The following is a sermon transcript from our Sunday Service at The Rock Church in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Each week, we gather to worship, learn from God’s Word, and grow together. This transcript is provided as a free resource to encourage and equip you in your walk with Christ. While you’re welcome to read and share this content for personal use, we kindly ask that it not be redistributed or published elsewhere without prior written consent from The Rock Church.
Introduction: Responding in Crisis
In the very unlikely event of an active shooter situation, you have three options:
- Run
- Hide
- Fight
A gunman enters, and at that very moment, there are only seconds to respond. The first thing to do is evacuate as quickly and calmly as possible. Go to the building across the street. But if you can’t escape, you got to run and hide. But if you’re unable to lock it down, time to fight.
Oh, pastor, that doesn’t sound like a very Christian thing to do. Well, it’s to eliminate the threat. It’s to save lives, so it is the right thing to do. But I’m not trained to do that. It doesn’t matter. Pick up a chair, throw it at them, start screaming, do something to neutralize them. Easier said than done for sure.
Spiritual Response: Flight then Fight
And while the natural response for the body is to go into fight or flight mode, what about the spiritual response in our daily lives? What’s that look like? Well, it’s both fight and flight. Or to put it in a better order, it’s flight and then fight. It’s the constant battle that we find ourselves in against sin. As the reformers put it, we are 100% sinners and 100% saints. In the Latin, it’s called simul justus et peccator. We’ll have to have you spell that later.
We’re constantly fleeing from sin and running to Christ. But we often forget that both of these actions can never be separated. It’s never just fleeing from sin, but it seems impossible to do, to fight and flight at the same time. How can I be both a sinner and a saint at the same time? That’s the tension of the Christian life. We naturally want an either or, but to be a both and? No way! How is Jesus truly God and truly man? Never separated, never divided. It’s a mystery.
And the point is not to have to understand all of the deep things of God, but to focus on what he’s revealed to us in Scripture. And one thing is very clear that we know that I often remind you of, it’s all of Christ for all of life.
So as we consider the fight and flight mode of the Christian faith, it’s only possible as we keep our focus in the right place. Instead of being overcome by sin and temptation, we can find refuge in the person and work of Christ. But how? Well, he’s made a way of escape for every struggle. God doesn’t leave us to our fears, failures, and forgetfulness, but reminds us to come to him. Yes, resist the devil, draw near to God, and guess what happens? Satan flees.
The power is not in our effort or how good we are with our spiritual disciplines, but rather upon God who has mercy on us in Christ. He looks on us with compassion. He comes to bandage our wounds, to never beat us down, but always building us up in the faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So as we look to Christ, we will always be satisfied with the best spiritual food. He will always provide everything that we need for life and godliness.
Big Idea
So if you’re taking note, here’s the big idea:
Focusing our hearts and hope upon Christ prepares us for both this life and the life to come.
And four things to support that are:
- Escaping sin and embracing Christ are both essential components to this life of faith.
- Staying committed to the good fight means focusing on advancing the gospel.
- Placing the gospel at the center of life prioritizes Christ and glorifies God.
- Anticipating the return of Christ comforts the heart and strengthens the soul.
Point 1: Escaping Sin and Embracing Christ
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
Number one: Escaping sin and embracing Christ are essential components of a life of faith.
It’s verse 11:
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”
As we consider this verse, it’s really important that we understand how Paul addresses young Timothy. How does he describe him? And what does he call him? Why is it significant?
Do you see it? He says, O man of God. That’s not a casual reference. If you are a good Bible student, you would know that that’s a title reserved for the leaders of Israel. You go back to the Old Testament, you will see some mighty men of God who bear that description. It’s Moses, it’s Samuel, David, so many more.
Timothy must have been thinking, “Man, are you putting me in the same category as these men? I’d rather not have that kind of pressure.” But it’s of the utmost importance.
