Precious Memories, God's Purpose

Precious Memories

Book of 2 Timothy Chapter 1

We should understand that some time had passed since Paul had written the first Book to Timothy. Paul had first written to Timothy while he was in Laodicea. At the time Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy Paul was imprisoned in Rome and he was sentenced to death. At this time the death penalty came by beheading and Paul would soon face this judgment with a smile because he knew he was going home to be with the Lord.

This time Paul was charged for inciting an insurrection against the Roman government. This will probably be the charge that will be used against Christian preachers if the Democrats get back in office, here in America.

Paul was writing this letter at a time when Christianity was banned in Rome and all Christians found and sentenced to death.

We should understand when we read the Book of 2 Timothy we are reading the very last words of the Apostle Paul!

We will see that like a prophet Paul knew that perilous times were coming for all!

*****2Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2Ti 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul knew what would soon take place in his life and he wanted Timothy to understand that he would see him again.

What will we see from the Apostle Paul is that he would maintain his dignity as a man called of God right to the very end.

This letter to Timothy will seem to be a personal letter between he and Paul, but the Holy Spirit decided that even we of today needed to understand what Paul was saying here.

This letter is another of what we call the pastoral epistles which are written to answer questions about church organization.

This is another letter from Paul by the Holy Spirit teaching us how to act in the House of God.

One thing is very clear, only those called of the Lord Jesus Christ will have a ministry in the Christian Church. This is a personal calling from the Lord Jesus Christ to that person who is called.

That one who is called, is called to walk in the will of God, remembering that it is the will of God that every living soul be saved.

1Ti_2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Eternal life comes only by Jesus Christ! Eternal death comes to all that reject the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

God's plan is really very simple, have faith in the works Lord Jesus Christ and be at peace with God forever!

Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

When we meet Jesus, we will be meeting the God of all creation!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

In all the Scriptures we do not find one harsh word about Timothy and it was the fact that Timothy was saved at an early age that he was able to do so good in the ministry of the Lord.

Timothy shows us the importance of discipling our young people with the truth of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ.

*****2Ti 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

What did Paul have? Paul had precious memories of the time he had spent with this young man who was also called of God.

Paul leaves us with the importance of disciple training covered with much prayer. We must realize that is not about self because the Lord will take care of that. It is about that prayer life for someone besides ourselves.

We must understand that God has given us this wonderful privilege to pray for those who are disciples!

Prayer is important for everyone but when we do not zero in on our young people we are neglecting the future of our church!

We should be thinking of our young disciples in our morning prayers and our nightly prayers and everything in between!

We should remember what Jesus said:

Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

We need to pray that God would move all the evil things of this world (drugs, alcohol, smoking, etc.) out of the way of our young people.

Maybe we to need to shed a tear for our children!

*****2Ti 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

No doubt that when Timothy heard that Paul had been arrested again and sentenced to death, he shed tears for Paul who had taught him so much and had also been like a father to him.

We also see Paul who is sentence to death for preaching the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ, who is at peace with his death, is trying to comfort Timothy.

Timothy was strong in his faith and strong in his courage, yet he was still tender. We should remember the qualifications of a Pastor and Timothy met all these qualifications.

Timothy was young man who was not afraid to stand up for the Lord, yet he was still tender and compassionate and not afraid to show his tender side.

It is this powerful man of God who brought joy to the heart of the Apostle Paul!

Not many realize that after the martyr's death of the Apostle Paul, Timothy remained Ephesus where sometime later he was also died the martyr's because he preached the whole council of God without being ashamed of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psa 119:63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

Timothy was never afraid to call Jesus his Savior!

*****2Ti 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

As Paul was remembering the faith of Timothy he also remembered the strong faith of his grandmother Lois and also the strong faith of his mother Eunice.

Here we the fruit that can come from those mothers and grandmothers who teach their children the truth of the Word of God!

Unfeigned faith is a faith that is not counterfeit. It is not hypocritical. It is real faith. It is sincere faith. It is based upon God's love for his church!

Lois and Eunice had that faith that could move those mountains out of the way from this young man named Timothy!

