A Charge to Teach

“A Charge to Teach”

Spiritual Leadership in the Church Series

1 Tim 1:1-4

THEME: Faithfully fulfill the ministry committed to your charge.

RELEVANCE: discouraging and difficult tasks should not be permitted to force us to abandon the ministry committed to us.  We must be steadfast and faithful to our charge to keep the faith by teaching sound doctrine, proclaiming the Gospel, and defending the Faith.

INTRODUCTION:

1. “Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”

     a.  That advertisement appeared in a London newspaper and thousands of men responded! It was signed by the noted Arctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and that was what made the difference.

     b.  If Jesus Christ had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this:

“Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church. You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you. You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy. You may not see the results of your labor, and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed. It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life.”

     c.  In spite of the demands that He makes, Jesus Christ receives the "applications" of many who gladly give their all for Him. He is certainly the greatest Master for whom anyone could work, and the task of building His church is certainly the greatest challenge to which a believer could give his life. 

2.  Ephesus would not be the easiest place to pastor a church. (Are there any "easy places"? I doubt it.) The city was devoted to the worship of Diana, the patroness of the sexual instinct. Her lascivious images helped promote sexual immorality of all kinds (see Acts 19). It was not easy for Timothy to follow a man like Paul! Of course, Satan had his workers in the city; for wherever there are spiritual opportunities there are also satanic obstacles (1 Cor 16:8-9).

3.  Paul wrote the letter we call 1 Timothy to encourage Timothy, to explain how a local church should be managed, and to enforce his own authority as a servant of God. In 1 Tim 1 Paul explained the three responsibilities of a pastor and people in a local church.

MESSAGE:

I.  Teach Sound Doctrine (1 Tim. 1:1-11)

Paul affirms his authority as a servant of Jesus Christ.

A.  BY REMEMBERING DIVINE CREDENTIALS.  (1Tim. 1:1-3)

Those who were giving Timothy trouble needed to remember that their pastor was there because God had put him there, for Paul's authority was given by God.

   1. The Apostleship of Paul.  (1Tim. 1:1)

Paul was an "apostle," one whom God sent with a special commission.

1. “This Epistle would give Timothy some documentary proof of his authorization to act as the apostle’s representative. Accordingly much of the Epistle is directly occupied with the personal life and activities of Timothy himself.” —D. Edmond Hiebert

2. Although this is a personal letter to Timothy, Paul identified himself in a formal manner. Anyone else who would read this letter would recognize it as personal, but not private. Paul intended his words to be heard by a greater audience.

3. The title apostle was reserved for certain followers of Christ who had accompanied Jesus and had seen the risen Lord.

1)     Paul presented this important credential of apostleship in most of his letters as a foundation for his instructions.

2)     He was not writing suggestions or opinions, but what Peter classified along with "the other Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16). Paul expected to be heard because he represented Jesus Christ.

4. The Bible is the written form of what God expects us to know and do—the final AUTHORITY. God chose Paul to carry out one phase of the plan. Through Paul, the inspired teaching was written down. Because the Bible is from God, it must be studied seriously, understood thoroughly, and applied faithfully. Paul did not intend for Timothy to skim this letter. It requires no less attention from us.

   2.  The Commandment of God.  (1Tim. 1:1)

His apostleship came by “the commandment of God our Saviour.”

a.      This word “commandment” means "a royal commission." Both Paul and Timothy were sent by the King of kings! They had a definite call from God to preach, teach, and suffer; they were servants under orders.

b.     God is presented as our “Saviour” in this section.

1)     Christ Jesus is our Savior, but God the Father is also referred to as "Saviour," a title used ten times in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; 2 Tim 1:10; Titus 1:3-4; 2:10,13; 3:4,6). 

2)     God in his fullness (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) authored salvation.

   3.  The Hope of the Lord Jesus Christ.  (1Tim. 1:1)

a.     Jesus Christ is our Lord!

1)     This means that Jesus Christ is supreme in authority and the controller over the affairs of the ministry of His churches.

2)     “Lord” is applied to Jesus as the Messiah, since by His death He obtained a special ownership of mankind and after His resurrection was exalted by a partnership in the divine administration (1 Cor 7:22; 8:6; Phil 2:9-11).

a)     Acts 10:36, The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

b)     Romans 14:8, For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

3)     Scripture ascribes ultimate glory to Jesus Christ in naming him "Lord"! This was the name of God revealed to Israel through Moses (Ex 3:14). "Lord" serves as the name par excellence for Jesus Christ.

4)     Since Jesus is Lord, he shares with the Father qualities like deity (Rom 9:5), preexistence (John 8:58), holiness (Heb 4:15), and compassion (1 John 4:9), to name just a few. He is co-creator (Col 1:16) and co-regent, presiding in power at the Father's right hand (Acts 2:33; Eph 1:20; Heb 1:3), where he intercedes for God's people (Rom 8:34) and from there, he will return to judge the living and dead (2 Thess 1:7-8).

