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1 Timothy 1:12-17 – God’s Strength displayed in Our Weakness

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Last Sunday we studied from 1 Timothy 1:8-11 and understood the role of God’s Law, the right view and lawful use of it in our lives.

This Sunday we will look at the next 6 verses i.e 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Verse 12 – “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service”

As Paul talks about his calling and appointment as a servant of Jesus and the preacher of the gospel he is thanking Jesus for the strength he provides him to accomplish that task, as the task set before Paul was a big one.

He is well aware that he could not accomplish that task on his own strength.

As he talks about God’s right judgement of God appointing a man like him for his service, Paul is referring to the day and time when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus.

Paul’s encounter with Jesus was an extraordinary one, wish Jesus continues to meet with radicals even in this generation.

Let’s read Paul encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1-22

In verse 22 its written about Paul (known as Saul before conversion) that “But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”

I believe it is this strength that Paul is referring to in 1 Timothy 1:12 as he writes “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service”

Paul, as he is writing this letter to the Church in Ephesus is letting them know how much he has to depend on the strength the Lord Jesus provides him to do what He is called to do.

As a leader, I think I can to an extent identify with Paul’s statement because every time I think of my calling and the task set before me I see all my incapability’s, incompetence & short comings. And my natural tendency is to accomplish it in our own strength.

I think what we need to understand here from this verse is that we are weak people, enable to do the things God has called us to do on our strength.

Yesterday my wife Jane went out with some ladies to do follow-up with people who responded to the gospel during our evangelism time. She left at 2:30 pm and after much walking under the sun they finally found their location but had a very bad experience interacting with the family.

She came back home at around 5:30 pm and after sharing with me for a while I saw her lying down on the couch tired and exhausted. All I could see was this weak woman with no strength left to pick herself up – her physical weakness at that time reminded me of my own intellectual inability and weakness even to preparing this sermon.

Isn’t it our weakness that God uses to display his strength – In the natural we are weal people who can accomplish nothing on our own strength.

Recognizing our weakness and trusting in God’s strength is what God desires from us.

That is why Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 writes “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

This truth is not applicable only for leaders in the forefront but to every Christian believer.

When you go home today take a piece of paper and write down all your god given gifts, talents, calling, places you want to go, people you want to meet and share the gospel etc. And then plan to action it in the next couple of months.
You will start feeling the pressure – feelings of incapability, incompetency, fear, anxiety will bog you down.

In the natural world there are 2 ways of responding to these feelings

First, is to try and accomplish it on our own strength which I believe will lead you to failure eventually. You might accomplish a lot of things but will never find joy and satisfaction.

Second one the most common reaction and that is to give up and shut down which is also the easiest option.

We often forget the 3rd way of responding to those feelings and that is to trust in God’s ability to provide you with his strength to make it happen. We fail to go to God for strength.

It is during these hours that we find it difficult to put our trust in God and believe in his capabilities.

The greatest source of encouragement to trust in God’s strength and ability is to look back and remind yourself what He has already accomplished for you through Christ.

Paul goes on to write in verse 13, 14 & 15 of the greatest miracle God performed in his life.

“Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

We have to constantly remind ourselves of what God has done in our lives is Miracle.

Look at ourselves and think about our past and present lives. The sinfulness in us that manifest daily through our words, deeds and actions. Do you think we have any hope to save ourselves from the wrath of God, from the penalty of sin, from life in hell.

No way! Except for the mercy and grace of Jesus we’ve received and continue to receive everyday. The day our hearts believed in this gospel and put our trust in Jesus, God changed our lives forever.

He changed a blasphemer, persecutor, insolent opponent like Saul into Paul, the preacher of the gospel.

He changed an adulterer, lair and cheat like Saju into a holy and righteous man of God.

In verse 14 Paul writes “the grace of God OVERFLOWED for me”

To a hopeless bunch of people he gave hope.

Brothers & sisters – It is the gospel that needs to be your greatest encouragement to trust in God’s ability to see you through everything life throws at you, the hardships, the fear, feelings of incapability, incompetency etc.

Looking back at what the Lord has already accomplished for us through Christ should astonish our hearts and push us to purse him and his purposes even more.

The Bible encourage us again and again to live this kind of a lifestyle – A life trusting in God and to put our trust in him.

Hebrews 12:29-29
Colossians 2:6-7
Psalms 28:7

And here’s why God chose to show us his mercy, call us out and appoint us as his servants.

1 Timothy 1:16-17 – “But I received mercy for this reason that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life”

God uses our weakness to display his strength, he uses the fool to shame the wise.

