But you, O man of God. 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Since the late 1950’s there have been many iterations of a gameshow called “To tell the truth” where a panel of three people all claim to be the same person while the players try to distinguish who is actually telling the truth by asking them questions. At the end of the show, the players make their choice as to who they think is the real person. Once they make their guess, the show host says “ Would the real __________ please stand up?

Often we see this very thing played out in real life, especially in the church. Where people present themselves as believers but really they are nothing more than imposters. Really the only way to distinguish is someone is a genuine believer or an imposter is to watch their behavior. In fact, Jesus said that very thing in

Matthew 7:16 (NKJV)

16 You will know them by their fruits...

Paul has spent much of his ink in 1 Timothy describing to us the teaching and behavior of those who pretended to be believers and teachers but who were actually apostates.

Our text this morning, though a new paragraph isn't disconnected from the previous paragraph in v.6-10 of chapter 6 where Paul gives his final comments of the apostate teachers in Ephesus.

Now he turns his attention squarely onto Timothy and addresses him directly by saying

“But you, O man of God...”

By him saying this, Timothy instantly knew that all of the focus was now being placed squarely on him.

This designation “Man of God” was a title that was only given to a select few of great leaders and prophets among Gods people in the Old Testament.

Moses Deuteronomy 33:1; Joshua 14:6

David the priest (Not the king) Nehemiah 12:24

Samuel 1 Samuel 9:6

Elijah 1 Kings 17:24

Elisha 2 Kings 4:7,9

The title man of God “connotes one who is in God’s service, represents God and speaks in his name.

J. N. D. Kelly, A Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker. 1963), p. 139.

So when Paul addresses Timothy here in vs.11, it got Timothy’s attention. It’s as if Paul was saying sit up and pay attention because Im speaking directly to you.

Having a charge preached to you at a public ordination service.

But, lest we think this passage is only meant for pastors like Timothy let’s focus in on the word “man” in vs.11.

Anthropos- is a generic word for a person and could be used for either male or female. It simply means “human being.” Context determines if it is meant in a masculine or feminine form. Here it is masculine and meant for pastors, but the principles Paul gives to Timothy are principles that are fitting for anyone who claims to be a child of God.

There are four imperatives given to Timothy that, if he obeyed them, he would have a faithful and continued testimony as a “man of God.” All four have to do with how Timothy should conduct himself. The behaviors that should mark his character. These are the behaviors that should mark the life of a genu8ne believer.

All four start with the letter “F.”

Flee from apostasy and greed. (v.11a)

Follow after God. (v.11b)

Fight the good fight. (v.12a)

Fasten onto eternal life. (v.13b)

1.) Flee from apostasy and greed. (v.11a)

Paul calls on Timothy to flee from all of those things previously discussed in vs.3-10.

He is to flee from teaching that is man centered and not Christ centered.

He is to flee from the prideful desire for controversy.

He is to flee from thoe things which bring division.

He is to flee from the greed that turns ministry into a money grab.

There are times when fleeing or running away from a situation is a sign of cowardice, but, there are also times when it is a mark of wisdom and brings victory.

Joseph fled in Genesis 39:12 when Potiphers wife tried to seduce him and maintained his character.

David fled when King Saul tried to kill him out of jealousy in 1 Samuel 19:10 and preserved his life.

The christian is to flee from false teaching and sinful practices. There are times when the best way to avoid sin is just to run away from it as fast as we can in the opposite direction.

Application: There is no doubt someone listening today who needs to engage in some sanctified fleeing from sin.

1 John 2:15–17 NKJV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Application: Some may need to do some sanctified fleeing from relationships before they pull you into sin.

1 Corinthians 5:9–13 NKJV

9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

2.) Follow after God. (v.11b)

The life of the believer doesn't only need to feature fleeing but also following.

As men and women of God we are to flee from sin but we are to follow after spiritual virtues.

Pursue- to move rapidly and decisively toward an objective, hasten, run, press on. To follow in haste in order to find something. To strive for, seek after, or aspire to something.

