"THE CHARACTER OF A MAN OF GOD PART II"
Notes
Transcript
Have you every agonized over something or someone?
Last we saw that a man of God 1) flee’s the ways of the world, and 2) that a man of God follows the ways of God.
Proposition - As we continue today we are going to see the next 2 character traits of the man of God. First, we will see that that the man of God is focused, and Secondly, he is faithful.
Interrogative question - What are you agonizing over?
In our text there are 4 imperative commands in the first two verses -
The Man of God flee’s the ways of the World - vs. 11a
The Man of God Follow’s the ways of God - vs. 11b
The Man of God Stays focused - vs. 12a
The Man of God remains faithful - vs.12b
vs. 11 -
Flee From…
Pursue…
vs. 12
Fight…
Take hold of...
The man of God is focused - vs. 12a
The man of God is focused - vs. 12a
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
“Fight” - (agonizomai) - verb, present, either middle or passive, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - struggle; fight; strive
Sense: to fight - to be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
Sense - “to fight”
John 18:36 (NASB95)
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
1 Corinthians 9:25 (NASB95)
25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
“good” - (kalos) - adjective, accusative, singular, masculine - attributive adjective - good
Sense: having desirable or positive qualities; especially those suitable for a thing specified.
Notice how this Sense is used throughout the book of 1 Timothy -
1 Timothy 1:8 (NASB95)
8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
1 Timothy 1:18 (NASB95)
18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,
1 Timothy 2:3 (NASB95)
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1 Timothy 3:1 (NASB95)
1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
1 Timothy 3:7 (NASB95)
7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:13 (NASB95)
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:4 (NASB95)
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;
1 Timothy 4:6 (NASB95)
6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:13 (NASB95)
13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
1 Timothy 6:18 (NASB95)
18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
1 Timothy 6:19 (NASB95)
19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Sense - of moral excellence -
1 Timothy 5:10 (NASB95)
10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
1 Timothy 5:25 (NASB95)
25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
“fight” - (agon) - noun, accusative, singular, masculine - direct object - struggle; fight
Sense: conflict - any contest or struggle
1. agon (ἀγών, 73), from ago, “to lead,” signifies (a) “a place of assembly,” especially the place where the Greeks assembled for the Olympic and Pythian games; (b) “a contest of athletes,” metaphorically, 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7, “fight”; Heb. 12:1, “race”; hence, (c) “the inward conflict of the soul”; inward “conflict” is often the result, or the accompaniment, of outward “conflict,” Phil. 1:30; 1 Thess. 2:2, implying a contest against spiritual foes, as well as human adversaries; so Col. 2:1, “conflict,” KJV; RV, “(how greatly) I strive,” lit., “how great a conflict I have.” See CONTENTION, FIGHT, RACE.¶. Cf. agonizomai (Eng., “agonize”), 1 Cor. 9:25 etc. Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 121). T. Nelson.
Philippians 1:30 (NASB95)
30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Colossians 2:1 (NASB95)
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,
1 Thessalonians 2:2 (NASB95)
2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NASB95)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
Hebrews 12:1 (NASB95)
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Application -
What are you going after?
What are you straining for?
What are you striving for?
“of faith” - (pistis) - noun, genitive, singular, feminine - appositive - faith
Sense: trust (faith) - strong confidence in, and reliance upon, someone or something; often with the object of trust understood.
Faith can refer to the act of believing -
Faith can also refer to Christian doctrine or collection of beliefs
Faith can also denote a conviction or certainty of belief
Faith can mean “faithfulness” or “trustworthiness”
Check this out - The use of the word “faith” in the book of 1 Timothy -
13 times in the Pastorals “Trust in the gospel - Faith” -
1 Timothy 1:4 (NASB95)
4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB95)
5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:19 (NASB95)
19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
1 Timothy 3:13 (NASB95)
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:1 (NASB95)
1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:12 (NASB95)
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
2 Timothy 2:18 (NASB95)
18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
2 Timothy 3:8 (NASB95)
8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.
2 Timothy 3:15 (NASB95)
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NASB95)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
Titus 1:1 (NASB95)
1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
12 times in the Pastorals “Gospel Content - Faith” -
1 Timothy 1:2 (NASB95)
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Timothy 2:7 (NASB95)
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 3:9 (NASB95)
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
1 Timothy 4:6 (NASB95)
6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NASB95)
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 6:10 (NASB95)
10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:21 (NASB95)
21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.
