The Centrality of the Gospel in the Local Church

As we guard the gospel in the church, we also celebrate the gospel. In verses 12-17, Paul erupted into his personal testimony, which leads to triumphant praise. In the midst of all this, he gives us one of the most concise, clear, and compelling descriptions of the gospel in all of Scripture. It's a powerful, pregnant sentence that encapsulates the gospel in just nine English words: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (v. 15). Here we learn about the gospel, the grace of God, and the glory of God.

Paul tells us that Christ Jesus came into the world. So much truth is packed into this one word "came." We learn that the gospel of God is incarnational and undeniable.

Christ Jesus, the Son of God, didn't first come into being in Bethlehem. He already existed as the Second Person of the Trinity, the preexistent, eternal Son of God who was there with the Father and the Spirit before the foundation of the world (John 1:1-3). He committed the ultimate act of condescending grace, coming into the world as a baby born in Bethlehem. The One who was with the Father in glory put on a robe of human flesh and came to us. This is the incarnation.

But why did Jesus come? Jesus Christ came to live the life we could not live, to die the death we deserved to die, and to rise in victory over the enemies we could not conquer—sin and death. There is no greater wonder in all of history, and yet Paul tells us it's true. This is not like the myths and speculations of the false teachers (v. 4); this is "trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance" (1 Tim 1:15). This is reality. It's undeniable.

The gospel of God is also universal and personal. Now that we've established that Jesus came to save sinners, the next question is, Which sinners? Answer: All sinners who would embrace this gospel fully. And Paul said in verse 16 that he was at the top of the list of sinners. That's why we're saying the gospel is both universal and personal. It caused Paul to celebrate the grace of God, which he said "overflowed" for him (v. 14).

In verse 13, Paul talked about what he used to be: "a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man." The ESV translates this last word as an "insolent opponent." Don't forget, the guy who is writing this letter to the church used to be the church's single greatest threat. He wanted it wiped off the map! Paul oversaw the persecution of Stephen 19(Acts 8:1), the first Christian martyr, and then he devoted his life to arresting, imprisoning, and killing Christians everywhere he could. In fact, Paul was on his way to Damascus to kill Christians when he met Christ. Amazingly, God caused His grace to overflow to the one person who seemingly deserved it the least.

Paul's example in verse 13 tells us a lot about the nature of God's grace. We learn that the grace of God is unconditional, for there was nothing in Paul to draw God to Him. Paul's salvation originated in God and God alone. And the same is true for you and me. We are not saved based on any condition in us; we are saved solely on account of sovereign grace in God. His grace is unconditional.

God's grace is also purposeful. We see this in verse 14, as it produced faith and love in Paul's life. But there are even deeper purposes in God's grace. It demonstrates God's patience. Verse 14 is really good news to anyone who has ever thought, "God would not save me. I've hated Him. I've turned against Him. I've fought God at every point in my life." If you think you are beyond the mercy of God, hear this: God chose to take the chief persecutor of the church and make him the chief missionary in the church to show He is patient, He loves, and He beckons sinners to believe in Him for eternal life. No matter who you are or what you've done, these words are worthy of full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (v. 15).

Not only does God's grace demonstrate His patience; it also leads to God's praise. Listen to Paul's response to God's grace in verse 17: "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." The apostle was overwhelmed that he would receive mercy from such a King.

Paul's ascription of praise in verse 17 also tells us several things about the glory of God. First and foremost, we see that His glory is royal and eternal. "Now to the King eternal, immortal." God is King of the ages, now and forevermore. He is immortal. He never grows tired or weary. He never changes. Death and decay cannot and will not ever touch Him. He's royal and eternal. We also see that God's glory is invisible and incomparable. He is "invisible, the only God." God is beyond the limits of what we can see or imagine, and no one compares with Him. He is the only God, and He will receive "honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

Individual believers, local churches, and the church of Christ across the globe will continue to go through difficult times; however, the Head20 of this church, Christ, our God, Savior, and King, will ever be on His throne. Though opposition and challenges may come, God is the King of the ages, and He will lead, guide, protect, purify, sanctify, and preserve His church.

We Must Fight for the Gospel

1 Timothy 1:18-20

In light of who God is and His gracious purposes, Paul gave Timothy one final exhortation in this chapter: Fight for the gospel. Timothy must "engage in battle" for the sake of the truth. To make his point Paul used Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom we know were among the false teachers at Ephesus and men who had wandered away from the gospel. Many commentators believe these men were elders in the church. This is a great reminder for pastors—and I'm including myself—that no one is immune to the temptation to wander from the gospel. No elder, no deacon, no teacher, no small-group leader, and no member of the church is exempt from this warning. That's why Paul said we must fight for the gospel. This fight is carried out in at least two ways.

We fight for the gospel in our lives. We're in a war, brothers and sisters in Christ, in our lives, in our marriages, and in our families. Whether you're a teenager at school or a businessperson at work, a battle is raging all around you. Spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms are active, and they are warring against your soul (Eph 6:12). The Devil and all the minions of hell will entice you with deceptions and incite you with divisions because they do not want the gospel to resound in and through your life, your marriage, your family, or any other area. This battle will look differently in each of our lives, but do not be caught off guard—you are in a war. So fight the good fight. Stand strong amid all the challenges that come from outside and inside the church. Keep "faith and a good conscience" (v. 19).

Finally, we fight for the gospel in our churches. Paul talked about Hymenaeus and Alexander being handed over to Satan in verse 20. This is almost certainly referring to excommunication from the church, which we read more about in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 and Matthew 18:15-20. These two men were cast out of the church to show that they were separated from Christ, with the hope and prayer that they would realize their error and return to Christ. Paul was essentially telling Timothy,21 "You and the church must take severe measures at certain times to fight for this gospel. Take them."

Whatever you do, hold on to the gospel. It is the only thing that unites the church, and it is the only thing that will sustain God's people in difficult days. Indeed, this is a gospel worth guarding and defending, and this is a gospel worth celebrating forever.