Solidarity in Ministry: The Divine Design of Christian Teamwork

May 15, 2016
Sermon
Lesson 15
2 Timothy 4:9-13

Solidarity in Ministry: The Divine Design of Christian Teamwork

Main Idea:

The Church thrives with God-ordained, Spirit-led, Word-based ministry teamwork!

• Companionship: Paul needed ministry companionship (9)

• Separation: Paul was separated from key ministry partners (10-12)
 Negatively: Demas abandoned Paul (10)
 In love with this present world
 Deserted to Thessalonica

 Positively:
 Crescens left Paul for Galatia (10)
 Titus left Paul for Dalmatia (11)
 Tychicus left Paul for Ephesus (12)

• Reinforcements:
 Luke alone remained with Paul throughout (11)
 Timothy was to come soon (9)
 Timothy was to bring Mark back with him (11)

• Supplies:
 Timothy was to bring Paul’s cloak
 Timothy was to bring the books and the parchments (13)

• The final team of four: Paul, Timothy, Mark, and Luke

Applications

The “Demas” Lesson:
Have I crossed the line from being “in the world” to being “of the world”?

The “Lone Ranger“ Lesson:
Am I teamed up with anyone in Christian ministry?

The “Releasing” Lesson:
Am I releasing other believers to engage in new ministry elsewhere?