1 Timothy 1:18-20

Introduction

Let me candid, this month I will be busy. I will continue to put in the time to study but some of the messages will be short while others may be lacking in depth.

However, I respect your time and I do not take this class lightly.

I realize the importance of assembling for Sunday School. I have a responsibility to teach the Word of God. I look at this class as a discipleship ministry. That is the process of learning to become more like Christ, in other words, to become a Christ follower.

I understand the investment you make to get here on time and I want to do my best to respect your time. With that said, please realize the next several weeks our work schedule will be hectic.

Last week, we looked at nine powerful words: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

These nine words aggravate Satan. Satan would be pleased to merely blind the mind of the unsaved.

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

I don’t know what it means to be blind, we can ask Pastor Minnick but I do know the feeling of driving along an unknown highway with limited visibility due to torrential downpour.

It is nerve-racking. This is the situation the unsaved find themselves in. However, they don’t realize it. Satan has blinded their minds to spiritual truths.

With this thought, let us look at the truth depicted in these three verses.

Command to heed

Once again, we see Paul using military terms…This charge. This same word is seen three times in this chapter. (1 Ti 1.3; 1.5)

Our church has an understanding of this charge. In simple terms it is an order. Paul is using his authority to order Timothy. Think of it as an order we would receive from our Commanding Officer.

Adrian may be going on a deployment shortly. He will be ordered to pack up and depart. He doesn’t have the luxury to say “I will just hold this one out. You guys go and enjoy yourselves.”

No, Adrian has a responsibility. He has a mission and it needs to get accomplished.

What about our other Marines: Lucas, Matthew, Micah? Don’t feel like going to the field? Skip out on it. See how far that will get you.

Likewise, Paul is addressing Timothy. Timothy, you have a responsibility; you are on a mission that needs to be accomplished.

Timothy’s mission was to oversee the church at Ephesus. We have seen the struggles this church found itself in. Ephesus was no Hallmark, picturesque town.

Here we read of a serious charge imparted on Timothy.

H.A. Ironside said ...

Addresses on the First and Second Epistles of Timothy, Titus, and Philemon Chapter Four: Maintaining a Good Conscience

There were special responsibilities resting upon him there, and it was important that he should be careful as to his own walk and testimony, in order that he might be an example to others.

This command was committed to Timothy. Read with me 1 Ti 1.11

1 Timothy 1:11 KJV 1900

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Paul states the gospel was put into his care, that is, he was entrusted with it. In 1 Ti 1.18, Paul is extending the responsibility to Timothy. Take the responsibility to seriously guard the gospel.

Addresses on the First and Second Epistles of Timothy, Titus, and Philemon Chapter Four: Maintaining a Good Conscience

The Christian life is a conflict, particularly the life of a Christian minister.

Why does Timothy and, for that matter all, of us as Christians need to guard the gospel?

Because false teachers will arise. People will look to derail and distract the work of God. Guard the gospel!

Cue (Reminder)

What are some reminders we see in Scripture? What do we need to be reminded about?

Combat

Keeping up with alliteration, we move from the command to combat.

Our nation has come accustom to war. We have been focused on the Middle East and Islamic Extremism for my entire career. In October, three people died in a knife attack at a church in Nice, in what French President Emmanuel Macron said was an "Islamist terrorist attack".

I don’t have to define combat to our church. We know at any moment we could and need to be ready to not only fight rogue terrorist organizations but peer competitors with conventional military power.

We fight according to a set of rules. Yes, there are rules in war. The law of armed conflict and Geneva convention.

We fight by the rules while the enemy doesn’t follow our rules but get a vote and we need to be prepared and ready for their course of action.

Take for instances the Geneva Conventions.

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are at the core of international humanitarian law, the body of international law that regulates the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects.

They specifically protect people who are not taking part in the hostilities (civilians, health workers and aid workers) and those who are no longer participating in the hostilities, such as wounded, sick and shipwrecked soldiers and prisoners of war.

The problem with these rules is our enemy doesn’t have to alway follow our rules. They may know them but they are not bound by them.

This is what we see here. Paul is telling Timothy, and by extension all would-be Christ-followers, war a good warfare. We are not barbaric in our faith.

Hence, God desires all His servants to be good soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

MacArthur Bible Studies: 1 & 2 Timothy Bible Passage

Paul urged Timothy to fight the battle against the enemies of Christ and the gospel.

We are in spiritual combat. While I was on leave I seen a text from Pastor Minnick encouraging us men to memorize Ephesians 6:10-18.

Ephesians 6:10–18 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

In this passage, Paul clearly states “for we wrestle.” We are in a fight.

In the Heavenlies: Practical Expository Addresses on the Epistle to the Ephesians Lecture XXV: The Whole Armor of God (Eph. 6:13–18)

We are to stand against the wiles of the devil, for in every conceivable manner he will seek to hinder us from making progress in our Christian lives, in our Christian experience, and therefore, we need to be constantly upon the watch and we need to be accoutered with the whole armor of God.

Conscience

Addresses on the First and Second Epistles of Timothy, Titus, and Philemon Chapter Four: Maintaining a Good Conscience

So the important lesson for us all is the necessity of maintaining a good conscience before God. We should not become careless as to our behavior in regard to that which pleases the blessed One who loved us enough to shed His precious blood to redeem us from the bondage of our sins.