DEAR TIM:

FIGHT, SON,

FIGHT…AND DON’T

LOSE YOUR GRIP!

--I Timothy 1:18,19

1 Tim. 1:18-19 –The Message Bible

I'm passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, [19] keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in. There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith.

1 Tim. 1:18-19 –The New Living Translation

Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they give you the confidence to fight well in the Lord's battles. [19] Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

TAKE HOMEI may as well get used to it…Fighting the Good Fight…even if I’m a pacifist at heart.There is no coasting on the Jesus Trail …every step is contested and every decision challenged.Accepting Jesus as my Savior means peace with God …but the race has just begun and the bell for Round One has sounded.I may feel from time as if the struggle is just too much. That’s exactly the time when I need some precious fellowship and a friend to walk the uphill grade with me.

Lord, I confess Lord, I confess that sometimes that sometimes I give in and I give in and lose ground. lose ground. But I really But I really want to stand want to stand in there and in there and give you my give you my best. I’ll need best. I’ll need our presence our presence and your power and your power all of the way.all of the way.

Lord, I confess Lord, I confess that sometimes that sometimes I give in and I give in and lose ground. lose ground. But I really But I really want to stand want to stand in there and in there and give you my give you my best. I’ll need best. I’ll need our presence our presence and your power and your power all of the way.all of the way.

Commitment:

ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A BATTLE…SO BE READY TO FIGHT!THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A BATTLE…SO BE READY TO FIGHT!

The Bible is replete with athletic, military and contest metaphors and models.• Israel must purge the Land of Canaan of pagans.• David takes on Goliath.• Paul speaks of wrestling against powers and principalities.• Now he urges young Timothy to ‘Fight the Good Fight.’

IT IS A BATTLE TO REMAIN PURE…MY BASE INSTINCTS RISE UP TO ASSAULT

MY RESOLVE

IT IS A BATTLE TO REMAIN PURE…MY BASE INSTINCTS RISE UP TO ASSAULT

MY RESOLVE

• “What I want to do I don’t do…what I don’t want to do I do. What a wretched man I am!” --Romans 7

•But stand in there and fight, son!

IT IS A BATTLE TO STAND UP TO CRITICS

IT IS A BATTLE TO STAND UP TO CRITICS

It is said of preachers and churches…• The First year they idolize you.• The Second year they analyze you.• The Third year they criticize you.

Jesus knew all about critics, detractors and slanders. So did Paul. And all leaders! Stand in there and fight, son!

IT IS A BATTLE ENDURING THE ONSLAUGHTS FROM GOD’S ENEMIES

IT IS A BATTLE ENDURING THE ONSLAUGHTS FROM GOD’S ENEMIES

•Nehemiah’s people ended up rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. -Nehemiah 4

•Stand in there and fight, son!

IT IS A BATTLE FACING OUR DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS

IT IS A BATTLE FACING OUR DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS

•Job asked Why Me, God? --Job 3:11, 12•David asked Where are you, God? --Psalm 10•The martyrs of Revelation asked, How Long, God? How long? --Revelation 6:9,10Stand in there and fight, son!

IT IS A BATTLE SWIMMING UPSTREAMIT IS A BATTLE SWIMMING UPSTREAM

•Your family doesn’t support your commitment to Jesus.•Your culture has become secularized.•You have to stand alone.•It is easier to go with the flow.

•Stand in there and fight, son!

IT IS A BATTLE LOVING THE UNLOVELY, ENDURING THE DRAINING

AND TAKING THE BLOWS OF THE ABUSIVE

IT IS A BATTLE LOVING THE UNLOVELY, ENDURING THE DRAINING

AND TAKING THE BLOWS OF THE ABUSIVE

•Jesus knew the weariness that comes from a Judas who loses sight of your vision…a Simon Peter who denies you when the heat is turned up…a Thomas who has to see to believe.

•The Pharisees dogged him. The Sadducees mocked him. The common folk turned fickle.

IT IS A BATTLE LOVING THE UNLOVELY, ENDURING THE DRAINING

AND TAKING THE BLOWS OF THE ABUSIVE

IT IS A BATTLE LOVING THE UNLOVELY, ENDURING THE DRAINING

AND TAKING THE BLOWS OF THE ABUSIVE

•Timothy, my son… you can expect the same kind of meat-grinder and pressure-cooker treatment from those you are called to serve.

Stand in there and fight, Son!

AND YOU? WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT BATTLES?

AND YOU? WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT BATTLES?

•Doubts, fears, pain, aging, poverty, loneliness, loss?•Feel beat up, pushed down or set aside?•Ready to throw in the towel and call it quits?• Stand in there and fight, Son or Daughter!• Up in the grandstand is a Cloud of Witnesses, cheering you on, shouting…• Fight, Fight, Fight

THE MOST AMAZING BATTLE WAS FOUGHT

…NOT WITH HANDS TIED BEHIND ONE’S BACK

…BUT NAILED TO A CROSS.

THE MOST AMAZING BATTLE WAS FOUGHT

…NOT WITH HANDS TIED BEHIND ONE’S BACK

…BUT NAILED TO A CROSS.

COMMUNION=Keeping a firm grip on your

faith and on yourself.

Confession:I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.and Savoir.

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

Your Offering:Your Offering:

““Seek the Kingdom of God Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live above all else, and live righteously, and he will give righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”you everything you need.”

--Jesus--Jesus

Your Offering:Your Offering:

““Seek the Kingdom of God Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live above all else, and live righteously, and he will give righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”you everything you need.”

--Jesus--Jesus

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

Who is your Timothy?

Who can you help to know Jesus better?

~ The Sower ~THE PROCESS OF SALVATI ON

~ Seeds Along the Path ~Deception before Conception

~ Among Rocky Places ~A Fleeting Flower~ Among Thorns ~Fear replaces Fruit

~ AMONG GOOD SOI L ~PERSEVERES…BEARS MUCH FRUI T…LI VES

I CAN’T SEE THE SUMMI T2 Corinthians 5: 7 ~ “We live by f aith not by sight.”

~ Bring Friends That Know the Terrain ~~ Consult the GPS ~

~ Tune in to the Wind ~~ Take it one leg at a Time ~

~ Protect your Feet…Use your Knees ~

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

PRAYER & PRAISE

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

TAKE HOMEI may as well get used to it…Fighting the Good Fight…even if I’m a pacifist at heart.There is no coasting on the Jesus Trail …every step is contested and every decision challenged.Accepting Jesus as my Savior means peace with God …but the race has just begun and the bell for Round One has sounded.I may feel from time as if the struggle is just too much. That’s exactly the time when I need some precious fellowship and a friend to walk the uphill grade with me.

Lord, I confess Lord, I confess that sometimes that sometimes I give in and I give in and lose ground. lose ground. But I really But I really want to stand want to stand in there and in there and give you my give you my best. I’ll need best. I’ll need our presence our presence and your power and your power all of the way.all of the way.

Lord, I confess Lord, I confess that sometimes that sometimes I give in and I give in and lose ground. lose ground. But I really But I really want to stand want to stand in there and in there and give you my give you my best. I’ll need best. I’ll need our presence our presence and your power and your power all of the way.all of the way.

Commitment:

FAITH ISN’T EASY TO HOLD ON TO

…STRENGTHEN YOUR GRIP!

Go and help others know Jesus.