As Christians we are to fight the good fight. We are spiritual soldiers, fighting in a spiritual battle. As good soldiers, we are not to be friends to the affairs of this world, but yet fight against them; and that is one reason why Paul admonishes Timothy to fight the good fight! This morning I want us to look at 4 points of why we must fight the good fight! CLICK

FIGHTING FOR THE FAITH…

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT FOR THE TRUE FAITH 1 TIMOTHY 6:12 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 We must contend for the faith (Jude 1:3-4; Philippians 1:27; 1 Timothy 6:12). We must have an answer for our faith (1 Peter 3:15). We must study the word of God (2 Timothy 2:15). We must fight with the proper weapons (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). Fight in a proper way (2 Timothy 2:24-26; Colossians 4:5-6). …I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed… Jude 1:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 …that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27 The scriptures teach us that this fight is a worthy cause. We are standing up for what is right! How are we to fight for the faith? We must fight with the proper weapons. As we just read our weapons should be from God. We are not to use carnal weapons because they are of the flesh. That can be lust, envy, anything that draws man away from God. Anything that is associated with the power of darkness. Those are carnal weapons.   So what are proper weapons? Well, as Christians, our weapons are spiritual. The gospel of Christ is the most important weapon we can use in the good fight for faith. That’s why we must study the word of God as instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15. But we have been charged to use this weapon in a certain way (2 Timothy 2:24-26). As we just read here in 2 Timothy 2 & Colossians, we must have the meekness and gentleness as we fight the good fight for the faith. CLICK

WE MUST FIGHT AGAINST…

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT FOR THE TRUE FAITH 1 TIMOTHY 6:12 The devil and his angels (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:7-8; James 4:7). Falsehood and error (Philippians 1:7, 17; Acts 15:1-2; Galatians 2:3-5; 4:16). Worldly lusts (1 Peter 2:11; Romans 7:23-25; Galatians 5:16-17). For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 We must fight against and resist the devil and his angels (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:7-8; James 4:7). I Peter 5:7-8, we are told to be sober and vigilant because the devil walks amongst us. James 4:7, “…submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. We must fight all wickedness around us. We must fight against falsehood and error (Philippians 1:7, 17; Acts 15:1-2; Galatians 2:3-5; 4:16). -Paul was set for the defense of the gospel (Philippians 1:7, 17). -“I am appointed for the defense of the gospel” (17) -Then we see Paul standing for the truth and contending for the faith. He strongly defended the truth (Acts 15:1-2; Galatians 2:3-5). -Some did not like Paul's stand for truth (Galatians 4:16). -“Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” Sometimes the world will become our enemy, but we must contend at all cost. James tells us in James 4:4 not to be a friend of the world or else we will be an enemy of God. Jesus asked in Matthew 16:26 what does it profit us if we gain the whole world, but lose our soul, brethren we must fight against falsehood and error even if we create enemies. We must fight against worldly lusts (1 Peter 2:11). -Peter begs us to abstain from fleshly lusts war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11)  -Paul spoke of the war that goes on within the individual (Romans 7:23-25)  -The Spirit and fleshly lusts are contrary to one another. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17). CLICK

WHY WE FIGHT….

REASONS WHY WE FIGHT 1 TIMOTHY 6:12 False teachers have come (2 Peter 2:1-3; Galatians 1:8-9). False ways, doctrines, and guides have come (Proverbs 14:12; Psalm 119:104; Matthew 15:8-9; Matthew 15:10-14). So as not to live in the flesh (1 Peter 4:1-2). Faith gives us strength & courage (1 John 5:4; Hebrews 11:7, 17). But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them… 2 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2 There are many reasons why we have to contend for the faith. One reason is because false teachers have come (2 Peter 2:1-3) Galatians 1:8-9, any man that brings any doctrine other than what has been delivered to all, let him be accused. We must fight against these types of men! Another reason is because false ways, doctrines, and guides are all around us and for this we must be on guard! READ MATTHEW Another reason we are to fight for the faith is given in 1 Peter 4:1-2. If we are living in the flesh we are losing the battle for the faith! We can’t be on both sides of the battle. We are either for the spirit or for the flesh. Another reason that we fight is because faith is what gives us strength and courage (Hebrews 11:11, 31-34) 1 John 5:4 states that our faith is what overcomes the world. And we see a many examples of obedient faith in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 11:7, Noah, by faith is given strength and courage to build an ark for the saving of his family Hebrews 11:17, we see another example of faith giving strength and courage; Abraham was willing to sacrifice his beloved son, because of the strength that faith gave him We must fight for the faith because of the strength and courage that we can gain from it! Or else… CLICK  

IF WE GIVE UP THE FIGHT…

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT FOR THE TRUE FAITH 1 TIMOTHY 6:12 Evil Heart Of Unbelief We must have frequent exhortation (Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:24-25). We must equip ourselves with the Word of God (Romans 10:17). We must pursue spiritual things in our spiritual development (1 Timothy 6:11; 1 Peter 2:11). We must put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17). …pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 1 Peter 2:11 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 READ HEBREWS 3:12, The Hebrew writer warns us against this evil heart of unbelief. And so that is why it is vital for us to have frequent exhortation

"I have fought the good fight" THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight" "I have kept the faith"

WE MUST ALL FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH 1 TIMOTHY 6:12 Paul could look back over his life with satisfaction. Not that he was sinless, but he had found mercy (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Not that he wasn’t perfect, but he pressed on to that goal (Philippians 3:12-14). Will we be like Paul? I am looking forward to the mercy Jesus offers? I have fought the good fight of faith? And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 1 Timothy 1:12-16 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

WE MUST ALL FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH 1 TIMOTHY 6:12 Paul could look back over his life and see that he… He had kept and guarded the faith entrusted to him by God (1 Timothy 1:11). He had maintained faithfulness to Jesus, despite great suffering (2 Timothy 1:12). Will we be like Paul? I have held fast to the words of eternal life in the gospel of Jesus Christ? I have remained strong in my faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior? For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12

In 2 Timothy 4:8 we find out that because Paul kept the faith and fought the good fight that he would receive the crown of righteousness given by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Are you fighting the good fight? If you’re not, let me suggest that you heed the words of the Hebrew writer who wrote in Hebrews 3:12, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;” CLICK

HEAR THE GOSPEL – ROMANS 10:17 BELIEVE JESUS IS THE CHRIST – JOHN 8:24 REPENT OF SINS – ACTS 2:38 CONFESS CHRIST – ROMANS 10:9-10 BE BAPTIZED – MARK 16:16 BE FAITHFUL – REVELATION 2:10 GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR SALVATION