5)     Philip. 2:9-11, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

b.     Jesus Christ is our Hope! (1 Tim 1:1)

1)     Our only hope of getting to Heaven is found in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus.

2)     In fact, all the bright prospects which are held out before us in the Bible are ours only because of our connection with Christ Jesus.

3)     To discouraged Timothy, the title "our hope" (1 Tim 1:1) was a real boost.

a)     The term directs our attention to the certain fulfillment of God’s saving plan in Christ.

b)     Col. 1:27, 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:

c)     Paul wrote the same encouragement to Titus (Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7). Knowing that Jesus Christ is coming for us encourages us to serve Him faithfully. 

4)     Paul calls Christ Jesus our hope.

a)     The psalmist wrote, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalm 43:5)

b)     Paul wrote to the Colossians: “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:” (Col 1:27).

c)     What does it mean to call Christ "our hope"? Our hope rests in Jesus Christ.

1)     He is the embodiment of our faith, the basis for our eternal life. When we place our hope in Christ, we are not pacified with vague "maybes," rather we are given certainties.

2)     We "hope" for what we already know is ours. Our union with Christ provides our salvation now. Our hope is our belief that one day our salvation will be fully realized—final and complete—when he returns for us. Where have you placed your hope?

5)     It's easy to be stingy with encouragement, but don't hold back!

a)     Each day we have many opportunities to support and inspire family members, fellow workers, and even total strangers. People need help and affirmation all along the way. 

b)     In his letter to Timothy, Paul modeled for us six important principles to help us encourage others:

1)     Begin with encouragement. People who know we will encourage them will cooperate more than those who feel they must "earn" every morsel of affirmation.

2)     Expect of others only what you expect of yourself. People will resist being held to unfair standards.

3)     Develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity, and experience. People will reject or fail to meet expectations that do not fit them. Be patient with distracted or slow learners.

4)     Monitor your expectations of others. Changing circumstances sometimes require revised or reduced expectations.

5)     Clarify your expectations with others. People are not likely to hit a target that no one has identified for them.

6)     End with encouragement. People feel used when their efforts go unnoticed.

   4.  The Gracious Provisions of God. (1 Tim 1:2)

Both “God our Father and Jesus Christ the Lord” are coequal in providing the resources of grace, mercy, and peace to the servant of God. Paul recognized the full deity of Jesus.

a.  The Provisions are for Timothy.

The Letter is addressed to “Timothy,” who is described as “my own son in the faith” (in the realm of faith).

1)     This may indicate that Timothy was saved through the apostle’s ministry, perhaps during Paul’s first visit to Lystra (Acts 14:6–20). But the general impression in Acts is that Timothy was already a disciple when Paul first met him (Acts 16:1, 2).

2)     In that case the expression “my own son in the faith” means that Timothy exhibited the same spiritual and moral qualities as Paul; he was a true descendant of the apostle because he manifested the same character.

3)     Timothy was a disciple of Paul. Stock says: “Happy is the young Christian worker who has such a leader, and happy is the Christian leader who ‘hath his quiver full’ of such ‘true’ children.”

4)     Timothy was greatly privileged as a son (a disciple) to Paul a minister of the Lord.  We need a renewed interest in the discipleship of believers.  Nourishing and nurturing young believers in the faith through the Word of God must be a sustained ministry.  We are challenged to make more disciples by the relationship of Paul and Timothy.

5)     Though Timothy was considered a mature believer, he was still learning and growing in the Lord.  He never came to the place where he was done or finished with his spiritual development.  Also Timothy did not wait until he mastered all areas of Christian ministry and character before he began serving the Lord. 

6)     What should be true about disciples?

·       Col. 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Col 3:17)

·       Disciples are marked by Christ-like living. Paul offers a strategy to help us live for God day by day:

(1)   Imitate Christ's merciful, forgiving attitude (Col 3:12-13);

·       Col. 3:12-13, Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; [13] Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

(2)   Let love guide your life (Col. 3:14);

·       Col. 3:14, And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

(3)   Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart (Col. 3:15);

·       Col. 3:15, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

(4)    Always be thankful (Col. 3:15);

·       Col. 3:15, … and be ye thankful.

(5)   Keep God's Word in you at all times (Col. 3:16);

·       Col. 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

(6)   Live as Jesus Christ's representative (Col. 3:17).

·       Col. 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

7)     Doing everything as a representative of the Lord Jesus means bringing honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living. As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times -- wherever you go and whatever you say. What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you? What changes would you make for your life to honor Christ?

b. The Provisions are from God.

Paul used “grace and peace” as a standard greeting in all of his letters. This was the usual salutation in NT Letters. 

1)     However, in 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and 2 John, this is enlarged to “grace, mercy and peace.” All of these latter Epistles were written to individuals rather than to churches, and this explains the addition of mercy.

