Download 1 Timothy 1:1-11 - Bethany Community Church

Bill Akright
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Doctrine…Love in Action
1 Timothy 1:1-11
1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, 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. 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. 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 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.
Likely Date and Place of Writing:
1. 63-64AD (After Paul’s first imprisonment)
2. Likely from Macedonia (perhaps Philippi).
Author of the Letter (vs. 1):
1. Paul
a. The founder of the church who was once the fighter of churches
b. The preacher who was once the prosecutor
c. Apostle
i. Appointed by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:8-11)
ii. Seen the risen Christ (Acts 1:22, 1 Cor 15:8-9)
iii. Performed miracles (2 Cor 12:12)
d. His Authority
i. Commanded by God (Gal 1:15-16)
Recipient of the Letter (vs. 2):
1. Timothy (that which is dear to God).
a. A young resident of Lystra (Acts 16:1-3)
b. Greek Father and Jewish Mother (Eunice - 2 Timothy 1:5)
c. Taught the Scriptures from his youth (2 Timothy 1:5 & 3:15)
d. Came to know Christ through Paul’s 1st missionary journey (Acts 14:8-20)
e. Ordained to ministry by the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14 & 2 Timothy 1:6)
Purpose of the Letter (vs. 3-11):
1. To encourage Timothy, Paul’s personal emissary to the church at Ephesus, for the task at hand
a. Timothy may have had other ideas “I urge you”
b. To confront those teaching “strange doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3 & Gal 1:6-7)
c. To quell the tide of heresy (1 Timothy 4:11,16 & 6:2)
d. To encourage today’s pastor who has the same problems
Purity of Doctrine (vs. 3-4):
1. Doctrine (Didaskalia - did-as-kal-ee'-ah) – “teaching, instruction”
a. Jesus thought doctrine was important (John 17:17)
b. Paul mentions doctrine to this young man of God 5 times
i. 1:3, 4:1, 4:6, 6:1 & 6:3
ii. Each occurrence suggests extreme importance
iii. God suggests it has strong gravity for the believer (4:15 & 16)
1. Over the years men, women and children have thought it so important that they were willing
to die for it
2. Are we willing to live like it really matters?
c. The desire to teach was often greater than the desire for truth.
i. Even so that many came with a resume of their family genealogy to prove they were of the correct
lineage to teach the Law.
ii. The oversight and management of God’s church was being swayed by what sounded good rather
than by the truth (Romans 10:17)
“…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
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Bill Akright
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(309) 243-9639
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Purpose of Doctrine (vs. 5):
1. Doctrine should not cause division, but love.
a. God is not the author of confusion in the church (1 Cor 14:33)
b. Agape – brotherly love, affection or good will
c. As we share the truth with others, Paul gives us the necessary ingredients to be effective
i. Pure heart – We are only made clean by the blood of Christ (Heb 10:22)
ii. Good conscience – there should be nothing between us and God or fellow believers (1 Pet 3:16)
iii. Sincere faith – not a feigned love or faith, but that which comes from a changed heart (1 Pet 1:22)
d. 1 Cor 13:12-13
i. We do not always see this side of the equation
ii. The Holy Spirit is at work here as well (1 Thess 1:5)
Perversion of Doctrine (vs. 6-11):
1. These men were once on the right path but have literally “turned” like a bone being twisted out of joint (vs. 6)
a. They did not see love as the purpose, but the position was more sought after.
2. The law is good and meant to be used even today, but must be used for its intended purpose (vs. 7-8)
a. To stop every mouth that man may see his guilt before God (Romans 3:19)
b. That man would turn to Christ for righteousness (Rom 10:1-4; Gal 2:21 & 3:24-25)
3. Our righteousness is not derived from the Law, but from God who is rich in mercy and grace (vs. 9-11)
a. We are no longer under Law, but under grace (Rom 11:6)
b. The Holy Spirit and the grace of God now serves as our controlling “force” (Gal 3:1-5 & Tit 2:11)
c. The list of sins listed mirrors the ten commandments and are meant to bring guilt
d. Sound Doctrine will be judged based on whether it is a “gospel of the blessed God”.
e. People are transformed by beholding the glory of the Lord (2 Cor 3:18), not by being constantly bombarded
by legalistic preaching or teaching.
f. Speak the truth in love (1 Pet 3:15)
“…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
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Bill Akright
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(309) 243-9639
www.bethanycentral.org
We have gotten accustomed to the blurred puffs of gray fog that pass for doctrine in churches and expect nothing better. From some previously
unimpeachable sources are now coming vague statements consisting of a milky admixture of Scripture, science, and human sentiment that is true to none
of its ingredients because each one works to cancel the others out. Little by little Christians these days are being brainwashed. One evidence is that
increasing numbers of them are becoming ashamed to be found unequivocally on the side of truth. They say they believe, but their beliefs have been so
diluted as to be impossible of clear definition. Moral power has always accompanied definite beliefs. Great saints have always been dogmatic. We need a
return to a gentle dogmatism that smiles while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God that lives and abides forever. A.W. Tozer.
From boyhood, one of my favorite stories has been the forty martyrs of Sabaste. These forty soldiers, all Christians, were members of the famed Twelfth
Legion of Rome's imperial army. One day their captain told them Emperor Licinius had sent out an edict that all soldiers were to offer sacrifice to the pagan
gods. These Christians replied, "You can have our armor and even our bodies, but our hearts' allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ."
It was midwinter of A.D. 320, and the captain had them marched onto a nearby frozen lake. He stripped them of their clothes and said they would either die
or renounce Christ. Throughout the night these men huddled together singing their song, "Forty martyrs for Christ." One by one the temperature took its toll
and they fell to the ice.
At last there was only one man left. He lost courage and stumbled to the shore, where he renounced Christ. The officer of the guards had been watching all
this. Unknown to the others, he had secretly come to believe in Christ. When he saw this last man break rank, he walked out onto the ice, threw off his
clothes, and confessed that he also was a Christian. When the sun rose the next morning, there were forty bodies of soldiers who had fought to the death
for Christ. Lieghton Ford, Good News is for Sharing, 1977, David C. Cook Publishing Co., p. 16.
George Atley was killed while serving with the Central African Mission. There were no witnesses, but the evidence indicates that Atley was confronted by a
band of hostile tribesmen. He was carrying a fully loaded, 10-chamber Winchester rifle and had to choose either to shoot his attackers and run the risk of
negating the work of the mission in that area, or not to defend himself and be killed. When his body was later found in a stream, it was evident that he had
chosen the latter. Nearby lay his rifle -- all 10 chambers still loaded. He had made the supreme sacrifice, motivated by his burden for lost souls and his
unswerving devotion to his Savior. With the apostle Paul, he wanted Christ to be magnified in his body, "whether by life or by death." Writing on Philippians
1:20 in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Robert P. Lightner said, "Paul's concern was not what would happen to him but what testimony would be left for
his Lord. Release would allow him to continue preaching Christ. But martyrdom would also advance the cause of Christ." Daily Bread.
I am not come hither to deny my Lord and Master. Anne Askew--July 16, 1545/burned at the stake after torture on the rack, at the age of 25.
Margaret Wilson, a Scottish girl of eighteen, was tied to a stake where the tide was due to come in. The water covered her while she was engaged in
prayer; but before life was gone, they pulled her up till she recovered the power of speech, when she was asked by Major Windram, who commanded, if
she would pray for the king. She replied that "She wished the salvation of all men, and the damnation of none."
"Dear Margaret," said one of the by- standers, deeply affected, "say God save the king." She answered with great steadiness, "God save him, if he will,
for it is his salvation I desire." "Sir, they cried to the major, "she has said it; she has said it!" The major, approaching her on hearing this, offered her the
abjuration oath, charging her instantly to swear it, otherwise to return to the water. The poor young woman...firmly replied, "I will not; I am one of Christ's
children! let me go." Upon which she was again thrust into the water, and drowned. Margaret Wilson--Early 1680's/drowned for faithfulness to the
Reformation.
Polycarp (A.D. 70-155) was bishop of Smyrna and a godly man. He had known the apostle John personally. When he was urged by the Roman proconsul
to renounce Christ, Polycarp said: "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and my
Savior?" "I have respect for your age," said the official. "Simply say, 'Away with the atheists!' and be set free." The aged Polycarp pointed to the pagan
crowd and said, "Away with the atheists!" He was burned at the stake and gave joyful testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ.
W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, p. 214.
Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John and an early church leader whose life ended when he refused to betray his Lord. Asked one last time to
disavow his Christ, the old man replied, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I speak evil of my King who
saved me?"
Here is his martyr's prayer, as recorded by the historian Eusebius. "Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received
the knowledge of You, I bless You that You have counted me worthy of this day and hour, that I might be in the number of the martyrs. Among these may I
be received before You today in a rich and acceptable sacrifice, as You have beforehand prepared and revealed. Wherefore I also praise You also for
everything; I bless You; I glorify You, through the eternal High Priest Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom, with Him, in the Holy Spirit, be glory
unto You both now and for the ages to come. Amen." Eusebius adds: "When he had offered up his amen and had finished his prayer, the firemen lighted
the fire." Quoted in Closer Walk, July, 1988, p. 22.
The Bohemian reformer John Hus was a man who believed the Scriptures to be the infallible and supreme authority in all matters. He died at the stake for
that belief in Constance, Germany, on his forty-second birthday. As he refused a final plea to renounce his faith, Hus's last words were, "What I taught with
my lips, I seal with my blood." Source Unknown.
“…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
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