HBC Website

In the second chapter of 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul began to explain to Timothy the things that he should do to set the Ephesians churches. The first order of business was the practice of corporate prayer.

The first chapter of 1 Timothy began with a charge Paul gave to Timothy to set things in order in the churches in Ephesus 1:3-7). False teachers needed to be silenced and corrected. In verses 8-17, Paul 1) identified and confronted an aspect of the error being taught and 2) explained the power and glory of the true gospel. In today’s text 1:18-20), Paul concludes his charge to Timothy, calling him to “fight the good fight.”

False teachers in the churches in Ephesus needed correction. In 1 Timothy 1:8-11, Paul corrected their misuse of the Law—it cannot contribute anything to our salvation. In 1 Timothy 12-16, Paul presented himself as an example of the saving power of the gospel of God’s grace given through Jesus Christ: by mercy and grace, God saved Paul, the very worst of sinners. And he did it apart from the Law.

Having laid out this argument and its deeply personal and moving exploration of the wonders of God’s mercy found in Christ Jesus, Paul broke out in a jubilant poem (song?) in verse 17. It is a response to the wonders of the gospel. It begins with a description of the One who saves us and ends with the appropriate response of those who have been saved.

In last Sunday’s sermon text, Paul exposed the error of false teachers who misused the Law of Moses. This Lord’s Day we will see how Paul counters their error. He presents himself as the ultimate example of the what the gospel of grace can achieve. Without law-keeping, Christ saved Paul, the very worst of sinners. This means that Christ can and will save anyone by grace alone.

n 1 Timothy 1:8-11, the apostle Paul addressed an important aspect of the false teaching taking place in the churches in Ephesus. The issue was the misuse of the Law of Moses. Having instructed Timothy to confront and correct the false teachers (1:3-7), Paul counters their error by stressing that the Law is good when used properly, but it was not intended for the just.

Each January we mark a tradition in our church: Prayer Emphasis Sunday. This Lord’s Day we will focus on the subject of prayer and be reminded of the essential role it plays in the outworking of the plan of God for his people. Our guest speaker is Michael Harding, pastor of First Baptist Church of Troy and long-time friend of HBC.

Last week we began a study of Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This Lord’s Day, we will begin to read the body of the letter (1 Timothy 1:3-7) and find there that the churches in Ephesus were under the harmful influence of false teachers. Paul charged Timothy to confront them.

This Lord’s Day we will introduce our new sermon series: The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth. It is a study of the first of Paul’s so-called “Pastoral Epistles.” This letter instructs Timothy about how to set things in order in the churches in the city of Ephesus. His commands to Timothy are always timely—especially appropriate for the church in our current age.

I. We must see the Lord as He is… (Isaiah 6:1-3)

A. See how Isaiah describes the Lord’s greatness:

1. He is living

B. See the Seraph’s instinctive response to the Lord.

C. Hear the Seraphim proclaim the Lord’s goodness.

II. …so that we will see ourselves as we are. (Isaiah 6:4-5)

III. This alone prepares us to value the atoning sacrifice. (Isaiah 6:6-7)

IV. Such amazing grace moves us to unqualified service. (Isaiah 6:8)