In Acts 4:13 people looked at Jesus disciples and said “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus”

God uses weak vessels like us – shows us his mercy and grace – put’s our lives on display as an example to other who are yet to believe in him for eternal life.

In the light of what’s shared todays here are three applications we can take home.

1. When you sense God’s calling over your life – the things he ask you to do. Don’t give up on yourself because of your inabilities and fear rather trust in God to provide you with strength to accomplish your calling. Because it is through your weakness he shows himself strong.

2. Draw strength and encouragement from what God has already done for your through Christ. Every day when you get up from your bed thank God for the gospel, for Jesus – draw your strength in knowing who your God is and what he is capable of doing.

3. Remember when you trust God and step out in faith he uses your life as an example to many who are yet to receive eternal life.

“The King of ages, immortal, invisible God receives the honour and glory forever and ever.

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1 Tim 1:8-11 – The Right view and Lawful use of the Law

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I think we need to take another look at last week’s passage to understand the context of this week’s passage.

Read 1 Timothy 1:3-7

Paul urges Timothy to command certain teachers at Ephesus to stop teaching a different, false doctrine. A few things we can learn about the wrong doctrine from v4: devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship[a] from God that is by faith.

The teachings weren’t Scriptural but spiralled and revolved around myths and endless genealogies which were causing speculations and confusion to arise in the church. Once I remember a teacher who taught on the story of the Fall in Genesis 3. He started by stating the facts, Adam and Eve ate the fruit and sin entered the world through that act.

He paused and then asked a question: What if Adam and Eve repented right after the sinful act? Would there then be a need for Christ to come to the earth? He said this and then proceeded to talk about something else. Now he was addressing teenagers and young adults. Just imagine how he would’ve harmed the faith of a lot of young adults by asking these twisted questions.

Another instance was when a preacher claimed that the Ten Commandments were inspired/copied from the rule book of an ancient Egyptian king called Hammurabi. With that one statement he belittled the authority of Scripture and made it look like it was man-made piece of fiction. Upon hearing this, the leaders of the youth group protested because we knew this wasn’t biblical.

But look at the damage it caused. The youth that were actually seeking God during this camp would’ve been terribly confused because this was what the “preacher” said. Other youth became really sceptical of these discussions because they felt that “religious” talk always ends in controversy and fights. How is this promoting the stewardship from God that is by faith?

And that’s why I totally agree with Saju’s point last week where he said that we need to pay attention and form the right doctrinal framework to discern between right teaching and wrong teaching. Only if you’ve seen and studied the original Rs. 500 note, will be able to discern that from the counterfeit Rs. 500 note.

Another learning is that if you find a preacher who constantly talks about controversial topics that is not leading you to love, trust and obey Christ, a red light should go out.

We also know from this text that wrong motives or intentions were behind this false teaching. Their false teaching was spurred and motivated by pride. How do we know that? It says “desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.”

Later on in 1 Tim 6:3 & 4, Paul says “If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions”

In other words, wrong doctrine always and always finds its root in wrong motivation. It’s one thing to preach stuff out of ignorance. But if you make confident assertions of things that you yourself don’t understand then there has to be a prideful motivation attached to it. In contrast, correct and sound doctrine finds its root in love, purity and sincere faith. And this will be a key theme in the book.

Coming to our main text for today:

Read 1 Timothy 1:8-11

V8: Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully

What is this law that is being spoken of? Law of the land? Law of the Country? No, this is the Mosaic Law comprising of the 10 commandments and other laws that were mentioned in the first 5 books of the Bible.

Why did God want to give people a law?

God gave people a law so that they could know Him and obey Him through it. The intention was that through the law, sinful people like you and I should understand what it would take for us to experience a relationship with a Holy God. Each of those commandments revealed a certain aspect of God’s glory and His character.

For eg: Why does it say “You shall not murder”? Because God is life.

Why does it say “You shall not bear false witness/lie”? Because God is truth.

Why does it say “You shall not commit adultery”? Because God is pure.

Therefore, the law is good for teaching. But the condition is also stated “if one uses it lawfully”. So there is a lawful way of using the law. What’s that?

1. The lawful way of using the law is to expose the sin in our lives.

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” (Rom 7:7)
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Rom 3:20)

It was to show us God’s Holy standards and in doing so expose how greatly sinful we are. In our sinfulness we may compare ourselves to each other and be comforted with the thought that we aren’t too sinful. But that’s the mistake. The standard for holiness is not us…it’s not of human origin. The standard is declared and set forth by God Himself. Because we are His creation created to reflect who He is. And sin doesn’t at all reflect the majesty and glory of God. So God gives His people the law to know what sin really is: to identify sin!

