It's good to see all of you. I would encourage you to open up your Bibles to 1 Timothy chapter 1.
! We'll begin our time in these next several weeks.
Over the next 11 weeks, the plan is to move through this little letter, letter to Timothy,
and to do it about two messages for each chapter.
So it's going to be more of an overview than kind of a deep dive into this.
But I think as we work our way through this letter, we'll be encouraged to see the things that really matter.
And the things that will help us, you see the subtitle there, the things that will help us to have habits of a healthy church.
What are those marks of a healthy church?
Those characteristics, those features that will help us to be the kind of people that God wants us to be.
You know, we live in a day and age where the world feels very unsettled.
We live in a day and age where things seem to be topsy-turvy.
Where things seem to be wonky, for lack of a better word.
Where things are being, that we once believed were right, are being turned upside down,
and are being painted in the light of being wrong.
But even when it comes to the church, there seems to be confusion over things that we would call basic Christian doctrine.
Let me give you some examples.
Almost three out of four.
Seventy-three percent.
And by the way, this is evangelicals.
People that go to churches like Maranatha across the country.
Seventy-three percent claim that Jesus is the first and greatest created being.
Now, I don't know about you, but that is problematic for us.
For those who believe in Jesus as God, and especially in some of the readings that we had this morning about Colossians,
where not only is he the head of the church, but he is the one who created all things.
That by him, all things were created in heaven and earth.
Fifty-eight percent believe that God accepts the worship of all religions, including Judaism and Islam.
More than half, about 56 percent, agree that worshiping alone or with one's family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church.
Now, again, when we think about the church and the makeup of the church,
and as we're going to make our way through this study,
Jesus as being the head of the church, having unified his people together and making us one body,
in Christ we recognize the significance of our togetherness.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is.
And so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
More than half, about 55 percent, of evangelicals believe that the Holy Spirit is a force,
but not a personal being.
55 percent believe that everyone might sin a little,
but that we are all basically good by nature.
Almost half, about 44 percent,
believe that Jesus was a great teacher,
but was not God.
These are some of the doctrines
that we would say would be essential,
foundational,
not just for Christian living,
but foundational for true,
saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
And yet somehow,
those so-called evangelicals,
even in this day and age,
as an evangelical world,
we are caught up with the philosophies of this world,
and captured away.
And so this letter to Timothy becomes
that much more significant and important for us
as we begin to understand the significance
of truth as it relates to the Word of God,
and the essential pieces that God has put in place
to help us to be the kind of people that God has called us to be.
It's possible,
and maybe even likely,
that in hearing these statistics,
it creates a measure of alarm in us.
What are we to do?
How are we to respond?
What resources has God given to us
in order to be the kinds of people that He has called us to be?
As we make our way through this little letter of 1 Timothy,
we're going to see that preeminently,
God has given Himself.
God has given Himself to the church
that He will build the church,
and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
But God has also given us the resources
of the Word of God,
and the Spirit of God,
and the people of God.
That these beautiful privileges,
and these beautiful gifts of God
are given to us as His people
to help us to understand
who God is,
and to be preserved in such times
as we're living in today.
As we think about the writing
and the time of this little letter,
1 Timothy,
we come to see some things
in the beginning parts of this letter
that will help us to understand
that whatever Paul is writing about
and whatever situation he's addressing,
it is not the kind of situation
that would have been true
until after what we find in Acts chapter 20.
There, Paul had warned the church
about a potential of heresy,
a potential of doctrinal drift,
but it hadn't yet happened.
Acts chapter 20, verses 29 to 31 says,
I know, and he's speaking by the way,
the Apostle Paul has gathered together
the pastors,
the elders of the church in Ephesus.
He's meeting with them
to kind of give them
one last final pep talk, as it were,
these parting words to encourage
and challenge them
in relation to their responsibility
with the church.
I know that after my departure,
he says,
fierce wolves will come in among you,
not sparing the flock.
And from among your own selves
will arise men speaking twisted things
to draw away the disciples after them.
