Halt In The Name Of The Law Series

Sermon Title: Halt! In the Name of the Law [1 of ]

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-11

Wesleyan Community Church

Terry, Mississippi

Sunday Morning - January 6, 2002

Scripture Introduction:

Other than Jesus Himself, If there was ever a model that described the way a relationship between student and teacher should take place, the letters that Paul writes to his spiritual son Timothy would be that example. Paul loves Timothy, Paul cares for Timothy, Paul wishes only the best for Timothy, and Paul wants Timothy to succeed in what he is doing, and that is the spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in its pure and undefiled form. That desire that Paul has for the success of Timothy’s ministry is not something that he found within himself, it was a desire that was placed upon the heart of Paul by God, for Timothy, all those whose lives Timothy would touch, and for the lives of those that were touched by those that were touched by Timothy. We are talking about a love for our spiritual children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

We need to realize that without this drive and love, Christianity is only a single generation from extinction. If we fail to pass it on, then it stops with us and no further lives will be touched, every generation from this point forward will be doomed without divine intervention. With those thoughts in mind, let us read this mornings text:

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 1:1-11

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing 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, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Sermon Introduction:

There are three questions that we must address this morning in relation to this mornings Scripture: First, are we ready for a long drawn out war when it comes to the calling that is place upon each and everyone heart? Secondly we must ask ourselves and truthfully answer the question, can we be true to Jesus if we are not true to ourselves? And lastly, which way do we choose, the truth or the consequences? These questions are all alluded to in this mornings Scripture and just as they apply to Timothy, they are equally valid for each of us today.

Are You Ready for a Long Drawn-out War? Plainly stated, you can’t fight the battle if you don’t go out to the battlefield! We talk about it, we preach about it, but I think to often we dismiss the fact that we are in the middle of a war, a spiritual war, where Satan is the adversary and the souls of those we love are at stake. We are not in a petty battle for power, land, or material possessions, we are battling for the souls of sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, extended family, friends, co-workers and even the soul of the person whom we may like the least. Their souls are headed for an eternity of torment, unless we stand our ground and prepare to battle with the devil himself. We may have victory in our lives but there is defeat written over the entirety of the world outside.

Can You Be True to Jesus if You Are Not True to Yourself? There is a catchy phrase that goes with that question, “Liar, Liar, Pants on fire!” We have lulled ourselves into a false sense of security. We have become so comfortable sitting in our pews and standing behind the pulpits of today’s church that vast numbers of those that do not worship with us are leaving this life destined for an eternity in Hell, I am not so sure that if just wait and do nothing that our eternity won’t be much different.