HONORING AUTHORITY

Paul had high standards not only for those that lead the church – the bride of Christ as he refers to it in many of his letters – but he also hold those believers to high standards.

Last week we looked at how he instructed Timothy and us to hold other accountable, some sins are visible and deal with those so they don’t become like a cancer. Some sins are not seen and God will reveal and deal with them. Some good works are visible and some are not – but nothing remains hidden.

And now as we begin to close out 1 Timothy – Paul turns his attention slaves and slave owners.

Why? A large percentage of the 1st Century Church were made of slaves and slave owners.

Slaves would even become church leaders in the local church – a leader over their master.

Paul’s exhortation to Christian slaves were incorporated into their lives to the fact that slaves who were believers brought a higher price than none believing slaves.

This does not mean that God approves of slavery – but that fact that if you are a follower of Christ – despite your circumstances – you live out your relationship with Christ.

With this – let us pray and then look at what Paul says.

Honoring Authority – Living Contently

1 Timothy 6:1–6 – Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain,

I. SHOW RESPECT—vv. 1–2

1. By fervent work—v. 1 – Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.

Yoke – a symbol of forced work – metaphor for bondage and servitude

Jesus refers to His Yoke

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Paul warns not to be Yoked with unbelievers

2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Bondservant – the word Paul uses here he also uses in Philippians 1:1

Philippians 1:1 – Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

Doulus – slave, devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests

Time – tee may – honor one has by reason of rank or office – honor which belongs to one

Same word Paul used in 5:17 regarding elders.

If you are under the bondage of slavery – regard your masters as worthy of honor – worthy of respect

Why do we do this?

Blasphemeo – speak of reproachfully, reviled, evil spoken of

To blaspheme the family name was to vilify it and destroy its credibility –

So the Name Of God will not be spoken of in evil

So the Teachings of God will not be reviled

So His reputation will not stained

2. By faithful work—v. 2 – Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.

What we do, we do for the glory of God. Putting our heart into our work.

Paul saw no difference between people

Galatians 3:27-29 – For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

But here on earth if you are a slave, a servant – you

MUST NOT BE DISRESPECTFUL – this is strong, commanding language – there is no room for interpretation – no what if’s allowed here

Paul says do not take advantage of your master if he is a believer – that is a blessing.

If he is a believer, he is a brother – he is in the family of God

So not only do not be disrespectful but - serve more diligently – work harder for them –

Colossians 3:22-25 – Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 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. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Paul had a two-fold reason – 1st they are brothers but 2nd – their hard work benefits others

2023 – teach this – do this – but we don’t have slaves – I am not a slave

If you work for someone other than yourself – you should follow these as well – your boss while not your master or owner is oversees you – do they know you are a Christian?

II. THE RICHES—vv. 3–6

1. Soundness—v. 2b-3 – Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,

The parallels and symmetry of Paul’s letter to Timothy –

1:3 – Stay at Ephesus

6:2 – Teach and Uphold the faith

1:4-7 – Deal w/ false teachers

6:3-6 – Deal w/ false teachers

The teachings of Jesus Christ build and form a good & solid foundation for a godly life – God-centered life.

Timothy teach these things – I exhort you, request of you – strongly encourage you

Don’t divide the church over false teachers, false teachings, false doctrine – nothing contrary to the words of – the sound words of Jesus Christ – our Lord and Savior

Sound words – hygiaino – hoog ee ah ee no – opinion free teaching – wholesome, to be in good health – Paul uses this 8 times in his pastoral epistles – 2 in 1 Timothy, 2 in 2 Timothy and 4 in Titus

This is not a call to major on the minors or nit-pick arguments

Sound doctrine cannot be out of sync with Jesus Himself

2. Strife—v. 4 – he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,

Those who reject God’s teachings will build up self and the church, not others, they will stir up strife and trouble.

This is the opposite of what Paul said 1:5

1 Timothy 1:5 – The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Typhoo – toof o o – smoke filled - Puffed up – filled with self – not God – filled with pride

Understands NOTHING – absolutely nothing – Paul says

Craves controversies – energized by controversies – questioning debates

Fights over the words – loves to stir the pot – but I think

There is a 5-fold problem Timothy

a. Envy – people could desire what these false teachers sell

b. Strife – God wants unity of the spirit – false teachers, the enemy loves strife, struggles fights

c. Malicious talk – blasphemia – slander, evil speaking, detraction, injurious

d. Evil suspensions – to think suspiciously about someone

e. Constant friction – all of these cause problems – constant friction – not focused

3. Sin—v. 5 – and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Minds become twisted, depraved of truth leads to thinking sin is alright or that sin is not a sin at all.

Their minds are depraved, corrupted, consume them, to destroy/kill

Deprived – robbed of the truth – cheat and steal the truth away

Eternal fellowship with God leads to financial gain, wealth – God wants you and me wealthy, prosperity with property

4. Satisfaction—v. 6 – But godliness with contentment is great gain,

Godliness plus satisfaction is great gain, or great success.

Content with what God provides – not wanting or desiring more

This godliness sets us apart –

Apart from false doctrine and teachers

Apart from desires for material wealth

Content with God’s presence over all else

Satisfied with God’s provisions and blessing

Philippians 4:11-13 – Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Remember that pride destroys contentment

Pride breeds envy strife and constant friction – if you are experiencing any of these – is it pride in your life causing this?

Godliness produces contentment – how content are you?

If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit is living in you – do you live your life according to the words of Jesus Himself – or perpendicular to His words –

Do you work as if working for the Lord?

Do you treat others – love others like God loves you?

Do you forgive others like God forgives you?

Let us pray!

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