Therefore, be alert.
Remembering that for three years,
I did not cease night or day
to admonish everyone with tears.
Now, just to pause for a moment
and to draw this out just a little bit,
I want you to recognize the significance
of what Paul is saying
to these leaders of the church,
these pastors of the church,
these elders and spiritual authorities.
He wants them to recognize,
to be alert,
because even within the midst
of those spiritual leaders,
there will become this tendency
towards spiritual and doctrinal drift.
And that's exactly what the Apostle Paul
will write to Timothy about in this letter.
The unthinkable has happened.
The unimaginable is about to unfold.
And the Apostle Paul is going to bring
a strong word to Timothy
to try to help to address this issue
that the Apostle Paul had touched on
with the elders many years before.
We find throughout this letter
this issue of doctrine and truth
and set against the backdrop
of what was being taught in the day.
We'll come to see that through our study.
And coming to 1 Timothy 3, verses 14 and 15,
we begin to recognize
that what God has given to the church
to safeguard it from these kinds of things
is the church itself.
Notice in verses 14 and 15 of chapter 3,
just kind of provides a brief purpose statement
for this letter.
Paul says to Timothy,
I hope to come to you soon,
but I'm writing these things to you
so that if I delay,
you may know how one ought to behave
in the household of God,
which is the church of the living God,
a pillar and buttress of the truth.
In other words, Timothy,
I want you to know how to lead God's church
so that it points to the living God.
I want you, Timothy,
to know the significance of the truth,
that the church is the pillar
and buttress of the truth.
If it fails there,
it fails everywhere.
In the battleground,
or the war for your faith,
the war for salvation
will be fought
on the battleground of truth.
And so,
as we come to understand
and recognize the significance
of the church,
we come to recognize
the seriousness of truth
and how that truth
is meant to preserve
and protect
and help
and guide
its people.
And what Paul will do
at the very beginning
of this little letter
is to draw out
some of those foundational truths
that will help to orient Timothy
and orient this listening church
as they're listening to Timothy
read this letter
that Paul had given to him.
Timothy will be reading this letter
to the church
and instructing both Timothy
and this church
on the things that matter.
Paul will begin
with those foundational truths
right out of the gate
and we'll see the first one
in verse one.
Remember the head of the church.
And who is the head of the church?
Church family?
Who is the head?
Christ is the head of the church.
Notice,
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus,
by the command of God,
our Savior,
and of Christ Jesus,
our hope.
To Timothy,
my true child in the faith,
grace and mercy
and peace
from God the Father
and Christ Jesus,
our Lord.
The apostle Paul,
as an apostle,
wants Timothy
to understand and recognize
that he is a sent one.
Paul is sent by Christ.
Jesus is not only
the head of the church,
Jesus is the one
who sends out
his representatives
and all the ministry
that we do in the church
is meant to be directed
to Christ,
governed by Christ,
and oriented
to the worship
and glory
of God in Christ.
Paul,
as a sent one,
orients his entire
life and being
under the banner
of sent one
from Christ.
first.
And as Paul's pattern,
he consistently
orients his readers
to recognize
that while he may be
the mouthpiece
of the word of God
to these churches,
he wants them
to understand
where this word
is coming from
and who this word
speaks about.
So that in Romans
chapter 1,
verse 1,
Paul,
a servant of Christ Jesus,
called to be an apostle,
set apart for the gospel
of God.
In 1 Corinthians 1.11,
he says,
Paul,
called by the will
of God
to be an apostle
of Christ Jesus.
Galatians 1.1,
Paul,
an apostle,
not from man
nor through man,
but through Jesus Christ
and God the Father
who raised him
from the dead.
In Paul's letter
to the church
of Ephesus,
Ephesians 1.1,
Paul,
an apostle
of Christ Jesus
by the will of God.
than in Philippians 1.1,
Paul and Timothy,
servants of Christ Jesus.
Do you get the sense
that the apostle Paul
has come to recognize
who really matters
in his ministry?
