They Will Know we are Christians Because we Live out the Consequences…. BtP 4.7.2024

• 1 Timothy 6.2b-16

1 Timothy 6:2b–16 ESV

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 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.

For us, but not to us.

Paul knew Timothy’s context

Paul understood what/“who” Timothy would face.

Paul expected the Church to re-contextualize his instructions anew in each generation.

He understood his message to be Inspired Scripture.

He recognized the need for sound hermeneutics.

Specific, direct Instruction.

“Heresy”=puffed up, conceited, ignorant, craves controversy, pointless words which create envy, slander, evil suspicions, constant friction.

Result=Depraved in mind, deprived of truth. Profiteers.

Fighting the Good fight.

This is a symbol. An image of right Christian conduct not a tangible, real battle.

Flee heretical divisions.

Pursue:

Righteousness.

Godliness.

Faith.

Love.

Steadfastness.

Gentleness.