Know the Gospel

1st Timothy - Life as the church  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Timothy's charge regarding two kinds of teaching

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Reason for . . .

As we start an exegetical (verse by verse) look at this important letter the reason for the letter is clearly found (1Tim3:14-15)
1 Timothy 3:14–15 NASB95
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
Paul writing to Timothy about conduct within “the household of God’ the “church of the living God” which is the pillar and support of the truth.
We are the servants of the living God and it is imperative as servants (ministers) that our teaching (doctrine) reflects our personal responsibility to that doctrine (teaching).
In our passage today we will see the charge of Timothy and the reason behind the charge. (1Tim1:3-7)
1 Timothy 1:3–4 NASB95
3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
1 Timothy 1:5–6 NASB95
5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
1 Timothy 3:5–6 NASB95
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
1 Timothy 1:7 NASB95
7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
1Tim
Timothy is “urged” charged with charging others about their teaching (doctrine).
This is not the only charge you can find another one (2Tim2:2)
2 Timothy 2:2 NASB95
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
In our passage today we will see two kinds of teaching
Teaching that causes disputes
Teaching that produces godly edification
This is an important issue not just to preachers, teachers of the Word but students, and people who study the Word and share the Word with others.
I love the illustration you see of this so people can know the truth and teach the truth more accurately as see in (Act18:24-26)
Acts 18:24–25 NASB95
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;
Acts 18:26 NASB95
and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
We either can be joined together, united in spirit and truth and bring godly edification or we can contribute to the rise of disputes and dissensions that cause divisions. How we conduct ourselves within the house of living God matters.
In this passage and our one next week you will see a smooth blending of both doctrine and behavior. The gospel is not just a way of thinking it is a way of living and involves both doctrine and application (practice)
As Paul “urged” Timothy to stay where he was planted in Ephesus (v.3) we too can learn from that too. He was urged so to teach others not to teach wrong doctrine, we too can stay were we are and work hand in hand with each other to teach others more accurately (like Apollo’s) or to stop them from teaching strange doctrine (v.3)
Godly edification, to build up, to encourage the body in Christ. Think about how many times we can avoid controversies or debates when we asks ourselves “is this about building up?”
We cannot afford to be swayed by “fables and endless genealogies” (v.4) Theological debate does not equate to the quality of life found in sound doctrine.
Now I have rambled on long enough in this introduction let’s now get into the passage and the teachings.

I. Teaching that causes disputes

Looking for the “in thing”
Not being content with the simplicity of the gospel (Gal1:8-9)
Not accepting or obeying the charge (1Tim1:3)
(expand on the growing trends) - not on slide below keep that way
Worship bands and productions vs. instrument of heart
Topical preaching not based on bible but on trends
Being program based and not Bible based
The gospel is simple, and is vital look at what Paul says.
Galatians 1:8–9 NASB95
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
A gospel that does not include repentance or obedience is not the gospel at all.
When we have the gospel and have obeyed the gospel we are charged with protecting the gospel just as Timothy was
1 Timothy 1:3 NASB95
3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,
New ways, new things, cannot replace the truth of the gospel. There is no new revelation, there is the revelation that which is complete in the Word of God. It may be new to new people, but it is not new historically, accurately and eternally.
Not walking the walk causes disputes (1Tim1:6; Tit1:10, 3:9 and Jam1:22-27)
We cannot get caught up in verbal battles and intellectual arguments, we need to focus on action rather then argument on position. On application of what we study!
We should be doctrinely sound so not caught up in “idle talk”
1 Timothy 1:6 NASB95
6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
Paul spoke to Titus on this too, you will see many similarities between the letters to Timothy and to Titus. Here is one of them
Titus 1:10 NASB95
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
Titus 3:9 NASB95
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
We need to watch out for these type of people and avoid foolish controversies. For they are worthless, not only worthless they cause disputes and division.
James speaks of useless religion when our actions don’t match our words
James 1:22–23 NASB95
22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
James 1:24–25 NASB95
24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:26–27 NASB95
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Pride rather than humility can cause disputes (1Tim1:7;Jam3:13-18)
1 Timothy 1:7 NASB95
7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
When you think you know something and proclaim that but have no real knowledge of the truth in humility. We need to be humble, we need to be careful. We need to be teachable and reachable always looking to learn and to grow.
Look at this passage see what James has to say
James 3:13–14 NASB95
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
James 3:15–16 NASB95
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
James 3:17–18 NASB95
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Jam3”17-18
Let your behavior example your belief in gentleness
Wisdom that is pure, peaceable reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits comes from above.
Knowledge is good, application is vital, but it needs to be with love
1 Corinthians 8:1–2 NASB95
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
Legalism (dogmatism) without knowledge (1Tim1:7)
Don’t get so caught up in apparent tradition without understand the reason behind the tradition, biblically speaking. Many dogmatic people are misinformed people (I was one!)
1 Timothy 1:7 NASB95
7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
We need to stand fast in the truth and defense of the truth, again with love. A little knowledge can be a dangerous things, so be careful, be sure that you truly know and understand the truth, and apply that!
(insert personal illustration about a little truth without all knowledge can be detrimental) - knowing the truth but not convicted in it (serving in denominational world)
Whew, lots of things can cause disputes but then let’s flip the coin over and look at teaching that brings godly edification.

