Introduction to the sermon series on the Pastoral Epistles. Christ Jesus our Hope. Paul an apostle by royal command of God. The power of the gospel to transcend culture and ethnic differences. From one generation to the next. Team work on the track field. Gnosticism. The aim: a heart purified by the work of Christ; a transformed conscience informed by Christ and his Word; Sincere and consistent faith (word and life match). Then, love abounds.
Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-7
With the first seven verses of Paul’s letter to Timothy we have a very fine introduction to all of the Pastoral Epistles. What exactly are the Pastoral Epistles?
They were three letters written near the end of the Apostle Paul’s lie; about A. D. 62-64. In them he urges his young disciples–Timothy, Titus, and several other key leaders within the early church–to remain faithful to all that he has taught them. In essence, these letters were a loving exhortation to “guard the deposit entrusted to you” (cf. 1 Tim. 6:20).
The depth of Paul’s relationship with Timothy, and the other disciples, is clearly evident in these letters. Keep in mind that Paul was a converted Jew, and that Timothy, Titus, and other men were from Gentile stock. Yet, within Christ’s kingdom such ethnic and cultural differences made no difference (cf. Gal. 3:28).
In this way, Paul could thoroughly invest himself in these young men with the expectation that they would faithfully carry on the gospel that he had passed on to them (cf. 1 Tim. 1:19; 2 Tim. 2:2; and Titus 1:5).
[podcast]http://www.download.covenantfamilychurch.net/2008/mp3/2008_11_16_a_true_child_in_the_faith.mp3[/podcast]