2 Timothy 1:5 (NASB95)
5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
Titus 1:4 (NASB95)
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Titus 1:13 (NASB95)
13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,
Titus 2:2 (NASB95)
2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
Titus 3:15 (NASB95)
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
6 times in the Pastorals “Trust (faith) - Faith” - strong confidence in, and reliance upon, someone or something; often with the object of trust understood.
1 Timothy 1:14 (NASB95)
14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:13 (NASB95)
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Timothy 1:13 (NASB95)
13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:10 (NASB95)
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
2 Timothy 3:15 (NASB95)
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
3 times in the Pastorals “Faithfulness - Faith” -
1 Timothy 6:11 (NASB95)
11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB95)
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Titus 2:10 (NASB95)
10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
1 time in the Pastorals “Oath - Faith” -
1 Timothy 5:12 (NASB95)
12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.
The man of God is faithful - vs. 12b
The man of God is faithful - vs. 12b
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
“take hold of” - (epilambanomai) - verb, aorist, middle, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - take hold of; grasp
Sense: to acquire - catch - to acquire, conceived of as physically laying hold of something so as to make it one’s own.
The root word has the following meanings -
to seize (grab) used 12 times
Matthew 14:31 (NASB95)
31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Luke 23:26 (NASB95)
26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.
to help - take hold of 3 times
Acts 9:27 (NASB95) - People were scare of Paul b/c of his past -
27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
to acquire - catch 2 times
this is our text this morning - “take hold of the eternal life...”
1 Timothy 6:19 (NASB95)
19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
to catch (logically) - seize 2 times
Luke 20:19–26 (NASB95)
19 The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them. 20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.
21 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. 22 “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 23 But He detected their trickery and said to them,
24 “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.
In the Septuagint -
Deuteronomy 9:17 (NASB95)
17 “I took hold of the two tablets and threw them from my hands and smashed them before your eyes.
“eternal life” - (aionios zoe) - eternal - adjective, genitive, singular, feminine - attributive adjective - life - noun, genitive, singular, feminine - genitive object -
Sense of Life: life (state) - the condition of living or the state of being alive; especially healthiness, happiness, exuberance, energy, vitality, and the like.
1 Timothy 1:16 (NASB95)
16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:16 (NASB95)
16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
2 Timothy 1:9 (NASB95)
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
2 Timothy 2:10 (NASB95)
10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
Titus 1:2 (NASB95)
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,
Titus 3:7 (NASB95)
7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
was exemplified in eternity past -
“you were called” - (kaleo) - verb, aorist, passive, indicative, second person, singular - finite verb - call; name; summon
passive — The grammatical voice that signifies that the subject is being acted upon; i.e., the subject is the receiver of the verbal action. A verb in the passive voice with God as the stated or implied agent is often referred to as the “divine passive.”
Sense: to be summoned (state) - to be or become subject to an authoritative demand for one’s presence or participation.
to be summoned (state) -
Acts 24:2 (NASB95)
2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, “Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,
1 Corinthians 1:9 (NASB95)
9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:18 (NASB95)
18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised.
1 Corinthians 7:20–24 (NASB95)
20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.
Ephesians 4:1 (NASB95)
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
Ephesians 4:4 (NASB95)
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Hebrews 9:15 (NASB95)
15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 11:8 (NASB95)
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
1 Peter 2:21 (NASB95)
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
1 Peter 3:9 (NASB95)
9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
was exemplified publically -
“you made the good confession” - (homologeo) - verb, aorist, active, indicative, second person, singular - finite verb - confess; acknowledge
Sense: to profess publicly - to profess in a manner accessible to or observable by the public.
2 Corinthians 9:13 (NASB95)
13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,
1 Timothy 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:13 (NASB95)
13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
Hebrews 3:1 (NASB95)
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 10:23 (NASB95)
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
The question that we are faced with is what is this phrase referring too? there are two possible options -
Timothy's baptism
Timothy’s ordination
SO WHAT?
Are you a man or women of God?
Let’s get real - A person walks in with an AR15 -
Turn to Matthew 7 -