Scripture: I Timothy 3:14-15

C.I.:, The Family and Its Message

I Timothy was written so that we might learn how to “do church” God's way (Scripture Reading). - In the first chapter we learn how the church is to conduct itself – when it is confronted with two different messages.

I. The Message of “Strange Doctrines,” (I Timothy 1:1-11)

A. The need to deal with “strange doctrines,” (v. 3)

1. ( v. 3 ), As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus in order that you may instruct….”
a. Clearly God is concerned about the purity of the message His people proclaim.
1) God never told people to, “Find a church that suits you!” – This is “Burger King Religion!”
a) Strange = Anything that God has not commanded, ( quote Lev. 10:1-2 ).
b) This type of thinking violates Jesus prayer for unity, ( Jn. 17:21 )
c) It keeps people from getting saved, ( Rom. 1:16; Matt. 7:21 ).
d) It causes those who are saved to lost their salvation, ( I Tim. 4:1-2 ).

B. Three problems with “strange doctrines,” (vs. 4-11)

1. Produces controversies not God's work
a. ( v. 4 ), “These devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. - They promote controversies rather than
God's work which is by faith.”
1) “Devote” = to pay close attention. – They promote controversies , (i.e. like to “stir things up”).
2) There are many today: Differences in way to be saved, worship, spiritual authority, etc.!!!
3) Jesus warned us, ( Matt. 7:15-16 ), “Beware of false prophets who come to you … know them….”

2. Produces only talk not love
a. ( vs. 5-6 ), “But the goal of our instruction… - for some men straying from these things, have turned aside to
fruitless discussion.”
1) “Love” = “Doing what is in another's….” – Jn. 3:16, (is this what we talk about?!)
2) “Pure heart” = “removing everything that defiles, ” ( Matt. 5:8 ).
3) “Good Conscience” = One that trusts in God's mercy & grace.
4) “Sincere faith” = Genuine, w/o wax. Do we discuss how we need to have a real faith?
5) So are we demonstrating genuine love to others – or are we just talking about it?!

3. Produces a wrong view to God's law
a. ( vs. 7-8 ), “…wanting to be teachers of the law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying,
or the matters about which they make confident assertions. – But we know that the law is good, if one uses it
lawfully.”
` 1) The correct (i.e., “lawful” ) use of the law…
a) The law of God teaches us that God has a holy standard, ( Rom. 3:20 ), “…through
law comes a knowledge of sin.”
b) This is what Paul wants people to learn, ( vs. 9-10 ), “The law was not made for a
righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious; for the ungodly and sinners, for
the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and
immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers and whatever else is
contrary to sound teaching.”
1) Sound doctrine would teach that these behaviors are wrong.
2) “Strange doctrines” would excuse these behaviors!

II. The Message of “Trustworthy Statements,” (vs. 12-17)

A. What the Truth teaches us…

1. Our own sinfulness
a. ( v. 15 ), “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, - that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”
1) This is “trustworthy” because it is what Jesus said He came to do, ( quote Luke 19:10 ),
“I have come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
a) People can't be saved unless they realize that they are lost!
b) Many try to rationalize, saying, “I'm not that bad!” – “At least I'm not as bad as…!”
c) People are NOT graded on the curve – but on the cross, ( quote Rom. 3:23; 6:23 )!
2) Notice that one of the best of us said, “…I am foremost….” – When we see ourselves as God
sees us, we are driven to our knees – recognizing our own sinfulness!!!

2. God's own graciousness
a. ( v. 16 ), “And yet for this reason I found mercy, - in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might
demonstrate His own perfect patience, - as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”
1) Are you guilty of blasphemy, persecution of God's people, and being violently aggressive?!!
2) Paul says that he was – ( cf. v. 13 ), “…even though I was a blasphemer and persecutor and a
violent aggressor.”
3) Thus, as a demonstration of His mercy …
a) If God can forgive Paul of these sins – He can forgive us of ours too!
b) And not just these sins – but all sins (even those mentioned in vs. 9-10 )!!!

3. How should a person respond to these things…
a. ( v. 17 ), “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.”
1) This is always the expected response to the grace & mercy of God… Action!!!
2) Sometimes this action takes the form of worship , ( Rom. 12:1 ), “I urge you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God , that you present your bodies as a living holy sacrifice, which is your spiritual
service of worship !”
3) Then we need to share this message of mercy in spite of our own sinfulness with others,
( Mark 16:15 ), “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.”
4) The people who are willing to accept this message for themselves are told how to act, ( Mark 16:16 )!!!