The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-17

The Faithful Saying. / Tim. 1, 1920:
III. 1-6
GOLDEN TExT-This is faithful saying and
worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus into
the world to save sinners. L Tim. l. 10.
HOME READINGS.
Mon The office of Christ . Isa Xxi
Tu Christ's Cali to Men. :. Matt. XII. $3.50.
Wed. The Spirits Call Rev. xxi, 1917.
TIL THE FAITHFUL SAYING
(Tbe Lesson - Tim. l. 1920; H. La
FIR. Christ Seeking the Lost.Luke v, 27-39.
Sat. The Heavenly Armor. Eph vi, 1917.
Sun. Redemption through Christ Zech xiv, 10.
The letters to Timothy and Titus are called
pastoral epistles, because treating of the pas
toral office and duties The first letter to limo
thy was written after Paul's first imprisonment
Timothy was an early convert under Pauls
ministry, at Lystra, Acts TO- His father was
Greek; his mother and grandmother were jew
esses. The lesson is taken from the first epistle
of Paul to his son in the Gospel, Timothy, who
at this time was in charge of the church at
Ephesus 1t is supposed to have been written
about 60 or &C A. D., after his release from his
first Roman Imprisonment. Timothy was az
convert under Pauls ministry. He was at thisi
time about thirty-five thirty sx years of age,
having been converted during the apostles first
missionary journey, some eleven or twelve'
years before. He loved Timothy as his own
son, and from the time of Pauls second mission
airy journey he had been his companion, being
both servant and son, until sent to take
charge of the church of Ephesus. In this letter
Paul opens his heart, and writes with perfect
freedom to his spiritual child. The faithful
saying which Paul quotes is an epitome of the
entire gospel 1t is indeed worthy of reception
of ALL" No other scheme of salvation contains
so much divine compassion. and it is a plan
worthy of God Men have gone about to estab-
fish their own Righteousness, but have failed.
allow can man be justified with God is the
III fhn
that can be given is that found in this faithful
saying"-"Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners.
l. A GREAT SAvIoR.--Though bearing many
names and titles, yet the one dearest to
himself was that of Jesus, because it expressed
the great truth that He came into the world to
be the Savior of men. He did much to educate
and develop self-help, but His great work was to
help men at the point when all are helpless, to
pardon men when they can offer no satisfaction;
In word, to save men from their sins. TO do
this He came into the world the Goldman In
this lesson we have the clearest statements as to-
His possessing both natures. He is God and
Savior, 3; He is the King eternal immortal
invisible, the only God (the word wise is omitted
before God in the Rev. Vers.) He is
also called the man Christ Jesus, v. 8.
There can be fair question to the fact
that Paul gives to Jesus divine titles, and that
He is to have this honor and glory forever and
forever. And, as if by prophecy he heard some
one questioning voice, he adds the amen the
SrtdS LuuuOcTluS IcSpOllSc given III tHc COUSES-
CATION at the end of prayer or ascription OF
praise, that should drown every thought of unbe-
lief. To explain this mysterious union of God
and man in tho one nature of Jesus Christ may
be difficult, and even beyond the power of
philosophy but it is in no true sense against it;
it is a truth simple above u.s. 1t does not con-
tradict; it only surpasses our reason. The real
historic Christ that EN- bodies both natures recon
Giles God and man, and IS at once the true center
of our Christian theology and our Christian ex-
perience. He is great in His nature, and great
in His purpose
ii. GREAT SINNERS. -Paul gories in the fact of
his own salvation. He calls himself the chief Of
sinners. But he does not, as many now do in q
supposed imitation of the apostle go into
posture of inward corruptions and outward de-
prayities that are unsavory and unwhoesome.
He declared himself the chief of Sinners not in
comparison with other and lesser sinners, but
with such a keen sense of the greatness and
purity of the law that he seemed in his own eyes
to be the worst of men. There are men who
give themselves comfort by comparison with
very low type of church members Let such q
man take the light of Gods word into his heart
and life, and he will find another ''whited
sepulcher." Jesus did not ask for the best Of
men on which to try the gospel, but the worst.
Saul of Tarsus was a grand to test the plan
with. For this cause | obtained mercy. The
long suffering shown him would serve AS pat
tern for al others If grace could reach and
save such sinner, none need despond, and we
need not despond in our lahors
III. GREAT SALVATION. salvation
offered by Jesus is great in that He willeth all
men to be saved So far as Gods purpose goes
it reaches every man. But there men who
will not be saved. 1t is great because it is sal
walton from sin. We are delivered from the
sense OF guilt and condemnation for our past
sins. But there is in the heart natural ten
dency to sin itself, an ''enmity against God"
The power of grace removes that natural bent"
and gives the heart new direction toward God,
and so saves us from the power as we'll as the
consequence OF SIN 1t is great because it brings
us into the possession of pure and holy charac-
ter 1t holds this faith in God in connection
with a good conscience 1t forms within dis
position and habit of goodness that becomes
the true expression of ourselves. 1t is
great because it brings us into the
company of those who fight for the truth, who
and enthusiastic for the triumph of the gospel.
1t is wonderful to change Saul of Tarsus. into
Paul an apostle 1t is great because it is an eter-
nal salvation. 1t is forever and forever, as we
believe on Him to life everlasting. Every one OF
these points may be expanded, and the whole of
them on 1.-THE great salvation" would make an
interesting and profitable lesson.
SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS.
Christianity accomplishes thousand grand
things for man in almost every realm of thought
and life; but the one great end that led the Son
of God to give himself ransom for all, was to
save us from our sins, to deliver us from their
power and their punishment If it fails at this
point, it is sad failure; if it succeeds here it is
the grandest thing we know, for no other power
can do it.
There is theology that believes in a limited
atonement, and that only a select number areor-
dained to eternal ife But Paul's creed was
broader He teaches that Christ gave himself
ransom for all, and that God will have all men
to be saved. The Bible as clearly teaches that
all men will not be saved but there must be no
shadow of doubt III our mind as to the fact that
God had used all the agencies in his power to
accomplish his will.
A false theology teaches "once in grace always
in grace" But Paul felt that even he himself
might become a castaway"
We need to impress on young converts the I'M
portance of giving high honor and all care to
conscience.
Jesus is God. We need not call it doctrine
if that word be not agreeable. but we may insist
that such is the teaching of the word, and that
;,cuc Chrief bac avery attribute of the GOdhead.