2. The law is not laid down for the just but the lawless

The law isn’t created/set for the righteous, upright and virtuous but for the lawbreakers. Imagine a country which didn’t have a law. It’s a state of utter lawlessness. Suddenly one day, a law is established. Who do you think will it affect the most? The one who abides by the law or the one who breaks the law? The one who breaks the law. Let’s look at each of these words/phrases closely:

a) Disobedient

These are words to describe someone who cannot be subjected to control. Someone who is unruly. We hear it being used in these phrases a lot: “Disobedient child or disobedient student”. Can that be described of our relationship with God? Are we easy to control? Or is there always a struggle for us to continue to be in control? When we think about these words “Master, Lord, Owner”…does it ring true about Christ in our lives or is it us?

b) Ungodly

Describes someone who is irreverent. No reverence for God. A lack of respect or seriousness for God. It’s not just talking about revering God when we are around other believers but it’s our attitude 24/7. Our zeal for God & passion to obey Him often reflect how much we respect and value God in our lives.

c) Sinners

Being devoted to sin. We are sinners not because of the sins we do, we are sinners because at the root of our hearts that’s all that we know to do.

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen 6:5)

d) Unholy and profane

These are words to describe how wicked and ungodly we can be.

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone. (Matt 15:18-20)

It’s a shocking yet true verse to read. Do you realize that the propensity to commit the most violent and horrible crimes is within you? It’s not in your environment.

e) for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers

Referring to those who murder their parents and others. 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[c] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[d] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell[e] of fire. (Matt 5:21-22) Have you ever been angry at your parents? Bitter fury rage toward them? In God’s eyes, it’s as good as murder.

f) the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality

The word sexually immoral in the Greek is a broad word to include all activities of sexual promiscuity outside of marriage. 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matt 5:27, 28) In God’s eyes, if you’ve looked lustfully at someone other than your spouse you’ve committed adultery. And sexual promiscuity is being glorified in our generation. Lust is used as a substitute for love. And everything which is referred to as progressive in the media and our culture is nothing but outright adultery. Homosexuality : lying with another person of the same sex. In fact you would be ostracized and called unloving if you didn’t accept their lifestyle.

g) Enslavers: those who take people captive and sell them off

Still true of many trades in the world where they forcefully capture people and sell them off. Human trafficking industry is all about it.

h) Liars and Perjurers

Someone who speaks falsehood and perjurer is someone who swears falsely. There’s no one who can claim to have not lied. If they claim to not have lied, then that’s a lie in itself.

and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine

I find it interesting that sound/healthy doctrine is not only referred to teaching but also a lifestyle. Right through the Bible, you’ll find sound doctrine also being accompanied by Christ exalting lifestyle. But coming back to this list which is invariably the Ten Commandments and the law, how many of us can claim to have obeyed this completely on our own? Can we call ourselves “just” by our own efforts?

In fact if anything, this whole passage talking about the law and the other cross references prove that are lives are exposed because of the law. And we agree with Scripture when it says “All have fallen short of the glory of God”. (Rom 3:23)

V11 holds the key when it says “in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.”

3. The law was meant to point us to Christ.

The law wasn’t meant to be an end in itself. That’s why God gave the people sacrifices. When they looked at the law which exposed their sin and lawlessness, they had to trust on a sacrifice to make things right between them and God.

The law paves way for the gospel!

It’s the gospel of glory of the blessed God! There is good news. Christ – God’s Son, came down to earth and took the form of man. 100% God and 100% man. Where we failed in our obedience, purity, attitude and action, Christ succeeded. He lived an impeccable life. The punishment that we deserved for our outright rebellion was borne by Him on the cross. Death for sins. All our sins were nailed on the cross and three days later He rose from the grave defeating all the effects of sin, Satan and death. His sacrifice ensured that we could see God who deserves all our praise, honour and worship!

Based on how we view ourselves in the light of the law, we can find ourselves in one of two sections. Either we’re Performing or we’re Pretending. Here are the applications we can draw from this passage on the law:

1. Performing: Trying to perform in order to earn favour from God.

This can manifest in various ways. One way is thinking that by having your abiding time every day, sharing the gospel and doing other Christiany stuff, it makes you right before God. Another way is that you can get critical about other people’s faith and walk with God. You’re constantly comparing yourself with other people, pointing out their faults and feeling that you’re morally superior to them. Another way is that Bible studies, sermons and discussions with other believers are merely seen as opportunities to check or verify the other person’s theological doctrines and arguments.

If you find yourself there, let this passage remind you of how messed up you truly are apart from Christ. All our righteous deeds, theological arguments are all filthy rags without Christ. The Pharisees probably were superficially righteous but their attitudes were extremely sinful. They were great performers but their faith was rejected and hated by God. That should humble us and make us run to Christ for His perfect righteousness.