We can see how the Christian family can produce fruit for the work of the Lord!

It seems that in every period of the history of the church, it is the church women who have been more open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and pass these things down to their children.

It is in these last days the Satan has used all his power to destroy the family in his attempt to destroy the church.

We must remember what Jesus has said.

Luk_18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Once the church is taken out of the world, during the time of the great falling away, there will not be much faith, if any left upon this world!

It is only those parents who have dedicated their lives to the Lord and walk in Christ Jesus everyday who have a chance to pass these things on to their children!

Pro_22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

God would not say this if it were no true!

Even as strong as Timothy was Paul knew that every Pastor needs to be encouraged from time to time.

*****2Ti 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The biggest problem we face in the church today is that God's people have let their fire go out!

We will endure abuse if we claim the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

We already know that this world we live in will never get better than it is right now!

2Ti_3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Still like Timothy it is not time to quit on God!

We need to take a poker and stir up the fire that is within us, so our flame can shine brighter.

There was no indication that Timothy's fire was getting dim and about to go out!

The Apostle Paul was on death row and he wanted Timothy to know his fight was finished and he would soon be going home. It would be Timothy who would carry the torch of freedom until he too had fought his good fight.

The truth of these things is, if the Lord has given us a task, then we are to remain in that task until we go home to be with the Lord!

We must not ever forget that He has promised to provide our needs always!

Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Rom 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

If we are afraid we must know that fear is a word that is not in God's dictionary!

God gives us the gift of active power, so that we are not afraid to speak up for Jesus!

God gives us the gift of speculative power, so we can think right, and discern right from wrong.

No need to fear what man can do to us if they kill us we just wake up in Heaven.

No need to fear the trials we face every day because we are on the winning side, look in the back of the book.

No need to fear what the world says about us, they are on the losing side, also in the back of the book.

God gives us the spirit power if we just ask, but power is not needed if we are not in the fight!

God gives the spirit of love for everyone we see, if we just show it. The agape love of God as our own Father!

God gives the spirit of a sound mind when we have the mind of Christ!

1Co_2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

With these gifts of the Holy Spirit plus all the fruit of the Holy Spirit how could we ever be ashamed of our Savior?

*****2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Makes me want to say, just jump in this battle and stay as close to Jesus Christ you can!

We can actually call this section "Ashamed"!

Why must we never be ashamed of the Lord Jesus? Because it is He who holds the power of the Almighty God for salvation but only for those who believe!

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

It is a fact that cowardice is a bad thing. To a soldier it could lead to his death or imprisonment.

To the Christian who refuses to get into the war against evil, it could mean an early death because to be in the will of God is the safest place for any Christian to be.

Thank goodness our God is in the soul saving business!

Being ashamed of our Savior, is showing doubt that our Lord Jesus Christ does not have the power of God. We are nothing without Jesus Christ!

Why would anyone be ashamed of the "Gospel" when it actually does bring "Good News"!

The Gospel answers every question concerning sin and it is the remedy for fallen man!

We must never be ashamed that our God came to this earth to die!

We must never be ashamed of the blood of Jesus Christ that washes away all sin.

We must never be ashamed of the virgin birth!

We must never be ashamed of the cross that Jesus bore.

We must never be ashamed.

We must never be ashamed to take our stand on the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ!

When we cannot take a stand on freedom from the bondage of sin, then nothing else can satisfy that question of just "who am I".

When we cannot live for Jesus we will certainly die for Satan!

Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

We must never be ashamed of persecution. Paul said to Timothy, do not be ashamed of my imprisonment"!

It should be an honor for a Christian to be so much like Jesus that he is imprisoned.

It should be an honor to speak the words of Jesus and be imprisoned for it.

This shows the weakness of those in charge who are so afraid to hear the "Gospel" because one, some know the Word of God is so powerful that they would suffer because of God's message and two, they are denying the truth to live in their own little false world of misery.

For the Christian, this is the only world that we can suffer in, we will not suffer at all in Heaven.

