The Defense of The Truth

Temple Baptist Church - 11-8-2026

1 Timothy 1:3-11

 

Introduction:

A. I understand that I am not moving very fast through this first chapter of 1 Timothy but am going to give a much more in-depth study of the book than before.  We will systematically break down each verse, giving both the interpretation along with practical applications.

 

B. Like 1 and 2 Timothy, all books that have a first, second, or third sent to the same people or church, the first is normally more about doctrine while the second is both practical and prophetic.

 

C. We found that the “end of the commandment” was spiritual growth: “charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.”

 

D. The context of using the law lawfully is found in the invasion of false teachers who were teaching false doctrine. The end result of biblical truth is the gospel of Christ!

 

E. We are in an age-old battle today: defending the Truth.  The Truth was attacked in the beginning and continues to be attacked the same way today, by questioning the Truth. “Yea hath God said!”  Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Truth stood before him and he missed it. The Bible has a quick answer to that question:

 

1. The Person of Truth. John 1:1-2  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.

 

2. The Volume of Truth. John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 

Psalms 40:7  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

 

Hebrews 10:7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

 

3. The Importance of Truth. John 8:31-32  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

F. Therefore, we find the importance of “earnestly contending for the faith ONCE delivered.”

 

Jude 3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

 

G. Contending for the faith was a command given to Timothy which was passed along to the local church.

 

1. The Defense of The Truth - Galatians 2:4-5  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:  To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 

 

2 Peter 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 

 

2 Timothy 3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 

 

2. The Persecution of The Truth - Galatians 4:16  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 

 

3. The Protection of The Truth - Ephesians 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

 

4. The Rejection of The Truth - 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

 

5. The Pillar of The Truth - 1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

 

6. The Dividing of The Truth - 2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

7. The Discernment of The Truth - 1 John 1:6, 8  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 

8. The Love of The Truth - 1 John 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 

 

2 John 1:1  The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 

 

3 John 1:1  The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 

 

9. The Fellowship of The Truth - 2 John 1:4  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 

 

3 John 1:3  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 

 

10. The Rejoicing of The Truth - 3 John 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 

11.  The Salvation of The Truth - 2 Thessalonians 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

 

Conclusion: I have been accused of majoring on a minor because I believe the Bible is the Word of God and, therefore, the Final Authority for faith and practice.  If I am defamed for believing God, then so be it. The Bible is the Major!