1. Healthy Words
1 Timothy: Healthy Words • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 29:16
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· 7 viewsHealthy words and trustworthy sayings lead to godly living and Christlike character.
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Introduction
Introduction
General: Negativity bias is the tendency to focus, dwell on, and overemphasize the negative rather than the positive.
We feel the sting of a rebuke more powerfully than we feel the joy of praise.
We remember insults far longer than we remember compliments.
We think about negative things more frequently than positive things.
We respond more strongly to negative events than to equally positive events.
This is why one negative comment can ruin an otherwise good day.
Many sources say that to be emotionally healthy and productive, we need at least five positive affirmations for every one negative criticism we hear.
Personal: The words we listen to and the ideas we believe and think about have a profound impact on our lives.
Biblical: This is why the Apostle Paul wrote three letters called the Pastoral Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.
A lot of people don’t read the Pastoral Epistles because they think Paul wrote them to teach Timothy and Titus how to be good pastors. But that’s not exactly accurate.
Timothy wasn’t a “pastor” in the sense we think of pastors today. Rather, he traveled with Paul to proclaim the gospel and plant churches. In today’s terminology, we would probably call Timothy a “missionary.”
Paul sent Timothy on his behalf to the church in Ephesus specifically for the purpose of correcting false teaching that was happening.
One of the unique characteristics of the Pastoral Epistles is Paul’s use of the phrases “sound doctrine” or “sound words” and “trustworthy sayings.”
Four times in 1 & 2 Timothy, Paul refers to “sound words.” And four times he uses the phrase, “this saying is trustworthy.”
“sound words” = healthy words, healthy doctrine, healthy teaching
The point is this: God’s words are healthy words that lead to holy living. You can tell the true teaching by the godly lives of both the teachers and the students. And you can tell the false teaching by the sinful lives of the false teachers and their students.
Big Idea of the Pastoral Epistles: Healthy words and trustworthy sayings lead to godly living and Christlike character… Healthy words, holy life.
Body: Healthy Words lead to a holy life when you…
Body: Healthy Words lead to a holy life when you…
Read 1 Timothy 1:1-2…
Healthy words lead to a holy life when you accept the authority of the Bible. Acknowledge the preeminence of Scripture.
Exposition (v. 1, “apostle… by command of God”)
“apostle” = one who is sent
“Apostle” = one who was sent by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit to have authority to speak God's very words
The OT had Prophets, the NT had Apostles… The writings of the Prophets and Apostles (aka, the Bible) are the very words of God.
We need to accept the Bible as the very words of God.
Believe what it says (even if you don’t like what it says).
Do what it says (even if you don’t like what it says).
Illustration: God’s words are healthy words that lead to health and wholeness. But healthy words are useless without healthy living. Simply knowing the best workout plans and the best recipes of the Mediterranean diet does nothing if I don’t eat healthy and exercise.
Application: Bible reading plan
Healthy words lead to a holy life when you understand how much God loves you. Realize how much God cares for you.
Exposition (vv. 1-2)… Look at the words God chose to reveal his character in these verses: Savior, hope, Father, Lord, grace, mercy, peace.
Illustration
So often we look at God through the lens of our earthly fathers. That means a lot of people see God as emotionally distant, withdrawn, angry, absent, having unrealistic expectations that can never be met, withholding affection, abusive, judgmental…
But God is a loving Father. Max Lucado, “If God had a wallet, your picture would be in it.”
Application: “Grace, mercy, and peace from God…”
To receive grace, mercy, and peace from God, you have to let your guard down and admit that you need God.
Will you take down the walls and let God in?
Healthy words lead to a holy life when you follow Jesus together. Live the way of Jesus with other believers.
Exposition: vv. 1-2, “Paul… To Timothy, my true child in the faith…”
Application: Who are you following Jesus with? Who are your people?
Illustration: Apprentice > Journeyman, a great picture of discipleship
This spring, we’re bringing back Growth Groups… Start one.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Healthy words and trustworthy sayings lead to godly living and Christlike character when we:
Accept the authority of the Bible.
Understand how much God loves us.
Follow Jesus together.
What is your next step?
