1 Timothy, Lesson 3
Date: 29 September, 2021
Text: 1 Timothy 1:5
Introduction:
Last week we began to consider three aspects of Timothy's ministry.
Timothy's charge, church, and challenge.....
I. Timothy's charge.
A. Called to oversee God's work in Ephesus.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia,
exp. We talked about Timothy being likeminded with the Apostle Paul.
2 Tim. 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
B. Called to preach God's Word in Ephesus.
1. Protecting the doctrine.
...that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
exp. God's Word is not flexible. IT IS THE WORD OF GOD.
ill. Our world is valient for lies. If a "religion" will agree with the world, they love it.
They don't mind if it is a flat contradiction of the truth of God's Word.
Jeremiah - ministered in a day similar to our own.
Jer 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
Jer 9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
app. Timothy's charge - protect THE DOCTRINE OF GOD.
2. Refuting false doctrine.
a. Supersticious stories.
4 Neither give heed to fables....
b. Unnecessary interest in blood lines.
...and endless genealogies,
c. Things which did not strengthen their faith.
..which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
app. There will always be distractors from the enemy to keep us from the main thing.
- Politics - wicked legislation - covid laws - Brexit - etc.....Careful - stay with God's Truth.....
3. Preaching the true faith. ...godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
transition:
That was Timothys charge....Protect the doctrine, refute false doctrine, preach the true faith.
Tonight - we will consider Timothy's church ministry (Next week - Timothy's challenge)
prayer:
II. Timothy's church (ministry).
exp. Timothy's church ministry, similar to that of the Apostle Paul, was to encourage the churches.
Ill. My mum has done substitute teaching at different times. When the teacher is away from their class, they may put bullet points out for the substitute....
1) Here is the main thing to teach.
2) The schedule is as follows.
3) Watch out for this student... or if you have a question ask this student.
exp. Paul puts here a bullet point of what He wanted him to teach the church.
HE WANTED HIM TO TEACH THEM TO LOVE AS THEY OUGHT TO LOVE.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity....
exp. If we had perfect charity (love) in this world, we would not need THE COMMANDMENT.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
ill.
Shoplifters - don't love those who are selling goods, consumers who have to pay....
vandals - don't love those who suffer because they destroyed property, etc.
liars hate those to whom they lie.
Pro 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it.
app. When you get saved, God's love is poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit.
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
exp. Someone who is unsaved - does not have the love of God in their heart
ill. Jesus said to the Pharisees Joh 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
exp. They didn't have it - but Jesus did and he would exercise it for them.
JESUS EXERCISED IT - 1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
ill. God the Father was separated from God the Son for the first time ever.
Eternal God became finite man and died.
The perfect man allowed our sin to be put upon Him on the cross of shame.
An innocent Saviour died for guilty sinners.
app. His love perfectly kept God's law and opened the door for you and I to be saved!
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
THE END OF THE COMMANDMENT IS LOVE. - TEACH THEM TO LOVE....
A. Teach them to love with a pure heart.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart,
ill. Witnessing to Matt - The difference between someone who has been drunk who is on their way to hell and the person who has been drunk that is on their way to heaven.
The man on his way to heaven has received
GOD'S MERCY AND FORGIVENESS THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS.
exp. Once a man is saved - He has been cleansed by God - He received God's grace through faith.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
question: Are you overcoming the world today by faith or has the world overcome you. Be pure! Get right with God and love with a pure heart.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
ill. Have you ever been dirty and couldn't wait to get cleaned up? The first time - I drove down our road by our home - was to go with Alec to get some horse manure for his garden.... I don't mind saying.... I helped hold the bag....I don't mind saying, I couldn't wait to get clean.
exp. Sin is worse than anything physical we could get on us in this world. We can't clean it off.
Jer 2:22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
JESUS BLOOD CAN CLEANSE US AND MAKE US PURE ON THE INSIDE.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
ill. Jesus, as a servant, is ready to cleanse us today - amen?
John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
exp. If you haven't been saved - YOU ARE NOT CLEAN - if you haven't been washed recently - you aren't clean either - GOD WANTS US TO HAVE A PURE HEART!
app. It's a great thing to be able to love with God and man with a pure heart - made pure by the blood of Jesus. (As the song says, "What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus!")
B. Teach them to love with a good conscience.
....and of a good conscience,
exp. The conscience - is the spirit of man inside of us - that either condones or condemns actions.
note: Atheists have no explanation for the inner sense of right and wrong - but God's Word does.
ill. Paul EXERCISED himself to ALWAYS have a good conscience.
Act 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
exp. A troubled conscience can find help - in the mercy of Jesus.
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
ill. I struggled with my conscience TOWARDS GOD in high school - Peter's vision of the sheet - "What God hath cleansed that call thou not common.
(GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART AND KNOWETH ALL THINGS.)
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
exp. There is nothing better for strong faith - than knowing you are right with God.
BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE RIGHT WITH MAN....
Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
ill. Husbands are to make sure they are right with their wife.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
ill. I know of people - who are estranged from family - because of a refusal to forgive them.
note:THEY MAY SAY - BUT YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WRONG THEY'VE DONE....
ill. I like Peter in the Bible - he asked the questions - all wanted to ask, but were too scared to ask.
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
exp. If your conscience is not right with man - you are NOT right with God.
app. Are you living in the place of a good conscience? Towards God AND towards man?
C. Teach them to love with a true faith.
and of faith unfeigned:
exp. Unfeigned means - sincere - without hypocracy.
ill. As a student at BJU - I saw a lot of hypocrites
- I even took a class on being a hypocrite. (Acting 101)
- And every year they had a Shakespearean play.
etymology - Hypocrite - greek - "actor"
GOD DOESN'T WANT ACTORS PLAYING A PART - HE WANTS SINCERE OBEDIENCE.
- CLEAN ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
- Care for the body of Christ.
1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
ill. Missions giving, supporting God's Work in Scotland.....
- Do good works to that rightly reflect God's love
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
exp. sharing the Gospel, ministering in church, visiting those in need....
app. The point is - if you really believe in God - you ought to be able to demonstrate your faith.
Timothy's church (ministry)
Teach them to love
with a pure heart
with a good conscience
with unfeigned faith.
TO BE CONTINUED....
III. Timothy's challenge
A. Some are turned aside.
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
B. Some who turned aside will be vocal.
1. Usurping a position which they should not take.
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law;
ill. Facia - everybody's a scholar. (works religion - scholarship is important)
2. Not knowing their position.
understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
3. Not knowing that the law points man to Christ.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
TO BE CONTINUED...
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.
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: 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.
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.
