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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=186002" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=95 BGCOLOR="#330066" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="048005f0dkblkv.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Preach The Word</b></FONT><B>     </b><B>|    </b><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preach The Word"><U><B>home</b></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2 Timothy"><U><B>2 Timothy</b></U></A><B>   I</b><B>   </b><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL"><U><B>Daniel</b></U></A><B>   I</b><B>   </b><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ZECHARIAH: "><U><B>Zechariah</b></U></A><B>   I</b><B>   </b><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MARK"><U><B>Mark</b></U></A><B>    I    </b><A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOPICAL STUDIES"><U><B>Topical Studies</b></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>ENDURANCE AND MOTIVATION GO HAND IN HAND</b></div> <div> 2 Timothy 1:1-5</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The Apostle Paul is in prison.  He's chained in a damp & dark cell.  And he knows that "this time" it's his "last time".  He's not going to see another cell in his lifetime.  He knows that this time he's on Death Row.  He's literally going to lose his head.  What's his crime?  Preaching and trying to convert Roman Citizens to a now illegal religion: Christianity.  So this brings to Paul's heart one great concern: Who's going to carry on what he started among the Pagan Nations?  He knows his race is finished and he's wanting to "pass the baton" to his dear disciple, Timothy.</div> <bR> <div> Timothy has been pastoring the church in Ephesus.  And Paul knows pastoring is not an easy job.  It's rough because you're dealing with people.  And people can be very nice and a blessing as well as they can be devastating and a curse.  Timothy has known both.  And he's very aquainted with the "devastating" part of it.  There are troublemakers in the church in Ephesus who have been having a feast.  They've been devouring Timothy.  And it's getting to him.  He's starting to put his head down.  And the devil's happy.  So Paul begins his letter with words of encouragement and hope.  He knows that in order to endure and persevere through suffering you need to be well motivated.  So we have here some great motivational principles that, if we're wise, we'll commit ourselves to emulate with those whom God has placed before us as disciples who need an extra boost to "keep on keeping on".</div> <bR> <div> If your a parent, a grandparent, a great grandparent, a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader, or you've led somebody to Christ, or just any believer trying to help another believer to grow in his/her Christian faith and ministry, these principles of motivation will benefit you greatly if you put them into practice in your discipling ministry.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> If you want to motivate a disciple to not give up but to "keep on keeping on",</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1. LET YOUR LEADERSHIP BE WITHOUT QUESTION</b></div> <bR> <div> "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear son"<I>   </I>vv.1-2a</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Right from the start of his letter, Paul lovingly and clearly states his role of leadership.  He makes it clear who's leading who.  Who's the disciple and who's the discipler.  Who's the leader and who's the follower.  And this is not a question of superiority and inferiority.  It's merely a basic question of roles and position.  Unless it's very clear who's the leader, not much is going to happen.  And that'd where our world is getting more and more today in North America.</div> <bR> <div> God makes it very plain and simple in His Word that He expects all Christians and Non-Christians to humbly submit ourselves to the leaders He's placed before us, whether we like them or not.  The only exception being if that leader asks us to go deliberately against God's written will.</div> <bR> <div> He expected Eve to follow Adam.  Jezebel - Ahab.  Israel - Moses.  Israel - Joshua.  The 12 - Jesus.  Silas - Paul.  Timothy - Paul.  Children - Parents.  Employees - Employers.  Etc.   Paul was not Timothy's "Boss", but his Co-worker.  Not his superior, but his brother.  </div> <div> But even as a co-worker and brother, it was also understood that he was his Mentor, Discipler and his God-appointed leader in the ministry.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Another principle that induces good motivation is,</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. LET YOUR SELFLESSNESS BE GENUINE</b></div> <bR> <div> "Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord"<I>   </I><B>v.2b</b></div> <bR> <bR> <div> In order to truly motivate Timothy, Paul let's him know that he truly only wants God's absolute best for him.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B>Grace:</b></FONT><I><B>  </b></I>God's greatest gifts to unworthy individuals free of charge.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B>Mercy:</b></FONT><I><B>  </b></I>God's rescue in the midst of great & serious need.