2 Timothy 4

This is our Sunday teaching from Senior Pastor, Tom Thompson. Recorded live at our service in Harris Academy Purley, Croydon on Sunday 22nd June, 2025. Below you can find the full talk audio, and a summary article.

Want to lead a Connect Group session on this teaching? The notes are here!

Talk Summary - Living in the Story: The Call to Lead with Courage, Truth, and Encouragement

As we wrapped up our teaching series in 2 Timothy, we found ourselves face to face with the apostle Paul’s final charge: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim 4:2)

This is a call to leadership—not just for pastors or preachers, but for every parent, every youth leader, every Connect Group host, and every Christian entrusted with influence. It’s a call to live and lead as those who know the story we are part of: Jesus has come, and Jesus will come again.

Too many Christians are living with low spiritual pressure, unaware that something powerful is available. Like a house with a high-spec boiler but a dribble of water from the taps, many of us are missing out on the life God designed us for. Leadership—true leadership—helps restore that flow.

Paul urges us to correct, rebuke, and encourage. Each requires Spirit-given boldness, love, and a sound mind.

Correction means showing others the right way to live—the way of Jesus. Rebuke means having the courage to say, “This isn’t good,” when someone is straying. And encouragement? It might be the most powerful of all. Many in church, especially men, are silently discouraged. But encouragement breathes life. It speaks God’s truth into someone’s pain. It fuels the weary to keep living the story.

To lead like this, we must anchor ourselves in Scripture—not as a book to validate our feelings, but as the living voice of God, equipping us for every good work. It won’t always be easy. Our culture avoids rebuke and prefers flattery. But the church must be different. We speak truth. We speak hope. And we do it with love.

God is raising up leaders in this season—leaders who will live the story and help others do the same. Leaders who won't shrink back in fear, but step forward with power, love, and a sound mind.

Let’s be that kind of church.