Our Identity in Christ
Dearly beloved, if you have placed your faith and trust in the person and work of Christ, you are a man of God. You are a woman of God. You are a child of God.
Another way of saying it is this: you are God’s man. You are God’s woman. He’s purchased you. He bought you. He has ownership of you.
And while as Americans, we want no one or nothing to have ownership of us, I think we can all agree, if anyone has ownership, we want it to be the living God. Why? Because God is the best master. He has his best interests and plans for us.
We are no longer men and women of the world. We are not under control of the prince of the power of the air. We belong to another kingdom, to the kingdom of light, where there is no darkness at all.
We have been bought at a great price—the very blood of Christ, who has brought us out of darkness and into his marvelous light. I think we can all agree that that changes everything.
Fleeing Sin in God’s Strength
We’re not fleeing selfish ambition, the love of money, and any other vice that would afflict us in our own strength. We’re fleeing these things in the strength of the Lord and the power of his might.
It’s not by human effort and toil, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s the Spirit of Christ who reminds us that the things of God are so much better than the things of the world.
Equipped by the Word of God
Paul says it again using the title O man of God. We see it happening in 2 Timothy 3:16–17:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Did you catch that? What is the key for the man of God? It’s understanding the source from which the man or woman of God is to be equipped for every good work.
And what is that source? Of course, it’s the Word of God. It’s the Word of God that’s breathed out by God. It’s not by man. It’s not some book written thousands of years ago that has no relevance or bearing on your life today. It’s the living Word for the living soul.
It’s God’s Word that transforms the mind and heart of the man of God. What other equipment is better for that end? There’s nothing better than the Word of God.
But we are too easily influenced by other forces. It’s worldly wisdom, psychology, personality assessments. Now, don’t get me wrong, these things can be helpful to understand people, but as long as they have their place under the authority of God’s Word.
Struggle with Sin
You see, the false teachers of Paul’s day and our day, they don’t understand that. They never will because the spiritual things of God can only be understood by the spiritual man.
We have the Spirit of the living God residing in us—the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. I know we believe that, but has that settled in your heart? Has that been the meditation of your mind as you consider this important thing: how to escape sin?
All of us as Christians struggle with sin. All of us. Whether it’s a propensity to anger or lust, fear or anxiety, it’s the same struggle. It keeps repeating itself over and over again.
And sadly, many pastors simply tell their people, “Well, have you been reading your Bible every day? Have you been praying enough? Have you been serving consistently?” You see, what we do is we resort to the law instead of the gospel.
The Struggle with Anger
What do I mean by that? Well, consider if someone comes to see me at church, he’s struggling with anger. His wife and children are the poor recipients of that bad behavior.
And he tells me, “I’ve tried everything. Just tell me, pastor, what must I do?”
And in that very moment, it’s very tempting to simply give him what he wants. But what if I said:
Brother, may I remind you of who you are in Christ? May I remind you that your life is now hidden with Christ?
Evidence of God’s Work
The very point here is to remind him that his struggle with sin is the very evidence of God working in his life.
It’s not to say, How dare you struggle with sin as a believer? Wow, I’m so surprised.
It’s not to justify the sin. It’s not to accommodate the sin. “Oh, we all struggle. Just look to Christ and everything will be okay.”
No—as I’ve said before, sin is normal, but it’s not okay.
Fleeing Sin and Running to Christ
And the key here is understanding how do we deal with sin?
Do we simply flee sin in some mechanical effort of the flesh? Of course not. If we are fleeing from sin, we also have to be running to Christ.
Without having Christ as the goal of our pursuit, we will only be able to escape sin temporarily. But in time, we’ll be drawn back to it—frustrated and defeated once again.
Identity in Christ
Man of God, woman of God, know this: it’s Christ’s work in you that is the greatest work.
Stop behavior modification. It’s not “try harder next time, maybe you’ll do better in the future.”
It’s dwelling upon the reality that our identity is now no longer bondage to sin. It’s freedom in Christ.
