Introduction
Who is Paul speaking to in 1Timothy?
In 1Timothy 1 Paul is instructing Timothy.
He starts out with a blessing:
Grace, Mercy, and Peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ out Lord.
What he should teach others…
- Do not teach false doctrine.
- Do not be given to tall tales or fiction.
- Do not spend your time in endless genealogies or family history?
Why? Because these things stir up ridiculous questioning in place of Biblical truth and edification.
1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1Ti 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1Ti 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
- The most important of all is Love
–Not love as the world understands love but a love that is of Christ and is motivated by him.
-A love that comes from a pure heart.
-A love that comes from a clear conscience before God.
-A love that demonstrates an unwavering Faith in God.
Paul’s testimony:
1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Who did Christ come to save?
– Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Was Paul still living in sin?
Was he a blasphemer?
Was he still persecuting the church?
Was he still insulting others?
Was he still living in ignorance?
…..No……
Then why did he consider himself the chief of sinners?
-because he was referring to his past!
Vs. 13 says, Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy,
Pau was a recipient of the mercy of God.
He was now living his life under the Power and Influence of Christ!
Why did Paul receive/obtain mercy?
1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
God used Paul as an example.
God extended His mercy and longsuffering to Paul as an example of His love all who call on Him.
God can handle your past!
All we need to do is come before God in brokenness and repentance, and God will give us new life in Christ Jesus!
In other words:
-If God can save a man like Paul and use him for His Glory…He can do the same for you!
1Ti 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
1Ti 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1Ti 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
What happens to a person that loses faith?
-He becomes a person without hope and purpose.
-Life loses its meaning.
Instruction on how to Pray
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
1Ti 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Instruction to Men
1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
I believe that this is directed specifically to men.
-Why?……look at the next verse.
What is meant by lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting?
Is this an accurate interpretation of this verse?
-All men need to raise their hands when they pray.
Could it be that we are missing something when we look at this verse?
-Does lifting up your hands make them Holy?
Lifting up your hands doesn’t make your hands holy any more then going to bed make you a Christian.
1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where,
Where should we pray?
Paul instructs us to pray everywhere.
Does this contradict how Jesus told us to pray?
What does Jesus teach about prayer?
Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
When you Pray….
-don’t be as the hypocrites are!
-why?
-a hypocrite is all for show, and will have a very unpleasant reward.
When you Pray….
–enter into your closet, close the door and…… pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
-don’t use vain repetitions
-Why
-because God already knows what we need before we ask Him!
What can we gather from these two passages on how and where to pray?
I believe that our primary time in prayer needs to be done in our closet, alone with God, and as we go through the day that we remain in a spirit of prayer and communion with God.
It is only as I am in communion with God, and am following Christ that I will have Holy hands to lift up in adoration and in consecration to my King!
Lifting up Holy hands is a picture of true devotion to Christ.
Are your hands (heart) pure?
Are you living a life of purity before God?
God is looking for men who have put their faith and trust in Him and who are living in purity and humility!
Instruction to Women
1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1Ti 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Are you a woman whose heart is turned toward God?
Which are you most concerned with?
-Inner beauty?
-or outer beauty?
Who determines what is acceptable in your appearance and how you conduct yourself?
Specific Biblical Instruction
As the man is to live in humility and purity….
The woman is to:
- Adorn herself in modest apparel.
-Women are to dress modestly!
-with shamefacedness and sobriety;
Shamefacedness means:
– (the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, that is, (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe: - reverence, shamefacedness.
Sobriety means:
– soundness of mind, that is, (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self control: - soberness, sobriety.
-not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
Women are to dress modestly, with a healthy reserve in relating to men, in awe and reverence before God, with soundness of mind, with self-control, without the fads and styles of this world, without clothing that attracts attention or reveals, and without jewelry that distracts from ones God-given beauty.
God’s desire for the heart of a woman is that it is turned toward him, not toward herself.
A woman whose heart is toward God has a beauty unknown to the world!
The woman is:
- To learn in silence with all subjection.
-The women is to learn in stillness and quietness, with all submission.
Subjection: to willingly put one’s self under.
- Not to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
-Women are not to teach or control/manipulate men, but are to put themselves under their God given authority.
-Why?
Because God created us with a specific design to function under his umbrella of protection.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
God’s heart for you as a woman is that you continue:
- In faith
- In love
- In holiness
- And in soundness of mind
As the man is call as a servant, you are called to a life of service!