Benedictus – 1 Timothy 6:14-16

Our Almighty God Commissions Us and We Draw Comfort from His Great Power

Text: Exodus 33:7-23, 1 Timothy 6:14-16

Timothy has been given an enormous task at Ephesus, it will not be plain sailing for him So there is a final message that Paul must bring to Timothy, and it is this. The Lord will return, – be found faithful and be found serving him, for the God whom you are serving here in this city of Ephesus is far greater than any storm of criticism, any waves of dissent and resistance.

1. Serve Him – Aware of Christ’s Immanent Return! 14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall shew,

Knowing that the Lord may return – TODAY – will certainly affect our behaviour and our service. It will challenge us and it will comfort us!

1. The challenge of Christ’s immanent return Isaiah 6:8. God’s message must be proclaimed to His people until judgement day if necessary, and if Timothy has to be the messenger, then so be it! This is the challenge then that Paul gives to Timothy…
   1. We are to obey him till he comes!
   2. We are to serve him scrupulously
   3. We are to serve him consistently.
2. The comfort of Christ’s immanent return. In Christ’s immanent return:-
   1. We are assured that the foul rottenness of this world cannot endure One day Christ will come and it will all be brought to naught! Thus we are assured that God’s justice will ultimately prevail.
   2. We are assured that we will reach our destination, a safe harbour and that our faithful labours will be rewarded.

Now, on the day that Christ returns God’s word and God’s Law will be vindicated! We pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” On that day, it will be!

2. Serve Him, Aware of God’s Mighty Greatness. 15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16Who 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.

Paul brings Timothy a blessing, a benediction, at the close of this letter, to reassure him – for there is no greater blessing than knowing with confidence, through God’s Word, the Bible that what you are doing is at the behest of Almighty God. God is ALONE is OMNIPOTENT. who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; He is incomparable!

1. God ALONE is IMMORTAL.Who only hath immortality, Only HE has immortal life as of right.
2. God ALONE is HOLY. dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see. Unapproachable/Invisible 1st John 1:5 God’s holiness is so intense, that there is no darkness, not even a trace of sin in Him, which is why, as sinners, we cannot come into his presence, without those sins being covered by Christ’s shed blood.
3. God ALONE is VICTORIOUS! to whom be honour and power everlasting Only He has Honour, and Everlasting power!

Now, this is just a summary of some of the powerful attributes of the God – but remember that it is not here to be a condensed theology, or a mini creed or a catechism question and answer, although it would be suitable for all those purposes. It is a BENEDICTION – a blessing, being pronounced over Timothy and his ministry at Ephesus.

It is a practical reminder of the greatness of the person of God, who is with Timothy, no matter what difficulties and dangers and disappointments his service at Ephesus may bring!   Our God is greater than all the problems, all the enemies, all the governments all the false gods and false teachers. He is the great Potentate, the Lord and Giver of Life, the Source of all TRUTH to whom is all the glory and power! And He is with us in the conflict, and Timothy must take comfort from the truth that he who is with us greater than those who are against us. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

So, what is Paul teaching young Timothy and us in this little passage? That when God commissions us for a task, we are commanded to discharge that duty faithfully, – regardless of how long that may take; even when it seems that we are not seeing any discernible results, for we are not called to be successful, we are called to be FAITHFUL – and knowing that at any moment the Lord may return, to vindicate our stand and pour out his judgement upon all our enemies, – let us therefore be found serving! But knowing this also, that no matter how difficult the journey, or how fierce the opposition, the God whom we serve is greater and more powerful than any of our foes, and ultimately, every king and every idol must fall before Him, and he will have all the praise, honour and glory.

© Bob McEvoy