Finding the Strength to Become an Effective Christian (2 Timothy 2:7-13)

Today, as we celebrate the founding of this country, we do so, understanding that it is a country in trouble. Secularism has pervaded the culture and modern American Christianity has proved ineffective. With the advent of modern media, we have access to more preachers than ever before, but there are few powerful preachers. Churches abound across the country, but few are truly changing the culture around them for Christ. While “Christians” are all over the news and social media, the country continues to degrade. In short, American Christianity is ineffective. Last week we looked at the reasons for this and we discussed the marks of an effective Christian. 

Yet, even as we worked through the text, many of the marks seemed to be pie in the sky targets for us. While we were convicted of what we need to do, we often feel that we lack the strength to actually do it. Real life happens and is hard. Simply willing ourselves to be better is impossible. We want to be effective Christians. We want to see this nation impacted for God. But doing the everyday hard work of evangelism and discipleship, study of the Word and spiritual disciplines seems out of reach in real day to day living. In the next section we will cover today, God does not just call us to effectiveness, he also assists us in finding the strength to be an effective Christian. He does not just call us to do His work, he also gives us the power to accomplish His work.