Paul gave counsel to Timothy: ...... Keep a close watch on yourself". (1Timothy 4:16)
While caring for the needs of his people, ....Timothy needed to care for himself.... as well.
The false teachers ....were men of the world, ....but Timothy ... was a....... "man of God."
This special designation "Man of God" was also given to Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1), ... Samuel (1 Samuel 9:6), ...Elijah (1 Kings 17:18), ... and David (Nehemiah 12:24)
So Timothy..... was in .....some very good company.
In this passage .....Paul gives four admonitions ....to Timothy .....that, if obeyed, ....would assure him success in his ministry ....and a continued testimony as a...... "Man of God."
(1 Finger) .... The first is to Flee. (1 Timothy 6:11a).
BIBLE "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things..." END
There are times ....when running away ....is a mark of cowardice. ......"Should such a man as I flee?" asked Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:11).
Yet...... there are other times ....when fleeing .....is a mark of wisdom ....and a means of victory.
Joseph fled ....when he was tempted by his master's wife (Genesis 39:12), ...... David fled .....when King Saul sought to have him killed. (1 Samuel 19:10).
The Greek word interpreted "flee" ....that Paul used in this text .....does not refer to..... a literal running.
In Timothy's case ....it meant.... separating himself ...from the sins ....of the false teachers.
To separate from those Paul called ......"depraved of the mind" ....."From such a man you should flee."
There are times .....when a servant of God .....should take a stand against false doctrine and godless practices, ....... and separate themselves from them.
They must be sure, however, .....that they act on the basis of biblical conviction..... and not because of a personal prejudice .....or worse .....a carnal spirit.
(1 Finger) First Flea ......(2 Fingers) and Second Follow (1 Timothy 6:11b).
The Greek word translated .... "follow or pursue" .....diôke .....is strong.
It means to run after; .....to run swiftly after;..... to hotly pursue; ....to seek eagerly ....and earnestly.
It has the idea of..... aiming at ....and pursuing ....until something is gained; ....of never giving up ......to persevere until.... you have reached... the goal.
According to Paul ... There are six things the man of God is to hotly pursue,.... righteousness, ...godliness, ...faith, ...love, ....steadfastness, ....and gentleness.
Beloved.....Make a mental list .....of these qualities.
There are only six.
Ask yourself.... "Are these attributes of God ... flowing through my life?"
There are no more practical guidelines in the Scriptures .....than Paul's words ....in his Second letter to the Corinthians,.... BIBLE "Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith or not," END (2 Corinthians 13:5).
(1 Finger) Flea ......(2 Fingers) Follow .....(3 Fingers) and now to Fight (1 Timothy 6:12-16)
The verb means ....."keep on fighting!"
It is from this word..... we received the English expression to agonize, .....and it applies both ... to athletes ....and to soldiers.
It described a person .....straining .....and giving their best ....to win the prize ....or to win the battle.
The true nature of the Christian life: .....is a battleground ....and you will never be given much of .....a breather.
This is a parallel passage .....to those famous words in Ephesians where Paul says,
BIBLE "Put on the whole armor of God ....that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, ....and stand.... in the evil day," END (Ephesians 6:11).
Near the end ....of his own life, ....Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race" (2 Timothy 4:7).
We are called to strive ... and agonize ... for the prize.
Flee, Follow, Fight and Lastly be Faithful (1 Timothy 6:20-21).
God had committed the truth to Paul (1 Timothy 1:11), and
Paul had ....in turn.....committed it ....to Timothy.
It was Timothy's responsibility.... to guard the deposit ....and then pass it along to others ....who would, ....in turn, ....continue ...to pass it on (2 Timothy 2:2).
Yes,..... we too are stewards of the doctrines .......of the faith, ....and God expects us ....to be faithful ....in sharing..... His Good News.
We must ....."avoid irreverent babble and false teachings; because Paul warns us.... that some who got involved in them..... "swerved ..... and wandered ....from the faith."
Not only will wrong motives... cause a person to wander from the faith..... (1 Timothy 6:10), but so will .....wrong teachings.
Lies ..... wrong teaching ... work their way into a person's mind .....and heart ......gradually, ....and before they realizes it, ....they have wandering off the path .....of truth.
So hold on dearly.... to the four commands .....given to Timothy ....and us all:
To Flee from false teaching, .....to Follow after righteousness ......to Fight the good fight, .....and to be Faith-full .....to the truth
Beloved As mature believers, ....we must heed the words of the apostle; ....and finish the race .....that lies before us.
O' Lord .... Help us ....to finish well!
Amen & Amen!
Help: I retired in November 2017 and am attempting to supplement my income by sharing on Sermoncentral. If this Message has been helpful to you, please consider a nominal gift: Send to The Rev. Jeff Smead 11725 Regent Park Drive Chardon Ohio 44024. Blessed To Be A Blessing.
Dear Reader: So I can better help you, if this Homily was not helpful and you rated it low, Please let me know what it lacked or why it was not helpful. You can search by contributor Smead (Constructive Criticism is very helpful) and contact me there. Blessings
