1 Timothy Lesson 1

19/09/2021 19:54

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Date: 14 September, 2021

Text: I Timothy 1:1-4

 

Introduction:

 

Epistles - letters written to the church or individuals which were intended by God to be part of the canon of Scripture. 

 

The sender - the Apostle Paul

 The receiver - is Timothy, Paul's preacher boy to whom he became a spiritual father and whom he trained for ministry. 

 

This is one of 3, so called, Pastoral Epistles - letters to Paul's preacher boys - Timothy and Titus

 

exp. Timothy was a close companion  of Paul who traveled and worked with him.

2 Corinthians 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Philemon 1:1  Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

Hebrews 13:23  Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

Hebrews 13:25  Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy.

 

Location of Paul and Timothy: 

- Paul is likely writing from Macedonia. (northern Greece - southwest Bulgaria)

- Timothy is in Ephesus. (Near the wetern shores of modern day Turkey)

 

 

Approximate date of writing - mid 60's AD - likely between Paul's two imprisonments in Rome.

 

Theme: 

The management of the local church

1 Timothy 3:15  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.

 

And so we begin, our study of Paul's first epistle to his son in the faith, Timothy.

 

Prayer:

 

 I. Paul's authority.

 exp. The church in Ephesus would also see the contents of this letter. Timothy as a minister in this city would no doubt expound this letter to his congregation. Paul would immediately establish his authority with those who read the letter.

ill. It would be similar to the queen's letter beginning with, "Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth...."

exp. The intended audience, perhaps a British commonwealth country, would immediately be reminded of her authority as Queen. (PAUL IS ESTABLISHING HIS AUTHORITY.)

A. His position in Jesus.

1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ 

exp. There were only a select few who held such an honourable position in the church.

1. They were appointed by Jesus.

Luk 6:13  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

2. Paul's appointment was by Jesus after his ascension.

ill. You'll remember that after Saul's (Paul's) conversion, Jesus sent Ananias to Saul. At first Ananias didn't want to go to the man who was killing Christians.

Acts 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, ...

app. Paul's position was an apostle of Jesus.

B. His commission in Jesus.

...by the commandment of God our Saviour, 

Acts 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

exp. It's amazing to think about but God has a plan for our lives. 

 question: You wonder how many people find God's plan for their lives.

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

exp. When Paul got saved - he demonstrated what the Bible teaches - and he as the human author wrote....

1 Corinthians 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

app. Do you know that you are where Jesus wants you, doing what Jesus wants you to do?

C. His confidence in Jesus.

...and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

exp. Jesus IS our hope.

 ill. There is a supporting church of our's in Chesapeake Virginia - Great Hope Baptist Church (Interestingly, the pastor's wife's name was, Hope Godfrey.)

 exp. GREAT HOPE Baptist is a great name, kind of like "Great JESUS Baptist Church."

 note: Jesus is LIFE, TRUTH, THE WAY and Jesus is HOPE.

 exp. If someone does not have Jesus, they are HOPEless.

1 John 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

 app. Do you have HOPE tonight. You do if you have Jesus. Jesus IS hope!

 

II. Timothy's authority.

 exp. Timothy's character is interesting in Scripture.

- He seems fearful.

2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

- He seems youthful

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

- He seems sickly.

1Ti 5:23  Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

exp. Paul would strengthen this young, timid, and sickly man - with truth that will help him stand. (Interestingly - he is called upon by God to stand as a champion for the TRUTH.)

 exp. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

 note: And so Timothy's authority was....

A. His spiritual father.

2  Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: 

exp. Paul was discipled by none other than the Apostle Paul himself. 

ill. Ordination - required by our mission agency - but I had convictions against ordination. My dad and I spoke about it, he was also my pastor. God clearly directed me to be ordained. I wrote my doctrinal statement in 6 weeks. 3 of those weeks, my computer was broken. Our church doctrinal statement is my doctrinal statement for my ordination.

exp. I remember that those signatures on my ordination and the ordination service - were of great significance to me - SOMETHING I DID NOT EXPECT. God had called me, but it was good to have God's men supporting me in God's call.

 app. As a minister, I know that Timothy was greatly encouraged to have Paul behind him.

B. His blessing.

  exp. Timothy, although called of God, needed the blessing of God upon His ministry. 

2 Corinthians 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

1. 3 fold blessing.

Grace, mercy, and peace, 

- Grace: God's unmerited favour (not deserved, but a gift of a loving God.)

- Mercy: God withholding judgment (deserved, but not given because of a loving God.)

