Fighting the Good Fight: A Call to Serve

Devotional

Day 1: Pursue Righteousness and Godliness Above All

In every circumstance, whether in comfort or challenge, believers are called to intentionally pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. This pursuit is not about controlling external situations, but about allowing Christ to shape your character and actions, even when life feels out of control. When you focus on these virtues, you reflect the heart of the gospel and become a living testimony to those around you, regardless of your role in the church. The call is clear: make the pursuit of Christlikeness your main thing, above all else. [18:48]

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (ESV)
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Reflection: In what specific situation today can you choose to pursue righteousness or gentleness instead of reacting with frustration or selfishness?

Day 2: Serve Others Faithfully and Humbly

Service is at the heart of Christian community, and every believer is called to meet the needs of others, not for status or recognition, but out of love and obedience to Christ. The early church grew and flourished when its members, especially deacons, served intentionally and sacrificially, ensuring that no one was neglected. True service is not about authority or titles, but about humbly meeting practical needs, supporting the ministry, and enabling the gospel to spread. When the church serves in unity, God’s word increases and lives are transformed. [25:47]

Acts 6:1-7 (ESV)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Reflection: Who is someone in your church or community you can serve today in a practical, humble way—without expecting anything in return?

Day 3: Fight the Good Fight—Don’t Give Up Sharing the Truth

The world is full of distractions, false teachings, and hardships, but believers are called to stand firm and fight the good fight of faith. The truth of the gospel is desperately needed, both in our communities and around the world, and it is our responsibility to share it with love, sincerity, and perseverance. Even when others distort the message or when the work feels overwhelming, do not give up. Stay rooted in Christ, grounded in His word, and let your life be a testimony of authentic faith and love that flows from a pure heart. [32:43]

1 Timothy 1:3-7 (ESV)
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally share the truth of the gospel with someone who may be confused or misled by false teachings?

Day 4: God Uses Unworthy People for His Glory

No one is too broken, sinful, or unworthy to be used by God. The story of Paul reminds us that God’s grace overflows to the least likely, transforming former opponents of the faith into powerful witnesses for Christ. Your past does not disqualify you; instead, it becomes a testimony to God’s mercy and patience. When you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember that God delights in using imperfect people to display His perfect love and to reach others with the hope of the gospel. [53:00]

1 Timothy 1:12-16 (ESV)
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Reflection: What part of your story or past can you share with someone this week to encourage them that God’s grace is bigger than their failures?

Day 5: Stand Firm—Even When Others Fall Away

The Christian life is a battle, not a vacation, and not everyone will stay and fight alongside you. There will be times when others abandon the faith or lose heart, but you are called to stand firm, hold to your confession, and continue to serve and proclaim Christ. Even if you feel alone or discouraged, remember that your faithfulness matters and that God is worthy of your perseverance. The call is to keep fighting the good fight, trusting that God will use your steadfastness for His glory and the good of others. [01:03:49]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Reflection: When you feel like giving up because others have walked away, what truth about God can you hold onto to help you remain steadfast in your faith and service?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s ongoing work—both in our local church and in communities far beyond our own. We rejoiced in the fruit of recent mission efforts, where the gospel is taking root in new places, and we recognized the deep hunger for Christ that exists not only abroad but right here among us. The heart of our time together centered on the call to “fight the good fight of faith,” a charge that is not reserved for pastors or deacons alone, but for every follower of Jesus. This is a call to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness, regardless of our circumstances or the challenges we face.

We reflected on the biblical model of service, especially as we ordained new deacons. The role of a deacon is not about status or authority, but about humble, intentional service—meeting needs, supporting the ministry, and ensuring that the love of Christ is tangibly expressed in the life of the church. This is a calling for all believers: to serve, to love, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world desperate for hope.

The reality is that we live in a world marked by brokenness, sin, and spiritual need. The gospel is not a message of comfort or convenience, but of transformation—a call to repentance, faith, and new life in Christ. We are reminded that God delights in using unworthy people, people with pasts and struggles, to display His mercy and grace. Our testimony is not our perfection, but God’s faithfulness in redeeming and using us for His purposes.

We are in a spiritual battle, not a vacation. The enemy seeks to distract, discourage, and derail us, but we are called to stand firm, to put on the armor of God, and to persevere even when others fall away. Not everyone will stay and fight, but we are charged to remain faithful, to hold fast to the truth, and to keep the gospel at the center of all we do. The harvest is plentiful, the need is great, and our God is more than worthy of our wholehearted devotion and service.