Though the non-believer they may or may not suffer much in this world, but they will suffer an eternity of unreal suffering in Hell!

God sends His message to this world in order for those bound for Hell can repent and join Him in Heaven.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

My question to all those that reject the Word of God, why don’t you leave the Christians alone!

Why be so afraid of God's Word?

Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

To a world that can believe in aliens and UFOs, why can you not believe in the supernatural, our Heavenly Savior.

I’m not sorry that I am called a Christian, I am sorry that so many just do not believe!

*****2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2Ti 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Some people say we use the word saved to much, but this is the word that works for me!

I am saved. I am preserved, I am protected, I am redeemed, I am delivered from the sin of this world

Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

When you speak of salvation, you cannot get around the fact that Jesus Christ is the Author of salvation!

It is a fact that God has a purpose for everything that happens in the world. God does not do bad things, but He allows bad things to happen if they suit His purpose and His plans.

What is God's Purpose?

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Now we know that everything in this world happens according to this purpose which God is so bold to give to us that we would know, and we can rest on the surety of these words!

If you are not in Jesus Christ, you simply will not be gathered when the Lord comes to take us home. This is known as the rapture of the church. These things are true because God says they are true. Now who do you trust?

Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

We have a hope that is much better than a guarantee when we place all our faith in the works of the Lord Jesus Christ!

There is absolutely no reason those in the Lord Jesus Christ should be uncertain about their salvation.

There is absolutely no reason that we should fear death as a Christian because we will be going home!

Over and over the Scriptures will lead us to Jesus Christ as our Savior, not just some other man but truly God come down from Heaven to die just so we can be saved.

Yes, I like that word saved!

It was also the work of the Lord Jesus Christ to abolish the death that Satan uses to hold onto his followers. There are far too many of these followers who have come out of the woodwork to declare they worship Satan to their own demise!

Evil abounds but God has more "grace" than this world has "evil"!

To be a believer we had to be bought from Satan's slave market but many more are left behind that we need to reach with the "Gospel of our salvation!

1Jn 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

1Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

What is the only method to become a preacher of the Gospel?

*****2Ti 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Paul was appointed to preach by the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no other way to be a true preacher of the "Gospel" do not be fooled by nay sayers.

Paul was appointed Apostle by the Lord Jesus. The only way to be an Apostle was to have been selected by The Lord Jesus Christ seeing Him with his own eyes. For this reason, there can be no more Apostles, Paul was the last.

**Paul was appointed to be the Preacher assigned to the Gentiles.

The God called, Jesus Christ chosen, Holy Ghost filled preacher is the person who is chosen to go forth and proclaim the message of King Jesus!

The main message will be that Christ has abolished death followed with that He has brought life and immortality to those who believe upon Him!

What has happened to our preachers of today have they ignored this message or have they forgotten who Jesus is, or are they to ashamed to preach the truth?

**Paul was appointed to be an Apostle because he was sent by the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle is to go where ever he is sent with the message that "the King is Coming" and that sooner not later and speak the message he was given by the Lord.

It is the job of the Apostle to make known the business of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The business of our Savior was to do all the work necessary to provide his subjects a means of eternal life with Him and His true angels!

**Paul was appointed to be a teacher.

It is the job of the teacher to teach the curriculum that they have been assigned without changing it in any way. The Teacher will teach the whole council of God with diligence and perseverance!

Paul understood the hazards of what he had to do.

*****2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

The biggest problem with the Christian of today they make God out to be powerless and not able to fulfill His promises, which is very foolish if we just look around to what God has created for us!

When we have been justified (just as if we had never sinned) how can we think God is not able to fulfill His promises?

God says those He has justified will escape eternal death (the wrath of God) only if they have faith!

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

There is no one (no one) who could have given us these majestic heavens but The Lord God!

It is so very foolish to think these things came about by some accident. The only thing accidents have ever brought is destruction!

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

I along with the Apostle are not ashamed of our God of glory!

In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth to reveal the power of God!

God is independent of His being because everything God is( His virtues, His decrees, His works, His causes, all God's character) depends on Him!

