Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Jared’s Message, September 18, 2022 1 Timothy 1:18-20
Fight the Good Fight

Introduction: We are engaged in a war in our personal lives and in the church. We wrestle against the unseen forces of the world, the flesh, and the devil. We must fight the good fight.

1. The Fight for True Doctrine: Fight the right battles, not the wrong ones. (1:18)

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...

There are battles that we don’t need to fight, such as engaging in controversies and quarreling over unessential doctrines or church traditions, but there are fights we must fight, though never with an angry or contentious spirit.

The one good fight that we must fight continually is the fight for essential Christian doctrine, the war between heaven and hell, between the lovers of God and the servants of the devil. It is the battle for the truth, the truth about God and His Son Jesus, about God’s Word, and about His salvation.

Father, please help us to know You deeply and love You deeply, to know what Your Word teaches about You, Your Son, and the gospel, so that we are ready to say no to false doctrine.

2. The Fight for True Doctrine in Our Lives: Hold fast the faith and a good conscience. (1:19)

... holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith...

Faith and a good conscience work together. If we lose either one of them, we lose both. Right doctrine leads to right living, and right doctrine also enables us to wage the good warfare.

Lord, help us choose sound doctrine every day, and every day live consistently with it.

3. The Fight for True Doctrine in the Church: In love, hold one another accountable. (1:20)

...among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

What does it mean to “hand over to Satan”?

• It means church discipline: excluding a member from fellowship and thereby removing

  him from God’s protective care within the church.

• It does not mean judging; only God knows the heart and only God can judge.

• The purpose is corrective, not to hurt but to heal.

  If we love one another, we can’t let sin go unaddressed. Church discipline preserves the glory of God, secures the purity of the church, and restores rebellious sinners.

Father, please enable us to fight the good fight together, helping one another to stay true.