I. God Wants Us To Walk In Truth
A. Truth As Found In The Gospel Of John
1. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
2. John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
3. John 8:31b, 32 “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
4. John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
5. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
6. John 16:13 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
7. John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
8. Obviously, it is very important to God that we know and live in his truth.
B. Timothy’s Responsibility To Reject False Teaching
1. Ephesians 1:3-Timothy was a pastor who had been given a responsibility to care for the Christians at Ephesus.
a. Part of that responsibility was to not allow people to teach false doctrine.
b. Teaching or sharing false doctrine can come from someone in the pulpit.
c. In can also come from casual conversations while drinking coffee and eating snacks.
d. It can happen at church on Sunday, or in small groups meeting in homes.
e. Timothy was to pay attention to what was being taught among all the Christians in Ephesus.
2. What incorrect doctrine was being taught and communicated?
a. Ephesians 1:4- Fables and genealogies. Myths and family ancestors.
b. Ephesians 1:6-Idle talk
c. Ephesians 1:7-A wrong interpretation of the purpose of God’s laws
3. Why is that important? What is the harm or danger of incorrect doctrine?
a. V. 4-It causes disputes. It causes arguments. Human opinion against human opinion.
b. V. 4- It doesn’t edify. Incorrect doctrine doesn’t build you up, it tears you down.
c. V. 6-It can cause you to stray from the truth.
d. V. 6- It can cause you to focus on idle talk.
II. Fulfill Your Spiritual Responsibilities V. 3-5
A. Timothy’s Responsibility
1. Move people away from falsehood and into the truth of God
a. Move them away from false doctrine and wrong thinking about God and life
b. Move them away from useless topics that cause disputes
c. Move them towards truth that brings godly edification
d. V. 5-The goal for people…
i. love from a pure heart-A heart free of sin & corruption
a) What does love from a pure heart look like?
ii. a good conscience- conscience that is pleasant, joyful, upright, clear
a) What does a good conscience look like?
iii. sincere faith- un-hypocritical faith, faith that is real, not a show
a) What does sincere faith look like?
e. What is the result of this?
i. Freedom in Christ to be used and bless others
ii. Freedom in Christ to be blessed and unhindered in faith
2. That was Paul’s motivation. That was his goal as a pastor.
3. That is our responsibility as well.
a. We accomplish it through teaching God’s Word, and using our words
b. We also let our lights (good works) shine before men
c. Our words will have little impact if our lives are not in submission to God
d. May we have that same motivation that Paul had.
e. To desire to see people walking in the blessings of God, not being led astray into disputes, and being able to love in
sincerity.
B. Our Sphere Of Influence
1. V. 3-Timothy specifically called to remain in Ephesus
2. We are all called to be salt and light wherever God has placed us
3. Husbands: lead your wives
4. Fathers and mothers: lead you children
5. Friends: be a friend that pulls his friends up into the things of God, and not down into the things of the world.
III. Remember That We Are In A War Vs. 18-20
A. It’s A Good War To Be Engaged In V. 18
1. Good warfare- useful, commendable, admirable, approved, worthy
2. There are other wars that we should not get involved in. We need God to guide us.
3. As church leaders, what are some other battles that we might want to avoid? Remember what Paul told Timothy his priorities were supposed to be.
a. Politics
b. Overemphasis on social work
c. Ecumenical work
B. How Do We Fight This Good Fight? V.19
1. Faith
2. Good conscience
3. Avoid spiritual shipwreck