14) A Good Servant
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This letter is a letter written from one man to another. From a mentor to a student. In many ways like a father to a son.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope: 2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
These two have probably been in ministry over 15 years. Working together walking together. Timothy has spent many nights around the fire or in a room being taught and trained by Paul. They have weathered storms together, fled places together, built churches together.
Paul’s care for Timothy is revealed in him taking the time to write and encourage this man. The letter is to be a letter of encouragement and exhortation. To be a motivation in face of trials and hardships.
The first and last topic in the letter is false teachers. He urges him to remain in Ephesus to charge these false teachers to teach the truth.
He reminds him of their shared goal.
5 Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
He is commanded to fight the battle for the gospel. For the truth. He is to deal with these false teachers and continue in accordance with his calling
18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and have shipwrecked their faith.
He points out the fruit of the false teachers by pointing out ungodly conduct in the church. And then turns to the qualifications of church overseers. Who and what they must be in order to protect the church from false teaching and the behaviors that spring up from those teachings.
He brings to Timothy another purpose of the letter and that is to know how people are to conduct themselves in the church.
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Then he writes of the source of the false teaching. The lies of spirits and demons spoken and taught by men and women.
1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.
False teaching and correcting this teaching is the charge of Paul. He turns from speaking about the church and the people in the church to directly speaking to Timothy. Timothy is in Ephesus and so this is likely not the first time he has been warned about false teachers or seen false teachers. We know years earlier Paul gathered the elders of this church and warned them to be on guard.
28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them.
Timothy finds himself leading a church. Paul wasn’t there to step in and correct with his apostolic authority. He is a 30 year old Pastor of a church. And he is finding that leading people is hard. That you look out and its not what you want it to be. Maybe there is discouragement or a desire to leave. Or it is just difficult to put the theory into action.
Paul must know that Timothy needs some personal guidance so here he turns to Timothy personally and directly to help him to fight the fight against the false teachers.
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed. 7 But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. 8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things.
A Good Servant
A Good Servant
If you point out these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus. This is what all Christians should desire to be. A good servant. The main point of this passage is to encourage Timothy to be a good servant.
The word used for servant is diakonos. He is not telling him to be a deacon. But to be a servant or a minister. This word don’t not mean slave. This is not sitting there waiting for a command and then just obeying. It paints the picture of a person who is useful or is a service.
Why do we call it customer service, or the service industry. or a service call. We are not calling a company demanding obedience we are asking them to be useful to us, to aid us in our issues.
Timothy you will be useful to Jesus if you point these out to the brothers and sisters. To the brethren. He is telling him to focus on the believers here and to point out the false teachings, the source of the false teachings, and the result of the false teachings or their conduct.
It is an interesting word that Paul uses to instruct Timothy to point out these things. I find that Paul uses strong word to get people’s attention as he is teaching and commanding but here he uses a word that means to gently lay down or to put before their mind. It is more to remind or suggest. He is not instructed to come in and demand submission and obedience. He is to warn, lay down, and remind them of the truth. It is not by the power of the man’s words, or the ability of his sales pitch to convince. It is the determination and consistency of putting forth the truth over and over again.
He is not to be just any servant or minister to Jesus. He is to be a good one. Paul will use this word to describe multiple things in this letter. The law is good, fight the good fight, that prayer for all is good and pleases God. Elders seek a good work, must have a good reputation. Deacon service will acquire good standing. Everything created by God is good.
And here a good servant. To be a godly servant is a good servant. He must not refrain from dealing with false teaching about the gospel.
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.
But how is Timothy to do this, he is to be constantly nourished. This word meant to be trained in or nourished. It is the source of growth and strength for a good servant. He is to be trained and strengthened by the words of the faith and the good teaching that he has already been following very carefully.
Paul knew the teachings that Timothy followed. He knew what he had been taught. He had affirmed all that Lois and Eunice had taught him and then personally taught him himself. Be a good servant, rely on the true teaching that you already know. Continue to be growing in those words.
Sound teaching and sound doctrine is grounded and rooted in the good interpretation of God's word.
In contrast he tells him.
Refrain and Train
Refrain and Train
7 But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness.
Stay close to the truth but “have nothing to do with”. It more strongly means to avoid the false teachings. He tells him to train and discipline himself in godliness. That is what he is to spend his time devoted to. It is what is most important. He is to train himself to be pleasing to God. To be a good servant means to be a training servant. A servant that spend his time fixing his mind on Jesus and pointing others to do the same.
14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.
He describes these false teachings as profane. common having no value, pointless, your translation may have irreverent, or worthless. Paul is saying they are to be avoided because they are devoid of any value.
