Spiritual Practices for Christian LeadersChristian leaders must live as a holy example to all

INTRO:

Christian leaders have the sacred and awesome responsibility to lead others in their journey of faith. Such a responsibility is n ot to be taken lightly. It is imperative that leaders, carrying out their God-given ministry to others, do not neglect their own spiritual wee-being.

Spiritual disciplines are applicable to all Christians, and especially for those who are leaders in the church. Believers in Christ are also to be His disciples, true discipleship.

Paul was not rebuking or correcting him, but rather he was encouraging him to be firm in his pastoral leadership.

Timothy was not standing before the people only representing himself, but Paul and most importantly Christ. Paul was concerned that Timothy was so focused on ministering to others that he neglected his own spiritual needs.

They made me the keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard I have not kept.

KEEP YOURSELF PURE

1 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

After Paul warned what he refered to as “doctrine of demons” referring to 1Timothy 4:1: “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons”. The KJV words it as “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” A doctrine is a teaching or a set of principles. The “doctrines of demons,” then, are things that demons teach.

Those who follow the doctrines of demons “will fall away from the faith.” That is, heeding the doctrine of demons is a serious matter because it involves a departure from the truth of Christ’s gospel.

Abstain from religious practices not based on Holy Scripture:

Holy Water - In Acts 2:38, Peter says, “Repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name, and the Holy Spirit will come upon you .” Baptism is a one-time sacrament of initiation into the Christian faith, unlike the repeated use of holy water.

Clergy Celibacy - The New Testament commends voluntary celibacy for those serving God and affirms marriage for church leaders. Married apostles like Peter and scriptural qualifications for bishops being “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6) support this.

Confession to Priest - Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This clearly shows that confession directly to God is sufficient without needing an intermediary.

Praying to saints - Infant baptism

2 Timothy 2:19–21 NKJV

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Exercise Yourself Toward Godliness

Followers of Christ are told to deny self (Luke 9:23), but asceticism takes this command to an extreme. The Bible never suggests that a Christian should purposely seek out discomfort or pain. On the contrary, God has richly blessed us “with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17).

The Bible warns of those who “forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods” (1 Timothy 4:3); thus, it is erroneous to believe that celibates who abstain from certain foods are “more holy” than other people.

We are under grace, not under the law (Romans 6:14); therefore, the Christian does not live by a set of rules but by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Christ has set us free (John 8:36). In many cases, the ascetic practices self-denial in order to earn God’s favor or somehow purge himself from sin. This shows a misunderstanding of grace; no amount of austerity can earn salvation or merit God’s love (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Be Useful for the Lord

2 Timothy 2:19–21 NKJV

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Here Paul was warning Timothy to be on guard, watchful for those “concerning the truth have erred”. What was the err, teaching that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

Hymenaeus and Philetus were of a group in Ephesus who had deviated from the "sound teachings" Paul mentioned earlier (2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Timothy 6:21). " Paul addressed a similar problem to the Thessalonian Christians, teaching, "For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:15).

Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands, and the Lord knows those who belong to Him. Everything not founded on a right relationship with God is doomed to fail and pass away.

Paul told Timothy that, if he would keep himself separate from those who forsake the truth and depart from the faith, (that is, if a man therefore purge himself of these) he would be a vessel of honor, sanctified set apart to God) that person would be suitable for the Master’s use and prepared to do every good work.

COMMIT TO STUDY AND DOCTRINE

Save Yourself and Other’s

1 Timothy 4:15–16 NKJV

Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Timothy was to:

meditate on these things: which meant he was to continually, seriously, and prayerfully think about these things so that they never escaped his attention

give himself wholly, completely entirely: to fulfilling Gods call on his life

take heed to thyself: he was not to become so preoccupied with helping others, that he would neglect his own spiritual needs

devoted to the doctrine: he reminded him to hold firm in his own life to the beliefs and practices consistent with Holy Scripture

Timothy's life was to be so focused on serving Christ that it was obvious to everyone. Many people in Ephesus claimed to be believers. However, not all lived like it. One way Timothy could stand out, in addition to sound doctrine, was through a life that reflected the true teachings of the Christian faith. In contrast, the false teachers would reveal the wrong nature of their false teachings through their sinful actions.

By doing these things faithfully preaching and teaching the Gospel, Timothy would save himself and those who heard him, by leading them to trust in Christ the Savior.

Live by Holy Scripture

2 Timothy 3:14–17 NKJV

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Chapter 3 presents two sections with very different themes. In the first, Paul describes in detail the sins associated with apostasy: the abandonment of truth. Echoing the themes of prior chapters, Paul instructs Timothy to avoid not only these sins, but the people who participate in them.

In the second section, Paul draws a contrast between these false teachers and his own example, as well as the faithful conduct of Timothy. Paul's capstone advice against false teaching and apostasy is the written word of God: the most powerful resource for any Christian leader.

DISCIPLINES COMPLEMENTARY TO LEADERSHIP

2 Timothy 2:22–23 NKJV

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

Paul commanded him, to flee, run away from youthful lust.

Timothy was most likely in his early 30’s at this time and still single. Youthful passions were as much a concern for men of that era as they are today (1 Timothy 4:12).

Timothy was to not only guard against sexual temptation, but also to flee from them. Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 6:18 to, "Flee from sexual immorality."

In addition to that, told him to seek after: righteousness, faith, love, peace

Righteousness - right living according to Holy Scripture

Faith - believing and doing what is right according to Holy Scripture

Love - is the love of God given to us by way of the Holy Spirit, for God, other believers in Christ, and all people

Peace - the peace we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and the peace we have in ourselves with other people

" This list included five areas: "righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." The first four are internal attributes. The fifth, however, is community with other devoted believers.

Hebrews 10:24–25 also spoke on this topic, stating, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

2 Timothy 2:23 NKJV

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

In the prior two verses, Paul gave Timothy commands of what to "flee" and "pursue." Here, Paul once again reminds Timothy to avoid the kind of shallow, pointless bickering which he warned about in verse 16. There, Paul condemned "irreverent babble" as a form of spiritual gangrene. The false teachers in Ephesus were examples of this kind of foolish talk. The result of these value-less arguments is that they simply lead to more arguments. They set Christian brothers against each other for no good reason.

Have Right Attitudes and Conduct

2 Timothy 2:24–26 NKJV

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Timothy was to be "kind to everyone." The Lord is kind (Luke 6:35) and expects the same from His servants.

Love is "patient and kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4). Believers are to be "kind to one another" (Ephesians 4:32). Kindness can be shown even by unbelievers (Acts 28:2), but is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) that should be true of every servant of Christ.

Servants are also to be "able to teach" (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9), and be "patiently enduring evil,"

Closing: Right doctrine, believing what is right, should always lead us to right practice, that is doing what is right. If we confess that we believe in Jesus Christ, our attitudes, words and deeds should reflect that fact.

No one is perfect in living the Christian life, but always remember other people expect us to sincere about living for Jesus Christ. A servant of the Lord MUST be a reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