Malawi Mens’ Conference 2025
Notes
Transcript
Men’s Conference (Malawi)
Men are the spiritual leaders of the church.
Paul addresses Timothy about many of the issues with this.
How are men and women different?
Men Must Pray
Men Must Pray
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Church health begins with prayer.
Men should be the example. Spiritual leaders.
It started with a call to fervent prayer.
Set UP
The most important thing, PRAY!
"First of all"= literally- "most important of all"
Subject of Prayer: Salvation for the Lost (6)
Aspects of salvation for the lost.
Aspects of salvation for the lost.
Use All Your Weapons
Use All Your Weapons
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
Supplications-- Petitions or requests based on a deep spiritual need.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Prayers- general types-- meaning, everytime you pray pray for people to be saved.- shows devotion to prayer.
Intercessions-Pleading to God for someone else.
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Thanksgiving- Praising God for those he has saved.
Paul is not giving an inclusive list but just showing that all of the ways we pray should include praying for the lost.
Rulers' Salvation Affect Everyone
Rulers' Salvation Affect Everyone
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
If godly leadership helps us lead a peaceful and quiet life then ungodly leadership helps us lead a persecuted and difficult life.
Freedom from anarchy, persecution, and economic hardship can facilitate the spread of the gospel.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
Prayer for Lost Pleases God (3)
This is a "good" thing. Talking about prayer.
God Desires All to Be Saved (4)
God Desires All to Be Saved (4)
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
desire or wants
Not a universalism idea that all will be saved.
God's will is not always done on earth.
Lord's Prayer- "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Christ died for all but only those who accept the gift will be saved.
There is Only One Way to Salvation (5-6)
There is Only One Way to Salvation (5-6)
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Jesus is the Mediator- connects us to God
Jesus is the ransom- Pays for our sin
Jesus is the testimony-the story that gets people to salvation
Salvation is the Reason for Calling (7)
Salvation is the Reason for Calling (7)
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Jesus called us to pray for laborers in the harvest fields.
CONCLUSION
Let's pray for the lost.
Men Must Pray Correctly
Men Must Pray Correctly
1 Timothy 2:8-15
3 Problems of Men's Prayers
3 Problems of Men's Prayers
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
Holy Hands- outside better match the inside.
Anger- Attitude of prayer
Quarreling- Using prayer to fight battles.
3 Problems of Women's Prayers
3 Problems of Women's Prayers
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,
1. The Way They Presented Themselves (outside)
1. The Way They Presented Themselves (outside)
Dress
Who are these women?
Wealthy merchants
15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
Jewsish and Gentile cultures clashed in this area.
Gentile women could become wealthy.
Jewish women were not even allowed to have a synagogue without men to be in charge.
One rabi said, "Better to burn the Torah than to teach it to a woman."
Jesus obviously stood against this understanding.
Self-control- specifically the world used here is referring to sexual expression.
Flaunting of Wealth
Women should not flaunt their wealth and beauty.
Refers to gaudy, showy display, not normal attention to neatness and good taste.
Don't show pride and self-centerdness in dress.
3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
Fear God and don't be vane.
This is a problem for wealthy America.
1960's had an expectation to show wealth through our dress.
We need to find a balance.
Extreme casual can show a heart that doesn't care or respect.
$800 suites show exactly the problem Paul is addressing.
2. Good Works (compare to Holy Hands) (inside)
2. Good Works (compare to Holy Hands) (inside)
10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
Get rid of the sinful desires that lead to the loss of self-control and do good works.
Pornography and Eurotic Novels are destroying the family and thus destroying our culture.
Get busy doing good works to help you run from evil desires and temptations.
3. Submission (attitude)
3. Submission (attitude)
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
However, men are the spiritual leaders of the church.
Ephesus women were taking on spiritual authority.
Worship services at this time were much different than ours.
(note: this is not talking about Sunday School but joint worship services and leadership within the church as a whole.)
Various speakers arose to teach, exhort and prophesy.
Usually not a set order of service.
Questions could arise from the congregation in the middle of the service.
