Pastoral Advice: Take Hold of Eternal Life
(1 Timothy 6:11-21)

For the bulletin in PDF form, click here.

Message Slides

Worth Repeat Reading - Walter Liefeld

Contemporary Significance - Walter Liefeld

Take Hold of Eternal Life - John Stott

Introduction: “Start with a Bang and Quit All Over.” Haddon Robinson

Personal Priorities: Fight the Noble Fight of Faith (6:11-16)

Keep the gospel at the center of your ministry.

• Four Commands: (6:11-12).

• Abandon a love for money (6:11 a).

• Pursue Christian character (6:11 b).

• Fight (ἀγωνίζου) the noble fight of the faith (6:12 a).-Ongoing Action

• Experience (ἐπιλαβοῦ) eternal life in this life (6:12 b).-Decisive Action

• Two Confessions:  (6:13-16).

• Timothy’s Confession of Faith (6:12 c)

• Jesus’ Confession of Diety and Sovereignty (6:13-16)

Pastoral Priorities: Take Hold of the Life that is Truly Life (6:17-19)

Keep your hope in the provision of God, not the provision of riches.

• Two Commands: (6:17-18).

• Place your hope in God not riches (6:17 ).

• Invest in good works and generosity (6:18 ).

• Two Outcomes: (6:19 ).

• Treasure in Heaven (6:19 a).

• A Fullfilling Life Today (6:19 b)

Personal Plea: Guard the Gospel (6:20-21)

Protect the Gospel in Your Life and Ministry.

• Three Admonitions: (6:20-21).

• Guard the Gospel (6:20 ).

• Avoid frivolous matters (6:20 a-21a).

• Rest in the grace of God (6:21 b).

Home Church Questions

1. What does it mean to “fight the good fight of the faith” (v. 12)?
• How is this different from fighting for faith vs. fighting with faith?
• What doctrinal “fights” are worth engaging in as believers?
• Which ones are distractions?

2. Paul tells Timothy to “take hold of eternal life” (v. 12).
• How can eternal life be something we take hold of now, not just something we receive later?

• Look at John 17:3 and answer the question above again.

3. Why does he warn so strongly about misplaced hope in riches (vv. 17–19)?
• What subtle ways might we put our hope in wealth instead of God?
• How can generosity and “being rich in good works” reorient our hearts?

4. Paul commands Timothy to “guard the gospel” (vv. 20–21).
• What are modern threats to the gospel (inside and outside the church)?
• What practical steps can we take personally—and as a group—to “guard” what’s been entrusted to us?

5. Paul ends his letter with “Grace be with you.”
• Why is grace the final word of Paul’s pastoral instruction?
• How does God’s grace empower you to live out these commands—and where do you still struggle to rest in that grace?

God designed the church to be a battleground for sound doctrine
where people place their hope in God and not riches
nd by this experience a taste of eternal life here and now.

Pray for the Unreached: The Ad Dharma in India
The Ad Dharmi are a marginalized community of over 1 million in northern India, primarily working in leather-related trades. Though socially integrated in some ways, they still face low status in Hindu society. Most follow traditional Hindu practices, seeking blessings through temple rituals and festivals. Despite having access to the Bible and gospel media, there are virtually no known believers among them. Pray that the Ad Dharmi would encounter the love of Jesus and that entire families would be drawn to Him.

Finances
Weekly Budget      34,615
Giving For 08/24    33,585
Giving For 08/31    17,481
YTD Budget         311,538
Giving                    264,549
OVER/(UNDER)     (46,989)


Fellowship College
Are you a college student or between the ages of 18–22? You’re invited to be part of the College Ministry at Fellowship Bible Church!  See Andrew in the Atrium after service. We’re here to walk with you through life and faith—offering Biblical teaching, meaningful connections, and practical tools to help you grow spiritually and find your place in a community that feels like home.

New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.

Join a Home Church
Home Church small groups are about building a deep community where we are transformed into the image of Christ and serve a broken world for the sake of the gospel.  All of this takes place through fellowship, engaging the Word, praying together, and serving alongside one another.  If you are not in a Home Church, we encourage you to talk with Michael at the Home church kiosk after service or go to fellowshipconway.org/homechurch.

Fellowship 101
New to Fellowship? We invite you to join us on Sunday, September 14, at 9 AM in the conference room (first floor) to hear about our mission, values, and ministries. During this time, you will meet some of our ministry leaders and get to ask questions