Introduction

I invite you to take your Bibles and turn to 1 Timothy 6. As many of you know, I Timothy is commonly referred to as one of the pastoral epistles. It is a letter that Paul writes to Timothy, his “true son” in the faith. In the letter, Paul addresses several concerns, particularly things like false doctrines and ungodly practices that detract from “God’s work”.

In Chapter 3:14-15, Paul “writes these things” to inform Timothy as to “how God’s people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household (i.e., the church.)

”We come now to the final chapter, chapter 6, which deals with the practice of godliness in the preset age with a view toward the coming age.

Scripture Reading: 1 Tim. 6:9-12. 
This ends the reading of God’s Word, which is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Prayer: 
(8:30) Our redeeming Father, our hope is in you and in no other. May you work in our lives today through your Word that we might be different from those whose hope is not found in you. We pray this morning that you would give us life, that your Son’s example might be our standard, and that your Spirit might produce fruit in us.
(11:00) Our Father, enable us today to realize the truth concerning this life, to recognize the lies that keep us from that which is life. Strengthen us that we might not just be passive judges of your Word, but that we might act upon the truth of your Word and choose the path that leads to life. For our response today and in days to come will determine how well prepared we are for the day that you will come. These things we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sermon
I was privileged this past week to hear another pastor, the Rev. Dale Van Ness preach on a passage taken from 2 Cor. 11. That’s the passage where Paul, the writer of 1 Tim. 6, talks about the pains, the problems, and the persecutions he faced in ministry. We read a sampling of that in 1 Cor 11:23 “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.”  I share this with you because I believe this passage helps us understand the heart of Paul, again, the writer of 1 Tim 6. I always looked at this passage from the perspective that Paul endured a lot as a pastor and apostle (floggings, ship wrecks, prison, etc.) but Rev. Dale Van Ness enabled me to see these were only the beginning, for Paul struggled with something much greater than all these. In fact, that which Paul struggled with most also motivated him in ministry. In v. 28 of that passage, we read “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” You see, Paul’s greatest struggles were not with the external pressures he faced, but with the internal struggles, the burdens and concerns that the Lord placed on his heart for all the churches.

This morning, I want to share one of these concerns with you--a concern not only that Paul had for the church in Ephesus; but one, I believe, the Bible speaks clearly to you and me today; and one that has become one of my greatest concerns for all the churches, especially in the west. … and that is A LACK OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE MEN OF THE CHURCH. Hence, the title for the sermon – “What Has Happened to our Men?” (and here, I’m referring not necessarily the our local church here in Brandon, though it is to be included as well, but to the church as a whole).  Just to show you that I’m not presenting you an off the cuff comment originating from a “holier than thou” spirit, let me show you what I mean. This lack of spiritual mindedness among men is seen in: 

1) the lack of men who have been trained and tested and possess a desire to assume leadership roles in the church in taking the gospel to future generations.

2) the lack of desire of men to serve, period. (My mother-in-law made the comment to me this past week, “men may complain about women serving in the church, but one reason they do is that men won’t serve, … you can’t get them to serve, and this is true in about all the churches)

3) the lack of participation of men (and their families) in public worship. (Think about it, if husbands and fathers were more spiritually minded and more committed to spiritual growth, our Sunday night services, our Wednesday night services would be full to overflowing, wouldn’t they?)  

Don McNeil this past week reminded me of a truth my mother pointed out to me when I was young - “Every organization, including the church, is only one generation away from apostasy.” (Folding and collapsing) We know that will not ultimately happen to the church, for the Bible tells us otherwise, but it is true that we must pass the message entrusted to us to future generations one generation after another. 

 As I have struggled over the next generation of leadership, noting a large gap or void in men with approximate ages of forty-five and below, I’ve noted there just doesn’t seem to be a mindset among men today … to desire to take on responsibility and to serve in the church, to be willing to commit themselves to serving in ministries of the church. Many reasons can be found …we’re too busy, we have other stuff to do at home/work/community. We could blame part of it on the feminist agenda and it’s affect upon our lives, where the priesthood is emphasized (sacrificial to wife), but the kingly and prophetic offices of the husband are never mentioned (to make God’s word known and to exercise dominion and rule).  

