"A DISCIPLINED DISCIPLE"

II Timothy 2:1-7

1. To be a disciple of Jesus, discipline is required.
The Church can not prosper unless the teaching ministry is carried on and taken seriously.


2. The concepts of teaching and suffering go hand in  hand. (Hebrews 2:7, 11)


3. Illustrations of the life of a disciplined disciple:
a. A Soldier (3-4)

• The attitudes, expectations and activities of believers should be separated from the rest of the world.
  ​Being a soldier of Christ is a discipline of obedience, which is really a discipline of love. (John 14:15)
  

b. A Farmer (6)

• The mission of the Church is to plant seeds and cultivate them.
  
• God gives the increase.
  

The work of a farmer is a discipline of faith.


c. An Athlete (5)

• An athlete needs to be in good conditioning.
  A Christian disciple must keep up with his spiritual exercises.
  
• An athlete must develop the skills that are necessary.
  A Christian disciple must use whatever gift God has given you.
  
• All athletes have experienced failure.
  We must keep serving God even when we have setbacks.
  

The discipline of athletes is a discipline of hope.