Doug Brown addresses the crisis in Christianity today, noting the decline of churches and attendance across America. He emphasizes the urgent need for a new generation of godly leaders to rise up and provide leadership to the Church of God, challenging students to consider what God might be doing to prepare them to become "a few godly men."
Scripture Text
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Main Points or Ideas
1. The Man of God Develops Godly Character (verse 11)
- Two commands: flee these things (characteristics of false teachers, especially love of money) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness
- Christian life requires both forsaking sin and actively pursuing God's righteousness
- Every day believers must choose which direction their feet will face - toward sin or toward God's character
2. The Man of God Displays Courage for Ministry (verse 12)
- Two more commands: fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life
- Ministry involves battles against self, struggles with other believers, and contending for the truth of Scripture
- The way to endure ministry difficulties is by seizing our eternal hope and future salvation as a present reality
3. The Man of God Demonstrates Commitment to Finish (verses 13-14)
- Paul urgently charges Timothy to keep his commandment (assignment at Ephesus) without spot and blameless until Christ's return
- Ministry is temporary by nature, like running a leg of a race - the question is whether we will be faithful to finish the work we started
- It's a sacred duty to be committed to and fulfilled
4. The Man of God Has Divine, Godly Compulsion (verses 15-16)
- The doxology reveals God's sovereign rulership and his dwelling in unapproachable light
- Ministry is not just a job but serving our great God through knowing, loving, serving, and obeying Him
- The compulsion to fulfill ministry comes from our relationship with God himself
Conclusion
Dr. Brown challenges students to consider these four qualities of godly leadership - character, courage, commitment, and divine compulsion - emphasizing that the Church desperately needs men and women of God who will answer the call to ministry and be faithful to fulfill what God has called them to do.