2. Pretending: Trying to hide who you truly are

You’ve seen this passage and are convicted because you know you’ve messed up. You look at that list and are burdened with the weight of your sin. You feel condemned and ashamed because of your sin. You’re always thinking what would other people do if they come to know the real you. So you resort to pretending because you think that will protect you from the shame and guilt but it doesn’t.

If you find yourself there, you’ll need to throw aside the weight of pretending and come to Christ confessing your sin and your need for Him. Remember conviction is not the goal, repentance is. Regret is not the goal, fellowship and life with Christ is. The good news is not in your sin but in Christ’s victory over your sin. The good news is not in your condemnation but in freedom from condemnation. The good news is not in shame but in a life of purpose, value and dignity found in Christ. But here also it involves humility to humbly accept what Christ has offered. So run to Christ and receive His forgiveness, hope and joy.

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1 Timothy 1:3-7 – Addressing False Christian teachings in our Churches

Last Sunday we began a new series called ‘The God Alive Church’ – a journey through 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.

1 Timothy is a letter written by Apostle Paul who was once a persecutor of Christians, a Jew and a Roman citizen. He would kill everyone who professed the name of Jesus and followed him. He became a Christian after a real time encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and since then he’s been involved in the Kingdom work planting churches all over.

Paul is writing this letter to a young man called Timothy whom he met in Lystra, he was born to a Jewish mother who later became a Christian and a Greek father.

Since the time Timothy met Paul he he’s been travelling with him on all his trips. Paul considered him as his own son.

Timothy was sent by Paul to the church in Ephesus and we learnt the purpose of this letter was

1. Advising Timothy about issues in the church at Ephesus and to refute the false teaching that was prevalent.

False teaching is any kind of teaching..
– that isn’t rooted in the truth and takes people away from God
– that twists our beliefs and distorts our understanding of God
– that damages our relationship with Jesus
– that takes away the joy of salvation

One of the main responsibility of church leaders is to protect the truth of the Gospel from false teaching.
False teaching in Ephesus was damaging the church of Jesus and Timothy is charged by Paul to speak up and address the issue.

2. The second purpose of the letter are instructions on how church members should conduct themselves in the household of God.

Throughout 1 Timothy you will see Paul either talking about false teaching or the conduct of believers in the church.
In our passage today which is 1 Timothy 1:3-7 Paul is advising Timothy against false teaching and there are some interesting things we can learn from them.

verse 3 – Note, Paul uses a very strong word ‘Command’ when he tells Timothy to speak to the people spreading false teaching.

These people were teaching other doctrine which was not in-line with the doctrine of the true Gospel.

Their teachings were based on Myths, a traditional story concerning early history of people often based on natural or social phenomenon.

How was it harming the church?

verse 4 – These teachings were promoting empty speculations, forming theory or conjecture without firm evidence and instead of devoting themselves to Godly things they were getting involved in fruitless discussion and wasting their time and energy.

In verse 5 Paul distinguishes his teachings from the others by saying “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”

Verse 7 – It seems that these people were not necessarily the bad guys trying to pollute the church but they themselves did not understand what they were saying or what they were insisting on. They were ignorant people.

Here are some practical lessons we can learn from this passage which can be applied to our lives.

1. Empathize with your leaders and appreciate their role in your life.

Like I said before Paul uses a very strong word ‘Command’, he is not saying to Timothy to urge them or request them to stop talking rubbish.

As you know, in today’s generation, especially in the church context commanding words are not really a cool thing to say or use. But still when it comes to the point of protecting the Gospel God wants his leaders to exercise every bit of their authority to refute and correct the person or people disrupting his church.

Think about how demanding task it is for leaders – and if we fail in doing so the bible says we are accountable to God.

Hebrews 13:17 says “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

With that in mind how do we empathize with our leaders?

Here are some things to consider:

– Pray for your leaders that they may be faithful to God and protect the Gospel message
– Thank God for their role in your life and in the life of the Church
– Submit to your leaders
– Obey your leaders
– Make their work a joy

2. Pay attention and form right doctrinal framework for yourself.

In the Ephesus church people were teaching other doctrine that was not in accordance with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As you know that the gospel is simple truth very well summarized in John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son to die for us and whosoever believes in him will have eternal life”

The biggest tactic the enemy uses against God’s people is to confuse us by adding unwanted things to the gospel.

Sadly Christians often fall into the enemies trap because of our own negligence of not studying and rooting our believes in the truth of God’s word. Because of our own lack of not paying attention to the message of the true Gospel and failure to form the right doctrinal framework.