There is absolutely nothing cannot do but sin. God is who He says He is!

Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

I too am persuaded that God can save my soul and that I will join Him when I die!

We must commit ourselves to the work of the Lord! Why?

1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We are kept by the power of God!

The Apostle Paul was very sure that judgment was coming but he was also very sure this would take place sometime after he was gone on to Heaven!

Paul was also very sure that when he met Jesus in the clouds, he would have to give an account of himself after his salvation because all the things Paul had done by persecuting the church before he was saved had been forgiven and God would not remember these things against him.

Even as we see the things of this world get even more evil we must still hold fast to the Word of God!

*****2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Because the nature of humanity is corrupt and sinful we cannot always trust that we can know the truth of their words.

This is not so with God. The Word of God is good for our health here on earth and eternal life when we join the Lord!

The only sound words that we can depend on come from the Lord!

When we start doubting the words that tell us the truth of our Savior then we are not clinging to the truth!

No false doctrine comes from sound words which are the words that Jesus Christ our only Savior has brought to us from God the Holy Spirit!

When we doubt the Word of God we are calling God a liar.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

It is impossible to truly believe upon Jesus Christ if we reject in any way the truth of Scriptures!

Joh 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The Holy Spirit has decided that the words He has given to us are all we need to trust in the Lord for eternal life.

We have the truth and the results of the truth.

When it comes time to hear the Word of God, we can believe that it is true, beyond all doubt and yes Jonah was swallowed by a real whale!

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Word of God brings so much truth many people spend too much time trying to find fault in the Word of God.

We must hold fast to the form of sound words!

*****2Ti 1:14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

We should understand that trust works both ways with the Lord. We are to trust in His Words and He will trust us to take those words to someone else, so they also can make the choice to accept or reject the truth of God.

The world just does not understand that God wants everyone in this entire world to get an opportunity to compare His truth to what the world has to say about health, love, life and purpose!

We as Christians have the words of life, how can we not share it?

We must also understand that if God has something that affects humans then He will choose another human to do it.

The only humans who can do this thing must be filled with God the Holy Spirit!

In fact, the only good thing upon this world is the Word of God!

What is the greatest truth of the Word of God? It is all about Jesus Christ!

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

1Jn 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

There should be no doubt in the Christian, of what these things mean!

It is our Holy God the Father that gives us the Gift of Life and that gift comes by "The Word", God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

So, we can hold fast the gifts God places in our hands.

*****2Ti 1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

We should pay very close attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying here.

The Apostle Paul was arrested a second time and sentenced to death at the hands of Nero, just for preaching the truth of the Scriptures.

Phygellus and Hermogenes had travel with Paul since Paul was in Asia.

Most all those of Asia abandoned not only Paul but also the Lord and when we say no to God, we are committing sin.

Certainly, Rome was a dangerous place to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but God would take something bad and make good come from it!

Php 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Php 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

These things being true Phygellus and Herogenes both from Asia not being arrested with Paul abandoned him and took with them others from Asia.

This was a sad time for Paul, but he never gave up and the Lord never left his side just as He said, He will never forsake us.

Paul was not ashamed of the "Gospel" and this showed in these words given to Him by the Holy Spirit.

Rom_1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

There was one who stood by Paul and he became a very special help to him!

*****2Ti 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

2Ti 1:17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

Onesiphorus was a Christian from the church of Ephesus where Timothy was being sent.

While Onesiphorus was helping Paul his family back home was without their father and Paul prayed for mercy for this household and Paul was making Timothy aware of this family who may also have a need.

Onesiphorus came many times to visit Paul and while he was there he would cheer Paul up and it also reveals to us the Paul may have spent some time with family when he was in Ephesus.

This may be all we know of this man Onesiphorus, but it is obvious that he was a Christian who was not ashamed of the "Gospel" and he was a true friend to Paul.

Pro_18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

No doubt that the name of Onesiphorus had been written in the Lambs Book of Life.

*****2Ti 1:18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Not one of us deserve the mercy of God!

To ask God to show mercy is not so much to ask God to be good as it is to show we have a forgiving God.

