Sermon Notes--"There's A Battle Going On" based on 1 Timothy 1:18-20
Introduction:
When you hear the word “battle”, what do you think about? Recently on TV, you could watch Battlebots,
Battle of the Network Stars (originally aired 1976-starts from ABC, CBS, NBC
competed in various sporting events), Lip Sync Battle. Or what about some of
the famous battles in movies such as Braveheart, 300, Star Wars? Or an unknown dance battle that has recently
been discovered?
Review-Vs.
1-2 Introduction; Vs. 3-11-Law, doctrines; Vs. 12-17-Mercy, Grace,
Transformation of the Gospel-Christ came to save sinners, Worship
Follow
(vs. 18a)
·
Term of relationship-my son-someone he had
discipled-see vs. 2.-“my true son in the faith”
·
This instruction (command, order, charge)-in
reference to vs. 3-5
o
Same root word as verb in vs. 3 and same
word in vs. 5
·
Prophecies
o
A reference to his calling. See 1 Timothy
4:14-“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message
when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”
o
When I face the tough days of ministry, I
am encouraged and empowered to “keep going” because I remember my calling to
ministry. I remember sitting on Bethany’s parents’ front porch and discussing
whether I would return to Sterling College because I believed I was being
called into ministry. After prayer and
discussion, I returned to Sterling, but made plans to continue my education at
Denver Seminary. Calling to Hesston MB.
o
God had chosen him and sent him. It was
this fact that could give him assurance in difficult days. These assurances
enabled Timothy to war the good warfare.[1]
Fight
(vs. 18b-20)
·
Vs. 18b-Fight the good fight
o
Does life feel like a battle? Paul is reminding Timothy that he is in the
middle of battle.
o
Greek word warfare
o
1 Timothy 6:12-“Fight the good fight of
the faith.”
o
The context depicts the fight in terms of
a warfare against opponents such as Satan (v. 20) and, those who abandon a good
conscience and faith,[2]
o
Ephesians 6:10-13-There is a battle going
on spiritually.
§ Satan’s
motto from John 10:10 “steal, kill, destroy”, In contrast with Jesus who “I came
that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (ESV)
·
Look around our world. Are we blaming God for things that Satan is
doing?
·
Vs. 19-Faith
o
Paul tells Timothy to fight for “faith”
(objective)-American Heritage Dictionary—Based on observable phenomena,
presented factually
o
Trust in Jesus as contained in the content
of the Gospel
o
Faith is directed to a person of the
Godhead. Faith as believing has been the dominant theme of this chapter[3]
o Hebrews
11:1- Now faith is the assurance
of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
o
Hebrews 12:2-
fixing
our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
o
“It
is not the quality or degree of our faith that matters as much as our being
united to the object of our faith, the perfect Christ. It is the perfect Christ
who saves us... Faith
fixes your eyes on Christ and rests in him” (Rankin Wilbourne, 55)
·
Vs. 19-Good Conscience
o
Reference to vs. 5, and a “good
conscience” (subjective)[4]-American
Heritage Dictionary-particular to a given person, not capable of external
verification
o
As my friend Rebecca says, “you feel it in
your gut”
o
conscience — the psychological faculty that
distinguishes between right and wrong; either afflicts or comforts the person
depending upon their actions.
o
Disclaimer: Your conscience can be in
opposition to the Holy Spirit. Weigh it with truth.
o
It describes a sensitivity God gives to
people which enables them to discern the difference between right and wrong. He
uses it here to remind Timothy that truth must affect the way he lives.[5]
o
Right belief leads to right behavior
·
Vs. 19-20-Some rejected
o
The word used for their rejection (apōtheō) means to push something or
someone away, It implies ‘a violent and deliberate rejection’.[6]
o
Hymenaeus-2 Timothy 2:17-resurrection has
taken place, destroy faith of some-blaspheme
o
Alexander-2 Timothy 4:14-gread deal of
harm to Paul, strongly opposed message
§ Alexander
was a popular name in that day, so we cannot be sure it is the same man; but he
no doubt withstood Paul by teaching false doctrine.[7]
o
Hand them ‘over to Satan’ is an expression
he uses to describe the kind of discipline that has to be put in place in the
case of a serious rebellion against God. [8]1
Cor. 5:4–5,
§ i.e.,
of handing them over to that realm which they have already chosen[9]
o
The goal of excommunication is that the
sinner be led to repentance and be restored to the faith previously rejected.[10]
Closing:
As
we come to the end of Chapter 1, I want to give you some time to review and
process what we have discussed so far. There
will be some music playing while you look back at Chapter 1 and choose 1 thing
that affected your:
Head-
Heart-
Hands-
[1]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 213). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.
[2]
Knight, G. W. (1992). The Pastoral
Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 108). Grand Rapids,
MI; Carlisle, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
[3]
Knight, G. W. (1992). The Pastoral
Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 109). Grand Rapids,
MI; Carlisle, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
[4]
Stott, J. R. W. (1996). Guard the truth:
the message of 1 Timothy & Titus (p. 57). Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press.
[6]
Stott, J. R. W. (1996). Guard the truth:
the message of 1 Timothy & Titus (p. 57). Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press.
[7]
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 213–214). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.
[9]
Knight, G. W. (1992). The Pastoral
Epistles: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 111). Grand Rapids,
MI; Carlisle, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
[10]
Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study
Bible (p. 2069). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.
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