2009 National Gospel Coalition Conference Session 3 - Phil Ryken

Session 3 - Phil Ryken

Full Message
http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/resources/a/The-Pattern-of-Sound-Words

My convoluted notes:

2 Timothy 1:13-2:13

Call to faithful ministry, doctrinal and practical 1:14-15
Truth of faith must be a way of life.

Faithful ministry is a way of life, trusting in Jesus for absolutely everything.
Practical call, success in ministry has nothing to do with cultural goals, only in faithful living out of Gospel.

1:15-18 Paul's personal example. Cautionary tale to Timothy.
Only 10% minister till retirement.
Do I love the men in ministry or do I see them as rivals?
Primary commitment to Gospel.
Courage to spread Gospel required by faithfulness.
Grace is sufficient for all faithfulness, all dedication, all courage.
Burden for Paul is to spread benefit of experience.
One of the best ways to keep the faith is to pass on the faith.

Illustrative, -
Military:
sharing in suffering, total life commitment.
Limit yourself to what is needed to focus in ministry.
Athlete:
Adhering to rules, regulations that govern the entire scope of existence. Work hard in your calling.
Farmer:
Faithfulness in work, dedication, hard work, harvest best to be that of gospel sowing.
All hold promise of reward, ***reward still makes me think earning and merit, why does this bother me so much? claims not reward but gift, but breaks down with search and struggle for it. Works disclaimer doesn't quite cut it***

Command to remain faithful to Christ and his saving work!

Word of God is the only thing that works, the only thing that teaches, the only thing that the spirit has unchained for the sanctification of God's work.

By faith joined to Jesus in everything he did, condition is if we endure, not everyone is faithful, and remains in the calling.

If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, our failure does not mean God abandons us.
Cross is the sign of the absolute faithfulness of God.