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"These things I write to you,though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that youmay know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is thechurch of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." Now, Iwant you to notice several wonderful truths in these verses.   First, the church is the household of God. Paul describes the church as thehouse of God. And he's not talking about a physical building made of bricks andmortar. He's talking about the family of believers who have been broughttogether through faith in Jesus Christ. You see, the church isn't simply anorganization that people join. It's a spiritual family into which we're broughtthrough the new birth. And what a wonderful privilege it is to belong to thefamily of God! You know, after more than fifty years of pastoral ministry, Ican tell you that some of the sweetest relationships I've enjoyed have beenwith the people of God. I've had the privilege of pastoring several wonderfulcongregations, and even today, many of those dear people remain preciousfriends. And although we're sometimes separated by hundreds of miles, we stillshare that wonderful bond of fellowship in Jesus Christ. That's what makes thechurch so special. We're not simply members of an organization. We'rebrothers and sisters in the family of God!   Second, the church belongs to the living God. Notice that expression in verse 15.Paul calls it "the church of the living God." Now, rememberthat Timothy was ministering in Ephesus, a city famous for its magnificenttemple dedicated to the goddess Artemis, also known as Diana. People traveledfrom great distances to worship at that temple. But Paul reminds Timothy thatthe Christian church worships the living God! Not an idol made by human hands. Nota false god who cannot hear or answer prayer. But the eternal, all-powerful,living God who created heaven and earth! And my friend, that's the God weworship today. He hears our prayers. He knows our needs. And He has promisednever to leave us nor forsake us.   Third, the church is the pillar and ground ofthe truth. Now, that's apowerful statement! Paul describes the church as "the pillar and groundof the truth." In other words, the church has been entrusted with theresponsibility of upholding and proclaiming the truth of God's Word. The churchdoesn't invent the truth. And it certainly doesn't have the authority to changethe truth. Rather, our responsibility is to faithfully preserve, teach, andproclaim the truth God has already revealed in His Word. And I believe that'sespecially important in the world in which we're living today. We live in atime when many people want to redefine truth according to their own personalopinions. But God's Word remains the same. And the church must never compromisethe truth simply to gain the approval of the world.   Now, listen to whatPaul says in verse 16. He begins with these words: "And withoutcontroversy great is the mystery of godliness..." And then Paul givesus a remarkable declaration concerning Jesus Christ. He speaks of God beingmanifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preachedamong the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. What awonderful summary of the person and work of our Savior! Now, Bible scholarshave noted that this verse may have been an early Christian confession of faithor even a hymn sung by believers in the first century. And isn't thatinteresting? The early church was already declaring these wonderful truthsabout Jesus Christ! He came into this world in human flesh. His righteousnessand identity were vindicated through the work of the Spirit, especially in Hisresurrection. He was proclaimed among the nations. People believed upon Him. AndHe was received up into glory!   Now, there'ssomething else I want you to notice. At the very heart of the church'smessage is the person of Jesus Christ.

In 1 Timothy 3:8, Paul turns his attention to another important group ofservants within the church. The deacons!   Now, the word deaconcomes from a Greek word that carries the idea of a servant or minister. Andthat's really what the ministry of a deacon is all about. Serving the Lord byserving His people! Many Bible students see the beginnings of this kind ofministry in Acts chapter 6. You may remember that the early church was growingrapidly, and some of the widows were being overlooked in the daily distributionof food. So the apostles instructed the congregation to select seven men ofgood reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, who could help meet thosepractical needs. And what happened? The apostles were able to devote themselvesto prayer and the ministry of the Word, while these faithful servants helpedcare for the congregation. And the church continued to grow!   Now, listen to whatPaul says in 1 Timothy 3:8. He begins by saying that deacons must bereverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, and not greedy for money.In other words, a deacon must be a man of godly character and integrity. Andisn't it interesting that Paul emphasizes character rather than popularity,financial success, or social standing? You see, the church is not a businessorganization where leadership should be determined simply by a person'saccomplishments or influence. The church belongs to Jesus Christ! And those whoserve in positions of leadership should reflect His character.   Now, notice verse9. Paul says that deacons should hold the mystery of the faith with a pureconscience. That expression refers to the wonderful truths of the gospel thatGod has revealed through Jesus Christ. A deacon should be a man who understandsand believes the fundamental truths of the Christian faith. But he must do morethan simply know those truths. He must live according to them! And that's whyPaul mentions a pure conscience. What we believe should always influence howwe behave.   Now, in verse 10,Paul says that these men should first be tested and then allowed to serve ifthey are found blameless. That's another important principle. Spiritualleadership shouldn't be given to someone simply because he's popular or becausehe's willing to accept a position. There should be evidence of spiritualmaturity and faithfulness. And over the years, I've learned that one of thebest ways to recognize a genuine servant is to observe whether he's alreadyserving the Lord without needing a title!   Now, in verse 11,Paul addresses the character of women associated with this ministry. Someunderstand this verse as referring to the wives of deacons, while othersunderstand it as referring to women serving in recognized ministry roles. Eitherway, the emphasis is upon reverence, self-control, faithfulness, and refusingto engage in slander. And what wonderful qualities those are for everyChristian! Then, in verse 12, Paul returns to the importance of adeacon's marriage and family life. Just as with pastors, spiritual faithfulnessmust be demonstrated at home as well as in the church.   Now, I especiallylove verse 13. Paul reminds us that those who serve well gain a goodstanding and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. What awonderful promise! Faithful service brings spiritual confidence and the respectthat comes from a life well lived. You know, as I look back over more thanfifty years of pastoral ministry, I can remember so many faithful deacons whowere a tremendous blessing to me personally. Men who prayed with me, encouragedme, helped carry the burdens of ministry, and faithfully served the people ofGod. Some of them have already gone home to be with the Lord. But I'll neverforget their faithfulness. And I believe their service has made an eternaldifference. So let me leave youwith this thought today. Greatness in God's kingdom is not measured by howmany people serve us, but by how faithfully we serve others.