It’s that Jesus has the power over us. It’s Christ who is at work, both to will and to do for his good pleasure.
Ministry Context and Dealing with People
Remember the context of what we’re talking about here in 1 Timothy. Remember Paul’s encouraging young Timothy in the ministry.
And what does the ministry consist of? It’s dealing with people.
Someone once said the other day, “Well, church would be so much easier if there wasn’t all the people.”
See, it’s escaping sin and embracing the righteousness of Christ. It’s that Jesus has given us his Spirit so that now we have a new way of thinking, feeling, and acting.
It’s Christ who’s teaching us, “This is the way, walk in it.”
And why is all this happening? So that Timothy—so that we—would be fair in how we deal with people. That’s what he’s talking about here. This righteousness, this uprightness, this mindset for ministry.
Our Struggle with Expectations
One of the problems we all have is with our expectations. See, we want justice for everyone else, but when it comes to our own sins, we want mercy.
That’s what makes grace so radical. It’s so contrary to the way that we think and live.
We want to give everyone else the law, but then grace for ourselves. It’s a hard thing when we see sin in other people’s lives. Immediately we go into this justice mode:
“I cannot believe how they’re acting. That is unbelievable. I need to give them the law right now.”
And that’s sadly what they think they need too.
Jesus’ Compassionate Response
But Jesus doesn’t operate that way. When he used the law, he was showing people that you cannot do it.
See, he has compassion for the sinner—for you and for me.
Seeing how we are caught in sin, it seems like many times that we can’t even escape from this sin that has bound us up.
Responding with Grace
But what if our first response to sin was compassion in another?
“Oh no, Pastor, you don’t understand what he did to me. I don’t deserve to be treated like that. I’m a good person. I deserve to be defended. It’s not fair how they are painting me out to be.”
Jesus bled and died for the sins of the world. How did he respond?
How did Stephen respond as he was being stoned to death? It was this:
- Father, forgive them, for they know not what they’re doing.
That’s a powerful way to respond to someone who sins against you—to tell them, “It seems like you don’t know what you’re doing.”
Because that’s what sin does to us. It corrupts us. It deceives us. It takes away our ability to see and think clearly.
That is part of the struggle.
But it’s grace upon grace that we receive through Christ. It’s not law upon law, for the law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.
The Law and Our Inability
Do you ever look at that law, those Ten Commandments?
Do you ever love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself?
About five seconds.
But the good news is that Jesus is perfect—that he fulfilled all righteousness. And that very righteousness was imputed to us. It was given to our account. It was counted to us.
This is the good news of the gospel.
Growing in the Gospel, Not in the Law
And the more that we grow in the gospel, the better we’ll be. It’s not growing in the law. It’s growing in the gospel.
It means understanding all the benefits that we have in Christ. It’s the already and the not yet at the same time.
So we can look at this list and feel a little bit overwhelmed. But the good news is that the pursuit never ends. We never reach this perfect state in life when we have it all figured out.
“Ah, yes! Finally! Finally! I no longer need to pursue steadfastness and gentleness. I’m there, man! I got it! Oh, yeah. I’ll never be moved from my dedication to the faith. It doesn’t matter what comes my way. I got it. I know what it means to be gentle. Give me. I got it figured out. I got faith and love, man. I am full to the brim. My cup runneth over.”
The Heart Over Behavior
Remember what I talked about before—the idea of pursuing godliness. It’s not about showing others how holy and pious you are.
It’s about your heart’s posture to God.
Why? Because God is more concerned about your heart than your outward behavior.
Anyone can put on a nice show. But it’s the heart that needs to be transformed. It’s a heart that says, “Yes, I honor Christ in my heart,” and the result will be in the evidence of it.
Christ reigns in your heart. There’s love and faith.
The Fruit of the Spirit vs. Works of the Flesh
Notice this list. It looks a lot like the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22:
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Against such things, hear this—there is no law.