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" ><B>Peace:</b></FONT><I><B>  </b></I>God's supernatural calmness in the midst of great & threathing turmoil.</div> <bR> <div> Selflessness is seen in Paul's use of the second person pronoun <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"you"</FONT><I><B> </b></I>or <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"your"</FONT>, 7 times in 3 verses.</div> <bR> <div> When we're experiencing great suffering, the human tendency is to focus on our own pain, discomfort and needs.  But check out Paul's selflessness here.  His wish is that Timothy would be blessed with God's grace, mercy and peace.  Nobody has much respect or attraction for a selfish and self-centred person. Moreover, it's totally foreign to a true christian walk.</div> <bR> <div> "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Phil.2:3-4<B>   </b>"This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers...Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."  1 Jn. 3:16,18</div> <bR> <div> Let the disciple the Lord has placed into your life know that your not in this for what you'll get out of it, but for what God has in store for his life.</div> <div> Such an attitude of true selflessness has a way of really motivating a person.  Because it's different.  It's not what we expect or see in this world.  And it sets our hearts on fire for God.</div> <bR> <div> A third principle to practice in order to motivate a disciple is to,</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>3. LET YOUR APPRECIATION BE REAL</b></div> <bR> <div> "I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience" v.3a</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Paul's real appreciation for Timothy led him to just <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"thank God"<B> </b></FONT>for this young man.  He's saying to Timothy, "I thank God for bringing us together.  I really appreciate our friendship and brotherhood in the Lord." <I> </I>In a world that spends most of it's time putting you down, it's an awesome feeling and inspiration to hear someone say that he truly and sincerely loves and appreciates you.</div> <bR> <div> Do you see how, in the midst of great physical discomfort and misery, Paul focuses on the positive?  He thanks God for Timothy and does it <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"with a clear conscience".</FONT><I><B>   </b></I>As an elderly man of God, sitting on the cold & damp floor of a Roman dungeon, waiting for his Execution Day, Paul can testify that his conscience accuses or blames him for absolutely nothing.</div> <bR> <div> So by saying this, Paul is stating that, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"It's not because of some sin on my part that I'm locked up like a criminal here.  No, it's because of my faithfulness to God that I'm here, brother." </FONT><I> </I>He's not saying that he's perfect.  He's saying that he has no doubt whatsoever that he's dead-centre in the Will of God.</div> <bR> <div> A fourth principle to practice if you want to motivate a disciple is to,</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4. LET YOUR PRAYERS BE CONSTANT</b></div> <bR> <div> "Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers"  v.3b</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"Night and day"</FONT><I><B> </b></I>is an expression we still sometimes use today when we want to refer to something that seems without end:  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"I think of you night & day",  "When I was in University, I studied night & day",  "We use to listen to music night & day".</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Paul is wanting here to encourage his disciple, Timothy, by letting him know how much he faithfully prays for him.  I don't know about you, but I would've loved to be on Paul's prayer list.  In the middle of their furlough, one missionary wrote, <I>"</I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >It is quite humbling when people look at you in the eye and say with all honesty, 'I pray for you everyday'."  </FONT>Dwight & Gloria Lehman said they wouldn't leave for Guyana until they had 500 people who'd commit to pray specifically for them and their ministry on a regular basis.</div> <bR> <div> Now, why is it <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"humbling" </FONT>to hear someone say that she prays for you everyday?  Because it motivates you to be accountable to them in giving them and the Lord your absolute best.  When you know people are really praying for you and your ministry, it's a whole different ballgame when you wake up in the morning and face the challenges before you.  You know you're not alone in this.  There are others behind the scenes who are battling with you, so that Christ may be honored.</div> <bR> <div> A fifth principle to practice if you want to motivate a disciple is,</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>5. LET YOUR LOVE EXPRESS ITSELF</b></div> <bR> <div> "Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy" v.4</div> <bR> <bR> <div> A fifth way to motivate someone your discipling is to let him/her know your true feelings of affection & love for them.  How does Paul do this?  He tells him in a letter that he longs to see him again.  He really misses Timothy.  