Fighting the Good Fight

<p>The Battleground</p><p>The grounds for a charge against him:</p><p>            A misunderstanding</p><p>            Hostility against Paul</p><p>What to do?</p><p>“I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”</p><p>2 Timothy 4:1-5 NASB2020</p><p>Patience in the midst of persecution</p><p>When to say what to whom</p><p>Facing disappointment</p><p>Facing abandonment</p><p>Facing corruption</p><p>Facing injustice</p><p>How to respond like Jesus did – using previous experiences and spiritual growth</p><p>            With love</p><p>            With prayer</p><p>            With forgiveness</p><p>            With trusting and faith</p><p>            Seeing God’s purpose step by step</p><p>“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”</p><p>2 Timothy 4:7-8 NASB2020</p>