He also calls them silly myths. It more literally translates as old woman myths. This along the same line as the idiom of old wives tales. They were describing the superstitions and stories that would be told to children or others. We call them fables now. He is communicating to Timothy that these false teachings are both worthless and are made up ideas. So don’t spend time digging into them but avoid them.
He is told to train or discipline himself in godliness. And now gives a contrast between physical training and training in godliness.
Training Example
Training Example
8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.
The word for training here is gymnasia, where we get gymnastics. In this time period training was an important part of society. Greek cities would contain gymnasiums and there was an emphasis on physical training and competition proving that training. But Paul says it has limited benefit. Physical training or discipline has its limitations.
23 Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.
Basically a person can discipline themselves into conforming to a standard of behavior. One that looks moral or correct but deep down in their hearts they are still motivated by their own self-indulgence. Their own selfish desires, their pride or greed or some other sinful motivation.
The goal of a christian’s training and discipline is not conformance to a certain behavior. It is to train to grow in godliness, piety, to grow in the beliefs and ways of God. Growing in godliness will change behavior as well. and many times we must start with just our behavior. But if that is the only reason we train, our sinful nature will reveal itself in due time.
Paul isn’t saying that physical training has no value but it isn’t beneficial in Every way.
24 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. 26 So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Training in godliness will have an element in physical training but the training Paul’s calls Timothy to is one that is not aimless. It is specific and has a goal of growing in godliness.
He is to train in godliness for it is beneficial in every way. as it hold promise for this life and the next.
Who here just wishes they were in the physical shape that they were years ago. That there was a time when we were stronger, faster, more agile. But even the person who trains their body every day with the most precise precision cannot out train time. Our bodies will eventually get worn down and they will not be able to withstand the toll of time.
But godliness is both beneficial in this life and in the one to come. What ever is grown in this life will be beneficial in the next life.
It can be so easy to be hyper focused on this life. Building wealth, or strength, or reputation, or a church, or memories, and experiences, building our homes and relationships. None of these are bad they are all blessing from God but a person’s wealth with not go with them to heaven. A person strength can be removed in an instant in a car accident or cancer or even slowly in old age.
Timothy is bombarded with issues and Paul is telling him to focus on the Lord, on the promise. The promise that he abides in believers today, that he dwells in them, that he is interceding for them, that he has saved them. That he draws near to those that draw near to him, that he hears their prayers, and loves them. But he has left them in the world for a time to be a good servants for Christ Jesus.
All the while he is to live in the great promises of God while he is on earth, he is also to hold fast to the promises of eternal life with the savor God in heaven. The peace, hope, and love of God.
So he says For this reason...
Motivation
Motivation
10 For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
For this reason we labor and strive. Timothy don’t forget why we do what we do. For this reason we labor. This is why we toil. To work until weariness and fatigue set in. This is hard work. This is not the easy life. In my mind I think of past generations that got up before the sun came up and went to bed well after the sun had gone down.
A work ethic that expends all energy each day on the tasks that is set before them. Looking back at the commitment of believers and the leaders of churches seems crazy to us today. Pastors who preached to the same people multiple times on Sunday on different topics. Would preach through out the week. No music no extras they would gather to hear the word and to take communion with other believers.
We look at missionaries and we see their toil and sacrifice as they worked till they were weary and fatigued in the service of the Lord. Even if we look back 30 or 40 years in the American Church history. Who here remembers going to church at least twice on Sunday and heard different messages, how about a mid week prayer evening? Who here was in training union or weekly visitations? I am not sure about all times in history but I think we could say that in the twenty first century we are experiencing one of the times where the church gathers the least and works little to none in the service of the Lord.
I am not sure if everyone would agree with me on that but as I have asked around I believe that this might be true.
What has changed so much that that we can see evidence of this around us? It would be hard to say what the specific causes are in each persons life, but the things that Paul is teaching Timothy, have been growing in the church over the fifty years.
False teaching is allowed to enter into the church. Not just in the congregation but more dangerously in the pulpit. The word of God has been exchanged for the Charismatic ideas of men. Congregations are focused on the things of this world instead of the promise of the next.
Leaders of churches are not trained or vetted to the word of God and are allowed to continue in the leadership of the church even when they have disqualified themselves. The leaders of churches go to church like it is a normal job. Clock in clock out. As long as it fits my schedule and meets my needs. As long as it is easy and comfortable I am good here.
Paul tells Timothy that this is a hard work. It will wear on you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But we continue on because of the promise that we have.