Wait a minute. There’s no law?
In other words, it’s not what I do that produces these things, but who I’m looking to, who then produces it in me.
That’s exactly right.
The works of the flesh, they’re obvious. There’s selfish ambition, the me, myself, and I mentality, self-righteousness, unbelief, hatred, lack of commitment, harshness. The list goes on and on.
But Paul is saying here, Timothy, you need Christ. You don’t need a part of Christ. You need all of him.
Dealing Fairly and Gently with People
How else will you be able to be fair with people when they sin against you, when they say things about you, to treat them not for their sins, but as Christ sees them?
How else can you be gentle with the most difficult people in your life?
How else can you be steadfast even in the midst of the most difficult trials?
All of this is not possible without Christ, without escaping sin and embracing Christ.
The Impossibility of the Christian Life Without Christ
The Christian life is not just hard. It’s impossible.
In fact, Jesus said that you can do nothing apart from me.
I think he meant that. Absolutely nothing.
But God, in his grace, puts us in situations and circumstances where we really realize this: I can do nothing. I need the Lord Jesus.
- I can’t fix my problems.
- I can’t try harder to be more loving.
- In fact, that brother or sister is impossible to love.
- I find my heart drifting into bitterness and a hatred for them.
“Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
Well, thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Daily Escaping Sin and Embracing Christ
Escaping sin and embracing Christ—these are essential components to the life of faith.
We’re constantly doing both. Every day, every moment.
- Running from temptation toward anger and lust.
- Running to Christ for his love and acceptance.
Oh, man of God. A woman of Christ.
Know and receive this. Meditate on this identity that you have—that you’ve been united to Christ. That you’re no longer your own. You’ve been bought at a price.
Now, when trials and temptations come, as you look to Christ, you will be fully equipped. The Word of God and the Spirit of God for every good work that he has for you.
You’ll know that God has a plan and a purpose for everything that you endure.
That’s good news.
Point 2: Staying Committed to the Good Fight
Advancing the Gospel
Verse 12: Fight the good fight of faith.
Soldier, come on. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
At first glance, we see this language that Paul is using concerning fighting, and it’s hard to understand because to us, fighting is always a negative.
We think:
- I need to fight all the opponents of the gospel.
- Even pastors get into these fights using words, seeing everyone else as either a friend or an enemy.
But that’s a sad interpretation of what Paul’s talking about here.
Paul’s not saying fight for the sake of fighting. Fight so that you may win.
No, the good fight is very different.
The good fight has everything to do with our commitment to advancing the gospel.
Advancing or Retreating
Because we can either advance or retreat.
We can say:
- Oh, it’s too hard.
- It seems like this gospel ministry is impossible.
- There’s so many obstacles, distractions, hindrances.
“God, since you’re sovereign over salvation and you know for whom you died, can you just take care of all the heavy lifting for me? I’d really appreciate that.”
But the reality is this: we are all in the good fight.
And we don’t fight with our wisdom, our abilities, or our strategies.
We fight in the strength of the Lord and in the power of his might.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the tearing down of strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
We don’t go out in the streets saying, “All right, let’s go tear down some strongholds!” as if winning an argument will win someone to Christ.
Notice the emphasis: the weapons are God’s might, God’s wisdom, God’s power.
Focusing on the Eternal Possession
And notice where your focus is in the good fight to advance the gospel.
Paul says it’s the possession.
You look to the possession that you have to encourage you in the good fight ahead.
And what is that possession? Eternal life.
“Take hold of it. Embrace it.”
Did you ever receive a really good gift and never use it?
Maybe it’s this amazing tool that fixes everything in the house, but you set it aside. Then your friend comes over and says, “Wow, I can’t believe you got this tool! Tell me, how many things have you fixed with it?”
Instead of recounting all the wonderful ways you’ve used it, you sheepishly reply, “Oh… I just put it aside and forgot about it.”
