Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church,
located at 905 Yadkin Street in Kingsport, Tennessee, would
like to invite you to listen to a message of sovereign grace
by their pastor, Gabe Stoniker. And now, Pastor Gabe Stoniker. I invite you to turn with me
this morning to 1 Timothy chapter 1. We're going to look at the
first eight verses of 1 Timothy chapter 1. The heading of this
book says, The First Epistle of Paul, the Apostle, to Timothy. It's a letter of instruction
and encouragement from Paul to Timothy. And this is written
to every single believer in Christ. Let's begin this by looking at
a few facts about Timothy. The first one is this. was a
Jew and his father was a Greek, a Gentile, which spiritually
is saying that his mother was a believer and his father was
not. His father was a Gentile. Because of that, Timothy was
not circumcised according to the law as a child. Now over
in 2 Timothy 1, verse 5, It says, when I call to remembrance
the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy
grandmother, Lois, and thy mother, Eunice, and I am persuaded that
in thee also. So his mother's name was Eunice
and his grandmother's name was Lois, and they were both believers. Well, turn over to Acts chapter
16 with me. Acts chapter 16 verse 1. This
is where Paul met Timothy. It says, Then came Paul, he,
to Derbe and Lystra, and behold, a certain disciple was there,
named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and
believed, but his father was a Greek. which was well reported
of, talking about Timothy, by the brethren that were at Lystra
and Iconium, him would Paul have to go forth with him, and took
and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those
quarters, for they knew all that his father was a Greek. Paul
knew that the Jews wouldn't hear Timothy and it would be a hindrance
because of his father being a Greek, so he had him circumcised. Well,
the Lord made Timothy a preacher and Paul sent Timothy out to
many of the churches and he had a lot of confidence and a lot
of respect and love for Timothy. Turn with me if you're turning
over to Philippians Philippians 2 says in verse 19, But I trust
in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also
may be of good comfort when I know your state. For I have no man
like-minded who will naturally care for your state. For all
seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But
you know the proof of him, that as a son with the Father, he
hath served with me in the gospel." Well, back over to our text in
1 Timothy 1, Paul has asked Timothy to stay in Ephesus. And he writes
a letter to him, and it's 2 and 4, the church there. He writes in verse 1, Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ. Now Timothy knows he's an apostle.
Timothy spent time with Paul. He knows this already. So this
letter is meant to be read to all believers. and it comes by
the authority of the will and commandment of God. Verse 1 says,
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our
Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. The name God our Savior belongs
to both the Father and the Son. Listen to Isaiah chapter 45.
Isaiah 45 verse 21 says this, Tell ye and bring them near. Yea, let them take counsel together. Who hath declared this from ancient
time? Who hath told it from that time?
Have not I the Lord and there is no God else beside me, a just
God and a savior. There is none beside me. That
is an amazing, amazing statement. That's the gospel. A just God. That means He will not clear
the guilty. And a Savior. A Savior of the
guilty. How can that be? Well, let's
keep reading. Back in Timothy 1, verse 1 says,
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our
Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope." Our hope. What is your hope? What is your
hope, really? Is your hope in the fact that
you've changed? You were a bad person and now you're not, in
your own eyes anyway. Is your hope in the fact that
you haven't changed? I've been a good person all my
life. I'm still a good person. I haven't gone down the wrong
path. What is your hope? We'll turn back a couple of pages
to Colossians chapter 1. Colossians 1 verse 27 says, to
whom God would make known. What is the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles? Which is Christ in you. The hope of glory. Christ in you. Christ in me. Christ in us is
our hope. Our hope is in the fact that
He never changes. I change all the time, but He is the Lord, and He changes
not, and that's why I'm not consumed. Our works is not our hope. The things we
do, that's not our hope. Our belief, I believe something
about this word. Our belief is not our hope. Our morality and our zeal is
not our hope. A plan is not our hope. But a person is our hope. A person
is our hope. The Lord Jesus Christ in us. That's our hope. Now at face
value, a person might hear that and say, well, exactly. Yeah,
I know that. But really, really stop and think just for a minute. What is your hope? Well, I go
to church. It is in Jesus, but I go to church
and that's my hope is that I go to church. Well, then that's
in a work. Well, my hope is in the fact
that I gave my heart to Jesus. Well, that's a work. Well, my
hope is in the fact that I went on ahead and was baptized. I
went down to the front. I made a confession of faith.
