Good morning,

This week we will look at 1 Timothy 1.

Timothy was a young preacher, lead to Christ by Paul. Paul is now writing to Timothy words of encouragement, challenge, and a charge on how to best minister to the church at Ephesus.

We will look at an introduction to 1 Timothy, the warning against false teachers, the Lord’s grace to Paul, and the purpose of Paul’s instruction to Timothy.

Greeting (1 Timothy 1:1-2)

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

Warning against false teachers (1 Timothy 1:3-11)

The nature of the heresy (1 Timothy 1:3-7)

“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, ⁴ Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. ⁵ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:⁶ From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;⁷ Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.”

People were opposing the presentation of the gospel. They taught false doctrine, engaged others in meaningless debates, and claimed to be leaders of the faith. Their motives were not pure. They lacked love.

Paul tells Timothy to teach the Ephesians correct doctrine in love.

When we present the gospel to others, we must do it in love. Not argumentative or being overbearing. Love wins people to Christ.

The purpose of the Law (1 Timothy 1:8-11)

 ^“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;⁹ Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,¹⁰ For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;¹¹ According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

What was the purpose of the law? To show men and women that they were sinners who could not keep the law. They needed a blood atonement for their sins. God directed them to sacrifice animals. However, that was not sufficient.

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.² For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.³ But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.⁴ For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:1-4)

The law points the lost to Jesus. He is the perfect lamb of God sacrificed for the sins of all mankind.

“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:¹² But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;¹³ From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.” (Hebrews 10:11-13)

We need to tell others about how Jesus paid the sin debt that we owed, but could not pay.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will look at 1 Timothy 1.

Timothy was a young preacher, lead to Christ by Paul. Paul is now writing to Timothy words of encouragement, challenge, and a charge on how to best minister to the church at Ephesus.

We will look at an introduction to 1 Timothy, the warning against false teachers, the Lord’s grace to Paul, and the purpose of Paul’s instruction to Timothy.

Introduction to 1 Timothy

AUTHOR: The apostle Paul, as stated in the salutation (1Ti 1:1). The internal evidence certainly supports Paul as the author, especially references to his earlier life (1Ti 1:13), and the close relationship between the author and Timothy (1Ti 1:2; cf. Ph 2:22).

RECIPIENT: Timothy, Paul’s “true son in the faith” (1Ti 1:2,18). We are first introduced to Timothy in Ac 16:1-3, where we learn that his mother was Jewish (cf. also 2 Ti 1:5; 3:14-15) and his father Greek. Well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium, Paul desired that the young disciple travel with him and therefore had him circumcised to accommodate Jews they would seek to evangelize. This began a long relationship of service together in the work of the Lord, in which Timothy served Paul as a son would his father (Ph 2:19-24). Such service included not only traveling with Paul, but remaining with new congregations when Paul had to leave suddenly (Ac 17:13-14), going back to encourage such congregations (1 Th 3:1-3), and serving as Paul’s personal emissary (1 Co 16:10-11; Ph 2:19-24). He had the honor of joining Paul in the salutation of several epistles written by Paul (2 Co 1:1; Ph 1:1; Co 1:1; 1 Th 1:1; 2 Th 1:1), and from such epistles we learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his imprisonment at Rome. Such faithful service helps us to appreciate why Paul would leave him in Ephesus (1Ti 1:3)

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: 

Paul wrote this epistle from Macedonia, following his first imprisonment in Rome (cf. Ac 28:16, 30-31). Paul was released and allowed to travel for several years before being arrested again and finally put to death by Nero. It is possible to conjecture from several references in his epistles that he went to places like Philippi (Ph 1:26; 2:24), Colossae (Phile 22), and even Spain (Ro 15:24,28). With more certainty his destinations included Ephesus (where he left Timothy, 1 Ti 1:3), Macedonia (where he wrote 1st Timothy, 1 Ti 1:3), Crete (where he left Titus, Tit 1:5), Miletus (2 Ti 4:20), Corinth (2 Ti 4:20), and a winter at Nicopolis (Tit 3:12). Any attempt to determine the exact order of these visits is pure speculation, however. If 1st Timothy was indeed written during this period, the date would be around 63-64 A.D.

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: Paul had left Timothy behind at Ephesus with an awesome responsibility: to charge some not to teach anything contrary to the “sound doctrine” which was according to the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” (1Ti 1:3-11). Fulfilling this charge was made difficult by Timothy’s youth and natural timidity (1Ti 4:11-12; cf. 2 Ti 1:7-8). While Paul hoped to come himself, he writes Timothy to guide him in the meantime (1 Ti 3:14-15).

So how does this impact us?

When Paul got saved, he began the life long mission of learning about Christ, proclaiming Christ, and discipling or equipping others.

What have we done since we have been saved? It is our responsibility to know and obey God’s word. If we are doing that, then the natural outcome will be an overwhelming desire to tell others about how they can become believers in Christ. Once the lost become saved, then they need to learn about who Jesus is, what the Bible says, how that applies to them, and be challenged to share their faith with others.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

This is what the great commission is all about. Reaching the world for Christ.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Are we doing our part?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

God rules His world. He made it, He sustains it, He cares for it, and sent His Son to die for its lost sinners.

This short devotion speaks to the fact that God s in charge.

Such a god should be derided, not worshiped!

(William S. Plumer, “Providence Asserted” 1856)

“Our God is in Heaven; He does whatever pleases Him!” Psalm 115:3

“The Lord does whatever pleases Him, throughout all Heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.” Psalm 135:6

To deny God’s providence is as atheistic as to deny His existence.

Nothing more derogatory to the character of God can possibly be said, than that He does not rule His world.

The world may as well be without a God, as have one who is incompetent to rule it.

A God, who neither sees, nor hears, nor knows, nor cares, nor helps, nor saves–is a vanity, and can never claim homage from intelligent men. Such a god should be derided, not worshiped!

“The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble!” Psalm 99:1

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!” Revelation 19:6
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Succinct and to the point.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The gospel of Christ changes the hearts of men, women, and children. It takes them from sinners to saints. Their lives are forever changed.

The only effectual means for reforming mankind

(Letters of John Newton)

The Gospel of Christ, the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, is the only effectual means for reforming mankind.

To the man who possesses and knows the use of this grand, this wonderful machine, if I may be allowed the comparison–what is otherwise impossible becomes easy.

The Gospel removes difficulties insurmountable to human power.
It causes the blind to see,
it causes the deaf to hear;
it softens the heart of stone, and
raises the dead in trespasses and sins, to a life of righteousness.

No force but that of the Gospel is sufficient . . .
  to remove the mountainous load of guilt from an awakened conscience,
  to calm the violence of tumultuous passions,
  to raise an earthly soul from groveling in the mire of sensuality or avarice–to a spiritual and divine life, a life of communion with God.

No system but the Gospel can communicate motives, encouragements, and prospects–sufficient to withstand and counteract all the snares and temptations with which the spirit of this world, by its frowns or its smiles, will endeavor either to intimidate or to bribe us from the path of duty.

But the Gospel, rightly understood and cordially embraced, will inspire the slothful with energy and the fearful with courage. It will . . .
  make the miser generous,
  melt the grouch into kindness,
  tame the raging tiger in the bosom, and,
  in a word, expand the narrow selfish heart and fill it with a spirit of love to God, cheerful unreserved obedience to His will, and benevolence to mankind.
   ~  ~  ~  ~

The Gospel is:

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.⁷ After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.⁸ And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

The result of the Gospel is:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotion is a warning to all of us. We easily discount little sins. The fact is that little sins become big sins eventually.

It is but a little sin!

(Thomas Brooks)

“So that Satan will not outsmart us–for we are familiar with his evil schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

“Ah!” says Satan, “It is but a little sin–a little pride, a little worldliness, a little lust, etc. You may commit it without any danger to your soul. It is but a little one.”

But there is great danger, yes, many times most danger, in the smallest sins.

Greater sins sooner startle the soul, and awaken and rouse up the soul to repentance, than lesser sins do. Little sins often slide into the soul, and breed, and work secretly and indiscernibly in the soul–until they come to be so strong as to trample upon the soul, and to cut the throat of the soul!

Little sins multiplied, become great sins. There is nothing less than a grain of sand, yet there is nothing heavier than the sand of the sea when multiplied.

Little sins are very dangerous!
A little leaven, leavens the whole lump.
A little hole in the ship, sinks it.
A small breach in a dyke, carries away all before it.
A little stab at the heart, kills a man.

Many are eternally undone by the ‘little sins’, as they call them, that are nourished in their own bosoms.

A little sin, without a great deal of mercy, will damn a man!
 
If the serpent sneaks in his head, he will draw in his whole body after him!

Though the scorpion is little, yet will it sting a lion to death!

