Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Since the late 1950’s there have been many iterations of a gameshow called “To tell the truth” where a panel of three people all claim to be the same person while the players try to distinguish who is actually telling the truth by asking them questions.

At the end of the show, the players make their choice as to who they think is the real person.

Once they make their guess, the show host says “ Would the real __________ please stand up?

Often we see this very thing played out in real life, especially in the church.

Where people present themselves as believers but really they are nothing more than imposters.

Really the only way to distinguish is someone is a genuine believer or an imposter is to watch their behavior.

In fact, Jesus said that very thing in

Matthew 7:16 (NKJV)

16 You will know them by their fruits...

Paul has spent much of his ink in 1 Timothy describing to us the teaching and behavior of those who pretended to be believers and teachers but who were actually apostates.

Our text this morning, though a new paragraph isn't disconnected from the previous paragraph in v.6-10 of chapter 6 where Paul gives his final comments of the apostate teachers in Ephesus.

Now he turns his attention squarely onto Timothy and addresses him directly by saying

“But you, O man of God...”

By him saying this, Timothy instantly knew that all of the focus was now being placed squarely on him.

This designation “Man of God” was a title that was only given to a select few of great leaders and prophets among Gods people in the Old Testament.

Moses Deuteronomy 33:1; Joshua 14:6

David the priest (Not the king) Nehemiah 12:24

Samuel 1 Samuel 9:6

Elijah 1 Kings 17:24

Elisha 2 Kings 4:7,9

The title man of God “connotes one who is in God’s service, represents God and speaks in his name.

J. N. D. Kelly, A Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.

1963), p. 139.

So when Paul addresses Timothy here in vs.11, it got Timothy’s attention.

It’s as if Paul was saying sit up and pay attention because Im speaking directly to you.

Having a charge preached to you at a public ordination service.

But, lest we think this passage is only meant for pastors like Timothy let’s focus in on the word “man” in vs.11.

Anthropos- is a generic word for a person and could be used for either male or female.

It simply means “human being.”

Context determines if it is meant in a masculine or feminine form.

Here it is masculine and meant for pastors, but the principles Paul gives to Timothy are principles that are fitting for anyone who claims to be a child of God.

There are four imperatives given to Timothy that, if he obeyed them, he would have a faithful and continued testimony as a “man of God.”

All four have to do with how Timothy should conduct himself.

The behavior or features that mark his character.

All four start with the letter “F.”

Flee from greed.

(v.11a)

Follow after God.

(v.11b)

Fight the good fight.

(v.12a)

Fasten onto eternal life.

(v.13b)

1.) Flee from apostasy and greed.

(v.11a)

Paul calls on Timothy to flee from all of those things previously discussed in vs.3-10.

He is to flee from teaching that is man centered and not Christ centered.

He is to flee from the prideful desire for controversy.

He is to flee from thoe things which bring division.

He is to flee from the greed that turns ministry into a money grab.

There are times when fleeing or running away from a situation is a sign of cowardice, but, there are also times when it is a mark of wisdom and brings victory.

Joseph fled in Genesis 39:12 when Potiphers wife tried to seduce him and maintained his character.

David fled when King Saul tried to kill him out of jealousy in 1 Samuel 19:10 and preserved his life.

The christian is to flee from false teaching and sinful practices.

There are times when the best way to avoid sin is just to run away from it as fast as we can in the opposite direction.

Application: There is no doubt someone listening today who needs to engage in some sanctified fleeing from sin.

Application: Some may need to do some sanctified fleeing from relationships before they pull you into sin.

2.) Follow after God.

(v.11b)

The life of the believer doesn't only need to feature fleeing but also following.

As men and women of God we are to flee from sin but we are to follow after spiritual virtues.

Pursue- to move rapidly and decisively toward an objective, hasten, run, press on.

To follow in haste in order to find something.

To strive for, seek after, or aspire to something.

Notice the things the “man of God” is to pursue:

Righteousness- Being right and doing right.

Godliness- To be Christ like.

Application: Righteousness and godliness are observable to others.

They go together to produce a good testimony.

Faith- Confident trust in God for everything.

Love- This is Agape love.

Love of volition and choice.

It’s purposeful.

Application: Faith and love are almost always listed together.

As believers we are to have total dependence on God for everything in our lives and to love others unconditionally as God loves us.

Patience-Endurance in the faith of opposition.

Particularly opposition to the Gospel.

Gentleness- Tender and patient self-control particularly when dealing with people.

Application: There is nothing in this world that will test your patience and gentleness more than other people.

Especially when its christians who know better and choose to behave in ways that are entirely unchristian.

All of these attributes are fruits of the Spirit.

They are the attributes that genuine Christians possess.

Paul \’s imperative to Timothy is to behave like a Christian minister is supposed to behave.

“We are simply to run from evil as we run from danger, and to run after goodness as we run after success.

That is, we have to give our mind, time and energy to both flight and pursuit.”

John Stott, Guard the Truth (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1996), p. 155.

3.) Fight the good fight.

(v.12a)

Fight- to agonize, struggle battle, or contend for a prize.

It’s where are word agonize comes from and it applies mainly to athletes and soldiers.

Notice though this isn't just any fight.

It’s a fight for the faith.

Meaning its a faith for the true, biblical, Christlike essential beliefs of the faith.

It’s intense language.

Paul is telling Timothy you fight until you can;t fight anymore.

Friends as the people of God, we must contend for the faith.

We shouldn't be contentious but we are to fight for biblical truth.

The truth of the gospel is everything.

It’s the difference between heaven and hell.