Key Takeaways

1. Pursue Christlike Virtues Above All Else The call to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness is not dependent on our circumstances or comfort. When life is out of our control, our response must be to lean into these virtues, allowing the Spirit to shape us into the likeness of Christ. This pursuit is the antidote to selfishness, anger, and distraction, and it is the only thing we can truly control in a world of uncertainty. [21:18]
2. Service Is the Pathway to Church Growth and Unity The biblical model for deacons—and for all believers—is humble, intentional service. When the church is unified in meeting needs and serving one another, the Word of God increases and disciples multiply. True greatness in the kingdom is found not in authority, but in serving others, often in unseen and unglamorous ways. [25:47]
3. The Gospel Is for the Broken, and God Uses the Unworthy Every one of us is marked by sin and unworthiness, yet God delights in using those who know their need for grace. Our past failures do not disqualify us; rather, they become the backdrop for God’s mercy and power. The testimony of Paul—and of every believer—is that Christ came to save sinners, and our ongoing repentance is the inseparable companion of authentic faith. [53:00]
4. We Are in a Spiritual Battle That Demands Perseverance The Christian life is not a cruise but a conflict. The enemy is relentless, and not everyone will endure. We are called to put on the full armor of God, to stand firm in truth, and to keep fighting the good fight even when others fall away. Our faithfulness is not measured by the response of others, but by our own steadfastness in Christ. [56:17]
5. The World’s Deep Need for the Gospel Requires Our Wholehearted Commitment The harvest is vast, both near and far, and the need for the gospel is urgent. We must not be content with comfort or distracted by lesser pursuits. Whether in our own community or across the globe, we are called to be laborers in the field, sharing the hope of Christ with those who have never heard. Our God is worthy, and the world is waiting. [45:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[06:30] - Mission Team Updates and Testimonies
[09:47] - The Joy and Heartbreak of Gospel Opportunities
[17:06] - Introduction to 1 Timothy 6:11-12
[18:48] - The Call to Pursue Christlike Virtues
[22:42] - Fighting the Good Fight of Faith
[23:31] - The True Role of Deacons: Servanthood
[24:23] - Acts 6: The Biblical Model for Service
[28:49] - Multiplication Through Intentional Service
[31:29] - The Charge to Love from a Pure Heart
[35:23] - The Urgency of Truth in a Broken World
[41:58] - The Gospel for All: No Sin Too Great
[46:48] - God Uses Unworthy People
[53:00] - Paul’s Testimony: From Persecutor to Servant
[56:17] - Spiritual Warfare and Standing Firm
[61:29] - The Reality of Shipwrecked Faith
[65:45] - The Charge and Commitment of Deacons
[68:20] - Laying on of Hands and Worship
[90:15] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (ESV) — > But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Acts 6:1-7 (ESV) — > Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Observation Questions

In 1 Timothy 6:11-12, what specific virtues does Paul urge Timothy (and all believers) to pursue?
According to Acts 6:1-7, what problem arose in the early church, and how did the apostles address it?
In the sermon, what is described as the true role of a deacon, and how does it differ from a position of authority? [[23:31]]
What does the sermon say happens in the church when believers are unified in humble service? [[25:47]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul lists virtues like righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness as the focus for believers, especially in times of difficulty? [[21:18]]
How does the biblical model of deacons in Acts 6 challenge our modern ideas of leadership and status in the church? [[24:23]]
The sermon says, “God uses unworthy people.” Why is it important for us to remember that our past failures do not disqualify us from serving God? [[53:00]]
The pastor said, “We are in a spiritual battle, not a vacation.” What are some ways the enemy tries to distract or discourage believers, according to the sermon? [[56:17]]

Application Questions

Of the virtues listed in 1 Timothy 6:11 (righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness), which one do you find most challenging to pursue right now? What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in that area? [[21:18]]
The sermon emphasized that service is the pathway to church growth and unity. What is one “unseen” or “un-glamorous” way you could serve someone in our church or community this month? [[25:47]]
The pastor shared that God delights in using people with pasts and struggles. Is there a part of your story or a past failure that you’ve believed disqualifies you from serving? How might God want to use that for His glory? [[53:00]]
The message said, “We are in a spiritual battle, not a vacation.” What is one area of your life where you feel the enemy is trying to distract, discourage, or derail you? How can you “stand firm” this week? [[56:17]]
The sermon talked about the world’s deep need for the gospel and the urgency of the harvest. Who is one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus? What is one step you can take to share hope with them? [[45:43]]
The pastor mentioned that not everyone will stay and fight the good fight. When you see others fall away or give up, how do you stay encouraged and faithful? [[01:01:29]]
The role of deacon was described as “meeting needs, supporting the ministry, and ensuring that the love of Christ is tangibly expressed.” What is one need you see in our church or community that you could help meet? [[23:31]]

