Trustworthy Sayings

Intro

Happy Fathers Day!

Take your dad out to a food truck on the midway

One thing I have always appreciated about my father is his advice

He is always the first person I want to call when I need to make a difficult decision

I try to pass his wisdom along to my boys

Can be funny (and trying) with a four year old

Tell story about Silas being ‘married’ with a ring

It is good to have dad’s teaching their children about the world, and about Jesus

In 1 Timothy we come across a type of father/son relationship (though not biological)

Paul was an experienced Jewish teacher turned Christian missionary and church planter

Timothy was his handpicked protege; brought along to lead the church in Ephesus

Mentor/mentee dynamics; 1 Timothy is full of good advice from Paul to Timothy

But a few pieces of advice are highlighted in particular when Paul says, “here is a trustworthy saying”

This is a flashing neon sign! Listen up! Pay extra careful attention!

We are going to heed this warning and look a these 3 trustworthy sayings today

Pray

Trustworthy Saying #1

Read 1 Timothy 1:15 “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.”

We start at the heart of ghe Gospel

Paul affirms the message of the Good News and how it relates to us as followers of Christ

Jesus came into the world = incarnation

To save sinners = the cross is salvation for everyone

In everything we do personally and as a church, we need to keep the Gospel in the centre

Far too easy to get cuahgt up in goals, programs, ministries, details, etc.

These are not bad things as long as they serve to remind us all that Jesus came to save sinners… that’s the main point!

And Paul lumps himself in with this group of sinners

Not only that, but he puts himself at the front of the line! (“of whom I am the foremost”)

We just learned about Paul (then called Saul) before his conversion

He actively persecuted Christians (oversaw Stephen’s stoning)

When we realize how far away from salvation Paul appeared to be, it shows us that no one is too far from the grace of God

Read 1 Tim. 1:16 “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.”

God has “unlimited patience.” What a relief!

Make sure you never give up on someone, because God has not given up on them

Refer to Jarrod’s story and teaching at church camp

Not just about others: Paul uses the present tense:

I am the foremost; not I was.

Paul recognizes he is still a sinner in need of grace, as we all are

I don’t know about you, but I still require much of God’s “unlimited patience”

We are always dependant on God’s grace

As believers, the Gospel starts with us. We are still in the middle of the Good News. We experience it - and need it - daily, and we can then encourage others to do the same

Trustworthy Saying #2

Read 1 Timothy 3:1 “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”

What is an overseer? (Early church constructed differently)

Could refer to Timothy as a “pastor,” or any elders or even deacons

Clearly refers to someone who holds an official position of leadership in the church

Don’t tune out if you aren’t a pastor!

Raise your hand if you’re a pastor

Now raise your hand if you are on the LT, SL&CT, a SS teacher, youth leader, worship team, etc.

When you lead in the church, you are an “overseer;” don’t have to be a paid professional or just a pastor

Talk about Lisa’s opportunity to share with other EMC administrators

When you lead, Paul calls this a “noble task”

Being an overseer in the early church was… difficult

Public and prominent figure during persecution

Former professor speculated that Paul needed to reinforce the nobility of the position because it was so dangerous

It was dangerous, but good; why?

Being in Christian leadership is a noble task because you are part of something much bigger than yourself: the kingdom of God

Make quick reference to conversation with Mike

It is noble because we get to partner with the Creator of the universe and work with Him for things that have eternal and lasting value

No matter the cost; nothing is more important or worthwhile

Trustworthy Saying #3

Read 1 Timothy 4:8-9 “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.”

Physical training has some value!

Not the main point here, but taking care of your body is a biblical principle

Share about Karen and I; talk about the benefits we have experienced

More to the point, godliness has eternal value

What does Paul mean by “godliness?” Stick with the context: Godliness = spiritual training

Physical training is about discipline, consistency and hard work

Spiritual training has the same components!

My challenge = Do I bring the same level of discipline, consistency and hard work to my spiritual training?

Make time (won’t happen unless its a priority)

Make friends (who you train with)

Make choices (what you do and don’t do that line up with Scripture)

The goal is not the discipline, constistency or hard work. The goal is the benefit of training

Physical training = physical health

Energy, strength, health

Spiritual training = spiritual health

Trust, love, passion for Jesus

Godliness (spiritual training) is superior because it aids us in this life and the life to come

It helps now; eternal life begins now

It helps later; eternal life overflows past death

And so we are brought back to where we started; the heart of the Gospel

All godliness is rooted in the Good News and hope found in Jesus

Cf. 1 Timothy 4:10 “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

Conclusion

Are we willing to take note of these trustworthy sayings?

Will we stay rooted in the truth that Jesus came to save sinners… ourselves included?

Will we remember the nobility of being part of God’s kingdom work, something difficult but much bigger than ourselves?

Will we commit to spiritual training that will benefit our lives now and forevermore?

Pray