I believe when Paul says, "that day" he is referring to the day of the "Rapture" when we will all face the Lord Jesus Christ, at the Bema Seat!

We must never abandon our brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter the circumstances, we are all bound together by the blood of Jesus Christ and we must never bring shame to His name!

Heb 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

There will never be a day, while we live upon this earth that we will not need the mercy of God!

Amen

The Answer to Slavery

Faithful Servants

Book of 1 Timothy Chapter 6

As we go through the Books of Timothy and the Book of Titus not only are we learning about the workings of the Church, the officers of the Church and the Pastor of the Church, we are also learning that God expects us to be "faithful" to the Church.

To be faithful is to be full of faith and trustful.

We are to be "faithful" because our God is "faithful"!

Deu_7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

We will see the Holy Spirit will stress the importance of being content, as opposed to covetousness, which characterizes those out in the world.

The phrase "under the yoke" expresses the condition of slaves!

Slavery is one of the greatest crimes against humanity, yet it still exists in our world today.

It is estimated that there are at least 40 million slaves in our world today, generating over 150 billion dollars in revenue.

Therefore, slavery continues, there is still a market for slaves and big money!

It is impossible for this to keep going on without the governments of our world and the UN who by their own policies help those nations who deal in Slavery and not doing very much at all to stop it!

Here we will see God address those slaves.

*****1Ti 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

We will see that God did not urge these people to escape, nor to rebel but to remain in the circumstances that they were in and by God's help to triumph over their difficulties and sorrows.

Studies will show, that it is only by God's methods that slavery can end. It is only by God's methods that slavery could be wiped off the face of this earth!

In reality, if God had taught that slaves should escape then early Christianity would have suffered greatly. There is no human being that can out think the Lord. The "gospel" is intended for every human being no matter their circumstances.

These same principles will also hold true in the workplace of today and as long as time last!

The one answer to all the problems in this world, is still Jesus Christ and this includes the answer to slavery!

Without a doubt the Apostle Paul called slavery a yoke that no human being should bear.

But still every slave was to count his master worthy of all honor.

The truth is, in these days of the Apostle Paul, most every slave was better off where they were at, than to be set free where they could not provide for themselves.

The greatest lesson we as Christians can learn is, the fact that we are all purchased by the blood of Jesus, and we are actually in the service of the Lord all our lives. The Lord is our Master!

The doctrine of God is that, when the slave and the master are both saved, then slavery would cease to exist!

As far as the workplace, if the "gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ reached into the workplace, there would be no need of unions nor contracts because the "Love of God" would rule in our society!

The Christian slave and the Christian worker should do their best to give an honest day's labor, just as if they were working for the Lord, which they are!

If this Christian worker is working for a Christian employer or Christian slave master, he should not try to take advantage of this situation.

*****1Ti 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

We must remember that these slaves in the day of Paul had no legal rights at all. They were just a piece of merchandise just as they are today! When the slave and the master both became Christians, it is easy to see that the slave may think that master would release them to freedom.

If that slave followed the Word of God and then became the best worker he had, we could see that maybe the master would expect to reap some benefits from his hard work.

It was very hard at times for the slave to think of his master as his brother in Christ, while he remained his slave, yet this what God is teaching!

The truth is, when both the slave and the master work as if they were slaves to Christ Jesus, "they would together" have a greater testimony for the truth in Jesus Christ.

It should be the same in the workplace of today. If boss and employee both are Christian and work as if they worked for the Lord, they together would have a greater testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Nowhere in the Scriptures does God approve of slavery!

Slavery is an invention of humanity. BUT, we all as Christians, must still be like the Apostle Paul and be content in every situation this world throws at us.

Php_4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1Ti_6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Heb_13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

And we will learn a greater lesson from the words of our Savior:

Mat_22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Mar_12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Luk_20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

We must remember we live in this world, but we are not a part of this world!

Joh_17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

It was Timothy who would have to teach these tough sermons, because these conditions existed in the Church in Ephesus!

