The Church and Its Message

Introduction

A. The Author–>Paul

1. His Credentials–>an apostle of Jesus Christ
2. His Authority–>by the commandment of God
   • a. God our Savior, not Caesar our Savior
   • b. Jesus Christ is our only hope.

B. The Recipient

1. Commendation from Paul–>Paul’s son in the faith, Timothy
2. Commendation from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord
   • a. Grace–resources for the Christian life and service, Romans 12:6.
   • b. Mercy–God’s compassionate care for one who is needy and prone to fail.
   • c. Peace–inner tranquility from leaning on the Lord
   • d. Note: This combination only appears in Timothy and Titus. In Paul’s letters to churches, he writes only “grace and peace.”
3. Don’t quit. Stay in Ephesus..

Teach Sound Doctrine, vv. 1-11

A. Sound Doctrine Produces Assurance, not Doubt, v. 5

1. Love with a pure heart, pure thoughts
2. Good Conscience, clean moral conscience
3. Faith unfeigned, faith without hypocrisy
4. Godly edifying = stewardship of God’s Word

B. False Doctrine Produces Doubt and Questions, vv. 3-4

1. Gnosticism, secret knowledge, explaining hidden messages in fables, legends, and myths–>Jehovah’s Witnesses are modern Gnostics.
2. Endless genealogies and extra revelation–>Mormonism.
3. Legalism / Judaizers, rabbinical stories and interpretations, vv. 6-7.
4. This is all vain / useless babblings / janglings.

C. The Law Condemns the Sinner

D. The Glorious Gospel Saves the Sinner

Preach the Glorious Gospel, vv. 12-17

A. Paul before Salvation, v. 13

1. Blasphemer–spoke evil of Jesus and Christians
2. Persecutor–sought the death of Christians
3. Injurious–carried out violent and outrageous acts against Christians

B. But Paul Obtained Mercy, v. 13b

1. He was zealous, earnest, and sincere in his beliefs,
2. But he was zealously, earnestly, and sincerely WRONG!
3. The Lord’s saving grace extended to Paul would be an example to others, v. 16.

C. Paul Enabled and Put into the Ministry, v. 12

1. Verse 15
2. Verse 17–All Glory belongs to God!

Defend the Faith, vv. 18-20

A. Fight the War of Faith, v. 18–>Remember your calling from God.

B. Hold onto the Faith, the Word of God

C. Do not neglect your spiritual exercises–“good conscience.”

D. Hymenaeus and Alexander, like foolish sailors, threw their compass (the true doctrine) overboard, and shipwrecked their faith. They taught that the resurrection is past. This is heaven. When you die, you cease to exist (see 2 Timothy 2:17-18 & 4:14).

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