The older apostle Paul wrote two books to young preachers: Timothy who lived and preached in Ephesus, and Titus who was in Crete. In these books Paul had 5 faithful sayings. The word “faithful” has to do with things that are for certain, sure, the things you can always count on to be right. The word “saying” is translated from the word “logos” which means word. Paul gives these young preachers 5 sure words. These words would challenge them in their personal lives and should be preached.

1. 1 Tim. 1:15 “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” John 3:16 tells of God’s love and the sending of His Son to die that we through our faith might be saved. Paul wrote in 1-4, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” The coming of Jesus to this world was in the mind of God since before the foundation of the world. He knew man would sin and made a plan to send Christ as a sin offering, Eph. 5:2. “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.” Our obedience must be coupled with our faith to enjoy this salvation. We must “obey from the heart that form of doctrine” Rom. 6:17. Notice the humility in Paul when he wrote that he was the chief of sinners. He referred to himself as first among sinful men when he considered his past behavior in not only denying Christ but fighting against Him. It takes that kind of humility to recognize one’s tremendous need for salvation. We are all sinners in need of salvation.
2. 1 Tim. 3:1 “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” In the Lord’s church the position of elder holds the greatest responsibility. Read the charge that Paul gave to the elders from Ephesus when he was at Troas: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28. Notice it is a position held by men and not women. (Notice vs. 4 & 5). This position must be prepared for and desired earnestly. Starting with verse 2, Paul gives all the qualifications for the elders. These are not suggestions but qualities already attained by the one who desires the eldership.
3. 1 Tim. 4:7-9 “…exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.” Paul did not say bodily exercise had no profit, but little profit compared to godliness. He encourages these young preachers to exercise in God’s Gym! Godliness is doing what is well-pleasing to God. This body is only a temporary tent, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” 2 Cor. 5:1. We must not let the here and now distract us from that which is eternal.

            (TO BE CONTINUED)