When we prayed the sinner’s prayer, we agreed to live by the laws of God, no matter our situation!

Being a slave or master, or boss and employee, has nothing to do with our commitment to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

This is the truth of God!

*****1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Who is a false teacher? Those who do not teach the words of the Lord Jesus Christ!

A false teacher will always have a different doctrine!

They may mention Christ Jesus, but they refuse to accept that He is God and we are all to follow His commandments!

The Words of Jesus are not just the ones in red in most Bibles but actually the entire Bible is the Word of God!

The Old Testament teaches of the "Coming of Christ" and the New Testament teaches us the "death, the burial, and the ascension" of Christ and all that is in between, but also of His Second Coming, which is also in the Old Testament!

How do we know a false teacher or false preacher? They will not attach themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ!

They will talk about God and they will show you certain Scriptures to prove their point, but they will never accept the pure unaltered Word of God and to them, Jesus was just a man mentioned in the Scriptures. They may even say a good man or a prophet but certainly not God!

These false teachers will never accept the righteousness that comes by Jesus Christ!

These false teachers will never separate themselves from the world.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

I know many times our Pastor will teach a tough lesson and he will say, it is just a message of maintenance but when Paul was teaching Timothy these things, they were happening in the church at Ephesus and they are happening in many places of worship today!

That phrase "wholesome words" describe the Word of God but the opposite of wholesome, "would be words of disease".

A false teacher will always bring words of disease and death to the soul!

God says they are proud of what they are doing but they actually know nothing!

The longer they teach lies the more the people will ask if God really exist as it is today in many places.

The false teacher only knows the god of religion, but not the Lord God purity, which is Christianity!

Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, "this man shall be blessed in his deed".

Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, "this man's religion is vain".

Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, "To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world".

The false teacher has a corrupt mind and they intend to corrupt everyone else they can.

The false teacher will focus on the doctrine of man (humanism).

The false teacher will focus on works. (self-improvement, self-image)

The false teacher will focus on religion. (religion will lead to your death)

The false teacher will tickle your ears. (prosperity gospel)

The false teacher does not have nor, will he ever teach the truth! (The Word of God)

The truth is, God will never honor anyone who does not honor His Son Jesus Christ!

There is nothing in any sort of works doctrine that will go far enough to be a "Born Again" child of God!

The truth is, God will never accept but one thing and that is "Faith" in the works of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ did all the works; our part is to believe. It is called "Faith"!

There are also those who come into the ministry for the sole purpose of making money!

They look at the ministry, as only a way to make a living!

It is these same people who will commercialize religion!

They see preaching as a career, when preaching is a calling of God.

They see the church as a business, when the church is a hospital for souls and the household of faith and that faith in the promises of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They see the church as man-centered and not God-centered!

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

The greatest trait of the church is godliness!

*****1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and "it is certain" we can carry nothing out.

1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Almost everyone you meet, young or old, will be searching to have contentment in their lives.

People are just looking for ways to be satisfied with the life they have! Very few of these people realize that these things can come only by the Lord Jesus Christ!

The secret of contentment is truly godliness!

Godliness is knowing where you are at any point in your life and knowing where you are going when you die!

Godliness brings with it peace of mind and gratitude to that person who gives you these wonderful things, The Lord Jesus Christ.

It's called the "Grace" of God!

Godliness is when you know you lack nothing to make you more content!

Godliness is being fulfilled, satisfied, complete and sufficient.

It is a fact that we brought nothing into this world and no matter what we may gain while we are alive in this world, we cannot take anything out of this world!

As Christians, we do not struggle to be rich, but we are also not seeking to be poor, we know that the secret to being content is not money.

*****1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Most all of mankind is seeking more and more money. I can remember when I myself was caught up in that trap.

God has taught us all along that contentment does not come with more money.

We might ask why is this not true?

1) God says money will first tempt you and then money will enslave you.

The person who has enough money to buy, or go, or do, anything they want at any time they want, will soon have a sense of power, but this is only worldly power. They will be tempted to do more and more until they find that they have entrapped themselves with greed and can never have peace in their lives.