2)     “These three words—love, mercy, and grace—are a little trinity. Love is that in God which existed before He could care to exercise mercy or grace. God is love; it is His nature, His attribute. Mercy is that in God which provided for the need of sinful man. Grace then is that in Him which acts freely to save because all the demands of His holiness have been satisfied. Therefore, because God is merciful, you can come to Him, and by His grace He’ll save you. You don’t have to bring anything, you cannot bring anything, because it would only be filthy rags to God.” --- McGee, J. V. Thru the Bible Commentary.

a)     Grace means all the divine resources needed for Christian life and service.

·       Grace is the favor God showed at the Cross; not to people who loved Him, but to us who hated Him.

·       Grace is sanctifying grace, the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the yielded believer.

·       Paul understood the role of grace in the life of a suffering minister of Christ who is faithfully continuing in ministry.

·       2 Cor. 4:14-18, Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [15] For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. [16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. [17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

·       Because of the grace of God in us, we do not lose heart (vv. 15-16). Grace renews our inward spirit and assures us of glory in the afterlife (vv. 16-17).

·       Thus ministry is not something that we always do joyfully or motivated by our own power, but rather motivated by faith that God is working in the present and will reward us in eternity.

b)     Mercy speaks of God’s compassionate care and protection for one who is needy and prone to fail.

(1)   Mercy: feelings of pity, compassion, affection, kindness. It is a desire to succor; to tenderly draw unto oneself and to care for.

·       Two things are essential in order to have mercy: seeing a need and being able to meet that need.

·       God sees our need and feels for us (Eph.2:l-3).

·       Therefore, He acts; He has mercy upon us...

·       God withholds His judgment.

·       God provides a way for us to be saved.

·       Mercy arises from a heart of love: God has mercy upon us because He loves us.  .

(2)   When Jesus Christ died. He died for our sins. He took our sins upon Himself and bore the judgment of sin for us. Therefore, if we trust Christ as our Savior, God does not count sin against us. Instead, He counts the righteousness of Christ for us. We become acceptable to God through the righteousness of Christ. The great mercy of God is...

(a)   That He allowed Christ, His very own Son, to die for us. He actually allowed His own Son to bear the punishment of our sins for us.

(b)   That he loves us so much that He will forgive our sins if we will only trust Christ.

(c)   The point is this: it is absolutely necessary for both the minister and the disciple to know and possess the mercy of God and of Christ. A person who has not experienced the mercy of God does not know God. Of all people, the minister and disciple of Christ must know the mercy of God.

(3)   "Mercy" carries with it the idea of God's loving-kindness toward believers.

·       God's mercy helps us day by day. Paul knew that Timothy was facing a difficult situation in Ephesus, so he added the word mercy to reassure Timothy of God's protection and guidance.

·       “Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not.”  -- Thomas Watson

·       Mercy frees believers from the misery that accompanies the consequences of sin.

c)     Peace means the inner tranquility that comes from leaning on the Lord.

(1)   Peace means to be bound, joined, and weaved together. It means to be assured, confident, and secure in the love and care of God.

·       It means to have a sense, a consciousness, a knowledge that God will...provide, deliver, guide, encourage, strengthen, save, sustain give life, real life, both now and forever.

·       A person can experience true peace only as he comes to know Jesus Christ. Only Christ can bring peace to the human heart, the kind of peace that brings deliverance and assurance to the human soul.

(2)   Again, it is an absolute essential for the minister and disciple of Christ to know the peace of God and Christ. How can the minister share the gospel of peace unless he has peace with God? The answer is obvious.

·       "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (Jn. 14:27).

·       "These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn.l6:33).

·       "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ro.5:l).

·       "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Ro.8:6).

·       "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal.5:22-23).

·       "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord only makest me dwell in safety" (Ps.4:8).

3)     These three blessings come from “God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

a)     The deity of Christ is implied in this verse in that Paul speaks of Him as equal with the Father.

1)     Paul pointed to Jesus as a full person of the Godhead by recognizing His full deity.

2)     Both God the Father and Christ the Lord are coequal in providing the resources of grace, mercy, and peace.

b)     The expression “Jesus Christ our Lord” stresses the Lordship of Christ.

1)     Whereas the word “Savior” occurs twenty-four times in the NT, the word “Lord” occurs 522 times.

2)     We should be able to make a personal application of these important statistics.

4)     “God” as “our Father” is a key Old Testament concept. For example:

a)     Deut. 32:6, Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

b)     2 Samuel 7:14, I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

c)     Many people come from fatherless homes or from dysfunctional families with an abusive father. Perhaps the role of father has been underplayed.

1)     However, Christians should not delete references to God as "our Father."

2)     Instead of seeing God as similar to our pictures of imperfect fathers, we understand true fatherhood through knowing God the merciful and gracious Creator.

   5.  The Responsibility of Leadership. (1 Tim 1:3-4)

1. Appointed Responsibilities.  “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus”