Guarding the Gospel

1 Timothy

Sunday, September 1^st 2024

 1 Timothy 1:1-17

 Introduction

 The Gospel is Powerful and Must be Guarded

1. Paul and Timothy (v.1,2)

Acts 16:1-3 – Timothy’s background – He came from a mixed family – father – Greek, mother and grandmother – Jewish. They raised him in the faith. A key factor in this situation was that he was not circumcised as a child.

1. Let Love be Our Aim (v.3-7)

Love must come from internal, Spirit-worked changes that have produced a pure heart (rather than one filled with sinful desires), a good conscience (rather than one laden with guilt), and a sincere faith (rather than pretense and hypocrisy). This verse is central for the whole letter. 

 - The Law is Good (v.8-10)

These teachers were teaching on the Law given to Israel, and Paul makes clear his problem with their teaching is not with the Law itself

 Paul explains that the key function of the Law both for Israel and for the believer today was to expose sin

 Paul was saying that if these men wanted to be associated with the Law, let that association be in the way God intended

Notice how Paul ends his rogues gallery with anything contrary to sound teaching

1. Guard the Gospel (v.11)

v.11 - “in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.”

 Paul says what’s at risk is the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ that he preached

 Exhibit A – Paul (v.12-17)

The Apostle Paul is Exhibit A on the power of the gospel.