Jr High | Servants of the Lord (2 Timothy 2:22-26) | Tate Cox

Main message: Paul’s exhortation in 2 Timothy 2:22–26 calls believers to be servants of the Lord by fleeing youthful, sinful desires and pointless disputes while actively and intentionally pursuing righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace—and by exhibiting gentleness, patience, humility, and the ability to teach so others may be won to Christ.

Key points:

• Run from "youthful lusts" and worldly cravings (e.g., sexual immorality, love of money, pride) and avoid foolish, contentious arguments.
• Actively pursue godliness with intensity—righteousness, faith/faithfulness, love, and peace—rather than expecting holiness to happen passively.
• Pursuit means disciplined, wholehearted effort (putting off the old self and putting on the new).
• Your demeanor matters: be gentle, patient, humble, and able to teach; don’t quarrel—aim to win souls, not arguments.
• The goal of this lifestyle is that opponents might repent, come to the truth, and escape the devil’s snare.

Scriptures mentioned: 2 Timothy 2:22–26, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Timothy 6:10–11, 1 John 2:15–17, Colossians 3:8–10, Ephesians 4:22–24, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 6:33, Galatians 5:22, Matthew 8:5–10, Mark 12:30–31, John 13:35, Philippians 4:5, Matthew 11:29, 1 Peter 5:5