ST. TIMOTHY, PASTOR AND CONFESSOR
23 January Anno T Domini 2009 (Observed)
"Fight the Good Fight of the Faithâ€
1 Timothy 6:11-16
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
"Fight the good fight of the faith.†That was St. Paul's charge to St. Timothy, who was appointed to be a bishop, or overseer of pastors, in Ephesus. He was young and inexperienced, but well-trained in sound doctrine and practice, which was enough to qualify him for such an appointment. His age didn't matter. His experience didn't matter. What mattered was that he knew, and would contend for, the truth. What mattered was that he would never fail to preach the Gospel in its purity and administer the Sacraments according to Christ's institution. What mattered was that he would exercise the Office of the Keys according to Christ's command, forgiving the sins of the penitent and withholding forgiveness from the impenitent. What mattered was that he would oversee the doctrine and practice of those pastors within his bishopric, making sure that they were sound. What mattered was that he would rebuke the false teachers already hell-bent on destroying the Church in Ephesus with their heresies, protecting the flock from those ravenous wolves.
"Fight the good fight of the faith.†That was St. Paul's charge to St. Timothy. We are gathered here today to give thanks and praise to God who empowered and enabled St. Timothy to heed that charge. St. Timothy was faithful to his calling. He lived up to his name, which means, "one who honors God.†He fought the good fight of the faith and honored God by feeding and protecting the Lord's flock in Ephesus. It was largely due to the work the Lord did through St. Timothy that the Church in Ephesus survived the pagan culture in which it found itself. St. Timothy was faithful to his calling. He fought the good fight of the faith right up to the end. According to tradition, he honored God with his blood in 97 A.D. when he boldly interrupted a festival for the pagan goddess Diana, calling the crowds to repentance for their idolatry and proclaiming the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was stoned to death for his confession. But now, he lives forever in Paradise, having received his reward in full.
"Fight the good fight of the faith.†That was St. Paul's charge to St. Timothy, and it remains his charge to all pastors who are called and ordained to follow in his footsteps. Pastors are called to preach the Gospel in its purity, administer the Sacraments according to Christ's institution, exercise the Office of the Keys on behalf of the congregations they serve, and protect the flock from false teachers. They fight the good fight of the faith by clinging to Christ and His Word alone, avoiding the temptation to serve the personal opinions and desires of people and pander to their "felt needs,†no matter how unpopular their steadfastness might make them.
"Fight the good fight of the faith.†That's the charge to all pastors from the Lord, but it is not limited to pastors. The laity is given this charge as well. They, too, are called to forsake the world and follow the Word, no matter what the cost. They are called to recognize the difference between false teachers and faithful shepherds. They are called to follow those pastors who proclaim the Lord's Word, not those who make them feel good by telling them what they want to hear. Not only that, but they are called to demand that their pastors proclaim the Truth - encouraging and thanking them when they do; rebuking them in love when they do not.
Make no mistake, dear friends, all Christians are charged with the command to "fight the good fight of the faith.†On the Last Day, the Lord will not hear excuses. Pastors who forsook the truth for popularity and success will not be able to blame it on the laity who demanded they do so. Neither will the laity be able to blame their pastors for leading them astray. All Christians, the priesthood of all believers, will be judged based on their own confession. Thus, the warning of the Lord to "stay awake†at all times, for we do not know when He returns.
Blessed, then, are those faithful and wise servants of the Lord, like St. Timothy and all who follow in his faithful footsteps, whom the Lord sets over His household to give His flock their food at the proper time (cf. Matt. 24:42-47). Blessed are they who serve the whole meal of His Word, reminding the flock of their sinfulness, exhorting them to repent of the same and to place their trust always and only in the One who fought the good fight of the faith on their behalf by shedding His Holy and Innocent Blood on the cross for their sins. And, blessed are the faithful who heed this Word, recognizing and repenting of their sinfulness, clinging always and only to the Perfect Life and Sacrificial Death of the Lord Jesus Christ for their redemption.
Blessed are we, dear friends in Christ, whom the Lord has gathered into His House this day, for He gives us His Holy Word and His very Body and Blood to strengthen and preserve us, that we may, now and always, heed His charge and "fight the good fight of the faith.†All glory, honor, and praise be to Him alone! In Jesus' Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
Now the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, unto life everlasting. Amen.