Category: Book Study

The Law is Useful

1 Timothy 1:8-16

In the State of Louisiana it is illegal to wrestle a bear. I would love to know the backstory for this law. 

I can just imagine a group of young men, standing around talking about who is stronger, quicker, smarter, etc. Then they start thinking of ways to prove it. “I’m strong enough to win a wrestling match with a bear.” One might have said, then another may have answered, “I bet you couldn’t!” And so begins the necessity of yet another seemingly random law. (Facepalm emoji)

The Use of God’s Law

We sometimes undervalue God’s Law. After all why would God give a set of Laws that He knew no-one could keep? And didn’t Jesus fulfill the Law anyway?

I understand. I get it. And I’m very thankful for the fact that Jesus did fulfill the Law, thus providing a way of salvation for all of us who couldn’t keep it.

But how do we use it correctly now?

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;” 
1 Timothy 1:8

Who is the Law for?

Not for Righteous People

Paul starts answering some of the ready questions with the statement; “the law is not made for a righteous man” (1 Tim 1:9). If you are innocent, or holy in yourself the law simply wasn’t made for you.

For Sinners

But Paul doesn’t stop there. He immediately starts to list some of the kinds of people who the law was made for.

“… for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,  
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” 
1 Timothy 1:9b–10

Usually when we read lists like this one, we skim through them thinking “this isn’t me” then close the page and we’re done. But before we move on let’s key in on one word in this list: “liars”. 

What is a liar? It’s someone who lies. The law is for liars. Let me be honest (if not obvious) this means me. It also includes 100% of people that I have ever met, and I’d assume that have every lived.

You, Me, and Paul

The law is not for righteous people, but it is for you and me. It’s for sinners.

It was for Paul. Look ahead at verses 12-13, where Paul lists some of the sins he was guilty of.

“12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;  
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” 
1 Timothy 1:12–13

The knowledge of sin was a part of the “glorious gospel” that Paul was called to preach (1 Tim 1:11). This is the same good news we as believers share today. Paul’s salvation was an act of mercy because of who Paul had been in the past (1 Tim 1:16). We have received this same mercy. Causing us to say as Paul did: “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Tim 1:15)

Jesus Christ did come to save sinners. And I am so thankful that He saved me!

Your Salvation is an Example to Others

Through the example of our salvation we can lead others to belief in Christ Jesus and Everlasting Life.

"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." 
1 Timothy 1:16

If you are a Believer you have the wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with others through your testimony.

Your Turn

How have you used your testimony to help you share the gospel with others?

Share your testimony in the comments below. Believers can be encouraged when we share like this and unbelievers have the opportunity to see God at work in normal peoples lives.

Share your testimony with someone in the real world. Yes. In real life. Look for a way to share with someone else what God has done in your life.

Timothy’s Mission

What kind of a shopper are you? Do you enjoy the process of looking at things, scanning through shelves and racks to see what’s there without any idea of what you’re after? Or, are you like me?

I don’t even like to park in a stores parking lot without knowing what I need to get, and being 100% sure I couldn’t get it easier online. When I shop I’m on a mission. I identify my objective and attack.

Timothy was on a mission in Ephesus. He had been set on a task and it would require focus and discipline. 

The Mission

“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,” 
1 Timothy 1:3

Timothy was given the responsibility of teaching, and holding the teaching in this church to the standard of scripture. And there would be obstacles:

“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” 
1 Timothy 1:4

There was a damage that could and would be done to this church if he failed his mission. These diverging teachings would cause great division and distract from the message of the gospel.

The Means of Success 

A mission can usually be accomplished a few different ways.

For instance, when I go into the store I could demand that everyone get out of my way. Ramming into carts and stands and bowling people over to get what I want. I could also take a fast approach, running through dodging people and things as I go hastily grabbing things off the shelfs even if they really aren’t what I need.

You see, It matters how we accomplish a mission.

Charity

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 
1 Timothy 1:5

How Timothy accomplished his mission mattered.

What would he gain if his mission was accomplished at the cost of Christ-like love?

Would it be worth it if he kept the teaching pure, but his own heart and conscience were defiled in the process?

How would the faith of others be strengthened if his faith was a fake?

Paul had seen all of this before in other teachers and didn’t want this result for his “son in the faith.”

“6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;  
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” 
1 Timothy 1:6–7

These men are very good at talking (“vain jangling” means empty talk) but they don’t have any idea what they’re talking about.

Your Mission

Your mission, is to live out the teachings of Scripture in a way that oozes with with the love of God.

Your family, church, community, friends and coworkers need you to hold the line of scripture with strength. It’s not the time to back away from it. Or to let others do it who lack the christian character of charity.

We must be firm and bold in how we live and teach scripture. But this boldness MUST be accompanied by the Love of God.

Your Turn

Comment how someone has influenced your life for God by how they showed love.

What passages of scripture help you keep a focus of godly love in your ministry to others?

Hope

What do you hope for? What do you place your hope in?

