PROGRESS

For todays lesson, we are going to focus on a single word that summarized
Pauls vision and expectation for the minister, the ministry, and the very gospel
itself. Its a simple wordand both a very attainable word and a very challenging
word.
Progress (prokopane)
forward or onward movement toward a destination
the process of improving or developing something over a period of time
He used this word three times in his letters:
1 Tim 4:15-16
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may
see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them,
because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers
Personal Progress
As Paul was training and discipling and mentoring his son in the faith, he gave
him an incredible standard or goal or expectation to live up to: Progress.
Progress that could be seen by everyone.
He knew the power and value of the ministers personal progress.
What is its value and power? Why would Paul want it to happen?
Confidence to Timothy
Example to others
Inspiration to others

Personal progress always bears abundant fruit.always!

How is your personal progress in 2016?
With goals you started at start of year, how are you doing?
Not, have you achieved those goals, but are you progressing?
Why or why not?
What areas are you not seeing personal progress? What areas are others not
seeing progress in you?
Share: Weight and wait
Pick one or two areas and give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see
your progress, between now and Fall.

Php 1:21-26
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body,
this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am
torn between the two:I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I
know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy
in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus
will abound on account of me.
Ministerial Progress
Paul remained in the body, in the ministry, for the progress of his ministry. It was
why he served in that position.
Is it any different for us? Its why I came to Denver and why I remain in Denver.
Its why you're in the ministry.
So are you seeing progress in your ministry?
Are their weaknesses becoming strength?

Are they going from strength to strength?

Are your leaders getting stronger and tighter?
Are your people getting more devoted and unified?
Are you turning around weak situations?
Are the lost getting saved?
Are you growing in number?
Dont get distracted by your activity.
Stay focused on their progress.
Dont get deceived by your excuses.
Stay focused on their progress.
Dont get deluded by shortcuts.
Devote yourself to your leadersbonding, inspiring, training
Devote yourself to the weakresolving, one way or another
Strengthening the weak, disciplining the rebellious.
Devote yourself to the missiongetting everyone involved with faith and
love.
Php 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has
actually resulted in the progress of the gospel. As a result, it has become clear
throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for
Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become
confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Gospel Progress
The greatest progress of all is bigger than you and even bigger than your ministry
it is the very gospel itself!
How cool is that, that you and I can cause the Gospel to progress. The Gospel
that has been envisioned since Genesis; the Gospel that Jesus died for and was
resurrected for; the Gospel that the early Disciples gave their lives for.

We can advance and progress that Gospel. What a meaningful life!

Dont be distracted and discouraged and divided by the day to day ups and
downs.
________________________________
A single word that summarized Pauls vision and expectation for the minister, the
ministry, and the very gospel itself. Its a simple wordand both a very attainable
word and a very challenging word.
Progress
forward or onward movement toward a destination
the process of improving or developing something over a period of time