September 6, 2009
Evening Service

I Tim. 1-12-20

 

Review:

1.      We were introduced to a young man this morning that the Apostle Paul had great confidence in.  His name was Timothy.  He grew up in the synagogue thanks to a Godly Mother, and Grandmother.  In which both believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and became Chrisians.

2.      Paul took Timothy as a disciple, and groomed him for the work that he was ordained to do.  1Ti 4:14  Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

3.      We saw this morning the past charge that Paul had given Timothy.  That was to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine.”  Men who were trying to teach obedience to the law, and also teaching fables, and genealogies.  Thessalonica was not very far north of Athens Greece, and if you recall Paul’s adventure there, as he was walking up Mars Hill, he saw all these different statues to many different gods, and there was one to the unknown God, and Paul said, “this is the one I want to tell you about.”   This area was full of fables of different gods.

4.      We also saw this morning that Paul said the law was good.  He was not referring to the New Moons, Sabbath’s, Holy Days, and Sacrifices, but to the things that were ungodly.  The things of the flesh that Galatians 5 tells us about.  These were in the law, and God warned the children of Israel concerning these things, just as the New Testament warns us of these things.

 

Let’s finish chapter one:

 

1Ti 1:12-20  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 

• Paul was a faithful Pharisee.  A very strict religious group in Judaism.  He was so sincere, and faithful that he persecuted these Jesus fanatics.  Even holding the coats of those who stoned Steven, the first Martyr of the church.  Acts 7

(13)  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 

• The point is even in his unbelief, and ignorance, he was faithful to do what he thought God would want him to do.  He was energetic in stamping out what he thought was a threat to his beloved Judaism.
• God calls men out of different positions in the world to serve him.  Some bold, some smart, some fearless, some rich, some poor, but we find by the Apostles’ teaching that we are all needed to make up the body of Christ, the church.

(14)  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 

• His grace is still abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
• This message has got to be given to the world. 

(15)  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 

• Joh 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

• Paul said I know it’s true because I was the worst sinner in the world. 

(16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

 

• If I can be saved, anyone can.  That was the idea.  Listen to this;  Act 9:20-21  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.  (21)  But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
• You think that wasn’t an eye opener for these people.  It showed them the power that God has to change lives. 
• God still changes lives if people would only come to Him for deliverance.
• Peter cried on the day of Pentecost, “Act 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
• How were they going to save themselves??   By obeying what he had just told them.  Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Which is eternal life.  Jesus said, “he that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved.”   Build your faith, obey the Word of God, and be assured of your place in eternity.

(17)  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 

• Such a powerful statement of worship, and adoration.   Jesus is not invisible, so Paul is referring to the Father, who Jesus teaches us that He is Spirit, and Matt. 1:18, tells us that the Holy Ghost is the Father of Jesus.  O how mystically remarkable is the revelation of God Almighty.

 

NOW THE FIRST CHARGE TO TIMOTHY:

(18)  This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;  (19)  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:  (20)  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

• War a good warfare;  Timothy is going to battle against satan, and his false teachers.  Paul is saying be wise, work hard, don’t back down, be steadfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord.
• Holding faith, and a good conscience;  Believe the gospel that I have given you, and treat people fair, and honest, and you will have a good conscience.
• Some, Paul says have shipwrecked the faith, then he mentions Hymenaeus, and Alexander.  We find later in 2 Tim. That they were trying to say that the resurrection had already happened.
• Paul in another place had encouraged the church to turn someone over to satan, listen to this; 1Co 5:5  To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
• I believe this is a type of ex-communication.   And what happens is that the early church would not let someone who was being chastised partake of the Body, and Blood of Christ.  The communion service.  You had to be in agreement with what was being taught in order to be part of their communion service.  It’s the same today in the Catholic church, and probably some others.
• This was done in hopes that the person would repent, and forsake their sin, and come back to God.

 

Jam 5:19-20  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  (20)  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

HOW DO WE DO THIS?  IN LOVE.  LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.