He has come to a place
of recognizing
that every part
of his ministry
is meant
to please the Lord.
That who he is
as a person
is because of the work
of Christ
in his life
and so that the direction
of his life
and everything
that Paul intends
to accomplish in life
is meant to point
to the glory
of Jesus Christ.
I remember
several years ago
when I was asked
to teach
along with
some people
in Russia
and there we were
introducing ourselves
and as was
the custom,
we tend to introduce
ourselves by
things about us,
you know,
my name is Andrew,
I'm a pastor
of Maranatha Baptist,
I have six kids,
I've been married
for X number of years,
I went to a certain,
it was X number of years
then it's different now,
27 years,
thank you,
get that right.
I can't do
what Andy does,
he does the months
and days and hours,
I don't have it factored,
I'm good enough
to get close enough
to the years.
but assigning
certain qualities
to who we are,
designating ourselves
by what we do
rather than
designating ourselves
like what
Paul does here
and so we introduced
ourselves as teachers
and then
we went around the room
and each of the students
introduced themselves,
hi,
my name is Andre
and I'm a son
of the living God,
hi,
my name is Vadim
and I have been
bought by the blood
of Christ
around and around
and around the room.
Their identity
was directed
to Jesus
and what Christ
has accomplished
for them.
Paul does the same
thing here,
Paul wants
Timothy to know
that the reason
why he has ministry
in the first place
is because of what
Christ has accomplished
in his life
and so that everything
he does in ministry
needs to be directed
towards the glory
of God.
Why does Paul do this?
Well,
because the church
belongs to Christ.
It points to Christ.
It's meant to obey Christ,
to please Christ,
to preach the message
of Christ,
to represent Christ
in the world
so that others
can enjoy
that same relationship
through faith in Christ
and forgiveness
of Christ.
The church
is preeminently
belongs to Christ.
It's his body.
as Paul will tell
the church of Ephesus
in Ephesians chapter 1
verses 22 and 23.
He put all things
under his feet.
He gave him,
speaking of Christ,
as head over all things
to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of him
who fills all in all.
We could spend
the rest of our time
speaking about
the beauty
of Jesus Christ
and unpacking
the words
that the apostle Paul
puts here
by the command
of God
our Savior,
he says there
in verse 1,
and of Christ Jesus.
Our hope,
we could speak
the rest of our time
about those two
words alone,
the beauty
of Christ
and what he's accomplished
for his church
and for Paul.
But I want to just
press in a bit
and unpack
this word
by the command
of Christ,
the command
of Christ.
This will become
a continuing theme
as we work our way
through this letter
of 1 Timothy.
Thirteen times
the apostle Paul
will use words
that point to command
or urge
or encourage
or charge.
These words
that are laden
with authority,
laden with power,
laden with direction
and exhortation.
These are the kinds
of words
that the apostle Paul
will use for Timothy.
This word here
in verse 1
is meant
to describe authority,
the authority
that has been given
by the apostle Paul
through direct command
of Christ
and now delegated
to Paul
and to Timothy now
to exert
that same authority
on behalf of Christ
for his church.
This word
refers to a royal command
that is not negotiable
but is mandatory.
Paul was following
this non-negotiable
command of God.
This command of God
to carry out ministry
to the church
as a sent one.
We're going to see
these kinds of words
throughout our study
in 1 Timothy.
I've placed
in your outline
this morning
a list of all
of those examples,
those places
throughout this letter
where these words
are being used.
Urge, command, charge.
I want to briefly
just walk through them
so you get a sense
of the authority,
spiritual authority
and leadership
that Paul is exercising
over Timothy
and the kind of leadership
and authority
that Timothy
is to exert
over this church.
Notice in chapter 1
verse 3,
I urged you,
that is the first
one of these words,
I urged you
when I was going
to Macedonia,
remain at Ephesus
so that you may charge
certain persons,
that's the word command,
certain persons
not to teach
any other doctrine.
Then in verse 5,
the aim of our command
is love
that issues
from a pure heart.
