May 23, 2022
Morning Service

We have been walking with Jesus through the Gospel of Matthew for the last year.  In that time, we have built a solid foundation that Jesus is the “Christ the Son of the Living God” and we have chosen to accept His invitation to “Follow Me.”  We are now focusing on what a life of following Jesus looks like through the eyes of the church.  Today we begin our study into the letter the Apostle Paul sent to his young coworker in the faith showing him how God has designed His church to operate moving forward.  Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to pastor the church there.  He writes this letter to both encourage and instruct him as he fulfilled that calling.  Acts 9 records the amazing conversion of Saul of Tarsus who persecuted the young church to Paul the Apostle who wrote 2/3 of our new testament.  An apostle is defined as “one who has been sent.”  God uniquely chose the biggest enemy of the church to send him to the Gentiles (non-Jews) to share with them the gospel message.  As we read his letters, we must discern that they are more than just letters.  They are Holy Spirit inspired instructions laying out God’s will for His church.  Paul told the Corinthian church this about his letters:

 1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

            These inspired Words are much more than a man’s opinion, but they are the very Words and commands of God.  This is much more than a “self-help” book full of good ideas, but these are the instructions of our Lord on His expectations for us.  It is by these Words that we will be judged.  As you read your Bible earnestly, honestly and diligently, the words come to life and speak right to your heart through the Spirit in which they were written and the Spirit inside of you.  By not only hearing what the Word says but by doing it also, God will change your life.  This is God’s way of communicating with us and prayer is our way of communicating with Him.  As we have said often Christianity is not about religion, but relationship.  To have a healthy relationship communication is the key to drawing closer to one another.  It is vital that each of us make it a priority to take the time to communicate with our Lord by reading His Word and talking to Him through prayer.  If you feel your walk with Jesus is lacking something, start there and MAKE time to read and pray.  It will create within you a hunger for both and you will find that you desire more of that intimacy with our Lord.  So as we begin this study, Paul is writing these words, but they are inspired by God Himself.

 

1Ti 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, (2) To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

            In the first verse Paul declares two very important facts to us.  He is an apostle called by Jesus and thus is speaking in the full authority of God.  That authority has now been handed down to the leadership of the church and as we speak, we also do it in God’s full authority (as long as we are teaching His Word).  Secondly, Paul gives our hope a name; Jesus Christ!  Any hope that we have is built upon Jesus.  We cannot trust our own righteousness or faithfulness to get us to right the wrongs in our life, but we must trust Christ alone.  Jesus is our hope!  In verse 2, Paul reveals the deep feelings he has for young Timothy; “a true son in the faith.”  He has great faith in this young man to leave him in Ephesus to build the church there and I am sure prays daily for him to remain faithful to his calling.  Paul knew how difficult a task young Timothy faced in leading this church.  He begins right away addressing one of the many challenges that Timothy will encounter in Ephesus.  As he speaks to Timothy, he is also addressing us here at the Bride.

 

1Ti 1:3-4 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (4) nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

            Paul right off the bat commands to us that we “teach no other doctrine” than what we are given.  John makes it quite clear in Revelations 22 that God does not want us “adding to or taking away from” the commands we have been given through our scriptures.  Teach the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  Everything we teach must be run through the filter of God’s Word and line up with it.  We are not allowed to pick and choose what we like or don’t like; God has spoken and we will obey.  Today’s society wants to use the things that fit their agenda and discard the rest or manipulate it to  make it work for them.  It doesn’t work like that.  In Ephesus, this had become a problem as there were many teaching that there was a “hidden knowledge” you had to attain to become a true Christian.  This included many mythical stories that were made up from the imagination of men.  These false teaching did nothing but cause “disputes rather than godly edification.”  Time was spent trying to answer the many questions that would come along and cause much confusion rather than growth.  Jerry spoke very wisely in a Bible study many years ago to never spend time answering “hypothetical” questions.  There is no end to them and it is best to stick to what we are actually seeing and experiencing at the moment.  These unfruitful conversations pull us away from the task at hand; not allowing the scriptures to fulfill their purpose in our lives.  Paul summarizes this thought well next:

 

  1Ti 1:5-7 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, (6) from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, (7) desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

            The purpose of God’s commands is to build within us “love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith.”  I love it when things are put so clear and concise as this.  The purpose of the scriptures is not to raise us on an academic knowledge level, but it is to change and purify our hearts to allow us to love well.  As we become doers of the Word and not hearers only, we purify our heart from all wickedness, have a clear conscience knowing we are doing our best, and stand solidly upon our faith that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God.  This allows us to love others in the manner God loves us.  The Word’s purpose is to mold us into the people God has designed us to be.  That is the battle we all fight; to yield our will to God or resist and do what we like.  We are to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind and not conformed to the ways of this world.” (Rom. 12:2)

            Are you allowing the commands of God to fulfill their purpose in you?  Are you closer to God today than you were a year ago?  One thing we can judge this by is how we spend our time.  The Ephesians were spending time debating all these mythical stories which did nothing to draw them closer to the Lord but the opposite.  Where is most of our time spent today? What things do you think about the most?  Are they things that are drawing us closer to God OR are they drawing us away from Him?  Many things in this life are “good” but we must focus our energy, time and effort on the things that are “best.”

 

 Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

            This is a command from Jesus Himself telling us that our desire to follow Him must come first always.  It does not say “when it is convenient for your lifestyle,” but it means in everything.  If we do He promise that “all these things shall be added to you.”  When putting Him first you ensure that He will bless you in all your ways.  The opposite is also true, if He is place into second or third place, blessings will not come so freely.  Many things that we do are “good,” but focus on what is “best.”  Prayerfully examine your life and pinpoint the things that you are doing that draw you closer to Him and the things that are drawing you away from Him.  You will then have a choice to make.  Is He first or are you?  Slow down and realize that God has a plan for you.  Choose His will and allow the commands of God to change your life!

 

Heavenly Father please forgive us when we allow the busyness of this life to keep us away from You.  Open our hearts and minds as we examine our lives and have the Holy Spirit to guide us as we seek to put You first in all things.  Allow us to take the time in each day to “Just Breathe, come and rest at Your feet!”  All our hope is in You!