The Bible Series 1 Timothy

Many of you this week wished me happy birthday. Thank you. I recieved a gift that I felt was very fitting as I introduce our scripture today…

Nathan & Krista got me a mug that says, “Behind every great pastor, is an AWESOME CONGREGATION!”

So very true!!! It is such a joy and blessing to shepherd this church family. This is an amazing church family and I am blessed to call you brothers and sisters in Christ!

I share this gift because on the back it list “nutrition facts” of a pastor…

Hard working, passion, compassion, love, giving, loyal, faith

All these things are right out of God’s Word characteristics of a good shepherd

Today we are looking at the first of three Pastoral Letters

As we make our way through the New Testament letters, we come to a section of letters addressed to the leaders of Christ Church. These letters have been called as a collective the “Pastoral Epistles/Letters”.

They are given as a special blessing and as an invaluable resource to Christ’s Church… In 1 Timothy 3:14-15 Paul states the purpose for this letter…

1 Timothy 3:14–15 NASB95

I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

The Church

The church is Christ’s concept and idea. To Peter Jesus would say, “I will build my church”

Scripture describes the church as follows:

A BODY… consisting of ONE entity / functioning as a UNIT

A BRIDE… reflecting a MARRIAGE / TWO individuals (Bride & Groom)

A FAMILY… indicative of UNITED individuals / sharing a common BOND

AT THE CENTER:

Christ has established within these… ORDER

For there to be ORDER there needs to be… LEADERSHIP

A BODY is sick when things are not in order

A MARRIAGE is unhealthy and turmoil is present without order

A FAMILY has to have order for it to develop the younger into maturity, for love, care, and provision to occur

Leadership… is part of what Christ has established for His Church…

As we take today and the next two weeks we will look at the Pastoral Letters

Pastoral Letters

In 1 Timothy we will consider LEADERSHIP & ORDER

In 2 Timothy (last of the Pastoral Letters) we will be challenged to ENDURANCE… passing the baton

In Titus we will look at Godly CONDUCT

These two men (Timothy & Titus) will continue the work Paul started

Overseeing the work and care of the church

They will pass onto other men the same responsibilities

BEFORE YOU DISMISS THIS MESSAGE & THESE LETTERS:

Please understand that these are in our scriptures for a twofold purpose!!!

1) To Equip the Leaders (Elders & Deacons) of the church

2) To Equip the Church… understand the responsibilities of those leading you & to guard yourselves!

Who you listen to, who stands in this pulpit, who you allow yourself to be taught by

You understand WHO is QUALIFIED to lead

You understand WHAT should be TAUGHT and WHY

These letters give directives YET… they also give accountability to your leaders!

These letters are IMPERATIVE for Elders / Pastors leading in Ministry

These letters are also vitally IMPORTANT for the church family to understand and apply

Let us BOTH heed these timeless words given to us in scripture… 1 Timothy 1:1-2

1 Timothy 1:1–2 NASB95

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

First Timothy Info

This is a very Private & Personal letter written by Paul most likely after his release from his first imprisonment.

Although it is personal & private it is to be used by the church publicly and benefit the church as a whole

Written around 62-63 AD this is written later in his life

An aged Paul is handing down wisdom, instruction, and experience to a young pastor named Timothy…

This letter stands as the first of three pastoral letters (The greeting of “mercy” is given only to Timothy… kindness and concern)

The intent is directive for leaders

AVAILABLE to all people

APPLICABLE to all people

Paul is very open and honest with this young protege in this personal letter. Together briefly let’s consider what he says to church leaders and the churches they lead…

First Timothy Overview

Paul right away reminds Timothy why he is there as a pastor in the church in Ephesus… 1 Timothy 1:3-5

1 Timothy 1:3–5 NASB95

As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 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. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

GUARD against false doctrines/teachings

DON’T waste time with pointless teaching & discussions

GOD’S ADMINISTRATION… furthering the work and order of God (our faith)

INSTRUCT with the goal in mind:

In love (don’t beat the sheep)

Pure Heart (the motive)

Good conscience (self evaluation)

Sincere faith… genuine not fake

CHAPTER 1 Deals with teaching solid sound doctrine!!!

Paul at the end of this chapter as he reminds what is true reflects on what Christ did for him… it results in PRAISE!!!! Christ’s work in our life should point people to Christ… 1 Timothy 1:15-17

1 Timothy 1:15–17 NASB95

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

CHAPTER 2 confronts the topic of our worship

PRAYER… look with me the emphasis of prayer in 1 Timothy 2:1-3

1 Timothy 2:1–3 NASB95

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

There is a priority for leaders to PRAY

There is a priority for God’s people to PRAY

Chapter 2 addresses multiple aspects of the worship TOGETHER, there is order, and Paul states that the role & responsibility of leading and teaching in the church is for the man.

This is the order God has established for His church

God has set in place for a man to be in the position of elder/pastor/shepherd (interchangeable terms)

He then begins in chapter 3 the character & qualities of these men…

CHAPTER 3 the character and qualities of God’s leaders

I would like to ask the elders of our church to stand. These are the men along with myself who lead spiritually in our church family… here is the standard God holds us to… 1 Timothy 3:1-7

1 Timothy 3:1–7 NASB95

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Thank you men for serving along with me as fellow elders of our church family (seated)

The chapter goes on to discuss leadership as well as deacons & wraps up with Paul’s purpose for writing

CHAPTER 4 reiterates to Timothy the dangers of false teachers / some will fall away!

This chapter is a great reminder why the church family needs to be keenly aware of the instruction in this letter!!!!

Some will turn away to false teaching

Some will get sidetracked

Some will need to be approached, rebuked, corrected…

Do this Timothy even though you are young!

Do this with love, gentleness, reverence… yet with boldness!

Be disciplined church leader, pastor, elder, deacon… PAY ATTENTION / BE ALERT

CHAPTER 5 deals with practical instruction & church conduct Widows & Elders

How to treat all people… then:

The first portion of this chapter deals with widow care

The family’s responsibility

The church’s responsibility

There is order given in this…

The second half deals with Elders and how the church family is to care for them

CHAPTER 6 deals with the MOTIVES for pastors / leaders

Consider how you serve in in your faith

Exhibit GODLINESS with CONTENTMENT

How to engage and instruct the rich within the church family

Paul delivers two CHARGES… in commanding form and fashion here. It is a militant tone as he states: 1 Timothy 6:11-12

1 Timothy 6:11–12 NASB95

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

His closing words deliver the same urgency of guarding or protecting this teaching… 1 Timothy 6:20-21

1 Timothy 6:20–21 NASB95

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

Your Pastor’s Heart

I thought hard about how to close this letter out today. After reading this letter again this week for who knows how many times… I want to close with requesting three (3) things from you, Christ’s church and close stating one (1) thing…

I request you hold me and the rest of the elders accountable to the standard set forth here in God’s Word

Guard your hearts and ears who you allow to teach and lead you (false teaching is prevalent today more than ever)

Thirdly I plead with you as my church family, please PRAY for your elders as we lead. We are fellow sheep called to be under-shepherds of God’s people. We need and covet your prayers. (we in turn are praying for you!)

In closing I want to share with you, you really are an “AWESOME CHURCH FAMILY”

Thank you for the honor of being your pastor

Thank you for being such an amazing church family to do this life with

Thank you for allowing me the honor of teaching you God’s Word

I love you all so much