Instructions to Believers

Instructions for Believers
1 Timothy 1:18-20 – 2: 1-7

Challenge to Timothy (v. 18-20)
• Engage in the battle against sin and Satan (Eph. 6:10-17)
• Stand firm in your faith (Acts 24:16; 1 Cor. 16:13-14)
• Be confident in the grace and mercy of God

Examples not to follow (v. 19-20)
• Hymenaeus and Alexander
o Failed to fight the good fight/rejected faith and conscience
o They were treated like unbelievers with hopes to repent
o Delivered over to Satan (What is God’s domain v. Satan’s domain)

Those unbelievers forfeit their right to remain in the Christian community. But Paul leaves room for them to turn from these false ways.
--D.A. Carson

• Hymenaeus & Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17-18)
o Taught that the resurrection of believers had already occurred
 An early form of Gnosticism that taught a spiritual resurrection rather than a bodily resurrection.
o This false teaching combated a vital element of resurrection theology (1 Cor. 15:12-17)
o Encouragement in the midst of this wrong theology (. 19)

• Alexander (2 Timothy 4:14-15)
o Opposition that caused Paul much harm
o Paul left the repaying in the Lord’s hands

What needs to be done about it? (2 Timothy 2:1-7)
• Right approach to dealing with these attacks
o Prayer will build up the church
o As we pray, remember four words: (Philippians 4:6)
 Supplications
 Prayers
 Intercession
 Giving thanks

o    Prayers need to be made for unbelievers as well as fellow believers

§  Kings/Presidents

§  Authority figures (Police, Teachers, Parents, Pastors, etc)

§  Government

o    Prayers for believers to pursue a lifestyle that:

§  Lives Calmly

§  Lives Peaceably

§  Expresses total Devotion and Surrender

§  Pleases God

To please God is the highest motive that can influence a Christian.

-Ellicott

o    Prayers for all people, as the object of prayer, to be saved only through the one God and the one mediator (Jesus)

§  Combating early Gnosticism

§  Expressing God’s invitation to sinners

Closing instructions about prayer

·         Maintain a healthy view of where true holiness comes

·         True prayer cannot exist side to side with anger (Psalm 66:18)

·         Prayer and disputes/discord do not belong together

·         Our attitude toward others effects our approach to God

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45