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Shipwrecked Faith


1 Timothy 1:18-20


In this first chapter, Paul has identified a major concern of the church at Ephesus: false teachers. There was a strong contingent of Judaizing teachers who Timothy was confronting. He reminds Timothy that even in the heat of battle, love was/is the aim of their charge. The salvation of the saints at Ephesus were weighing in the balance. Through Timothy’s preaching and teaching, he could stabilize the faithful, expose the erring, and persuade false teachers to repent. Sadly, for some false teachers, it was too late.


Paul was concerned about what was happening in the church at Ephesus. He knew what could result from past experience. At the end of this chapter, Paul mentions two Christians who had swerved from the truth: Hymenaeus and Alexander. They had made shipwreck of their faith.


Shipwrecked faith is a dramatic illustration. It brings to mind danger, death, and destruction. If not used properly, we can wreck our faith.


Making a Shipwreck of Our Faith


1) Faith is not seaworthy. Faith must be nurtured and strengthened. We must increase and add to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5-11).


2) Ignore the warnings. Paul was warning Timothy in this letter. If warnings are not heeded, we will suffer unpleasant consequences. We must listen to the warnings of God’s word and experienced Christians for the sake of our salvation (1 Cor. 4:14-16; 1 John 5:3; Prov. 1).


3) Drive into harm’s way. If we ignore warnings, we will drive into harm’s way. There were likely Christians who were willing to listen to the false teachers. Maybe some doubted the Gospel. Others may have been vulnerable in some way to fall victim to the false teachers. Timothy needed to confront the false teachers to prevent others from driving into harm’s way. Faith in Christ will keep us safe (2 Thess. 3:3; 1 John 1:15-17).


4) Capsized by the perfect storm. If we do not strengthen our faith, ignore warnings, and drive into harm’s way, our faith will be capsized by the perfect storm. Storms are unavoidable; therefore, our only hope is faith in Christ (Matt. 7:26-27).


No Lesson 7 Class Audio

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