Paul's Epistles – I Timothy – Part 6: Paul’s Reason for Sending this Letter

Paul's Epistles – I Timothy – Part 6:

Paul’s Reason for Sending this Letter

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org | Online Audio Files

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

The Lord’s Grace and Timothy’s Charge

Pray for All

Requirements for Elders and Deacons

  

TODAY’S SERMON

Paul's Reasoning for writing this letter to Timothy  

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

I Timothy 3:14-16

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 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. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,

    was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

    was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

                was taken up in glory.

  

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. PAUL’S INSTRUCTIONS TO TIMOTHY SO FAR

a. Paul’s warning against false teachers and doctrines / LAW

                                                                 i. Paul immediately begins his letter to Timothy warning him about false doctrine/teachers and those who continue to teach The Law

                                                              ii. Paul warns about Jewish fables and endless Jewish genealogies that false teachers (Judaizers) 

1. Remember, Judaizers were Jewish Christians who taught one must be circumcised (i.e. become Jewish) first in order to observe the Law of Moses, which they believed was mandatory before following Christ

                                                           iii. Paul also reminded Timothy that the Law was not made for the righteous (I Timothy 1:9), but for the lawless and disobedient

b. The Lord’s Grace on Paul and for all - so pray for all

                                                                 i. Paul also reminded Timothy of his (Paul’s) conversion

                                                              ii. How it is God’s will that ALL come to Christ and receive Salvation (I Timothy 2:4)

                                                           iii. So Paul tells Timothy, Pray for ALL that they may receive this Grace

c. Requirements for Elders and Deacons in the church

                                                                 i. Paul then sets forth explaining the requirements for Elders (Pasto’s) and Deacons in the church for Timothy, so he may establish the church in Ephesus

                                                              ii. Paul’s calling by God was not only to correct and guide the first churches, but establish them

1. Collecting a group of Christ followers in a town

2. Teaching them the Truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus

3. Baptizing them

4. Teaching them all Christ commanded

5. The choosing through the Holy Spirit Elders to lead that local church after he left to establish another church

                                                           iii. This duty would be in Timothy’s hands in Ephesus

II.      PAULS REASON FOR SENDING TIMOTHY THESE INSTRUCTIONS

a. If I am delayed you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household

                                                                 i. Paul wanting to meet Timothy soon, but being delayed was tough on Timothy

                                                              ii. Timothy was a young Pastor and leader and had much stress organizing the Ephesus church without Paul there to help, a more seasoned veteran of the ministry

b. Which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the Truth

                                                                 i. The true church of the Living God, purchased with the Blood of Christ Jesus

                                                              ii. The pillar and foundation of Truth

1. The Truth is the cross

2. I Corinthians 1:17-18, 21, 23

3. I Corinthians 2:2

4. Ephesians 2:13-18

c. Beyond all question - the mystery from which true godliness springs is great

                                                                 i. The mystery is the Truth of the Cross which was previously hidden (as in not understood)

                                                              ii. Now, fully revealed, we know and understand that TRUE godliness springs FROM the work of the Cross, nowhere else

III.   THE MYSTERY WHICH IS BEYOND ALL QUESTION

a. God was manifest in the flesh (sorry Jehovah’s Witnesses, but this is Truth)

                                                                 i. This is reference to Christ Jesus, the eternal Word become flesh

b. Was vindicated by the Spirit

                                                                 i. justified, endorsed, proved, and pronounced by the Holy Spirit

c. Was seen by angels (Angels were witness to every capacity of His Birth, Life, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension)

d. Was preached unto the Nations

                                                                 i. His atonement was for the entirety of mankind, this Message is to be proclaimed to the entirety of the world!

e. Was believed on in the world

                                                                 i. Was taken up in glory

                                                              ii. His mission was accomplished, finished, and accepted totally by God

CONCLUSION – Timothy’s Letter reveals how we ought to conduct ourselves

It is important for believers to have an understanding of their responsibilities as a follower of Christ Jesus.

Paul has made clear the warnings against false teachers and doctrines, God’s grace towards sinners leading them to Salvation and repentance, the requirements for the leadership within the congregation, and the explanation of the mystery, which is no longer hidden from understanding, but the manifestation of God through the Word made flesh, the power of the Holy Spirit, the witness of angels, preached to nations, accepted by the World and taken to Glory in full acceptance of the Father in heaven.

 Next Paul will address guarding the Truth in the church in the face of Apostasy

  

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