In verse 18,
this command
or this charge,
he says,
I entrust to you,
Timothy,
my child
in accordance
with the prophecies
previously made
about you.
In chapter 2,
verse 1,
he says,
first of all,
then I urge
or I command
that supplications,
prayers,
intercessions,
and thanksgivings
be made for all people.
In chapter 4,
verse 11,
he says,
command and teach
these things.
Then in chapter 5,
verse 1,
he says,
do not rebuke
an older man
but encourage him,
that's the same word
he's been using
throughout,
for urge
or command them
as you would a father.
In chapter 5,
verse 7,
command these things
as well
so that you may
be without reproach.
In chapter 5,
verse 21,
in the presence
of God
and of Christ Jesus
and of the elect angels,
I charge you
or I command you
to keep these rules
without prejudging.
In chapter 6,
verse 2,
at the very end
of that verse,
it says,
teach and urge
or command
these things.
In chapter 6,
verse 13,
I charge you
or I command you
in the presence of God.
And then finally,
in chapter 6,
verse 17,
as for the rich
in this present age,
charge them
or command them
not to be haughty.
You get the sense
that the apostle Paul
is exercising authority.
This delegated authority
that is issued
from the command
of God
for the apostle Paul
and the same authority
exercised
under the operation
and instruction
of God
from his word
to command
the same things
in the church.
Paul's life
and ministry
pointed
to the Lord Jesus
and the life
and ministry
that we are all having
wherever that ministry
takes you.
If that ministry
takes you
into the school,
if that ministry
takes you
into the workplace,
if that ministry
takes you
into your community,
your neighborhood,
wherever that ministry
takes you,
you must be
a representative
of Christ.
How does the world
see Christ
in you?
Paul was sent
by Christ.
In verse 2,
we see that Timothy
will be sustained
by Christ.
So while Paul
is sent by Christ,
he wants to encourage
Timothy
to understand
that whatever
strengthening,
motivating,
preserving power
that Timothy
will enjoy,
it will come
from one source
and one source only,
from Jesus Christ
himself.
Notice,
to Timothy,
my true child
in the faith,
grace,
mercy,
and peace
from where?
From God,
the Father,
and Christ Jesus
our Lord.
There's so much
we could say
about the relationship
of the Apostle Paul
to Timothy
and how that all
came about
and how young
Timothy was
when he was
kind of commissioned
by his church
and kind of given
over to the Apostle Paul
for the work
of ministry
and growing
and learning
and being established
and the work
of his,
Timothy's mother
and grandmother,
Lois and Eunice
and the work
that they did
to train up
and raise Timothy
in the right things.
2 Timothy 3.15
says,
and from a child,
Timothy,
you've known
the Holy Scriptures.
Well,
who did that?
Well,
his mom and grandma
did that.
Lois and Eunice
did that.
From a child,
you've known
the Holy Scriptures
that have made you
wise to salvation
through faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ.
But in a very real sense,
as a young man,
Timothy was handed over
to Paul
to do ministry
and to learn ministry
from him
and as a result
of the investment
of the Apostle Paul,
there was this
deep affection
that happens
between these two men
and Timothy
becomes useful
for ministry
so the Apostle Paul
writes,
in Philippians 2,
verses 19-23,
speaking and describing
his usefulness.
I hope in the Lord Jesus
to send Timothy
to you soon
so that I too
may be cheered
by the news of you
for I have no one
like him
who will be genuinely
concerned for your welfare.
No one like him
who will care for you
like Timothy
for they all seek
their own interests,
not those of Jesus Christ,
but you know
Timothy's proven character,
his proven worth.
How as a son
with a father
he has served
with me in the gospel.
I hope therefore
to send him
just as soon
as I see
how it will go
with me.
The Apostle Paul
in sending Timothy
to Philippi
and sending Timothy
here to Ephesus
and not only
a representative
of the Apostle Paul
but especially
as a representative
of Jesus Christ
in helping
to convey
the doctrines
that will preserve
this church.
