Run To Righteousness - 1 Timothy 6:11-21

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1 Timothy 6:11–21 ESV

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 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. 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, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 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. 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. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 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. O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

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Intro

Who is my favorite President?

George Washington is on the one dollar bill

Does this bill have life?

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Fight the Good Fight: Staying Faithful in a Challenging World

Bible Passage: 1 Timothy 6:11–21

Summary: In this passage, Paul encourages Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness as he fights the good fight of faith while also warning against the pitfalls of greed and the importance of holding firmly to eternal life. We must understand the importance of perseverance in our faith journey, resisting temptation and remaining steadfast, especially in a world that often prioritizes materialism and instant gratification over spiritual fulfillment.

Big Idea: To fight the good fight of faith, Christians must pursue godliness, resist the passions of the flesh, and rely on Christ's strength to endure and stay faithful amid challenges.

Transition: How do godly men and women fight the good fight?

Main Exposition

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Main Point:

Men and women of God are called by the King of Kings, that is Jesus, to fight for our faith by fleeing from the passions of this world, pursing righteousness and protecting the church from false teaching.

Transition: Lets break it down a bit further.

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Men and women of God pursue the faith, fighting the good fight.

Three actions to know your pursing the faith

Take hold of eternal life, aka put your faith in Jesus. 1 Timothy 6:12 “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.”

Flee these things. What things are we fleeing? The passions and sinful desires of the flesh that plunge us into ruin and destruction.

Lot from Genesis fled sodum and gamora you to must flee

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3. Run to righteousness

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Verse 18 says to “do good works and by doing so you are putting your treasure in heaven.

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Flee the flesh with a purpose - run to righteousness

Transition: The world runs to money but we must run to righteousness.

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Men and women of God set their hope on what is certain, which is, Jesus the King of Kings - not money.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 “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. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 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.”

Some people believe that there is security in finances or that money will provide for their needs but we know that only the Lord is sovereign and the foundation of our lives.

Our encouragement from Paul is that he says to take hold of what is truly life. Theres no life in a one dollar bill. Its God a face but no soul.

Transition: Hope only in the Lord and make sure the church does too.

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Men and women of God protect and guard the church and the word from the wolves in the world.

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We as a church have to at all costs protect the church and the Word from corruption, stain and reproach.

Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:14 “to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and catch this I love this

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1 Timothy 6:20–21 “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.”

We have to protect the church from wolves and false tea hers who want to take advantage and milk the church for ill gotten gain.

There are some who want to use the church for their own personal gain or who twist Scripture to fir their lifestyle and Paul says they have served from the faith and like we said last week are headed for destruction.

How to we protect the church?

Application

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1. We protect the church by standing guard, avoiding irrelevant babble that contradicts scripture.

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2. Put our personal hope and confidence in Jesus alone.

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3. Run to Righteousness

Conclusion

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1 Timothy 6:20–21 “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.”

Fight the good flight

What does it mean to Run to Righteousness and how do we do that?

2. Why should someone flee from the passions of the flesh?

3. What are some temptations in life that prevent us from running to righteousness?

4. How can we guard our hearts from the passions of the flesh?

5. What are some false teachings you see in the church today and how can we guard our church from falling into that trap?

6. Does money bring life and hope? Why or why not? If saving money brings security is it wrong for a believer to have a savings account?

7. How can we encourage one another to keep our hope set on God rather than material wealth?

8. How can you fight the good fight of faith in a culture that often values self-centeredness?

9. How can we each identify and avoid the 'irreverent babble' present in our own lives?

10. How can we as a church community protect ourselves from false teachings?

11. How can you apply the principle of pursuing good works to your school or social life?

12. What does it mean to keep the commandment 'unstained and free from reproach' as mentioned in 1 Timothy?

How can we be intentionally praying for you tonight?