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Trusting the Providence of God

Text: 1 Peter 3:8-14 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled...”

Purpose: The purpose of this section is to explain to Christian’s how to conduct themselves in all interpersonal relationships. 

Proposition: God wants our reactions to others to be governed by trust in His providence. 

Interrogative: How should we relate to the people around us?

Truth 1: We must resist the urge to respond in the flesh: 3:8“Finally, be ye all..”

Natural responses:

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned...

Ephesians 2:1-3 “In time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind...”

• Principle 1: People are by nature resistant to God’s authority and instruction.
• Principle 2: People are naturally guided by self-focused reactions. 

Grace responses: 

• “Finally Be:” He is coming to the conclusion of this section 

Five Qualities:

• “All of one mind: Unity of thought/compromising preferences for the sake of unity/keep the big in front of your own interests 
• “Having compassion one of another: Sympathetic
• “Love as brethren: Have a familial affection for one another 
• “Be pitiful: Tenderhearted
• “Be courteous:” Humble/means that you defer your perceived rights/expectations/preferences 
  • “Not rendering evil for evil:” 
  • “Or railing for railing:” Don’t meet force with force, ultimately escalating an interpersonal dispute. 

A twofold response:

o  “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing:” Not counterpunching meeting force with equivalent force 

o  “But contrariwise blessing:” Either meaning that we speak good about them or we literally call upon God to bless the person that has wronged us. 

The Reason:

o  “Knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing:”

o   Called: either to respond in this manner or two face this specific trial

o  That ye may inherit: God wants to give you something of tremendous value in the eternal state, and it is specifically connected to your willing ness to embrace these challenges and respond correctly to God and other sin these challenges. 

Matthew 5:5-13 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they

Godliness in Our Homes

Text: 1 Peter 3:1-7 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Purpose: The purpose of this section is to tell husbands and wives, particularly wives married to unbelieving husbands, how to conduct themselves honorably in the fear of the Lord, so their Christian testimony can be enhanced by the beauty of a godly life.

Proposition: God wants us to live honorably in the fear of the Lord, so the power of the gospel is displayed in our lives. 

Interrogative: How can we do this?

Truth 1: Godliness is important:

• Interpersonal conflicts should never be governed by the rules of warfare: James 4:1 “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts...”
• God created government to establish justice and to defend the innocent.
• Governments wage war from a position of strength.
• Governments wage war according to calculated risks.
• Governments wage war as a sacred duty to protect the innocent under their care.
• Governments wage war to deter the future exploitation of the innocent.
• Government and a justice system are necessary functions of living in a fallen world were evil abounds and the innocent must be defended and protected. Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God...For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power...For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
• Interpersonal conflicts should be governed by Christian love and confidence in the providence of God:

Notice Several Examples from the surrounding context:

1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice (the desire to injure), and all guile (craftiness/deceit), and hypocrisies (playing a part to gain an advantage), and envies (discontent with what you have), and all evil speakings (talk to undermine others)...

2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light...” (Chosen/set apart/Unique from the world around you)

2:15 “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of fool

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Sermon 3: Using the Law Responsibly

Text: 1 Timothy 1:7-10 “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine...”

Purpose: Paul wanted to correct irresponsible uses of the law, without giving the impression that the law served no current function or was evil, therefore he reminded Timothy of two good functions of the law, restraining evil and revealing righteousness. 

Part 1: The Law and Its Proper Use

Four important observations about the concept of law and righteousness

• Observation 1: A righteous person does not need the law to become righteous, he already is righteous. Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
• Observation 2: A person does by nature what is in his heart, whether there is a law or not. Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves...
• Observation 3: An unrighteous person does not know that he is unrighteous unless a righteous standard reveals his unrighteousness.  Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet...
• Observation 4: Once an unrighteous person becomes aware of their unrighteous nature, a change of nature, not the presence of the law is the only way to make them righteous. Romans 7:8-14 “Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin...”