Today, Paul takes us into an area that I believeis especially important. The pastor's home and family life. In 1 Timothy 3:4–5, Paul explains that a pastor should manage his ownhousehold well, having his children in submission with reverence. And then Paulasks a very important question. If a man doesn't know how to manage his ownhousehold, how will he take care of the church of God? Now, that's a tremendousquestion! Paul is reminding us that spiritual leadership doesn't begin behind apulpit. It begins at home! You see, it's possible for someone to appear veryspiritual in public while neglecting the responsibilities God has given himwithin his own family. But God is interested in the whole person. And thatincludes how we treat our spouse, how we relate to our children, and how weconduct ourselves when no one else is watching.   You know, after morethan fifty years in pastoral ministry, I've learned that one of the greatestchallenges a pastor faces is maintaining the proper balance between hisresponsibilities to the church and his responsibilities to his family. Thereare always people who need attention. There are hospital visits, funerals,counseling appointments, sermons to prepare, and countless otherresponsibilities. And sometimes the needs seem endless. But a pastor must neverforget that his wife and children also need his love, attention, and spiritualleadership. I've often reflected upon that truth as I've looked back over myown years of ministry. And I'm thankful for the patience, love, and support ofmy family through those years.   Now, notice that Paulisn't saying a pastor must have a perfect family. No family is perfect! Andeven the most faithful parents cannot control every decision their childrenwill eventually make. But Paul is emphasizing that a man's home life shoulddemonstrate responsible, loving, and godly leadership. And I believe that's animportant lesson for every father and grandfather. Our greatest ministryopportunities may begin with the people who live under our own roof.   Now, let's move to verse6. Paul warns that a pastor should not be a novice, or someone who isspiritually immature, lest he become lifted up with pride. Now, that'sinteresting, especially when we remember that Timothy himself was a relativelyyoung man. Paul isn't necessarily saying that a pastor must be advanced inyears. Rather, he's emphasizing the importance of spiritual maturity. A personmay be young in age and yet demonstrate remarkable spiritual wisdom. Andsomeone may be older in years but still lack spiritual maturity. The importantthing is that spiritual leaders must be grounded in God's Word and establishedin their faith.   And notice the dangerPaul mentions. Pride! You see, spiritual leadership can sometimes bringrecognition, influence, and authority. And if we're not careful, those thingscan become sources of pride. But the ministry is never supposed to be aboutglorifying ourselves. It's about glorifying Jesus Christ! I think about thewords of John the Baptist in John 3:30: "He must increase, but I must decrease." What awonderful attitude for every Christian, especially those in leadership!   Paul says that a pastor must have a good testimony among those who are outsidethe church. And that's another important qualification. A pastor's reputationshouldn't be good only among the people who attend his church. His life shouldalso demonstrate integrity before those who don't know the Lord. How does he treat his neighbors? Is he honest in his business dealings? Doeshe keep his promises? Does he demonstrate kindness and respect toward others? Yousee, our testimony in the community can either strengthen or weaken the messagewe proclaim. And that applies to every Christian. People may not alwaysread the Bible, but they certainly observe the lives of those who claim tobelieve it.  Make sure your Christian testimony is just asstrong at home and in the community as it is at church.

Timothy 3:1: "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires theposition of a bishop, he desires a good work." Now, the word bishophere refers to an overseer, one who has responsibility for the spiritualleadership and care of a congregation. In the New Testament, the terms pastor,elder, and overseer describe closely related aspects of the same ministry. Andnotice that Paul says it's a good work! He doesn't say it's an easy work. And Ican certainly testify to that! Pastoral ministry is one of the greatestprivileges a person can experience, but it also carries tremendousresponsibility.   A pastor has theprivilege of preaching God's Word, leading people to Christ, comforting thosewho are grieving, encouraging those who are struggling, and helping believersgrow in their faith. But there are also difficult decisions, disappointments,sleepless nights, and burdens that others may never fully understand. Andthat's why a genuine calling from God is so important. You know, when I becamesenior pastor of Shenandoah Valley Baptist Church in Winchester, Virginia, inJune of 1975, I was still a very young man. In fact, I was younger than all thedeacons in the church! And although I had already been involved in helpingestablish that congregation, I quickly discovered how much I still needed tolearn. But I was thankful for the assurance that God had called me into theministry. And that assurance has encouraged me throughout the years.   Now, notice what Paulsays in verse 2. He begins listing the qualifications of a bishop, orpastor. And the first requirement is that he must be blameless. Now,that doesn't mean a pastor must be sinlessly perfect. If that were therequirement, no one could qualify! Rather, it means that his life should beabove legitimate reproach. He should possess a reputation for integrity andgodly character.   Paul goes on todescribe him as the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of goodbehavior, hospitable, and able to teach. Now, that's quite a list! And I wantyou to notice something interesting. Most of these qualifications have to dowith a man's character rather than his abilities. Paul doesn't begin by sayingthat a pastor must be a great public speaker, a talented administrator, or aperson with a charismatic personality. Instead, he emphasizes godliness,faithfulness, self-control, and integrity. And I believe that's something ourchurches need to remember. A pastor's character is more important than hischarisma!   Now, onequalification that is particularly important is that he must be able to teach. Apastor has the responsibility of faithfully communicating God's Word. And thatmeans he must first be a student of the Scriptures himself. I discovered manyyears ago that a pastor cannot continually feed others spiritually if heneglects his own personal relationship with the Lord. We must spend time inGod's Word and in prayer. Now, in verse 3,Paul continues by emphasizing self-control, gentleness, peaceableness, andfreedom from the love of money. And these are especially important qualities inspiritual leadership. A pastor should never be controlled by anger, greed, or adesire for personal recognition. Instead, he should demonstrate the characterof the Lord Jesus Christ.   And here's somethingI want us all to remember. Although Paul is specifically addressing pastors inthese verses, many of these qualities should characterize every Christian. Weshould all seek to be people of integrity, self-control, kindness, andfaithfulness. So let me leave you with this thought. God is far moreinterested in who we are than in how impressive we may appear to others. Andthe greatest testimony any of us can leave behind is a life that faithfullyhonors Jesus Christ. Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Today, we're continuing our study through thebook of 1 Timothy, and we've come to a passage that has generated considerablediscussion among Christians over the years. And I want us to approach theseverses with humility, recognizing that our responsibility is to understand whatGod has said in His Word. You know, after more than fifty years in pastoralministry, I've learned that we must be careful not to allow our personalopinions or cultural preferences to determine what we believe. Instead, weshould always ask, "What does the Script ure actually teach?"   Now, in yesterday'sChat, we saw how Paul emphasized godly conduct among both men and women in thechurch. Today, beginning in 1 Timothy 2:11, Paul addresses the subjectof teaching and authority within the congregation. He begins by instructingthat a woman should learn in quietness and submission. Now, one thing I findinteresting is that Paul specifically speaks about women learning. In a culturewhere women didn't always enjoy the same educational opportunities as men, Paulclearly recognized the importance of women being instructed in God's Word.   And throughout theNew Testament, we find many examples of godly women who played important rolesin the ministry of the early church. Think about Priscilla, who, along with herhusband Aquila, helped instruct Apollos more accurately in the way of God. Orconsider Phoebe, whom Paul commended in Romans chapter 16. And what about Loisand Eunice, Timothy's grandmother and mother, whose sincere faith had such atremendous influence upon his life? So we must never underestimate theimportance of women in the work of the Lord.   Now, in verse 12,Paul addresses the matter of teaching and exercising authority over men withinthe church. This is where Christians have sometimes differed in theirunderstanding and application of the passage. Some believe Paul is establishinga continuing distinction between the responsibilities of men and women in thegoverning and authoritative teaching ministry of the church. Others understandhis instruction as addressing particular circumstances in the congregation atEphesus.   In the understandingof church leadership that I've followed throughout my ministry, theresponsibility of serving as pastor or elder has been entrusted to qualifiedmen. But let me emphasize something very important. Differentresponsibilities do not mean different values before God! Men and women areequally created in the image of God, equally in need of salvation, and equallyprecious in His sight. And both have tremendous opportunities to serve Him.   Now, in verses 13and 14, Paul refers to Adam and Eve and the events recorded in Genesis. Hepoints back to the order of creation and the deception that occurred in theGarden of Eden. Paul's appeal to Genesis is one reason many Christiansunderstand these instructions as extending beyond the immediate circumstancesat Ephesus. But we should be careful not to draw conclusions that Paul himselfdoesn't make. For example, this passage does not teach that women are lessintelligent, less spiritual, or less capable of understanding the Scriptures. Nordoes it excuse the failure of Adam, who also sinned against God. And both men and women today areresponsible for faithfully obeying His Word.   Now, verse 15is admittedly one of the more difficult verses in this letter. But one thing we knowwith absolute certainty is that Paul is not teaching that women earn eternalsalvation by having children.   That would contradicthis clear teaching elsewhere that salvation is by grace through faith in JesusChrist. And certainly, women who never marry or never have children are no lessvaluable in the sight of God. So what should we take away from this passage? Ibelieve the central lesson is that God desires order, holiness, andfaithfulness within His church. And whatever responsibilities He hasentrusted to us, we should carry them out with humility and love.

I want us to consider a very practical question. Whatdoes genuine Christianity look like in our everyday lives? You see, it's onething to profess that we know the Lord Jesus Christ. But it's another thing todemonstrate that relationship through the way we live. And that's exactly whatPaul is emphasizing in the verses we're studying today. Yesterday, we werereminded that there is only one Mediator between God and men, the Man ChristJesus.   Now, beginning inverse 8, Paul turns his attention to the conduct of believers within thechurch. Listen to 1 Timothy 2:8, where Paul expresses his desire thatmen pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Now,there's something very important here. Paul isn't simply concerned about thephysical position of our hands when we pray. He's concerned about the spiritualcondition of our hearts! You see, in biblical times, lifting one's hands was acommon posture of prayer. And there's certainly nothing wrong with lifting ourhands toward heaven as we pray. But notice that Paul speaks of holy hands.The emphasis is upon a life that is pleasing to God.   And then he adds thatour prayers should be offered without wrath and doubting. In other words, weshouldn't approach God with hearts filled with anger, bitterness, orcontentiousness. I think about what Jesus taught in Matthew chapter 5. Hereminded His followers that if they remembered someone had something againstthem, they should seek reconciliation. And what a practical lesson that is! Sometimeswe can be very spiritual in our public prayers while harboring resentmenttoward someone in our hearts.   But God is interestedin more than the words coming from our lips. He's interested in thecondition of our hearts! Now, beginning in verse 9, Paul turns hisattention to the women in the congregation. He encourages them to dressmodestly, with propriety and moderation. And he mentions braided hair, gold,pearls, and costly clothing. Now, we need to understand the cultural setting. Inthe Roman world, elaborate hairstyles, expensive jewelry, and extravagantclothing could become ways of displaying wealth and social position. And Pauldidn't want the church to become a place where people competed for attention orrecognition. His concern was that Christian women demonstrate godliness ratherthan allowing outward appearance to become their primary focus.   And I believe there'sa lesson here for all of us, both men and women. There's nothing wrong withdressing neatly or taking care of our appearance. But we should never become soconcerned about how we look on the outside that we neglect who we are on theinside. You know, I've discovered over the years that some of the mostbeautiful people I've ever known weren't necessarily those who possessed greatphysical beauty. They were people whose lives radiated the love, kindness, andgrace of Jesus Christ. And that's the kind of beauty that never fades!   Now, notice what Paulsays in verse 10. He emphasizes that women who profess godliness shouldbe known for their good works. Isn't that wonderful? Paul is reminding us thatgenuine faith should produce a life of loving service. And I think about themany godly women I've known throughout my years in ministry. Women whofaithfully taught children in Sunday school. Women who visited the sick,prepared meals for grieving families, supported missionaries, and prayedfaithfully for their pastors and churches. Many of them never stood behind apulpit or received public recognition. But their lives made an eternaldifference! And what a wonderful testimony they left behind. You see, thegreatest adornment any Christian can possess is a life that reflects thecharacter of Jesus Christ. Ask yourself this question: Does my life draw attention to myself, or does itpoint others toward Jesus Christ? Because genuine godliness is not measuredby outward appearance, but by a heart that loves God and a life thatdemonstrates His grace.