He says they also strive which means to be harshly criticized or suffer reproach. It is where we get the word agony. They are accused of things. Like Moses when challenged by Miriam and Aaron or by Korrah. Jesus walked on this earth and was criticized and ridiculed. The apostles and the disciples were as well. Those that follow God will be, especially leaders will find criticism and harsh accusations thrown at them. Even among the church.
Timothy was being told to go out into the church and correct those that were in error. I don’t know anyone including my self that is supper great at being corrected. It is against our sin nature to be error. When we are confronted people blame and deflect. It isn’t my fault, they did it first, it is your fault. You did this to me. Where do you get off telling me about my sin. So when correction comes many times accusations and harsh criticism comes as well.
Even though Timothy is experiencing these he is to continue in spite of them because.
10 For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Because we have put our hope, our trust in the living God. The “living God” was a distinction against the made up idols of their time. I watched a debate between an atheist and a talk show host about belief and he claimed there are 3,000 gods in the religious beliefs of the world today. He argued that the host only believed in one of them and did not believe in the other 2,999. So how much different are they.
Well as far apart as possible. Because of the 3,000 only one is a living God. A creating God and a saving God. One God loves the world so that he sends his son to save those who believe
16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
Paul and Timothy have put their hope in the one and only living God. Who is the savior of all people, especially of those who believe. This doesn’t mean that all people are saved from the wrath of God. For if that were true we would have to throw out Jesus’ own words in Matthew in the parable of the sheep and goats.
41 “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!
And later in the parable.
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The truth is that there are those that are saved and those that are not saved. Saved from eternal punishment into eternal life. Through the one and only living God.
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior is the only way to the Father God. So Paul cannot be advocating for all men everywhere to be saved eternally. One clue is the word translated as especially. This does not separate the believer into a completely separate group, they are part of the everyone. God is the Savior of all people but to the believer they are saved to a higher degree.
All men who are ever born are saved from instant punishment for their sin and God withholds that punishment for the duration of an unbelievers life. While they live they experience many blessing of God even though they are not saved spiritually.
25 Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
All people are given life and breath.
45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
There are ways in which God saves all people while they live in on earth. He causes meany blessings on the righteous and the unrighteous alike, but for the believer God is their Savior from God himself. From the due punishment for their sins.
21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as the mercy seat by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. 26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.
God presented Jesus in his justice. That those that have faith in Jesus would be justified before God. They would be found not guilty. Those that do not have faith will be found guilty of their earned punishment.
Paul has set his hope on this living God through the saving work of his son. Jesus on the cross as the one and only atoning sacrifice for the sins of men. Timothy has put his trust in this as well and this is why they toil and strive in being useful servants to Christ Jesus.
He finishes this personal encouragement and instruction to Timothy with
11 Command and teach these things.
He was to gently lay these things before the brothers and sisters in verse 6 but here he is to command and teach them. Lay them down in their authority. Even though he is to point these thing out in a gentle way he is not to diminish the commands of the scripture. It is not gentle to take the hard parts of scripture out so it doesn’t cause people to be uncomfortable. That is harmful and dangerous.
As much as Timothy may not want to tackle the false teachers and face the ridicule that will come. This is exactly his charge. As Paul says
28 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.
To be presented mature means to grow into maturity. Timothy is to labor a strive to this end.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We see this exhortation of Timothy and we ask does this apply to us? Well next week he will tell Timothy to be an example for the believers. So yes, the charge to Timothy to be a good servant applies to all believers.
We are all to be good servants. We are to be growing in our usefulness for the Lord.
We are to serve him and part of that is dealing with false teachings by laying the truth before our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We are to seek and know the word and to be trained and nourished by the holy scriptures.
We are to avoid pointless and silly myths but instead we are to train in godliness.
Train specifically and purposefully, growing in godliness. Do you look to the next life and the hope you have in it? To live for this life and the next one.
To train in this way is to train like an athlete. An athlete will seek guidance and have a plan. A person looking to win an Olympic metal will. Make a rigorous and detailed plan breaking up that training into yearly goals, monthly goals, weekly goal, down to daily steps. If we do not do today what we need to do to train we will never get to where we need to be.
as much as I would like to tell you this will be a cake walk it most likely will not be. You will have to give up somethings of this world to toil and strive for the next.
To live for God the way that Paul calls Timothy to is to live a life that is hard work. What is your work ethic? have you ever toiled for the Lord. Have you ever been put into a situation of harsh criticism.
How do you train? Voting, reading, study.
Let us pray.
Let us pray.
Prayer
Communion
Warning
Children, Lost, Sin
19 And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Prayer
Song
Closing
Blessing/Benediction
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.