5/3/26 - Grip or Drift | 1 Timothy 1:18-20 - Pastor Jason Fritz

I’m looking forward to being back with everyone this Sunday! We’ll be stepping into 1 Timothy 1:18–20, where Paul gives Timothy a charge that is anything but casual. As I’ve been studying this passage, I’ve been reminded that the Christian life is not lived on the sidelines; it’s a real spiritual battle. Paul writes to a young pastor in a city filled with pressure, opposition, and competing voices, and his message is clear: there is a fight to enter and a faith to protect. Together, we’ll explore what it means to “wage the good warfare” in our own lives today. At the center of this passage are two anchors Paul says we must not let go of: faith and a good conscience. We’ll talk about what it really means to hold onto faith, not just believing the right things, but continuing to trust God’s character, Word, and promises when life presses in. And we’ll look at the role of a good conscience and what it means to stay responsive to God, to listen when He convicts, and to live in a way that aligns with what we say we believe. These aren’t abstract ideas; they are essential to staying spiritually steady. Paul also gives a sobering warning by pointing to real people who made a shipwreck of their faith, and the faith of others. Their story reminds us that drifting doesn’t usually happen all at once; it’s often the result of slowly letting go of truth and ignoring conviction. But even here, we see God’s heart for restoration. I hope this message will both ground us and challenge us to hold tightly to what matters most and to walk faithfully in whatever God has called us to.