1 Timothy

Aaron Levering
We begin our study in 1 Timothy with an introduction to the who, what, where, when, and why.

Aaron Levering
In this message, we will be looking at 1 Timothy 1:3-4 and what it means to promote God's work.

"3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith."

Aaron Levering
Continuing our series in 1 Timothy, focusing on 1 Timothy 1:5.

"5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."

Aaron Levering
Today we continue in our study of 1 Timothy looking at verses 6-7 and what Paul says about meaningless talk.

"6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm."

Aaron Levering
We continue our series in 1 Timothy and look at verses 8-11 and what Paul says about the law and how it is to be used, who it is for, and who it is not for.

"8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."

Aaron Levering
Looking deeper at 1 Timothy looking at verses 12-14.

"12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."

Aaron Levering
1 Timothy 1:15-17, Paul talks about how Jesus came to save sinners.

"15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Aaron Levering
We continue in our study through 1 Timothy, looking at 1 Timothy 1:18-20 and what Paul tells Timothy about fighting the battle and holding the faith.

"18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme."

Aaron Levering
Continuing in 1 Timothy, today we focus on 2:1-2 and how we are supposed to be praying for everyone.

"2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Aaron Levering
We continue our series in 1 Timothy with verses 2:3-7 and what Paul writes to Timothy about God's desire for people's salvation.

"3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles."

Aaron Levering
Paul writes to Timothy to give insight on how he wants us to posture in prayer in 1 Timothy 2:8.

"8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing."

Aaron Levering
1 Timothy 2:9-10 Paul addresses the issue of modest dress in Timothy's church.

"9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."

Aaron Levering
1 Timothy 2:11-15, we look at how Paul addresses women's role in the church, specifically addressing the church in Ephesus.

"11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety."

Aaron Levering
Paul writes to Timothy about the expectations of being an overseer of the church in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

"3 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap."

Aaron Levering
Paul writes to Timothy in1 Timothy 3:14-16 about the mystery of godliness.

"14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:He appeared in the flesh,was vindicated by the Spirit,was seen by angels,was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world,was taken up in glory."

Aaron Levering
We continue in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 looking at what Paul says about deceiving spirits.

"4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."

Aaron Levering
Paul instructs Timothy in I Timothy 4:6-10 that becoming Godly requires training.

"6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe."

Aaron Levering
We continue in 1 Timothy, looking at chapter 4:11-12.

"11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Aaron Levering
Continuing in 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Paul shares with Timothy that we need to treat others with respect.

"5 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."

Aaron Levering
The Apostle Paul continues in 1 Timothy chapter 5:3, 9-15 and how the church is to treat to widows.

"3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need."

"9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. 11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan."

Aaron Levering
In 1 Timothy 5:4-8 and verse 16, Paul gives instructions to Timothy on how we are to provide for our relatives.

"4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

"16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Aaron Levering
In 1 Timothy 5:17-20, Paul let's Timothy know the biblical role of elders within the church.

"17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning."

Aaron Levering
Continuing our study in 1 Timothy 5:21-22, Paul shares with Timothy that we're not supposed to treat people differently from one another by showing favoritism.

"21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure."

Aaron Levering
We continue our series, looking at what Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:23 and how we as believers should view medicine.

"23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses."

Aaron Levering
We continue in 1 Timothy 5:24-25 where Paul tells Timothy about sin bringing judgment and good deeds being an overflow of one's faith.

"24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever."

Aaron Levering
We look at what 1 Timothy 6:3-5 says about how we recognize false teachers by the characteristics they exhibit.

"3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

Aaron Levering
In 1 Timothy 6:6-7, Paul shares with Timothy how we are to be content with what we have.

"6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

Aaron Levering
Riches can be a trap. Paul warns in 1 Timothy 6:9-10 about the curses that can come from riches.

"9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Aaron Levering
What should we be pursuing as believers? Paul makes it clear in 1 Timothy 6:11.

"11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."

Aaron Levering
Who is the God we serve? Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:13-16.

"13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."

Aaron Levering
Ones wealth can be good or bad depending on how it is used. The rich believer is generous but knows where the real treasure lies. Paul writes to Timothy about this in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

"17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Aaron Levering
Paul gives warning in 1 Timothy 6:20-21 about the dangers of false knowledge and how it can lead us astray, even to the point of leaving the faith.

"20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith."