Sermon by Pastor Ben-Israël
Bible Passage: 1 Timothy 1:1-20
Shalom, beloved in the Lord!
I am here to speak to us about the book of Timothy. It is true that our sister Shekina was supposed to speak to us, but I am Pastor Ben-Israël, and love sometimes leads us to complement one another.
Complementarity is a sign of love.
The first thing we notice in this passage is that we can divide it into seven important parts.
The first part is greetings. The second concerns false teachers. The third is the responsibility of good teachers. The fourth is the purpose of the Law of Moses. The fifth concerns the purpose of God's grace in someone's life. The sixth is the purpose of the Word of God, and the seventh is the purpose of prophecy.
This will be a very rich teaching.
1. Greetings: Conveying Blessings, Peace, and the Life of God
What is the purpose of a greeting in someone's life? Why does God encourage us to greet people?
First, it is to convey blessings. It is to convey grace, good wishes, and the goodness that God has placed in your mouth.
When you say "good morning" to someone, you are wishing them goodness throughout the day.
The purpose of a greeting is to convey blessings, peace, and the life of God.
Therefore, let us make sure to greet one another, because we are bearers of good things that we pass on through our greetings.
Mary greeted Elizabeth, and John received the anointing, or the Spirit. It was through Mary's greeting that the anointing was conveyed to him.
I pray this morning for everyone who hears my voice.
If you were lacking peace, receive peace, because this is my greeting to you this morning!
If you were lacking good news, receive good news!
If you were not blessed because of a generational curse, receive the generational blessing that comes from God!
For we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places through Jesus Christ.
2. False Teachers: Remaining Faithful to the True God
The second point concerns false teachers.
What we must do is perform good works and put into practice everything that faith in God requires of us.
I pray that what will cause false teachers to leave your environment or your church will be what you do to show them that you believe in the true God.
Elijah demonstrated this before the prophets of Baal. In his prayer, he said that the people should know that God is the true God.
People must know within a church that there is only one true God.
Therefore, I pray for you that whenever someone comes to you as a false teacher, whether from Jehovah's Witnesses or other false teachers, you will be able to prove through your attitude and through your faith in the true God that you cannot be led astray.
3. The Responsibility of a Good Teacher: Awakening Love
The third point is the responsibility of a good teacher.
Simply put, a good teacher must awaken love.
The Bible says:
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35 (KJV)
You see that love is the foundation of true teaching.
God so loved the world.
That is true teaching.
4. The Purpose of the Law of Moses: Revealing Rebellion and Sin
The fourth point concerns the purpose of the Law of Moses.
The Law of Moses was given to show us that there are people who do not hold firmly to the authentic Word.
The purpose of the Law of Moses was to reveal the rebellious, sinners, those who have no respect for sacred things, those who disobey their parents, and others.
What must we do in response?
My prayer for you is that you may reveal the glory of God instead of living as a rebel or a sinner, because you have received the true Word of God.
5. The Purpose of God's Grace: Choosing, Transforming, and Keeping Us in Fellowship with God
The fifth point concerns the purpose of God's grace in someone's life.
The first thing is to know that God has chosen you.
Despite your sin, God has chosen you.
He called you as you are in order to transform you.
I know that you still have things that limit you, but Jesus calls you as you are.
However, He does not call you to remain as you are in His presence, because He has the power to change you.
Another purpose of grace is to keep us in fellowship with God.
I decree and declare that you remain in fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus!
May people recognize that you are attached to the Holy Spirit.
6. The Purpose of the Word of God: Bringing Salvation and Making Us Lights for Others
The sixth point concerns the purpose of the Word of God.
We have received the Word for the salvation of mankind.
The Word of God not only reveals Christ, but we also know that in the beginning was the Word.
We notice that this Word came as a light among His own.
But we have not responded as Israel did. The light of the Word has enlightened us, and we have received this Word so that we may become lights that will enlighten other people.
We have received the Word of God so that we may become lights for others.
7. The Purpose of Prophecy: Trusting God and Not Making Shipwreck of Our Faith
The seventh and final point concerns the purpose of prophecy.
The purpose of prophecy is not primarily to reveal the future.
The purpose of prophecy in someone's life is to help them trust in God.
And I decree and declare that you will trust in God!
If you were beginning to doubt God's promise, remember that you have received promises from God.
You have received the Word of God through prophecy so that you may continue to trust in Him.
And finally, you will not make shipwreck of your faith.
The purpose of prophecy is that you should not turn to other gods, but that you should keep your faith in your God.
You will not be counted among those who have abandoned the faith, like Alexander.
Final Blessing
This is the Word for this morning.
I pray that you walk in grace, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen!
— Pastor Ben-Israël