The End of the Commandment

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-11-2026

1 Timothy 1:3-5

 

Introduction:

A. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus for several reasons! These are mentioned in our text.

 

1. To take charge. Taking the oversight thereof.  Vigilance. 

 

a) Before he could “charge some,” he had to identify them.  I was taught, as a young pastor, not to fundamentally change anything in the church that God sent me to pastor for the first two years. 

 

b) I think this was sound advice as I needed to preach and teach, gain the total confidence of the church, then gently began to “turn the ship” if needed.  There are some things that a pastor must change immediately as they are major sin or doctrinal issues involved.

 

2. To “charge some,” not all (I thank God tonight that church has a faithful, grounded, loyal bunch of God loving, God fearing people!  Love you all!), that they teach, not believe because, though some have been taught wrong (many of us had different doctrinal backgrounds before we were saved) and still be teachable (glad I was) no other doctrine and to warn the flock not to entertain fables and endless genealogies.  Watch out for false teachers and to keep the main thing, God’s Word, the main thing!

 

3. Get or keep everyone on the same page!  I know of Baptist churches that still have people on the pews in doctrinal disagreement. When writing to the church at Ephesus in the Ephesian Epistle, Paul described the work that Timothy would do and the desired end result.

 

Ephesians 4:11-16  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in (1) the unity of the faith, (2) and of the knowledge of the Son of God, (3) unto a perfect man, (4) unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  (14)  That (5) we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But (6) speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and (7) compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto (8) the edifying of itself in love.

 

B.  “The end of the commandment” was a desired, threefold result: “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”

 

1. Charity out of a pure heart! Here, we find the importance of brotherly love within the church body! Without charity, brotherly love, we become nothing!

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-2  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  (2)  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

 

a. Charity edifies.  It builds up instead of tearing down. It is the fulfillment of: Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

Not only wanting the best for everyone but doing our best to make it happen!  Lifting one another up in prayer and praise; sharing one another’s burdens and heartaches, looking for ways to be of help, simply being there for each other in the best and worst of times.  Saying, “I love you” with both our lips and lives.

 

b. Charity covers.  Brotherly love looks beyond the faults of others and concentrates upon their needs.

 

1 Peter 4:7-8  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  (8)  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  (5)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  (6)  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  (7)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 

c.  Charity is essential. 1 Corinthians 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

 

When we have a right perspective of self, it us a right perspective of others.

 

2.  A good conscience.  Knowledge of God’s Word and Person brings about assurance of salvation and a conscience that is free, not doubt and guilt.  I have sinned but God has declared me “justified” and will present me “faultless” before the throne of His glory with exceeding joy! Exceeding anything we have ever known. I sleep well at night as I rest my head upon my pillow and my heart in His wonderful care.  I am His and He is mine!

 

a.  A good conscience is an assured one - 1 Thessalonians 1:5  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 

 

Sound doctrine shows the love of God for His children and brings about blessed assurance.  False doctrine brings about doubt.

 

b.  A good conscience is a peaceful one -   2 Thessalonians 3:16  Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 

 

Sound doctrine not only gives assurance, but it also dissolves our fears.  There is no fear in love, and I can assure you that God loves you more than anyone else in the world could.

 

3.  Faith unfeigned.  One that causes the believer to place his life and eternity into the hands of the One who owns it and lives a life for Christ.

 

Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

a.  Faith unfeigned is an affective faith as it affects our lives. – Ephesians 2:8-15  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  (10)  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  (11)  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  (12)  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  (13)  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  (14)  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15)  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 

 

Faith unfeigned is real faith: one that affects the heart and transforms your life.  No transformation means no life.  Our faith affects our lives. 

 

b.  Faith unfeigned is an effective faith as by it, we obtain a good report.

 

Hebrews 11:1-2  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (2)  For by it the elders obtained a good report. 

 

It is a faith that causes the child of God to step out in the unknown with the One who knows where we are going.  “By faith” is used 15x in this 11^th chapter of the Book of Hebrews.  As we walk with God by faith, our faith is rewarded.  The reward comes after the “step” takes place and proves the Lord.  It is a faith that causes the believer to remain faithful to the house of the Lord and the doctrines of the faith.  Unfeigned faith brings forth spiritual stability. 

 

Conclusion: A life lived brings about charity, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned!