Series: Order [#8]
ROOTED IN JESUS
1 Timothy 6:1-21
Introduction:
As Bel Aire and I have faced criticism by people who seem happy to attack us, I need to ask you, “What do we do to stand firm in our faith”? Having lived in Hobbs for the majority of my life, all I have to do is look outside during a windstorm for the answer to my question. If you plant a new tree in Hobbs, you better find ways to stake it down and keep it in place. Until the tree has had time to take root, it doesn’t have a chance. It also matters what type of soil the tree is trying to take root in and how that tree is cared for.
Our faith is no different. If your faith is not rooted in Jesus, it is not going to withstand the storms. Our Church is the same. We must be rooted in Jesus Christ. Paul talks to Timothy about the many different areas our lives are rooted in and gives him instruction on what to do and not to do.
1 Timothy 6:1-2 (NIV)
“All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.”
The root of…
1. Your job.
While this passage is giving instruction to those Christians who were slaves, this is also advice to those of us who are Christian employees. As Christian employees, you should work at your job as you are working for God. It does not matter whether your employer is a Christian or not. Don’t forget, it is God who gave you that job. If these Christians who were slaves, who had no choice where they worked and what they had to do were to serve their masters in this way; then obviously, we who do get to choose where we work should work in a godly way.
1 Timothy 6:3-11, 17-19 (NIV)
“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
The root of…
2. Your influencers.
Those who you listen to and influence you matter. Anyone who teaches you things that does not agree with God’s Word is leading you in the wrong direction. Paul gives us several negative results of following the wrong people. In verse 11, Paul tells Timothy to run from these things.
Run from…
? Pride.
As the Bible says, “Pride goes before the fall”. You need to be strengthened and encouraged by others. That does not happen with a prideful person.
Run from…
? Anger.
As we discussed on Wednesday Night, being angry is not a sin; but the Bible warns us not to sin in our anger. Don’t be influenced by people that like to fight and argue with everyone.
Run from…
? Ambition.
This is not saying that wanting to do well is a problem; but it is saying that we should be satisfied with what we have. Just as the passage says, “You can’t take it with you”.
Run from…
? Greed.
Our passage says it all. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Money is necessary and is not the sin. It is the love of money. For those that have been blessed with money, they should use it to help others.
1 Timothy 6:11-16 (NIV)
”But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”
The root of…
3. Your pursuits.
What is it in your life that you are chasing after? What are you pursuing?
Pursue…
? Righteousness.
You should strive to live right. Live a life without blame.
Pursue…
? Godliness.
You should strive to be like Jesus.
Pursue…
? Faith.
You need to be faithful to God’s call on your life, God’s commandments.
Pursue…
? Love.
Pursue…
? Endurance.
You must be faithful until the end. Don’t quit.
Pursue…
? Gentleness.
Conclusion:
1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NIV)
“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.”
Paul ends this letter by telling Timothy to guard what God had entrusted to his care. I will conclude with the same advice- Don’t get distracted by what the enemy is doing; and guard what God has entrusted to your care.
