"SERVANTS OF CHRIST PART VIII"
Notes
Transcript
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
Understand and be involved in biblical ministry - vs. 13-15
Conclusion - vs. 16
Proposition - As we continue in our study this morning, we are going to learn about 1) the priority of biblical ministry, 2) the model of biblical ministry, and 3) the pursuit of biblical ministry.
Interrogative question - to what extent are you involved in biblical ministry?
1. The Priority of Biblical Ministry - vs. 13
1. The Priority of Biblical Ministry - vs. 13
13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.
What things to do you pay attention too?
“give attention to” - (prosecho) - verb, present, active, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - take care; pay attention to
Sense: to serve (devote) - to devote (part of) one’s life or efforts to; as of religions or institutions
Psalm 5:2 (NASB95)
2 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray.
Psalm 10:17 (NASB95)
17 O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear
Psalm 17:1 (NASB95)
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord, give heed to my cry; Give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips.
Psalm 55:2 (NASB95)
2 Give heed to me and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted,
Psalm 61:1 (NASB95)
1 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer.
Psalm 66:19 (NASB95)
19 But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
Psalm 86:6 (NASB95)
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications!
Jesus said Watch for the false teachers -
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Jesus said Watch out for the influence of the Pharisees -
6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
11 “How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
1 Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,
In the Pastoral Letters Paul says pay no attention to the Jewish Myths -
14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
Paul instructs the elders of Ephesus to watch over themselves and the flock -
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
In a positive sense “of paying attention” - Lydia
14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.
Pay attention to the message of Christ -
1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
A. Read the Scriptures
A. Read the Scriptures
“reading” - (anagnosis) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - dative object - reading
Sense: public reading - delivering an address to a public audience from a written linguistic message
Acts 13:15 (NASB95)
15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.”
2 Corinthians 3:14 (NASB95)
14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.
Nehemiah 8:1–8 (NASB95)
1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.
3 He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand.
5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. 8 They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
B. Exhortation from the Scriptures
B. Exhortation from the Scriptures
“to exhortation” - (paraklesis) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - dative object - encouragement; comfort
Sense: exhortation - the act of earnestly supporting or encouraging (a response or action).
Acts 13:15 (NASB95)
15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.”
Romans 12:8 (NASB95)
8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 14:3 (NASB95)
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
1 Thessalonians 2:3 (NASB95)
3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;
Hebrews 12:5 (NASB95)
5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
Hebrews 13:22 (NASB95)
22 But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.
Noun: παράκλησις (paraklēsis), GK 4155 (S 3874), 29×. paraklēsis carries the idea of consolation, comfort, or encouragement.
Paul’s second letter to Corinth is colored with words of comfort, containing eleven instances of paraklēsis, which is over a third of the total occurrences in the NT. In Lk 2:25 Simeon is described as one awaiting the paraklēsis of Israel. In Acts the believers look for encouragement or comfort from one another (Acts 13:15; 15:31). The source of all comfort is the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31). This association of comfort with the Holy Spirit is evident in Jesus’ reference to the Spirit as the paraklētos, “the comforter” (KJV, see Jn 14:26; 15:26; 16:13–14). Mounce, W. D. (2006). In Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (p. 122). Zondervan.
Acts 9:31 (NASB95)
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
C. Teach the Scriptures
C. Teach the Scriptures
“teaching” - (didaskalia) - noun, dative, singular, feminine - dative object
Sense: teaching (activity) - the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
Romans 12:7 (NASB95)
7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
Colossians 2:20–22 (NASB95)
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
1 Timothy 1:10 (NASB95)
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
1 Timothy 4:16 (NASB95)
16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
1 Timothy 5:17 (NASB95)
17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
2 Timothy 3:10 (NASB95)
10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,
2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB95)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
The idea of this Greek word is twofold -
That which is taught, doctrine - Eph. 4, Col. 2:22, 1 Timothy 1:10, and 4:1
Teaching, and instruction - Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:10, and 16
Donald Guthrie writes that the verb “implies previous preparation in private” (The Pastoral Epistles, rev. ed. [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990], 109). It encompasses not just the act of teaching, but all the commitment, study, and preparation associated with it.
2. The Model of Biblical Ministry - vs. 14
2. The Model of Biblical Ministry - vs. 14
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
“do neglect” - (ameleo) - verb, present, active, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - neglect; be unconcerned
Sense: to not care - to not feel concern or interest
Hebrews 2:1–3 (NASB95)
1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,
A. God has gifted you - vs. 14a
A. God has gifted you - vs. 14a
“spiritual gift” - noun, genitive, singular, neuter - genitive object - gift
Sense: present - grace - a present given as a sign of beneficent favor
6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.
6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
What is Timothy’s spiritual gift?
Each believer’s gift is a God-designed blend of spiritual capabilities, which acts as a channel through which the Spirit of God ministers to others. Timothy’s gift included evangelism, preaching, teaching, and leadership (cf. 4:6, 11, 13, 16; 6:2; 2 Tim. 2:24–25; 4:2, 5). MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 1 Timothy (p. 179). Moody Press.
B. God has confirmed His gifting in you - vs. 14
B. God has confirmed His gifting in you - vs. 14
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
“was bestowed on” - (didomi) - verb, aorist, passive, indicative, third person, singular - finite verb - give; grant
Sense: to be granted - to be or become in one’s possession, whether physically or abstractly
Colossians 1:25 (NASB95)
25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
1 John 3:1 (NASB95)
1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
“prophetic utterance” - (propheteia) - noun, genitive, singular, feminine - prepositional object - prophecy -
Sense: prophecy (God) - a representative declaration of the mind, will, or knowledge of God; especially concerning past, present. or future manifestations of the outworking of His will or other events.
