Fighting the Good Fight: Nurturing Faith and Discipleship

Summary

### Summary

Today's gathering was a profound reminder of the spiritual war we are engaged in and the importance of our mission to make disciples. We began by dedicating three beautiful children to the Lord, emphasizing the significance of nurturing them in faith from an early age. This act of dedication is a testament to our commitment to raising the next generation in the knowledge and love of Christ.

We then transitioned to discussing the broader context of our spiritual battle, drawing parallels between the physical wars in Israel and Ukraine and the spiritual war for the souls of men and women. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in his first letter serves as a powerful reminder that our mission is carried out in a hostile environment. We are called to fight the good fight of faith, armed with the truth of the Gospel.

This spiritual war is fought on several fronts. The first front is personal obedience, where we must guard against moral issues like materialism that can lead us away from the truth. The second front is maintaining a right perspective, embracing our eternal life and living in light of our new identity in Christ. The third front involves generosity with our resources, recognizing that our wealth is a gift from God meant to be used for His purposes. Finally, the fourth front is a clear commitment to the message, ensuring that we protect, preserve, and accurately pass on the truth of the Gospel.

As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which lies at the heart of our faith. This act of remembrance strengthens our resolve to continue fighting the good fight, sharing the truth, and making disciples in a world that desperately needs the hope and salvation found in Christ.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Importance of Early Faith Formation: Dedicating children to the Lord underscores the vital role of nurturing faith from a young age. As a community, we are called to support and guide these young lives, helping them to grow in their relationship with Christ and to seek Him earnestly. This early foundation can have a lasting impact on their spiritual journey. [13:07]

2. Engaging in Spiritual Warfare: Our mission to make disciples is carried out in a spiritual war zone. This war is not fought with physical weapons but with the truth of the Gospel. Recognizing the seriousness of this battle helps us to stay vigilant and committed to our mission, understanding that the stakes are eternal. [31:29]

3. Personal Obedience as a Battlefront: Moral issues like materialism can lead us away from the truth. We must flee from anything that hinders our obedience to God and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. This personal integrity is crucial in our spiritual warfare. [34:42]

4. Embracing Our Eternal Life: Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to take hold of eternal life reminds us to live in light of our new identity in Christ. This perspective helps us to remain steadfast in our faith, especially during trials, and to remember the eternal significance of our actions and decisions. [39:53]

5. Generosity with Resources: Wealth is a gift from God, and with it comes the responsibility to be generous and to use our resources for His purposes. This generosity not only supports the mission of the church but also invests in our own spiritual health and future rewards in the kingdom of God. [46:04]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[13:07] - Child Dedications
[16:25] - Reflection on Global Conflicts
[31:29] - Spiritual Warfare and Our Mission
[34:42] - Personal Obedience
[39:53] - Embracing Eternal Life
[46:04] - Generosity with Resources
[54:42] - Commitment to the Message
[56:41] - Communion
[01:02:48] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:11-19 (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. 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."

### Observation Questions

1. What are the six virtues Paul instructs Timothy to pursue in 1 Timothy 6:11?
2. According to 1 Timothy 6:12, what is Timothy encouraged to take hold of, and why is this significant?
3. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, what instructions are given to those who are rich in this present world?
4. How does Paul describe God in 1 Timothy 6:15-16, and what does this reveal about His nature?

### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of fleeing from materialism and pursuing virtues like righteousness and godliness? How does this relate to the concept of personal obedience mentioned in the sermon? [34:42]
2. What does it mean to "fight the good fight of the faith," and how does this concept apply to our daily spiritual battles? [32:03]
3. How does embracing our eternal life, as Paul instructs Timothy, help us maintain a right perspective in our spiritual journey? [39:53]
4. In what ways does generosity with our resources reflect our commitment to God's purposes, and how does this impact our spiritual health and future rewards? [46:04]

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on the importance of early faith formation. How can you support and guide the young lives in your community to grow in their relationship with Christ? [13:07]
2. Considering the spiritual warfare we are engaged in, what practical steps can you take to stay vigilant and committed to your mission of making disciples? [31:29]
3. Identify any moral issues, such as materialism, that may be hindering your personal obedience to God. What actions can you take to flee from these issues and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness? [34:42]
4. How can you embrace your eternal life and live in light of your new identity in Christ? What changes in perspective or behavior might this require? [39:53]
5. Reflect on your current use of resources. How can you practice greater generosity and use your wealth for God's purposes? What specific steps can you take to be rich in good deeds and willing to share? [46:04]
6. How can you ensure that you are protecting, preserving, and accurately passing on the truth of the Gospel in your daily interactions and commitments? [54:42]
7. As you partake in communion, how does remembering the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ strengthen your resolve to continue fighting the good fight and sharing the truth? [56:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Nurturing Faith from a Young Age
The importance of nurturing faith from a young age cannot be overstated. Dedicating children to the Lord is a profound act that signifies our commitment to raising them in the knowledge and love of Christ. This early foundation is crucial as it sets the stage for their lifelong spiritual journey. As a community, we are called to support and guide these young lives, helping them to grow in their relationship with Christ and to seek Him earnestly. This early foundation can have a lasting impact on their spiritual journey. [13:07]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in nurturing the faith of the children in your life, whether they are your own or part of your community?

Day 2: Recognizing the Spiritual War
Our mission to make disciples is carried out in a spiritual war zone. This war is not fought with physical weapons but with the truth of the Gospel. Recognizing the seriousness of this battle helps us to stay vigilant and committed to our mission, understanding that the stakes are eternal. The spiritual war for the souls of men and women is a reality that we must face with courage and determination. [31:29]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: In what ways can you equip yourself with the truth of the Gospel to engage in the spiritual battles you face daily?

Day 3: Personal Obedience in Spiritual Warfare
Moral issues like materialism can lead us away from the truth. We must flee from anything that hinders our obedience to God and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. This personal integrity is crucial in our spiritual warfare. Personal obedience is a battlefront where we must guard against moral issues that can lead us astray. [34:42]

1 Timothy 6:11 (ESV): "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness."

Reflection: What are some specific areas in your life where you need to flee from materialism or other moral issues to pursue righteousness and godliness?

Day 4: Embracing Our Eternal Life
Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to take hold of eternal life reminds us to live in light of our new identity in Christ. This perspective helps us to remain steadfast in our faith, especially during trials, and to remember the eternal significance of our actions and decisions. Embracing our eternal life means living with the awareness that our true identity is in Christ and that our actions have eternal consequences. [39:53]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from earthly concerns to eternal perspectives in your daily life?

Day 5: Generosity with Resources
Wealth is a gift from God, and with it comes the responsibility to be generous and to use our resources for His purposes. This generosity not only supports the mission of the church but also invests in our own spiritual health and future rewards in the kingdom of God. Recognizing that our wealth is a gift from God meant to be used for His purposes encourages us to be generous and to support the mission of the church. [46:04]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice generosity with your resources to support God's purposes and the mission of the church?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "It's a war for the souls of men and women. It is a war for truth. It is a war that is fought with very different weapons. The weapons that we fight with are not of this world. And yet in its own way the war is every bit as deadly as the wars in Israel and Ukraine. Jesus gave us our mission. It is to make disciples. But we don't do that on a neutral playing field. Our mission to make disciples is carried out in a spiritual war zone." [31:29]( | | )

2. "The mission that we have is essential. It's essential because we've been given the truth. It is essential because it's the difference between heaven and hell, this mission of communicating the truth. That's why Paul calls it, a good fight. It's good, this struggle is good because it gives us life and forgiveness and it truly sets us free. But it is a war and we should take it seriously." [32:42]( | | )

