Theme Scripture: 1 Timothy 1: 1-17

1. "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2. Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, and I went into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6. From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7. Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9. Knowing 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,
10. For 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.
11.  According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17. Now unto King eternal, immortal invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Verse 1: Jesus Christ is our hope. We believe and put our trust in him. 

Verse 4: Do not  listen to those made-up/false stories and scientific theories that are contrary to the Word of God. Notice it says endless: they always coming up with some new theory. There is no end to their nonsense. All these theories do is make you think until your brain wants to jump out of your head. They make you think yourself to death. The theories make you question your faith and your God. They don't edify (build us up, instruct or improve morally or intellectually) us in godliness and truth. We are suppose to teach things and learn things which, when received and applied to our life, will bring us closer to Christ likeness. That is the whole goal of Christianity- it's even in the name: Christ likeness.

Verse 5: The purpose for us teaching and learning is not for us to say that we know everything. It's not for us to use our knowledge to deceive people. It's for us to, when applied to our daily living, have love that is pure (agape love; unconditional love; love that does not love in order to get gain. Love that loves you because they love you with no motives and strings attached), have a good conscience (that our thought process, our mind will be renewed [Romans 12:2] and think according to the Word of God. That we think the thoughts which Christ wants us to think), and have an unmovable, unhypocritical faith (faith that trusts in God regardless of the circumstance, faith that cannot be shaken and uprooted, faith that is rooted and grounded in God. Faith that doesn't believe God today and doubt God tomorrow).

Verses 6-7: Some have swerved (change or cause to change direction abruptly; sharp turn) from the road mention in verse 5: that road which leads to godly edification and spiritual maturity. They have turned onto the other road which ministers questions. A loveless road whose drivers are as a "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). All they do is make a bunch of noise. They desire and want to be teachers of the law, however they do not understand what they teach or want to teach nor what they believe.

Verse 8: The law is good if it is used like it is suppose to be used: not bending it to deceive, manipulate, and control people. Just as a constitution is good, if it is used in terms of the constitution; and a contract is good, if used in terms of the contract; and the Bible is good, if used biblically; so is the law good, if used lawfully. However, we know people don't use the law lawfully.

Verse 9-10: The law is not meant for a righteous man. It is not meant for the people of God. Law was a schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24). Its purpose was to turn us to Jesus Christ, to Grace. Therefore, if we are already in grace, as the people of God (the Church), the law is not meant for us anymore. There are two governing principles in creation: the Law and Grace. The Law says "you do, you die". Plain and simple. Grace says "you don't have to do anything, I do everything." The law gives us what we deserve, grace doesn't. Therefore, we (the people of God) don't need the law, because we are under grace. The law is for the unsaved, the ungodly, the unrepentant, the sinners. The law is meant for the world.

Verse 10:11:Sound doctrine, what we teach, is based upon the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Word of God/ the Bible).

Verse 12: You must be to things in order for Christ to put you into a ministry: enabled and faithful

enabled: give (someone or something) the authority or means to do something. God must call you into the ministry. It is not something you do yourself. If God has not given you the OK, DON'T DO IT. When God enables you to do something, it means God has given you (a) the authority/ approval and (b) the means/ tools to do it. You have the capability to do what God has called you to do.

faithful:  loyal, constant. The ministry is not an easy thing. It is certainly enjoyable and bears its fruits, but it is not easy. You must be faithful and decide not to abandon the ministry. Ministry is going to have its ups and downs. Intense warfare is in ministry, but you must be constant and loyal, in spite of. Faithfulness is taken into account at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Faithfulness is a big part of ministry. No faithfulness, no ministry.

Verse 13-14: This is one of my favorite verses. We were sinners and unrighteous. We were out in the world and enslaved to sin. However, we obtained mercy from God because we did our dirt unaware. We did not believe so we did our sin ignorantly. However, the grace of God which is ample and sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9) was given to us.

Verse 14: Faith and love can only be found in Jesus Christ

Verse 15: What Paul says here is true, worthy of belief, and will encourage faithfulness: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. The whole life and mission of Christ summed us in 9 words. That's why he came: to save us.

Verse 15-16: Sometimes we feel like we are the biggest sinner in the history of sinners. Sometimes we feel like we have sinned way too much for God to forgive us. However, it is because of that reason why we obtain/ receive mercy.

Verse 16: Christ came and showed us the way. He paved the way that we must follow. Therefore, whatever he did, we must do.

Verse 17: Our God is (a) a king, (b) eternal, (c) immortal, (d) invisible, (d) wise, (e) the only God, and (f) so much more. To him only should all the glory and honour be given to for ever and ever.