Our Motivation

Jonah 1-4; 2 Timothy 2 

“Endure hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ…he wants to please his commanding officer…Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hard working farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops…”

2 Timothy 2:3-7

Why are we serving God? What motivates our service, our witness or our work?

Paul uses the example of a soldier, an athlete and a farmer to describe people who serve God.

What distinguishes the motivations of these three occupations?

Soldiers endure hardship to please their officer. They are externally conditioned to obedience and honor. Athletes train hard to win a crown. They are internally conditioned to achievement. Farmers are motivated by the delayed gratification of growing crops to both eat and sell. They live with faith that what they have planted will produce a harvest.

How would we describe our motivation?

What is the most challenging goal you have achieved? 

Why did you do it?

Motives – God views the heart.

Jonah – What motivated him in ministry?  

“Lord Jesus, I desire to live by faith, motivated by a harvest that will bring you glory. I give my heart to you, O Lord.”