Today, we're continuing our study through Paul's firstletter to Timothy. And we've come to one of the clearest and most wonderfulstatements in all the Bible concerning our salvation. Yesterday, we saw howPaul encouraged Timothy to make prayer a priority and to pray for all people,including those in positions of authority. And he reminded us that God's desireis for people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.   Now,in verse 5, Paul explains the wonderful truth that makes our salvationpossible. Listen to 1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God and oneMediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." What atremendous statement! There is one God, and there is one Mediator between Godand humanity. And that Mediator is Jesus Christ! Now, what exactly is amediator? A mediator is someone who stands between two parties to bring aboutreconciliation. And that's exactly what Jesus Christ has done for us. You see,the Bible teaches that our sins have separated us from a holy and righteousGod. Isaiah 59:2 reminds us that our iniquities have separated us from God. AndRomans 3:23 declares that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Thatincludes every one of us! But here's the wonderful news. God loved us so muchthat He provided the One who could reconcile us to Himself. And that One is HisSon, Jesus Christ.   Noticethat Paul specifically refers to Him as "the Man Christ Jesus."Now, that's important because Jesus is both fully God and fully man. He isthe eternal Son of God who took upon Himself human flesh. And because He isboth God and man, He is uniquely qualified to be our Mediator. No other personcould accomplish what Jesus accomplished. No religious leader, no prophet, nopriest, and no human effort could ever provide the salvation that Christ alonemakes possible. That's why Jesus declared in John 14:6: "I amthe way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except throughMe."   Now,listen to verse 6. Paul says that Jesus "gave Himself aransom for all." Think about that expression! A ransom is theprice paid to secure someone's release. And that's exactly what Jesus did whenHe went to the cross of Calvary. He gave His own life to pay the penalty forour sins. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 1:18–19 that we weren't redeemedwith silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. And what a price Hepaid! Jesus willingly suffered and died so that we might be forgiven andreceive the gift of eternal life.   Now,I want you to notice something else. Paul says that Jesus gave Himself a ransomfor all. The invitation of the gospel is not restricted toone nationality, one social class, or one particular group of people. Thewonderful message of salvation is to be proclaimed to everyone! And that's whythe Great Commission is so important. We're commanded to take the gospel intoall the world. After more than fifty years in ministry, I can tell you thatthere's nothing more rewarding than sharing the message of salvation withsomeone who needs to know Jesus Christ. And whether that person lives acrossthe street or on the other side of the world, the message is the same. “…JesusChrist died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day!”  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).   Now,in verse 7, Paul explains that he was appointed a preacher and anapostle, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. In other words, Paulunderstood that God had entrusted him with the responsibility of proclaimingthis wonderful gospel. Every Christian has the privilege of telling others about Jesus.   Solet me leave you with this thought today. There's only one Mediator betweenGod and man, but that one Mediator is sufficient for every sinner who comes toHim in faith. And if you've never personally trusted Jesus Christ as yourSavior, I encourage you to do so today. He is the only way to the Father, andHe stands ready to save all who come to God through Him.