Sermon Clips

Jesus did not come to fix your politics. He came to fix your heart. And so when you give him your heart, guess what's going to happen? It ain't going to fix the world, but you'll start fixing the world that is right around you. And the main focus will make the main thing the main thing. And that's all I could do in Ecuador. Hey guys, I know you're in, you're in junk here. I know you're trying to shut down the streets. I know it's all we can to get back home sometimes because of a little unrest because your gas prices are up. We know that stuff too. But Jesus came and died not so you could have low gas prices but that you could know the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and that you could have an eternity with him one day. Do you hear me this morning? That's the heart of the gospel. That's the heart that should be for us. [00:13:57] (48 seconds) #HeartOverPolitics

If you're a Christ follower, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness, above everything else in your life. You guys and your families for sure chase after Jesus. That's why I couldn't come in here and tell you it's about politics. That's why I couldn't come in here and tell you it was about fixing some other problem in your life. Paul didn't address that. He said, you in your life, you can't control this other stuff, but you can do this. Will you pursue righteousness? Will you pursue godliness? Will you pursue faith? And will you pursue love and steadfastness and gentleness? That's the only thing you can do. [00:19:39] (46 seconds) #PursueGodlyVirtues

Your faith produces righteousness and makes you pursue all of the goodness of God. That's what we're aimed for. If your faith in God makes you pursue the world, then you don't have faith in God. If your life is all stacked up by the things you chase and you're chasing everything in this world, you're not pursuing righteousness. You're not pursuing godliness. You're not pursuing Jesus. [00:34:49] (33 seconds) #RootedInChristDaily

``Spiritual maturity isn't measured by how high you jump in praise but how straight you walk in obedience. Did you hear that? I know we're in the also in the church movement time where like, listen, we get excited. We get excited. I'm telling you, if you jump higher and praise but you don't walk in any obedience, you don't know the same God that I know on the same level that I know. And that's not to brag. That's to speak to our discipleship and our growth. [00:38:30] (40 seconds) #ShareGodsGoodness

How pathetic is it that we could come in here on a Sunday morning and be so pumped up and so excited about singing to Jesus and yet we leave here and we tell no one about that goodness. But you'll tell them about the ball game. You'll tell them how your football team's doing. You'll tell them how good, we won't talk about the Braves right now but we'll talk about other sports. We'll tell them about everything else that we possibly could tell them about but how good is God to you? If you're pursuing righteousness, godliness, holiness, like if you're pursuing those things then it's only natural that what comes out of you and what comes out of your mouth are those things. [00:39:09] (51 seconds) #NeverGiveUpOnGospel

The gospel is the good news that reaches to all those spots. It's not to go, oh my gosh, that person's got sin in their life. I'm done with them. That person's got sin. Then you'd be done with everybody. But the gospel is the light that we give over and over and over to see. It's not an affirming. It's not a go, hey, you go do your sin and go have your sin and you'll be okay with your sin. And I'm going to tell you that God loves you regardless. He doesn't. God loves you because of his son. You got to have his son. Because his son and his blood covers the sin. You don't have that. Guess what God sees? Your sin. And God hates sin. You got to have the son. You got to have the gospel. The truth of the gospel has to be fought for. And you can't give up. [00:42:57] (50 seconds) #UsedByGrace

God uses unworthy people, so you have a testimony to remind you over and over and over and over and over of how great God is. Paul said, I murdered folks. I wanted to destroy the church. I wanted to take it apart limb by limb. That's what I wanted to do. And then God said, no, I'm going to use you now. And this beautiful faith, this beautiful glory, like he says, this grace of our Lord overflowed to me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. And this is a trustworthy saying, listen, that Christ came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of. Christ came here to save us, and that's why we are motivated back to live for him. [00:51:27] (50 seconds) #GodIsBigger

God uses us in our brokenness in our realization of our unworthiness to know that we need the gospel over and over and over and so thank the Lord that conviction sets in thank the Lord that you're reminded over and over over and over to die to self repent and turn towards him in awe because he uses people who are broken fight the good fight don't give up because you serve a holy God [00:56:17] (35 seconds) #StandFirmInBattle

Stay Timothy your God is so big that no matter what comes no matter what struggle no matter what death no matter what issue no matter what season of life comes your God is big enough to withstand he is holy enough to be better than any sin or any worldly distraction psalm 145 3 says great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable [00:57:05] (33 seconds) #ReadyForSpiritualWarfare

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