That's a work. That's a work. Christ in us is
the hope of salvation, the one and only. 2 Thessalonians calls
it a good hope. Hebrews 7 calls it a better hope. 1 Peter calls it a living hope. Titus calls it the hope of eternal
life. Christ alone is our hope. Turn with me over to John chapter
1. John chapter 1 verse 12 says,
but as many as received him to them, gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, as
many as received him, him, Him. Are you looking for the
answer? Are you missing something? It's
Him. Not a deeper understanding of
doctrine. I understand things, I see things
more than I used to. That's not it. That's not it. As many as received Him. Not understanding the fact that
we must received Him. Well, I didn't see that I needed
him and now I do see that I need him. That's not it. As many as
received him. Salvation is a person. Lord,
I need you. I need you. I need you. I need you. I don't need the right doctrine. I need you. Christ in us is the
hope of glory. Back over in Timothy 1, verse
2 says, Unto Timothy my own son in the faith, grace, mercy, and
peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Timothy
was not related to Paul. He calls him his son because,
number one, age difference. He calls him his son because
he loved him like a son, dearly loved him. He calls him his son
because Paul was the one that God used to teach Timothy the
gospel. And he calls him his son because Timothy was faithful
in serving Paul and the church and the ministry of the gospel.
So here's what Paul desires for Timothy and the church there.
In verse two, he said, grace. grace. I pray God's favor to
you. That's what Paul said to Timothy
in the church, and that's what I say to you. Whoever is listening,
this is what I say. I pray God's favor to you. I pray God would be gracious
to you. I pray His good will in Christ
Jesus to you. I pray daily grace for you. I pray sufficient grace for every
trial that comes along. I pray spiritual growth for you.
Grace. Grace is a gift. For God so loved
this world, He gave a gift. You know what that gift was?
His very own Son. I pray Christ to you, and I pray
Christ to me. We need Jesus Christ, and that's
the only thing we need. That's the only thing we need.
That's the only thing we need. That's it. I need him, him. Salvation is a person. In verse
two, he said, mercy. I pray God's mercy and God's
pardon on you. I pray God's compassion and tender
love on you. I pray that for me and I pray
that for you. In verse two, he said, peace. I pray the peace of God to you.
I pray for contentment to you. I pray rest for your soul. Rest that can only come from
God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Now turn with me over
to Matthew chapter 11. Matthew chapter 11, listen to
verse 28. I'm sure most of you have heard
this so many times, but listen to it like you've never heard
it. Matthew 11, 28, our Lord said, come unto me. Come unto me, all ye that labor
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Come unto me. Don't just come to church. Come
to Christ. There's a difference. People
start feeling guilty and they say, oh man, I need to be in
church. You don't need to just be in church. That's not the
answer. You need to be in Christ. There is a difference. And our
Lord didn't say come to church. all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I'll give you rest." He didn't say, come down front,
all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I'll give you rest.
He said, come to me. A person is talking right there.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn
of me." You don't need to learn anymore about doctrine. Learn
about Christ. Learn about Christ. Jesus Christ
will lead a man to correct doctrine. But correct doctrine will not
lead a man to Jesus Christ. will not. Take my yoke upon you
and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall
find rest unto your souls." Paul said, I pray that for you. I
pray that you'll find rest in Christ our Lord. I do, I really
do. 1 Timothy 1, verse 3 says, 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. Paul reminds Timothy why he asked
him to stay in Ephesus. It was because there were many
false prophets preaching to people. That's why many false prophets,
they were preaching salvation by works. Salvation by works. You got to
do this. You got to do, what do I have
to do? What must I do? Anything other than salvation
totally by grace, totally by free gift, totally of, by, and
to the Lord Jesus Christ, anything other than that is salvation
by works. I don't care what denomination
it is. It does not matter what denomination it is. Anything
other than salvation by free gift is salvation by works. Now turn with me over to 2 Peter
2. 2 Peter 2 verses 1-3 say this,
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall
bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord, that bought
them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall
follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of." The way of truth. And through
covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise
of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and
their damnation slumbereth not. Paul said, charge them that they
teach no other doctrine than the words that were taught by
the Lord Jesus Christ himself and his apostles." Do you know
what doctrine is? People talk about doctrine. Do
you know what it is? The scriptures are called the doctrine of Christ.
What it is, is His words. Doctrine is the words that come out of the
mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every word in this scripture
is the Word of God. Doctrine is the Word of God. It's correct teaching. That's what it is. Let nothing
be called doctrine that is not taken directly from the Word
of God. Dear listener, please listen
to this. Please listen to this. As you hear men preach to you,
take note of this. If it's not the Word of God,
then it's not doctrine. You know what it is? It's tradition. It's man's tradition. Isaiah
chapter 8. Listen to this. Isaiah chapter
8, verse 20 says, and to the testimony. If they
speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light
in them. If they are preaching things
that are not in agreement with this word, it's because there
is no light in them. That's why. Now let me ask you
a question. Infant baptism. Where is it in
the scripture? Where is it in the scripture?