Paul begins a letter to Timothy, his “son in the faith” (Tim 1:2), with these words:

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” 
1 Timothy 1:1 (emphasis mine)

Paul Identifies His hope as a person: Jesus Christ. What is Hope? Why did Paul need hope? Why do you and I need Hope?

What is Hope?

One dictionary I use often has this for the first entry under “Hope” n.

“A desire of some good, accompanied (with) at least a sight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.”

Noah Webster’s first edition of An American dictionary of the English language.

Generally Hope is a confidence that things will get better. Maybe like the feeling after a long day of yard work in the summer knowing that you will soon be able to shower, and cool off.

I think for many it’s far more meaningful than that: It’s a confidence that the world will be better. Or at least that your place in it will improve.

Why Do I Need Hope?

Paul in a different place (Eph 2), reminded a church where they had come from with these remarks:

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
Ephesians 2:12

You see this is where all humanity starts: without hope. 

Our sin makes a huge void between us and God. This gulf was bridged by God the Son, Jesus. This is why Paul calls Jesus his hope in 1 Tim 1:1. Jesus is the very source and essence of all permanent hope.

Preaching this hope was Paul’s calling:

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” 
Colossians 1:27

Paul was commanded to preach the gospel to the gentiles. Timothy was a part of this group with a jewish mother and gentile father he was a misfit in either set. This gospel was for him.

The people of Ephesus (where Timothy was currently stationed for ministry) were probably mostly gentiles. This gospel was for them.

Wherever you are from and whoever your parents are, this gospel is for you.

Wherever you minister and whoever you minister to, this gospel is for them.

A Present and Future Hope

Jesus is this hope in our present, but there is a future element to this hope. In writing to another of his young colleges, Titus (Titus 2:11-15) Paul reminds him:

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” 
Titus 2:13

There is a “blessed hope” in knowing that Jesus will return. Not to just be here in this mess, but to correct the condition of the world order to harmony, justice, and peace. Before this Christ will call His own to Himself (the “rapture”) and justly punish the human race. (Read the prophets and Revelation for details, as much as we are able to know them.)

Where is Your Hope?

What are you hoping in? Are you without hope right now? Please contact me if you would like to know more about how Jesus can be your hope.

Believers: Are you looking for the blessed hope? Live this day and everyday in anticipation of the Kingdom of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Your Turn

What are some verses God has used in your life to give you hope?

How has God led you to live differently now that you have His hope?

How to “Do Church”

An overview of 1 Timothy.

In ministry we often look to other examples as a starting place for the practical points of things. This has a good side and a bad side. 

  • Good: We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There is no shame and LOTS of wisdom in learning from others.
  • Bad: We sometimes use what others are doing as a starting point when we should be going back to the Word of God to see how things are supposed to look.

Where should a Pastor Start?

What would it look like to start from scratch? A brand new church, with just the biblical approach of church and ministry. How would a pastor start?

Meet Timothy

Timothy and Titus are the guys who know what this is like. Before churches all used hymnals or had a similar order of service as everyone else, these men of God were pastoring churches that sprang up as a result of Paul’s missionary work. Paul wrote them three letters going over some of the most important points for New Testament Churches. 

Over the next few weeks we’re going to be looking at the first of these epistles, 1 Timothy. But before we get into the details let’s zoom out and get an overview of this letter to Timothy.

Overview of 1 Timothy

Author

Paul the Apostle states that he is the author in 1 Timothy 1:1. Paul was converted to being a follower of Christ after persecuting the Church (Acts 9). He was called at his conversion to be a minister for Christ to the Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew) though it took a few years for him to really begin this ministry (Acts 13). Paul was probably the first to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the city of Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21) this visit was very brief, but Paul returned later and spent over 2 years with these new believers (Acts 19).

Recipient

Timothy (also called Timotheus) was the main recipient of the this letter (1 Timothy 1:2)

Timothy had been received into Paul’s church planting team for Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3). He was the son of a Greek man (probably an unbeliever, though we don’t know for sure) and a believing mother. He had been given a heritage of faith in Christ by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. 

Timothy was probably not a super confident person. Paul encourages him a couple of times to not let anyone despise him (1 Tim 4:12) and not be driven by fear (2 Tim 1:6-7). Yet Timothy was someone Paul could rely on (Philippians 2:19-23). Paul viewed him as a son.

Key Thoughts and Structure

(Paul’s purposes in writing essentially create the outline of the Epistle)

I have had to summarize the themes in these points, but hope to unpack a lot of this in the coming weeks and months.

Right Teaching – 1 Timothy 1

Right Worship and Church Organization – 1 Timothy 2-3

Personal Instruction for Timothy – 1 Timothy 4

Right Relationships in Church – 1 Timothy 5-6:2

Right Priorities – 1 Timothy 6:3-21

Challenge:

Read this letter in one sitting. This will help you see it’s structure and overall message.

Share:

What are some of your favorite verses from the Firat Letter to Timothy?

What jumped out to you from what Paul was writing that we could apply as we “Do Church”?