FOR THE SAKE OF THE ELECT

“Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect [chosen ones], that they may also obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
2 Timothy 2:10 (NKJV)

• A leader needs to endure all things in order to fulfill his or her assignment.

• Paul had earlier told Timothy in verse three of that same chapter, 2 Timothy 2:3, that he should endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ.
• In the above passage, Paul said he endured all things for the sake of the elect.

• Leaders are to endure because of the people they are leading.

• Also, they are to endure because of the people who will come to know Christ through them or through their leadership or ministry.

1. “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more;
2. to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
   1 Corinthians 9:19,22 (NKJV)

• After you have given your life to Christ, you should not live to please self again, but to please Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15).

• You live to please Jesus, even if it entails suffering to please Him.
• Being a Christian is not all about comfort, but about pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 14:17,18).
• Much more, being a Christian leader is about sacrificing self to please God– to expand His Kingdom on earth (2 Timothy 2:8,9).
  ~ Some believers, even leaders, cannot help others if they will not derive any material benefits in what they do– they believe there should be a material benefit to derive from whatever they do to assist others.
  “useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, WHO SUPPOSE THAT GODLINESS IS A MEANS OF GAIN.”
  1 Timothy 6:5 (NKJV)
  ~ What they need to endure, lose their comfort to get done– they are not ready to do it (2 Corinthians 4:8-12).
  ~ Walking with Christ and working in His vineyard is not about pleasing self– it is all about pleasing God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:8,9).
  “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”
  1 Corinthians 9:16 (NKJV)

• Jesus wants to be happy seeing the fruit of His labour.
“He shall see the labour of His soul and be satisfied.”
Isaiah 53:11 (NKJV)

• We are to declare His generation (Isaiah 53:8).
• We are to uphold His teaching, and we are to propagate His Kingdom on the earth (Matthew 28:19,20; 2 Timothy 2:11-13).

• Paul said:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

• Does Christ live through you?
• Are you the one who lives, or Christ lives through you?
• Are you living by faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave Himself for you?

• Then: what are you doing to expand His Kingdom on the earth?

• What are you doing that unbelievers may come to Christ and the believers be steadfast in Him?

1. “Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.
2. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ “
   Luke 13:6,7 (NLT)

• You will not be fruitless in Jesus’ name.
Peace!