II. Teaching producing godly edification

Our teaching need to be based on our faith in God
Godly edification comes from faith in God (1Tim1:4)
1 Timothy 1:4 NASB95
4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
by faith, we need to teach what faith is, what to do with faith.
Godly edification comes from the Word of God (Rom10:17)
Romans 10:17 NASB95
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
For faith brings hope (Heb11:1)
Hebrews 11:1 NASB95
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Our hope is Jesus Christ (1Tim1:1)
1 Timothy 1:2 NASB95
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Timothy 1:1 NASB95
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
The gospel is linked to edification in contrast to speculation, the end product is love. - Gary Demarest (commentary on 1, 2 Timothy)
Building up, edifying comes from the hope that we find in the grace of God that is discovered and displayed in God’s Word. So when we think of godly edification we need to think of the Word of God as the basis of our thoughts and actions.
Godly edification produces love (1Tim1:5; 1Jn4:20-21; and 2Tim2:24-26)
1 Timothy 1:5 NASB95
5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Kierkegaard says “purity of heart is to will one thing.”
The will of God the will for God and that is to love the people. It is also as it says in Matthew
Matthew 5:6 NASB95
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
A will that hungers and thirst for righteousness, it is not only knowing but doing the things that pleases God
1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV
4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
Even when we fall short of pure love from pure heart we continue to seek God and His will above all else and that will help us to love with purity of heart.
This love is the love of man too
1 John 4:20–21 NASB95
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
Not looking to always be right, not trying to prove self in argument but remember our aim, to save souls
2 Timothy 2:24–25 NASB95
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
2 Timothy 2:26 NASB95
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Teaching that produces godly edification
seeks to create a pure heart (1Tim1:5)
I know I mentioned 1Tim1:5 already but it applies here too for it is not defiled by
(below not on screen, or handout, keep that way)
Trying to show how cleaver or smart we are
Trying to show what great debaters we are
Wanting to prove others ignorant or trying to embarrass them
Our desire must be pure, seeking to lead people to come to know God and to draw closer to God
Seeks to develop a good conscience (1Tim1:5; Ezr7:10; 1Tim1:6)
Seek a pure heart from a good conscience or to a good conscience
1 Timothy 1:5 NIV
5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
How does this happen? First it is in personal application of God’s word.
Ezra 7:10 NASB95
10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Notice what Ezra did.
Set his heart
Studied the law
Practiced the law
Taught the statutes and ordinances
Oh to love from a pure heart from a good conscience is not easy, it is easy to stray from it.
1 Timothy 1:6 NASB95
6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
1 Timothy 1:6 NASB95
6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
Easy to happen when not applied personally and not practiced regularly; so we need to remember to apply regularly and:
DO AS I DO, AND DO AS I SAY
It seeks to beget (come from) sincere faith (1Tim1:5; Gal5:6)
Our goal should always be to share, to teach, to preach from a sincere faith.
Faith that believed and applied not just stated
Faith that is a lifestyle not an intellectual exercise
Faith at that is living, vibrant, active that we are committed to
Faith that produces works of love to glory of God.
Galatians 5:6 NASB95
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
Sincere faith is faith that goes beyond outward appearances but comes from a pure heart with pure motives.
So, what kind of students, what kind of ministers (servants) what kind of teachers (proclaimers) are we?
Do we wrangle over words and bring disputes and division or
Do we engaged in godly edification that comes with
Love
A pure heart
A good conscience and
A sincere faith?
(Lead to invitation; insert invitation slide here) - to have love, a pure heart, good conscience and to know and have a sincere faith you need to start with Jesus. Come to Him, maybe need to be renewed in Him, be reminded of Him, if this fits stand up stand out in your faith for your faith and by your faith as we stand and sing.
(end recording)
(add invitation slide again here)
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