Engaging in the Good Warfare of Faith

 

Summary

In our journey through 1 Timothy, we have arrived at a pivotal moment where we are called to understand the gravity of our commitment to the faith and the necessity of a clear conscience. The passage from 1 Timothy 1:18-20 serves as a clarion call to engage in the good warfare of the Christian life, a battle that is not against flesh and blood but against false teachings and the erosion of the truth that has been entrusted to us.

Timothy is reminded of the prophecies made about him, which serve as a source of strength and a reminder of his calling to confront false teachers. This confrontation is not a matter of personal preference but a divine charge that requires courage and conviction. The prophecies and the laying on of hands by the elders signify a recognition and affirmation of Timothy's gifts and calling, which we too should seek from our spiritual authorities when we sense a calling to ministry.

The fight for the faith is not new; it has been waged throughout church history. From the early church's battles over the Trinity and the deity of Christ to the Reformation's affirmation of salvation by grace through faith, and into our present day with challenges from post-conservative Christians, inclusivists, and various other movements that seek to dilute or distort the gospel message. We are called to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, knowing that every biblical truth is not equally worth fighting over, but the core truths of the gospel must be defended at all costs.

The good warfare we are called to wage is fought on two fronts: holding on to the faith and maintaining a good conscience. A good conscience is essential in this fight, as it is not enough to merely believe the right things; we must also live them out. The conscience acts as a lighthouse, warning us of danger and guiding us in truth. When we ignore its warnings, we risk making shipwreck of our faith, as some have done by rejecting a good conscience and thus distorting the truth to accommodate their sins.

Church discipline is a necessary and biblical response to unrepentant sin within the church. It serves multiple purposes: correcting the sinner, warning other believers, maintaining a witness to the world, glorifying God, and preserving the health of the church. When Paul speaks of handing someone over to Satan, he is referring to the act of removing them from the protective fellowship of the church and into the world, where Satan holds sway, with the hope that they will repent and be restored.

As we approach the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the gravity of our sin and the magnificence of Christ's sacrifice. The gospel is a pardon for sin, a release from damnation, but it must be received. It is a gift of grace that we must accept by faith, and it is this message that we must protect and proclaim.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian life is a battle that requires us to engage in the good warfare, not shying away from conflict but confronting false teachings with the truth of the gospel. This fight is not against people but against the erosion of the core truths of our faith. [49:33]

- A good conscience is indispensable in our spiritual warfare. It acts as a guide and a warning system. When we ignore it, we risk shipwrecking our faith. Therefore, we must strive to keep our conscience clear by living in obedience to Christ. [31:10]

- Church discipline, though difficult, is a biblical mandate designed to restore the wayward believer. It is an act of love aimed at bringing about repentance and reconciliation, not merely punishment. [42:40]

- The local church is a manifestation of God's kingdom, a place of God's rule and blessing. To be outside the church's fellowship is to be in a realm where Satan's influence is greater, highlighting the importance of church community and accountability. [39:41]

- The gospel is a pardon that must be received. Christ's work on the cross offers full forgiveness and eternal life to all who would accept it by faith. This message of grace is the treasure we must guard and share with the world. [49:05]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1 Timothy 1:18-20 (ESV)
> "This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific charge does Paul give to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18? How is this charge connected to the prophecies made about Timothy?
2. According to 1 Timothy 1:19, what two things must Timothy hold onto to wage the good warfare?
3. What are the consequences mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:19-20 for rejecting a good conscience?
4. Who are the two individuals Paul mentions in 1 Timothy 1:20, and what action has Paul taken against them?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of both faith and a good conscience in spiritual warfare? How do these two elements work together? [25:24]
2. What does it mean to "make shipwreck of their faith," and how does rejecting a good conscience lead to this outcome? [29:22]
3. How does church discipline, as described in 1 Timothy 1:20, serve the purpose of restoring wayward believers? What is the intended outcome of handing someone over to Satan? [36:36]
4. How do the historical examples of church conflicts and resolutions, such as the Reformation or the fight for the doctrine of the Trinity, illustrate the ongoing battle for maintaining sound doctrine? [23:04]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to stand up for your faith. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you prepare yourself to wage the good warfare in future situations? [20:18]
2. In what ways can you ensure that you are maintaining a good conscience in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you feel convicted to make changes? [31:10]
3. How does your local church handle issues of false teaching or unrepentant sin? What role can you play in supporting church discipline as a means of restoration and reconciliation? [42:40]
4. Consider the importance of church community and accountability. How can you actively contribute to the health and unity of your church? What steps can you take to foster a supportive and accountable environment? [39:41]
5. The sermon mentioned various modern challenges to the gospel, such as inclusivism and the Prosperity Gospel. How can you equip yourself to recognize and confront these false teachings in your own context? [24:09]
6. Reflect on the concept of receiving the gospel as a pardon that must be accepted. Have you fully embraced this pardon in your own life? If not, what is holding you back? [49:05]
7. How can you use the example of historical figures like James Renwick or Hugh Latimer to inspire boldness and courage in your own faith journey? What practical steps can you take to live out your faith more boldly? [19:45]

Devotional

Day 1: Engaging in Truthful Warfare
The Christian life is often depicted as a peaceful journey, yet it is, in reality, a battle—a good warfare where the stakes are the core truths of our faith. This battle is not waged with weapons of the flesh but with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Believers are called to stand firm against false teachings that threaten to erode the foundational truths of the gospel. It is a call to discernment and courage, to hold fast to the teachings of Scripture and to confront error with the unchanging truth of God's Word. This spiritual warfare requires a deep commitment to biblical doctrine and a readiness to defend it, knowing that the faith once delivered to the saints is precious and must be preserved for future generations. [49:33]

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV)

Reflection: What false teaching have you encountered recently, and how did you respond to it? How can you better prepare yourself to defend the core truths of your faith?

