FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT - KEEP THE FAITH

1 TIMOTHY 1:18:20

Two weeks ago we talked about God’s Mercy and that regardless of our ignorance, God still gives out His mercy. Paul reminded Timothy and us because of God’s mercy – our past does not prevent us from God using us for His Glory His Will His Way. Regardless of our past, His mercy is still given and calls us to action. We were also reminded that His Mercy does not conflict with His Holiness, His Sovereignty. Every human but one have sinned and fallen short and if we say we are without sin, we lie to ourselves – we need His Mercy and His forgiveness. And then we closed two weeks ago with Paul erupting into spontaneous worship and it’s a call to us to always find a reason to worship Him – outside these four walls, outside a Bible study. It is because of His Sovereignty and His Mercy that we should be praising Him every day.

Today Paul closes what we consider chapter one with going back and dealing with False Teachers. He even names the name of two men that were false teachers, teaching a false gospel.

As we begin, Let Us Pray!

Dealing with False Teachers

1 Timothy 1:18-20 - This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

I. THE PROPHECIES—vv. 18–20

1. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT —v. 18 – This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

Be patient as the prophets –

This charge in which I entrusted to you –

PARATITHEMI – par ar ith ay mee – to commit to one’s charge – the same word used in

1 Peter 4:19 – Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Paul does not take this lightly –

What is the charge that has been entrusted to –

v5 – The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

The charge is pastoring and shepherding the church

Protecting the church from False teachers and false doctrines

Remember verses 2 & 3 – To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,

The same Greek word Paul used in verse 2 and now in 18 – Timothy was thought of as if he were Paul’s own flesh and blood

What prophecies – Timothy’s call to ministry – the calling of the Holy Spirit that Paul and others saw bestowed on Timothy even in a young age

Kanda had a prophetic word given to her in May of 1999

2. KEEP THE FAITH – AVOID SHIPWRECKING YOUR TESTIMONY—v. 19 – holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

Do not compromise your faith. It is so easy to compromise in order to please others, make unbiblical promises, shave off of God’s words, not stand firm on the Word of God when you know it will bring attack – choosing the easy road, the easy path instead of God’s.

Yes we must have sound doctrine

We must have a good conscience as well – know what God’s Word is and do according to God’s Word – what God says is right and doing what is right

We must keep our conscience undefiled by sin, selfishness and pride.

You can keep the faith and destroy your testimony

You can be a believer and defile your conscience

Go to church but cheat on your taxes –

Be on the worship team – cheat your employer with hours

Go on mission trip – revile and belittle fellow believers who see things differently than you do

How many pastors have cheated on their spouse – got divorced and remarried

These are all examples of what Paul would call a shipwreck – you don’t lose your salvation but you lose your testimony and destroy it – shatter it on the rocks of pride and selfishness

When you are no longer the salt of the earth – when you cross over from being in the world to being of the world

3. PUNISHMENT IS RESTORATIVE NOT PUNITIVE —v. 20 – among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Handed over to Satan – removed from the church – excommunication. They were confronted several times but continued to not only stray from God but teach false doctrine.

Paul names names – Paul rarely mentions the names of trouble makers – generally its certain people are … but here and a few other examples Paul names the names of those that have not only shipwrecked their faith – leading others into the same destruction

Hymenaeus is probably the same Hymenaeus in Paul’s second letter to Timothy –

2 Timothy 2:17-18 – and their talk will spread like gangrene (like a cancer). Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

This is remedial – meant for correction – look at the ending of v20 – that they may learn not to blaspheme – if they would learn that – they would be welcomed back

All of God’s discipline for believers is remedial – motivating the sinner, us, to repent and return – repent of our sin – return to the Lord – not being defined by our past but by the blood that cleanses us – but we must repent first

If we are a true believer – then God’s correction, God’s discipline would motivate us to confess, repent, and return – we would desire to back in God’s family then on the outskirts of satan’s realm.

How can you protect yourself from Blasphemy? It is more than not using the Lord’s name in vain, inappropriately – its more than cussing and foul language – as a believer it will include unfair business practices, lying and stealing in any form, going in direct confrontation of God’s Word – when you replace God’s Word with your word, your desires, your way of doing things – you blaspheme. If your attitude your words your actions could cause a young believer to stumble or believe falsely, an unbeliever to be turned away – ask yourself – are you in alignment with God’s Word or Contradicting God’s Word – have you replaced God’s directions God’s Word with your own way of doing things and your own words?

Again – this is not a question of salvation – it’s a question of testimony and whether or not you are shipwrecking your faith or carrying out God’s Will God’s Word God’s Way?

Where are you with fighting the GOOD fight - God’s Fight?

Where are you with Keeping the Faith - God’s Word?

Let us pray!