1 Tim 6:11-21

1 Timothy 6:11–21 “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.”

Fight the Good Fight

Six imperatives

flee these things

spiritual war

Extremes of the battle

Time to fight, time to flee

pursue

diligence, intentionality

Dedication, devotion

In all areas

fight (agonize)

it is a struggle to have faith

Paul cheers us on in the struggle

Philippians 3:7–8 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”

Philippians 3:10–11 “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

take hold

Take it seriously

Take it joyfully

Take it hopefully

keep (obey, integrity, faithfulness)

wall of christian character

Practicing the presence of God

maintain the standard, prevent drift

Guard

Timothy’s deposit

imparted spiritual gift

divine opportunities

the Now (marriage, children, job, creative pursuits…this moment

The past is a memory, the future is a yet unfulfilled promise. Today is a gift, that’s why we call it the “present”