Sunday, November 12, 2017

Paul's Epistles – I Timothy – Part 3: The Lord’s Grace and Timothy’s Charge

Paul's Epistles – I Timothy – Part 3:
The Lord’s Grace and Timothy’s Charge
Pastor Bruce A. Shields


SERMON INTRODUCTION
This letter from Paul to Timothy will be the next “epistle” examine.

Immediately on his release from his first imprisonment before he visited Spain (Romans 15:24; Philemon 22), Paul more than likely visited Macedonia, Ephesus, etc. Not being able to stay long at Ephesus, he left Timothy to take charge of the work.

This parting was a tough trial to Timothy (I Timothy 1:3; II Timothy 1:4).

To encourage and instruct Timothy (who was sensitive and timid, and not strong (II Timothy 5:23 frequently upset stomach because of nerves), Paul wrote and forwarded this letter from Corinth.

PREVIOUSLY
Introduction of I Timothy
False Doctrine and the Law


TODAY’S SERMON
The Lord’s Grace and Timothy’s Charge

 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Timothy 1:12-20
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.


The overall message of this epistle to the church is;
We are designed to accomplish” - I Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

The purpose of this letter is given in I Timothy 3:15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”



I. YOU TOO, ARE WORTHY OF HIM
a. I was found trustworthy and appointed
                                                                 i. Shows that it is God who calls and blesses

1. He gave me strength
2. He considered me trustworthy
3. He appointed me to His service

                                                              ii. Was it because Paul was such a great guy? No...

b. Even though “I WAS”
                                                                 i. I was once a blasphemer
                                                              ii. I was once a persecutor
                                                           iii. I was once a violent man
                                                            iv. (LIT) However, I was shown mercy BECAUSE being ignorant I acted in unbelief


c. The Grace of our Lord was poured out on me
                                                                 i. The Lord knew Paul would be faithful

                                                              ii. The Lord knew Paul would not compromise the Gospel

                                                           iii. God will pour out His Grace on any honest, earnest seeker!

                                                            iv. The “faith and love in Christ Jesus” that was also poured out on Paul abundantly, was a result of the Grace of God


II.      CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS
a. ...of whom I am the worst
                                                                 i. The trustworthy saying is the Gospel of Christ dying for sinners

                                                              ii. Deserving full acceptance, means it is worthy of the world hearing and accepting Christ

                                                           iii. Paul, once his eyes were open to his sin, felt as if he was the worst of all sinners because of his transgressions against the Lord.

                                                            iv. When our eyes are opened to our true sin, we should recognize how we fall short of God and His Glory, before accepting His forgiveness for our sin.
1. If we do not recognize what it is God is forgiving, we cannot fully appreciate what He has done!


b. I am an example for those who believe in Him
                                                                 i. Paul stating, what the Lord has done for Paul, He will do for others

                                                              ii. This was the purpose of Christ’s coming and dying, to save sinners

c. Call on His name
                                                                 i.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

                                                              ii. Jesus Christ, eternal (from this point into eternity without end Jesus is King)

                                                           iii. Immortal (Jesus not just forever more, but with no beginning, i.e. always existed, NOT a creation)

                                                            iv. invisible (through the person of the Holy Spirit to dwell within you)

                                                               v. Give all honor and glory the only God forever and ever!
1. And all you have to do is call on His name

2. vs 16 “I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”

3. Believe = put trust in


III.   TIMOTHY MY SON, I GIVE YOU THIS COMMAND
a. Fight the battle well
                                                                 i. The prophecies spoke of Timothy probably referred to Acts 16:1-3Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

                                                              ii. We are not told exactly what the prophecies were, but they spoke to an assignment of leadership in the army of King Jesus

                                                           iii. Paul tells Timothy, vs 18I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well”


b. Hold on to faith and good conscience
                                                                 i. Holding on to faith means faith in Christ and the work of the cross
                                                              ii. and good conscience means following the Word of the Lord exactly as it is given
1. There is no guilt where there is obedience

2. Convictions come from the Holy Spirit to guide us

3. Guilt comes from the devil to stop us or change our direction

4. There will always be a good conscience when following the Word of the Lord exactly

                                                           iii. “...which some have rejected (either rejecting Faith in Christ and the Work of the Cross, or rejected following the Word of the Lord exactly)

1. Remember Paul’s opening of this letter to Timothy warning him about putting a stop to false doctrines being taught

2. Perhaps this too refers to false teachings that may be “close” to what the Word of the Lord says, but not “exactly”?

                                                            iv. Those who rejected (either faith in Christ, work of the cross, or following the Word of the Lord exactly as it is given) have suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith

1. Their faith had been “destroyed” (shipwrecked) BECAUSE of their rejection


c. Among them (there were more than these listed) Hymenaeus and Alexander rejected the faith (after knowing the truth) and have suffered


CONCLUSION – i HAVE HANDED THEM OVER TO SATAN

To be taught not to blaspheme.
This verse tells us that ALL who depart from “the faith,” which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified (work of the cross), are “blasphemers”

Paul handed them over to satan...what does this mean?
1 Corinthians 5:5hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.”
Paul instructs the church (body of believers) to hand the man committing incest over to satan, meaning for the believer’s to stop praying for him, stop helping him, stop communing with him, basically to shun him, in hopes that the actions or consequences of his sin (which is a decision and a choice) would devastate him emotionally, or physically or spiritually enough to cause him to repent.
In I Timothy, Paul “handing them over to satan to be taught not to blaspheme” is the same notion.
When one chooses to sin (such as these men “rejecting” sound doctrine and becoming blasphemers) we (brothers and sisters in Christ) confront them in hopes of correcting their path.
When they refuse to change, we need to stop being “enablers”, excusing their choice to sin, and “hand them over” if you will, to their sins and the consequences thereof, in hopes they open their eyes, repent and return to the fold.

Paul tells Timothy, simply “hold on to your faith in Christ Jesus and the work of the cross”, and keep a good conscience by “following the Word of the Lord exactly how it is given”

Remember what the Word says to us; in Matthew 10:14; Luke 9:5; Mark 6:11 “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.’
And also; James 5:20 “...remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”


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