1 Timothy 1:18–20 | The Good Warfare of the Church
Blair Robinson | January 26, 2025
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18–20
Main Point. We wage the good warfare by holding to Christ, our safeguard from spiritual shipwreck. Driving Question. How do we wage 'the good' warfare? 1. Remember your calling to the fight (18) Application. Wage the “good” warfare (18). Defend the revealed truth of God against those who distort it (3). Christian ministry is more than proclamation; it’s also combat. 2. Use the weapons given for the fight (19) a. Holding faith. b. [and] A good conscience. Application. How does confessing and repenting cultivate a good conscience? Are you nurturing a tender conscience before the Lord according to the teaching of his word? 3. Take heed of the warning in the fight (19–20) But there is a purpose to this: That they may learn not to blaspheme. A few things to consider about excommunication: Just because you know it’s been done wrongly, doesn’t mean it can’t be done rightly. We are to avoid the ditches on both sides of the road; passive neglect and action which harms. The aim is love and restoration… filled with grace. Takeaways. Though we defend the doctrine and fight for the church, it’s Christ who assures the defense (Matt 16). Though we are to hold the faith and a good conscience, it is Christ who holds us (Jn 10:28, 29; Phil 3:12). Though our aim is love, we are to remember the loving patience of God toward us and others.