Freddy Cardoza

IGNITE

FIGHT

1 Timothy is one of the so-called "Pastoral Epistles." The Pastoral Epistles include the books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. They were written by the Apostle Paul for the primary purpose of equipping church leaders. Timothy joined Paul in his missionary work and ministered with him during Paul’s earlier imprisonment. He is now in Ephesus serving the church where Paul had sent him. The Ephesian church had been facing important theological, personal, and cultural challenges. Paul writes to challenge Timothy to stand with strength against these things and to guard the church in the midst of great cultural evil, because lives depended on it.

1 Timothy 6:11-14 Selections: But you, man of God, flee from all this (here-and-now-centered focus, e.g., pettiness and materialism) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF THE FAITH... I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ

There is a Fight

The Devil is like a 'Lion'

"Your Enemy the Devil"

The Fight is Good

It is for the Faith

Our Call of Duty (COD for GOD) requires investing our energies and fierce devotion to eternal causes (things that matter and things that last), not inferior temporal concerns

The Stockdale Paradox

Shot down over North Vietnam, Admiral Stockdale endured seven years of captivity as a Prisoner of War in the "Hanoi Hilton." It was one of the longest such ordeals in American history. Tortured 15-20 times, he was forced to wear heavy leg irons for two years, and spent four of the seven years in solitary confinement, in total darkness

Ultimately his captors stopped torturing him. His indomitable spirit earned their respect, but more importantly, his courage only strengthened the resolve of other soldiers

Stockdale found that soldiers lying to themselves about "reality" and what they faced, led to their undoing and defeat

"Stockdale Paradox"
--------- Part 1 ------- Courageously Confront the Brutal Facts (without being crushed)

FACT:
National and Global Geo-Political Crises Rage with a Mostly Uninformed Body Politic

FACT:
The Moral Fabric of America and Its Families is Wearing Thin and, in Some Places, is in Tatters

FACT:
Some Believers Outside the US are Facing Martyrdom With Mostly Lukewarm Commitment Here

FACT:
74% of American Churches are Plateaued or in Decline, Mostly From the Lack of Male Leadership

FACT:
Many Men Are AWOL or Shell-Shocked While Great Battles Rage All Around

FACT:
Personal, Family, and Church Destinies Hinge Largely on the
Vigilance of Distracted Men

FACT:
The Only Thing that Can Stop Evil Men Set on Destruction is Even Tougher Men Committed to Good

"Stockdale Paradox"
------------ Part 2 ----------- Never Lose Hope That You Will Ultimately Prevail as a Champion

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Edmund Burke

The Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.
Deuteronomy 20:4

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:10-18

The Medal of Honor

Heroism

YOUR CALL OF DUTY

Shake Off Apathy

Master Yourself

Fight Valiantly

"Contend Earnestly for the Faith Once For All Delivered to the Saints"

Jude 3

Discussion Questions

• Where Have you Been Apathetic?
• What Do You Need to Master?/Where Do You Need to be Mastered by Christ?
• What are Your Personal Battlefronts? Where will You Fight?