24 I Timothy 6:20-21 - Preach, Guard, Live

February 09, 2021

Christopher C. Freeman

Title: Preach, Guard, Live Text: I Timothy 6:20-21 FCF: We often struggle pursuing the right objectives as visible churches Prop: Because people who stray from the gospel leave the faith, we must depend on God’s grace to guard the gospel. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible one more time to I Timothy chapter 6. Well since being your pastor we have gone through Philemon, Jude, Galatians, Matthew, The three epistles of John, and now, after today, I Timothy. As a part of the grand purpose given to all Elders, I aim to teach the whole counsel of God. And to a smaller degree, I Timothy is but 1/3 of our purpose to study through the pastoral epistles. Next week, Jordan Behrendt will be presenting his mission to PNG and also preaching for us from I Corinthians. And the following week we will continue our study in the Pastoral Epistles with Titus. A book written at the same chronological time and with the same theme as I Timothy. As we come to the end of this first letter to Timothy, by way of review, we should try to grasp the full scope of all that Paul has written here. [Slide 2] Chapter 1 – Paul wasted no time getting to exactly what he wanted Timothy to do. In fact, he had already told Timothy what to do as he left for Macedonia. That is to suppress the false teaching of those who were attempting to twist the word of God to pollute the gospel with myths and endless and meaningless disputes. Instead, Timothy ought to preach the true gospel beginning with the law which reveals the sinfulness of men, and ends with the mercy and grace of God to those who are believing in Christ. Timothy’s charge then, in chapter 1, is to supplant false teaching, preach Christ alone, and preach a gospel-formed church. [Slide 3] Chapter 2 – Paul begins his dive into the problems of Ephesus and how the gospel serves to form and reform them into what God desires that they be. First, God desires them to understand the globality of the gospel. That factions of all kinds have been broken, and the gospel goes to all kinds of men. Therefore, they ought to pray for all kinds of men. As a check on this concept though, although the gospel has broken down division with reference to the gospel’s call, the gospel’s effect has not eliminated those divisions as of yet. There are still roles men and women must play within the church. Namely that men ought to be qualified men who publicly pray in worship. And second that women ought to be quiet learners, who do not usurp the interpretational and exhorting role God has given men within the church. [Slide 4] Chapter 3 – Paul continues addressing issues in the church in Ephesus, again with the backdrop of the gospel’s affect in forming the church. He begins by describing the qualifications for the two offices in the church. The Elder and the Deacon. While there is nothing in these lists that is not incumbent upon all Christians, Paul calls higher attention to the necessity that these roles be filled with people who are qualified for them. Paul then reaches the climax of the letter which affirms all he has said and sets up all he is going to say. He states that the church is God’s building that he has formed, His family that He has made, to reveal truth to the world. They do this both by what they confess – and the marvel of those confessions – and also by how they live. [Slide 5] Chapter 4 – Paul readdresses the antagonist to the gospel’s work in the church, false teaching. Paul highlights some specifics of the Ephesian heresy being both a loosening of moral virtues and a restricting of activities that God has given to be enjoyed. In this Paul again commands Timothy to take up the cause of the gospel and keep teaching it even to those who are believers. The effect of the gospel as well as its truth is enough to change people to be different. Paul commands Timothy to set the example and allow the fullness of Christ to dwell in him first. [Slide 6] Chapter 5 – Like with chapter 2, Paul again moves to apply this to the current issues in the Ephesian church. First in how they address each other. Many disputes and fights have broken out and he insists that the gospel constrains them to treat one another like family. In that application the care of widows should be familial as well. First their own blood relatives caring for them and then those in the church. However, widows must be qualified to receive the support from the church. Elders too should be supported by the church, and should be protected from false accusations. However, even the Elder is not above God’s law and should be rebuked if sinning. And as a general principle for life – the gospel’s presence or absence in a person will eventually work itself out in how they live. And although part of chapter 5’s theme but technically in chapter 6, Paul addresses how slaves ought to submit themselves to their earthly authorities. Doubly so if their earthly authorities are believers. Again the overarching principle is that the gospel transforms all our relationships, of all forms. [Slide 7] Chapter 6 – in harmony with chapter 1, Paul returns to the issue at hand. The gospel and its effect on people who truly have it. Those who do not, will be prone to controversies and slandering, bickering and fighting, and will do all this to be seen as godly and wise and thus earning money or