Morning Moments

In an attempt to make this study usable, I am simply going to copy my notes from the book -

The Witness Of The Scriptures

To Sound Doctrine 1:1-20
Some of the most cherished possessions I have are letters my Dad wrote me through the years, and particularly when I was 3000 miles away from home in Germany. It is true that there was a bit of lecturing in some of them, but even that was meant to be encouraging. So it is with Paul's letters to his young son in the faith, Timothy.

This is one of three letters Paul wrote to Pastors. The others are 2 Timothy and Titus. Timothy's name appears some 24 times in the New Testament. He was from Lystra and was probably saved during Paul's first Missionary journey. His mother, Eunice and his grandmother Lois were godly Jewish women, but his father was a pagan Greek.

He was invited by Paul on the Second Missionary Journey, along with Silas and Luke. He was circumcised by Paul that he might have freedom to preach the gospel in Jewish synagogues.. He also accompanied Paul on his Third Missionary Journey.

He ministered in at least five New Testament Churches:
Thessalonica
Corinth
Philippi
Berea
Ephesus

This epistle is a personal letter to the Timothy about the family of God - about the Church in the World - how we are to behave as representatives of the Lord in this world. We are called to submit to authority and suffer adversity. Consider -

I. Commissioned To Apostleship "an apostle" 1:1
A. He Was Converted "Paul (not Saul)"

Whoever you are before you come to Christ, you are
NOT after you come to Him, for we are new creatures; old things are past away and all things have become new (1 Cor 5:17). We are now His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10).

B. He Was Committed "apostle of Jesus Christ"
Paul knew what it meant to be "sent" for he had been a man under orders of Rome, but now now he is under orders of the Redeemer. God picks followers to be leaders. One who cannot work for another respectfully and submissively, should never be picked as a leader. Leaders are not born, they are gifted and made.

C. He Was Commanded "of God..."

When was the last time someone "commanded" you to do something? What was your response? Remember that response? You are responding the same way with the commands of God. It is a spirit of rebellion that motives us to resist a command. It is why I personally would like to see every boy and girl serve a time in military service. Paul saw his calling as a command and obeyed.

D. He Was Confident "our hope"

I love this word in the Bible because it means a confident abiding with expectation. We must confidently wait upon the Lord knowing that He is and will work - whatever it is to His glory and our good.

II. Called To Discipleship "Timothy...my...son" 1:2
A. Faith for Fruitfulness "in the faith"

Fruit is produced "in season" and it is simply the result of abiding in the Branch. The fruit that the Holy Spirit produces through us comes for the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us...He labors, we rest. It is the natural result of being attached to the vine. No fruit - No root.

B. Grace For Growth "grace"

When life smells like manure, it may just be Miracle Grow. Growth is painful but productive. Hence, no pain, no gain. It is true but God's grace is sufficient in and for every circumstance we face. His grace never fails.

C. Mercy For Ministry "mercy"

Remember that grace is what gives us that we do not deserve, but mercy is that which God withholds that we do deserve. Because we receive mercy, we must show mercy. Only God can have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. We must minister in mercy or will not be effective in ministry.

D. Peace For Perserverance "peace"

What about the storms? What about them? Can God not keep us safe not only in the midst of the storm, but also till the storm passes by. You may need a little more rain than the next guy. You may need a harder wind. God knows what each of us needs and sends it and with it - by grace through faith - the peace for keeping on keeping on.

A father calls his son to his side and appeals to him on the basis of their relationship and admonishes him regarding responsibility - that is what Paul was doing with Timothy.

III. Charged to Leadership 1:3-20

A. Apply Sound Doctrine "no other doctrine" 1:3

Paul states the purpose of Timothy's presence at the church in Ephesus in this verse. There were those there who were not doctrinally sound and needed to be corrected. The word doctrine is used 17 times in the Pastoral Epistles. Never under emphasize the need for Sound Doctrine (teaching). It seems to be that we need it more than ever and teach it less than ever.

But what is this Sound Doctrine that we hear so much about and about which the Apostle Paul is writing to young Timothy?

Sound Doctrine can be summed up by understanding two things which hinge on the Deity of Jesus Christ - 1) A right relationship with God and 2) A right relationship with one another. That' s it! Plain and simple! Remeber the Golden Rule? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." That's the answer to the second part which is like unto the first - LOVE the Lord with ALL your heart, mnd, soul, and strength.

You can argue till the cows come home about how to be baptized, whether or not we are eternally secure, whether or not some are elected to salvation and others are not...BUT all the arguing in the world will not win a single solitary soul to Jesus. We must reach out to others as He reached out to them and we must teach those we reach as He taught those He reached.

B. Avoid Senseless Debate "fables..." 1:4

The heresy being propagated was know by two distinct characteristics: "fables" (myths, idle tales) and "endless genealogies." The "fables" are elsewhere called "old wives tales." There is a real danger in getting caught up in a family tree that will make a monkey out of you, then leave you hanging. The idea is that of senseless debate and argumentation. There are those who simply want to be thought as intelligent with silly questions that are not intelligent. Selah.

C. Approve Saintly Deportment "charity...faith" 1:5

All that God commands is summed up in "agape - love". That love is to be expressed from a pure (not to be soiled or dirty) heart, a good (clear - one that is void of offense) conscience, and sincere (non hypocritical) faith. EX: "I love you in the Lord." That's like saying, "If it weren't for Jesus, I would hate you!" Why do we think we must qualify by attaching "in the Lord"? Just love folks!

D. Admonish Selfish Deceivers "some" 1:6-11

1. They Have Missed the Mark "swerved" 1:6

These are the same ones mentioned in verse 3. Note - they "swerved," "turned aside," and desirous, but not understanding. The phrase "vain jangling" is interesting for it is the primary characteristic and activity of false teachers. It was all meaningless discussion, empty talk, and senseless arguing. They had so departed from the truth that they could not even understand their own teachings.

2. They Have Misunderstood the Message "understand neither..." 1:7-11

Remember that the whole purpose of the Law was to be a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. In other words, if you understood the Law, you would know that it is Jesus plus nothing - not who your ancestors were, nor family fables passed down from generation to generation. There was nothing wrong with the Law - it served its purpose, but why put people back in bondage that Christ had freed?