Just so, a little sin may at once bar the door of Heaven, and open the gates of Hell!

The least sin is contrary . . .
  to the law of God,
  to the nature of God,
  to the being of God,
  and to the glory of God!
Therefore it is often punished severely by God.

The least sin will damn us–if not pardoned by the death of Christ!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

John Flavel: 
Perhaps the smallness of the sin is urged as a reason why you may commit it: “It is . . .
  but a little sin,
  but a small matter,
  but a trifle!”
 
But, if you commit this little sin–you will offend a great God! Is there any little Hell to torment little sinners in? No! The least sinners in Hell are full of misery! There is great wrath treasured up for those whom the world regard as little sinners.
 
The less the sin–the less the inducement you should have to commit it. Will you provoke God for a trifle? Will you destroy your peace, wound your conscience, and grieve the Spirit–all for nothing? What madness is this!
   ~  ~  ~  ~

We should not trifle with sin. None!

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Do we choose to sin and suffer eternal death in hell or to obey and have eternal life in heaven?

It is our choice.

Choose life!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotion was written years ago.

However, you will see that is taken right out of todays news. The struggle for universal equality.

Yet the same reasons it could not happen in Ryle’s time, is the same reason it can’t happen today.

Riches and Poverty!

(J.C. Ryle, “Riches and Poverty!“)

Many in every age have disturbed society by stirring up the poor against the rich. But so long as the world is under the present order of things, universal equality cannot be attained.

So long as . . .
  some are wise, and some are foolish;
  some are strong, and some are weak;
  some are healthy, and some are diseased;
so long as children reap the fruit of their parent’s misconduct;
so long as sun, and rain, and heat, and cold, and wind, and waves, and drought, and blight, and storm, and tempest are beyond man’s control–so long will there be inequality in this world.

Take all the property in England by force this day, and divide it equally among the inhabitants. Give every person over twenty years old an equal portion. Let all share alike, and begin the world over again. Do this, and see where you would be at the end of fifty years. You would just have come round to the point where you began! You would just find things as unequal as before!

   Some would have worked–and some would have been lazy;
   some would have been always careless–and some always scheming;
   some would have sold–and others would have bought;
   some would have wasted–and others would have saved.
And the end would be that some would be rich–and others would be poor.

We might as well say . . .
  that all people ought to be of the same height, weight, strength, and cleverness;
  or that all oak trees ought to be of the same shape and size;
  or that all blades of grass ought to be of the same length
–as that all people were meant to be equal.

Settle it in your mind that the main cause of all the suffering you see around you, is sin. Sin is the grand cause . . .
  of the enormous luxury of the rich–and the painful degradation of the poor;
  of the heartless selfishness of the highest classes–and the helpless poverty of the lowest.

Sin must be first cast out of the world;
the hearts of all people must be renewed and sanctified;
the devil must be bound;
the Prince of Peace must come down and take His great power and reign
–all this must be before there ever can be universal happiness, or the gulf be filled up which now divides the rich and poor.

Beware of expecting a millennium to be brought about . . .
  by any method of government,
  by any system of education,
  or by any political party.

Labor to do good to all men; pity your poorer brethren, and help every reasonable endeavor to raise them from their low estate. Do not slacken your hand from any endeavor . . .
  to increase knowledge,
  to promote morality,
  to improve the temporal condition of the poor.

But never, never forget . . .
  that you live in a fallen world,
  that sin is all around you,
  and that the devil is abroad.
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Things have not changed.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Pithy gems from Thomas Watson #3

What good will it do a man when he is in Hell, that others think he has gone to Heaven?
   ~  ~  ~  ~
Godliness consists in a harmony between holy principles and holy practices. 
   ~  ~  ~  ~
How can the unrepentant sinner be merry, who is heir to all God’s curses, and does not know how soon he may take up his lodgings among the damned?
   ~  ~  ~  ~
The more bitterness we taste in sin, the more sweetness we shall taste in Christ!
   ~  ~  ~  ~
Christ is never sincerely loved, until sin is sincerely loathed!
   ~  ~  ~  ~
He a fool, who minds his recreation more than his salvation!
   ~  ~  ~  ~
The greatest judgment God lays upon a man in this life, is to let him sin without hindrance.
   ~  ~  ~  ~
He who hides one rebel in his house is a traitor to the Crown.
Just so, he who indulges one sin is a traitorous hypocrite.
   ~  ~  ~  ~
It is better to go with difficulty to Heaven, than with ease to Hell! “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able!” Luke 13:24
   ~  ~  ~  ~
True happiness consists not in beauty, honor, riches (the world’s trinity)–but in the forgiveness of sin. “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!” Psalm 32:1  
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Read these words of wisdom and then seek God for their application. There are challenges for each of us in this devotion.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Yesterday we looked time in relationship to salvation.

