"SERVANTS OF CHRIST PART VII"
1 Timothy • Sermon • Submitted
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Servants of Christ Will Be -
Saturated with the Word of God - vs. 6
Protect the Word of God - vs. 7a
Flee heresies against the Word of God - vs. 7a
Disciplined for the pursuit of godliness - vs. 7b-8
Committed to Hard Work - vs. 9-10
Prescribe and Teach with Authority - vs. 11
Live Out Your Faith - vs. 12
Model’s a Biblical Ministry - vs. 13
Lives out His Calling - vs. 14
Totally immersed in His ministry - vs. 15a
Progressive Sanctification - vs 15b
Conclusion - vs. 16
Turn to the person next to you and ask them to - based on our interactions what three words would you use to describe me?
Proposition - Last week we briefly began to look at 1 Timothy 4:12 and we saw that Servants of Christ will live out their faith. Now, we are going to learn about the specifics of both the internal and external characteristics that servants of Christ will exemplify.
Interrogative question - What do people remember about you?
1. Servants of Christ Will Live Out Their Faith - vs. 12
1. Servants of Christ Will Live Out Their Faith - vs. 12
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
a. External Characteristics
a. External Characteristics
i. Speech - the words that proceed out of your mouth
i. Speech - the words that proceed out of your mouth
“speech” - (logos) - noun, dative, singular, masculine - prepositional object - word; message
Sense: message (communication) - a communication that is most often spoken, but can come through other means.
James 3:1–12 (NASB95) - The power of our “words”
1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
ii. Conduct - the behavior that is exemplified on day to day basis
ii. Conduct - the behavior that is exemplified on day to day basis
“conduct” - (anastrophe) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - prepositional object - conduct; way of life
Sense: conduct - manner of acting or controlling yourself
Noun: ἀναστροφή (anastrophē), GK 419 (S 391), 13×. anastrophē is a combination of the verb strephō (“to turn”) and the prefix ana (“up, back, again”). Thus, the term literally means “a turning upside down, turning back.” Ancient Greeks used this term to describe soldiers who turned back their path from battle and retreated. While older translations like the KJV rendered anastrophē as “conversion,” this term is now properly understood to indicate a “manner of life” or simply “conduct.” The meaning of words can change over time.
Paul compares his “way of life” when he was in Judaism (Gal 1:13) to his way of life after Jesus was revealed to him (Gal 1:15–16; cf. Phil. 3:7–9). He exhorts believers to put off the old self, which was a part of their “way of life” before they knew Jesus, and to put on the new nature, which is created after the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22–23). Peter encouragea wives to have a pure and godly “way of life” so that they may win over those who refuse to accept the gospel (1 Pet. 3:1–2, 16; cf. 1:15). Christians should avoid an empty “life” that characterizes dead religion (1 Pet. 1:18), and instead strive toward a “way of life” that proceeds from humble wisdom (Jas. 3:13). Paul encourages Timothy to be an example of a godly “life” regardless of his young age (1 Tim. 4:12; cf. 2 Pet. 2:7, 12; 3:11). In summary, believers are to be holy in every aspect of their life (1 Pet. 1:15).
A holy life is not one to be lived in isolation as many attempt to do in Western Christianity today. God-honoring Christian lives must be within the encouraging confines of the body of Christ. This truth explains why Scripture exhorts Christians both to remember examples of godly lives of individuals in the past and to imitate their faith in the present (Heb. 13:7). See NIDNTT-A, 49–50.* Mounce, W. D. (2006). In Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (p. 780). Zondervan.
Turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 13:7
Hebrews 13:7 (NASB95)
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Think about the life of the Apostle Paul for example - “manner of life”
Galatians 1:13–14 (NASB95)
13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
Philippians 3 - if time allows (specifically Philippians 3:7-9
Think about the biblical principle of put off vs. put on in Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4:22–23 (NASB95)
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
b. Internal Characteristics
b. Internal Characteristics
i. Love - the sacrificial love that you have for others
i. Love - the sacrificial love that you have for others
“Love” - (agape) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - prepositional object - love
Sense: love (affection) - a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
A gentle feeling of fondness or likeness -
1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB95)
5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:14 (NASB95)
14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95)
15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NASB95)
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
1 Timothy 6:11 (NASB95)
11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
The greatest example of Love is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ -
John 13 - Jesus washes the Disciples feet
The Gospel of Mark is all about the servanthood of Jesus Christ
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
1 John 4:10 - God’s demonstration of His great love by sending His Son
Love signifies the true and pure love of God to his Son -
26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Love signifies the true and pure love of God to his people -
10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Love signifies the true and pure love of God for a depraved humanity that is in rebellion against Him -
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Love signifies the true and pure nature of God -
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Love signifies our obedience to Him -
21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
ii. Faith - the faithfulness that you have to the gospel
ii. Faith - the faithfulness that you have to the gospel
“faith” - (pistis) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - prepositional object - faith
Sense: trust in the gospel - trust in Jesus as contained in the content of the Gospel
Faith in God -
22 And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God.
8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
Faith in Jesus -
16 “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Faith with the unspoken object being understood as Jesus Christ -
Romans 1:8 (NASB95)
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.
1 Corinthians 2:5 (NASB95)
5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Corinthians 15:14 (NASB95)
14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
1 Corinthians 15:17 (NASB95)
17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
Jesus reprimands people for their lack of faith -
Matthew 17:20 (NASB95)
20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
Mark 4:40 (NASB95)
40 And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”
Luke 8:25 (NASB95)
25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”
iii. Purity - sexual purity
iii. Purity - sexual purity
“purity” - (hagneia) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - prepositional object - purity
Sense: moral purity - the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong; especially lacking a firsthand knowledge of evil
Noun: ἁγνότης (hagnotēs), GK 55 (S 54), 2×. hagneia and hagnotēs both mean “purity.” While the former word seems to apply in the NT specifically to sexual purity (1 Tim. 4:12; 5:2), hagnotēs is a more general word for keeping oneself fully devoted to Christ and the Christian way of life (2 Cor. 6:6; 11:3). See NIDNTT-A, 12.
Adjective: ἁγνός (hagnos), GK 54 (S 53), 8×. hagnos means “pure, innocent.” The overwhelming message of the NT is that believers should keep themselves pure; this term should not be limited to sexual purity, as we so often think of the word—though it can have that nuance (cf. Tit. 2:5; 1 Pet. 3:2). When Paul sets as his goal to present the Corinthian church to Christ as a “pure virgin” (2 Cor. 11:2), he is using hagnos in the context of the OT, where adultery and prostitution are often used as metaphors for idolatry. When Paul instructs Timothy to keep himself “pure” (1 Tim. 5:22), he is advising him to keep away from any involvement in the sins of others. In fact, if believers want to enjoy the peace of God, they must concentrate their lives (among other qualities) on things that are “pure” (Phil. 4:8–9). Finally, as to the basis of Christian purity, just as our holiness is founded on the fact that God is holy (see holy), so our purity is to be based on the fact that “he is pure” (1 Jn. 3:3). See NIDNTT-A, 12.
Adjective: καθαρός (katharos), GK 2754 (S 2513), 27×. katharos (“clean, pure”) conveys three different senses: a natural sense, a ceremonial sense, and a moral sense. See clean. Mounce, W. D. (2006). In Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (pp. 549–550). Zondervan.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NASB95)
12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
1 Timothy 5:2 (NASB95)
2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
SO WHAT??
Believer - What do people remember about you?
Unbeliever - Come to Jesus today -
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The single greatest tool of leadership is the power of an exemplary life. The Puritan Thomas Brooks said, “Example is the most powerful rhetoric” (cited in I. D. E. Thomas, A Puritan Golden Treasury [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1977], 96). Setting an example of godly living that others can follow is the sine qua non of excellence in ministry. When a manifest pattern of godliness is missing, the power is drained out of preaching, leaving it a hollow, empty shell. A minister’s life is his most powerful message, and must reinforce what he says or he may as well not say it. Authoritative preaching is undermined if there is not a virtuous life backing it up. MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 1 Timothy (p. 172). Moody Press.