Will I Be Found Approved? – 2 Timothy 2:15

1.   It Depends upon My ATTITUDE = DILIGENT

      a.   Lit. “speed,” to be earnest, diligent, endeavor, labor, study”

            i.   In 1611, “study” meant “to pour oneself into a task.”

            ii.  Ephesians 4:3; Hebrews 4:11; 2 Peter 3:14

      b.   What is my #1 goal? What is most important to me in life?

            i.   Do I know more about my football team’s recruits than I do the 12 men Jesus recruited to carry out His work?

            ii.  ‘Where your pleasure is, there will your heart be also.’

                  (1) Psalm 1

                  (2) Psalm 119:97-104

      c.   1 Timothy 4:13 Give attendance to reading

            i.   Most boring book ever read - until meeting / loving the author

            ii.  Days at FHU - loving to read and re-read Rhonda’s letters

2.   It Depends upon My ASPIRATION = APPROVED by GOD

      a.   From the Greek, dokimos (Strong’s #1384)

            i.   1 Corinthians 11:19

            ii.  2 Corinthians 10:18

            iii. James 1:12

      b.   Can I be approved without being approved by God? YES!

            i.   John 12:42-43

            ii.  Luke 6:26

            iii. James 4:4

            iv. 1 Corinthians 9:27 - “castaway” = adokimos (Heb 6:4-9)

3.   It depends upon My APTITUDE = an UNASHAMED WORKMAN

      a.   Luke 13:27

      b.   2 Corinthians 11:13

      c.   Philippians 3:2

      d.   2 Timothy 1:8-12

      e.   Romans 1:16

      f.   Mark 8:38

4.   It Depends upon My ACTIVITY = RIGHTLY DIVIDING GOD’S WORD

      a.   “rightly dividing” – from the Greek orthotomeo; orthos = honest, straight, upright

            i.   What does an orthodontist do? An orthopedic surgeon?

            ii.  This word also contains the idea of cutting a straight line.

      b.   God’s word needs to be handled correctly

            i.   2 Peter 1:13-21

            ii.  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

      c.   God’s word needs to be heard entirely

            i.   2 Timothy 3:10 - “fully known” (cf Acts 20:26-27)

            ii.  1 Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; 14:33

      d.   God’s word needs to be handed continually

            i.   2 Timothy 2:2

            ii.  2 Peter 1:15-16

            iii. Philippians 2:12-13