Fight the Good Fight of the Faith.

If you have a bible open it up to 1 Timothy 6. This is our last message in this book, and Paul sure ends this letter on a high note, this text today I believe is one of those texts that you can go back to over and over again for many reasons that you will be able to see as we work through it. I have titled the message this morning, “Fight the good fight of faith.” Let us pray…

As I just mentioned to you this text is one of those great texts in all the bible and its a fitting text to end our study in this book, it says this…

1 Timothy 6:11–21 ESV

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

Today what I want you to see as our main idea is this…

Fight the good fight of the faith with everything you have.

As we have learned throughout the study of this book Paul wants us to be people who are all in sold out to Jesus Christ in every way.

With that in mind, several points for you to take note of the 1st of which is this…

Pursue godly things.

Now a pursuit of godly things is two fold. One its about fleeing the things we talked about last week, and two its about pursuing Godly things.

Those things we have to flee if you remember were this. Flee being conceded remember I talked about last week that those who lack godly contentment sway away from Gods truth, and false teachers were making up these things and elevating themselves thinking it was all about them, and not God. They were conceited.

Flee from greed, remember the false teachers of that day were using there platform to become rich. And not serve God.

Flee from the love of money, having money is not a problem its a blessing, but loving it making it an idol does not allow you to pursue godly things. The love of money leads so many people down the wrong path, flee from the love of money.

Flee from wandering away from the faith. To often we get into these seasons of leaving the side of the God. We go over to the next street or the next town, in some of our cases we wander away so far that we are not even in the same planet, but one of the things I truly love about God is you may wonder away, but God will always let you turn to him if you earnestly seek him by faith and flee from ungodly things…

One man said the best way to be free is to flee.

And you do not just flee into this neutral state either. Pursuing Godliness is not just fleeing from all the wrong things it pursuing the right things. Its a running toward all that is good, and godly.

Paul gives us a few things to pursue, and this word in greek means to keep on pursuing its a constant act never ending.

Remember what Phil 4:8 said.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Its the same concept believers in Christ are ones who think about the right things and do the right things, because we have been changed by Jesus Christ. From the inside out so we should want to pursue godly things.

Such as righteousness. Now this isn’t talking about the righteousness we receive when we are saved. This is referring to a righteousness that conducts oneself in the right way seeking to follow what the word of God asks of you.

Its pursuing godliness. Which ties into righteousness, one man even said it denotes the duty that man owes to God.

Think about that we pursue God because of what he was done we owe him greatly for what he did on the cross!

Its pursing faith. Faith is crucial to the Christian life, You have to initially put your faith in Jesus Christ in order to be saved. But your faith does not stop when you come to him its a life-long thing you have to have faith to believe the words in this book you have to have faith to be changed by him whether you have been a Christian a day or many years. Everything in this life takes faith, and there is nothing better than putting your faith in Christ not just to save you, but you change you, to transform you, and to trust in for all things.

Its pursing love. The love of God and one another, think about this its alot harder to hate someone when you love them. I think about that as a pastor, because sometimes people are really and I mean really hard to love, but for Timothy and for me and for you love is key to pursuing godliness.

Its pursing steadfastness. Another word I love. Being steadfast. I read an article this week on what it means to be steadfast and the author said these words…

What does the gold look like refined? God’s testing produces ten thousand goods in us, many of which will be visible only with heaven’s hindsight. But, the book of James points out one of the ten thousand: “Testing . . . produces steadfastness.”

Steadfastness — translated elsewhere as endurance or patience — may not attract our attention as much as faith, hope, and love do, but it is among the most beautiful badges of Christian character. By it, we bear up under burdens, raise our hearts toward heaven, and press on toward eternal life, come hell or high water.

Steadfast Christians are modern-day Micahs, who can defy the devil even as they sit in darkness (Micah 7:8–9). They are patient Habakkuks, who can look upon a barren land and say, “Yet I will rejoice” (Habakkuk 3:18). They are mighty Shadrachs, who no longer fear the flames as they once did, because they know their Lord walks there.

Steadfast Christians are increasingly undaunted by tribulation (Romans 12:12). They feel the sin that clings so closely, and do not hesitate to cast it aside (Hebrews 12:1).