His presence.  His companionship.  His fellowship.  His like-mindedness.</div> <bR> <div> He tells him that he remembers his "<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >tears</FONT>".<I><B>  </b></I>We can't say exactly what moment of sadness Paul is refering to here.  I personal believe he's refering to the time he left Ephesus, where Timothy is ministering.  At that time he had a last word of departure with the Church Elders before casting off to sea.  And at that particular instance we can see the close bond Paul had forged not only with Timothy, but also with the other Elders there.  When they all came to say goodbye on the beach near Miletus, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"he knelt down with all of them and prayed.  They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.  What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again." <I> </I>Acts 20:36-38</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Imagine now how such a letter must've stirred Timothy's heart when he opened it and saw how Paul actually <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"longed to see"</FONT><I><B> </b></I>him.  Timothy had no doubt about Paul's love for him.  Does the person you're discipling see that in you?  Is she persevering out of "duty" & obligation.  Or out of a response to the love and affection she see's when your together?  God is telling us here, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"Let'em know you miss them.  That you long to spend time with them...again.  That you appreciate them for who they are, not for what they will be.  Let them know that theu're not just "somebody else".</FONT></div> <bR> <div> They're not "a bother" to you.  They are close to your heart.  You love them.  And it show's.  </div> <bR> <div> A sixth, and final, principle to practice if you want to motivate a disciple is to,</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>6. LET YOUR AFFIRMATION BE TOLD</b></div> <bR> <div> "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." v.5</div> <bR> <bR> <div> He calls Timothy's faith "<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >sincere</FONT>".<I><B>  </b></I>The greek word for sincere is "anupokritos"<I>, </I>which litteraly means "unhypocrital". </div> <bR> <div> <I> </I>Paul is affirming Timothy by saying, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"Don't worry, Timothy.  I know you, brother.  And I know you're not a fake.  I know you're not one of those well-meaning people who gather with believers but are only putting on a show.  I know you're not a hypocrite, Timothy.  You don't tell me things about God and the Bible just to impress me.  No, you're real!  You're genuine.  Your faith is sincere.  It's the real thing.  And I commend you for that."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> But notice how this "<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >sincere faith</FONT>" was transmitted to Timothy:  through his grandmother and his mom.  <B>Abraham Lincoln </b>once said, "No one is poor who had a godly mother."  A third grade<B> </b>school teacher had an assignment for her elementary students.  They were to go home and, for homework, write their answer on a sheet of paper to this specific question:  What is a Grandmother.  This is what one of her third grade students handed in (a 3rd grader!).</div> <bR> <div> "A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own.  She likes other people's little girls and boys.  A grandfather is a man grandmother.  He goes for walks with boys, and they talk about fishing and stuff like that. Grandmothers don't have to do anything except be there.  They're old so they shouldn't play hard or run.  It is enough if they drive us to the market where the pretend horse is, and have a lot of dimes ready.  Or if they take us for walks, they should slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.  They should never say, "Hurry up." Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.  They wear lasses and funny underwear.  They can take their teeth and gums out. Grandmothers don't have to be smart, only answer questions like, "Why isn't God married?" and "How come dogs chase cats?" Grandmothers don't talk baby talk like visitors do, because it's hard to understand.  When they read to us they don't skip or mind if it is the same story over again. Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because they are the only grown-ups who have time."<B> </b><B>  </b><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>James Dobson</b><B>, What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women</b></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Timothy had been gifted by God with a godly mom and grandmother who shared their faith with him.  And now Timothy was a Christian because of it.  And Paul says, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >"I see this very clearly.  I acknowledge that true faith in all three of you.  And it's just fantastic!"</FONT><I>  </I>Now if there's something that touches a persons heart and can motivate them in their Christian walk it's acknowledging and praising their parent's faithfulness.