OPEN YOUR BIBLES TO Matthew 6:25-34 & 1 TIM 6
1. This week I read a number of newspaper articles.
a. Among them chronicled the different pursuits of man.
b. There were those PURSUING the Presidency of the US.
c. Those PURSUING of the completion of a giant monument.
d. There are those PURSUING a win in a sports event, PURSUING an award, PURSUING a world record.
e. Story after story chronicling all sorts of PURSUITS of MAN.
WHY THE PURSUITS?? WHY SO MUCH TIME CHASING AFTER?
• Because there is something in us that drives us toward a goal
• Constantly moving us in the direction of completion.
THIS MORNING… Paul exhorts Timothy to PURSUE GODLINESS.
• In all you do Timothy, PURSUE GODLINESS.
WEBSTER’S DICTIONARY DEFINES PURSUING AS:
• “to follow in order to overtake”AND “to capture”
• From the Original Language, you could write, “to run swiftly, to run after.”
THE IDEA is that OUR whole life & being, OUR whole reservoir of action & energy is SPENT on obtaining the goal.
It’s BEEN SAID: Enthusiasm is the element of success in everything. It is the light that leads and the strength that lifts men on and up in the great struggles of scientific pursuits and of professional labor. It robs endurance of difficulty and makes pleasure of duty. Bishop Doane (1832-1913)
NOW Jesus spoke about our goals & pursuits in Matthew 6.
• He uses the context of worry & fretting & brooding over things.
• Let’s look at Matthew 6:25ff
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…
• That’s where we pick up in v11 of 1 Timothy 6.
I. (6:11-16) Spiritual.
1. (11) Timothy, a Man of God.
a. Timothy, with all his weaknesses, was also a very spiritually strong man in many ways.
b. Yes I know we’ve seen his weaknesses, there are many.
c. But he also had many spiritual strengths.
d. Here, he’s called a ‘MAN OF GOD’.
NOW we use that phrase very loosely speaking of brothers and sisters as men & women of God.
• But the Bible reserves this phrase to just a few.
• Moses is referred to as a MAN OF GOD.
• Elisha is called a MAN OF GOD.
• David is called a MAN of GOD.
• Timothy is now called a MAN OF GOD, a special title!
BY NOW we think of Timothy as young, sickly, timid, fearful, ready to throw in the towel maybe… but he was a man of God! Used greatly.
APP: Guys, we need to be careful in over condemning ourselves.
• Yes there are weaknesses. Sure there are even failures.
• But Jesus looks out at and sees such great potential.
• He’s sees your progress, rejoices in your growth.
• Condemnation does nothing but destroy the Christian!
Romans 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Timothy, O man of God: flee these things.
• Run away from them, take off & don’t look back.
• Flee what things? Discontentment, Greed, using the Ministry as a means of gain. Just don’t go there Timothy.
• Don’t get caught up in the false prosperity teachings.
BUT RATHER pursue righteousness… right living on earth.
Godliness… those God like characteristics in your life.
Faith… trusting in Him who is faithful.
Love… extending agape love in and around your life.
Patience… longsuffering toward those around you.
Gentleness… seeking the softer, gentler path.
REALLY if you have goals in this life, make them first spiritual.
• If you’re going to tape something to your bathroom mirror, as a reminder of your goals in life… tape these there.
• Keep eternity’s values in mind. Stay focused eternally.
2. (12) But it doesn’t come without a fight.
a. It’s a good fight Timothy. Worth every ounce of energy!
b. Literally, Paul is saying, “Keep on fighting”
c. Greek Word, “agonizomai” Where we get agonize from.
d. It describes the person straining and giving his best to win the prize or win the battle!
e. Let’s turn to Ephesians 6.10ff
SO It’s a spiritual battle against spiritual enemies, that come trying to distract, deter, and finally destroy us.
• But we can fight, with spiritual weapons, covered in spiritual armor!
2 Cor. 10.4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
Fight Timothy. Don’t give in. Don’t give up.
• Lay hold on eternal life… it’s your calling & your confession!
3. (13-14) I URGE YOU… charge you. Keep this commandment!
a. Keep this commandment without spot. Live blamelessly.
b. That’s your call Timothy. That’s your call man or woman of God! A blameless life.
c. And so Paul just keeps on going as he gets caught up in the joy of the soon return of Jesus Christ. READ 15-16
Now back in v14, the word for appearing is the word we get our English word EPIPHANY from. It means a glorious manifestation!
1 Cor. 15.50-53 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Thess. 4.17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
THIS DESCRIPTION OF GOD is meant as an encouragement.
• The more we know of God, the more we trust Him.
• That’s why faith comes by hearing & hearing the Word of God.
NOW there’s a quick switch with another command for Timothy.
• Paul’s already written about the danger of the love of money, but this special command is for the rich.
• Now before we dismiss ourselves, understand that we live in the richest nation of the world.
• The poorest of the poor are in the top 2% of worldly wealth.
• So the application is to all of us who have been given much.
II. (6:17-19) Practical – Good Works
1. (17) Be Humble
a. It’s been said that if wealth makes a person proud, then he understands neither himself nor his wealth.
Deut. 8.18 "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
NOTE: Wealth & riches & resources come from God.
• It all belongs to Him. We are not owners, but stewards!
Psalm 50.10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.
WHEN WE come to this conclusion, we are so free from the burdens of life! It’s all His. And I’ll do with it what He directs me.
HEY… here is the key… whether you have much or little.
• Whether you have extra at the end of the month… after tithing, and paying the rent, and the bills.