- Peace: God giving a state of calm (not natural, not dependent on surrounding.... just his gift.)

exp. I don't know what you think - but I KNOW I need Grace, Mercy and Peace everyday.

 app. Paul loved Timothy and the church and pronounced this threefold blessing upon them.

2. From God the Father.

...from God our Father

exp. You expect a Father to provide this, as long as you have not separated yourself from the Father.

ill. I only ran away from home once, I made it to the church property which was about 100 meters from my house and hid in the window well. If I had really run away, I would have separated myself from my father's blessing.

app. You can't run away from God physically (Jonah tried and failed). However, you can run away from God spiritually. Have you separated yourself from grace, mercy and peace?

3. From God the Son and Saviour.

...and Jesus Christ our Lord.

exp. Paul's letter has twice emphasized the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. (v.1 God our Saviour) and now - one of the 2 givers of gifts given to the church by God.

 Names: Saviour - Jesus - emphasizing his sacrifice for us.

Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Messiah - Christ - emphasizing his coming to deliver us.

Mar 8:29  And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

Master - Lord - emphasizing His authority over us.

Joh 13:13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

ill. As a 5 year old, I heard my dad preach a message on hell. I got saved that night. When I did, I entered into a personal relationship with the SAVIOUR, MESSIAH, MASTER. 

 app. Do you know Jesus Christ our Lord? 

- Is Jesus your Saviour?

- Have you said - "Thou art the Christ."

- Have you said, "Master" - like Mary when she saw Jesus after his resurrection.

Joh 20:16  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

 

conclusion:

 

Paul had authority from God 

- So do you, if you are doing what God has called you to do.

Jesus was Paul's hope. (Are you HOPEFUL tonight or HOPELESS?)

Timothy had reasons to be confident in the will of God.

His spiritual authority recognized God's call in His life.

He had God's 3 fold blessing (grace, mercy, and peace)

 

 

III. 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, 

note: Paul could trust that Timothy would do what Paul would do.

ill. To the church at Philippi.

Philippians 2:19  But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

20  For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

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. We are blessed to have the complete NT Scriptures. Timothy had some.

2. Refuting false doctrine.

a. Made up stories.

4  Neither give heed to fables

b. Made up lineage.

...and endless genealogies, 

c. Made up questions.

..which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

3. Preaching the true faith.

...godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Date: 14 September, 2021
Text: I Timothy 1:1-4
 
Introduction:
 
Epistles - letters written to the church or individuals which were intended by God to be part of the canon of Scripture. 
 
The sender - the Apostle Paul
 The receiver - is Timothy, Paul's preacher boy to whom he became a spiritual father and whom he trained for ministry. 
 
This is one of 3, so called, Pastoral Epistles - letters to Paul's preacher boys - Timothy and Titus
 
exp. Timothy was a close companion  of Paul who traveled and worked with him.
2 Corinthians 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
Philemon 1:1  Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Hebrews 13:23  Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Hebrews 13:25  Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy.
 
Location of Paul and Timothy: 
- Paul is likely writing from Macedonia. (northern Greece - southwest Bulgaria)
- Timothy is in Ephesus. (Near the wetern shores of modern day Turkey)
 
 
Approximate date of writing - mid 60's AD - likely between Paul's two imprisonments in Rome.
 
Theme: 
The management of the local church
1 Timothy 3:15  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.
 
And so we begin, our study of Paul's first epistle to his son in the faith, Timothy.
 
Prayer:
 
 I. Paul's authority.
 exp. The church in Ephesus would also see the contents of this letter. Timothy as a minister in this city would no doubt expound this letter to his congregation. Paul would immediately establish his authority with those who read the letter.
ill. It would be similar to the queen's letter beginning with, "Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth...."
exp. The intended audience, perhaps a British commonwealth country, would immediately be reminded of her authority as Queen. (PAUL IS ESTABLISHING HIS AUTHORITY.)
A. His position in Jesus.
1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ 
exp. There were only a select few who held such an honourable position in the church.
1. They were appointed by Jesus.
Luk 6:13  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
2. Paul's appointment was by Jesus after his ascension.
ill. You'll remember that after Saul's (Paul's) conversion, Jesus sent Ananias to Saul. At first Ananias didn't want to go to the man who was killing Christians.
Acts 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, ...
app. Paul's position was an apostle of Jesus.
B. His commission in Jesus.
...by the commandment of God our Saviour, 
Acts 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
exp. It's amazing to think about but God has a plan for our lives. 
 question: You wonder how many people find God's plan for their lives.
Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
exp. When Paul got saved - he demonstrated what the Bible teaches - and he as the human author wrote....
1 Corinthians 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
app. Do you know that you are where Jesus wants you, doing what Jesus wants you to do?
C. His confidence in Jesus.
...and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
exp. Jesus IS our hope.
 ill. There is a supporting church of our's in Chesapeake Virginia - Great Hope Baptist Church (Interestingly, the pastor's wife's name was, Hope Godfrey.)
 exp. GREAT HOPE Baptist is a great name, kind of like "Great JESUS Baptist Church."
 note: Jesus is LIFE, TRUTH, THE WAY and Jesus is HOPE.
 exp. If someone does not have Jesus, they are HOPEless.
1 John 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
 app. Do you have HOPE tonight. You do if you have Jesus. Jesus IS hope!
 
