The End of the Commandment

Temple Baptist Church - 3-11-2012

1 Timothy 1:3-7

Introduction:

A. We saw the imperative of sound doctrine in our first 2 messages in 1 Timothy and I want to re-enforce that tonight: it is of the utmost importance that—as a pastor—I guard the doctrinal integrity of this local church! Paul left Timothy in Ephesus for that very reason.

B. We saw the result of unsound doctrinal in the teaching of “fables” and “endless genealogies” which gender questions instead of giving scriptural answers. Preaching and teaching is to give us answers, not gender questions. God’s men are to guard against and stay away from such.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (4) He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (5) Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: (21) Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Titus 3:9-10 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. (10) A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

C. Tonight, I want to look at the “end of the commandment” for a few minutes. We understand the importance of sound doctrine but we also need to know the desired results. They are listed in our text.

1. Charity out of a pure heart. Knowledge of God’s Word and of the Lord Himself brings about love, not Phariseeism! Though Phariseeism is not “legalism,” it does try to place the believer under bondage instead of liberty. I believe in soul liberty, the personal accountability of the believer and individual priesthood.

a. Charity out of a pure heart brings acceptance - Romans 14:13-16 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (14) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (You do not have to agree with someone to love them and you do not always have to be right to get along.)
b. Charity out of a pure heart brings forbearance - 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. (You will have a right perspective of self which gives a right perspective of others.)

2. A good conscience. Knowledge of God’s Word and Person brings about assurance 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! 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, it 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.

a. Faith unfeigned is an affective faith – 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 a 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 – 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 11th 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.)