Clash of Jewish and Gentile cultures made these services get awkward and cause conflict within the church at Ephesus.
Jews did not care about the spiritual wellbeing of women.
Paul does not say these women could not grow spiritually.
He says they cannot take over leadership from the men.
Woman's attitude in learning.
Quietness (12)
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
These women needed to stop the gossiping and settle down and listen.
In Jewish life the way you learned was in quiet submission to a rabi. Sit down and listen to the one in authority over you.
Better translation-- "A QUIET SPIRIT"
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
Not for them to always be silent.
5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.
34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.
35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
Learner (12)
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
Not to teach= in an official position. Not in a place of authority over the overseer (chapter 3)
Authority (13-14)
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
Chronological Priority- man was created first.
Moral Deception-- consequences of the Fall. (14)
11 Timothy 2:14
Paul did not say men were not guilty.
Speaks of the unique place of women in that guilt.
Consequence of submission just like consequence of child birth.
Allowing women to be Overseers in the church would bring confussion in the makeup of the family.
Foundation of the family-- given before the Church.
vs 15- A Promise for Obedient Women
15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Paul is saying that the goal of women in the church should not be to attain to the level of overseer but to fulfill their obligations within the family.
Strong families mean a strong church. Weak families create a weak church.
Qualified to Lead
Qualified to Lead
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Overseer= Bishop, Elder, Pastor - literally "one in authority or leader"
Bishop (KJV)- don't confuse the century laters use of the word as one who was over a diocese.
Elder- Titus 1:5-7
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
These qualifications are not unique to the office. These are standards all should strive to obtain. The list here is to show the standard of qualification for those who lead a church.
"if anyone aspires"= if anyone desires, longing- literally "to stretch oneself out."-- aspiration.
Calling or Desire-- it is a desire given by God.
It is a nobel task- but only for the qualified.
4 Qualifications of a Pastor
4 Qualifications of a Pastor
1. Obedient Life-style (2-3)
1. Obedient Life-style (2-3)
(verse two positive- verse three negative)
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
Above Reproach= blameless in character.- probably a generic statement that covered all of the following characteristics. It means no one is bring a charge that the person is not fit.
"husband of one wife"-
not a reference to polygamy. It was not an acceptable practice during that day for anyone.
not saying that a pastor has to be married- Paul praised people who stayed single and thought it was better.
not saying you couldn't remarry if the first spouse dies. Paul permitted this in other passages.
the wording does not mean divorce (bear with me)- Jesus and Paul permitted divorce in certain circumstances. (Matthew 19:9
9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.
Literally "one-woman kind of man"- someone faithful to his wife. A person who is sexually promiscuis cannot serve as pastor.
If we want to be legalistic in this manner than we have to view God's view of marriage and not ours. Marriage is entered with consummation and not vows.
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!
16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”
17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Does that mean that a person who had sex before marriage is not qualified? I don't think so.
The person qualified is a person who is not sexually promiscuous.
Sober-minded- (NIV Temperate)= free from rash actions. Self-control. Not referring to alcohol here (3:3)
Self-controlled= trustworthy and balanced in judgment, not flighty or unstable.
respectable= demands dignity and orderliness in behavior. a person whose orderly outward life reflects an inward stability. Relates to the overseers external actions.
Hospitable= host traveling Christian groups.
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are,
6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Able to teach= competence and skill in communicating Christian truth. Explain and Refute.
Not a drunkard= not addicted to wine. Paul permitted medical use of alcohol in 5:23. In American culture and our thirst for alcohol we need to avoid completely.
Not violent but gentle= don't use your fist to make a point. Don't use threats to force people into conformity. Gentle means they are flexible and not rigid.
Quarrelsome= verbal fighter.
Not a lover of money= responsibility of the overseer lay in handling finances. Can't be in a get-rich-quick scheme instead of caring for souls. This was a feature of the false teachers in Ephesus
5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
2. Leader of Family (4-5)
2. Leader of Family (4-5)
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
Leadership in the family shows whether he will handle leadership within the spiritual family.
