I Timothy 1:1-4 Keep Pressing On

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1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope. 2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace. 3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. Four things are happening in these verses. 1. THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS ESTABLISHING HIS CREDENTIALS. First, he wanted to encourage Timothy. Timothy was a young preacher who was dealing with a difficult ministry. He wanted to encourage Timothy by letting him know he had been there and experienced many ministry hurdles. Secondly, he wanted his letter to be referenced, by Timothy, to the church. There were many false prophets in Ephesus, men who looked down on Timothy because of his youth. Yet they respected prestige and knowledge. So Paul's credentials would supercede that of the false prophets. 2. PAUL RECOGNIZES TIMOTHY AS A MAN OF GOD AND PRAYS GOD'S BLESSING ON HIM. Paul had confidence in Timothy's character. Because Timothy was a minister, Paul was serious and earnest in lifting him before the Lord. 3. PAUL ENCOURAGES TIMOTHY TO STAY THE COURSE. Timothy was dealing with the same emotions that all of us in ministry, at some point, deal with. He wanted to give up. He just wanted to go home and have some peace. Also, with the corrupt religious leaders he was dealing with, he was feeling the push to quit and go home. But Paul encouraged him to stay no matter how difficult the task. He encouraged him to stay faithful to his calling. 4. PAUL EMPHASIZES THE NEED, FOR TIMOTHY, TO EXPOSE THE FALSE TEACHERS. These false teachers did not preach the Gospel. They rambled on about endless genealogies. They took pride in who they knew and were related to. They wanted to impress the people of Ephesus with who their families were. The talked of family fables and superstitions as if it were from God. Paul told Timothy, these men had to be exposed and they had to be run out of the church. Christians, today, find themselves in the same place as Timothy. Especially, if you are church minister, you will sometimes want to give up. It seems like endless battles. But it is necessary battles. When we allow any false doctrine or any person who is self-seeking to lead in the church, we allow the devil a foothold in the door. We must be men and women of godly integrity and stand firm even when we want to run away and cry or run away and hide. What it something that has encouraged you to keep pressing on for God, even in difficult times?