12. The Good Fight
1 Timothy: Healthy Words • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Thank you for the encouraging notes!
Quote from Paul David Tripp
1 Timothy 6:12… “Fight the good fight of the faith…” Paul also wrote 1 Cor 9:24…”Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win.”
Subject: How do we fight the good fight? How do we run the race to win? // 1 Timothy 6:11-21 (NIV)
Body: How to Fight the Good Fight
Body: How to Fight the Good Fight
Run FROM what is false and run AFTER what is true (1 Tim 6:11). FLEE from faithless faith and PURSUE genuine Christlikeness.
Exposition
Run FROM what is false / “flee from all this…” What is “all this”?
False ideas / false teaching / false knowledge… about God, self, and others.
False religion
Legalism = false obedience
Self-indulgence = false freedom
Complacency = false security // spiritual apathy… convenience-Christians
Cultural Christianity = false discipleship
Run AFTER what is true / “pursue…” (1 Tim 6:11) a life that looks like Jesus.
Illustration: As a young adult, I had a difficult battle with pornography…
Application
What are you running from? What should you be running from that you’re not?
What are you pursuing? What is God calling you to pursue?
Fight the right fight. “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Tim 6:12).
Exposition
What is the right fight?
It’s not the culture war or the political arena. We’re not fighting against society, the other political party, or the people next door. We’re actually fighting for them.
How do we do that? See 1 Tim 4:16… What the world needs most is for Christians to be like Jesus.
Christlikeness is a fight. Lies, sinful desires, temptations… (1) the world, (2) the flesh, (3) the devil.
How do we fight?
It’s not passive. “Flee… pursue… fight… take hold of…” These are active words.
Fight lies with truth, sin with confession and repentance, temptation with accountability.
And, I’ll add one more from Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” // Pray.
Illustration: Jackie Robinson… because of his Christian faith responded to brutal racism with dignity, grace, and perseverance (not violence or hate). His Christlike response helped transform American sports and society.
Application: What fight are you fighting? // Are you the kind of Christian you want others to become?
Take hold of who you are in Christ. Hold on to your identity in Jesus.
Exposition
1 Tim 6:12b… Your eternal life = your identity/who you are in Christ
1 Tim 6:12c… Your good confession
Confession = admitting the truth… NCIS… interrogation…
Your good confession = admitting the truth about your identity in Christ
1 Tim 6:13-14… Pontius Pilate… without spot or blame = holding on to your confession of faith, even under pressure… don’t allow the world, the flesh, or the devil to compromise your integrity or identity
1 Tim 6:14-16… Jesus is coming back! And when He does, I’m going to be with Him.
Application: If He’s going to stand with me with then, He comes back, I’m going to stand with Him now, while I wait.
Sing
Sing
Two Examples
Two Examples
1 Timothy 6:17-19… Those who are rich
Run FROM the false idea that money can buy happiness, and run AFTER the truth that God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Fight the good fight by doing good, being rich in good deeds, being generous and willing to share.
Take hold of the life that is truly life, joy that isn’t circumstantial, relationships that are real (not just because you have money or stuff but because of who you are).
1 Timothy 6:20-21… Timothy himself
“Guard…” Fight for the healthy words and trustworthy sayings that lead to life.
“Turn away from…” Flee what is false and pursue what is true.
“departed from the faith…” Take hold of the faith and don’t depart from it.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Summary: Fight the good fight by…
Running FROM what is false and running AFTER what is true.
Fighting the right fight, the fight of faith.
Taking hold of who you are in Christ.
1 Timothy 6:12… Have you made your good confession? Are you a Christian? Do you belong to Jesus? Have you decided to follow Him?
