Sermon by Pastor Ben-Israël
Bible Passage: 1 Timothy 1:1-20
“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” — 1 Timothy 1:5 (KJV)
Love sometimes leads us to complement one another in serving God. Complementarity is a sign of love.
In this first chapter of the First Epistle to Timothy, seven points are addressed: greetings, false teachers, the responsibility of good teachers, the Law of Moses, the grace of God, the Word of God, and prophecy.
1. Greetings: Conveying Blessings, Peace, and the Life of God
1 Timothy 1:1-2
Why does God exhort us to greet people? What is the purpose of a greeting in someone's life?
The first purpose of a greeting is to convey blessings, grace, good wishes, and the goodness that God has placed in our mouths.
When we say “good morning” to someone, we wish them a good day. But a greeting also allows us to convey the peace and life of God.
We are bearers of good things that we can pass on through our greetings.
Consider the example of Mary and Elizabeth. When Mary greets Elizabeth, John the Baptist, who is still in his mother's womb, leaps.
This greeting is associated with a spiritual manifestation.
We must therefore make an effort to greet one another, because we carry good things that we can communicate through our words.
Declaration of Blessing
I pray this morning for everyone who hears my voice.
If you were lacking peace, receive peace!
If you were waiting for 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 in Jesus Christ.
2. False Teachers: Remaining Committed to the True God
1 Timothy 1:3-7
When facing false teachers, we must demonstrate our faith through good works and put into practice what our faith in God requires of us.
Our behavior must show that we are committed to the true God.
Consider the prophet Elijah when he confronted the prophets of Baal. In his prayer, Elijah wanted the people to recognize that the Lord is the true God.
Everyone needed to know that there is only one true God.
In the same way, within the Church, our faith must demonstrate our commitment to the Lord.
Our attitude and our faith must show that we believe in the true God.
I pray that what will cause false teachers to leave your environment or your church will be your behavior, which demonstrates that you believe in the true God.
When someone comes to you with false teaching, may you be able to prove to them, through your attitude and your faith firmly rooted in the true God, that you cannot be led away from your faith.
3. The Responsibility of a Good Teacher: Awakening Love
1 Timothy 1:5
What is the responsibility of a good teacher?
A good teacher must awaken love.
The Bible declares:
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35 (KJV)
Love is the foundation of true teaching.
God Himself demonstrated this love toward the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son ...” — John 3:16 (KJV)
True teaching must therefore awaken love in the lives of those who receive it.
Love is the foundation of genuine teaching.
4. The Purpose of the Law of Moses: Revealing the Rebellious and Sinners
1 Timothy 1:8-11
What was the purpose of the Law of Moses?
The Law of Moses came to reveal those who do not hold firmly to the authentic Word.
It exposes the rebellious, sinners, those who do not respect sacred things, and those who disobey their parents.
It reveals behaviors that are contrary to the will of God.
But we who have received the true Word of God must not live as rebels or as people attached to sin.
We must reveal the glory of God through our lives.
I pray that you may manifest this glory and that you will not live as a rebel or a sinner, since you have received the true Word of God.
5. The Purpose of God's Grace: Choosing Us, Transforming Us, and Keeping Us in Fellowship with Him
1 Timothy 1:12-17
The first thing to understand about God's grace is that God chose you despite your sin.
He called you as you are in order to transform you.
You may still have weaknesses and things that limit you in your walk with God.
Nevertheless, Jesus calls you as you are.
But He does not call you to remain in the same condition in His presence, because He has the power to change you.
Jesus calls you as you are, but He does not want you to remain as you are in His presence.
Another purpose of God's grace is to keep us in fellowship with Him.
We must remain connected to God through the Holy Spirit.
Declaration
I decree and declare that you remain in fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus!
May people recognize, through your life, that you are connected to the Holy Spirit.
6. The Purpose of the Word of God: Bringing Salvation and Making Us Lights
Teaching on the Word of God
We have received the Word of God for the salvation of mankind.
This Word reveals Jesus Christ to us.
The Bible declares:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1 (KJV)
This Word came as a light among His own.
However, His own did not receive Him.
But we who have received this light have been enlightened by the Word of God.
And if we have received this light, it is so that we, in turn, may become lights to others.
We have received the light of the Word of God so that we may enlighten others.
The Word reveals Jesus Christ to us and brings us salvation, so that we may also enlighten those around us.
7. The Purpose of Prophecy: Trusting God and Avoiding Shipwreck in the Faith
1 Timothy 1:18-20
The primary purpose of prophecy in someone's life is not to reveal the future.
The purpose of prophecy is to lead us to trust in God.
When we receive a promise from God, we must continue to trust Him.
If you were beginning to doubt a promise God gave you, remember that this word should encourage you to remain steadfast in faith.
I decree and declare that you will continue to trust in God!
If you were beginning to doubt His promises, may your confidence in Him be renewed!
Another purpose of prophecy is to protect us from making shipwreck of our faith.
You will not make shipwreck of your faith!
Prophecy should encourage you not to turn to other gods, but to keep your faith in your God.
You will not be counted among those who have abandoned the faith, like Alexander.
May you remain committed to the true God and continue to trust in Him.
Conclusion: Walking in the Grace of God
Through these seven teachings, we recognize the importance of conveying blessings and peace through our greetings, remaining committed to the true God in the face of false teachers, and demonstrating love in our teachings.
The Law of Moses reveals behaviors that are contrary to God's will, while grace calls us to be transformed and to remain in fellowship with Him.
The Word of God brings us salvation and enlightens us so that we may become lights to others.
Finally, prophecy must strengthen our trust in God and encourage us to keep the faith without making shipwreck of it.
Final Blessing
I decree and declare that you will continue to trust in God!
May you not make shipwreck of your faith, and may you not turn to other gods.
I pray that you walk in the grace of God, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Amen!
— Pastor Ben-Israël