Today, we're beginning chapter 2 of Paul's first letter toTimothy. And I find it particularly interesting that after Paul has emphasizedthe importance of sound doctrine and faithful Christian living, he now turnsour attention to one of the greatest privileges we have as believers. Theprivilege of prayer! Listen to what Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1:"ThereforeI exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving ofthanks be made for all men."   Now,notice those words: "first of all." Paul is emphasizingthe priority of prayer in the life of the church. Before Timothy becomesoccupied with all the responsibilities of pastoral ministry, Paul wants him tounderstand the importance of praying for others. And I believe that's a lessonevery Christian needs to remember. It's so easy to become busy doing things forthe Lord that we neglect spending time with the Lord. And yet prayer is one ofthe most important things we can do.   Now,Paul mentions four different expressions of prayer. First, supplications.These are earnest requests that arise from particular needs. Second, prayers.This is the general expression for approaching God in worship, fellowship, anddependence. Third, intercessions. This involves bringing the needs ofothers before the Lord. And fourth, giving of thanks. I especiallyappreciate that last one! Sometimes our prayers can become little more than alist of things we want God to do for us. But Paul reminds us that prayer shouldalso include thanksgiving. And my friend, we have so much for which to bethankful!   Now,notice what Paul says in verse 2. He tells us to pray for kings and allwho are in authority. And he gives us the reason: that we may live peaceful andquiet lives in godliness and reverence. Now, remember the historical setting. Paulwas writing during the days of the Roman Empire. And the rulers of that daywere certainly not always sympathetic toward Christians. In fact, believerswere facing increasing opposition and persecution. Yet Paul instructed Timothyto pray for those in authority.   Andthat instruction is just as important today. Whether we agree or disagree withthose who hold positions of leadership, we're commanded to pray for them. Weshould pray for our president, our governors, our members of Congress, andthose who serve in positions of authority in our communities. Pray that Godwill give them wisdom, guide their decisions, and help them govern justly. Andpray that we may continue to enjoy the freedom to worship the Lord and sharethe gospel of Jesus Christ.   Now,look at verses 3 and 4. Paul tells us that this kind of prayer is goodand acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. And then he makes a wonderfulstatement about God's heart toward humanity. He speaks of God our Savior, whodesires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Isn'tthat wonderful? God'sheart is for the salvation of lost people! And that should be our heart aswell. You know, one of the greatest privileges I've enjoyed through the yearshas been praying with people who were ready to receive Jesus Christ as theirpersonal Savior. And there's nothing quite like seeing someone come tounderstand that Jesus died for their sins and that salvation is availablethrough faith in Him.   Buthere's something we must never forget. Before we talk to people about God,we ought to talk to God about people! We should be praying regularly forour family members, friends, neighbors, and others who need to know the Savior.And we should never underestimate what God can accomplish through the prayersof His people. Perhaps there's someone you've been praying for over many years.Don't give up! Continue bringing that person's name before the throne of grace.And ask God to give you opportunities to share the wonderful message ofsalvation.   Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Paul turns his attention directly to Timothy and gives him a very personalcharge.   Listento 1 Timothy 1:18: "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy,according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them youmay wage the good warfare." Now, remember that Timothy was a youngpastor who had been entrusted with some tremendous responsibilities. And Paulknew that ministry wasn't always going to be easy. There would be opposition,discouragement, false teaching, and spiritual battles. So Paul reminds Timothythat he must be prepared to fight the good fight of faith. And I believe that'sa message every Christian needs to hear. The Christian life is not aplayground. It's a battleground!   Now,we're not talking about fighting people or treating others as enemies. In fact,Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle is not against flesh andblood. We're involved in a spiritual battle. And our enemy would love nothingmore than to discourage us, distract us, and cause us to become ineffective inour service for the Lord. That's why we must remain faithful to God's Word.   Now,Paul also mentions prophecies that had previously been made concerning Timothy.Apparently, there had been some special recognition of God's calling uponTimothy's life. And Paul wanted him to remember that calling, especially whenthe ministry became difficult. You know, I can relate to that. When I becamethe senior pastor of Shenandoah Valley Baptist Church in Winchester, Virginia,in June of 1975, I was still a very young man. In fact, I was younger thanevery one of our deacons!  And I quicklydiscovered that pastoral ministry involved some challenges I hadn't fullyanticipated.   Withinthe first three years of being the pastor I was being publicly accused of beinga Jim Jones, a Mussolini, and a Hitler, all wrapped up in one, by one of thefounding deacons of the church. And within the next year I was being sued byhim for $50,000. It was very heartbreaking and discouraging! But one thing thatencouraged me through those early years was the assurance that God had calledme into the ministry. And that assurance continued to strengthen me through theyears. Now, not everyone is called to be a pastor, but every Christian iscalled to faithfully serve the Lord. And whatever responsibility God hasentrusted to you, don't give up simply because the road becomes difficult.   Noticewhat Paul says in verse 19. He tells Timothy to hold on to faith and agood conscience. And then he warns that some individuals had rejected thesethings and suffered shipwreck concerning their faith. What a powerfulillustration! Think about a ship that has lost its way and crashed upon therocks. That's the picture Paul uses to describe the spiritual disaster that canoccur when someone turns away from the truth and rejects a good conscience. It's not enough to begin the Christianlife well. We need to finish well!   I'veknown people over the years who started out with tremendous enthusiasm for theLord. But somewhere along the way, they became distracted, discouraged, orentangled in sin. And sadly, some turned away from the very truths they onceprofessed to believe. That's why Paul reminds Timothy to hold firmly to bothfaith and a good conscience. We need sound doctrine, but we also need godlycharacter.   Now,in verse 20, Paul mentions two individuals by name: Hymenaeus andAlexander. These men had apparently become involved in serious spiritual error.Paul describes taking strong disciplinary action so that they might learn notto blaspheme. His language is severe, and it reminds us that false teaching canhave serious consequences. But notice that even here, the stated purpose wascorrection. Paul wanted them to learn the seriousness of their error. And thatreminds us that spiritual discipline should never be motivated by personalrevenge, but by a desire to honor God and, where possible, restore those whohave gone astray.

