The Challenges to the Church- 1 Timothy 6:11-21

Christians have seen a seismic shift in culture over the last one hundred years. Several challenges stand out more than others. With the full acceptance of evolution in the 1960s in the public schools, God has slowly been pushed out of the hearts and minds of our population.

In the 1960s promiscuity was rampant. In the 1970s, homosexuality began to be more acceptable, and finally in 2015 was same-sex “marriage” was legalized.

Drug usage is rampant. Divorce, remarriage, open marriages, and everything in between is now normal, accepted, and celebrated. Even issues such as transgenderism is now forced upon the nation.

Religious pluralism is expected. You are fine to worship your god or goddess or whatever, as long as you celebrate mine with me.

We recently have observed a push by the democratic party for full and unlimited abortion. In this country, you can abort a full-term baby but you cannot touch an eagle.

The world, as it were, is turned upside down.

Now, before we go any further, if you are struggling with any of these issues, the church is the place to discuss these matters. We approach these challenges not as judgmental, holier-than-thou people. We approach these challenges as those who were once in bondage, but have received freedom through the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ. We were slaves who are now free, imploring you to join us in this blood-bought freedom of Christ.

What is the church to do? It seems overwhelming, and from a purely human perspective, it is overwhelming. We are hopeless against such challenges.

That is, from a purely human perspective. But we are Christians, and as Christians, we believe the Bible, and the Bible teaches us that there is a spiritual side to life, and both the physical and spiritual are ruled by the almighty and Triune God.

The church faces many challenges, but what we will see, even in the midst of these challenges, is the all-powerful Triune God who reigns now and forever.

This important truth will guide and deliver us from many trials, not only in the church, but in our daily walk with God.

In the midst of these challenges, remember that God reigns.

I. The Challenge of Division- 6:11

Paul commands Timothy to flee these things. The idea is to run from danger to safety. It is like being near something ready to explode. You run away from that as if your very life depends upon it, and brothers and sisters, our lives depend on us fleeing “these things.” Those things are the divisions that come from different doctrines (i.e., false doctrines).

As with our sanctification (the process of becoming like Jesus), we put off things (Eph. 4:22-24), have our minds renewed after Scripture, and then replace those evil things with good things. Flee from the dangers of division to the safe arms of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.

The devil, the great enemy of our souls, loves division. He will cause it any way he possibly can. Not too long ago, many pastors were attempting to navigate the difficulties of ministry during the covid-19 pandemic. During that time, according to one poll, about 38% of pastors considered quitting the ministry because of the difficulties. People want masks, people don’t want masks. People do not want to open the doors for worship, others do.

The church, though, has division over other matters as well. She’s not doing the job I think she should! I don’t like the way he talks to me. I don’t like him. I don’t think we should have screens in the sanctuary. I think we should have more screens. I don’t like that song. She’s too friendly. The list could go on. Division abounds in the church and our flesh and the devil love it.

This challenge is answered by fleeing those things and running to godliness!

II. The Challenge of Commitment- 6:12

There is also the challenge of commitment. That is, we give up too easily. Paul commands Timothy to fight the good fight, to hold on to eternal life. We are to be like bear traps. When we close on eternal life, nothing should pry us away. Unfortunately, we are commit-less people, at least with regards to the church.

I can think of no other organization or group of people that receives less-committed people than the church. Someone says something unkind, and they never go to that church again. The pastor says something they don’t like, and they never darken the doors to the church again.

We need commitment. And not commitment to a person, we need commitment to Christ. And perhaps this is the problem, people follow a man instead of God. You can follow a man as he follows Christ, but never just the man.

The answer to this challenge is to look to God, the author of life. Take hold and never let go. A failure to do so could be an eternally damning one.

III. The Challenge of Purity- 6:13-16

In my introduction I mentioned several challenges that involve purity, and these pose a great threat to the church and the believer. Paul tells Timothy to keep the commandment, a summary word for God’s Word. But he also tells Timothy how to keep it.

Unstained means not tainted. If you have ever worked on a car, even to just check the oil, you will usually have some sort of stain on you. In this life, as we work to follow the commands of God, we are to take care not to become stained by worldly influences. I’ll offer just one example of how this works.

We are commanded by God to be pure sexually. One of the major challenges I mentioned at the beginning of our time is homosexuality. Many who claim the name Christian brush aside Scriptural teaching and, in the words of one such individual, “opens the doors to welcome, affirm, and celebrate the LGBTQ community.” That is not keeping the commandment unstained.

The other manner is “free from reproach.” This, I believe, is the balancing act of the believer. We keep God’s commandments pure, but we do not do so in such a way to make it harder on people to believe the truth. We can tell people they are sinners and need salvation in a kind and gracious way. This presents a unique challenge for us, always toeing back and forth between condemnation and graciousness. How in the world do we do this?

I believe Paul’s brief time of praise provides a wonderful answer: look to the return of Jesus. Paul breaks out in praise to the all-powerful God reminding the believer, in the midst of such overwhelming challenges, He is coming again. This enables us, strengthens us to continue to keep the commandment!

*The Return of Christ is a means to maintain purity

IV. The Challenge of Materialism- 6:17-19

The fourth challenge is the challenge of materialism. We saw this spoken about in 6:6-10, but it remains a challenge for us today. The rich, those whom God has blessed materially, are not to trust in those riches. They are tools meant to help others. We will always struggle with this challenge, some more than others. But I liken it to diabetes. You have to keep constant watch on your blood sugar and diet. Likewise, we know we have problems with our material blood sugar, so keep watch over it. Constantly ask the Lord to guard your heart against materialism and reveal it to you when you commit this sin.

V. The Challenge of Bible Thumpers- 6:20-21

A final challenge is the challenge of Bible thumpers. By this I mean we bear the name “Bible thumpers,” or “fundamentalists.” Paul’s last admonition in his letter to the young pastor is stay a Bible thumper. Know God’s Word and avoid worthless discussions that do not promote godliness. Regardless of what our culture accepts or celebrates, or what they expect and demand we accept or celebrate, we will stay true to the Word of God. Let them call us Bible thumpers, that is okay, Jesus is coming again.

This list is found in the text and is not exhaustive. Many more challenges exist. Perhaps the Lord has raised your awareness of some. Whatever the challenge may be, In the midst of these challenges, remember that God reigns.