1. The relationship between Paul and Timothy was like that of a father to a son - 2 Timothy 1:1-2
a. Whom he prayed for daily - 2 Timothy 1:3
b. Whom he longed to see - 2 Timothy 1:4
c. Whom he remembered fondly - 2 Timothy 1:5
2. As any father would his son, Paul sought to encourage Timothy to be an adult
a. To make good use of the blessings and opportunities given to him - 2 Timothy 1:6
b. To become the kind of adult God intended him to be - 2 Timothy 1:7
3. What does God intend for an adult to be?
4. What kind of adult is God willing to create for those who submit to His workmanship?
A. ADULTS OF GOD DO NOT ALWAYS START OUT BOLD
1. Peter displayed cowardice on several occasions - Matthew 14:30; Matthew 26:69-75; Galatians 2:11-12
2. Paul confessed fearful tendencies - 1 Corinthians 2:3
B. YET ADULTS OF GOD DEVELOPED BOLDNESS
1. The council noted the boldness of Peter and John - Acts 4:13
2. Paul later confessed confidence in the face of trial - Acts 21:13
C. HOW GOD MAKES FEARLESS ADULTS?
1. As faith and love increase, fear decreases
a. Fear is indicative of little faith - Matthew 8:26
b. Love casts out fear - 1 John 4:18
2. Boldness comes through prayer
a. The apostles prayed for boldness - Acts 4:29-31
b. Paul solicited prayer in his behalf for boldness - Ephesians 6:18-19
A. ADULTS OF GOD START OUT WEAK
1. Even the apostles had their moments of weakness - Matthew 26:40-41
2. All disciples start as babes in Christ - 1 Corinthians 3:1
B. YET ADULTS OF GOD ARE TO BE STRONG
1. As Paul exhorted the Corinthians - 1 Corinthians 16:13
2. As he exhorted the Ephesians - Ephesians 6:10
C. HOW GOD MAKES STRONG ADULTS
1. By providing the right kind of armor - Ephesians 6:10-17
2. By providing the aid of His Spirit in the inner man - Ephesians 3:16, 20
3. By providing a relationship with His Son - Philippians 4:13
A. ADULTS OF GOD DO NOT ALWAYS START OUT LOVING
1. The apostles were often jealous of one another - Matthew 20:24; Luke 22:24
2. James and John developed the reputation as Sons of Thunder - Luke 9:54; Mark 3:17
B. YET ADULTS OF GOD DEVELOPED LOVE
1. John, son of thunder, became the apostle of love - 1 John 4:7, 11
2. Peter would refer to Paul as our beloved brother - 2 Peter 3:15
C. HOW DOES GOD MAKES LOVING ADULTS
1. By loving us - 1 John 4:10-11
2. By providing Jesus as an example of love - John 13:34-35
A. WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A SOUND MIND
1. The Greek word denotes one of sober mind; a man of prudence and discretion. The state referred to here is that in which the mind is well balanced, and under right influences; in which it sees things in their just proportions and relations; in which it is not feverish and excited, but when everything is in its proper place." - Barnes
2. It depicts one who is stable and self-controlled in both life and doctrine
B. THIS QUALITY TO BE FOUND IN MATURE CHRISTIANS
1. Bishops (elders) must be sober - 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8
2. Older men are to be temperate - Titus 2:2
3. Older women are to teach younger women
a. To be sober - Titus 2:4
b. To be discreet - Titus 2:5
4. Young men like Timothy - 2 Timothy 1:7
C. HOW GOD MAKES SOUND ADULTS
1. Through obedience to the words of His Son - Matthew 7:24-25
2. By setting one's mind on the things of the Spirit, producing the fruit of the Spirit - Romans 8:5-6; Galatians 5:16, 22-23
1. For those willing to submit to the workmanship of God, He will create:
a. Fearless ADULTS
b. Strong ADULTS
c. Loving ADULTS
d. Sound ADULTS
2. We may not start the Christian life with these qualities. New Christians often have:
a. Cowardice
b. Weakness
c. Hatred
d. Instability
3. But God is willing to give us courage, strength, love, and stability - 2 Timothy 1:7
4. Are we willing to submit to His workmanship in our lives? If so, obey Him and accept His Salvation.
-- Don Treadway, January 2011 --
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