timothy 2:11-13:
      1. Timothy was to recall personal positive rewards for upright service under fire in 2 Tim. 2:11-12:
        1. If leaders reckon themselves to be dead with Christ to life's worldly ambitions and goals, they will truly live in spiritual blessing with Him, cf. 2 Timothy 2:11 with Galatians 2:20 and Gal. 6:14b; Hendriksen, I-II Timothy-Titus (NTC, 1974), p. 256-258. Thus, leaders are to reckon themselves to be dead to this world and its lusts that they might enjoy Christ's blessing in leading efforts.
        2. If leaders endure suffering (2 Tim. 2:12a NIV, ESV) for serving God in their leadership roles as they ought (2 Tim. 2:10), they will reign with influence with Christ in this life and in the next, Rev. 3:21; 1 John 2:17. Thus, leaders are to endure suffering for serving Christ uprightly in their service efforts that He might reward them in blessing with impact for Him in this life and in the next.
      2. Timothy was to recall assurances even in the case of failures for upright leadership under fire:
        1. If leaders deny Christ in the sense of failing to believe in Him as their Savior (cf. Mtt. 10:33), He will disown them as unregenerate in the day of judgment, 2 Timothy 2:12b; Bible Knowledge Com., N. T., p. 754. Thus, leaders must be sure they have trusted in Christ and are TRULY saved.
        2. Yet, having TRULY believed, if leaders fail to stay faithful to Christ in service, He will still faithfully keep them saved, for Christ cannot deny Himself, 2:13. Thus, if leaders HAVE trusted in Christ, they are assured He will REMAIN their Savior even if they fail Him in leadership!
Lesson: Christian leaders under fire are encouraged to KEEP leading by (1) recalling that though Jesus was cruelly crucified and died, He rose from the dead, forming the basis of salvation and the Gospel to be believed to give men victory over hell by faith in Him; (2) thus armed, leaders are to keep giving the Gospel and serving in their oversight roles regardless what trials they face as their workmanship affects the ETERNAL DESTINIES of men's SOULS! (3) Leaders are also to recall that (a) dying to this world's lusts under temptations to the contrary will be rewarded by Christ's blessing in service, that (b) enduring suffering will be rewarded by God's giving them leadership impact, and that (c) they must TRULY believe in Christ for salvation to make it to heaven. (d) However, having TRULY been thus saved, leaders may be SURE that, even if they fail Christ in service, He will keep them saved!

Application: Armed with these motivations, may we who lead in God's will keep on keeping on!