2 Timothy 4:1-5
1 John 4:1--Test EVERYTHING with the Word of God
*Our Ears Dictate Our Direction
1- Are You Listening To A Narrative?
Matthew 7:15-17-- We can know if it's a narrative (man's words) by its fruit!
John 9:31-- If it's a narrative, quit listening to it
2- Are You Listening To The Truth?
Matthew 7:17
Galatians 5:22-24-- if it produces good fruit--Godly fruit--it's the truth! Don't run from it!
3- Are You Worth Listening To?
Are you:
--sober-minded (calm, collected, temperate)
--enduring suffering (joyfully, not running from it)
WHY IS ENDURING SUFFERING SO IMPORTANT?
*James 1:2-4 -- it draws us closer to God
HOW DO YOU FIND JOY IN SUFFERING?
*Romans 8:18-- keep an eternal perspective!
--doing the work of an evangelist (sharing Jesus with everyone)
--fulfilling your ministry (resolved to fully complete the mission God has given you, no matter how it challenges your wants and desires)
*1 John 2:15-17
