I while ago we were over at my parents house with a group of people. They have these plastic patio chairs. Have you seen these? You can get them just about any place. Not exactly the most expensive. But functional.

I sat down in this chair and the thing self-destructed. Just completely fell apart. Embarrassed - and listening to some comments about my weight - I got up - picked up what was left of the chair. And, went to sit in another of these plastic chairs. About 2 minutes after I sat down that chair self-destructed - just came apart underneath me.

So, now I’m sitting on the ground for a second time and feeling really foolish. You can imagine when I came to the third chair I was very cautious.

The pew you’re sitting on. When you came in today you believed that it would hold you up. Intellectually you know enough about wood and construction and where you’ve sat before - in your mind you know that it’ll hold you up. That’s belief - intellectually understanding about God.

Faith is sitting down. Faith is acting on what we know to be true about God. That essential of faith - living our lives based on what we know to be true about God - that essential of faith is what we want to look at this morning.

Coming to 1 Timothy 1:12 - there are two parts to this passage that we want to look at. First, the example of faith from the life of the Apostle Paul and second Paul’s encouragement to Timothy to live by faith.

First: Paul’s example of faith (1:12-17)

1 Timothy 1:12 - Paul writing about himself: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me - Paul - because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet, I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

Paul begins in verse 12, “He - Jesus - considered me faithful” In Scripture we read about Paul’s life as a zealous persecutor of the church. His driven hatred of Christians is well known. Paul writes in verse 13 that he was a “blasphemer - a persecutor - a violent aggressor” bent on the destruction of the church. If we’d been in Jerusalem - Paul would have had us killed and been very happy for the opportunity.

Acts 9 says that Paul was on his way to Damascus to imprison the Christians there, “breathing threats and murder against the disciples.” Suddenly he’s struck by light from heaven. Paul falls to the ground and hears the voice of Jesus, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Paul responds, “Who are You, Lord?”

“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Jesus calls him and sends Paul into Damascus - physically blind - but spiritually seeing for the first time.

Paul knew about Jesus - intellectually - theologically - knew enough to reject Him and persecute His disciples. But Jesus isn’t calling Paul to a religion - or an intellectual belief. Jesus is calling him to faith - putting his life into the hands of the Lord. Paul the foremost of sinners - deserving and destined for God’s wrath - because of God’s mercy - is saved.

Verse 16: Yet, for this reason I - Paul - found mercy, so that in me as the foremost - sinner - Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Timothy had no Damascus road conversion. Who does? Timothy had a Godly mother and grandmother who trained him in the Scriptures. He was raised in a Godly home - believing in God. As Paul shared the example of what Jesus had done in his life - and God calling Paul to a life of faith - Timothy came to faith in Jesus. Knowing of Jesus’ work on the cross - taking the penalty for our sins - His life for ours - God mercifully offering salvation to us - Timothy acted on that knowledge - putting his life in God’s hands - trusting in Jesus as His Savior and Lord.

First, Jesus called Paul to faith. Then, Paul - writes in verse 12 that - Jesus strengthened Paul and put him into service - into ministry.

In Scripture - in several places - we read about how God used Paul. Took Him all over the known world to share the Gospel. As he traveled, God strengthened Paul - physically - spiritually. God had to. Those missionary journeys were torturous. What Paul did remains an example to us of a man who lived by faith - put his life in the hands of his Lord - going and serving wherever - whenever - in whatever circumstances God would lead him.

The word Paul uses for “service” is the Greek word for “deacon” - a general word meaning someone in service to another. Paul isn’t just talking about evangelists and missionaries. If we’re a child of God - living by faith - we’re called to service to our Lord. God used Paul as an missionary. God may use us differently. The bottom line is faith - willingness to give our lives totally in service to our Lord - everyday - everyplace - in everyway.

Verse 17 - in response to God’s mercy and calling - Paul can’t contain himself. He breaks out in praise. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. To Jesus - who is the King eternal - the only God - immortal - invisible - but revealed in the flesh for us. To Jesus - for who He is and all that He has done - to Jesus be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

In verse 18 we come to the second part of Paul’s essential of faith - Paul’s encouragement to Timothy to live by faith. (1:18-20)

Verse 18: This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,

We need to pause here. It would so easy to read right through verse 18 and miss the powerful emotions and reality of what’s being said. Paul writing to Timothy - what pearls of wisdom - what advice - what tactics for fighting the good fight - what encouragement will Paul share with Timothy? Coming from Paul - the great Apostle - theologian and greatest missionary of the church - the Damascus road Paul - who stood before rulers and the Emperor in witness to the Gospel - prolific writer of Scripture - our great example of faith - this ought to be good. The kind of insight that people go to seminars and conferences to hear. Books are written. Study guides are followed. We can almost feel the anticipation - a breathless pause. What will Paul say?

This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son. “Timothy, my son in the faith, I trust you with this ministry and to live a life of faith.” How would you like to hear that coming from Paul? I trust you. You can do it. We can see Timothy stand a little straighter - more confident - assured - encouraged.

