Historical Posts
1 Timothy 1:12-17 – The Salvation Pattern of Paul – Audio
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Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Reading by Andy Anderson)
Paul tells Timothy all that Christ had done for him, of his salvation pattern. Saul, as Paul was originally known, caused great havoc in the church (Acts 8:3). He was a great opponent of the cause of Christ! However, because of the exceedingly abundant grace and rich mercy of the Lord, he was able to become a great worker in the kingdom of Christ as his salvation pattern comes to a conclusion in Acts 9.
I. Paul received grace as the first part of his salvation pattern.
A. Saul became Paul by the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).
B. Paul received grace in order to preach the gospel (Ephesians 3:7-8; Galatians 1:15-16).
C. Grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:20-21).
D. Paul said we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).
E. God’s purpose and grace in Christ saves us (2 Timothy 1:8-11).
II. Mercy was included in his salvation pattern.
A. Paul obtained mercy because he persecuted Christ and the church ignorantly in unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13; Acts 17:30).
B. We are saved through mercy, poured out abundantly on us through Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5-7).
III. Paul was saved in baptism to complete his salvation pattern; We can be saved in like manner!
A. The grace of God brings salvation and has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 4:15).
B. We are all sinners, justified by the grace of God (Romans 3:23-26).
C. Grace accompanies faith and love in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:22; Acts 22:16).
D. Paul received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith through Christ (Romans 1:5).
E. Though Christ we have access by faith into grace (Romans 5:2).
F. God, who is rich in mercy, saves us by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:4-8).
G. Christians have obtained mercy and proclaim the praises of God (1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:12, 17).
Paul received grace and mercy. He was then saved when he responded by submitting to baptism in water to be added to the church. All Christians have followed that same salvation pattern. We have received grace and mercy; we are saved when we respond and complete the exact same salvation pattern we see demonstrated by Paul!
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 Timothy 06:06-10 – Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain – Audio
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Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (Reading by Don Treadway)Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain
Godliness is always right, but it is not always easy to do the right thing. Sometimes peer pressure can be difficult to overcome. Other times, it may seem easier to do what’s right if one has certain things, or if one does not have other things. However, by doing what is right with what one has, one may be blessed and gain contentment.
Body
I. We must profess godliness.
A. Godliness means living a life that is respectful to God, and to oneself.
B. Earlier, Paul told Timothy that godliness is profitable for all things (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
C. God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
D. Godliness is in accordance with truth (Titus 1:1).
E. Christians must live in “holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11; 1 Peter 1:15-16).
F. We must add godliness to our faith (2 Peter 1:5-7).
G. We can expect persecution when living godly lives (2 Timothy 3:12).
H. We must withdraw from those that suppose godliness is a means of gain, yet pursue true godliness (1 Timothy 6:5,11).
II. We must be content.
A. Paul has learned to be content in every condition (Philippians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 4:11).
B. We must be content with such things as we have (Hebrews 13:5).
C. We need God’s words more than necessary food (Job 23:12; Matthew 6:11).
D. God gives us all we need (Philippians 4:19; Psalm 23:1; Proverbs 30:7-9).
III. We have much to gain.
A. Godliness is profitable for this life, and the life that is to come (1 Timothy 4:8).
B. If a man gains the world and loses his soul, he loses everything; if he loses the world and gains his soul, he has gained everything (Matthew 16:26; Luke 12:20-21).
Conclusion
As Christians, we are to live Christ Jesus with Godliness. In so doing, we must be content with who we are and what we have. Being content and living godly lives in Christ, we have much to gain!
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 Timothy 4:1-5 The Great Departure – audio
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Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-5
I. THE DEPARTURE PREDICTED.
1 Timothy 4:1-2. Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron
A. The first word of verse 1, “Now” tells us that this thought is connected to the previous thought.
1. Paul had just finished discussing the “mystery of godliness.”
2. The mystery of godliness is just another term for God’s scheme of redemption.
B. Now Paul says that the Spirit has predicted that some would depart from the faith.
1. “The Spirit expressly says…”
a) This was a revelation from God Himself.
b) John 16:13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
c) Galatians 1:11-12. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
d) 1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
2. “In the latter times…“
a) At some point in the future.
b) As we are going to see, this departure has already occurred.
3. “Some will depart from the faith…“
a) By implication, we see that it is POSSIBLE to depart from the faith.
b) We have numerous examples of individuals departing from the faith. 1 Timothy 1:19-20. Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
c) This prediction of “some” departing from the faith has to be referring to more than just some individuals.
d) It is talking about a “movement” or a “Great departure” from the faith.
C. The cause of the departure…
1. Some would give heed to deceiving spirits.
a) Not talking about literal spirits.
b) These “spirits” … “forbid” and “command” – we are talking about religious leaders.
c) They speak lies in hypocrisy.
(1) Some religious leaders would (And still do) speak lies.
(2) Acts 20:29-30. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
d) They have their conscience seared.
(1) Just as scar tissue from a burn loses it’s feeling, their conscience no longer functions as a reliable guide for them.
