Family Bible Series for June 25: A strong commitment to Christ is vital

Posted: 6/14/06

Family Bible Series for June 25

A strong commitment to Christ is vital

• 2 Timothy 1:3-8, 13-14; 2:1-7

By Greg Ammons

First Baptist Church, Garland

The legendary Tom Landry coached the Dallas Cowboys 28 seasons. He was highly successful at each level of his professional career. He led the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories, five other championship titles and ended with 250 career victories as head coach.

However, Tom Landry was successful off the field, as well. He was known as a strong believer in Jesus Christ. He often said the placement of his priorities attributed to his success. Landry said frequently, “Jesus Christ is first in my life, my family is second and football is third.”

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During the month of June, we are looking at godly men of faith from Scripture. In this week’s lesson, Timothy is used as a wonderful example of putting Christ first. From his example, we see what we should do when tempted to turn from placing Christ first.

Recall your commitment to God (2 Timothy 1:3-7)

Timothy was a native of Lystra. His father was Greek, and his mother was a Jewish Christian (Acts 16:1). From early childhood, Timothy had been taught Old Testament Scripture. It is possible the Apostle Paul led Timothy to faith in Christ during his first visit to Lystra. On Paul’s second missionary journey, he invited Timothy to join him in his travels.

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he mentioned Timothy’s commitment to God. The apostle reminded the young servant of his commitment to God from a young age. Such a commitment was in Timothy’s family—first in his grandmother Lois and then his mother Eunice (v. 5). Paul encouraged Timothy to stand firm in this commitment by stirring up his spiritual gift (v. 6) and operating in the power of the Spirit (v. 7).

A strong commitment to Christ is vital in order for God to accomplish all he desires through you.

Fritz Kreisler was an Austrian-born composer and gifted violinist. After a particularly moving concert, an adoring fan told him, “I would give my entire life to play as beautifully as you.” Kreisler told the fan, “I did.”

Sacrifice and commitment are important virtues for the believer in order to please God. Recall your commitment to Christ as you place him first in your life.

Watch out for detours (2 Timothy 1:8; 13-14)

It is quite possible Timothy served as pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul warned the young pastor there would be detours on the road of faithfulness. Paul encouraged Timothy to “join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (v. 8). Timothy was urged to hold fast to the sound doctrine imparted to him (v. 13). Paul implored Timothy to “guard the good deposit that was entrusted to him” (v. 14). There would be many challenges to his faith, but Timothy was to prove faithful in the midst of each of them.

It is estimated more than 320 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home this summer. As they do so, they will face detours on their journeys. Detours can be frustrating as you try to make progress. Delays and altered routes often add to the confusion as you try to get from one place to another.

Spiritually, it is much the same. Today, believers in Christ must watch out for many detours which threaten to derail their faith. Misplaced priorities will detour a believer’s faithfulness and lead to confusion and frustration. The wise believer will identify potential detours on their spiritual journey and commit to keeping these from derailing their faithfulness.

Stay focused on God’s work (2 Timothy 2:1-7)

Paul admonished Timothy to keep his primary focus on kingdom work. He told the young pastor to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (v. 1). Timothy was told to entrust sound doctrine to reliable men who will be able to teach others (v. 2). He also was encouraged to “endure hardness … like a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (v. 3).

Paul further exhorted Timothy, by using both athletic and agricultural analogies, to focus on God’s work. He told Timothy to have the dedication of an athlete competing for a prize (v. 5) and the dedication of a hardworking farmer harvesting a crop (v. 6). Timothy was to have the single focus of God’s kingdom and its advance.

C.T. Studd was a famous athlete in his home country. He competed on the English cricket team in the late 1800s. During a revival meeting led by D.L. Moody, Studd gave his life to Christ and his priorities changed. Studd gave up his athletic pursuits and vast wealth to go as a missionary to Africa. Later, he established the effective Heart of Africa Mission. Studd once commented, “If Jesus Christ be God and truly died for my sins, then no sacrifice is too great for me to make for him.”

Studd understood the priority for any believer must be the kingdom of God. We must stay focused on work in this kingdom and prove faithful. True faith must keep God first at all times.

Discussion questions

• Describe the details of your initial commitment to Christ.

• Which areas of life tempt you to detour from your commitment?

• As you evaluate your activities, would you say you are totally focused on God’s work?