2) Money can cause foolish and hurtful lust.

How foolish is it to have closets full of clothes, yet still crave something new?

How foolish is it to always want the best clothes, when there are better-quality clothes that are cheaper?

How foolish is it to always have to go to the best restaurants, which in most cases are not the most healthful?

How foolish is it to indulge in in the evils of society, causing so much damage to the body that even money cannot repair it?

Money will cause cravings, and lust, just because you can afford to partake in such things.

3) Many people are drowned in the destruction caused by having too much money!

Wealth can become a personal monster!

Pro 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Pro 28:21 To have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Pro 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

4) It is not money itself that is evil, it is the love for or lust for money that is the root of all evil.

This is the one thing that dominates everything in our world today.

The parent of all that is evil in our world, "is money"!

In fact, so much money can be made off evil, evil will not end until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made off medicines, that cures will not be searched for, until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made off wars, that world peace will not be sought, until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made off the poor, that they will remain poor and those that were once above the poor, will join them until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made in research, that the world will be convinced that it is the people that causes all the problems in the world, until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made off abortions, that these people are not considered to be murderers of children, until the Lord returns.

Planned Parenthood is the house of death for children and the parts house for body parts!

It is a fact, that much of the church have become so worldly, that money is beginning to control the church and the church will be judged first and then the world , when the Lord returns to this world!

What can we do as Christians? God says to flee all these things and come to know His ways, the ways of truth!

*****1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Our Pastor must truly be a "man of God"!

The true "man of God" will flee from the temptation to be rich!

As Christians we to are never to have a passion for wealth in the things in this world!

The true "man of God" will flee from the temptation to lust for the things of this world!

The true "man of God" will flee from selfishness.

The true "man of God" will flee from perverse disputings of the Word of God!

The true "man of God" will follow after righteousness (as in being in hot pursuit of spiritual gains)!

His heart will be right with God!

His heart will be open to the molding of God the potter!

He will have a heart that has partaken of the Divine nature of God!

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: "that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature", having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Godliness means, to remain in the reverence and awe of the Living God, (being Christlike).

We sometimes make our God to be little, but we have a great big God who is "all powerful"!

Righteousness is simply doing things the right way and the right way is by the Word of God!

But, Without faith, we simply cannot please God!

Faith is that confidence in God that allows us to trust in everything that He says!

Love is that love that goes out from God and His Son, our Savior and then to all those He died for!

Patience is that trait that knows the Lord will return and we will see Him as He is and being watchful and praying until He returns!

Meekness is that trait that is hard to find but, to be a Christian, (Christ-Like) is to continue searching for the goodness of the Lord to apply it to our own lives.

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Being meek is being prepared for that war we are in till God calls us home!

*****1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Timothy was directed to be a good soldier but, as Christians we are all in this same battle. The goal of the Christian is to "lay hold on eternal life"!

The moment we trusted in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are promised eternal life!

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

We must not just know this is true, but we need to live our lives now, as if it is already true!

Death is just the last step we take in this world and the first step we take into the throne room of God, in person!

The message of every Pastor should reflect on this truth!

We can never profess eternal life, if we live for the things of this world which will pass away!

*****1Ti 6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

1Ti 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1Ti 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

1Ti 6:16 "Who only" hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Paul brags on this young preacher because he has professed the truth of God since being saved through hands of the Apostle Paul by Jesus Christ who is Life and the Giver of Life!

We are to profess the name of Jesus in everything we do!

When Pontius Pilate judged the Lord, he found Him innocent of all charges:

Luk 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

Pontius Pilate could have set the Lord free right then, but he gave Him over to the Cross!

Another evil man, who had the opportunity to make the right choice, is now remembered as the man who crucified our Lord!

Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

God will present many choices to us, to see if we will make the right choice. These are things that will not tempt us because God will never tempt us with the things of this world.

The first right choice we had to make was accepting the Lord Jesus Christ into our heart and then knowing we are just strangers passing through this land!

We have a home in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ always told the truth, even knowing that it would lead to His death.