respect. But only godliness and contentment from our needs provided truly has eternal dividends. So Timothy must live a Christ-Like life, holding to what he has been taught, and fulfill his command to shepherd his flock. He should instruct his people who are wealthy to enjoy what they have, but not pursue it or boast in it. Rather to give generously. This is the gospel changed person. [Slide 8] Finally, today, Paul will finish his words to Timothy. Perhaps it won’t come as a shock to us when Paul pleads with Timothy one last time to stand for the gospel, avoid things that are not the gospel, and depend on the gospel to raise these things up from His people there in Ephesus. It has been his message throughout the letter… it stands to reason that it remains his message, even to the final words penned. I’ll start reading from verse 20. I am reading from the CSB but you can follow along in the version you prefer or in the pew bible on page 1341. Transition: Let’s finish up this letter and see what Paul teaches in these last two verses and in the book as a whole. I.) Because people who stray from the gospel leave the faith, we must guard the gospel. (20-21a) a. [Slide 9] 20 - Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, i. Let’s start with the back of this phrase and work our way to the front. ii. What has been entrusted to Timothy? iii. I think contextually we could conclude one of two things 1. Either the church itself, its care, protection, growth, and spiritual guidance 2. Or the gospel iv. In truth, both of these hinge upon the other, but given what Paul says in the rest of the letter, it seems that the second option is the best. v. So what does it mean to guard the gospel? 1. Guarding is a word probably in the family of the same word for clan or tribe 2. It has the idea of protection and familial loyalty 3. It is often a word used of protection of people or things. 4. But it is used in the Pastoral Epistles mostly to reference the protection of the Christian faith. The gospel itself. Not just doctrinal purity but also its practical effect. vi. Therefore the idea that Timothy must continue to care for his flock by protecting the gospel are linked. vii. But Paul continues this thought of protection. b. [Slide 10] Avoiding irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge i. Avoiding here is a verbal word called a participle. ii. Participles describe a verbal concept while maintaining nounish aspects. iii. Here it leans a little more toward the verb side, describing something that Timothy is to be doing. But it also contributes to who he is as a person too. iv. In other words, this word is saying he should adopt the avoiding habit… v. In fact, when a participle is joined with a verb that is a command in the sentence, sometimes it inherits the force of that command. Indeed, that is what is happening here. This is a command to be avoiding. vi. To the extent that avoiding contributes to the command for guarding the gospel. vii. But what is he to be an avoider of? viii. Irreverent and empty speech – The CSB actually does a great job communicating what is happening here. Timothy can guard the gospel in avoiding speech that either does not put God in His proper place, or does not contribute to anything helpful. ix. The participle avoiding also has an element to it that means it is done to yourself or by yourself. That being said, it seems more likely that Paul is telling Timothy to avoid speaking in this way rather than avoid those who speak in this way. x. And indeed it must be that Timothy avoid their error and not the people teaching it – because Paul’s command from the beginning is to instruct and call these people to repentance. xi. Second, what Timothy is avoiding for himself, is contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge. xii. Again, the CSB nails this. The word for contradiction is where we get our word antithetical from. It means something that is counter to something else, or something that stands in opposition. xiii. And so, Timothy is to be an avoider of knowledge that contradicts what the gospel reveals. Both explicitly and implicitly. xiv. Meaning not only knowledge that overtly crafts a new messiah, God, or gospel… but also covertly applies the gospel to mean something it doesn’t. xv. In this, Paul is essentially telling Timothy to guard the gospel and avoid the failures of the false teachers. Because this is exactly what they did. xvi. Why? What if he doesn’t? He need look no further than the false teachers themselves. c. [Slide 11] 21 – By professing it, some people have departed from the faith. i. So in the process of preaching this irreverent, empty, contradictory message that is based on a knowledge that isn’t actually knowledge… ii. They have wandered from the narrow path and have found themselves on the broad road. iii. This again points us not necessarily to Timothy guarding his flock, but rather guarding the truth of the gospel itself. iv. There are eternal consequences for disobeying this command from Paul. v. And they are on display there in Ephesus. d. [Slide 12] Passage Truth: So Paul, in one final exhortation, pleads with Timothy to recognize the situation of the false teachers. They have wandered from the truth. So how can he not be like them? e. Passage Application: Timothy must guard the gospel, avoiding the pitfalls of the false teachers, and persevering in truth. f. [Slide 13] Broader