Today, we've come to what I believe is one of the mostwonderful declarations in all of Paul's writings. In fact, if someone were toask me to explain the purpose of Jesus Christ coming into this world, I couldhardly find a better verse than the one we're studying today. Listen to 1Timothy 1:15: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of allacceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I amchief." What a tremendous statement!   Paulbegins by saying this is a faithful saying, worthy of everyone's acceptance. Inother words, this is a truth that everyone needs to hear, understand, andbelieve. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! Now, thinkabout that for a moment. Jesus didn't come simply to be a great teacher,although He was the greatest Teacher who ever lived. He didn't come merely toprovide us with a good example, although His life was absolutely perfect.   AndHe didn't come simply to establish another religious movement. Jesus came intothis world for one supreme purpose: to save sinners! That's why He leftthe glory of heaven and took upon Himself human flesh. That's why He lived asinless life. And that's why He willingly went to the cross of Calvary and gaveHis life for our sins. Jesus Himself declared in Luke 19:10 that the Son of Mancame to seek and save those who were lost. And my friend, that's the greatestnews this world has ever heard!   Now,notice something else in verse 15. Paul says that among sinners, he was thechief. Isn't that remarkable? Here's a man who had preached the gospelthroughout the Roman world, established churches, and written much of our NewTestament. Yet he never lost sight of the fact that he was a sinner saved bygrace. And I believe there's a wonderful lesson here. The closer we walkwith the Lord, the more we recognize how much we need His grace. You know,after all these years in ministry, I can tell you that the Christian life neverbecomes a matter of outgrowing our need for God's mercy. Every day, we need Hisforgiveness, His strength, and His guidance.   Now,look at verse 16. Paul explains that he received mercy so that JesusChrist might demonstrate His longsuffering through him, as an example to thosewho would later believe on Him for everlasting life. What a beautiful thought! Paul'stestimony became a living illustration of the patience and mercy of JesusChrist. It's as though Paul were saying, "If God could save someone likeme, then no one should ever think they're beyond His reach." And perhapsthat's exactly what someone needs to hear today. Maybe you have a family memberor a friend you've been praying for over many years. And perhaps you'vewondered whether that person will ever come to know the Lord. Don't stoppraying! Remember Saul of Tarsus. If God could transform that persecutor intothe Apostle Paul, He can still reach hearts that seem impossible to change.   Now,I love how Paul concludes this section in verse 17. After reflectingupon God's wonderful mercy, Paul simply breaks forth in praise. He gives honorand glory to the eternal, immortal, invisible God, who alone is wise. And heends with one word: Amen! It's almost as though Paul couldn't containhimself. When he thought about what Jesus Christ had done for him, his heartoverflowed with worship. And shouldn't that be true of us? When was the lasttime you simply stopped and thanked the Lord for saving your soul? Not becauseof something you had accomplished, or because you deserved His favor, butsimply because of His wonderful love and grace.   Letme leave you with this thought. The greatest miracle you'll ever experienceis the miracle of salvation through Jesus Christ. And if you've nevertrusted Him as your Savior, today would be a wonderful day to do so. BecauseChrist Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And that includes you!   Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

1 Timothy 1:12: "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hasenabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry."Now, think about who's making that statement. This is the Apostle Paul, oneof the greatest missionaries and preachers in the history of Christianity. ButPaul never forgot where he came from. He understood that everything he hadaccomplished for the Lord was made possible by God's grace. Notice that hethanked Jesus Christ for enabling him and placing him into the ministry. Paulwasn't taking credit for his accomplishments. He was giving glory to the Lord!   AndI believe that's an important lesson for every Christian, especially those ofus who have had the privilege of serving the Lord in ministry. When I look backover more than fifty years of pastoral ministry, I'm reminded of how graciousthe Lord has been to me. I certainly haven't done everything perfectly. I'vemade mistakes, and there are things I wish I could have done differently. Butthrough it all, God has been faithful! And whatever good may have beenaccomplished has been because of His grace and His enabling power.   Now,listen to what Paul says in verse 13. He describes himself as havingformerly been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man. Can you imaginethat? Before his conversion, Paul was actually persecuting the very people whobelieved in Jesus Christ! In Acts chapter 8, we're told that Saul, as he wasthen known, was making havoc of the church. He entered homes, dragged awaybelievers, and committed them to prison. And yet, God had other plans for thisman! On the road to Damascus, Saul encountered the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Andhis life was changed forever. The persecutor became a preacher! The enemy ofthe church became one of its greatest missionaries! And the man who onceopposed the gospel became one of its most faithful defenders.   Now,notice what Paul says at the end of verse 13: "I obtained mercy becauseI did it ignorantly in unbelief." Paul wasn't excusing his sin. He wasacknowledging the mercy of God. His ignorance didn't make his actions right,but it reminds us that even someone who has been terribly wrong can experienceGod's wonderful mercy. And then comes verse 14, one of my favoritestatements in this passage: "And the grace of our Lord was exceedinglyabundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." Did younotice those words? Exceedingly abundant! Paul doesn't simply say thatGod showed him a little grace. He says that God's grace was exceedinglyabundant! In other words, God's grace was more than sufficient to overcome theterrible sins of his past. And my friend, that same grace is available today.   Perhapssomeone listening to this Chat is carrying a burden of guilt over somethingthat happened many years ago. Maybe you've wondered whether God could reallyforgive you. Let me remind you that no sinner is beyond the reach of God'ssaving grace when they turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith. And forthose of us who already know the Lord, we should never forget that we're savedby grace and sustained by grace. The longer I live, the more I appreciate thatwonderful truth. God's grace is greater than our failures, stronger than ourweaknesses, and sufficient for every day of our lives.   Sotoday, take a moment to thank the Lord for His amazing grace. And remember, thesame God who transformed Saul of Tarsus is still changing lives today!   Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Now,beginning in verse 8, Paul explains the proper purpose of God's law. Listen to 1Timothy 1:8: "But we know that the law is good if one uses itlawfully." Now, that's an important statement! Paul isn't saying thatGod's law is bad. Quite the opposite. He declares that the law is good! Theproblem wasn't with the law. The problem was with those who were misusing it. Yousee, God's law was never intended to be a means by which sinful people couldearn their salvation. In fact, Paul tells us in Romans 3:20 that through thelaw comes the knowledge of sin. The law reveals our sin, but it cannotremove our sin.   I'veoften thought about it this way. When you look into a mirror and discover thatyour face is dirty, the mirror has done exactly what it was designed to do. Butyou can't wash your face with the mirror! The mirror reveals the problem, butit cannot solve it. And that's what God's law does. It reveals our sinfulnessand shows us how desperately we need a Savior. James used this illustration inJames 1:22-25.   Nowlisten to what Paul says in verse 9: "knowing this: that the lawis not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, forthe ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane..." Paul thencontinues with a list of sinful behaviors, including murder, sexual immorality,dishonesty, and anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine. And noticethat expression at the end of verse 10: "contrary to sounddoctrine." That's really the issue Paul has been addressing throughoutthis first chapter. Sound doctrine is not merely a collection of religiousideas. It is God's truth, which exposes sin and teaches us how we ought tolive.   Now,when Paul says the law is not made for a righteous person, he isn't suggestingthat Christians no longer need moral instruction. Rather, he's emphasizing thelaw's role in confronting wrongdoing and revealing the seriousness of sin. Andthat's something our world desperately needs to understand. We live in asociety where people often want to redefine right and wrong according to theirown opinions. But God's standards don't change simply because society changes. WhatGod calls sin is still sin. And what God declares to be righteous is stillrighteous.   Buthere's the wonderful news. God didn't give us His law simply to condemn us.He gave us His Word to reveal our need for His grace! And that brings us toverse 11, where Paul speaks of: "the glorious gospel of the blessed Godwhich was committed to my trust." I love that expression: theglorious gospel! The word gospel means good news. And what wonderful newsit is! Although we've all sinned and fallen short of God's glory, Jesus Christcame into this world to save sinners. He lived the sinless life we could neverlive. He died upon the cross for our sins. And He rose again so that we mighthave everlasting life.   Yousee, the law shows us our need, but the gospel reveals God's provision. The lawexposes our guilt, but Jesus Christ offers forgiveness. The law reminds us thatwe are sinners, but the gospel announces that sinners can be saved by gracethrough faith in Jesus Christ. And that's the message Paul wanted Timothy tofaithfully proclaim. It's the same message we need to proclaim today. So here'smy challenge for you. Never take God's Word lightly. Allow it to examine yourheart and reveal anything in your life that needs to change.   Butdon't stop with recognizing your sin. Turn your eyes toward the Savior wholoved you enough to die in your place. Because the greatest message in all theworld is that Jesus Christ came to save sinners! And tomorrow, we'regoing to see how personally the Apostle Paul understood that wonderful truth.    Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Today, we're continuing our study through the wonderfullittle book of 1 Timothy. Yesterday, we saw how Paul encouraged Timothy toremain faithful to the truth of God's Word and to protect the church from falseteaching. But today, Paul takes us a little deeper. He reminds us that sounddoctrine is not simply about knowing what is right. It's also about living in away that honors the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is reminding Timothy that the ultimategoal of his teaching and ministry should be to produce genuine Christian love. AndI believe that's something every pastor, every Bible teacher, and everyChristian needs to remember. You see, it's possible to know a great deal aboutthe Bible and still fail to demonstrate the love of Christ in our daily lives. Knowledgeis important. Sound doctrine is essential. But biblical truth should alwaysproduce godly living.   Andnotice the three things Paul mentions. First, love from a pure heart. Apure heart is one that seeks to please God rather than impress other people. Jesussaid in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall seeGod." God is interested not only in what we do, but also in why we doit. We can perform the right actions for the wrong reasons. But genuineChristian love comes from a heart that has been transformed by the grace ofGod.   Second,love from a good conscience. Our conscience is that inward awareness ofright and wrong. And when we live in obedience to God's Word, we can enjoy theblessing of a clear conscience before Him. Now, that doesn't mean we'reperfect. None of us are. But it does mean that when we sin, we're willing toacknowledge it, confess it, and seek God's forgiveness. I don't know about you,but I've discovered over the years that there's nothing quite like being ableto lay your head on your pillow at night with a clear conscience before God.   Third,love from sincere faith. The NKJV uses the expression "sincere faith." Thatmeans genuine faith. Faith that is real, not something we merely pretend topossess. And that's important because God isn't looking for people who simplyappear religious. He's looking for people whose hearts truly belong to Him. Youknow, after more than fifty years in pastoral ministry, I've discovered thatsome of the most influential Christians I've known weren't necessarily the oneswho possessed the greatest knowledge or occupied the most prominent positions. Theywere ordinary believers who sincerely loved the Lord, believed His Word, anddemonstrated His love toward others. And what a testimony their lives havebeen!   Now,notice what Paul says next in verses 6 and 7: "from which some,having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of thelaw, understanding neither what they say nor the things which theyaffirm." What a contrast!  Inverse 5, Paul describes the beautiful results of genuine faith. But in verses 6and 7, he describes individuals who had wandered away from those very things. Insteadof promoting love, they were promoting arguments. Instead of teaching God'struth, they were engaging in what Paul calls "idle talk." Andinstead of humbly submitting to God's Word, they wanted to be recognized asteachers, even though they didn't really understand what they were teaching. Doesn'tthat sound familiar?   Eventoday, there are individuals who seem more interested in attracting attention,gaining followers, or winning arguments than faithfully communicating the truthof God's Word. But here's something I've learned over the years. The measureof a successful Christian ministry is not simply how much attention itreceives, but how faithfully it points people to Jesus Christ. And thatapplies to every one of us. Whether we're pastors, Sunday school teachers,parents, grandparents, or simply Christians seeking to influence others, ourgoal should always be to help people know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Yesterday we began Paul's first letter to Timothy with hisbeautiful greeting: “Grace,mercy, and peace.” Today, in verses 3 and 4, Paul immediately gets to one ofthe main reasons he had left Timothy in Ephesus. Listen to his words: “AsI urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may chargesome that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endlessgenealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is infaith.”   