How would your friend respond? “Wow. If you’re not going to use it, give it to me!”
It’s the same with our focus on eternal life.
We forget about it. We set it aside because we’re too busy building the kingdom of this world—our careers, projects, plans, schemes.
The Lord would say: “Stop. Grab hold of eternal life. Place it in the forefront of your mind.”
Why? Because the good fight is hard.
- There will be many setbacks.
- Great costs.
- Much loss.
And if you don’t focus on eternal life, you’ll lose perspective.
Remembering Your Calling
We find ourselves forgetting that this life is not all that there is.
Eternal life is both a present possession and a future hope.
Take hold of eternal life like a runner in a race. At the finish line, he sees the crown.
What’s he thinking?
- “I’ve got it. It’s almost mine. I want to wear it, to consider it, to meditate on it, to appreciate it.”
Because the reality is this: you didn’t choose Christ. He chose you.
First, before the foundation of the world.
Paul wants to remind young Timothy: “Hey, brother, you didn’t call yourself into this good fight. You didn’t take up your own spiritual weapons. It was God who called you.”
Brother, sister—it was God who saved you, who washed you, who cleansed you, who put on you his robe of righteousness.
And if God has called you, surely he will do it. He will work in and through you for his good pleasure.
Grace Over Guilt
Don’t worry about all the details.
“Oh, but pastor, what if I miss my calling? What if I don’t do what God is calling me to do? What if I get to heaven and the Lord says, ‘Man, such a shame. I had so many opportunities for you, and you just missed them’?”
That’s a guilt and dread response to God instead of grace and gratitude.
We need to rest, safely trusting that the Lord will do in and through us what he planned before the foundations of the world.
You think you’re going to disrupt God’s plan? That’s crazy.
We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works—works that he prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
The question is not, “What if I miss it?” but, “Am I walking in it?”
Timothy’s Example
Timothy was called, and Paul reminds him:
- “The elders laid hands on you. They ordained you. They set you apart.”
- “This is a calling of God in your life.”
Timothy didn’t say, “Paul, I’ve got a great plan—I’ll be your representative and go pastor that church.”
No, Timothy was fearful, uneasy, inexperienced. He didn’t know how God was going to use him.
That’s why Paul reminds him of the good confession.
Baptism and Confession
That’s why baptism is so powerful.
Because in the hard times, we can remember: “I made the good confession.”
Last week, two men in our church made that confession before witnesses. They obeyed the Lord’s command and publicly professed faith in Christ.
It’s not something casual. It’s not something you say lightly.
It’s declaring: “I am a citizen of the kingdom of Christ. This is the kingdom of truth and light. I am in the good fight with everyone else who calls on the name of the Lord.”
Unity in the Body of Christ
We must participate in the good fight together.
That’s the body of Christ: many members, one mission.
But yes, it’s hard. We sin against each other. There are misunderstandings and difficulties.
What makes us Christian is this:
- We ask for forgiveness.
- We seek peace.
- We pursue harmony in the body of Christ.
Why? Because Jesus called us to it—and because it’s essential for a healthy body of believers.
When there are divisions, factions, envy, and slander, Satan has found a foothold. He loves to maintain disunity, distrust, and disagreement.
Why? Because a divided church is less effective for the kingdom.
But what if, by God’s grace, we all remained committed to the good fight of advancing the gospel?
What if every hindrance and obstacle became an opportunity to help others and strengthen the body of Christ?
That’s how the fight becomes fruitful.
Point 3: Placing the Gospel at the Center of Life
A Command in the Presence of God
Verses 13–14:
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul doesn’t just say, “Okay Timothy, you’ve got the calling, you’ve got the confession—now don’t mess up.”
Instead, he points Timothy back to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He reminds him of two truths:
- The sovereignty and power of God — God is the one who gives life to everything. If He created the heavens and the earth, surely He can accomplish His plans through us.
- The example of Christ — Jesus bore witness to the truth even in suffering and death.