But in all
of the foray
and all of the distress
and all of the frustration
that happens
with spiritual leadership
and all the conflict
that Timothy
is about to experience
in following through
with the commands
that Paul
is about to give,
all of the hardship
he's going to face,
the only answer,
the only help
that he will ever give
will be help
that will come from God.
grace,
mercy,
and peace
from God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Timothy,
look to God
for your help.
Look to God
for your help
and salvation
and encouragement
and strength.
So we need to remember,
we need to remember
that Christ
is the head
of the church.
We need to understand
that he is preeminent
over his church.
In verses 3 to 4
we come to see
the foundation
of the church.
Remember,
the foundation
of the church.
Not only the head
of the church
but the foundation.
And here we're going
to see in verses 3 and 4
that foundation
is the foundation
of truth.
The foundation
of truth.
He says,
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.
Any different doctrine.
Now you may
or may not know
that the church
of Ephesus
was established
on the apostle Paul's
third missionary journey.
You might remember
that the apostle Paul
on his second missionary journey
had tried to go
to Asia
but God closed the door.
He tried to go
to Bithynia
but God closed the door.
So he gets this
Macedonian call
in a vision.
He ends up going
to Philippi
and the ministry
will happen there.
On his return trip
to Jerusalem
he stops in
to Ephesus
and would love
to have stayed
but he's unable.
He comes back now
on the third missionary journey
and we find
the effects
of that work.
By the way
it was a port city
in Asia.
Now finally
Paul is in Asia
and here's what happens
in his ministry
in Ephesus.
In Acts chapter 19
verses 8 to 10
it says this,
And he entered
the synagogues
and for three months
spoke boldly
reasoning and persuading them
about the kingdom of God.
But when some
became stubborn
and continued
in unbelief
speaking evil
of the way
before the congregation
he withdrew from them
and took the disciples
with him
reasoning daily
in the hall of Tyranus.
This continued
for two years
so that all
the residents of Asia
heard the word
of the Lord
both Jews
and Greeks.
This was a church
that was established
on the truth.
A truth
that the apostle Paul
like no other city
had spent
significant time
investing
in the leaders
and the people
of this church
so they were
full up
with the doctrine
of God.
The apostle Paul
was dealing
with the leaders
in Ephesus
in such a way
that unlike
any other church
that I'm familiar
with in the book
of Acts
in particular
had access
to one of the
preeminent scholars
of the day
the apostle Paul.
And this ministry
in Ephesus
flourished
to such a degree
that we find
in Acts chapter 19
verse 20
that the word
of the Lord
continued to increase
and prevail
mightily.
And so while God
may have shut
the door
to the apostle Paul's
ministry
to Asia at large
here he is
in this port city
of Ephesus
and a result
of his ministry
there
in teaching
the word of God
it says
all of Asia
heard the word.
Jews and Gentiles.
God had a better plan.
God's better plan
was to send
the
to mobilize
his people
to make disciples
in that place.
God
allowed
the apostle Paul
to help them
understand
the
excuse me
the significance
of doctrine
and so Ephesus
becomes the center
of Christian activity.
Not only
would Timothy
remain here
but will
church history
will tell us
that the apostle John
also spent
a great deal
of time
in this city.
But notice
in verse 3
what the apostle Paul
says.
He says
charge some
that they teach
no other
doctrine.
This word
other doctrine
is a word
that the apostle Paul
kind of invents
for his purposes.
He puts two words
together.
This word
other
and there are two
Greek words
for other
one is
different
of a different kind
and one is
different
of the same kind.
Here
the word
is different
of another kind.
So it's not even
close
to the original.
It's a gospel
that is totally
unrelated.
It's a gospel
that is totally
different
totally distant.
The apostle Paul
will use
the same
kind of word
for other
when he's speaking
to the church
of Galatia
and helping
to expose
the teaching
that's happening
there.
In Galatians
chapter 1
verses 6
to 8
he says
I'm astounded
that you are
so quickly
deserting him
who called you
in the grace
of Christ
and are turning
to a different
gospel.
not that there
is another one
but there are
some who
would trouble
you
and want
to distort
the gospel
of Christ.
