Know the usefulness of Law

1st Timothy - Life as the Church Series  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Reason for the law, understanding the purpose of the Law

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So what do we do with the Law?

In the early church there was a problem that lead to several letters in the Epistles, Romans, Galatians, Colossians, and here in Timothy some instructions on
Life as the church
Importance of knowing the gospel
Today, knowing the usefulness of the Law
The problem seemed to be the proper use of the Law when it came to being a Christian and properly understanding the Law of Moses.
Act15:1-6 the Jerusalem counsel dealt with people trying to bind the law of circumcision on Gentile Christians. (expand on this, do we do the same thing?)
There is proof that some of the Christians who were previously Jews kept some elements of the law
Acts 21:20 NASB95
20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;
In looking back at what we have seen already I think we can draw the conclusion it was the problem with the Church at Ephesus in which Timothy was left to work with.
1 Timothy 1:2–3 NASB95
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 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,
1 Timothy 1:2–4 NASB95
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 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 1:4 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.
For there were some who were straying from the truth
For there were some who were straying from the truth
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,
1Tim1:
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.
1 Timothy 1:5–7 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, 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.
1Tim2:5-6
I think we can have a problem in the church, our life as the church with a similar issue, legalism, and it is a form of the law or it is demanding adherence to the Law.
We need to understand the purpose and the limitations of the Law
And prevent unlawful ways of using the Law
While our passage today 1Tim1:8-11 Paul declares the Law is good if used properly. But good things can be misused can’t they?
The Law shows us what God is like and what God expects of us
The Law stands to show the importance of accepting Christ by faith and the consequences if you do not.
The Law gives us the knowledge of sin (Rom3:19)
The Law is perfect (Psm19:7)
Romans 3:19 NASB95
19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
Psalm 19:7 NASB95
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
I want to look contextually at this passage and then conceptually at other passages today to bring home the point of scripture.

I. Purpose of law (contextually)

1 Timothy 1:8–9 NASB95
8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
1 Timothy 1:10 NASB95
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
I think I have already spoken some of the good uses of the law, but in this portion of scripture Paul goes on to show us, to elaborate on.
Three pairs of sinners
Lawbreakers and rebels
Ungodly and sinful
unholy and irreligious
That sure seems not to leave anything out, does it? It covers all things and all sin. (not on slide below; keep it that way)
Those who by outward acts disobey the standard of God
Those with inward sin, coveting, hatred and the like
Those who defiantly oppose God and God’s authority
Look at some of the comparison’s
Killers, murders (1Tim1:9; Exo20:12-13)
Exodus 20:12–13 NASB95
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. 13 “You shall not murder.
Adulterers, sexually immoral (1Tim1:10; Exo20:14)
Exodus 20:14 NASB95
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
Kidnappers (1Tim1:10; Exo20:15)
Exodus 20:15 NASB95
15 “You shall not steal.
Liars, perjurers (1Tim1:10; Exo20:16)
Exodus 20:16 NASB95
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
And if in the military there is article 134, if they did not get you with anything else they get you with this.
1 Timothy 1:10 NASB95
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
And whatever else is contrary to sound teaching!
Remember the usefulness of the law is to bring us to understand the goodness of God (1Tim1:11)
1 Timothy 1:11 NASB95
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
God who is good, God who is holy, He is righteous and just and our passage today shows us we are unable to live up to the perfection of the law and we are need of the grace we receive by faith.
The Law points out our condemnation (Rom3:19-20)
Romans 3:19–20 NASB95
19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
The law when properly used leads us to know we need the Savior Jesus Christ (Gal3:24)
Galatians 3:24 NASB95
24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
The law cannot save us, cannot justify us, but it can lead us to the One who can!
Think of the song Rock of Ages
“Not the labor of my hands can fulfill the law’s demands. All for sin could ot atone, though must save, and thou alone. . .”
Now contextually it does finish with sound doctrine, teaching that produces Christians who are growing in God’s grace through obedience. They love from a pure heart and a good conscience, oh wait here is the scripture.
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.
True doctrine is not theoretical it is applicable, it chances lives and produces a new person, a person born of spirit and of truth. So now let’s move on conceptually and look at the law when used lawfully (properly)

