Words of Reliability
(
1Timothy
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.”
Jesus came with purpose and resolve and by those strong determinates
conquered sin, death and the devil. Jesus comes yet once more but this time with
dread on His left and joy on His
right for he comes forth to judge. (Ps.96) While on earth Jesus professed and
proclaimed both truths. (Lk.19:5-10; Jn.12:47-50; Acts.10:42,
Included in the ‘Good News’ package is the fact of Jesus’ return to
judge the world but woe to those who will not believe and repent and be
baptized. As Paul has said concerning the Gospel, it is to one the fragrance of
life to another the smell of death. (2Cor.2:16)
Paul uses the phrase “faithful word” several times in his letters,
each is important and deserves our attention.
· 1Tim.1:15 - Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
· 1Tim.3:1 - Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, n he desires a noble task.
· 1Tim.4:9ff - This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance …
· 2 Tim.2:11ff – Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him, if we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
·
Titus 3:8 - …..This is a
trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who
have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.
These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
There is not a man or woman whom Jesus’ life and death did not provide the means for their salvation, yet there are some who still are perishing. The success or failure of the gospel to transform lives is not based on the potency of Jesus’ atoning blood but rather in the devotion of the persons’ own heart. God is not at fault.
It is also true that desiring to be an overseer is a noble thing, but it
is equally noble for all Christians to desire to reach for themselves the
maturity and faithfulness sought after in those men who aspire to lead and feed
the sheep of Jesus.
Another truth worthy of practice is the realities of truth itself. Paul
gives several examples of these reality bites in verses 1-12 of chapter 4 in 1st
Timothy. Deception may look like it contains wisdom but that wisdom has been
contaminated and defiled by the lies of the demonic.
The next faithful saying speaks plainly of the nature of Jesus and our
need to keep the council and the attachments of our own hearts lashed firmly to
the cross of our salvation or we will suffer the abandonment of our heavenly
Father. Who can bear such rejection?
And last are Paul’s words to Titus. Titus was told by Paul what he was
to be doing. He was commissioned to teach. What Titus was told to teach and how
to carry out his charge will be
investigated this afternoon. Please come!