II. Timothy's authority.
 exp. Timothy's character is interesting in Scripture.
- He seems fearful.
2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
- He seems youthful
1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
- He seems sickly.
1Ti 5:23  Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
exp. Paul would strengthen this young, timid, and sickly man - with truth that will help him stand. (Interestingly - he is called upon by God to stand as a champion for the TRUTH.)
 exp. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.
 note: And so Timothy's authority was....
A. His spiritual father.
2  Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: 
exp. Paul was discipled by none other than the Apostle Paul himself. 
ill. Ordination - required by our mission agency - but I had convictions against ordination. My dad and I spoke about it, he was also my pastor. God clearly directed me to be ordained. I wrote my doctrinal statement in 6 weeks. 3 of those weeks, my computer was broken. Our church doctrinal statement is my doctrinal statement for my ordination.
exp. I remember that those signatures on my ordination and the ordination service - were of great significance to me - SOMETHING I DID NOT EXPECT. God had called me, but it was good to have God's men supporting me in God's call.
 app. As a minister, I know that Timothy was greatly encouraged to have Paul behind him.
B. His blessing.
  exp. Timothy, although called of God, needed the blessing of God upon His ministry. 
2 Corinthians 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
1. 3 fold blessing.
Grace, mercy, and peace, 
- Grace: God's unmerited favour (not deserved, but a gift of a loving God.)
- Mercy: God withholding judgment (deserved, but not given because of a loving God.)
- Peace: God giving a state of calm (not natural, not dependent on surrounding.... just his gift.)
exp. I don't know what you think - but I KNOW I need Grace, Mercy and Peace everyday.
 app. Paul loved Timothy and the church and pronounced this threefold blessing upon them.
2. From God the Father.
...from God our Father
exp. You expect a Father to provide this, as long as you have not separated yourself from the Father.
ill. I only ran away from home once, I made it to the church property which was about 100 meters from my house and hid in the window well. If I had really run away, I would have separated myself from my father's blessing.
app. You can't run away from God physically (Jonah tried and failed). However, you can run away from God spiritually. Have you separated yourself from grace, mercy and peace?
3. From God the Son and Saviour.
...and Jesus Christ our Lord.
exp. Paul's letter has twice emphasized the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. (v.1 God our Saviour) and now - one of the 2 givers of gifts given to the church by God.
 Names: Saviour - Jesus - emphasizing his sacrifice for us.
Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Messiah - Christ - emphasizing his coming to deliver us.
Mar 8:29  And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
Master - Lord - emphasizing His authority over us.
Joh 13:13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
ill. As a 5 year old, I heard my dad preach a message on hell. I got saved that night. When I did, I entered into a personal relationship with the SAVIOUR, MESSIAH, MASTER. 
 app. Do you know Jesus Christ our Lord? 
- Is Jesus your Saviour?
- Have you said - "Thou art the Christ."
- Have you said, "Master" - like Mary when she saw Jesus after his resurrection.
Joh 20:16  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
 
conclusion:
 
Paul had authority from God 
- So do you, if you are doing what God has called you to do.
Jesus was Paul's hope. (Are you HOPEFUL tonight or HOPELESS?)
Timothy had reasons to be confident in the will of God.
His spiritual authority recognized God's call in His life.
He had God's 3 fold blessing (grace, mercy, and peace)
 
 
III. 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, 
note: Paul could trust that Timothy would do what Paul would do.
ill. To the church at Philippi.
Philippians 2:19  But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20  For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
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. We are blessed to have the complete NT Scriptures. Timothy had some.
2. Refuting false doctrine.
a. Made up stories.
4  Neither give heed to fables
b. Made up lineage.
...and endless genealogies, 
c. Made up questions.
..which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
3. Preaching the true faith.
...godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
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