“Intimacy with God”

The Pillars of Good Minister: Truth, Training, and Testimony

Bible Passage: 1 Ti 4:6–11

1. Teaching Truth with Authority

1 Timothy 4:6–7 “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;”

The meeting-place is the training-place for the market-place.

John Wimber (Pastor of Vineyard Christian)

That’s the big picture: pastors make disciples by training them to be fit for the purpose of godliness.

Kevin J. Vanhoozer

2. Training in Godliness

1 Timothy 4:8–9 “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.”

Paul urged Timothy to concentrate his energy on vigorous training for genuine godliness. For Paul genuine godliness involved both right belief and obedient action. Godly habits would not appear without determined human purpose and effort. Timothy was to persist in that Christian discipline which would prepare him for God’s highest purposes.

Thomas D. Lea; Hayne P. Griffin Jr.

Godliness simply describes a life that centres on God, and the ‘training’ that Paul calls for is a disciplined effort to live in a way that pleases our heavenly Father.

Simon Robinson

3. Testifying Through Example

1 Timothy 4:10–11 “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.”

I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

JOHN 13:15

 Of all commentaries on the Scriptures, good examples are the best.

John Donne (1627)

How did Jesus overcome their lack of humility? By being an example of humility to them.

John F. MacArthur

Consider…

1. What are the three essential characteristics of effective ministry outlined in the sermon?

2. How does Paul emphasize the importance of personal discipline in Timothy's ministry?

3. What role does 'teaching truth with authority' play in being a good minister?