When the Lord Jesus Christ arose out of that borrowed tomb, He proved He was life and that He controlled all life.

Jesus Christ has the power of life within Himself!

The commandments given to Timothy by Paul through the Holy Spirit are verses 11-12.

These commandments are for every Pastor.

In fact, these commandments are for each and every Christian!

How long are we to keep these commandments? Until the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ!

For the Christian, this will be at the Rapture of the Church.

For everyone else, it will be when the Lord will set His feet upon this earth!

As we age and get closer to going home, these things should be at the forefront of our minds!

There is no retirement plan in the army of God!

Ecc 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

Jesus Christ is our Creator.

Jesus Christ is the Preserver of all things.

Jesus Christ is the only sovereign Lord of all the ages.

Jesus Christ will be known as King of kings, Lord of lords, when He sets His feet down at Gethsemane!

All the kingdoms of this world will belong to Christ when He returns!

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who has the power to enforce His will upon this earth when He returns.

Today we live in a world under the guidance of our Savior, but it is not He that does the evil in this world!

The Lord returned to Heaven in a body that was not subject to death but was at that time, glorified.

We should also understand that if God was visible, then there would be far too many who would find flaws in His looks.

God is invisible, so even those who are blind can see Him and Hear Him, just like everyone else!

Just so we think right, each one of us has a soul and we cannot see our own soul.

We know that there is a God because He lives within us and we can talk to Him anytime we want to!

*****1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

There can be no doubt that this world we live in separates different classes of people by the riches they possess. What a shame!

Those who are rich in the church must never think they are better off than others. In fact, there is a reason why some have more than others, those who have are to help those who have not!

Many times, those who are rich place their riches in money markets hoping to build upon their riches and many times that gain never comes.

If they would invest those riches in the "body of Christ" they would have a sure gain in the riches of Heaven!

We must all, rich and poor and all those in-between, know that everything we possess comes by the "mercy" of God!

Those who gain riches by taking away from the poor will certainly suffer in the last days!

Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Jer 17:11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Rich or poor we are all to trust in the Living God from whom all blessings flow!

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

What is the greatest truth of the Church? We are alive forevermore!

If we would just lay hold of eternal life as the Lord says, nothing in this world would be so important that we would put it before the Lord.

1Jn_5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

If we would trust the Word of God like we say we do, we will realize that there is really nothing that compares to the Word of God!

*****1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

1Ti 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

There are many today, some even in the church, that exalt worldly knowledge above the Word of God, these are sad people.

As we are discipled and grow into mature Christians we will better realize that what God says will always be true!

Today as we live and breathe God's air, the world will try to put Science above the Scriptures.

The truth is, that it is impossible for true Science to disagree with the Word of God!

Science by definition is the knowledge gained by understanding the truth or the facts of truth by the mind.

Then Science must agree to the Word of God which is based on the fact that our Savior is also the Great Creator of all things!

Those who go against the Word of God, are not searching for facts but only disagreement.

This is that false Science that the world uses to confuse the people!

That man Steven Hawking died but before he did, he predicted that the world would soon end. He knew he was about to die so he wanted everybody else in this world to die. He has been mad at God all his life and refused to repent right up to his end!

He also could have been saved!

Timothy was to guard against any thing that went against the Word of God.

Timothy was to protect the truth of God.

Timothy was to preach the "Gospel", the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

The enemies of the Church will do their best to the destroy the church, but this is impossible.

What is false science? Profane and vain babblings and oppositions to true science.

God says to turn away from all such teachings, no matter how much so-called proof they say they have!

Any Science that disputes the Word of God is an outright fabrication of the real truth!

This church in Ephesus had this problem of leaving their first love and even though they were taught the truth by many good men of God they would always go back to accepting a false Science and leaving their first love, Jesus Christ!

This is now the world we live in. A world that has lost the love of the One and only true God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jesus asked, will there be any who have faith when He returns? Only He knows that answer.

We must always turn away from false teaching of any kind but especially those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as our Redeemer!

Amen

Let's Pray!