• Or whether you barely have enough.
Psalm 37.23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Psalm 37.23 (NLT) The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives.
2. (17) Trust God, not wealth.
a. Wow, riches are uncertain! Here today, gone tomorrow.
b. We watch our kids eat our riches, drive our riches, play away our riches… they aren’t to be stored but shared.
3. (18-19) Share It. Spread it. Send it Off.
a. Encourage them to use what they have to bless others.
b. Use your resources for the Work of the Lord.
c. Be ready to give as the Lord lays on your heart.
d. Be willing to share as the Lord opens those doors.
NOTE: I’ve met many wonderful men & women that God has entrusted with great wealth materially.
• They are strong Christian businessmen & women who see their gifts and talents as a ministry to the Lord.
• So they help churches & ministries and give generously.
• They’ve all shared the same thing ‘You can’t out give God.’
• He’s always funneling His resources in those He trusts.
NOTE: I’ve met still others who wouldn’t be considered ‘RICH’ by our standards, but they give generously as the Lord lays it on their heart to share in all they have been entrusted with.
• As you see the tithe’s & offerings mentioned in the Scriptures, they effect everyone equally across the board.
• Because the Lord measures on the willingness of your heart to give, and the willingness in your heart to sacrifice.
• BUT THEY ARE BOTH VITAL for your spiritual growth.
• Let’s look at Exodus 35:4-5, jump to v21-22
• And notice in Chapter 36:2-6!
2 Corinthians 9.6-8 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
4. (17) Enjoy the blessings of the Lord.
a. Wait a minute, should we be miserable if God has blessed us?
b. No way. Enjoy it. It’s God’s gift! Have a blast!
THIS IS TOO MUCH LORD: don’t trust in riches, they don’t last.
• BUT TRUST IN THE LIVING GOD… who is ETERNAL!
• Underline this one: He gives us richly all things to enjoy!
• This is the key. God has given us all things to enjoy.
• A walk through the mountains… it’s a gift from God.
• A day at the lake (reservoir) enjoying the water, fishing, sailing.
• An evening under the stars… they’re all ours to enjoy!
• A time of fellowship & friendship… so much to enjoy in Him.
JUST DON’T TRUST IN THEM, CLINGING ON SO TIGHTLY
• Don’t trust in the GIFTS, but put your whole trust in the GIVER!
• One more passage… let’s turn to Proverbs 23.4-5
ONE MORE THING BEFORE WE CLOSE UP… look again at v19.
• Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come.
• Giving today, is stored up for tomorrow eternally!
YOU can’t take it with you… but you CAN send it on ahead.
• Your account in heaven grows, as you lay hold of eternal life here and now… not bound up & controlled by material things.
• Since you have the choice to be rich in this world or the next, choose the next… eternal life is much longer!
III. (6:20-21) Truthful – Hold to the Faith.
1. (20) Guard the Truth!
a. God had committed the truth to Paul…
1 Timothy 1.11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.
b. And Paul handed it off to Timothy who was then to hand it off to those in his flock.
2 Timothy 2.2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
NOTE: Don’t take lightly the truth that was deposited with you, entrusted to you.
• That’s what that word committed means, deposited.
• It’s the word for money deposited with a banker or a friend.
• When the money was in time, demanded back, it was a sacred duty to hand it all back entirely.
THE IDEA is that the truth entrusted to us, is to be passed down to our children, and our children’s children.
• The what has been deposited with us is to be handed down carefully., guarded against distortion or corruption.
• So GUARD IT, PROTECT IT, STAND WATCH OVER ITS PURITY!
• How?
By simply AVOIDING the PROFANE & IDLE BABBLINGS.
• Don’t get yourself mixed up in useless & bitter arguments.
• The Greeks were known for their logic & their love of the argument.
• They had a continuing passion for going to law.
• They would even go to law against their brother for the fun of it!
• Just don’t go there Timothy.
But there are also the idle babblings. Watch out for them.
• The Rabbis used to like to argue about things too.
• They would invent questions like, “How many angels can stand on the point of a needle?
• They would argue about hair-splitting points of the law for hours and days and even years.
AND THERE ARE THE BABBLINGS of unbelievers.
• They just don’t like you as a Christian.
• They liked you better before. When you partied & were wild.
• So they find all sorts of things wrong with the Bible and church.
• Oh that’s too radical. Oh that’s too much.
• You go to church how much? You listen to Christian radio?
• What’s wrong with you, what’s gotten in to you?
John 1.5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 3.19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Perhaps Timothy was being distracted by these arguments.
• For sure, the fellowship had taken a detour into the profane & idle babblings. 1 Timothy 1:4-6; 4:7; 2 Timothy 3.13-15
Just avoid them and keep your eyes on Jesus Christ.
That’s the answer… That’s it.
• WITH ALLl the silly, false, unbiblical & dangerous things that are being thrown out there for any to latch onto.
• Reject them. They are contradictions, falsehoods, lies.
• It’s not real knowledge Timothy because some have strayed from the faith following after them.
EVERY CULTIC TEACHING & FALSE RELIGION… falls under this category.
• Their teachings are unbiblical, or extra biblical, and they claim some special knowledge, some RESTORED truth that was lost.
• Some group comes to your door with another testament that they have added to the Bible… REJECT THEM.
• Another group comes with magazines adding to the word, REJECT THEM.
GRACE BE WITH YOU… AMEN!
• Walk in grace… teach in grace… lead in grace… grow in grace!
Jude 1.24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy...