Biblical Truth: If we zoom out from I Timothy to the rest of scripture it is easy to see that this theme is often repeated. Jesus warned of the broad path that leads to destruction. He also predicted that many will call Him lord but will not submit to His law. Hebrews warns of falling away. And the New Testament is full of warnings against apostasy. g. Broader Biblical Application: How do we avoid that? We continue to hold fast, and guard the truth. It is very simple. Yet it is not easy. We are fickle creatures and always pant after what is new. To cling to what is old, is what God has commanded His children to do. His Word, His truth. His gospel. We must persevere. Transition: [Slide 14 (blank)] But how can we do this? Just with grit and stamina? How can we guard this gospel and avoid false teachings? Are we really all alone? II.) Because people who stray from the gospel leave the faith, we must depend on God’s grace. (21b) a. [Slide 15] 21 – Grace i. A word that we often skip over because we think we understand it. ii. Unmerited favor right? iii. Yes… but so much more. iv. We’ve talked about this before so by way of review let me quickly cover the word. v. This word has always been associated with the gods. It is a word that the Greeks would use to describe an act of intervention from the gods. Some act of favor to push, pull, or otherwise rescue them from a situation in which they were unable to help themselves. vi. The word was used to describe a ship having lost the wind and stranded at sea with no hope, when suddenly the sails would fill, pushing them toward their intended destination. A favorable and divine wind. vii. That is grace. viii. The writer of Hebrews tells us, with the picture of coming into the holy of holies, in the very presence of our God, that we can come boldly and seek mercy and find GRACE for HELP in a time of NEED. ix. God’s grace is His supernatural push, pull, lift to do what we cannot do on our own. x. Now think back to all Paul has asked of Timothy. All that he has asked of the church there in Ephesus. Do you think they need a culture shift? Do you think they need some course correction? How well do you think it is going to go to suppress these false teachers? Do you think that the women in teaching positions are going to step down quietly? Do you think that widows who are unfit for support will be excited about losing their check from the church? Do you think that the unqualified Elders and Deacons are going to be excited about losing their office? Do you think people will naturally desire to pray for their ungodly emperor? What about slaves being told to submit to their masters? xi. Do you think… that this church needs God’s grace? xii. Paul does too… b. [Slide 16] Be with you all i. Paul’s prayer. His desire. His hope… is that God would give them His power and His passion to help them do all that he has asked. And more. ii. As catastrophic as false teachers are and as imperative as it is for Timothy to guard the gospel… it is all for nothing without God’s grace. c. [Slide 17] Passage Truth: Once again, this is in the context of the entire letter, that Paul is warning about the falling away of these false teachers. So how does Timothy prevent that from happening to him? d. Passage Application: Timothy must rely on the grace of God to preserve him. e. [Slide 18] Broader Biblical Truth: Sheep and goats, children of the serpent and children of the woman. The Family of God and the Sons of disobedience. There are two families. One is far bigger than the other. Worse, many who look as though they are part of God’s family, are actually not. How can we be sure that won’t be us? How can we be sure that we won’t fall prey to lies? f. Broader Biblical Application: Grace. Grace. God’s Grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace that is greater than all my sin. Friends, God’s grace is His supernatural aid to do what He asks of us. Without it – we would not move at all. But with it – we cannot help but move. Certainly, there is a human element in this. We have commands to obey. But without God’s grace, it isn’t that we wouldn’t obey, or that we’d have a hard time obeying, it is that we COULD NOT obey. Conclusion: In concluding this passage, we must really only think on one thing here at CBC. The glorious beauty, power, majesty, glory, and wonder of the gospel of Christ. It is why we are here. It is how we have been remade. It is the truth that changed us from sinner to saint. And without it all of us would still be dead in our sin. God’s grace woke us from death. God’s grace gave us eyes to see the truth. God’s grace gave us faith to believe. And we believed. And now, we must continue to believe. We must not grow tired of the things we have heard. We must not grow anxious to try to reframe, recraft, reforge, or redefine our message. It is the same as it always has been. God is our only hope in life and death. Our purpose is to glorify Him. And He has made a way to glorify Him and still live. There is hope in His Son. Hope for forgiveness and freedom from sin and death. Any message that takes from or adds to this message has potential to knock us off track. We must guard this gospel. And in order to guard it, we need God’s continued supply of grace. Book Conclusion: But what about I Timothy as a whole? What is the message here? I think there are a few absolute statements we can walk away with from this letter to Timothy. 