TEXT:  1 Tim. 1:1-11

INTRODUCTION:

A.      4 OF PAUL’S BOOKS PERSONAL LETTERS – SAYS MUCH TO PREACHERS.

B.      ALL OF US CAN LEARN AND GROW STRONGER.

C.      IN THIS LESSON – PAUL’S FIRST CHARGE TO TIMOTHY.

I.      THE FIRST EXHORTATION ( vs. 3-4 ).

A.      DIFFERENT DOCTRINE CONCERNED PAUL AND JESUS.

          ( Matt. 7:15;  Acts 20:29-30;  Gal. 1:6-9 ).

B.      RECURRING THEME IN 1 & 2 Tim. ( 2 Tim. 4:3-4 ).

C.      THE RESULT OF FALSE TEACHING IS DEVASTATING( vs. 4 ).

          1.       False doctrine fosters and serves doubt( 2 Tim. 2:16-18;  2:23;  1 Cor. 4:6 ).

          2.       If we are divided who will believe us?( Matt. 12:25 ).

          3.       The prayer of Jesus( John 17:20-21 ).

          4.       Condemnation of division and the cure( 1 Cor. 1:10 ).

          5.       The worst effect of false teaching is on the hearer( Col. 2:8;  Matt. 15:14 ).

          6.       Therefore the curse( vs. 8 ).

D.      ERROR NEVER SERVES GOD’S PURPOSE OR STRENGTHENS FAITH.

          1.       Truth is freedom from sin( John 8:32;  1 Tim. 2:3-4 ).

          2.       Prov. 23:23.

II.     THE DESIRED RESULT OF THIS CHARGE – THAT LOVE BE

        GENDERED ( vs. 5-6 ).

A.      OUT OF A PURE HEART.

          1.       No admixture è deceit or guile.

          2.       Good conscience è result of a right action, no more error( 1 Pet. 1:22 ).

          3.       The result of sincere faith – character as well as motive( Rom. 12:9 ).

B.      LOVE IS THE PROPER MOTIVE – WHEN THERE IS NO LOVE ERROR ABOUNDS.

C.      vs. 6.  WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE?

          1.       Prestige? ( vs. 7 ).

          2.       Money? ( 6:3-5 ).

          3.       Pride? ( 6:4 ).

III.    THE LAW – ITS PURPOSE AND ABUSE( vs. 8-11 ).

A.      JESUS HAS A LAW ( vs. 8;  James 1:25;  1 Cor. 9:21 ).

          1.       Law è Rules that are binding.

          2.       His Law is good if used properly( vs. 8 ), but( 2 Pet. 3:16;  Gal. 1:6-7 ).

B.      PURPOSE OF THE LAW?  TO RESTRAIN, CONDEMN AND PUNISH THE WICKED ( vs. 9-11 ).

          1.       Who does not need law?( Rom. 3:9-10 ).

          2.       Jesus is our salvation( Rom. 2:23-25 ).

          3.       Obedience as a result of faith( Heb. 5:8-9 ).

C.      WHERE IS THE LAW OF GOD?( vs. 8-9-11 ).

CONCLUSION:  HAVE YOU OBEYED THE GOSPEL?      ( Mark 16:15-16 ).