(2) Their wickedness would not bother them.
(3) We still have people like this in the world today.
2. The teachings of these deceiving spirits are called “doctrines of demons.”
a) Doctrine – teaching.
b) Some teaching is good and healthy. 1 Timothy 4:6. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
c) Some will cause you to lose your salvation.
II. THE DEPARTURE DEPICTED.
1 Timothy 4:3a. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods…
A. The Spirit gives two identifying characteristics of this great departure.
1. From these two identifying characteristics, we can pinpoint when this departure took place.
2. Quite frankly, the answer was shocking when I first learned it.
B. These deceiving spirits would forbid to marry.
1. Some have come to the conclusion that to remain unmarried is a holier life.
2. In part, this is from a misapplication of Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7.
a) 1 Corinthians 7:1. Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
b) 1 Corinthians 7:8. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am
c) 1 Corinthians 7:32-33. But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.
3. As a result, for example, the Catholic church has, for hundreds of years, forbidden priests to marry.
a) Council of Elvira (C. 305) (Canon 33): It is decided that marriage be altogether prohibited to bishops, priests, and deacons, or to all clerics placed in the ministry, and that they keep away from their wives and not beget children; whoever does this, shall be deprived of the honor of the clerical office.
b) Council of Carthage (390) (Canon 3): It is fitting that the holy bishops and priests of God as well as the Levites, i.e. those who are in the service of the divine sacraments, observe perfect continence, so that they may obtain in all simplicity what they are asking from God; what the Apostles taught and what antiquity itself observed, let us also endeavour to keep… It pleases us all that bishop, priest and deacon, guardians of purity, abstain from conjugal intercourse with their wives, so that those who serve at the altar may keep a perfect chastity.
C. The deceiving spirits would command to abstain from certain foods.
1. Again, the Catholic church has done this throughout much of its history.
2. The new Code of Canon Law brought out in 1983 says about the matter: Canon 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. http://www.catholic-pages.com/life/fridaymeat.asp
3. The current regulations concerning Lenten fasting and abstinence for Roman Catholics in the United States generally are as follows.
a) Abstinence from all meat is to be observed by all Roman Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday, on all Fridays of Lent, and on Good Friday (Which is not part of Lent, but rather part of the three day Paschal Triduum).
b) Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Roman Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting_and_abstinence_in_the_Roman_Catholic_Church
III. THE DEPARTURE CONTRADICTED.
1 Timothy 4:3b-5. …which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A. First of all, the scriptures teach that marriage is a good thing.
1. It was instituted by God Himself. Genesis 2:24. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
2. Hebrews 13:4. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
3. Furthermore, the Scriptures not only say that marriage is a good thing but they say that marriage is a requirement for one who would serve as a bishop. 1 Timothy 3:2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach
4. What about 1 Corinthians 7?
a) Paul was giving specific instructions to Christians in Corinth who were undergoing some kind of distress. 1 Corinthians 7:26. I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is:
b) His instructions were not meant for all Christians of all times.
c) Notice that, even in these instructions, he made it clear that getting married would not be a sin.
(1) 1 Corinthians 7:2. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
(2) 1 Corinthians 7:8-9. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
(3) 1 Corinthians 7:28. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.
d) The Catholic church takes these passages and argues that “clergy” must not marry; whereas, Paul was not writing to “clergy” but to all the saints in Corinth.
e) In a nutshell, he is saying, “It is better not to marry because of this present distress. However, if you marry you have not sinned; but be aware that your life will be more difficult as a married Christian.”
f) To take these passages and use them to enforce mandatory celibacy is a horrible distortion of the meaning of Paul’s words.
B. Second, as to the commanding to abstain from eating certain foods…
1. Paul says that every creature is good and is to be received with thanksgiving.
2. Any type of food is sanctified with God’s word and prayer.
3. Fasting, in the Scriptures, is always a voluntary and very personal thing.
4. Nowhere in Scriptures is anyone ever commanded to fast.
5. To command such of anyone is sin.
Delivered on: October 14, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Disciplines for the Disciple – 1 Timothy 04:01-10
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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving
Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-10
Introduction
1. We find Paul exhorting Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7
a. “exercise yourself toward godliness”
b. What does this mean?
2. Compare other translations
a. “train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7 ESV, 1 Timothy 4:7 NET)
b. “train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7 NIV, 1 Timothy 4:7 NLT)
c. “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (NASB)
3. Consider what some commentators have written
a. “cultivate piety, and seek to become more holy” – Barnes
b. “Timothy is told that as an athlete trains his body, so the
Christian must train his soul.” – Barclay
4. The value of such spiritual exercise is seen in 1 Timothy 4:8
a. “godliness is profitable for all things”
b. “having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come”
5. The disciple, therefore, is to engage in various “exercises” or “disciplines” that cultivate godliness or piety. In this series, we shall take a look at such disciplines for the disciple. But in this lesson, some introductory thoughts regarding
Body
I. THE CONCEPT OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
A. DEFINITION OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
1. In general terms, discipline means:
a. “any training intended to develop moral character, or produce a pattern of behavior.”
b. “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character – Merriam-Webster
2. Regarding spiritual disciplines in particular:
a. “A spiritual discipline is, when practiced faithfully and regularly, a habit or regular pattern in your life that repeatedly brings you back to God and opens you up to what God is saying to you.”
b. “Spiritual disciplines can be described as behaviors that facilitate spiritual growth.”