But, as I studied this passage, I’ve found the problem is much deeper. You see, the problem in the church is not just a lack of leaders, but it’s a SPIRITUAL problem, one that the bible speaks to and provides a solution for.  How many of you ever heard the expression …So and so “bought into the lie”? It’s a familiar expression that means taken, deceived, fallen for (now living and experiencing consequences of buying into believing the lie).

I spoke with a man in Florida a few months ago who was explaining all the things his local school system was having to do to pay the bills and keep afloat. Then he made the statement that they are in this situation, because a few years ago, the voters of that state “bought into the lie”, meaning that when the lottery came to the state of Florida, it came with the slogan that it would enhance the education programs within the state, that it would pay their bills. But in the end, though this money went to education, the money that had been used for education was taken away and used elsewhere (this man’s story), and so the community was now paying the price, because as he put it – “We bought into the lie!”

I share that illustration because, one of the problems the church faces today is that many of us (including the men) have “bought into the lie.” The lie that the pursuit of wealth, the pursuit of riches, and the things that this life has to offer is what life is all about.  

Look at what Paul was addressing in 1 Tim 6. Ephesus was an epicenter, with lots to do, many creature comforts, and as v. 17 tells us, there were many who were rich there… but the wealth was not the problem, rather it was the “love of” money that was the problem. It didn’t matter whether a person was rich or poor, but the “love of” money was a problem in their lives, and I would suggest to you that it also had a part in detracting from God’s work.

In v. 3ff, Paul addresses the false doctrines that were being taught. He goes on to mention the unhealthy interests in controversies and quarrels about words, conversations that were unprofitable… and he says, ALL this … anything that is unprofitable, get rid of it! Get it out of your lives for it is not profitable. Then, he addressed the wrong view of godliness that many of them held. You see, godliness in not to be a means to an earthly end (financial wealth), but is an end for which God has for us. Compare vv. 5 & 6.

In v. 6, we read “But godliness WITH CONTENTMENT is great gain.”  

In vv. 9-10, we read “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money (and the things it provides) have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 

”Does that sound familiar to anyone? How about Enron? (This is the day in which you and I live.) The “love of “ money is a root of all kinds of evil. Calvin: “Innumerable evils (spring from this love). . . and it is especially true of the base greed for gain that it produces all sorts of evils every day: countless frauds, falsehoods, perjury, cheating, robbery, cruelty, judicial corruption, quarrels, hatred, poisonings, murders, and nearly every other kind of crime.” I learned of a story of one of the Enron Executives, who is a Christian and confessed to his church, that he sinned greatly. He became greedy, and therefore he did wrong, and he failed to do right.) 

But, it is not just true about Enron executives! … is it? Let me ask you, Where are YOUR priorities? What are YOUR pursuits in life? To what degree are YOU experiencing contentment (discontentment) in your life? In vv. 6,7,8, we read “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” How many of us have bought into the lie of the American dream? … that we need a house with a two-car garage, a dog, cat, garden bathtub, three rooms full of toys for kids, a two-week vacation at Gulf Shores, etc. POINT: One of the reasons we don’t have the time, or the resources, or the desire for spiritual things is that we have bought into the lie,… and we are chasing or tail trying to acquire and pay for the things of this world! Wives, I know your husbands are busy, but WHY? Is it because they are burning both ends of the candles serving the Lord, or because they are laboring trying to secure the necessities (food & clothing) of life, or is it because of your discontentment or their discontentment such that they are so busy trying to secure other things, that they don’t have time for the Lord, for his people, and for his service?  

The problem with the living the lie is this: v. 9: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into foolish and harmful desires . . . “ Look at Achan’s example in Joshua 7… for a robe. And pieces of silver and a wedge of gold, he led himself and his nation into great sin. How sad! You see, the person who has the desire to “get rich” is tempted to cast off holy and legitimate desires and attitudes and duties, and to take on those not in keeping with the Lord’s plan for their life. Think of how many people and families are overextended, and are having to work a second job, to work on Sunday to make ends meet. Think of those, who like the older gentleman in our community who robbed a bank this past week, who feel they must do something, even if it’s unethical to protect their name. Warren Wiersbe puts it this way “But riches are a trap. They lead to bondage, not freedom. Instead of giving satisfaction, riches create additional lusts (desires), and these must be satisfied.” 

The RESULT is …These foolish and harmful desires plunge (sink) men into ruin and destruction of many kinds. In v. 10, we read “Some. . . have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  ” We find an example of this in Demas, who in 2 Tim 4:10 “loved this world” more than the things of God and therefore he deserted Paul. 

