1 Timothy 6:11-16, 20-21

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!

July 26, 2009

Simon Goncharenko

21 FELLOWSHIP, SBC

Outline

I.       BE CONSTANTLY FLEEING from what is wrong – 11a

II.    BE CONSTANTLY PURSUING (chasing after / hunting) what is right – 11b

a.       righteousness,

b.      godliness,

c.       faith,

d.      love ,

e.       endurance,

f.       Gentleness

III.   BE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING the good fight for the faith – 12a

IV.    LIVE OUT eternal life to which you were called & to which you testified in front of many witnesses – 12b-16

a.       You were called to eternal life – 12b

b.      You have given a good testimony to your calling before many witnesses – 12b

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IN SUMMATION – PAUL ENCOURAGED TIMOTHY TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THIS LETTER – 13-16.

-          WHY? – Timothy is to follow the instructions realizing that Paul’s words, as well as his own whole ministry takes place in the presence of God the life-giver and Jesus Christ, the giver of good testimony before Pontius Pilate - 13

-          HOW? – Timothy is to keep the instructions without spot or blame - 14

-          HOW LONG? – Paul’s command is to be kept until the Lord returns – 14-15a

-          Doxology – 15-16

The subject of this verse is God, the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ

o   God is the blessed and only Sovereign

o   God is the King of kings and Lord of lords

o   God is the only Immortal One

o   God dwells in unapproachable light

o   God has not been or cannot be seen by any human

o   Only God deserves honor & eternal might

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V.     GUARD good doctrine with your life – 20-21  

a.       Good doctrine / Right teaching has been entrusted to you – 20.

A word about Gnostics: they were a heretical group who claimed to have a “special spiritual knowledge.” (The Greek word for “knowledge” is gnosis, pronounced NO-sis. An “agnostic” is one who does not know. A Gnostic is one who claimed to know a great deal.)  They also claimed to find “hidden truths” in the Old Testament Scriptures, especially the genealogies. They considered matter to be evil, and they taught that a series of “emanations” connected God with man. Jesus Christ, they said, was only the greatest of these emanations.

The Gnostics actually had a doctrine that was a strange mixture of Christianity, Oriental mysticism, Greek philosophy, and Jewish legalism. Like many of the Eastern cults we see today, it offered “something for everybody.”

b.      Be careful to avoid all distractions which have pulled some off course – 21.

GRACE BE WITH ALL OF YOU!