Personal Relationships In Christian Ministry

GUARD YOUR CALLING

INTRO: In Christian ministry the three keys are, “relationship, relationship, relationship, relationship with God, relationship with family and relationship with others.

This morning we are going to be speaking about the mentoring relationship between Paul with Timothy and Philemon.

A mentor is defined as a role model, teacher, coach, and confident. A true mentor is more than confidant among their peers, the mentor must have enough experience, wisdom, and knowledge to be able to authoritatively impart the same to their mantee.

Paul often mentioned his credentials when writing his letters, “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God, because they were not only going to Timothy and Philemon, but to the entire Christian community.

1 Timothy 1:18–19 “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,”

Paul tell Timothy to take charge, and reminds him of the prophectic word spoken over his life. Teach sound doctrine or anything else that does not glorify God.

Called to Purity

1 Timothy 5:21–22 “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.”

Ministry is not for the dovice, and every new minister, pastor needs a mentor to support and guide., even when they may have had lots of training.

One of the tuffy issues many times is prejudice and partiality.

Prejudice, an irrational attitude or a biased opinion toward an individual or group.

Partiality, showing favoritism to someone or something based on no other viable criteria than one’s personal preference.

Guard Your Faith

1 Timothy 6:20–21 “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.”

O Timothy, guard and keep safe the deposit [of godly truth] entrusted to you, turn away from worldly and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], and the contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and by doing so have erred (missed the mark) and strayed from the faith. Amp

And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith.

INTERCEDE FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS

Paul's Prayers for Timothy

2 Timothy 1:1–4 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy,”

Paul’s Prayer for Philemon

Philemon 4–7 “I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.”

We will be closer to some in the church than other’s.

Christ love constrains us to love and relate well to all believers. Jesus said this is the single most identifiable characteristic of our faith.

John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

AFFIRM AND CORRECT FELLOW CHRISTIANS

Paul’s Plea For Onesimus

Philemon 17–19 “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.”

Paul’s Confidence in Philemon

Philemon 20–21 “Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.”