Recorded for 02-02-26 Morning Worship

Application and Prayer Points:

Application:

• The listing of rotten characteristics listed II Tim 3 are characteristics that must not be named among the church. These are characteristics of the unregenerate. These rotten characteristics reflect the world we live in. Thus, the urgency of the gospel message is vital.
• A simple profession of faith without genuine repentance can no more carry you to heaven than a dead horse can compete in the Kentucky Derby, or a sunken ship can save a man from drowning, or a cracked helmet can save the head from wounding. It’s like trying to hand a drowning person a glass of water. Profession without repentance is empty words.
• To exhibit the fruit of the Spirit is to be like Christ, who is true love, the prince of peace, ever patient, all kind, eternally good, faithful to the will of the Father, perpetually gentle, the epitome of self-control, and without sin. The fruit of the Spirit is a description of the characteristics of Jesus and how those who are in Christ cannot help but bear fruit.

In what ways can we bear fruit for the Kingdom of God?

1. By growing in the Spiritual Disciplines.
2. By Serving Christ and His People.
3. By sharing the gospel.

Prayer Prompts:

• Pray that the Lord will enable you to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.
• Pray the Lord will help you to identify areas where rotten fruit is evident in your life and distance yourself from them.
• Pray the Lord will use you to help grow fruit in others in the church. “Lord, use me.”

Recorded for 01/25/2026 Morning Worship.

II Timothy 2:14-26 To Be Unashamed

Application and Prayer Points:

Application:

• To Be Unashamed Will Produce The Approved Worker. To serve Jesus with all you have, but He is worth it; you remind them (followers of Jesus) of these truths.
• There is a right way to express the truth of the gospel and to avoid quarrelsome or hurtful words that do nothing but harm the message of the gospel. Avoid using words that have no eternal purpose. The worker who is unashamed will avoid vain, irreverent babbling.
• Steadily pursue faith, love, and peace. A person committed to Kingdom work will rejoice when the church is exhibiting Christ’s righteousness, a firm, unshakable faith, and a love for Christ and other believers.

What are some ways to dismantle harmful and inappropriate controversies?

1. Identify when conflicts are present.
2. Recognize areas of immaturity.
3. Confront sin in the congregation
4. Identify and tear down idols.

Prayer Prompts:

• Pray that the Lord will diminish your desire to gossip, slander, or use language that does not build up the body of Christ.
• Pray that you will make the gospel of Jesus about all else, even our nation.
• Pray the Lord would equip Highland to be mature followers of Jesus.
• Pray we will work hard and serve Highland and the Kingdom of Christ with the right motives and gospel-centered goals.

Recorded 1/18/2026

Pastor Larry Stephens continues the sermon series through II Timothy. This week, Pastor Larry highlights four disciplines illustrated by the apostle Paul for effective discipleship and disciple-making.

Application:

• A faithful teacher takes the time to ensure the lesson is correct and invests enough to ensure that the recipients understand and receive it. A faithful teacher, passing down truth, ensures the message is clear and received.
• A devoted soldier takes the time to train hard (in the Word) and knows the orders of his commander (to go).
• Like a focused athlete, there must be consistent training in the Word, seeking guidance from the coach or discipler, and a knowledge of the landscape of Christianity for perspective on the Word of God and history.
• To be like the hard-working farmer, to be like a hard-working farmer is to prepare for the future.

1. The Faithful Teacher
2. The Devoted Soldier
3. The Focused Athlete
4. The Hard-Working Farmer

Prayer Prompts:

• Pray that the Lord will give you the desire to uphold sound teaching and live in such a way that will compel others to pay attention.
• Pray that you will make the gospel of Jesus about all else, even our nation.
• Pray that you will keep your eyes on the goal, which is Christ Jesus. Pray, you will be focused on what is important in your faith.
• Pray we will work hard and serve Highland and the Kingdom of Christ with the right motives and gospel-centered goals.