Three Keys to Staying on the Right Track

Introduction:  We live in a time where people are falling by the wayside daily.  We could just sit by and talk about how evil they must have been or we could realize that we are just as capable of doing the same.  In this epistle, Paul gives Timothy three keys that will help him to stay the course.  I dare say that if we could grasp these things we too would be safe in the midst of dangerous days.

1. WARNINGS GIVEN BY PAUL
1. Some Have Swerved (1 Timothy 1:6-7)
2. Some Have Made Shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:18-20)
3. Some Shall Depart (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
4. Some are Already Turned Aside After Satan (1 Timothy 5:15)
5. Some Have Pierced Themselves Through with Many Sorrows (1 Timothy 6:9-11)
6. Some Have Erred Concerning the Faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARITY
1. Charity is More Important
1. More than knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1)
2. More than any kind of gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)
3. More than sacrificial giving (1 Corinthians 13:3)
2. Charity is Beneficial for Others
1. Charity doesnt consider itself (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
2. It covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)
3. Charity Never Compromises Truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)
4. Charity is the Bond of Perfectness (Colossians 3:14)
3. THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE - Charles Spurgeon did not take a soft approach to leadership in his church. Once he told a man his conscience must be new for he never seemed to use it. from Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers by Lewis Drummond (page 336).
1. The Work of the Conscience
1. Knowledge of evil actions conviction (John 8:9; Romans 2:15)
2. Knowledge of right actions (Romans 9:1)
2. The Work of a Good Conscience
1. Must be exercised (Acts 24:16)
2. Void of offence toward God and men (Acts 24:16)
3. Willing to suffer rejection (1 Peter 2:19; 1 Peter 3:16)
4. It is pure (2 Timothy 1:3)
3. The Failure of the Human Conscience
1. A weak conscience (1 Corinthians 8:7)
1. To wound a weak conscience is to sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12)
2. An emboldened weak conscience becomes defiled (1 Corinthians 8:10)
2. A defiled conscience (Titus 1:15)
3. A seared conscience (1 Timothy 4:2)
4. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH 
1. Various Levels of Faith
1. Lacking faith (1 Thessalonians 3:10)
2. Steadfast faith (Colossians 2:5)
3. Strong faith (Romans 4:20)
4. The word of God increases faith (Romans 10:17)
2. The Defense of Faith
1. Fights against temptation (1 Thessalonians 3:5-6)
2. Fights fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16)
3. The breastplate of faith is one of our defensive pieces of armour (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Conclusion:  Are you willing to give yourself to charity, a good conscience and faith in the words of God?  According to the scriptures, a departure from these principles will end in danger every time.