Darkness only creeps in when the light is not bright enough.

Our understanding of the gospel and the scriptures should be so strong that none of the wrong teachings out there should confuse us to believe in empty speculations.

Q- How much time do we dedicate in listening and learning the scriptures on a daily basis?
Q- How often do we meditate on God’s word?
Q- When we invest our time in all others activities during the day how much of importance do we give to God’s word?

2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Our failure to listen and form a right doctrinal framework will often lead us into believing the lies and empty speculations of the enemy distracting us from the purposes of God.

3. Approach with Love from pure heart, good conscience and since faith.

As Paul emphasizes in verse 5 says “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”.

This should be our approach as children of God. We will find ourselves in unpleasant circumstances and unfruitful discussions. But as Paul writes our approach should always be Love from pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith.

A Love that is gospel driven.

In Jesus’s instructions to his disciples in Matthew 18:15-17 we can see how he stresses on the point “but he listens to you, you have gained your brother”. He is saying that if your brother repents forgive him and accept him.

Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

“Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” also indicates that the approach should be made with a good conscience, which means we need to be walking rightly with God before we approach another brother, so that you are kept away from sinning.

1 Timothy 1:19 – “holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith”
And a faith that firm and not shaky.

4. Refrain from teaching from the word of God until you have understood the whole counsel of God.

Not necessarily these people who were saying ungodly things has wrong motive in mind. The verse says “They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.”

Yes, it is possible for any of us to make an error while teaching from God’s word if we do not have the right understanding of the Gospel and whole counsel of God.

It is easy to read a scripture and think and talk about it completely out of context and therefore we need to super careful with our words.

And that is what Point no 2 is very important which is forming your own theological framework.

Until we have understood the whole counsel of God it is better to refrain from teaching from the word of God to others.

In conclusion, let’s bring our heart to God and allow him to convict our hearts if we have not been obedient to the things we just spoke about and let’s make a decision to follow them with all honesty and dependence on God.

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1 Timothy 1:1-2 – The Purpose of Paul’s Letter to Timothy

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We are beginning a new series titled “God Alive Church”! It’s going to be exciting as we journey through 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus together as a family.

I would like to start by asking a question “Whose church is it? Who is building the church?” The question in itself might seem too simplistic or obvious but the answer is critical to understanding what our role and goal as a church is.

Jesus says in Matt 16:18: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

It’s Jesus’ church and He is building it! That’s the starting point. Because we can very easily create a church environment which has the best music & best programs but lose out on what the church was meant to be and what was it called to do. Now how does Christ build his church? He builds it by empowering believers to submit and obey to His teachings in Scripture. That’s why these three books contain sufficient instruction and encouragement on what God desires from His church.

So we know that Paul wrote this letter to Timothy. But why did he write it? What was the purpose of writing this letter? Understanding the purpose will give us insight on what this book is really trying to say and will later on help us in applying it accurately.

Purpose:

1. To advise Timothy who was a young pastor about issues in the church at Ephesus and refute the false teaching that was prevalent (1 Tim 1:3,4)

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

Ephesus as a city itself was a large, multi-ethnic centre of trade, commerce and culture. Culturally Ephesus was pluralistic in every way. Many ethnic and cultural backgrounds were represented, and religious pluralism was entrenched and embraced. Moral beliefs, like religious ones, were diverse, and considerable moral depravity was accepted, perhaps considerably more so than in our modern culture.

You could imagine how this was also affecting the church. So there were these false teachers that were teaching a doctrine that was contrary to the sound doctrine of Scripture. Now why is it such a big deal?

a) False doctrine (by definition) isn’t rooted in truth and takes people away from God. It twists our beliefs and distorts our understanding of God. (1 Tim 6:21)

b) False doctrine results in sinful lifestyle. Through the letters of 1 Tim, 2 Tim and Titus we understand that false teachers always reflect their wrong doctrine through their sinful lifestyle. Greed, arrogance and a craving for controversies. Their doctrine is an outlet to justify their sinful desires. Why? Because they aren’t looking to please God anyway so they end up pleasing themselves.

Now this is damaging to the church! What would happen if false teachers were allowed to have their way in a church? It will distort people’s understanding of God and will cause them to swerve from the faith. It will also result in sinful living. And remember this is God’s church…God’s family that he redeemed through His Son. Can we allow them to be destroyed through the snare of false teaching?

As a parent if you are aware of a person who will cause harm to your kid – either physically or mentally, would you allow your kid to interact with him? No, absolutely not. That’s why Christ has appointed elders for the church. Not just to feed the sheep but to also protect the flock of God from false teaching.