I don't care what I believe. I don't care what anybody else
believes. Here's the question. Where is it in the scripture?
First John 4.1 said, try the spirits, whether they are of
God. Try the spirits. That means preacher. If you're listening to me, open
up your Bible and see if I'm telling you the truth. Your soul
is at stake. Your soul is on the line. We're
not playing church. Our souls are on the line. Altar
calls. Where are they in the scripture? Where? Show me where. Where are they in the scripture?
Our text back in 1 Timothy 1 verse 3 says, "...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. Neither
give heed to fables and endless genealogies which minister questions
rather than godly edifying which is in faith. So do." Paul said,
"...tell them not to listen. not to give heed to lies, fables. Don't be taken with hypothetical
preaching. Don't be taken with a man who
stands up and gives you speculation and gives you theories. Listen
to a man who's going to preach the word of God to you. That's
correct doctrine. Paul said, Timothy, Encourage them. Charge them. Don't listen to a man go on and
on about what he thinks the end of time will be like. You listen to a man who will
tell you what God said. A preacher is just supposed to
be a messenger. That's all he is. He's a servant. He's a servant. He's a delivery man. That's all
he is. Delivering the message. It's
not supposed to be his take on the message, his interpretation
of the message. He's just supposed to deliver
the message. What is the message? It's whatever
God said. What did God say? Let's open
his word and find out. Paul said, tell them not to listen
to, don't give heed to endless genealogies. You know, well,
we attend this church because we have an original unbroken
line to the New Testament church. I'm saved because I can trace
my roots all the way back. Paul said none of that stuff
glorifies God. That's glorifying man, that's
glorifying you. None of that stuff glorifies
God. None of that stuff benefits the soul of a sinner. None of
it. All it does is minister questions
rather than godly edifying which is in faith. It confuses people. It distresses people and it raises
questions, not answers. Well, 1 Timothy 1 verse 5 says,
now the end of the commandment is charity. charity, that means
love, out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and a faith
unfeigned. Paul told Timothy, I asked you
to stay in Ephesus because so many false preachers were preaching
the law for salvation. And he says the end of the commandment,
what he means by that is the goal of the law is charity. Love. Love. It's to cause us to love
our God, this holy God that we serve. It's to cause us to love
Him and love one another out of a pure, sincere heart. a good conscience and faith unfeigned. That means a united faith. Turn with me over to Matthew
22. Matthew chapter 22, verse 35 says this, Then one
of them which was a lawyer asked him a question, tempting him,
and saying, Master, Which is the great commandment in the
law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets. all the law and the prophets,
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and love your neighbor
as yourself. Love God, love each other. Turn with me over to Galatians
chapter 5. Galatians 5 verse 13 says, for
brethren, you have been called unto liberty Only use not liberty
for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 1 Timothy 1 verse 5 says, Now
the end of the commandment is charity, out of a pure heart,
and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned, from which
some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring
to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof
they affirm. But we know that the law is good,
if a man use it lawfully. We know that the law is good
if a man use it lawfully. Now, the lawful use of the law
for an unbeliever and the lawful use of the law for a believer.
We're going to close with this. For an unbeliever, the law is
used correctly, lawfully. when it brings a knowledge and
a conviction of sin. That's the purpose of the law.
When I stand before the law convicted, because here's what the law will
do, it will shut a sinner up to Jesus Christ. Paul said, I
therefore the prisoner of Jesus Christ. That's using the law
lawfully. It convicts me. For a believer,
The law is used correctly, lawfully, when he obeys it because of his
love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and because of the fact that
the Lord Jesus Christ has already kept that law for him, already
saved him. We do not keep God's law for
salvation. We have a desire to keep God's
law because of salvation. And we desire to be like Christ
because we love Him. If a man uses it lawfully, the
law is good. 2 Corinthians 5 verse 14 says,
For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge that
if one died for all, then we're all dead. and that he died for
all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves,
but unto him which died for them and rose again." That's a believer's
motivation to obey the law. It's love for Jesus Christ. Until
next Sunday, may the Lord bless His Word. You have been listening
to a message by Gabe Stoniker, pastor of Kingsport Sovereign
Grace Church in Kingsport, Tennessee. If you would like a copy of this
message or to hear other messages of Sovereign Grace, you can write
to our physical mailing address at 905 Yadkin Street, Kingsport,
Tennessee 37660 or log on to our website at kingsportsovereigngracechurch.com. If you would like to come and
worship with us, our service times are Sunday morning Bible
study at 10 o'clock a.m., worship at 10.45 a.m., and 6 o'clock
p.m. Wednesday evening at 7.30 p.m. Please tune in next Sunday morning
at 8.30 for another message of God's free and sovereign grace.