November 9, 2014
Morning Service

I Tim. 1

 

In our recent studies, we have seen the beginning, and the progress of the church that Jesus said He would build.  So this morning  as we begin our study of I Timothy we want to keep this Scripture in mind. 

1Ti 3:14-15  These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:  (15)  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Now, some 30 years later, Paul writes three Pastoral letters two to Timothy, and one to Titus.

Timothy, First Epistle to

Paul in this epistle speaks of himself as having left Ephesus for Macedonia (1Ti_1:3), and hence not Laodicea, as mentioned in the subscription; but probably Philippi, or some other city in that region, was the place where this epistle was written. During the interval between his first and second imprisonments he probably visited the scenes of his former labours in Greece and Asia, and then found his way into Macedonia, whence he wrote this letter to Timothy, whom he had left behind in Ephesus.

It was probably written about A.D. 66 or 67.

The first mention of Timothy.

Act 16:1-4  Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:  (2)  Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.  (3)  Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.  (4)  And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

 

1Ti 1:1-20  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 

·         Paul confirms his calling to the ministry.

·         Then he speaks of our hope.  You that run searches need to run a search on the word hope.

Rom 8:24-25  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  (25)  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

(2)  Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.  (3)  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 

·         We saw in the Galatian letter how important it is to preach the same gospel that Paul preached.

(4)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.  (5)  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:  (6)  From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;  (7)  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 

·         Here again the false doctrine that is being taught is the teaching of keeping the laws of the Jews.  But now we see Paul’s attitude concerning the law.

(8)  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;  (9)  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,  (10)  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;  (11)  According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.         CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE LAW KEEPERS.

·         In Romans 7:12;  Paul says, “the law is holy, just, and good.” 

·         We all live under certain laws, and must obey them.  But we don’t live under the Jewish laws.  If we lived in Israel then we would be subject to their civil laws, but we don’t, so we are under the laws of our government.

·         Listen to Paul, Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

·         You may not recall, but listen to this;  Act 21:21  And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.  Act 21:22  What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.  Act 21:23  Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Act 21:24  Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.  Act 21:25  As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Act 21:26  Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

·         You see Paul was a Jew, so he kept the Jewish laws.

·         The Scriptures are clear that we as Christians keep all the civil laws, of whatever state we are in.

·         Paul said the law was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.  Once we are saved we keep the laws of the land, therefore we are not afraid of them.

So we can understand Paul when he says, “we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.”

 

(12)  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;  (13)  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:

·         Paul describes himself as a terrible individual, and we saw in the book of Acts, that he was.

but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  (14)  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  (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.  (16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.  (17)  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

·         This is truly one of the best testimonies I have heard, anywhere.

·         Someone admitting himself to be a terrible sinner, and then receiving forgiveness from our Lord Jesus Christ.

·         And notice, “my life is a pattern for those which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.”  That’s us Christian.  We have believed on Him and possess everlasting life.

Paul closes chapter one with a 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.

·         It is believed that these two men were excommunicated from the church, and turned back into the world, in whom satan is said to be the ruler.

 

WE THANK YOU JESUS FOR COMING INTO THIS WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS SUCH AS I.