Bible Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-16 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Seal Training
Have you ever asked the question: I wonder if am doing the right thing with my life?  Am I fulfilling the will of God or am I just trapped in life’s circumstances?
Learning the DISCIPLINE of NOT letting circumstances, situations or life’s obstacles dictate what we ought to know as true about us and our lives.  The enemy of God’s people is out to take away our CONFIDENCE:
The Devil’s threat: 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.
The Devil’s mission: John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
God’s answer to our insecurities, inadequacies and failures: GRACE!
How does life try to derail us from our mission? 1 Timothy 1:3 – As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine…
We can control our thoughts and what goes on in our minds. The memories of the past that cause us to feel DISQUALIFIED from expecting good things from the Lord; our past will try to invade our soul with accusations, doubt, fear, insecurity
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind , that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Distractions that try to divert our attention on the Lord: 1Timothy 1:3-4 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
Entertainment that tries to steal away our focus: 1 Timothy 1:6-7 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
1 Timothy 1:8-11 We know these laws are good when they are used as God intended. But they were not made for people who do what is right. They are for people who are disobedient and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who murder their father or mother or other people. These laws are for people who are sexually immoral, for homosexuals and slave traders, for liars and oath breakers, and for those who do anything else that contradicts the right teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.
Paul was connecting all this to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). The first set of sinners corresponds to the first four commandments (Ex 20:1-11). These sins have been committed directly against God: lawbreakers and rebels who cannot be taught or disciplined; the godless and sinful show no reverence for God, and indeed oppose him because they are unholy and profane.
The second set represents violations of the next six commandments (Ex 20:12-16): Those who kill their father or mother, the ultimate act of dishonoring parents; for murderers, clearly breaking the command not to murder; adulterers and perverts, dealing not just with adultery, but with all sexual sin.
Our answer is the WORD OF GOD! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Our answer is God’s MERCY and PATIENCE and GRACE: 1 Timothy1:16 But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life