And it’s amazing to see Paul’s fervour for the purity of sound doctrine. May our hearts be so in love and in tune with Christ and His Word that we would also share His passion in seeing people be fed with the pure Word of God.

2. To instruct them on how should members conduct themselves in the household of God (1 Tim 3:14, 15)
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

Another key theme that we see in 1 Timothy is “church is the family of God”. Through Christ’s life, death and resurrection we have been adopted as sons and daughters in God’s family! Isn’t it so wonderful? Since we are members of God’s family, how are we to relate with each other? Do we have different roles and responsibilities in this family? How are we to take care of each other’s needs? How are we representing God’s family to the outside world?

How are we to conduct ourselves for corporate worship? These and many more questions about organizing ourselves in God’s family are addressed in this letter. Sometimes these 3 letters are just thought of as only Pastoral Letters (Letters for Pastors). However when we look at these topics pertaining to our life as a church then we learn that this applies to the entire church not just the pastors.

Even though a lot of these applications will come out in the coming weeks, let’s start out this week by seeing and embracing each other as co-members of God’s family. I think we do a good job of defining church as not a building but we still turn it into an event. Church is the family of God! We are not members of different families who come together to socialize on Sunday. We are members of one family in Christ.

I like the way v15 ends by saying “household of God, which is the church of the living God”! Consider the weight of that phrase. This is the “church of the living God”. Now that we’ve established that church is not a building, it’s not an event but the family of God, so what would it mean to be a family of the living God? When people interact with us, do they sense that God is alive in us?

Can that be the testimony of our Sunday Gatherings and GC’s? I think this verse is an excellent reminder of our identity and call. Our identity of being the church of the living God is not merely emotional expressions on a Sunday but a lifestyle of obedience to Christ. And our call: we are a pillar and buttress of truth! We are called to be sharers and protectors of the gospel!

For our brief exposition of the first two verses in 1 Tim 1:1-2

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

To Timothy, my true child in the faith –

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Why does Paul start this letter by mentioning that he is an ambassador of the gospel?

a) Paul wasn’t trying to show off his title. Firstly, they were part of a generation where any kind of association with Christ and the gospel invited persecution. Secondly, apostle meant that you’ve witnessed the risen Christ and have been personally sent and commissioned by Christ. Not the way in which people refer to themselves as “Apostle so and so” these days.

b) Since the letter is an instruction and encouragement, this could be a way by which he’s trying to say that these words and instructions are to be considered seriously because it’s been approved by God. On the basis of his authority from God, he charges Timothy with this task and provide general charge for Christians.

Why does Paul refer to God the Father as God our Saviour and Christ as Christ our hope?

Two very interesting attributes are mentioned here. The first is God our Saviour. Why does God reveal Himself as God who saves? In Luke 1:46, 47 in Mary’s song of praise: she exalts God by singing “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”. Throughout history God has always revealed Himself as a saving, delivering God. The Israelites understood first hand that whenever they would fall into the hands of their enemies. In their trouble and misery they would cry out to God and He would deliver them. Another way of understanding this characteristic is by the word “Preserver”.

God preserves and protects His people! Okay, so I get how God delivers and saves people from their enemies or when they’re in trouble but what if the people themselves rebel against God? What if people themselves reject God through their words, attitudes and actions? They communicate that they don’t need God; they don’t prefer God above everyone else and everything else. “God I don’t need you during every single moment of my life, I just need you when I’m in trouble. I need you for a couple of hours on a Sunday morning. I want to live my life on my terms for the most part.

I’ve got other things and people that pre-occupy my mind. They are more beautiful and wonderful to me than you. They are my gods that rule me throughout the week. My desire for money is greater than you. My desire for sexual fulfilment is more pleasurable than you. My desire for people’s admiration and appreciation is more important than you. God I don’t really need you.”

And having a love for other things and preferring them above God is a serious crime!

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (Rom 1:21-25)

So God in His holiness can’t tolerate this. His wrath is poured out on all who have worshipped the creature rather than the Creator! All of us are fully and totally guilty of this. Our lives are marred with this sin of rebellion. Can God really save us if we turn against our Savior?

Ephesians 1:4, 5: Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will.

God loves and He sends His Son to absorb the wrath that was meant for us. Through that precious sacrifice of God we are Saved! Three days after dying for us Christ is raised so that all who believe and put our faith in Christ are now adopted as God’s children. How amazing is this truth?

God is our Saviour who saves us from the worst thing that can come upon us: His wrath for our sins. And He saves us through Christ our Hope: our trust in Christ is not blind anticipation but an assured confidence in who Christ is (Son of God) and what He Has done (completely taken away the punishment that we deserved and now brought us to God).

