By pastor Steve
Big idea:
God has given us the gospel as the foundation for disciple making
1 & 2 Timothy
Timothy is Paul spiritual son. To lead Ephesus due to plague by false teachers and doctrines
Timothy was to confront the church and maintain sound doctrine
One of the messiness of life on life disciple making journey is unlearning some of the wrong teachings in our lives
1 Timothy 1:1-2
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy my true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
There were struggles in Ephesian church. People were turning away from Paul gospel of mercy of grace and salvation of Jesus Christ, instead of towards heretics teachings
1 Timothy 1:3-7
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
The situation was very serious. Paul was en route to mesodonia but left Timothy there. To stop teaching heresy, devoting themselves to myths that were useless. Trying to use it laws to govern the people even the NT christians
#1
Disciple Making must be based on the gospel
1 Timothy 1:8-11
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
Law is good for false teachers who have missed the point. The law reflect the will of God to bring about the knowledge of sin
Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
It was impossible for anyone to be justified by works
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
X to be saved you need to sell possession, quite job, pray long hours, stop eating pork etc
These are Heretics teaching/false teaching
False doctrines are like infectious diseases, capable of spreading and destroying ouur spiritual health.
False teachings can be quite attractive too, just because it attract a big crowd of followers doesn't mean it is of God
X Jesus Christ came during the age of grace and since have already came to earth and is living as a woman, his salvation was incomplete. We can finally be delivered from sin by believing their doctrine
Salvation must be Based on finish work of Christ on the cross.
Application #1:
Guard the gospel from false teaching
1 Timothy 1:18
Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,
1 Timothy 1:5
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
We can never win through argument but we can win through our actions of love
#2
Disciple Making must be done out of love for God
We work out our salvation, not work for our salvation
All the Old Testament laws were sum up in love
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Because we are grateful for God's love, mercy and grace in our lives, therefore we want to share this life transforming gospel to others, not because we want to work for our salvation
1 Timothy 1:12-16
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
God is always able to save us from the persecution, God is always able to save the most harden heart, or evil sinners.
Application #2:
Let us share the life transforming gospel entrusted to us
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
"I was saved and transformed, I am not ashamed to preach the gospel"
Are we unwilling?
Out of love for God and help of holy spirit, that we live our lives pleasing and approved unto God
Pray and ask God for a:
- Pure heart
- Sincere faith
- Good conscience
Pray for our inner heart to be recharged, renewed, strengthened daily
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