Wage The Good Warfare

 Introduction:

Paul's great concern for the congregation of the Lord's church is very apparent in these three verses. He knew some in the church at Ephesus had strayed from the truth and might influence others to do the same. He places responsibility upon Timothy to hold fast to the doctrine that taught men to put their trust in Christ.

Text:  Timothy 1: 18-20

body:

1.      Christians are engaged in battle; Verse 18.

Discharge- command- instruction is being committed to Timothy. This was according to or in keeping with prophecies which had been made concerning him. No information as to the prophet or particular message is contained in these prophecies. Paul is telling Timothy he should take this instruction seriously because he had not been made an evangelist by the whim of man, but rather it came about by the will of God, seemingly about his usefulness in the kingdom. This is expressed in 3 inspired prophecies. Later on we learned this: 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6.

Timothy received a spiritual gift to help him carry out his work as a preacher. This gift came through the apostle Paul, who had the power to give it to him. On this occasion, elders laid hands on him to show their approval.

Paul doubtless referenced these prophecies to encourage Timothy to wage the good warfare. Even though Timothy possessed this spiritual gift, it was still necessary for him to fight the good fight of faith. Note 1 Timothy 6: 12 and 2 Timothy 2: 3-4. Christians today are to be engaged in a spiritual war. We must use everything at our disposal to gain victory: Ephesians 6: 10 -13.

2.      Christians must hold fast to the faith and a good conscience; Versus 19.

It was imperative that Timothy cling strongly to his faith. Faith is necessary to please God (Hebrews 11: 6) and to be saved from sin (John 8: 24). If Timothy gives up his faith, he will lose everything of eternal value. Recall that a saving faith comes by learning God's word (Acts 10: 17). Our trust in God requires us to be faithful (Hebrews 10: 35-39).

We must also hold tightly to a good conscience. Conscience is the faculty within man that demands that he do what he believes to be right. The conscience operates on the basis of what it believes to be true. If what we accept as truth is not really truth, our conscience will approve our actions, even though what we are doing is sinful. This was true of Paul before being converted, acts 26: nine. Note: many today in the religious world do not violate their conscience when they believe they are saved when all they do is profess their faith in Christ. Reason? They believe that is the truth even though it is not. A conscience not based upon the truth of god's word is a very dangerous thing.

3.      Christians can make shipwreck of their faith, verses 19-20.

“The faith” – “the gospel" – “the doctrine”.  Some in the church at Ephesus had turned away from the doctrine of Christ and had made shipwreck of the faith. They were destroying themselves and those who followed their false teaching by not preaching the entire gospel or changing it in any way. They were destroying the blessings that are available in 2 Peter 2: 1-2.

Verse 20: Paul identifies two of the men he has in mind. Read 2 Timothy 2: 17-18. They were “delivered to Satan” (1 Corinthians 5: 1, 4-5). This disciplinary action was necessary and had the purpose of getting these two men to repent and save their souls. Yes, Christians can make a shipwreck of their faith.

4.      Invitation:

Are there Christians here today who need to repent and who have strayed from the doctrine of Christ? Maybe you have been teaching others wrongly, trying to influence them to follow the same teaching Not found in God's word. This could destroy both you and them. Think about this very seriously!

Sermon prepared by Bobby Stafford

March 15, 2020

Prepared by Bobby Stafford

The church of Christ at Granby, MO

Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109

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Doctrine