Why does Paul describe Timothy as his true child in the faith?

Paul would’ve probably led him to faith on his first missionary journey to Lystra. At the second visit, Paul invited Timothy to join him on his missionary travels. Timothy was a faithful, trusted and effective co-worker in ministry.

Paul spoke highly of him to the Philippian church and named him as the co-sender of 6 of his letters. Not only does this once again highlight the family of God but it also reminds us to invest in discipling relationships where we would be able to raise up spiritual children who would someday lead, care and protect others. And it’s a great model for us. All of his lessons weren’t taught in just weekly meetings. A lot of the learning happened as they were on mission together. Timothy saw Paul’s life up and close.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Some definitions of the three words are:

Grace is receiving favour that we don’t deserve which is central to God’s gift of salvation to those who trust in him. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8) It is also the essence of the “gifts” that we received from the Holy Spirit to minister to each other (1 Corinthians 15:10): But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of.

Mercy is withholding the judgment that we deserve. It is also what God responds with when we ask for His help. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Peace is not just a lack of anxiety but it’s a state of one’s soul assured of salvation through Christ and so fearing nothing from God and content with whatever position and circumstance God places us in.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Even though this is a common greeting in NT letters, but I think there is a reason why the writers mention this in the letters. All these come from God. They are all precious gifts from God. And more than anything that he would want to share with his son in the faith and co-worker in the Lord was to share and desire these three things for Timothy.

Categories
Sermon

Church History & Selective Heresies

IS CHURCH HISTORY IMPORTANT?

Definition: History is the branch of knowledge that records and explains past events.
Do you think that it is important to have an understanding of Church History?

Why learn Church history?

1. To be obedient

Job 8:8-10
“Ask the former generations and find out what their fathers learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding? “

2. To understand God

Psalms 44:1
“We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.”
Knowing the acts and ways of God in working with His people throughout history provides us with a better understanding of God Himself.

3. To keep us from error

Not knowing about the many errors in the history of the Church dooms us to repeat those failures again. Many of the heresies of the first, few centuries of the Church have surfaces once again in our times. Knowledge of those early heresies will help us to remain on the clear path of Biblical truth.

4. To understand our own time

Church History helps us to understand our own time better. The author if the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes once wrote that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). History, in very real and concrete ways, moves in circles and cycles. A fuller understanding of our past helps us to understand how we have arrived at this point in history. It helps us to see today from God’s perspective. Church History shows us that actions and ideas have consequences not only in our own generation but future generations as well.

5. To Glorify God

The ultimate and most important reason to study Church History is that it facilitates true and extravagant worship of our God. Our hearts are filled with awe and wonder when we explore the mighty acts of God in the past. The apostle John (Revelation 4:8, NIV) recorded that in heaven four living creatures, surrounding a throne, do not stop day or night declaring the glory and holiness of God, “who was, and is, and is to come.” As we gain an appreciation of Church History we gain a greater appreciation of the Lord and how He has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind throughout the ages this increases our thankfulness to Him for not being a God who is absent and unconcerned with our lives but a God who has revealed Himself as the one who is always present and willing to act on behalf of those who call upon Him. Church History can be thought of as the study of how God has intervened in the events of mankind in order that he might redeem mankind and establish His kingdom purposes.

THE CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORY IS UNIQUE

A Christian understanding of history is unique for the Bible declares that in history God is working out His redemptive purposes.

Please turn to Romans 8:28-30

Can you identify from those verses what’s God purpose in History might be?To conform us to the image of His Son in order that He might be the first born among many brothers. First born meaning that He is Heir in all of God’s things! In Him, we become coheirs to God’s riches too.

Who do those verses apply to?This surely applies to all of God’s people who were, are being and will be saved. In other words “The Church”.

Now turn to 1 Peter 2:2-10

Does this verse give us any additional insights to what God’s purposes in history might be?

Verse 5 indicatesA Christian is a) Chosen by God, b) Like Living stones being built as a spiritual House, c) To be a holy priesthood, d) To offer spiritual sacrifices accepted to God through Jesus Christ.

