260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 191 - Intro & 1 Timothy 1: Beware, Be Thankful, Be Firm…

Introduction to 1 Timothy: As with Titus, the letters of 1&2 Timothy are written to a young pastor. Timothy was a convert of Paul’s ministry (1:2) who traveled and ministered alongside Paul and was dear to his heart. Paul begins this first letter to Timothy by warning him against false teachers, possibly Judaizers (1:3-11). He thanks “Christ Jesus our Lord” for his amazing grace to “the worst of sinners.” (1:12-20). Chapter 2 is on instructions for church worship and Chapter 3 covers the qualifications of elders and deacons in the church. 4:1-5, deals again with guarding against false teachers, and 4:6-16 admonishes Timothy to maintain sound doctrine and sound discipline. Chapter 5 deals with widows in the church (3-16) and the treatment of elders (17-20). Chapter 6 instructs slaves (1-2), gives more warnings against false teachers (3-5) and the love of money (6-10), a personal charge to Timothy (11-16) and special instructions for the rich. 1 Timothy 1: Beware, Be Thankful, Be Firm… Teaching things about God that are not true is a big deal. It was in Paul’s time and it is today! Why? Because what we believe affects what we do and how we live. Because most of the Bible lessons that are taught (or I’ve heard) are taught by “non-pastors”, it’s important that Bible teachers “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Paul begins by addressing a false teaching problem. He tells Timothy to “command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.” Superstitions, myths & legalism are meaningless and add to the good news of Jesus, which is about Grace – AMAZING GRACE! And whenever we stray from striving for a pure heart, a clear conscious and a sincere faith, we come up with our own ideas of God – totally not good. Next, in humility, Paul gives thanks to God that He even allows him to do what he does! Verses 12-17 are so true of me and describe the gracious testimony of so many God has saved!!! Go GOD! Finally, Paul knows Timothy needs perseverance in this spiritual battle, so he reminds him of his potential “the prophecies once made about you…” and tells him to hold on to “faith and a good conscience.” - Be firm! SO WHAT?! *I was in a small discipleship group with our college president Joe Wall. One of the things we would do each week was report back and discuss as to what was taught at each of our churches. One week, a fellow student told Dr. Wall that the message was on the feeding of the five thousand and how they picked up 12 basketfuls afterwards. Then, get this, he says that the teacher told everyone that the meaning of this story is that we should not litter – HA! Now don’t get me wrong, I believe we are to take care of this planet that God put us on, but that is NOT why Jesus told this story! Now, have I ever misinterpreted & taught a passage of scripture? Yep. I look at some of my early Bible studies and wonder – what was I thinking?!~! Dr Wall would take the word of God and show me where I was wrong & I’d learn. I was corrected. Are you teaching anything false about God that might lead others astray? *When you read 12-17, do you think of “other” sinners or do you see yourself? Truth be known, all of us at one time were against God (Ephesians 2). Take a moment today and thank God! *In what area of your life do you need strength to stand strong? Ask God today for that strength (Ps 46:1).