A Series Based on the Timothy/Titus Letters 5-18-14 PM
Long before you and I were around. Long before Paul and Timothy were around. In fact, long before the earth itself was around, God had a plan.
A CHOSEN RACE (1 Chron. 16:13), A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD (Ex. 19:6), A HOLY NATION (Deut. 7:6), A SPECIAL or UNIQUE PEOPLE (PECULIAR) FOR GOD S OWN POSSESSION, (Deut. 14:2).
To proclaim the excellencies of Him who had called them out of the darkness [of sin] into His marvelous light [of His Son s Truth]. 1 Pet. 2:9 identified these PEOPLE as THE CHURCH of CHRIST.
To seek out in Scripture - HOW TO walk and talk and serve in a manner that is pleasing to our Creator. We identified the Timothy/ Titus letters as three of those vital HOW TO books - designed to train GOD S PEOPLE in how to conduct ourselves - in the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Tim. 1:15)
Genesis 1:26ff, God s expressed purpose in creating the universe and creating man was for Him to have a corporate expression in man and to have His dominion over the whole earth through man.
The First Adam and all the other men following him failed God, but God came to earth in the form of a man and in the person of the Lord Jesus: This Last Adam, fulfilled individually God s eternal purpose. Through His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus produced THE Church. And when we were baptized into Christ we were added to THE Church by God, and we become members of THE Body of Christ, a part of THE Church, a member of THE Household of God.
And so, again, THE church, THE church of Christ, THE church of the living God, THE pillar and foundation of THE Truth- is both blessed and by faith -obligated by the Scriptures to fulfill THE eternal plan of God.
To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the *mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; (*The mystery is the Gentile inclusion the knowledge that God s people is NOT a RACE, but a FAITH).
10- so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through THE Church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 - This was in accordance with THE Eternal Purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Do our best to present ourselves to God as ones approved, as workers who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handle the Word of Truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)
1 Tim. 1- Contains the Introductions / Words of encouragement and a Personal Testimony all designed to strengthen Timothy s conviction 1 Tim. 2- Deals primarily with certain Unity Issues, principally Prayer and Gender Roles in Public Worship. 1 Tim. 3- Contains the qualifications of Elders and Deacons, and ends with a well known 1 st century doxology (hymn of praise).
1 Tim. 4 Deals with the coming Apostasy and Timothy s Ministerial Duties in the face of that problem 1 Tim. 5 Practical steps regarding Widows in need, and Respect for Elders in general. 1 Tim 6 Basic Instructions for the Man of God.
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our Hope.
To Timothy, (Primary Recipient), my true child in the faith, (Relationship): Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (Salutation)
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. So Paul considered ones 40 s to be young. (Have you heard 80 is the new 60?)
(3-4) 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, 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.
Young men in difficult ministries often wear out, or burn out, or are carried out. I read that on average time a youth minister stays in one congregation only 18 mos. Many Pulpit ministers stay only 2-3 years. Many times it is the result of loneliness and the discouragement I suspect part of Paul was saying to Timothy is: STAY IN EPHESUS! YOU RE NEEDED IN EPHESUS!
We still need ministers today. We still need men who will stay at the work. We still need men who will stand in the gap and Preach the Truth in and out of season and who will encourage the entire body to continue to proclaim the excellencies of Him who had called them out of the darkness of sin into His marvelous light of His Son s Truth.
1 Timothy 4:7 - Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be Godly. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
2 Timothy 2:23 - (Just) Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce [more] quarrels. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 - [But as for you, Timothy], You preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, [there is it again] YOU - be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill YOUR ministry.
What do you think one should do about this or that? What is your opinion on this issue? Who cares!
What do you think one should do about this or that? What is your opinion on this issue? Who cares! When one does not root his teachings in the Word of God, you are left with fruitless discussions.
I just feel I m right about this or that You say Show me the Scripture.
You say Instead of trusting in your subjective feelings - Trust in the LORD with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him. And He will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6).
A LOVE that flows from pure life. A CONSCIENCE that is free & clear. A FAITH that is without wax. Are you familiar with the phrase Without Wax?
Back in the day when people still made sculptures, some artists made mistakes. To correct these mistakes when making a sculpture of stone, they would use a colored wax to fill in the mistake
But a truly great sculpture was described as being "without wax." This term was used for anything that was authentic or flawless. It is also the Latin root of the word sincerely. Sin without Cera wax.
Is that your FAITH? Is it without wax? Are you fulfilling YOUR heart s desire or GOD S heart s desire? Are you living out the plan God prepared for the church of Christ?
Long before you and I were around. Long before Paul and Timothy were around. In fact, long before the earth itself was around, God had a plan. Are YOU faithfully fulfilling God s plan, in love, with a clear conscience, and without wax?