Verse 5 says A Christian is a) A Chosen Race, b) Royal priesthood, c) A People for His own possession so that you proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Lets look at a few Heresies

1) IDOLATERS – Christians continued to worship or create idols in violation of the 2nd commandment. There were two problems here. The first was the practical use of the idols, and the second was their continued presence, merely adding Christianity to their other beliefs. Response: abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. Acts 15:20; 1Jn. 5:21

2) NICOLAITANS – Rev. 2:6,14-15 a sect holding to the “teaching of Balaam” which upheld the freedom to eat food offered to idols. The fear was that if Christians unwittingly ate such food, purchased from the marketplace and offered to an idol by its seller, that they had desecrated the temple of their body, losing their holiness and their salvation. Response – Paul rejected that idea, asking “is that anything?” He provided a weaker-stronger brother standard in 1Cor. 8-10. This ruling upheld the freedom we have in Christ concerning food sacrificed to idols, but weighed that freedom against the temptation to new believers; its bottom line was to avoid it where possible, but not to fret if it happened. As far as the use or presence of idols, or committing fornication, Acts 15:20 is an absolute prohibition. Rev. 2:20 outright condemns intentionally eating food sacrificed to idols (participating in idolatry).

3) No Resurrection of the Dead – 1Cor. 15:12 Response: if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. If we have existence in Christ only in this life, we are the most miserable of all men. (v. 17,19) There is a resurrection, but it already took place – spiritually – 2Tim 2:16-18 Hymenaeus and Philetus… have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. We expect a physical resurrection of the bodies of all men at Christ’s return, some to eternal glory, the rest to eternal damnation. (Dan. 12:2; 1Cor 15:23,42,52; 2Cor 5:10)

4) Easy-Believism – this is a belief that because we are under grace, obedience is optional. Our freedom in Christ, our forgiven state, becomes a license to sin. Response: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, who are dead to sin, live in it any longer? Rom. 6:1,2. Don’t you know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be misled: neither the immoral, idolaters, adulterers, the corrupt, the effeminate [man-boy sex], homosexuals, extortionists, thieves, drunkards, the pugnacious, nor defrauders will inherit the kingdom of God. 1Cor. 6:9,10.

5) JUDAISM – 1. Circumcision is a prerequisite to salvation for men. 2. Obedience to Jewish Law is necessary including Sabbath and Kosher requirements. Response: 1. It denies salvation by faith through Christ’s Atoning sacrifice. 2. It undermines obedience inspired by love and thankfulness rather than reward. If some one asks you how are the Old Testament saints saved. Well lets look at 1 Peter 1 :8-11. So they are saved awaiting a messiah (Christ) who was supposed to come and we are saved by trusting the messiah who came 2000 years back.

6) Roman Catholic Church: It claims to be the true church. Mary is venerated in the Catholic Church as Queen of Heaven and honored in numerous Marian devotions. Basically, salvation is attained through sacraments and good works. It is maintained by good works and participation in the sacraments. We know as the Bible says 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. So none of us are ever saved by any works.

Additionaly we surely believe the following

Sola Scriptura – the standard of truth is the Bible alone, not the church, not the Pope
• Solus Christus – salvation is by Christ alone, not by sacraments, not by priests
• Sola Gratia – salvation is by grace alone, not by works, not by penance
• Sola Fide – salvation is by faith alone, not by faith plus anything else
• Soli Deo Gloria – everything we do is for the Glory of God alone; everything that has been done for us by God is for God’s glory alone; nothing we do merits God’s grace.

The Gospel as concluded by the puritan Jeremiah Burroughs

The gospel of Christ is the good tidings that God has revealed concerning Christ. As all mankind was lost in Adam and became the children of wrath, put under the sentence of death, God, though He left His fallen angels and has reserved them in the chains of eternal darkness, yet He has thought upon the children of men and has provided a way of atonement to reconcile them to Himself again.

The second Person in the Trinity takes man’s nature upon Himself, and becomes the Head of a second covenant, standing charged with sin. He answers for it by suffering what the law and divine justice required, and by making satisfaction for keeping the law perfectly. This satisfaction and righteousness He tenders up to the Father as a sweet savor of rest for the souls that are given to Him.

And now this mediation of Christ is, by the appointment of the Father, preached to the children of men, of whatever nation or rank, freely offering this atonement unto sinners for atonement, requiring them to believe in Him and, upon believing, promising not only a discharge of all their former sins, but that they shall not enter into condemnation, that none of their sins or unworthiness shall ever hinder the peace of God with them, but that they shall through Him be received into the number of those who shall have the image of God again to be renewed unto them, and that they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

CONCLUSION

History teaches us that a person who has a deep devotional life before the Lord is characterized by

1) An intense love towards the Lord and His people. 2) A life that is lived out in dependence upon God, results in a joyful heartfelt freedom. 3) A desire to reflect Jesus and proclaim His Truth with Love 4) An assurance that the kingdom of God can be realized in history and the Lord works in all circumstances to bring about His purposes in the way that He desires. 5) Humility 6) Every person encountered by the Christian is seen as a potential brother or sister in Christ. 7) Devotion is not escaping the world but rather through worship of the Lord they are motivated to serve by bettering the world. 8) They are salt and light to the world.