I Timothy 1:11
Pastor Greg GilliamGrace Christian Assembly,Kansas City, Missouri
“According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
By way of introduction to our text, let us consider a couple of statements that the Apostle Paul makes to his, “own son in the faith” Timothy. He greets him with Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. He lays a charge upon Timothy, first to himself to teach no other doctrine, and then as Timothy instructs others he is to emphasize that they teach no other doctrine.
The Word of God, given under the direction of the Holy Spirit, will edify the saints. Even though at times the Word is sharp and cuts away the flesh. Ultimately it will bring the believer to that place that Paul describes in Ephesians 4:13, “a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” As we yield ourselves to Him.
Paul wanted Timothy, and us, to stay the course. The Lord spoke to Joshua after Moses’ death. The instruction Joshua was given was, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:7
There are so many pressures for the believer to lean into “another doctrine.” In Romans 12:2 we are instructed, “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The Word of God will never fit in with the world. Believers must conform to the Word of God. There is no need for the Word to be updated or adapted to the times in which we live. No need for us to defend the Word of God; it stands on a solid foundation. “The grass withers, the flower fades but the word of our God shall stand forever” – Isaiah 40:8. Believer, “study to show thyself approved, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” - 2 Timothy 2:15.
Now let us consider our text - “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” We must realize that the original text, the New Testament, was written in Greek and has been translated for us. The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament by Marshall gives us this phrase as, “According to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which I was entrusted (committed to trust) with.”
We have probably heard the gospel referred to as “good news” or “good message” but do we know the origin? As we look into the Greek we understand the Greek word used here for gospel is euangelion - pronounced yoo-ang-ghel-ee-on meaning good message. From the same as Greek word euangelizo which is made up of two root words eu pronounced yoo meaning good. The second word is angelos pronounced ang-el-os meaning to bring tidings, a messenger. It is used concerning angels and men, such as a pastor. This word is used in Matthew 1:20, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel (messenger) of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” Also, Revelation 1:20, “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”
What is the glory of God? The Greek word doxa pronounced dox-ah is used in our text meaning splendour, brightness, good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honor, glory, majesty, dignity, worship. Have you beheld His glory - splendour, brightness? Has it resulted in praise, honor, glory, majesty, dignity, and worship?
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. When we behold the glory of Jesus we are beholding the glory of His Father too. Jesus statement in John 14:9, “...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…”
Jesus speaking to Martha at the tomb of her brother Lazarus in John 11:40, said I not unto thee, that, “if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” How was His glory going to be manifested? In the raising of her brother Lazarus from the grave. We read, “Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
We stand each day gazing into the glory of the Lord and are changed from one realm of glory to another. Even though we face sufferings let us not be distracted from the glory of the Lord. These things are working in us, “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” - 2 Corinthians 4:17. Let it change us.
We see in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42 the different glories of the celestial bodies, bodies terrestrial, sun, moon, stars and Paul states, “so also is the resurrection of the dead.” In the resurrection not all will be raised with the same glory. How does this change happen? By yielding to the Spirit - 2 Corinthians 3:18.
The god of this world looks to keep mankind blind to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God. BUT God is more powerful than him. 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
In Revelation 21 we read of the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It has the glory of God. We read, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” - Vs 23. Oh what splendor and brightness!
Dear one as we behold the glory of God we cannot help but fall down and worship Him. Stand in awe of Him! Thank Him for the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.