Today, we look at time as a talent. We will see that we are accountable for how we use the time we are allotted.

We are challenged specifically to do things that have eternal consequences.

A jewel of more worth than a world!

(Thomas Brooks, “The Hypocrite Detected”)

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

Time is a jewel of more worth than a world!

Time is not yours to dispose of as you please.
It is a glorious talent, which men must be accountable for, as well as any other talent.

Of all talents, time is the hardest to improve well.

Ah, beloved, have not you need to improve your time–who have so much work to do in so short a time:
  your souls to save,
  a God to honor,
  a Christ to exalt,
  a Hell to escape,
  a race to run,
  a crown to win,
  temptations to withstand,
  corruptions to conquer,
  afflictions to bear,
  mercies to improve, and
  your generation to serve!

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
   ~  ~  ~  ~

This should make us think about how we are using our time. Hopefully, it will motivate us to do a better job managing our time. But more importantly, what we are spending our time doing.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Time is always on our minds. Our lives are led by the clock. We have planners, calendars, Day Timers, and computer programs to schedule our days. One day time will stop for us. We do not know when.

What are we doing with our time today? Are our goals kingdom goals or earthly goals. Will what we do today count for anything in eternity?

Today’s devotion challenges us to think about how we use our time.

The thread of life is held by the divine hand alone!

(Samuel Davies, “A New Year’s Gift!” January 1, 1760)

“Knowing the TIME, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep!” Romans 13:11

TIME, like an ever-running stream, is perpetually gliding on–and hurrying each of us into the boundless ocean of eternity! Consider the UNCERTAINTY of your time! You may die . . .
  the next year,
  the next month,
  the next week,
  the next hour, or
  the next moment!

I once knew a minister who, while he was speaking on this same point–was made a striking illustration of it, and instantly dropped down dead in the pulpit!

You cannot call one day of this next year your own! Before that day comes, you may be done with time–and have entered upon eternity!

People presume upon time, as if it were guaranteed to them for so many years; and this is the delusion which ruins multitudes! How many are now in eternity, who began the last year with as little expectation of death, and hopes of long life–as you have at the beginning of the present year! And this may be your doom!

Should a prophet be sent to open the book of the divine decrees to you–as Jeremiah did to Hananiah; some of you would no doubt see it written there by your name, “This very year you are going to die!” Jeremiah 28:16. Some unexpected moment in this year–will put an end to all the labors and enjoyments of the present state, and all the duties and opportunities peculiar to it!

Therefore, if sinners would repent and believe–NOW is the time, because this is the ONLY time they are certain of! Sinners, you may be in Hell before this year finishes its round–if you delay the great business of salvation any longer!

For remember, time is uncertain! Youth, health, strength, business, riches, power, wisdom, and whatever this world contains–cannot insure it. No, the thread of life is held by the divine hand alone; and God can snap it asunder, without warning, in whatever moment He pleases!

“It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that to face judgment!” Hebrews 9:27
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The foundation for living the Christian life is Christ. Everything we are is wrapped up in the person of Jesus Christ.

Read this devotional in light of that.

Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption

(Robert Traill)

“But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became:
wisdom from God,
 as well as righteousness,
 sanctification,
 and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30

Wisdom outside of Christ–is damning folly!

Righteousness outside of Christ–is guilt and condemnation!

Sanctification outside of Christ–is filth and sin!

Redemption outside of Christ–is bondage and slavery!

If a man trusts to his own righteousness, he rejects Christ’s righteousness.
If he trusts to Christ’s righteousness, he rejects his own righteousness.

I know no true religion but Christianity.

I know no true Christianity but the doctrine of Christ:
  of His divine person,
  of His divine offices,
  of His divine righteousness,
  and of His divine Spirit.

I know no true ministers of Christ, but such as make it their business to commend Jesus Christ in His saving fullness of grace and glory, to the faith and love of men.

I know no true Christian, but one united to Christ by faith, and abiding in him by faith and love, unto the glorifying of the name of Jesus Christ, in the beauties of gospel-holiness.   
   ~  ~  ~  ~

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001