3. "If you haven't yet come to faith, open up your heart. Take hold of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We're going to share the elements of communion. These elements take us right to the message and really right to the heart of the message, right to the Gospel. Jesus Christ offering up His life, through His death and then His resurrection. Again, there's full forgiveness, giving us salvation." [56:25]( | | )

4. "We live in a spiritual war zone. Our mission to make disciples, again, is carried out in a spiritual war zone. Every believer, though, in this room has been equipped, spiritually, to do this. This doesn't require some great intellect or unusual speaking skills or anything like that. This is a place arguments or some clever argument, compelling argument. We just pray. Again, this is the work of the Holy Spirit. We pray and we share the truth. We open up our homes. Again, we have conversations. We tell our own stories. God takes that. He will take that and He uses that to draw people to Himself." [55:40]( | | )

5. "Command those who are rich in this present world. When we see this language, rich is a relative word. We already think of the people who have more money than we do. They're the ones who are rich. And there are certainly exceptions, but the reality is that the vast majority of people in this room are rich by any real standard of the world. We're to command those who are rich not to be arrogant. Riches, wealth will give us a false sense of importance. And we're not to put our hope in wealth, which is so uncertain it will give us a false sense of security. We're to put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." [46:04]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "The New Testament warns us that we're up against a truly dangerous enemy. This is Paul from a similar passage, parallel passage. He said, we're up against the unseen power that controls this dark world and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. And so behind the various spokesmen and spokeswomen who would reject this truth, and they may be very winsome and attractive in the way they present their message, and they may not even realize it, but we need to realize that behind these voices that would oppose the truth, we finally have the one Satan, demonic forces that would energize them. But we're involved in a very serious war." [33:21]( | | )

2. "If we forget who we are in the heat of battle, we're very likely to walk away from the truth, from the faith. In verse 13, we have military language. It says Paul is issuing Timothy an order. And he begins by reminding him, I'm doing this in front of the one, Timothy, that you're accountable to, in the sight of God who gives life to everything. And not only the Father, but the Son. And in front of Jesus Christ. Who, while testifying before Pontius Pilate, made the good confession. And he's going back to that time when Jesus is being questioned by Pilate. And Pilate asks him if he's a king. And Jesus says, yes, I am a king. Again, he knows who he is. He's open about who he is at that point." [42:16]( | | )

3. "And so we come up, just maybe in our own lives, we're struggling with some clear message that the Bible teaches. What am I going to do with this? Can I accept this? What is this going to mean for my family? And again, as we wrestle with that issue, we can find ourselves drifting away from the truth. It could be a personal battle against despair. Our minds can be a battlefield for lustful thoughts. For both married men and women, it may be a battle against an affair that is even now inching towards you. But Satan will use these various moral issues to, again, pull us away from the truth, to cause us to doubt this very clear message that has been communicated to us, again, in the Word." [35:46]( | | )

4. "And so we open our homes, and we tell our stories about coming to faith, and we speak the truth in love. We're fighting the good fight, and we're taking hold of eternal life, who I am. I have this new identity, and I have this very different future. And so I think of my neighbor who lives across the street, who hasn't yet come to faith in Jesus Christ. And what will that mean if he dies outside of Christ? What will that mean for him? And I take hold again of what eternal life means, and I make the hard decisions and the hard steps. I want to share with him. I want him to have an opportunity, a clear opportunity to hear this message." [45:33]( | | )

5. "And then the Christian writer said, years later, as he looked back on that conversation, as far as he knew, as far as he could tell, there had never been any sense of repentance on the part of the man who had asked him that. There was never any desire, as far as he knew, for forgiveness. These moral issues, again, we're involved in a spiritual war. These moral issues, Satan will use those to take us away from the truth. You had that language, again, at the end of verse 10. Some people eager for money, there it's materialism, have wandered from the faith. They have pierced themselves with many griefs." [39:17]( | | )

Chatbot

Transcript

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