But even
if we are
an angel
from heaven
should preach
to you
a gospel
contrary
to the one
that we
preach to you
let him
be accursed.
Whatever
was taking
place
in Ephesus
whatever
the apostle
Paul
is addressing
is a different
kind
of teaching
that is totally
unrelated
to the original
and because
it was totally
unrelated
it was
totally
unnecessary
and dangerous
and risky
for those
living
in that
city
to hear.
It was going
to totally
dislodge
their hearts
the possibility
of their hearts
being diverted
and taken away
in order for the
church to remain
healthy
it needed to be
established
in the truth
but in order
for the church
to be healthy
it also needed
to be sustained
by faithful
leaders
sustained
by faithful
leaders
notice
I urged you
he says
there again
in verse 3
when I was
going to Macedonia
remain at Ephesus
so that you may
charge
certain persons
not to teach
any different
doctrine
Timothy was
exhorted
to exert
spiritual
leadership
these disputes
over secondary
matters
where the Bible
was not clear
became the subject
of conversation
and argument
what seemed
to get the most
attention
were these
myths
and genealogies
there seems
to be this
competition
that is happening
among the various
leaders in the church
whoever they were
they were
they were focused
and they concentrated
their energy
on things that
were uncertain
things that were
unhelpful
things that gathered
a following
to themselves
things that
led to disputes
things that
exposed these
teachers as being
ignorant and
unfit for the
task
as we work
our way through
the letter of
Timothy
we'll see
more of
the flavor
of this teaching
as it addresses
various areas
of life
but Timothy
notice was not
to remain
passive
Timothy
was not
to remain
on the sidelines
Timothy
was not
to stand
at a distance
Timothy
was to engage
if he was
going to help
this church
remain as a
pillar and
buttress of
the truth
he needed
to remove
these empty
talkers
Timothy
though young
was encouraged
to exercise
his spiritual
authority
to admonish
these teachers
to cease
Paul's instruction
is clear
charge
certain persons
command
certain persons
and this word
by the way
is
aggressive
it's stern
to command
to order
to direct
to give
instruction
it's a word
that's used
both in the
military
and in legal
terms
so in other
words the
apostle Paul
is telling
him to
exercise
the authority
as a general
or as a
judge
to be
strict
to be
official
to be
authoritative
to command
these teachers
to stop
this is
forceful
this is not
gentle
this is direct
and uncompromising
and strong
but this was for
the sake
of maintaining
and establishing
truth
because truth
alone would help
this church
to remain
and to stand
the test of time
demonstrates the
kind of leadership
and authority
that Timothy
was to exercise
over this
congregation
and we turn
to our next
purpose statement
remember
the purpose
of the church
why was Timothy
supposed to act
this way
what was the
motivation
for this kind
of command
this kind
of force
this kind
of pressure
we find
the purpose
of that command
in verses 5
to 7
notice
the aim
of our charge
is love
love
that issues
from a pure
heart
a good conscience
sincere faith
certain persons
by swerving
from these
have wandered
away
into vain
discussions
desiring
to be teachers
of the law
without understanding
either what
they are saying
or the things
about which
they make
confident
assertions
this word
for aim
is the word
tell us
it's the word
end
it's the word
that points
to result
or purpose
the reason
why I'm
telling you
to do this
Timothy
is because
of love
that is the
goal
that is the
motive
that is the
destination
those are the
kinds of
people
that real
truth is
meant to
create
to help
to
engage
and nurture
individuals
who love
one another
individuals
who first
have a love
for God
and then
have a love
for one another
Paul's
directive
seems forceful
and strong
but underneath
the surface
of this
command
is a desire
for love
Paul understands
the significance
of the spiritual
drift
the doctrinal
drift
that can happen
and what
that will do
in the hearts
and minds
of individuals
who are led
astray
