Review of Last Week• Personal Instructions to Timothy

• Expectations as a Man of God 1) Flee greed, envy pursue love (6:11)

2) Fight the good fight (6:12)

3)Willingness to give a confession of Faith even at the risk of losing life (6:12-14).

Difference between confession of faith and confession of sin (Romans 10:10, 11 and Matthew 25:32)

“15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:15, 16

Potentate- means power and sovereign.

Paul is cautioning Timothy of possible affliction when he proclaims his faith but reminds that Christ will have the final voice!

King of kings and Lord of lords- 14 “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

Revelation 17:14

14 “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:14-16

• Jesus returning (2nd coming) followed by raptured saints.

• He has authority (Sword-Word of God)

• Coming with Judgment and Fierceness

• Leader of the Army

Kings and lords- “The Saints”

Clearly, this is an image of Jesus Christ…

“Only Potentate”- supreme being

“Only Hath Immortality”- Eternal; Immutable

“Dwelling in the Light”- (φως οικων απροσιτον)The light where he dwells is so brilliant and dazzling that mortal eyes could not endure it. (YWH in OT)

Only- (monos)- Alone; singular

The one almighty, supreme God, with ultimate power is Jesus Christ!

1 Timothy 6:17-21

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate…” 1 Timothy 6:17-18

Paul assumes Timothy will encounter various social status in ministry.

In this culture there was no such thing as “middle class”. Wealth was dependent on 1) property 2) cattle 3) slaves 4) garments and 5) money.

There were great walls of division between rich and poor.

Instructions to RichPaul does not condemn rich but corrects attitude:

1. Problem: it is more difficult to humble oneself.(Luke 4:18) “…preach the gospel to the poor..”

(Luke 4:27)-Naaman, a rich gentile, who had to humble himself.

2. Requests Generosity from the Rich (God gives through people) 1st Temple (Solomon’s Temple)2nd Temple (Haggai) Church at Corinth Phoebe

3. Store Treasures in Heaven (John 6)

26 “Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” John 6:26-28 (See: Romans 1:25)

19 “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:19

Storing can be translated as “amassing a treasure”. A good foundation can refer to a fund. Paul presents benefits of having a Heavenly, rather than, earthly fund.

20 “O Timothy, keep (guard) that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:20, 21

Science is NOT the enemy of faith!

Facts about Science in relation to Theology:

1)Explains the how but not the why

2)A theory is a systematic explanation that makes sense of facts but is not verifiable or proven. The word does not present lack of facts just focuses on principles.

3)Difference with Analogical and Biological truths.

4) True Science reveals a Creator!