Introduction:

Many years ago in Philadelphia a young minister came up to Donald Grey Barnhouse, that great Bible preacher, and said, “Dr. Barnhouse, I’d give the world to be able to preach like you.” Dr. Barnhouse said, “Good, it’s exactly what it’ll cost you.” Paul in this challenging section is relating this truth to Timothy. A minister of God’s word must denounce the world and its worldly system to indulge oneself in God designed for His creation. I quote, “If you will preach the Word of God verse by verse, it will transform your life. And it will hold you accountable to every passage every week of your life, and that’s what produces holiness and godliness. And if you had no other reason to be an expositor than that, that’s enough.” Those are the words of another great preacher. John 4:

It was Charles Bridges who once said, “If we study the Bible more as ministers than as Christians to find matter for the instruction of our people, than as food for the nourishment of our own souls, we neglect to place ourselves at the feet of our divine teacher. Our communion with Him is cut off, and we become mere formalists in sacred profession.” This truth is again at the heart of Paul message to this young preacher but it of course is a message to all who bear the responsibility of preaching and teaching God’s word. If you are a Sunday school teacher, a youth teacher, Jr. Church or a Bible study teacher you need the Word of God to wash over you before you can use it cleansing power upon others. Paul in this section relates these truths to Timothy and all those who aspire to this privilege place. The first petition is…

I. The Call to Flee Vv. 11a
1. It is to Timothy that this call comes. Paul uses the term “man of God.” This is a very selective phrase. It is only used in the New Testament for Timothy, and that makes it unique. However it was a common term in the Old Testament. It first appears in Deuteronomy 33:1 where Moses, the great prophet, is the first one called “the man of God.” It was also used to identify Samuel. Samuel is called “the man of God” in 1 Samuel 9. So we can understand that this is reserved for someone who speaks on behalf of God. There are others in the Old Testament given this label as God’s special massagers.

2. Paul admonition to Timothy is to “flee these things”. What things? Paul is referring back to the previous verses condemning contention and disputing. The distractions of a godless society ruined with immorality, idolatry, lusts, covetousness, lust of riches. The word “flee” is in the Ariost tense that is one of continuous action… This means it’s ongoing “keep fleeing.” It’s not one action at a point of time; it is a lifelong action and responsibility: “Keep on fleeing.”

The Greek word is pheuge, (fyoo’-go) from which we get the English word “fugitive.” A fugitive is a person running, somebody escaping. It pictures one running away. Timothy was commanded to be different from those who lived for riches and material wealth. This is a truth for us all. In the New Testament we are called to flee from sexual immorality (1 Cor. 6:18), idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14), and youthful lust (2 Tim 2:22). Joseph is a good example of one who fled sin. Proverbs teaches us to run from sin too. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. Proverbs 4:14, 15
The world desires will creep in unless we are determined to flee from them. This is a difficult thing for us to do but without compliance we cannot heed…

II. The Call to Follow Vv.11b

1. The call is extended to pursuing the things that will produce faithfulness. Paul mentions six virtues. We are to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness: Instead of pride and riches, Timothy was to make these things his pursuit. These are things which are not often valued in our present age, but are very valuable to God. We will review them quickly.

a. First, follow “righteousness”. Folks, this is a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We must have Gods righteousness to be saved. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5 ;21

b. Righteous living leads to godliness as we continue in God’s word and apply it truths. Timothy, it is not success, not the size of the church, not fame, not esteem, not popularity, not validation, not money, not possessions. It is keeping God as foremost in our lives. It speaks of reverence, and devotion to God. “The Lord loves him that pursues righteousness – Pr.15:9.

c. We are to follow “faith”! It is not by accident God’s Word calls for you and me to walk by faith. Faithfulness is derived from faith living. To have faith in God is to trust, depend, and lean upon God in all of life. God desires are that we would pursue a life of faith. The just shall live by faith. Faithfulness is the result of a life spent pursuing the things of God. Proverbs 3:5, 6

d. Follow “Love” pursuing love involves God and others. As we pursue a loving relationship with God, we will in turn be better able to love one another. Remember John said,- I John 4:7

e. Follow “Patience” it is a fruit of the Spirit filled life (Gal 5:22-23). If we are short on patience it stands to reason we may be short on being filled up with the Holy Spirit. Patience is to be pursued so that we might deal with one another effectively and lovingly. Patience is to be pursued so that we might faithfully wait on our God to answer and act.

f. Follow “meekness” this is a gentleness a kindness. Meekness is not weakness it is power under restraint… We live in a rough, harsh kind of world where a sharp answer is common. I remind you we are not of the world (John 17:14-16) and our speech is to be seasoned with the salt of grace (Col 4:6) and gentleness. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath… Last Paul gives Timothy the command that he is to fight. It is rather interesting that we are called to follow meekness and…

III. The Call to Fight Vv.12-14

1. However, Paul speaks of “Fighting the Good Fight of Faith” in 2 Timothy 2, verse 3, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Folk the good fight is battling the world, the flesh and the devil. Sin is in us, sin is around us, battling us and corrupting us. Therefore, the Christian life has no room for apathy, we are in warfare. The Christian life is one of contending and fighting. We are battling for the souls of men and women. We’re warring with the forces of hell, the power of sin, the corruption of the culture, the strength of the world system around us, and the weakness even of our churches. You have to understand this battle matters because it’s about eternal life and eternal souls.
2. Paul likened the Christian to a soldier. That implies we are at war–a picture used in the Scriptures like Ephesians 6. Too often we Christians forget that we are at war. It is a war with God’s adversary Satan. We are to occupy until the Commander the Lord Jesus returns and stay at our post knowing that we are engaged in spiritual warfare. 2 Cor. 10:4
(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) –
3. In verse 13 Paul states, “I give thee charge”. The charge is to follow the Lord, to continue the fight and hold onto a good assertion of the truth. Since Paul called Timothy to a difficult battle; “whereunto thou art also called” it was good for him to know that the orders were given under our great God and Jesus Christ as stated in verse 14,” That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: These are not the mandates of men but God. Timothy had an obligation to serve the Creator who gave him life and believers so do we.
Conclusion:
People, if we are to win this warfare we must saturate our minds with God’s Word. God’s written Word is an awe¬some source of power. Jesus prayed that His disciples would be sanctified by the power of God’s written Word in John 17. To be strong Christians Soldiers, we must be empowered as Paul said, with the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. He closed that section of Ephesians 6 with, “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. If you do you will be able to say as the apostle did at his lives’ end…
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.—II Timothy 4:7