September 4, 2012
THE WORST OF SIN
1 Timothy 1
Brittany Bundren
Central Truth
How often do you feel like the "worst sinner" or looked at someone else as though they were the "worst sinner?" Yet, the "worst sin" is to put anything before God. I've been guilty of that, what about you?
Key Verse | 1 Timothy 1:15–16
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
1 Timothy 1
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warning Against False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship 1 1:4 Or good order from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, 2 1:10 That is, those who take someone captive in order to sell him into slavery liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound 3 1:10 Or healthy doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. 4 1:17 Greek to the ages of ages Amen.
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Dive Deeper | 1 Timothy 1
When you start a new book, it's always good to do a little background research. Who is this letter from? Paul. Who is he writing to? Timothy. This book starts a set of letters called the Pastoral Epistles, which means Paul is writing to pastors in different cities. This book is written specifically to Timothy, who is helping with the church in Ephesus. It's also good to know that Timothy became a believer and Christ-follower through Paul and traveled with Paul on multiple missionary journeys.
Paul starts this letter by telling Timothy to stop false teachers who promote controversy instead of God's work, which is by faith (verse 4). You will know that someone is a true teacher of the faith by the way they love, which comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (verse 5).
Then he continues by reminding Timothy where he came from. We all know that Paul was one of the greatest missionaries of all time. But remember, before he had a relationship with Christ, he was Saul, the murderer of Christians. It's important to remember who we were before we knew Christ, because it reveals the significance of His sacrifice on the cross, which is the only reason we are able to be reconciled with God.
Before I knew Christ, I was selfish and prideful. My sin was in putting sports, specifically volleyball, before Christ. I lived for the next game, the next practice, the next "taste of victory." My emotions became wrapped up in a game that never brought me contentment. It wasn't until I walked away from being an athlete and became a Christ-follower, first and foremost, that I had a pure heart and sincere faith.
I don't play volleyball anymore, but I still love my teams, Aggie Football being one of them. As college football starts, I need to remember who I am in Christ. As I begin to get wrapped up in football brackets and the W/L column, sin will try to creep back in. I must keep my eyes fixed on Christ, because only He can bring me true contentment.
Discussion Questions
1. Can you freely say that Christ came into your life and saved you from sin? If not, call Watermark (214-361-2275) and ask how we are able to say that.
2. What in your life do you place before God (family, career, future, or health)? How do you think that makes God feel?
3. How would you describe yourself before knowing Christ? How would you describe yourself now?
4. What are tangible ways you can remind yourself that God comes first?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
September 3-7 (2 Thessalonians 3 – 1 Timothy 4)
Read 1 Timothy 4:7-12.
• What sports or physical exercise do you like to do?
• What do you have to do if you want to be good or better at one of them?
• What does Paul tell Timothy is more important than physical exercise?
• How can you train yourself for spiritual fitness?
• What does verse 12 say about young believers?
• What are the ways verse 12 says you can be an example to older believers?
Activity: Write all the words to verse 12 on separate pieces of paper. Place them all face down on the other side of your room or backyard. Everyone make a line. Now, one at a time, run down and grab one and bring it back. Keep doing this until the words of the verse are in order. Repeat until you have the verse memorized. You can also make it fun by timing yourself each time to see how fast you can put it in order.