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>     </I></FONT>"Some years ago I was involved in a discussion regarding the choice of a man to take up the leadership of a well-known Christian organization. In looking over the list of prospects, I commented that it was interesting that every one of those men had a godly pastor for a father. The Lord has, of course, raised up many faithful leaders, including Paul, from ungodly and even godless families.  But a high percentage of the great men throughout church history have come from godly homes.  Timothy's father was an unbelieving Gentile (Acts 16:3), but his mother and grandmother were believers of great godliness." <I> </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>MacArthur, John</b><B>,  2 TIMOTHY, p.8</b></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>NOW HOW DO WE APPLY THESE PRINCIPLES TO OUR DAILY LIVES?</b></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1. ON LEADING</b></div> <bR> <div> If you are a parent, a Bible-Teacher, if the Lord has used you to lead someone to Christ, are you discipling that person?  Are you consciously leading that person into a growing relationship with the Son of God?  If not, it may not be too late to start.  Pray about it and follow Paul's example.  Let that person know she can depend on you to lead her in the Christian Way.  Be a faithful, reliable leader he or she can rely on.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. ON SELFLESSNESS</b></div> <bR> <div> It's hard to be selfless and a typical North American at the same time, isn't it?  The women are crying out, "I want my rights!"<I>  </I>The kids are crying, "I want my rights!" <I> </I>And the men are crying, "I want some peace and quiet!" But what does the Lord cry out?  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#009900" FACE="Arial" >"Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."<I><B>  </b></I>Luke 14:33<B>  </b></FONT><B> </b>Let the person you're discipling know by your words and actions that your motives to lead him/her are not self-centred.  That you sincerely are doing this for their best.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>3. ON APPRECIATION</b></div> <bR> <div> Do you sincerely appreciate being the parent and discipler of your kids?  Grand kids?  Great grandkids?  Have you told them lately?  How about the students in your SS Class?  Or, that person you've led to the Lord?  Do they know that you appreciate them?  Different ways to let them know: <I><B> </b></I><B>1)  </b>Tell'em face to face, <I><B> </b></I><B>2)</b><I><B> </b></I>Tell'em in a letter.  And don't be surprised if that person keeps that letter for many years to come!  <B>3)</b><I><B> </b></I>Tell'em in a Thank You Card or Birthday Card.  Write specific reasons "why" you thank God for them.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4. ON PRAYER</b></div> <bR> <div> "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.  And I will teach you the way that is good and right."  1 Samuel 12:23.  </div> <bR> <div> If you really want to motivate a disciple in his Christian walk, make it a regular task to pray for him and let him know that you do. Ask him for specific requests.  And rejoice & celebrate when the Lord has clearly answered.  This three-way intimacy with the Lord creates a spiritual bond that is hard to come by these days.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>5. ON AFFECTION</b></div> <bR> <div> Again, this can be done face to face, in a personal letter or a card.  People today are totaly confused concerning what true love is.<I><B> </b></I>Let the child, teenager or adult friend your discipling know what true agape love is by your deep commitment to her in being there to laugh, talk & cry with her when it's called for.  This divine affection, coming from the Holy Spirit through you, will do wonders in motivating a person to a closer walk with God.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>6. ON AFFIRMATION</b></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Sometimes it just feels good, deep down, to be told by a close friend,</FONT> "Hey, you're on the right track, brother."  "You're doing good, sister."  "Right on! Keep it up."  Somebody once said, "Even when it's concerning a person who just keeps blowing it, if you really look for it, there's always at least one positive thing that you can affirm them with." <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I> </I>Be an encourager.  Believe me, the church is "over-staffed" with "christian-policemen", critics and slanderers.  There's a crying need for affirmation, encouragement and love.  And one positive affirmation will motivate a person more than 100 rebukes, reprimands and criticisms.  Look on the bright side.  Find some commendable quality.  And affirm it, with love.</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>   </I>  </FONT>"One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement....It is easy to laugh at men's ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another.  Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet.  Blessed is the man who speaks such a word."<I> </I><I> </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>William Barclay</b><B>, The Letter To The Hebrews  (Oxcart, p.179)</b></FONT></div> <bR> <div> "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14</div> <bR> <div> Amen and God Bless You All.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>