1 Timothy 1:1-2

Introduction

1 Timothy 1:1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The first 2 verses in 1 Timothy have enough theology that would allow a season pastor to spend multiple weeks focusing completely on God.

This morning, we won’t spend multiple weeks but two sermons with the spotlight on God.

I want to do this in two ways:

Identify God

Views of God.

Identify God

God our Savior

After the birth of Jesus, the phrase, “God our Savior” occurs only in the pastoral epistles.

There is a reason for this. The pastoral epistles were written during the reign of Nero, the Emperor of Rome. He declared himself to be the Savior.

Paul, being led by the Spirit of God, countered Nero’s declaration by saying there is just one Savior and He is God!

The significance:

Often we view the Father as vindictive, angry, mad, and wrathful. Yet, here we are reminded that God saves. He is the author of salvation.

Why did God create the universe?

He created everything for Himself - Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

He created by His own will - Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

He created the universe for His own glory - Psalms 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

He created the universe to make known His power and wisdom - Ephesians 3:9-10 “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,”

What do these truths mean in practical terms?

What is the centerpiece of God’s wisdom? His glory? His will? His agenda?

John 15:9 “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.”

God is just

Genesis 18:25 “That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

God is also love - John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

All the mysteries mentioned in the New Testament points back to the Love of God

The greatest mystery about God is His love for creation manifested in Him being a Savior.

Our society cannot save us. Politicians cannot save us. Programs cannot save us. Movements cannot save us. Fiscal policies cannot save us. Why cannot none of these save us? Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

God saves! He is the only one who can save us!

Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Psalms 49:15 “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: For he shall receive me. Selah.”

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

How will the world ever know that God is Savior - Romans 10:13-17 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Lord Jesus Christ - Jesus is the Lord.

Jesus is Lord indicates that Jesus is God.

Lord - supreme authority

Significance

God is more than a Savior, He is the Lord

What He says matters.

Romans 14:7-9 “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”

Consider the Lord

He is a self-sacrificing Lord

He is our greatest Treasure

Matthew 13:44-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

1 Peter 2:2-3 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”