1.) [Slide 19] The gospel is the starting point for God’s people to build upon. It is not the finish line. a. What I mean by that, is that the gospel is not simply a message of how to get saved… b. Rather the gospel is the good news of God’s life changing grace through faith in Christ. c. That is a message that converts, but it also sanctifies, and glorifies. It is a message that doesn’t speak to the past but rather to the Eschatological future. We are saved from what? The wrath of God that is to come. The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. When all of sin and death is cast into the lake of fire. d. So the gospel is the beginning, the foundation of the Christian’s existence. Therefore, it is continually preached to the converted… why? Because they are still being saved. They need the gospel’s truth. Even now. That they were wicked and depraved and God rescued them when they were not seeking. He brought them to life from the dead, and gave them faith to believe. e. It is the normal Christian existence to continue to be given grace and faith and love and peace by God. So they may walk in His ways. f. Therefore, when we talk about holding fast to the gospel – it is not simply adhering to certain truths, although that is part of it. g. Rather it is clinging to those truths as our foundation for all we think, say, and do. These truths of Christ continue to change everything about us. Day by day. 2.) The gospel forms and reforms who we are as individuals and as a church a. Right there in chapter 3 Paul says that he has written this to instruct them how to conduct themselves as the family of God. b. The gospel itself permeates the life of a true believer. To the extent that all that we do, say, and think is continually conformed to Christ. c. The gospel not only forms and reforms our lives as individuals, but it also forms and reforms the body of the church. How we operate, what we prioritize, how we organize, and how we care for one another. All of this is formed and reformed by the gospel. 3.) Anything other than the gospel must be suppressed a. Because the gospel is our foundation and has continued effect on us as believers, anything that takes from or adds to this gospel ought to be squashed. b. We aren’t talking about physical aggression. We aren’t talking about physical warfare. Rather we are talking about the war of worldview. Spiritual warfare. In another context Paul talks about casting down strongholds. c. This is the war we must wage. Aberrant, heterodox doctrines that do not conform to what we know the gospel to be, must be opposed, while instructing those who taught them in love. d. Certainly, there is a point at which a teacher of false gospels is to be removed or forcefully amputated from the body. But it doesn’t start there. It starts with loving and patient correction and instruction. Opposing the error while instructing the person. e. But make no mistake – if a person insists on believing something that is not the gospel, the body of Christ chooses the gospel over people… every time. f. Why? g. Because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. [Slide 20 (end)] Therefore, this book, although called a pastoral epistle, really, is an Ecclesiastical Epistle. It gives us every single local church within the universal church the foundational principles of what it means to be the body of Christ. Which is to be and continue to be gospel formed people. We have short pithy statements we hang on the wall in our homes, which essentially encompass three things. “Eat, Pray, Love” or “Live, Love, Laugh” or “Faith, love, hope” something like that. The message of I Timothy is a message for every church summarized in 3 words. We could hang them on the wall of every church. Preach the gospel, Guard the gospel, Live the gospel. That, in a nutshell, is the focus of the church. In regard to the gospel – Preach, Guard, Live. How do we make sure that that is our focus here at CBC? First, we continue to preach God’s word. The gospel is on every page of this book. Every page speaks to the depravity of man, the holiness of God, the work of the Son, the Spirit’s power to help us to obey, and the coming of the kingdom. This is the gospel. And if we do not abandon the sound teaching and preaching of the Word of God - we will be far less likely to lose focus. Second, we must continue to call out aberrant doctrine. Doctrine that fundamentally corrupts the truth and power of the gospel. Since we are preaching the Word, we will notice the glaring inconsistencies of these teachings as we understand what God has revealed. Gospels that either tell us that Christ’s sacrifice did not pay for all our sin, and we must earn more forgiveness. Or Gospels that say we need not live for God if we have been forgiven. Both of these are perversions of the truth. Lastly, we must not simply be people who know what the book says, but we must live it. And as gospel formed people… we will. We have that guarantee. We will. This means confessing sin to each other, teaching each other, counseling each other, correcting each other, rebuking each other, loving each other, serving each other. We must be gospel formed people. May we endeavor to be this here at CBC. Until the Lord returns. What great comfort it is to know, that we who are God’s people, have grace from Him to do this. May God’s grace be with us as we Preach, Guard, and Live His gospel. Amen.