Day 2: The Necessity of a Good Conscience
A good conscience is a vital ally in the life of a believer, acting as a guide and a warning system. It is the inner voice that aligns with God's truth, prompting us to live out our faith with integrity. Ignoring the conscience can lead to a shipwrecked faith, where one's spiritual life is in disarray due to a refusal to heed divine warnings. To maintain a good conscience, one must be vigilant in obedience to Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to shape thoughts, actions, and attitudes. This pursuit of holiness is not merely about avoiding sin but about embracing a life that reflects the character of Jesus, ensuring that belief and behavior are in harmony. [31:10]

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22 ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where your conscience has been warning you, and you've been ignoring it? What steps can you take today to address this and realign with a clear conscience?

Day 3: The Love Behind Church Discipline
Church discipline is a difficult yet necessary part of community life within the body of Christ. It is not a punitive measure but a redemptive one, aimed at restoring a believer who has strayed into unrepentant sin. This process is an expression of love, reflecting God's own discipline of His children for their good. It serves to correct the individual, warn the community, and maintain the purity and witness of the church. The ultimate goal is repentance and reconciliation, bringing the wayward back into the fold and under the protective fellowship of the church. [42:40]

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1 ESV)

Reflection: Have you ever experienced or witnessed church discipline? How did it affect your understanding of God's love and holiness?

Day 4: The Importance of Church Community
The local church is not just a gathering of individuals; it is the manifestation of God's kingdom on earth, a place where His rule and blessing are evident. Being part of a church community provides believers with accountability, encouragement, and spiritual growth. It is within this fellowship that one experiences the fullness of God's intentions for His people. To be outside of this fellowship is to be more susceptible to the world's influences and Satan's schemes. The church is a haven, a place of nurturing and protection for the believer's soul. [39:41]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

Reflection: How does your involvement in your local church reflect the importance of community in your spiritual life? What is one step you can take this week to deepen your connection with your church family?

Day 5: The Gospel: A Pardon to be Received
The gospel is the heart of the Christian faith, offering a pardon for sin and the promise of eternal life through Christ's sacrifice. This gift of grace is available to all, but it must be actively received by faith. Believers are entrusted with the precious task of guarding this message and sharing it with the world. The gospel is not just good news to be celebrated; it is a call to action, to embrace the fullness of God's mercy and to extend it to others. It is the treasure of the church, the hope for the lost, and the foundation for all spiritual growth. [49:05]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

Reflection: How are you actively receiving the pardon offered by the gospel in your daily life? What is one way you can share the message of grace with someone this week?

Quotes

- "A conscious disobedience to Christ will kill your spiritual life; it will impact the grasp of the gospel that you have and the gospel's grasp on you." [31:47](Download | Download)

- "The conscience is like a lighthouse that says don't go over there; there's a reef over there. The person who disregards the lighthouse of their conscience is going to run aground." [30:35](Download | Download)

- "The Christian faith is not simply believed; it has to be lived out. We have to practice what we preach, and if we're going to be successful in the work in which we've been called to, we must actually live out the faith that we embrace." [27:37](Download | Download)

- "The local church is where God's kingdom is manifested, where we live under God's rule and enjoy God's blessing. Outside the local church, the Bible says, is the domain of darkness where Satan rules." [39:41](Download | Download)

- "The gospel is a pardon of sin, a release from damnation, but it must be received. It is offered to everyone who has yet to receive it, a full pardon of God's divine justice, just wrath upon you will be wiped away if you would receive Jesus Christ by faith." [49:36](Download | Download)

- "We must not only believe what we believe but we must fight to protect it. The war against unsound doctrine continues and we must engage in the good warfare by preserving in the conflict, not running from it." [25:24](Download | Download)

- "The church must discipline a member who refuses to repent. Discipline is meant to correct, not to punish. It's for the sinner's correction, for other Christians, for the witness of the world, for the glory of God, and for the health of the church." [44:26](Download | Download)

- "If you feel a desire for ministry, run to the church, not away from it. Ask the spiritual authorities to confirm the calling in your life. This is how Timothy was set apart for ministry, authorized by the elders." [13:04](Download | Download)

- "The fight for the faith has been waged throughout church history, from the early church's battles over the Trinity and the deity of Christ to the Reformation's affirmation of salvation by grace through faith." [23:04](Download | Download)

- "Every biblical truth is important and worthy of believing, but not every biblical truth is equally worth fighting over. We must fight for the core truths of the faith." [17:14](Download | Download)

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Transcript
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