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THE FIGHT CONTINUES. I Timothy 1:18-20. 3/20/2022. #4
I Timothy 1:18-20 [New King James Version]
18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
1. Paul passes the torch to Timothy
a. Timothy is a 2nd generation Christian leader
a1. Paul is passing the torch to Tim.
a2. Must constantly prepare leaders
b. Paul charges (commands) Tim. to continue the spiritual warfare that Paul was waging
a1. Paul’s time was drawing to a close
a2. Tim. must continue the work
c. Even though Tim. was reluctant, he was called to this ministry by God
a1. God chose Tim. for this work
a2. God made his choice clear via prophecy (“forth telling”)
d. Tim. was to wage spiritual warfare
a1. Eph. 6:10-13 to be a witness for Christ is to engage evil in battle
a2. The Gospel and believers are opposed
a3. Gospel = convicting and men react
2. Timothy has powerful spiritual weapons
a. Faith in the Lord enlists the power of God
a1. Ac. 5 God will empower believers to do his will
a2. Faith is not believing that God will support my will, but his will
a3. Faith involves trust in God, growth in Bible understanding (Rm. 10:17), and obedience to Lord (Jam. 2)
b. A good conscience
a1. A godly conscience confirms within us that we are doing the will of God
a2. A dull, seared, or evil conscience can confirm only evil within us
a3. A good conscience aligns with the Scriptures and God’s work
3. The battle within the church
a. We expect unbelievers to oppose us
b. 2 Cor. 11:10-15 the greatest battles are within the church (heresy and disruption)
a1. Many start well, but then fall away (apostate), teaching error (Heb. 6)
a2. By ego and error, apostates sow destruction and discord in the church
c. By rejecting sound doctrine, proper conduct and a good conscience, some end in ruin
a1. 1 Jn. 2:19 some were never saved, but were false believers (Demus)
a2. 1 Cor. 3 some were immature saints
d. Alexander and Hymenaeus are examples
a1. Alexander the metalworker (coppersmith) started well (Acts 19:33), but ended up doing much damage (2 Tm. 2)
a2. Hymenaeus and Philetus taught that Christ had already come (2 Tm. 2)
e. Error => divisions, cults, and confusion
f. Hebrews 13:7-17 – leaders = charged as guardians
Key verse: Hebrews 13:7-177 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.