Avoiding Spiritual Shipwreck
There are physical shipwrecks.
There are also spiritual shipwrecks.
1 Timothy 1:18-20
1 Timothy 1:18-20
18 This charge I commit to you, sonTimothy, according to the propheciespreviously made concerning you, that bythem you may wage the good warfare, 19having faith and a good conscience, whichsome having rejected, concerning the faithhave suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom areHymenaeus and Alexander, whom Idelivered to Satan that they may learn notto blaspheme.
Titanic
April 14, 1912
882' luxury liner
2228 passengers
705 survived
1523 died
Reality of Spiritual Shipwrecks
Paul names 2 men
Hymenaeus – taught false doctrine
2 Timothy 2:17-18 17 And their message willspread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetusare of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerningthe truth, saying that the resurrection is alreadypast; and they overthrow the faith of some.
Reality of Spiritual Shipwrecks
Paul names 2 men
Alexander – caused injury to Paul
2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith didme much harm. May the Lord repay himaccording to his works.
We can name some who caused us harm orgrief
Some cause harm to the cause of Christ
BECOMING SHIPWRECKED CAN HAPPENTO ANYBODY
Reasons for Spiritual Shipwrecks
They put away their faith
1 Timothy 1:19b which some having rejected,concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,
Put away (KJV) Rejected (NKJV) = to thrust orpush away
This is the intentional turning away from truth
Hymenaeus rejected the faith and embracedfalse teaching
Reasons for Spiritual Shipwrecks
They develop a mean spirit
Alexander developed a mean spirit andbegan to work against the Lord
Do you know of some who left the faith?
By holding false doctrine?
By doing harmful things to Christians?
Reasons for Spiritual Shipwrecks
They drift away
Moving from truth to error is not done in aninstant – slowly drift away (Hebrews 2:1)
Backsliding is – drifting away, slowlychanging positions
Ships are in serious trouble when the driftwithout power
Results of Spiritual Shipwrecks
These 2 were delivered to Satan
1 Corinthians 5:5 deliver such a one to Satanfor the destruction of the flesh, that his spiritmay be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
We do not sin in a vacuum
Our sins have consequences
Injury to self, family, church, health, safety
Can result in death or spiritual death
Loss of influence and usefulness results
Remedy for Spiritual Shipwrecks
5 step prescription to recover
Follow - This charge I commit to you (18a)
We have a charge (command) to obey
Remedy for Spiritual Shipwrecks
5 step prescription to recover
Follow - This charge I commit to you (18a)
Fulfilling - according to the propheciespreviously made concerning you (18b)
We must fulfill (finish) the work before us
Remedy for Spiritual Shipwrecks
5 step prescription to recover
Follow - This charge I commit to you (18a)
Fulfilling - according to the propheciespreviously made concerning you (18b)
Fight - that by them you may wage the goodwarfare, (18c)
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle againstflesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of thedarkness of this age, against spiritual hosts ofwickedness in the heavenly places.
Remedy for Spiritual Shipwrecks
5 step prescription to recover
Follow - This charge I commit to you (18a)
Fulfilling - according to the propheciespreviously made concerning you (18b)
Fight - that by them you may wage the goodwarfare, (18c)
2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of ourwarfare are not carnal but mighty in God forpulling down strongholds,
Remedy for Spiritual Shipwrecks
5 step prescription to recover
Follow - This charge I commit to you (18a)
Fulfilling - according to the propheciespreviously made concerning you (18b)
Fight - that by them you may wage the goodwarfare, (18c)
Faith - having faith (19a)
Lay hold on, possess, own
Don't leave faith – for “feel good” religion
Remedy for Spiritual Shipwrecks
5 step prescription to recover
Follow - This charge I commit to you (18a)
Fulfilling - according to the propheciespreviously made concerning you (18b)
Fight - that by them you may wage the goodwarfare, (18c)
Faith - having faith (19a)
Faithfulness - having faith and a goodconscience (19a)
Don't go against your conscience
Conclusion
Even the “unsinkable” - SANK
Luxury – wealthy on board – does not matter
What will be said about your life?
Shipwreck? Like Hymenaeus and Alexander?
2 Timothy 4:7-8 7 I have fought the good fight, Ihave finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown ofrighteousness, which the Lord, the righteousJudge, will give to me on that Day, and not to meonly but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Conclusion
CAUTION: THERE IS AN ICEBERGOUT THERE WITH YOUR NAME ONIT
ARE YOU PREPARED FORSHIPWRECK?
IS YOUR FAITH STRONG ENOUGHTO HOLD YOU TOGETHER?