Three wrong uses of the law: The law cannot make you something that you are not already.

• Seeking to be justified by the Law: A means to become righteous before God Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:28 “We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 5:4 “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
• A source of pride: because of my relationship

The Necessity of Sound Doctrine Part 1

Text: 1 Timothy 1:3-8 “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully...”

Summary: Paul wanted Timothy to correct faulty approaches to Bible interpretation that had led to weak mystical thinking rather than focused vibrant Christian living. 

Fact 1: Paul commands Timothy to hold fast to the standard of the church: 1:3 “I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine...”

• Paul commanded Timothy to call the church to hold fast only to and entirely to the doctrines of Christ through the apostles: 2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle...” Ephesians 2:19-20 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone... 2 Peter 3:2 “Be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior...” Matthew 28:18-20 “Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...”
• Clarify what he is not saying: These are not standards, the way we tend to hear the term used today. 
  • Practical applications that we have established as a result of attempting to implement Biblical principles. 
  • A personal conviction that flows from our conscience on areas of soul liberty. 
  • A personal practice we have established to protect us from violating a principle or Biblical command. 
  • A personal preference we have adopted or a tradition we have established in the church over time. 
• The principle being emphasized in this passage: We must be rigidly bound to that body of truth that was delivered through the apostles under the authority of Christ. Jude 1:3 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints...”
• Several warnings: 
  • We can violate this principle in three ways: 
    • By being purposefully or carelessly selective in what we choose to address or emphasize in our teaching ministries. 
    • By adding to the standard by injecting our own opinions rather than staying true to the intent of the text. 
    • By clouding the intent of the standard through sloppy interpretation or communication. 
• Three ways we have and do see this in church history: 
  • The abuses of the Middle Ages were being combated by the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. 
  • The modern day abuses within the modern charismatic movement should be combated by the doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture. 
  • The modern da

Detail 4: Paul identified the primary recipient of his letter, and his relationship to him: “Unto Timothy my own son in the faith...”

Three Observations:

• Paul explicitly trusted Timothy: Philippians 2:19-22 “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.”
• Paul saw Timothy as a grounded man whom he personally appointed to the ministry office he currently held: 2 Timothy 1:3-6 “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands...”
• Paul had poured significant time and energy into a mentoring relationship with Timothy, and he had confidence in his ability to make discerning judgments about future leadership: 2 Timothy 2:1-2 “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also...”

Detail 5: Paul reminded Timothy not only of their personal relationship one with another, but also, God’s relationship to them both: “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord...”

• Grace: Unmerited favor
• Mercy: Tender compassion
• Peace: The removal of the former animosity created by their sin
• From God: God not mankind is the initiator of this relationship
• Our Father: As Father, God assumes the responsibility to provide care and sustenance to His people, and He does it from the disposition of a loving father
• Jesus Christ our Lord: As those who have been redeemed to God, we are responsible to submit to His authority as our master. 

Detail 6: Though Paul has apostolic authority, he appealed to Timothy from the position of an encourager: “I besought thee to abide in Ephesus when I went to Macedonia...”

• Observation 1: Timothy wanted to come be with Paul, and as we get later into the letter, we will see that he is facing tremendous opposition and pressures, so he wants to be back in a place of serving under/alongside, rather than out in the forefront.
• Observation 2: παρακαλέω: He is coming alongside him as an encourager/coach, understanding that 

Detail 7: He told Timothy that his primary ministry responsibility involved confronting false teaching in the church: “That thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine...”

• Charge: This would involve confrontation.
• Some: Not every teacher in the church was involved in these doctrinal deviations.
• No other doctrine: This statement indicates that there was an established body of truth, known to the apostles and to the church, and it was the standard for the teaching and practices of the church.

Detail 8: He told Timothy that his second responsibility involved helping the average church member develop both discernment and courage to reject false teaching: “Neither give heed to fables