Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-12
Faithful Sayings
Intro.
1. That which is faithful can be believed in; reliable, trustworthy.
2. Can be said of: Stewards (1 Cor 4:2), Christians (Eph 1:1; Col 1:2), the Lord (2 Ths 3:3), the Father (1 Cor 1:9), many others (Moses, Num 12:7)
3. Also said of God’s word, Rev 21:5; 22:6.
4. If we cannot trust the words of God then we cannot trust God, for this is the means by which He communicates His will, His blessings and His judgments to us, 1 Cor 2:11; cf. Titus 1:2 (Heb 1:1-2).
5. Reliable, dependable, trustworthy sayings from God…
I. CHRIST CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, 1 Tim 1:15.
(Worthy of our full acceptance, reliance, submission and rejoicing)
A. The Purpose of His Life and Death, Matt 1:21; 20:28; Rom 5:8.
1. Manifested to take away our sins, 1 Jno 3:5.
2. He finished His work (do not doubt Jesus saves!), Jno 17:4; 19:30.
a. Sacrifice for sin, Rom 5:8.
b. Justification (by His blood), Rom 5:9.
c. Salvation from wrath, Rom 5:9, 10 (6:23).
d. Reconciliation, Rom 5:10, 12 (atonement; change from enemy to friend); Col 1:9-20.
e. Redemption, (ransom) Rom 3:24 (1 Tim 2:6).
f. Propitiation, Rom 3:25 (appeasement, mercy, 1 Jno 2:2).
3. The grandest of all sacrifices, the greatest love ever!
B. Our Purpose: No Longer Live for Ourselves, 2 Cor 5:15; Gal 2:20.
II. DESIRE THE OFFICE OF AN ELDER: A GOOD WORK, 1 Tim 3:1 (Heb 13:17)
A. Elders do not Appear out of Nowhere: “Desire” (work).
1. “to stretch one’s self out in order to touch or to grasp something, to reach after or desire something”.
2. Younger men: prepare yourselves now.
a. Deacons, 1 Tim 3:13.
b. Wives, assist your husbands, 1 Tim 3:11.
3. Not a position to be envied; a work of service, 1 Pet 5:2-3.
a. Qualifications to meet (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
b. Work to be done: Guard flock (Acts 20:28); stop vain talkers (Tit 1:10-11); example to the flock (1 Pet 5:3).
III. GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE FOR ALL THINGS, 1 Tim 4:7-9 (6:6). (Present and future)
-“To be devout, denotes that piety which, characterized by a God-ward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him.” cf. Jno 8:29
A. The Way Life must be Lived, Titus 2:11-12.
1. Living sacrifice, Rom 12:1-2.
2. Children of light, Eph 5:8-10.
3. Dead to sin but alive to God, Rom 6:11-13.
IV. IF WE DIED WITH CHRIST, WE SHALL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM, 2 Tim 2:11.
A. We “Die” with Christ in Baptism, Rom 6:1-8.
-Died to sin (6:2), baptized into death (6:4); old man crucified (6:6); body of sin done away (6:6), freed from sin (6:7, 18); dead to sin (6:11).
B. We Live with Him through Obedient Lives of Righteousness, Rom 6:8, 16-18.
-Cannot continue living in sin and also live with Christ (6:1), Phil 3:10-11; Eph 4:20-24.
V. WE MUST BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS, Titus 3:8. (Give thought to attend to; take the lead in them; profitable to others)
A. Redeemed for this Purpose, Titus 2:14 (Eph 2:10).
1. By these we help influence others, 2 Pet 2:11-12.
2. God defines our “good works”, 2 Tim 3:17 (1 Pet 4:11).
Conclusion
1. These sayings are faithful because God said them, and
2. They deserve to be accepted and faithful application made to our lives.