They walk through the wilderness of affliction without fainting (2 Corinthians 1:6); they groan for redemption without grumbling (Romans 8:25); they suffer scorn without stumbling (Matthew 10:22). Their eyes tell the story of battles won, temptations defeated, and the crown of glory awaiting (James 1:12). They are the oaks of righteousness among us, weathered trunks who brave the raging wind (Romans 5:3–4). They are the saints in whose faces, set like flint toward glory, we sometimes catch a glimmer of Christ.

Out of the pain of our trials, God produces perseverance. Out of the flames of our suffering, God creates steadfastness.

Finally he said pursue being gentleness. Did you know the bible describes Jesus as gentle? Matthew 11:29

Matthew 11:29 ESV

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

The creator of all things, Lord of all who had every right to be overbearing to lay down the hammer with the law, and his power came as a gentle man, washing his disciples feet laying his power aside showing us as an example of what we should be.

if you are going to pursue godliness then you must not Lord your Christianity around without understand who you are, and what you are called to be.

So pursue him by running away from the bad and running towards the good.

Secondly.

Take hold of your faith.

I wish I could tell you that the Christian life was easy that everything bad goes away when you are born again. No that is not what happens its a fight. Now Paul says that timothy made a confession to take hold of eternal life. This confession he made scholars believe was one of two things. One was during his ordination when the elders laid hands on him when he professed his testimony or two during his baptism, now we believe that baptism is a symbol of something God has done in your life when you are baptized you identify with him symbolizes the death burial and resurrection, and taking hold of your faith certainly involves that that step.

Now Paul also tells Timothy to kept to hold on to the testimony of Jesus Christ. And he references here Pilate whom Jesus confessed to that he was the Christ. We see that confession in every single Gospel.

Matthew 27:11 ESV

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”

Mark 15:2 ESV

2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”

lk 23:3

Luke 23:3 ESV

3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”

John 18:33–37 ESV

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

I love that last one in John, and Timothy was suppose to hold on to that kind of confession. That Jesus is a King, the King of King, and he says in John here that he had come to bear witness to the truth, and that truth as we learned when we studied the book of John is Jesus is the truth, and we learned in the gospel of John that Jesus is the way the truth and the life. Hold on to the truth. Never let it leave your mouth or your head or your heart.

Paul charged Timothy to keep the commandment unstained and free from approach. He keeps it that way by living a godly life. The testimony of Jesus Christ is unstained, Jesus is without blemish, and you better believe that Paul wants timothy wants us to keep our lives free from sin until Jesus returns. When he comes back.

He is saying this to Timothy and to us so that we do not take days off the faith. Ouch huh? Because to truly take hold of your faith you are going to be more than just a Sunday morning Christian you are going to be one who studies this book, who learns how to be a disciple of Christ and you take it hold of it so tight that you will never be the same again.

Third thing I want you to take note of is this..

Have good doctrine.

I might sound like a broken record with this statement, but I cannot over emphasize to you the importance of right doctrine. Doctrine is not just for the theological nerds like my self its for every believer. Every single believer should strive to have right doctrine.

What is wrong with so many professing believers now is this. They know more about God through memes, through tik toks than they do the very word of God.

In two verses Paul lays out some serious doctrines we need to understand, to help us fight the good fight of faith. I just mentioned this one but we have to know Jesus is coming back again, and he will be coming to judge how people based on the fact of whether or not they know him.

John 5:27–29 ESV

27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

When he comes back friends he is going to judge all things. All are subject to this, and you better understand that.

You must also understand God is sovereign. What does that mean God is all powerful all knowing over everything in his creation. Nothing happens without God allowing it happen.

He is the King of king and Lord of Lords. Now understanding the Context is important here. In fact its very important. Jesus as you saw was asked by Pilate whether or not he was a king and he said you have said so, and being a king during that time meant that you were above all, and that was accusation the Jews brought against him so they could get Rome to crucify him, and Paul makes it clear it does not matter what ruler may grace this world, Jesus is over all them.

