FIRST TIMOTHY – A STUDY OF A SERVANT

1 Timothy 1:1-4

Introduction:  After pondering and praying what direction to preach and preach in the coming months, this Book came to mind.  It is my desire that we will be encouraged with this Book of the Bible.  It is my direction that we will be instructed with this Book.  It is my determination that we will be more knowledgeable. 

      Its key word is doctrine.  The word “doctrine” is found 8 times in it alone.  The word “doctrines” is found one time.  What is doctrine?  It is the teaching or instruction of any organization.  For the church of Jesus Christ, we have entire library at our fingertips that are profitable.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  It is the first in the list of what the scripture is profitable.  Profitable means exactly as it seems in English. 

      Not only is doctrine profitable, it is your pronouncement. You are telling folks this is what I believe and why you believe it.  There are lots of damnable heresies that are formed on one passage of scriptures.  Doctrine must be built on the Bible.  Doctrine is the anchor of your faith is what Tony Beckitt said last week.  This is so true.  Paul warns the Ephesian believers these words in Eph. 4:11-16 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” The great doctrines of the church are centered in the Person and the prevailing of Christ.

  The key verse of 1 Timothy is 1 Timothy 3:15 which says "that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God."  Realizing that behavior is based upon belief, Paul stress sound doctrine.  The main burden of the instruction found in this book is to emphasize the need of expressing in conduct the reality of spiritual convictions.  Our character is molded by good doctrine, which will result in conduct that is desirable and dignified for those professing Godliness.

  A preacher was visiting Melbourne Australia.  A lady who was introduced to him asked him fervently is he was the preacher who practiced or just the preacher who preaches.  To which he

replied, "Madam, I am the preacher that practices and if the other gentleman does not do so, his religion is not worth two cents."  Paul encourages young Timothy to practiced what he preached.

  Moody had this to say about character.  "Character is what a man is in the dark and conduct is the expression of character."  The Bible says that by their fruits ye shall know them.

  I mentioned earlier that the word "doctrine' or doctrines is found nine times.  I want us to look at these verses quickly.

                                                1 Timothy 1:3,

                                                1 Timothy 1:10

                                                1 Timothy 4:1

                                                1 Timothy 4:6

                                                1 Timothy 4:12

                                                1 Timothy 4:16

                                                1 Timothy 5:17

                                                1 Timothy 6:1

                                                1 Timothy 6:3

  Another key word is the word "good".  It is found seventeen times.  May we look at twelve of them also as we have this introductionary message on 1 Timothy.

"War a good warfare."    1 Timothy 1:18

Praying is good.         1 Timothy 2:1-3

Seek a good report.        1 Timothy 3:7

Obtain a good degree. 1 Timothy 3:13

Be a good minister. 1 Timothy 4:6

Nourish good doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:6

Piety at home is good. 1 Timothy 5:4

Reported for good works. 1 Timothy 5:10

Fight the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12

A good profession 1 Timothy 6:12

A good confession  1 Timothy 6:13

Laying a good foundation. 1 Timothy 6:19

  This is abundant evidence that like begets like.  Psalm 145:9 tells us that God is good.  We know by experience that Christ is good and maketh good.  Also know that the Holy Spirit is good and leadeth good.

  Timothy was a young man that was won to Christ at a young age.  It was probably the influence of Paul's preaching that won him to Christ.  Timothy goes with Paul on the second missionary journey.  What gems Timothy learned by sitting at the feet of the greatest preacher that this world has ever seen outside of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul loved this young man. In verse 2 of 1 Timothy chapter one, he says this:  "unto Timothy, my own son in the faith."  Something endeared this great man to this young man.  It may be that Timothy was willing to be a servant.  It was also his love for Bible and truth.  Timothy was not intimidated to be second fiddle so to speak. When Paul wanted a personal message sent to a church, he chose Timothy to be the messenger.  An example of this is found in 1 Corinthians 4:17 which says:  “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”

  Look at the three words that Paul uses in his greeting to Timothy.  Grace is the unmerited favor of God.  Mercy is the kindness of God.  Peace is the result of mercy and grace.

  Young Timothy is in Ephesus which a hot bed of false doctrine. There must have been some problem with doctrine for Paul to mention this so early in a book.  Many churches use fables and genealogies to stir up questions which causes people to question what they believe and why they believe it.

  To end this introductionary message on 1 Timothy, I want you

the articles of faith for our church.  I want to say that this is not all we believe but is a reminder of what we believe.

1. We believe the Bible is God's inspired word.  It is without  error.  By practice, we use the King James Bible only.

2. We believe in the Triune God who is God the Father, God the Son and God, the Holy Spirit.  These three are one.  Each is seen throughout the scriptures and is equally important.
3. We believe this world was spoken into existence.  God created it in six literal days.  We totally reject evolution.

4.  We believe that man fell into sin in the Garden of Eden and plunged the entire race into sin.  A child is born in sin and grows up in sin.

5.  We believe that Jesus Christ was virgin born.  His mother, Mary was a sinner but his blood came from God the Father.  If He was not virgin born, then we are fools for following Him.

6. We believe that Christ died on the cross taking our sin upon Him so we could be saved.  Salvation is plus nothing and minus nothing.  It is all grace.
7. We believe that when a person accepts Christ, they become new creatures.  If there is no change, there was never any salvation.

8.  We believe that this assembly that is called Baptist is a congregation comprising of baptized believers who have willful associated themselves with the covenant and articles of faith of this church.  We further believe that there are only two ordinances for the church.  It is believer baptism and the Lord's Supper.  It is the commission of the church to go into all the world trying to win them to Christ.

9.  We believe a person who is saved is preserved for eternity. They have eternal life.  This is not a license to sin but a truth that makes believer want to live righteously, soberly

            and godly in this present world.

10.  We believe in an eternal literal hell, which has literal fire, where everyone who rejects Christ and his redemptive work

            of Calvary will spend eternity.

11. We believe in the premillennium, pretribulational return of

Christ for the church.  This simply means we believe Jesus will come for the church before the tribulation period.

12. We believe that church should be active in worldwide missions.  We do this by supporting missionaries and mission works both at home and in the foreign lands.

13. We believe in giving to the local church and supporting it with tithes and offerings.  No other method is scriptural.

     I hope this has gotten you ready for our study in the First Timothy.  It will be the study of a servant.  After all, that is exact what every minister of Jesus Christ should be: a servant.