these individuals
who are wondering
their faith
is not sincere
and this is a
word
that is
contrasted
with hypocrisy
it's not the
kind of
hypocritical
faith
but the
kind of
sincere
faith
we find
a little more
of their
motivation
in
1st Timothy
chapter 6
verse 5
speaking about
the same
group of
individuals
talking about
constant
friction
among people
who are
depraved
in mind
and deprived
of the
truth
imagining
that godliness
is a means
of gain
under it all
was a love
for self
and especially
a love
for comfort
and money
and promoting
their own
welfare
they had
wandered away
this wandering
away comes
from a verb
that means
to be wide
of the mark
or shoot
past
the goal
any of you
who've
understood
the significance
of wandering
maybe
you've been
on a trail
and you
have gotten
lost
on this trail
how many
individuals
even over
the past
year
because of
wandering
and
hiking
out in
open spaces
especially
in places
where there's
no water
or resources
the danger
of those
kinds of
things
going back
several years
we had a
wanderer
in our
home
and one
of our
kids
who go
nameless
one of
our
children
at
age
one
and a
half
my wife
and I
we were
out
counseling
an
individual
and
this
little
person
decided
that they
were going
to explore
and wander
on their
own
and so
they
walked
out
of the
front
door
as a
little
toddler
trying
to
figure
out
and
find
where
to
go
and
they
wandered
across
our
front
lawn
they
crossed
the
street
they
wanted
to
go
to
the
park
and
there
they
were
enjoying
the
park
and
no
one
knew
where
they
were
the
wandering
that
opens
us
up
to
danger
kind
of
wandering
especially
as a
year
and a
half
year old
and
fortunately
there
was
someone
who
saw
all of
this
happen
saw
the
door
open
saw
this
little
wanderer
walk
out
and
toddle
down
the
stairs
and
across
the
street
over
the
park
saw
this
young
person
in our
home
brought
him
back
and
yes
I blew
it
didn't
I
you were
all thinking
of it
anyway
so
the danger
of wandering
and it
wasn't long
after
the same
little
wanderer
decided
to follow
after
his
mom
who
was
taking
a
dog
for
the
walk
at
two
years
old
walked
all the
way
down
the
street
about
a hundred
yards
and then
turned
the
corner
and
hey
neighbor
across
the street
is that
your
little
person
walking
down
the
street
we
understand
the
significance
of
wandering
and
if
anybody
of us
understand
the
significance
or the
danger
of
wandering
then
this
element
of
love
is
what's
going
to
bolster
our
heart
to
respond
we
cannot
be
silent
we
cannot
allow
wanderers
to have
their
way
we
cannot
as
people
who
love
stand
at a
distance
because
we're
concerned
about
the
potential
conflict
or the
potential
risk
of
relationship
we
will
engage
we'll
do
what we
have to
do
to
draw
those
wanderers
back
because
of
love
for
those
who
are
part
of
our
body
our
fellowship
finally
remember
the
people
of
the
church
remember
the
people
of
the
church
it
says
here
in
verse
8
now
we
know
that
the
law
is
good
if
one
uses
it
lawfully
understanding
this
the
law
is
not
laid
down
for
the
just
but
for
the
lawless
and
disobedient
for
the
ungodly
and
sinner
for
the
unholy
and
profane
for
those
who
strike
their
fathers
and
mothers
for
murderers
the
sexually
immoral
men
who
practice
homosexuality
enslavers
liars
perjurers
and whatever
else is
contrary
to sound
doctrine
in
accordance
with the
gospel
of the
glory
of the
blessed
God
with
which
I
have
been
entrusted
remembered
the
people
of the
church
now I
know
that
this is
about
the
law
and the
law
is
good
but the
law
is good
because
it helps
you and
I
consistently
come to
terms
with who
we are
every one
of us
in this
room
are in
this
list
and by
God's
grace
because of
what we
find at the
end
in
accordance
with the
gospel
of the
glory
of the
blessed
God
with whom
we've
been
entrusted
it is
that
gospel
that has
taken us
from where
we are
and has
now placed
us into
Christ
and has
given us
access
to his
righteousness
but every
one of us
in this
room
fit
the category
of sinners
that the
apostle Paul
is talking
about here
don't
forget
who
you are
and as
we come
to terms
with who
we are
we come
to realize
the wonder
of the
grace of
God for
us
we come
to terms
with
understanding
that if
this is
his church
and he's
bought us
with his
precious
blood
then we
have an
obligation
as his
people
to please
him
and worship
him
and to
seek to
do that
which is
consistent
with his
standard
Jesus
himself
says this
in Luke
chapter 5
verse 22
kind of a
summary
of what we
read
I have not
come
he says
to call
the righteous
but sinners
to repentance
there's
this equalizing
force
that happens
when the law
is used
the right way
the law
is meant
to expose
who we
really are
and the law
is meant
to point us
to the reality
of our need
that need
that can only
be found
in Jesus
Christ
himself
and so
even this
morning
even now
the question
is
is the law
for you
have you
come to a
place of
recognizing
that you're
in this list
that you are
one of the
number of the
unholy and
profane
one of the
number of
those who
perhaps have
even stricken
your father
or mother
one who's been
sexually immoral
one who struggles
and has maybe
even participated
in homosexuality
one who's a liar
a perjurer
I love this
all encompassing
category
and anything else
that is out of
bounds
with sound
doctrine
have you come
to the place
of recognizing
who you are
as a sinner
and have you
come to
understand
that you
will never
enjoy
freedom
from sin
without
the forgiveness
of God
have you
done that
have you
enjoyed
and experienced
the benefit
of the saving
cleansing
power
of God
has he made
you one
with himself
by forgiving
your sin
paying for it
on the cross
rising
again
and
and for those
of us
who've come
to terms
with that
and have
recognized
who we really
are
has it created
in our hearts
a tenderness
to those
who
who are
like what we
were
rather than
posturing
ourselves
as those
who are
looking down
on all those
ungodly
riffraff
that we've
come to a place
of recognizing
oh they're not
a whole lot
unlike what I
was
has it created
in your heart
a tenderness
to those
who also
need
Jesus
and a zeal
and desire
to make sure
that the people
that God
has put
in your way
whether they're
neighbors
or family
or students
fellow classmates
whoever they might be
is there a burden
on your heart
to use the law
in a way
to
to lead them
to
the great law
giver
and the one
who alone
fulfilled the law
Jesus Christ
have you placed
your trust in him
have you given
your life to him
have you asked him
to be your savior
to forgive you
of sin
and to
exercise his
authority
over your life
may God help us
to be those
who walk in step
as a healthy church
in coming to know
our head
in coming to understand
the foundation
of the church
and that is the truth
of the word
that are oriented
in a way
that love drives us
and so as
disciples of Christ
what does Jesus say
to his disciples
on the night
before his crucifixion
they will know
you're my disciples
by your
love
do the people
in this world
know that you
belong to Christ
because of
the love
they see
in your life
and not
polluted
kind of love
not
not blended
kind of love
not worldly love
but the kind of love
we're talking about
here
the uncompromising
love of God
that comes
through the gospel
that kind of love
and it's God
helping us
as the people
of the church
to come to terms
with our desperate
need for a savior
Lord thank you
for this
great word
and for the opportunity
we have to look
over the next
several weeks
be reminded of
what a healthy church
looks like
Lord we
as we evaluate
our own lives
we know how
how far we need
to go
may that not
discourage us
or disappoint us
but Lord may it
invigorate us
to be the kinds
of people
you've called us
to be
thank you for
this opportunity
this morning
to look into
the scriptures
thank you for
Jesus
for the example
that he said
thank you for
the spirit
and your indwelling
reality
in our lives
enabling and
strengthening us
thank you
for the word of God
that gives us
clear instructions
and Lord thank you
for the people
of God
that can encourage
us
and strengthen us
and even confront
us
when necessary
God may we be
faithful
servants and
representatives of you
in Jesus name
amen
God bless you
have a great week
miracle
Thank you.