Depending on God’s Power, Not Ours
The sad reality is that we often forget about God’s power.
We think life depends on us.
- “As long as I do my part, God will do His part.”
- “God helps those who help themselves.”
No. God doesn’t need us—He chooses to use us to display His glory.
He could save the whole world in an instant, but instead, He works in and through us in the long grind of discipleship.
That’s why the Christian life is messy—it’s up and down, not a straight line.
Christian maturity isn’t growing independence from God but growing dependence on Christ.
Keeping the Commandment
Paul tells Timothy: “Keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach.”
What commandment? To love God and love your neighbor.
Will we do this perfectly? No. But it must remain the focus.
For in loving God and others, our witness for Christ grows stronger, and doors for the gospel open wider.
Until Christ Appears
Paul says, “Keep the commandment until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Why emphasize Christ’s return? Because it’s our hope and our joy.
Jesus will come back and make all things right.
If we forget that, we risk focusing too much on the here and now.
Point 4: Anticipating the Return of Christ
The Certain Return of Christ
Verses 15–16:
“This appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.”
Beloved, Christ is coming back. It’s a certainty, a guarantee. The Father has set the time, and it will happen.
And don’t forget who’s coming back: not the Americanized version of Jesus, but the only Sovereign, the King of kings, the Lord of lords.
The Majesty of Christ
Think about it:
- We would love to be sovereign, unaffected by anything, in complete control.
- But only one is truly sovereign, and praise God—that’s our Savior, our Lord, our King.
He rules with perfect justice and perfect wisdom. He never regrets a decision. He always does what is best for His people and His glory.
Jesus is the victorious Messiah, reigning supremely over all creation and over our hearts.
He has no beginning and no end. He is the everlasting One. No flaws, no weaknesses, no blemish.
He is pure holiness—so radiant that He dwells in unapproachable light.
As one commentator put it: “He is penetrating, blazing holiness.”
The sun in the sky is just a created star, and yet staring at it burns our eyes. But Christ, the consummation of majesty, is infinitely greater.
To Him alone belongs honor and eternal dominion.
Comfort and Strength
So take comfort and strength in this: Christ is coming back soon.
When our focus is on His return:
- Escaping sin becomes easier, because we see that Christ is better.
- We find strength in His Spirit rather than in passing pleasures.
- We endure loss—health, wealth, relationships—yet still rejoice, because we still have Christ.
This is our present possession and future hope. It doesn’t get better than that.
Closing Application and Prayer
Applying the Message
So let’s consider together: what sin in your life feels inescapable?
Whatever it is—identify it, and run to Christ.
Run to Him, just as Paul reminded Timothy:
- “Oh, man of God.”
- “Oh, child of God.”
- Forgiven. Washed. Cleansed. Made new.
Prayer
Our gracious God, You’ve heard our cries. You’ve heard our struggles with the besetting sins that so easily entangle us. Thank You for the reminder that You know us—wholly, completely, better than we know ourselves. And yet You love us. You died for us. You rose from the grave for us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. And You are coming back soon for us.
Oh, what great love You have for us. So high, so deep, so wide. Thank You that our confidence and assurance rest not in ourselves but in what You have done for us, Jesus. We cling to You in the hard days, in the valleys of despair, knowing You remain the same. Help us to rest in the gospel, to run into Your arms for shelter, safety, and rest. Thank You for washing us clean. Send us now in the strength of the Lord and in the power of His might. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Reading: The London Baptist Confession
I just want to read from the London Baptist Confession of Faith, Chapter 18, Paragraph 1.
Temporary believers—and other unregenerate people—may deceive themselves in vain with false hopes and fleshly presumptions that they have God’s favor and salvation. But their hope will perish.
Yet those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus and love Him sincerely, endeavoring to walk in good conscience before Him, may be certainly assured in this life that they are in a state of grace. They may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And this hope will never make them ashamed.
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