Six Commands of Being the Church

Six Commands of Being the Church

1 Timothy 6:11-21

Hopewell Baptist Church

October 24, 2021

Opening Illustration -

Transition

Big Idea: Be the church.

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.

Pray

I. Flee These Things – v.11

a. To flee = to escape

b. These things – this time, it’s talking about sinful behaviors

i. 1 Timothy 6:3-10

1. False teachers/teachings -v.3

2. Discontentment -v.4-8

3. Money as an idol -v.9-10

ii. To flee sinful behavior, behavior unbecoming of a believer

II. Pursue These Other Things – v.11

a. To carry out and participate in…

i. Righteousness – God’s requirements of man

ii. Godliness – piety, devote practice and beliefs about God, sanctification

iii. Faith – being faithful to God; Hebrews 11:1

iv. Love – agape – a strong, affectionate love for God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40)

v. Steadfastness – endurance, ability to endure, patience

vi. Gentleness – even-temperedness

vii. The Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23

III. Fight the Good Fight of the Faith – v.12

a. To engage in the God glorifying struggle (spiritual warfare!) to remain faithful to God.

i. Why? Because He is worth it and He saved us.

ii. We must fight to remain faithful in all areas of our lives.

IV. Take Hold of Your Salvation – v.12

a. To apply your salvation from God to your lives

b. Philippians 2:12-13 – Our salvation ought to drive us to action!

c. To remain faithful to God (see point III) requires action, self-discipline.

i. You can’t keep a high level of endurance if you’re not exercising it!

V. Charge Them to Focus on God – v.17

a. Shepherd the sheep of God’s flock

b. The active ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4)

i. Discipleship and Discipline

c. Shepherd the flock to always focus on God, especially when things are going well!

VI. Guard the Deposit – v.20 – Guard the Gospel and Guard the Church

a. Guard the Gospel – Protect the Gospel from false teachings, don’t let Word be twisted, and do not twist It yourselves

b. Guard the church – From false teachers, from those who find no contentment in the Gospel but in only what they can get for themselves.

VII. Application – Be the Church!

a. Recap the opposites of I-VI

b. We must be the church!

i. Flee from temptations and/or opportunities to sin.

ii. Pursue Godliness

1. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

2. Galatians 5:22-23

c. Be the church in all areas of your life

i. No area in your life is immune from being the church.

ii. To not strive to be the church in all areas of life is to be in SIN.

VIII. Response

a. Respond in Repentance

i. If you find yourself realizing that you, as a believer, are not actively living out your faith in all areas of your life, REPENT of that sin and call after God. Make that change. Pray. Seek God in the Word. D

ii. If you realize that you’ve never lived in faith of the God who died for His sheep, but you have that desire to do so in your heart, praise the Lord! Call upon His name, for all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved!

b. Respond in Obedience

i. Baptism

ii. Church Membership

c. Respond in Surrender

i. Vocational Ministry

ii. Volunteer within the church

d. RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL!

Six Commands for Being the Church