"managing"= governing, leading, giving direction. but with a since of mercy.
natural respect- not demanded and forced upon the family.
How a man leads his family is how he will lead the church.
"with all dignity"- with proper respect. The right kind of respect.
"submissive"= obedient- not rebelious- brought under control.
3. Experience (6)
3. Experience (6)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Not a recent convert.
This is someone ready to disciple, not in need of being discipled.
Mature enought to not fall into what is mentioned here in verse 6.
condemnation of the devil= compare to verse 7- judgement that comes from allowing the sin to have control and you fall. Don't allow Satan to use you as a tool.
4. Respect (7)
4. Respect (7)
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
Outsiders may not prefer his doctrines or morals, but they had to respect his integrity and commitment.
A bad reputation means the the devil, the accuser, will use you as an example of the problems of the church.
Pastor represents the church. An immoral pastor points to an immoral church.
They must have a credible witness.
Qualified Servant
Qualified Servant
1 Timothy 3:8-13
The deacon and pastor have similar qualifications but they are different. Different because they have different responsibilities.
The overseer/pastor/elder serves in a leadership position and one in teaching authority.
The deacon serves as a servant in ministry. It is a helping position.
Deacon= literally "one who serves" are considered forerunners of the office of deacon but not mentioned as deacons in Acts.
1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Deacons’ main role is to protect church unity.
Important for us to know requirements because it affects who we are as a church. As we call deacons and pastors we must set the bar high. The wrong people in these offices will kill the minstries of the church.
Also important because it gives some practical expectations for all of us.
4 Requirements for Office of Deacon
4 Requirements for Office of Deacon
1. Obedience(8-9)
1. Obedience(8-9)
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
"Dignified" ="Worthy of Respect"= serious minded men whose character merits respect.
Word combines dignity with attractiveness.
Someone whose character is worth being attracted to.
"Not double-tongued"=don't indulge in double talk. Don't spread rumors and have a different story depending on who is listening.
this stirrs tensions and causes a bigger division.
Deacons need to help with the unity of the church and this causes disunity.
"not addicted to much wine"= forbids the love of alcohol.
Total abstinance in today's world would guard aginst addiction and provide a credible witness.
It is still seen as a rebellion.
It causes us to make decisions we would not make sober.
"not greedy for dishonest gain"= The office does not exist to have financial gain.
He is not just saying that they should be honest in business. Paul is prohibiting the use of a spiritual office for material benefit.
Deacons should not be perceived as greedy.
Titus 1:7 Paul uses a similar word for an overseer, "greedy for gain"
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
Not a lover of money.
Respond Properly to the Christian Message
"faith"= the content of the Christian religion.= Christian truth.
"conscience"= inner guide to life which demonstrates obedience to God.
1 Timothy 1:5
5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
So to have a good conscience a deacon must give continual obedience to God's truth as revelaed in Scripture.
Real on the inside. Obedient on the inside.
Jesus- if you think in your heart you are guilty.
2. Proven Worth (10)
2. Proven Worth (10)
10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
What is the nature of the testing?
Paul isn't real specific but probably referring to what he just said.
Prove they are genuine
Who tests?
Acts 6, "The seven"= chosen by congregation.
Titus- "Deacons" appointed by the lead pastor.
Most important that the candidate convince the church they are qualified.
"period of testing”= not immediate. Not multiple choice.
"nothing against them"= "above reproach"= "blameless"- they get to serve.
3. Strong Family (11-12)
3. Strong Family (11-12)
11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
"wives"= pastors must just have one but deacons have to have a good one.
debate as to if this is wives or women.
"women workers?"-- deaconesses? (Phoebe was called a deaconess)
Context here seems to be on the family. see verse 12
Managing children and household well-- see verse 5
4. Faithful Service (13)
4. Faithful Service (13)
13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Good standing= people will notice.
Great confidence= endurance and perseverance.
You learn to trust Jesus more.
Confidence that comes from a good experience.
CONCLUSION
Do you live up to a high standard?
Are you gaining confidence through obedience?
What kind of men are needed in the church?
What kind of men are needed in the church?