Then Paul writes, Timothy - previously there were prophecies - statements made by other Godly people - prophetic words were spoken about you. Timothy, be reminded that God has chosen you. God is at work in your life. That’s powerful. So Timothy, “fight the good fight”

Verse 19 - How do we fight the good fight? It means - keeping faith - the essential - living out daily what we know to be true about God - and a good conscience

A conscience is like a compass - it resists any attempt to keep it from pointing north. A conscience in God’s hands points us towards God. It insists that we do right and turn from wrong. In other words a good conscience is an obedient heart - a life surrendered in faith to God - that wants to do what’s right. A life devoted to the study of the Word - to prayer - to all the basic things that keep us open to God speaking to our hearts. So that when God speaks - tells us how to live - we’re listening and allowing Him to guide us. So we keep in the faith - obedient - serving Him - fighting the good fight.

Going on in verse 19: which some have rejected - they’ve turned off their compass - and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.

The Christian life is hard. Its a battle - waged in the flesh - the things we see and do here on earth - but a spiritual battle - against spiritual forces - Satan and his legions - who would destroy us. A battle with eternal consequences. Give your life to God - choose to live for Him - and Satan will come after you with everything he’s got. He did it to Paul. He did it to Timothy. He’ll do it to any servant of God.

In this battle some people have ship-wrecked their lives by turning from God - choosing not to do what they know is right before God. This is crucial - the only way to victory in life, is - in faith - to obey God. Follow any other course - any other setting of our compass - leads to disaster.

Paul speaks to Timothy - “You’ve seen the example of how I’ve lived by faith. That example and ministry I trust you with. I trust you to live faithfully serving God. He will bring victory in your life.”

Considering “The Essential of Faith” for us today - there are three thoughts I’d like to share. First, we need to make sure of our own relationship of faith with God.

A while ago I was driving back from a Bible study in San Jose. It was about 11:30 at night. I was sick and really tired and in a hurry to get home - and not exactly driving the speed limit.

I was doing 70 when I passed the Police Officer parked on the side of the road. Of course my reaction - like everyone else's - was to slow down. But of course it was too late. Did you know that in the pitch-black of night those twirling red lights are really bright?

The officer asked me the usual question, “Why were you doing 70 in a 50?”

I said, “Well, its late. I’m tired and I’m wanted to get home.” What could I say? “Oh no Mr. Policeman - sir - I was traveling at just the correct speed when I blew your doors off.”

I agreed with him. I should have. I was wrong. Then - and I still can’t believe this - he warned me to slow down and let me go home - a merciful thing to do.

The prophet Amos - writing about what it means to walk with God - to live by faith - says, “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3) We can’t walk with God - experience His mercy and by faith dwell in a relationship with Him - unless we first agree with Him about what that relationship means.

We dwell in sin. God is holiness. How can we walk together unless God establishes that relationship? On a road to Damascus God calls to the Apostle Paul. An invitation to a relationship based on faith. Paul was a great religious man - but he still needed God’s grace and forgiveness. Paul is our example. Not of the drama of a Damascus road conversion - but of the need we all have to put our lives - through Jesus Christ - into God’s hands.

God calls us through Jesus Christ into a relationship with Him. To accept His invitation means agreeing with God that we’ve broken His law of holiness - that we do live in sin - and that there’s no way in creation that we should ever expect to walk with Him through the days of our lives. We need His grace - His forgiveness - given through Jesus Christ. When we accept the invitation of God - Jesus Christ our Savior - God makes us to be blameless before Him - He enables us to live in faith - to surrender our lives to Him.

For me it was through a 5 day club where I learned that I needed Jesus as my Savior - a prayer I said kneeling by the side of my bed - asking Jesus into my heart - giving my life to Him. I don’t know how He has called you. The Holy Spirit saying, “I want you.” Maybe He’s calling you today. You need to respond to that call. Not intellectually. Not believing in a religion or a church. But trusting - by faith - in the Savior who died for you.

The second thought of application is that we need to consider the example of our faith.

In Jeremiah 18 God tells Jeremiah to go to a pottery shop - where a potter was making something on a potter’s wheel - spinning the clay around and around and shaping it - forming it - with his hands. In the process - what the potter is making is spoiled. So the potter begins to reshape the clay - making it into another vessel - according to the desire of the potter.

God says to His people, “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does? Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand.” (Jeremiah 18:6).

Our lives placed in God’s hands we are that clay. Are we moldable? Teachable? Open to the work of God in our lives? That He would shape us and make us and use us as He desires? When others look to our lives - do they see that faith lived out in us?

Put another way - there’s an unwritten code that Armenian parents abide by. We’re always working so that our children will have a better start and position in life than we had - to be successful in the things of life. We make all kinds of plans for them - about schooling and the experiences they’ll have growing up. We work hard to set aside money for college and the future. We set an example for them of hard work - family values - Christian morals - service to the church and community. In all that - do they see clay? In everything you do - do they see a life molded by God? Completely given over to Him?

Speaking as a father - one of the great legacies that I pray I might leave my children is that they would see in me not a dedication to a religion - or a church - or a vocation - but the priority of a deepening - more surrendered - life - daily lived trusting in Jesus as my Savior. Imagine - as a father - as a parent - seeing your children become adults doing on their own the one thing that brings true success in life - having responded to God’s call on their lives - trusting in Jesus as their personal Savior - living by the essential of faith in God.