In the difficult situation in ancient Ephesus, Timothy dealt with myriad problems. It would seem that the lure of riches and wealth were among the most devastating. Of all the things Paul could close this letter with, he choose the subject of money. In this exposition of the rich life of grace, Paul says that true life is not the privilege of being human, but consists of living in Christ.
1 Timothy 6:11-16 “Mountain Top Commands”
This is the high point of the letter. Paul seems to save his most passionate pleas and commands to the very end. Looking at the three great enemies we have as believers in Christ, Paul speaks directly to our fight. We flee and fight only until the Father sends the Finisher. It doesn’t get anymore real than this.
1 Timothy 6:3-10 “The Troublemaker Antidote”
This marvelous text describe the downward spiral of the philosophical and theological ramblings of men acting apart from the Spirit of God. They are troublemakers par excellence. On the other hand, contentment is the antidote; the deep sigh of comfort in God’s sufficiency. This kind of contentment starves many of the troubles of this world.
1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 “Enduring Leadership”
Finishing this section Paul again includes difficult passages with deep meaning to church family members and leaders alike. Leaders are to be honored because they work hard and are the target of special attacks. Timothy must learn how to navigate these difficult waters if he is to persevere in ministry. All are to heed to warning of judgment. Our secret sins cannot be hidden forever.
1 Timothy 5:1-16 “Being the Church”
How does the church of God engage in tough ministry? After addressing the minister of the church, Paul now turns to ministries. His first stop is the life-threatening difficulties of the “one,” the one who is truly without support in this world, the widow. By adding both wisdom and purity, Paul insists that being the body of Christ means that we regard everyone just as the Father does.
1 Timothy 4:6-11 “Superior Training”
Is holiness a priority for you? Paul asks this of Timothy and any other church leader. Discipline must be involved in the life of holiness. It is built like muscle with the ever faithful presence and power of God’s grace. Discipline is enforcing your priorities moment by moment. Godliness comes by grace-infused discipline because grace is opposite of earning, not of effort.
1 Timothy 4:1-6 “Protective Leadership”
Paul now begins to address the minister of the local church. He starts by describing what makes spirituality distinctively Christian and not simply religious or relational legalism. By referring back to Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees, Paul’s warning becomes clear: A ministers home is in God’s Word. Indeed, a Christians home is in God’s Word.
1 Timothy 3:8-16 “Deacons”
Adult Pastor Gavin Carrier tackles this challenging passage as Paul continues his instruction and encouragement by switching subjects from elders (overseers) to deacons (servants). We see many similarities between the requirement of elders and deacons as we ask ourselves how we measure up.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 “Leading Men”
As Paul continues to encourage and instruct Timothy in his difficult charge, the focus shifts to leadership. After addressing men and women, Paul now turns to elder leadership and we see clearly that a noble work demands noble character. An excellent task requires an excellent life.
1 Timothy 2:9-15 “The Joy of Mothers”
In this passage, which is quite difficult to read in today’s culture, we discover an unusual beauty in God’s design of mothers and motherhood. We learn that a godly woman does not sacrifice her ministry for her vanity. And even hearing from some of our own Faith Bible family mothers, we understand that a mother’s nearness to Jesus will unleash life and joy in the home.
1 Timothy 2:1-8 “The Voice of Dependence”
Chapter two of this magnificent letter takes immediately into some practical application regarding prayer. Paul turns first to men and commands them to take the lead in this critical ministry. Indeed, every Christian is called to dependence in the language of prayer, which is confessing our inability and insufficiency while bowing to the Almighty One.
1 Timothy 1:12-20 “A Bad Example”
In the closing verses of chapter one of First Timothy, Scot reminds us of God’s favorite reminder. The cross of Jesus Christ is the ultimate consolation in life’s people problems. God’s unparalleled grace is the trump card in every situation.
1 Timothy 1:3-11 “Family Inoculation”
In this sermon, Scot begins to uncover the two great problems in the ancient city of Ephesus where Timothy pastored: false teaching and false living. In this passage we see clearly how diseased teaching breeds destructive living, because after all, we all act on what we believe, we tend to do according to how we think.
1 Timothy 1:1-2 “Apostle and Child”
Join us for the first sermon in our brand new series through every verse of the New Testament book of First Timothy. There was no closer partner and companion in ministry with the great apostle Paul than his young protege Timothy. In this opening sermon we here about how Paul’s apostleship affected the specific situation in which Timothy found himself. Come begin a marvelous study of a challenging letter.
