October 6, 2019
Evening Service

Paul urged Timothy to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.”  He then called him out to “Fight the good fight of faith” and I hope that message came out clearly to you as well this morning.  We are in it to win it and there is no place for us to quit until we have completed our journey.  Protect yourself with the armor of God and stay engaged with the battle around you.  I looked around the sanctuary this morning and knew that each family and each face was fighting the fight of faith on some level.  Some are in hand to hand combat themselves and others have family members who are in great danger of getting pinned to the mat.  We cannot afford to sit back and watch any longer, we need to get into the ring and fight.  I think the battle has gained intensity even in the last few months.  We all need to recognize that our enemy’s forces are busy because they know their time is short.  This is real and don’t get caught underestimating our enemy, be ready for anything and even expect it.  There have been many things in my life just in this year of 2019 that I never thought I would have to deal with, but I have experienced them first hand.  God has been faithful, but the battle still rages and there will be more to come. 

            Tonight we will finish up I Timothy as we will pick up right where we left off this morning.

1Ti 6:13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

            Paul begins this charge “in the sight of God and before Jesus Christ.”  He states God as the One “who gives life to all things;” the Creator and the One in control.  He also mentions Jesus “who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate.”  I found than interesting enough to research so let’s look at that confession that is found in the Gospel of

 

Joh 18:33-37 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"  (34)  Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"  (35)  Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?"  (36)  Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."  (37)  Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

 

 

 

        Jesus’ confession states His true identity, His mission statement, and defines His followers. He states very clearly that He indeed is King but His kingdom is not of this world but the one to come. Jesus then states that He was born to die (for this cause) and to bear witness of the truth.  This is His mission statement defining simply why He came.  His followers are defined as the ones who “hears His voice.”  It is upon God the Creator and this powerful confession from Jesus that Paul now makes this first charge to Timothy.

 

1Ti 6:14-16 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, (15) which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, (16) who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

        The charge is to keep the commandment which could refer to all that he commanded Timothy in this letter or most likely to that last charge to pursue the fruits of the Spirit and to “Fight the good fight.”  His charge is one that calls for perfection ( to be blameless) until the time of Christ’s appearing.

            He then stresses three divine attributes of God.  The first is that God is above all others (King of kings and Lord of lords) and looks up to no one.  The second is that He alone has immortality and has no beginning and no end.  The third is that God is unapproachable in His divine holiness and invisible to all man.  It is only trough Jesus that we have the right to be in His presence.  Paul concludes his letter with two final charges to young Timothy.

 

1Ti 6:17-18 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.  (18)  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

            This is easily connected to his earlier teaching on “the love of money as the root of all evil.”  Those who are blessed with monetary riches need to be “rich in good works, ready to give and willing to share.”  Jesus once spoke on the subject of the rich as well.

 

Mat 19:23-26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  (24)  And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  (25)  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  (26)  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

        Riches can be a wonderful blessing, but also bring many more temptations for one to overcome.  Stay focused on what Jesus is calling us to and don’t count on your money to make you complete, but be complete in Jesus.  This is the message Paul was charging Timothy to teach.  The final charge goes to Timothy personally.

 

 

1Ti 6:20-21 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— (21) by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

        This charge from Paul is one of stewardship.  Take care and use all that has been given to you.  Timothy has been entrusted with a great level of truth and understanding of God’s plans for His people and His church and Paul is calling him to put it to work.  Each of us has been given gifts, abilities and faith that each need to be nurtured and grown into all that God has planned for us to accomplish.  “Guard what was committed to your trust.”  Not everyone understands the true gospel message as you have been blessed and chosen to inherit.  Keep that message clear and concise avoiding all the “babblings and contradictions” that false teachers try to add in.  Look for every opportunity to share the true message with those around you.

 

This has been a very enlightening and challenging letter for me and I hope for you as well.  May God use it in our lives to bring Him glory and to grow His kingdom.

 

Heavenly Father thank You for the challenge that lies before us to follow You.  May we fight the good fight and lay hold to eternal life that You have offered us.