II. Using the law, lawfully

Understanding the law and the proper use of the law has man benefits
It is useful for wisdom regarding salvation (2Tim3:14-17; Act8:30-35; Act15:13-17 and another good reference is Rom4:1-8)
Paul discussed the importance of the Word of God
2 Timothy 3:14–15 NASB95
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Tim3:16-17
2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB95
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
wisdom from the word of God that leads to salvation (v.15); scripture that Timothy had grown up with so it had to refer to the Law, the Law of Moses
The Old Testament usage with Philip with the Eunuch in Act8:30-35
Then at the Jerusalem conference
Acts 15:13–14 NASB95
13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 “Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
Acts 15:15–16 NASB95
15 “With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 After these things I will return, And I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, And I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it,
Acts 15:17 NASB95
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’
And the use of Abraham in Rom4:1-8 about justification by faith; but let me just give you piece of it.
Romans 4:6 NASB95
6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
Rom4:6
Rom5:
Romans 4:7–8 NASB95
7 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”
There is much we learn about salvation in Christ from the Law.
It is useful for doctrine to learn about God
His omnipresence , omnipotence, omniscience (Psm139)
His longsuffering, His mercy, His justice, and His righteous indignation (Psm103)
His providential working with the nations (Dan2)
In the Daniel passage the dream of the statue that would speak of the coming kingdoms
Learn of creation, creation of man and fall of man (Gen1-3)
Learn the weakness of man (Psm51)
i think you can get the point of all of these there is much we can learn about our need for the Christ for His redemption through the Old Testament and the Law.
It is useful for reproof, correction, instructions in righteousness (2Tim3:16-17; Rom12:19-21; 1Pt3:8-12)
There are principles within the law, principles of righteousness that till remain true and through all time. We have seen the the condemnation of the sinners in our passage today.
The Law when properly used is good for learning and admonition (Rom15:4; 1Cor10:11-12; 2Pt2:10 all because we are 1Pt2:9-10)
The Old Testament is good for our learning so that we may have hope as Paul uses
Romans 15:4 NASB95
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The Old Testament is good for our admonition, that we might not fall
1 Corinthians 10:11–12 NASB95
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
As God’s elect the church is the saved, but it starts personally.
2 Peter 1:10 NASB95
10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
Because we are
1 Peter 2:9–10 NASB95
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Apostasy is a real danger and we need to be careful (think of Heb3:8-4:1)
Don’t allow our hearts to be hardened
Don’t allow there to be an evil or unbelieving heart
There is still a promise a rest for those who are obedient to the end
So if I said to use it lawfully, then there has to be the other side of the coin, unlawful use of the law.

III. The Law used improperly

For foolish arguments, disputes and the like (1Tim1:6-7; Tit3:9)
1 Timothy 1:6–7 NASB95
6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 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.
1
Straying from the truth, they don’t even know what they are talking about when they assert what they believe.
Titus 3:9 NASB95
9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Disputes that are unprofitable and worthless
Misused regarding justification from sin (Act15:1, 4; Gal2:21)
Acts 15:1 NASB95
1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
(expand on that just for a minute)
Acts 15:5 NASB95
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”
Demanding adherence to the law makes Jesus death on the cross meaningless
Galatians 2:21 NASB95
21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
This is a huge stumbling block, and you severe yourself from Christ
Galatians 5:4 NASB95
4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
The law cannot justify you, it cannot save you, but demanding adherence can sever you!
When misapplied by binding feasts, sabbaths and rituals (ACt16:1-3; 1Cor9:19-20)
Hey, there are good things in the Law that may be observed by choice, Paul showed that in having Timothy circumcised
Acts 16:1–3 NASB95
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Acts 16:1–2 NASB95
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
Acts 16:3 NASB95
3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Jewish mother, Grecian father, to further the gospel where he was going it was better and Timothy agreed since we have nothing saying otherwise in the scripture
1 Corinthians 9:19–20 NASB95
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
Paul was willing to do what was necessary to be all things to all men for the sake of the gospel, so may win those who are under the Law. These were choices of freedom not obligation and Paul surely would not allow it to be put on others
Galatians 2:3–4 NASB95
3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.
Galatians 2:5 NASB95
5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
And then in Colossi
Colossians 2:16 NASB95
16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—
See Jesus broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile(Eph2:14-16)
Ephesians 2:14–15 NASB95
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
Ephesians 2:16 NASB95
16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
When misapplied people have used it to justify certain practices
Elevated priesthood, temples
incense, instrumental music, and yes even animal sacrifices
Jesus taught you needed to worship in spirit and truth
John 4:20–21 NASB95
20 “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
John 4:22–23 NASB95
22 “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
John 4:24 NASB95
24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
The Old Testament form of worship was a shadow of true worship, or a symbol of true worship
Hebrews 9:10 NASB95
10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
The time of reformation was the time of Christ, from His death, burial, resurrection, ascension until His return. If we impose, force the law we are reducing the authority of Jesus and Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Summing up the Law

The law is good, holy and just (Rom7:12)
Romans 7:12 NASB95
12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
The law was temporary (Gal3:19, 23-25)
Galatians 3:19 NASB95
19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
The law was temporary (Gal3:19, 23-25)
Galatians 3:23–25 NASB95
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
The law was perfect but could not provide perfection from sin (Heb10:1-4)
The law was perfect but could not provide perfection from sin (Heb10:1-4)
The law was not designed to make us righteous (1Tim1:10-11)
1 Timothy 1:10–11 NASB95
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
There is One who the law replaced that the law was to lead us to the Christ who fulfilled the law and the laws demands
(Lead to Invitation)
(insert invitation slide)
(Stop recording)
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