CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

Paul has spent a lot of time instructing Timothy on how to deal with the wolves in sheep’s clothing – all through chapters 1, 2 and the beginning of 4.

He warns that some, despite Timothy’s leadership and teaching will depart from the faith – the enemy will sear the conscience.

They will teach false doctrines, and create their own word from god on how to live – even devoting themselves to demonic teachings.

But he encourages Timothy to remain steadfast and Paul continues as we read and discuss 1 Timothy 4:11-16

So as we begin – let us pray!

Christian Leadership and False Teachings

1 Timothy 4:11-16 – Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

I. THE CONCERN—vv. 11–16

1. Expertise – v 11 – Command and teach these things.

Command – Parangello – par and gel lo – declare with authority – military term for commanding one’s troops

Teach – didasko – did as ko – instruct, give a discourse, instill doctrine, explain, expound, teach something

Remember in 1:5 – the goal of this command is love

While loving those Timothy has placed in charge, the people they oversee, and the removing the false teachers – all is to be done in love.

Teach these things – in love – everything I have included in this letter so far and will continue to include – you must with the authority God has given you – teach these things!

The emphasis is not just on the quantity of what Timothy was called to teach but the quality of it as well – good solider (1:8), good teaching (4:6), good work (3:1…+ more) good testimony (3:7), good foundation and confession which we will get to in ch 6.

To Command and Teach – Good – must be well trained – 4:7

2. Example—v. 12 – Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Be aware that some will try to disqualify you because of your age – but Timothy – you be the example - to strike a blow – to make an impression

Lead by example and not by anger or force

Be an example – non-ending – ongoing –

Example of what?

a. In Speech – Matthew 12:34 – You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Teach only the truth

Do your words build up or tear down?

Do you speak in love or in anger?

Your daily conversations – what do they say about you?

b. In Conduct – Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

Is Jesus Lord and Savior or just Savior?

Do you do what God says to do?

Does Our walk match our talk?

What are your habits of the heart?

c. In Love – Agape – Godly love – 1 Corinthians 13:13 – So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Do you extend the love of God to others that God loves you with?

How charitable are you?

Do you personally sacrifice to help others – are you self-centered or God-centered?

d. In Faith – Galatians 5:6 – For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Do you trust the Lord – walk in His statutes?

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

How trustworthy are you?

e. In Purity – hagneia – sinless life – not actively engaging in sin – pure from sexual desires and engaging in sexual pleasures

2 Timothy 2:22 – So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Do you have self-control?

3. Exhort—v. 13 – Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Paul tells Timothy and us – Read God’s Word. Encourage others to read it. Teach God’s Word to others.

Devote – be addicted to – public reading of Scripture

Read it out loud – read it in services – this is what is to be read!

Read it – expound on it – explain it – teach it – help them apply it and live it out!

Exhortation – the exposition and application of Scripture

Encourage others in the faith

Encourage others to continue

Encourage others in Scripture

Teach it!

Instruct on it!

Explain it!

4. Endowment —v. 14 – Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

1 Timothy 1:18 – This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

Don’t shy away from what God has called you to do –

God does not call the qualified – He qualifies those He calls

Don’t question your ability to do what God has called you to do!

Don’t put your gifting on a shelf – use it!

It is not just me – elders saw it in you and laid hands on you – prayed for you and encouraged you in ministry

Jewish tradition – Joshua was commissioned to take over for Moses by laying on of hands

John the Baptist’s disciples received the Spirit through the laying on of hands

Ananias laid hands on Paul to commission him

Paul and the elders laid hands on Timothy to commission him

5. Examination—vv. 15–16 – Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Put your abilities to work for the Lord. Hold nothing back from Him.

Be diligent in these matters – back to v11 Command and teach – these are not suggestions and not for the lukewarm believer

Romans 12:11 – Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Immerse yourself in them – be absorbed in them – let everything you do, do for the Lord

Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Give yourself wholly to the Lord – complete attention to these matters – like an athlete training for the Olympics

Paul is encouraging Timothy to do what he says here in Philippians 3

Philippians 3:13-16 – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Why is this so imperative? So that others may see your progress

So that you may inspire others – your way of life might attract others to want to know why you live the way you do

Command – teach these things – practice these things – persist in doing these things

Keep careful watch over yourself – how you live, act speak, love, your faith and your purity

Keep careful watch over what you teach – expel the false teachers, destroy the false doctrines – only teach the Gospel – only teach the Word of God – stay true to what is right

Keep watch over yourself first and then the flock

Do this for the sake of your salvation and the salvation of those who hear you – you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you

Keep their eyes ears and hearts open to the truth and help them reject the lies of the enemy

Closely tied to Philippians 2

Philippians 2:12-13 – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Quantity and Quality of the teaching and the Word are required – do we focus on just the quantity of the Word? Do we just focus on the quality of the teaching? How can be balance these as we listen and learn?

In living out your faith relationship which of the 5 mentioned is your strongest? What do you need to work on? (Speech, Conduct, Love, Faith, Purity)?

How devoted are you to Scripture? Are you addicted to reading God’s Word? Daily?