Friday, 6th November 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
Scripture: 1 Timothy Chapter 1
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 1:8 “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.”
Introduction
Good morning, family!
Today, we hear many different ideas through the internet, the news, and conversations with others. We may become good at seeing other people’s problems, yet spend less time examining our own lives.
Even when we read the Bible, we may quickly think, “Someone else needs to hear this.” But when God’s Word points out our own problems, are we willing to change?
When Paul wrote 1 Timothy, he reminded Timothy to remain in Ephesus and stop certain people from teaching false doctrines. These people were focused on myths, endless family histories, and arguments. They wanted to teach the law, but they did not understand what they were saying.
Paul therefore made this clear: “The law is good if one uses it properly.”
Our theme today is “A Life Restored to God’s Way.” This means allowing God’s Word to show us where we have gone wrong, returning to Him through Christ’s mercy, and learning to live according to His will.
Let us listen to God’s message for our lives through 1 Timothy chapter 1.
- Return to the Truth and Grow in Love
1 Timothy 1:5–6 “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.”
Paul was appointed as an apostle by the command of God and Christ Jesus. He also entrusted Timothy with the responsibility of caring for the church.
Paul instructed Timothy to stop false teaching so that believers would grow in love. This love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
A pure heart concerns our inner motives. A good conscience helps us live honestly before God. A sincere faith means truly trusting the Lord and living consistently with what we believe.
Some people in Ephesus had turned away from these things. They were busy arguing, but their teaching was not helping people live in a way that pleased God.
This reminds us that reading the Bible and listening to sermons involve more than gaining knowledge. We also need to consider how God’s Word is changing us.
We may know the Bible well but have little patience with our family. We may strongly defend our opinions but refuse to listen to another person’s needs. At such times, we need God’s truth to correct our hearts.
Family, receiving God’s teaching should make us more honest, more willing to take responsibility, and more loving towards others. A life restored to God’s way begins with a heart that returns to Him.
- Face Our Sin and Accept God’s Correction
1 Timothy 1:8–9 “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious.”
Paul did not reject the law. He corrected those who were using it wrongly and turning it into a subject for empty talk and arguments.
Using the law properly means allowing it to expose sin and correct wrongdoing.
In verses 9–10, Paul lists sins such as rebellion, ungodliness, violence against parents, murder, sexual immorality, slave trading, lying, and giving false testimony. These sins clearly connect with the concerns of the Ten Commandments. They show how people disobey God and damage their relationships with Him and with others.
When Paul says that the law is not made for the righteous, he is emphasising its role in confronting wrongdoing. We cannot assume that being Christians means we no longer need God’s correction.
When we read this list, we may think, “I have never done those terrible things.” But the passage also mentions lying and anything else that goes against sound teaching. We need to bring our everyday lives honestly before God.
Do we hide the truth to protect our reputation? Do we know what God wants, yet still refuse to accept His direction?
We need to take responsibility for these things and allow God to correct us.
Verse 11 connects this sound teaching with the glorious gospel God entrusted to Paul. The law exposes sin, and the gospel announces that Christ saves sinners.
Family, when God points out our sin, it is time to turn back to Him. A life restored to God’s way requires us to stop making excuses and admit that we need His forgiveness and transforming power.
- Return through Grace and Hold On to Faith and a Good Conscience
1 Timothy 1:15 “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
1 Timothy 1:19 “Holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.”
After explaining how the law exposes sin, Paul shared his own experience of Christ’s mercy.
He had once spoken against God, persecuted believers, and acted violently. Yet the Lord showed him mercy. God poured out His grace upon Paul, giving him faith and love in Christ Jesus and appointing him to serve.
Paul did not first improve himself and then earn the Lord’s acceptance. The Lord showed him mercy and changed his life. In verse 17, Paul responded with praise, giving honour and glory to God.
Family, when we recognise our sin, we do not need to hide from the Lord. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Because of His mercy, we can confess our sin and return to Him.
Having received grace, we must continue responding to God. Paul urged Timothy to fight the good fight and hold on to faith and a good conscience.
In verse 20, Hymenaeus and Alexander serve as serious warnings. They had turned away from the faith, and Paul disciplined them so that they would learn not to speak against God.
We must take seriously the problems God has already shown us. Faith keeps us trusting Christ. A good conscience helps us respond honestly to His truth.
When the Lord shows us that our words have hurt someone, we need to admit it and apologise. When He exposes dishonesty, we need to stop hiding the truth. His grace gives us courage to repent and strength to change.
A life restored to God’s way means receiving His mercy and continuing each day to trust Him and remain faithful to His truth.
Conclusion
Family, 1 Timothy chapter 1 teaches us that sound teaching should lead to love flowing from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
The law is good. When used properly, it exposes sin and helps us recognise our need. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, so that through His mercy we can return to God.
Today, let us allow God’s Word to examine our lives. Let us face our sin honestly, depend on Christ’s grace to change, and hold on to faith and a good conscience. May the truth we believe shape how we speak, treat others, and handle our responsibilities, so that we live a life restored to God’s way.
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