Paulhad given Timothy a difficult assignment. He told him: “Remain inEphesus.” Sometimes the hardest place to serve God is exactly where Hehas placed us. There may have been times when Timothy would rather havetraveled with Paul. There may have been times when the problems in Ephesus madehim want to leave. But Paul said, in effect: “Timothy, stay there. You havea job to do.” And what was that job? He was to guard the truth.   Paulsays: “charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” Falseteaching was already finding its way into the church. Remember, the church wasstill relatively young. The apostles were still alive. And yet Satan wasalready attempting to confuse believers concerning the truth. That shouldremind us of something: It matters what we believe.   Sometimespeople say, “Doctrine isn't important. We just need to love Jesus.” But how dowe know who Jesus is? Doctrine. How do we know why He came? Doctrine. Howdo we know He died for our sins and rose from the dead? Doctrine. How do weknow salvation is by grace through faith? Doctrine. Sound doctrine simply meansright teaching from the Word of God. And Paul told Timothy to guard it.   Healso warned about: “fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputesrather than godly edification which is in faith.” Apparently, peoplewere becoming distracted by speculation and arguments that didn't help anyonegrow spiritually. And isn't that still possible today? We can spend enormousamounts of time arguing about things that don't help anybody know Jesus better.Today we have television, radio, books, podcasts, websites, social media, andcountless voices telling us what to believe. Some of them are helpful. Some arenot. That's why we need to know the Bible for ourselves.   Yearsago, one reason I memorized 1 and 2 Timothy was because I wanted God's Word inmy heart. Psalm 119:11 says: “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that Imight not sin against You.” There is no substitute for knowing the Wordof God. If you know the truth, you're much better prepared to recognize error. Andnotice Paul's concern wasn't simply winning theological arguments. He wanted “godlyedification which is in faith.” In other words, truth should buildus up. Bible study should make us more like Jesus.   Ifall our Bible knowledge makes us proud, argumentative, and critical ofeverybody else, we've missed something. Truth should produce godliness. Itshould make us more loving. More gracious. More faithful. More humble. Morelike Christ.   Sohere's a good question for us today: Am I allowing God's Word to shape whatI believe and how I live? Don't believe something simply because a preachersays it. Don't believe it simply because you saw it on television or theinternet. And certainly don't believe it simply because thousands of peopleshared it on social media. Be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who “searchedthe Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”   Knowthe truth. Love the truth. Live the truth. And faithfully pass the truth to thenext generation. Because in a world filled with competing voices, wedesperately need the unchanging truth of God's Word.   Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

For the past two days, we've introduced Paul's first letterto Timothy. Today we're ready to open the letter itself. Paul begins: “Paul,an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the LordJesus Christ, our hope, To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, andpeace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” There is a lotpacked into those two verses.   First,Paul knew who he was. He says: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ.”Paul didn't appoint himself to that position. Notice his next words: “bythe commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul'sauthority and calling came from God. And there is an important principle here. WhateverGod has called you to do, your greatest responsibility is to be faithful to Hiscalling. God hasn't called all of us to be apostles. He hasn't called allof us to be pastors. But He has called every believer to serve Him. Maybe Godhas called you to be a faithful husband or wife. A godly parent or grandparent.A Sunday School teacher. A church worker. An encourager. A prayer warrior. Whateveryour assignment is, do it faithfully for the Lord.   Butthen Paul uses a beautiful description of Jesus. He calls Him: “the LordJesus Christ, our hope.” I love that. Jesus isn't simply someone who givesus hope. Jesus is our hope. Our hope isn't ultimately in bettercircumstances. Our hope isn't in who controls governments. Our hope isn't inour bank account. Our hope isn't even in our health. All those things canchange. But Jesus Christ never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christis the same yesterday, today, and forever.”   ThenPaul addresses Timothy: “To Timothy, a true son in the faith.” We'vealready talked about their relationship. Timothy wasn't Paul's biological son. Butspiritually, Paul loved him like a son. Think about what that tells usconcerning Christian ministry. Ministry is about people. It is aboutrelationships. It is about investing ourselves in the lives of others. Throughthe years, one of the greatest blessings of ministry isn't simply rememberingsermons preached or buildings built or programs conducted. It's remembering peoplewhose lives God allowed us to touch. And perhaps even more importantly, peoplewhom God used to touch our lives.   ThenPaul gives Timothy this beautiful greeting: “Grace, mercy, and peace.” Timothywas going to need all three. He needed grace—God's strength forresponsibilities he could never fulfill in his own strength. He needed mercy—becauselike all of us, Timothy wasn't perfect. And he needed peace—becauseministry can bring pressures, problems, and difficult decisions. And wherewould these things come from? “God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”Maybe you need those same three things today. Grace forsomething you are facing. Mercy because you have failed. Peacebecause your heart is troubled. The good news is that God has not changed. Thesame God who provided grace, mercy, and peace for Timothy still provides themfor us today.   Anddon't miss that little phrase from verse 1: “Christ Jesus, our hope.” Whateveryou're facing today, don't put your hope in something that can change tomorrow.Put your hope in Jesus. He is still faithful. He is still Lord. And He isstill our hope.   Let'spray. Father, thank You that in a changing and troubled world, Your Word neverchanges. Thank You that You have given us everything we need to know how tolive faithfully for You. Lord, we see many things happening around us thatconcern us, but help us not to live in fear. Help us instead to continue in thethings we have learned from Your Word. Give us courage to stand for truth,grace to love people, wisdom to recognize error, and faithfulness to keepserving You until Jesus comes. Speak to our hearts as we study these wonderfulletters together. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.   Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!