I Timothy (NIV) | Grace | Vision | Character | Scripture | Service | Contentment | Sources | Thanks

TIMOTHY was a young church leader whom the Apostle Paul had trained as a disciple of Jesus Christ. He had grown up in a Jewish home and had been well schooled in the Old Testament Scriptures since childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). Timothy had been sent by Paul on a troubleshooting mission to the church at Ephesus, a church which Paul had had a significant role in establishing (Acts 19 and 20).

This letter consists mainly of instruction from the Apostle authorizing Timothy to correct the divergent thinking and deal with several difficulties that the church at Ephesus was encountering, and which threatened the church and the personal spiritual well-being of the believers who were part of it. But clearly, Paul had more in mind than discussing what was unhealthy in the church. 1 Timothy also re-establishes the boundary lines of healthy Christian faith. The expressions, "the truths of the faith," "the good (healthy or lit. hygienic) teaching" (4:6), and "sound (healthy) instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ" and "godly teaching" (6:3) indicate he had this intention. Our goal in this survey outline of 1 Timothy is to identify the traits of healthy faith which Paul indirectly sets out in this letter. The purpose of this study is to encourage and strengthen young Christians today, who I believe are facing circumstances similar to Timothy's. The aim is to provide Biblical guidelines for cultivating a healthy faith that impacts and outlasts their generation the way Paul's, Timothy's, and the First Century church's faith did.

1. GRACE: The Transforming Principle Chapter 1 God's grace transforms us from the inside. It is what Jesus referred to when he spoke of his gift of life as "a spring of water welling up" within us. Grace is the foundational component of healthy faith. Maintaining our focus on what the Bible says about grace, and living by grace, sustains an ongoing process of personal and church spiritual renewal that results in . . . a. v.3-7 Promotion of love b. v.8-11 Balanced understanding of the Law its proper use v.8 its main purpose v.9-10 its relationship to the Gospel v.11a c. v.12-17 Acknowledgement and deep personal appreciation of Christ's love His call to us to be His servants though we are unworthy v.12-14 His unfailing mercy and patience with us even at our worst v.15-17 d. v.18-20 Motivation to "fight the good fight" 2. VISION: The Guiding Purpose Chapter 2 Healthy faith has direction. It understands why we're here, what life's purpose is. Without vision, we're susceptible to trivial distractions which result in disunity, dilution of the truth, unfruitfulness and spiritual aimlessness. Vision is the compass that helps us stick to "the main thing" Jesus gave us to do-fulfill his Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1) a. v.1-7 Prayer for others keeps us focused on our reason for being here--God's heart for a lost world b. v.8 Resolving anger among fellow believers keeps us focused "upward" c. v.9&10 Preoccupation with good deeds (vs. good looks) gives credibility to the faith we profess before the watching world d. v.11-15 Ordered relationships and priorities in marriage and the home leads to eternally significant outcomes 3. CHARACTER: The Overriding Influence Chapter 3 In the evaluating leadership influence, concern for integrity and quality of character is sometimes considered not to be as significant as tangible skills and proven results. The Apostle Paul looks at things differently. His concern is primarily about character. a. v.1-13 Character standards for leaders in the church elders (pastors) v.1-7 deacons v.8-13 b. v.14-16 Why quality character is important in the church because the church is --the household of God --the church of the living God --the pillar and the ground of the truth v.14 and 15 because of the church's great ("mega") and godly message v.16 4. SCRIPTURE: The Unfailing Authority Chapter 4 "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1). Today, as when this letter to Timothy was written, the world has lots of religion and philosophy advocated by the voices and writings of many intelligent and authoritative people. How do we know what's right? How do we avoid becoming uncertain if not skeptical and cynical about knowing what's true, as so many others have become? How do we maintain a healthy sense of certainty and conviction in the face of so many contradictory ideas? On what basis do we know that we know what we believe. The Scriptures provide that foundation. a. v.1-5 For discerning and defining falsehood what the Spirit is saying    what is Satanic/demonic/evil what is and is not forbidden what God is like what "the faith" is who is lying who God is what God approves b. v.6-16 For effectively serving Christ training to "point things out" to others v. 6-8 purpose and motivation in laboring for Christ v. 9 and 10 establishing priorities in teaching about Christ v.11-14 perseverance and evaluation of progress in serving Christ v.15 and 16 5. SERVICE: The Underlying Mission Chapter 5 The primary reason Jesus left heaven and came to earth was to serve. That was his mission (see Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45). And, it is the mission he passed on to his disciples: " . . . I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example . . . " ( John 13). Serving was a hallmark of the church from its inception and still is today. Healthy faith will be characterized by healthy service. a. v.1&2 In humility towards the older generation towards peers of both sexes b. v.3-16 With responsibility the church's responsibility v.3 (v.9 and 16b) the family's responsibility v.4 (v.7 and 8) individual responsibility v.5 and 6, 9 and 10, v.16a c. v.17-25 With accountability accountability to church leaders v.17 and 18 accountability to the church v.19 and 20 accountability to God v.21-25 6. CONTENTMENT: The Liberating Attitude Chapter 6 Transitioning from the topic of service in the previous chapter, the apostle addresses an attitude which is necessary if we are going to stay focused and energized as servants of Jesus Christ, the Good News, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is one of the main kingdom issues Jesus addressed in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:19-34). We can't have healthy faith without this. a. v.1-5 Discerning contentment (or the lack of it) in work relationships v.1 and 2 in ministry relationships v.3-5 b. v.6-10 Defining contentment what I presume about myself v.7 what I require for myself v.8 what I "want" (purpose, settled desire) v.9 what I "love" (affection) v.10 a what I am "eager for" (stretch out after) v.10b c. v.11-21 Developing contentment flee v.11a pursue v.11b struggle ("fight," lit. agonize) v.12 obey v.13-19 --a command to Timothy v.13-16 --a command to "those who are rich" v.17-19 protect v.20 and 21

Outline based on Sunday messages presented in the Fall of 1996. Recommended Sources Gordon Fee, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, New International Biblical Commentary, Hendrickson Publishers, 1984 Craig S. Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary, Inter Varsity Press, 1993 John MacArthur, 1 Timothy, MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Moody Press, 1995 Thanks! I want to thank my daughter Elisabeth for inspiring me to pursue this survey of 1 Timothy. We spent five days and covered 60 miles backpacking together on Isle Royale in August 1996. During that time we read through 1 and 2 Timothy together and discussed it. As we did, I realized how applicable this instruction is in our day. It is a special joy to me to see Lis' pursuit of the healthy faith Paul talks about in this letter. --Steve Wilson

For more information, contact Evangel Baptist Church, Dr. Steve Wilson, Pastor 1114 College Avenue, Houghton, MI 49931 906/482-6626, evangelhoughtonmi@sbcglobal.net Go to Top of Page Resources Home Page Evangel Home Page Welcome A Closer Look Feature Article Calendar