Notice the things the “man of God” is to pursue:

Righteousness- Being right and doing right.

Matthew 5:6 NKJV

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

1 Corinthians 15:34 NKJV

34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Godliness- To be Christ like.

1 John 2:6 NKJV

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

1 Peter 2:21 NKJV

21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Application: Righteousness and godliness are observable to others. They go together to produce a good testimony.

Faith- Confident trust in God for everything.

Love- This is Agape love. Love of volition and choice. It’s purposeful.

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Application: Faith and love are almost always listed together. As believers we are to have total dependence on God for everything in our lives and to love others unconditionally as God loves us.

Patience-Endurance in the faith of opposition. Particularly opposition to the Gospel.

Gentleness- Tender and patient self-control particularly when dealing with people.

Application: There is nothing in this world that will test your patience and gentleness more than other people. Especially when its christians who know better and choose to behave in ways that are entirely unchristian (Lying, gossip etc). All of these attributes are fruits of the Spirit. They are the attributes that genuine Christians possess. Paul \’s imperative to Timothy is to behave like a Christian minister is supposed to behave.

“We are simply to run from evil as we run from danger, and to run after goodness as we run after success. That is, we have to give our mind, time and energy to both flight and pursuit.”

John Stott, Guard the Truth (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1996), p. 155.

3.) Fight the good fight. (v.12a)

Not only do genuine believers flee and follow, but they also fight.

Fight- to agonize, struggle battle, or contend for a prize. It’s where are word agonize comes from and it applies mainly to athletes and soldiers.

Notice though this isn't just any fight. It’s a fight for the faith. Meaning its a faith for the true, biblical, Christlike essential beliefs of the faith. It’s intense language. Paul is telling Timothy you fight until you can;t fight anymore.

Titus 1:9 NKJV

9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus 2:1 NKJV

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Friends as the people of God, we must contend for the faith. We shouldn't be contentious but we are to fight for biblical truth.

The truth of the gospel is everything. It’s the difference between heaven and hell. Biblical doctrine determines the course of our lives.

So we must withstand and fight those who teach falsely and lead people astray. We must clearly define our theology then draw a lone on the sand and never compromise the truth of God’s Word.

4.) Fasten onto eternal life. (v.12b)

We flee, follow, fight but we also fasten onto.

Notice Paul tells Timothy to “Lay hold on eternal life.”

To take hold of or grasp, sometimes with violence or to take hold of in order to make one’s own.

Timothy was a believer, he already had eternal life. So what exactly does Paul mean here?

We have to understand that for the believer, eternal life is both a present possession and a future hope. Its something we already have but we look forward to fully experiencing one day with Christ.

So while Timothy already had eternal life, Paul is instructing him to “grab it for all its worth, to live it to the full.”

Eternal life—the knowledge of God the Father and Christ his Son, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of sins forgiven, the peace of Christ, the fruits of the Spirit, the joy of service, the love of God—these are things we must grab onto and joyously hold until we arrive in Heaven.

Paul is instructing Timothy to live with eternity in view and not to become to focused and weighed down with the things of this life.

Matthew 10:22 NKJV

22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV

4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Conclusion:

Paul has presented Timothy with imperatives for a balanced ministry and christian life.

But, in vs.13-16 Paul instructs Timothy about the reason he is to do these things.

It’s not always easy to flee, follow, fight, and fasten. The calling to serve the Lord is an immense calling, but the God who calls us is far greater, and he enables us to do these four things.

So “man of God” (all who are men and women of God):

Flee from sin.

Follow after God.

Fight the good fight.

Fasten onto eternal life with everything you have.

and do so

1 Timothy 6:14–16 NKJV

14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

We can only follow these commands if we keep our eyes fixed on the sovereign God of the universe who empowers us.

Fight the good fight with all thy might!

Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right;

Lay hold on life and it shall be

Thy joy and crown eternally.

(William Boyd, 1864)

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