3. Spiritual disciplines, then, are spiritual exercises that one engages in habitually which bring one closer to God and thus become more godly in character and behavior
B. EXAMPLES OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
1. Prayer – in which one spends time talking to God – e.g., Daniel 6:10; Colossians 4:2
2. Meditation – in which one contemplates on God’s Word, or other things worthy of such attention – cf. Psalm 1:1-2; Philippians 4:8
3. Singing – through which one can praise God and be edified – Psalm 71:23; Acts 16:25
4. Giving – by which we can please God and be blessed – cf. Hebrews 13:16; Acts 20:35
5. Assembling – where we can exhort one another – cf. Psalm 122:1; Hebrews 10:24-25
6. Hospitality – showing kindness to strangers, which often results in a blessing – Hebrews 13:2
7. Teaching – which usually benefits the teacher more than the student – Hebrews 5:12-14
8. Such spiritual activities help to discipline or train one to be more godly
We shall examine these more carefully in future lessons. But to appreciate the importance of spiritual disciplines for those who call themselves disciples of Christ, let’s review
II. THE CONCEPT OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. THE WORD “DISCIPLE”
1. Literally means a learner
2. It denotes “one who follows another’s teaching” – Vine
3. A disciple was not only a learner, he was also an adherent
4. For such reasons, disciples were spoken of as imitators of their teachers
B. THE GOAL IN BEING A DISCIPLE
1. Stated by Jesus himself: to be like the teacher – Luke 6:40
2. To be Christ’s disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him!
3. This coincides with God’s goal in the redemption of mankind, that they be conformed to the image of His Son – Romans 8:29
4. Since Jesus is the Son of God, the goal of a disciple is to be more godly
Conclusion
1. Are you a disciple of Christ…?
a. Jesus wants you to become His disciple – Matthew 28:19-20
b. Jesus wants you to become like Him – Luke 6:40
2. With the aid of spiritual disciplines, we are more likely to become what Jesus wanted…
a. For Jesus Himself often taught His disciples to engage in such activities
b. Through both precept and example, Jesus taught His disciples regarding such activities
3. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then I trust that this series,”Disciplines For The Disciple” will be of special to interest to you. Remember what Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-9
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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1 Timothy 01:12-17 Master, Let Me Walk with Thee – audio
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Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Introduction
A. It is very important to have a sound concept of what being a Christian is all about. In particular, we need to have a scriptural perspective on what is involved in being a servant of God
B. We ought to view serving God just as the Prodigal Son viewed going home to his father, requesting the privilege of being just a servant – Luke 15:18-19
C. A wholesome concept of godly service is reflected in the song: O Master, let me walk with Thee in lowly paths of service free
Body
I. LIFE IN CHRIST IS A MATTER OF WALKING WITH GOD
A. The Bible pictures faithful men walking with God
1. Enoch – Genesis 5:24 – He pleased God (Hebrews 11:5)
2. Noah – Genesis 6:9
B. Walking with implies friendship and close companionship
C. Walking with God requires walking in His truth – 1 John 1:5-7
1. Zacharias and Elizabeth – Luke 1:5, 6
2. Psalm 86:11; Isiah 2:3
II. THE ONE WITH WHOM WE WALK IS OUR MASTER — WE ARE HIS DISCIPLES
A. Disciple = learner, follower, one under the discipline of another
B. We must live with the Master, and adopt His manner of life and character – Matthew 28:19-20
C. Walking with the Master is not always easy – John 6:66
III. WE WALK WITH THE LORD IN PATHS OF SERVICE
A. Life in the Lord’s kingdom is a life of service – Matthew 20:25-26
1. Acts 20:35
2. Life ought to be more than a selfish concern about whether our own needs are being met
3. It is not the servitude, but the master, that makes slavery degrading – Exodus 21:5-6
B. Jesus Himself was a Servant: Luke 22:27; Matthew 20:28
1. Galatians 6:2
2. 2 Corinthians 12:15
C. In His service to us, Jesus is the Great Example – John 13:1-17
IV. DISCIPLESHIP TO CHRIST IS AN OPPORTUNITY, A PRIVILEGE
A. 1 Timothy 1:12
B. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10
C. God had to be merciful to each of us to allow us to be His servants. Service to Him is not a thing to resent, but to be thankful for!
D. Gratitude for God’s grace and mercy shows up eventually as zeal, enthusiasm, and diligence in God’s service
Conclusion
A. We need to make discipleship an entire way of life, not just one of our many activities
B. When we walk with the Lord, we come to know Him – John 17:3
C. The words of another song speak of the glory of walking with the Master:
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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