20 do not despise prophetic utterances.
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
2 Chronicles 15:1–9 (NASB95)
1 Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
3 “For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. 4 “But in their distress they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him. 5 “In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 “Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress.
7 “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” 8 Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the Lord which was in front of the porch of the Lord.
9 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.
Ezra 6:14 (NASB95)
14 And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
Nehemiah 6:12 (NASB95)
12 Then I perceived that surely God had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
It was through the prophetic utterance that God called Paul and Timothy -
Paul -
Acts 13:1–2 (NASB95)
1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Timothy - most likely -
Acts 16:1–3 (NASB95)
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
In our day God calls men into full time ministry not through special revelation, rather, through His providence. If God desires a man to be in the ministry, He gives him the desire and opens the door for the opportunity.
C. Godly men confirmed the gifting - vs. 14b
C. Godly men confirmed the gifting - vs. 14b
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
“the laying on” - (epithesis) - noun, genitive, singular, feminine - prepositional object - laying on
Sense: laying on hands (endowing) - the act of endowing or imparting a state, condition, or authority by, or as if by, transferring it through bodily touch.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NASB95)
6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
“presbytery” - (presbyterion) - noun, genitive, singular, neuter - possessive genitive - council of elders
Sense: council of elders (church) - a body of respected (usually older) people serving in an administrative capacity; including those bodies made up of those deemed official elders in the early church.
Luke 22:66 (NASB95)
66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying,
Acts 22:5 (NASB95)
5 as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.
3. The Pursuit of Biblical Ministry - vs. 15
3. The Pursuit of Biblical Ministry - vs. 15
A. Sold out for God no matter the cost - vs. 15a
A. Sold out for God no matter the cost - vs. 15a
15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
“take pains with” - (meletao) - verb, present, active, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - practice; cultivate; conspire
Sense: to practice (learn) - to learn by repetition and strenuous effort
8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Psalm 1 (NASB95)
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
B. Continual growth in your pursuit of holiness - vs. 15b
B. Continual growth in your pursuit of holiness - vs. 15b
15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
“progress” - (prokope) - noun, nominative, singular, feminine - subject of the dependent clause - progress
Sense: progress - gradual improvement or growth or development
Prokopē (progress) was used in military terms to speak of an advancing force. The Stoics used the word to speak of advancing in learning, understanding, or knowledge. It could also refer to the strenuous effort of a pioneer blazing a trail to a new location. An excellent minister is to be advancing to Christlikeness, and his people should be able to mark his progress. MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 1 Timothy (p. 181). Moody Press.
Philippians 1:12 (NASB95)
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
Philippians 1:25 (NASB95)
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
“evident” - (phaneros) - adjective, nominative, singular, feminine - predicate nominative - visible; evident; known
Sense: to be manifest - to be or become clearly revealed to the mind, the sense, or judgment.
Closing thoughts -
Writing in the middle of the second century, the apologist Justin Martyr described a typical worship service of his day:
On the day called Sunday there is a meeting in one place of those who live in cities or the country, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read as long as time permits. When the reader has finished, the president in a discourse urges and invites us to the imitation of these noble things.
Then we all stand up together and offer prayers. And, as said before, when we have finished the prayer, bread is brought, and wine and water, and the president similarly sends up prayers and thanksgivings to the best of his ability, and the congregation assents, saying the Amen. (Cited in Cyril C. Richardson, ed., Early Christian Fathers [New York: MacMillan, 1978], 287)
The fourth-century bishop of Constantinople John Chrysostom was nicknamed “golden-mouthed.” Of him John R. W. Stott writes,
He is generally and justly regarded as the greatest pulpit orator of the Greek church. Nor has he any superior or equal among the Latin Fathers. He remains to this day a model for preachers in large cities.
Four chief characteristics of his preaching may be mentioned.
First, he was biblical. Not only did he preach systematically through several books, but his sermons are full of biblical quotations and allusions.
Secondly, his interpretation of the Scriptures was simple and straightforward. He followed the Antiochene school of “literal” exegesis, in contrast to fanciful Alexandrian allegorizations.
Thirdly, his moral applications were down to earth.
Reading his sermons today, one can imagine without difficulty the pomp of the imperial court, the luxuries of the aristocracy, the wild races of the hippodrome, in fact the whole life of an oriental city at the end of the fourth century. Fourthly, he was fearless in his condemnations. In fact, “he was a martyr of the pulpit, for it was chiefly his faithful preaching that caused his exile.” (Cited in John R. W. Stott, Between Two Worlds [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982], 21)
This is my goal as the Pastor of FBC -
Timothy is to immerse himself in the biblical text, to encourage people to follow the text, and to teach its doctrines. Mounce, W. D. (2000). Pastoral Epistles (Vol. 46, p. 260). Word, Incorporated.
His simple, direct exposition of Scripture, coupled with moral application, is a model for all preachers to imitate. MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1995). 1 Timothy (p. 177). Moody Press.
SO WHAT?
1) the priority of biblical ministry,
2) the model of biblical ministry, and
3) the pursuit of biblical ministry.
to what extent are you involved in biblical ministry?