1 Timothy 6:11-16 Pastor Nathan P. Kassulke
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, June 14, 2026 “Fight the Good Fight of Faith”
“Those are fighting words.” Have you ever told someone that they need to watch what they say for that reason? Partly in jest, I’ve reminded people that they got it wrong when they asked me if my church is near Arizona State University. That’s not just wrong, it is such a serious error that it could cause trouble. Those are fighting words. Obviously, fighting words can come in much more serious circumstances, too. When someone is personally insulting, aggressive toward loved ones, or over-the-top offensive, it is hard not to react harshly. Those sorts of attacks should be avoided. They are fighting words. Sometimes fighting words come when we would least expect them. Jesus tells us in our Gospel today that he, whom we have come to know as the Prince of Peace, did not come to bring peace but a sword. He turns family members against one another. And that probably strikes us as a bit strange, as he also tells us to honor our parents and to train up our children. Here are unexpected fighting words. Perhaps it surprises us a little less that the Apostle Paul would share fighting words. But he doesn’t mince words or hide the fact that he is using fighting words. He comes right out to say, “Fight the good fight of faith.” We’ll sing a hymn later with a similar title and first line. And maybe we have become so used to that phrase, “Fight the good fight,” that it doesn’t even strike us how strong those words are. They truly are fighting words. Fighting words tell us that we have something to fight against. We’re looking closely at a section from Paul’s first letter to Timothy, the sixth chapter, near the end of that letter. Paul, the experienced pastor and missionary is encouraging Timothy, a young pastor with close ties to the apostle. He has instructed Timothy in many areas in this letter, warned against false teachers, given specific encouragement for Pastor Timothy to share with others. And as he nears the closing of the letter, Paul reminds Timothy that greed is a powerful temptation. There are false teachers who are bringing some other gospel who are trying to make a living, a good living, by deceiving people. And their attitude is exactly what Paul wants Timothy to fight against. The section starts with two small but powerful words, “But you.” There is to be a sharp difference and distinction between a false teacher and a true preacher. Timothy should be setting himself apart and doing something different. How will he do this? By fleeing from greed and falsehood and pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. God had rescued Timothy from sin and unbelief, and his life could reflect that. Don’t pursue the things the world pursues, pursue the things that are godly and righteous. Be firm in the convictions of your faith. Be active in love toward God and others. Persevere, even when it is a challenge to do so, even when adversity strikes, even when it is painful. But don’t be harsh toward others, even when they challenge you, be gentle and caring. These are the instructions for Pastor Timothy. They have a clear and special application to those who preach and teach God’s Word. Timothy is a Man of God because God has called him into a special role. He is to represent God, just like Old Testament prophets and Paul the Apostle. He is to be a man of God in this sense. But as we consider the directions given to Timothy, we realize they apply to all of us as Christians, too. We all face the temptation of greed. We can all be self-serving in our pursuits. We can easily get caught up in those same traps that have ruined the faith of others. But God has made you his. You are a man or woman of God, whether you serve in full-time ministry or not. You have been given the perfect life of Jesus as your very own, and he took your sins on himself and suffered and died for them. So live as the person God has made you to be. Flee from greed. Flee from the worldly wisdom that contradicts the revealed wisdom of God. Live a life of faith and love and perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. You have plenty to fight against. The love of money is a root of all kinds of