Text: 1 Timothy 1:18-20
**** (exegesis of the original text in its context)
Theme: Faithfulness in Ministry
Topic: How Timothy can stay faithful in his ministry
Truth: One’s calling gives strength to one’s being and doing.
Thrust: Timothy must always remember his calling and serve faithfully based on it till the end.
***** (transition into a universal principle)
Thesis: Since one’s calling gives strength to one’s being and doing, a servant of God must always remember his calling and serve faithfully based on it till the end.
***** (transition into a sermon)
Turning Point (the modern day version of the truth): One’s calling gives strength to one’s being and doing.
Tagline (the modern day version of the thrust): Let us serve fearlessly and faithfully based on our calling till the end.
Title (modern day version of the theme or topic): UFC (Ultimate Faith Commitment)
Thoughts (explanation, proof and application of the Turning Point and Tagline):
There are many analogies to ministry, but one stands out especially today: a fight to the end. Ministry is not for the fainthearted. It is also not for those who are unsure of their calling. Paul reminds Timothy to remember his calling, and to fight the good fight of faith, and to serve based on it. He is to continue doing so till the end. He is not to disregard it but to remember it always. One’s calling gives strength to one’s being and doing. This is a principle in ministry that we must do well to remember. Others forget this, and so they lose the fight.