06 Four Verbs of a Missional Life

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…

BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: Four Verbs of a Missional Life

Mission isn’t abstract—it’s lived in the verbs of everyday missionary-discipleship: flee, pursue, fight, and take hold.

WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?

Opening Scripture:

FOUR VERBS FOR A MISSIONAL LIFE:

1. Flee 

A missional life knows when to run. Some battles aren’t fought, they’re fled.

1 Timothy 6:11 “11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”

The “all this” to flee points back to what he just listed in vv. 3–10:

1. Pride (1 Timothy 6:4 “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,” )

Examples: Needing the spotlight; refusing correction; measuring worth by status, title, or followers.

Unable to see clearly; arrogant; deceived about reality concerning oneself

instead of “I told you so”….“It doesn’t mean you’re ALWAYS right”

How to flee:

Ask someone you trust: “Where do you see pride in me?” and listen.

Serve quietly in ways that won’t be noticed.

Pray regularly: “Lord, less of me, more of You.”

2. Controversy/Quarrels (1 Timothy 6:4–5 “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.”)

Examples: Constantly needing to argue online; stirring division in church; taking offense easily; gossiping under the banner of “ideas” or “concerns.”

How to flee:

Step away from unhelpful debates (especially digital ones).

Practice gentle answers (Proverbs 15:1 “1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” ).

Choose unity over winning—ask, “What builds peace here?”

3. Greed (1 Timothy 6:9 “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.” )

Examples: Always needing the next upgrade; hoarding resources while others struggle; letting “more” become the measure of success.

How to flee:

Practice gratitude daily (naming 3 blessings).

Choose contentment by setting limits (“enough is enough”).

Give away something valuable—not leftovers—to reset your heart.

4. Love of Money (1 Timothy 6:10 “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.”)

Examples: Making career choices solely by salary; anxiety over giving; tying self-worth to net worth; envying others’ possessions.

How to flee:

Tithe first—break money’s grip before it grips you.

Anchor your security in God’s promises (e.g., 1 Tim. 6:7–8; Matt. 6:33).

Practice generosity by surprising someone in need this week.

Application:

Identify one area where you’re tempted to compromise—run from it before it runs you.

2. Pursue 

You can’t just run from; you must run toward.

1 Timothy 6:11 “11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”

Paul lists a MISSIONAL POSTURE: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22 “22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”) - God’s standard

Godliness (1 Timothy 4:7–8 “7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” ) - Devotion lived out

Faith (2 Timothy 4:7 “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”) - Trust in God’s promises

Love – (1 Timothy 1:5 “5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”) - Sacrificial love

Steadfastness  (2 Timothy 2:12 “12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;”) - Endurance

Gentleness  (2 Timothy 2:24–25 “24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,”) - Strength under control

This is the life of Jesus lived out in the world.

Application:

Which of these six virtues is God calling you to pursue with fresh intensity this week?

3. Fight 

Not against people, but against idolatry and spiritual lies that crowd Christ out.

Charlie Kirk lived his life fighting what he saw as idols and lies within our culture.

1 Timothy 6:12 “12 Fight (Agōnizomai) 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.”

1 Timothy 4:10 “10 For to this end we toil and strive (Agōnizomai), because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

An athletic competition where we fight to keep the gospel central in a culture of distractions.

Application: Where do you feel the battle for your heart?

Name it—and fight with prayer, Scripture, and community.

4. Take Hold 

1 Timothy 6:12 “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.”

1 Timothy 6:19 “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.”

Eternal life isn’t just a future length of days; it’s a present reality in Christ you grip and grow into forever.

Paul repeats this in his charge to the wealthy: “take hold of that which is truly life” (v. 19).

A Charge to the Wealthy

1 Timothy 6:17–19 “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.”

Paul speaks tenderly and directly to those with resources:

Don’t be haughty—wealth can inflate the self.

Don’t set your hope on uncertainty—markets swing, but God doesn’t.

Do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share.

This is how to “store up treasure” and “take hold of life that is truly life.”

Conclusion/Reflection:

Which of these verbs—flee, pursue, fight, take hold—do you most need to practice this week to live a missional life?

Talk It Over

In what ways can your peer group support each other in fighting against spiritual distractions?

How can practicing generosity help you to 'take hold' of eternal life?

What does it mean to 'take hold of that which is truly life' as discussed in 1 Timothy 6:19?