He is also Lord. Now Lord is what they called the great Caesar and Paul makes it clear to Timothy something he new well, Jesus is Lord over all, and as we studied Philippians a verse I love to use is Phil 2:9-11

Philippians 2:9–11 (ESV)

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, Which is Lord 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There is no and I mean no other Gods,

​Within the one Being of God there are three co-equal, co-eternal persons, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.There is a study on the Trinity on our website if you want to dig into that doctrine more

God is immortal. The greek means that Only God is not subject to death. Listen to one Scholar Philosophers and religions had no solutions, only coping mechanisms that often amounted to thin means of denial. The fear and horror of death remained. God exists above human desperation and can therefore be Savior from it, which in Christ (and particularly in Christ’s resurrection: 1 Cor 15:55–57, drawing on Isa 25:8; and Hos 13:14) he shows himself to be. Affirmation of God’s immortality may not be as much appropriation of “the language used of gods and emperors” in Hellenism as extrapolation from Christ’s victory over death to the God who performed it.

And this God dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. Ex 33:20

Exodus 33:20 ESV

20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

God is God and his light shown into his own creation brightest through the Son, and im not just talking about that thing outside that has been causing us to sweat the last several months I am talking about the son of God.

And just doctrine should lead to praise. Remember what I saw that we believe about God should determine how we worship him and praise him, and just these few verses teach us that Jesus is coming back he is judging the world, he is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords he is immortal, and his truly light is not even comprehendible to us. And we should praise him all day long.

Next point is this..

Live generously .

Paul wants people to know who are well off both in Timothys context and our context to not be haughty. To be haughty means to be proud, have you ever met rich people who just boast about it who set all their hopes on it, who make it their savior. Instead he wants them to set their hope of God. And tells them its possible to be rich and be generous.

Last week I told you that God is the one who gives us everything. And we need to understand that, and with that understanding we can be truly generous. Money comes and goes but the Lord is the same yesterday today and forever.

And Paul indicates to enjoy what the Lord gives you, you can enjoy material gifts as long as you see them in their proper place. Eccles 2:24-25

Ecclesiastes 2:24–25 ESV

24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?

So how are we going to be generous? We use our money to do good, to help the church, to help those in need. Because we know who Jesus is, and that all this gain life has to offer material wise will go away. I shared with you the story of Wesley last week who was one of most generous people the world has ever known he was ready to share. because he knew it all belonged to God, he stored up treasure in heaven, what we give on earth is a testimony that Jesus has changed us, and I believe the bible speaks to it resulting in heavenly rewards.

One man said.. An unwillingness to be generous with others in need reveals to what extent idolatry has entered into a wealthy person heart. Recognize where true wealth resides. Disciples of Jesus understand that it is not their possessions that make them happy.

Jesus gave us himself surly we can be ones that give back to him.

So be people who are generous with your money, but also your time. God gives you every last dollar and every last breath use it wisely for his kingdom.

Final point is this…

Guard what God has given you.

For Timothy he was given this call to watch over the people of Ephesus, and it was going to be a battle we will see that even more in the second letter. But he had a noble task and that task was to pass this message down and protect his people from all the falsehood they would come across.

This is my task as a pastor as well, but as a believer you and I have the same task to Guard our Godliness to guard our faith to guard our doctrine and to guard our generosity. And to do that we have to stay away from all falsehood, because some walk away from the faith because they do not guard what the truth is, they get deceived maybe because they never knew or maybe it was something else.

we are to do this all while doing it by the power of God’s grace.

The incredible thing about looking at these verses is we can clearly see Jesus in them. Jesus Christ fled all things sinful in fact he never sinned, he was righteous in every way godly full of faith, and love, and steadfastness, and gentleness he is eternal life he came to die on a cross rise from the dead three days later and is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who by no other name one can be saved. He used the richness of his life becoming poor so that you and I and all who call on his name can be truly rich knowing him is the greatest treasure, who generously gave us himself so we could one day join him in a place we could not be lest for his work on the cross.

Do you know this Jesus if not today I would say this to you you can by repenting of your sin, and trusting in Christ alone for salvation and if you do that you can be free to do these things, and you will have the desire to do them.

Today you can respond by saying I want to know him, I want to be baptized, or join this church respond how the Lord leads ill be up here to receive you let us pray.