You see, I don’t believe it’s a lack of desire for godliness, but a lack of godliness WITH CONTENTMENT that keeps the younger generations from serving the Lord the way they/we should. 

The central idea of this text is this – (Paul says) The man of God should not buy into the lie but should order his life in accordance with that which is truly profitable. (… for Godliness with CONTENTMENT is great GAIN.)

In v. 11, we read “But you, MAN OF GOD, . . . (be different). “Man of God” in the Old Testament refers to the prophets (Moses, Samuel, David, etc.). But, in 2 Tim 3:16-17 “man of God” refers in one sense to ALL believers (especially men, teachers, pastors, leaders). Kelly helps us by explaining that it applies to “one who is in God’s service.”

How? What instructions does Paul give for being different?  

I. FLEE from all this (v. 11) He’s not just referring to the pursuit of riches, but ALL that is unprofitable (vv. 3-10), including false doctrines, false teachers, unhealthy arguments, etc. 

II. FOLLOW (Wiersbe) v. 11 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and PURSUE righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  ”Here, we find SIX SPIRITUAL PURSUITS that the man of God out to set his heart upon

1) Righteousness–holiness, right standing, right living, obedience to God’s Law

2) Godliness–piety; pursuit of God (Soul–thought, word, deed)

3) Faith–trust and faithfulness

4) Love–agape (like God’s) Wiersbe: It seeks to give, not gain

5) Endurance–to continue/last (in faithfulness) even in hard or lasting times

6) Gentleness–meekness

Let me ask you, are your main pursuits in life SPIRITUAL, or temporal and physical? As you go about your life each day, are you mainly focused on the things of this world (houses, cars, entertainment, etc.) or do you consider and align your priorities so as to obtain those things that are not only useful for this life, but for the one to come?

These pursuits are evident in one’s life. They affect what we read, talk about, where we go, spend money on, etc. How do you spend your time? What are you living your life for? What is most valuable to you. Is the pursuit of earthly treasures, earthly possessions, earthly gain interfering with your pursuit of those things that are most profitable? You see, the church will not have an abundance of leaders to choose from until our men replace worldly pursuits with godly pursuits!

III. FIGHT the good fight of the faith (v. 12)

Matthew Henry says “Those who will get to heaven must FIGHT their way there.” Dr. Frank Barker explains this in his book on 1 Tim stating “We fight against the flesh, that law within our members that wars against our new nature. We fight against wrong desires to conform to the world, to indulge ourselves or to put others down. We fight against the world, non-Christian society with its allurements and threats to non-conformists. We fight against the Devil’s subtle ways and brutal attacks.” I would add to this that… We fight for the honor and glory of the Lord of His Word. We fight for our own freedom and growth in grace. We fight for our family, for our neighbors, for our friends.  

The truth is this… there is a good fight and it is a fight of THE faith. And as you do, as you participate in this fight, you’ll (v. 12) “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your confession in the presence of many witnesses.” In verse, 19, we see it is possible to make the good confession (that this world is not all there is, that we should love God and pursue holiness instead of loving this world, etc.) and not live according to that profession… but it shouldn’t be this way for the man of God. We should live our lives in accordance with what we know by faith to be true. Sometimes, it takes reflection and meditation on this truth before we become convicted and order our lives the way we should. Is this something you need to do? Then, don’t just hear the word today and give it no further thought. Be a doer of the word!  

The emphasis of v. 11 is on the PERSONAL response… “but YOU, Man of God. . . (be different).” It doesn’t matter what everybody else does! Paul is serious… in v. 13, we read “In the sight of god. . . I CHARGE you to keep this command with out spot or blame . . .” Why? (Negative) To not keep the charge is to fail, …to fall into temptation, into a trap, and/or into /foolish and harmful desires. (Positive) v. 14 “Until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The point is that our faith in the coming of the Lord ought to motivate us in our pursuit and service of the Lord.  

I’ll conclude this way…Ralph Earle in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary says this: “Wrong desires plunge men into ruin and destruction.” I suggest the opposite is true as well: “Right desires rouse men into righteousness and glory and heaven.” 

Question: Will you flee, follow, and fight the good fight of the faith; or will you be no different than the scores of others who love this world more than the one who made them and gave his life for them?

Prayer