What is Truth?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Instructions for the Church
Instructions for the Church
Paul begins this chapter with instructions for slaves. Slavery in the ancient world was a little different than the idea of slavery that we see in a western context. Slaves in the ancient world were not based on a specific ethnic group in the way that Americans owned slaves via the transatlantic slave trade. Slaves in ancient Rome were people who had been put into slavery because of a financial debt, war, and even birth. Slaves could even purchase their own freedom and be made citizens.
Still slavery is a symptom of a broken world, suffering under the effects of the fall. Within this world of brokenness, Christians are called to be lights of the world in the midst of even the most extreme darkness.
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
Paul instructs the born again slaves to live and serve their masters with integrity and honor. Even those who were owned by believing slave holders. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, whatever injustice we might suffer, or whoever might be put in the place of master over us, we are called to live in love and service. Does this mean we affirm evil behavior? No. But even while evil is being done against us there we are called to love like Jesus.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Our lives are representations of the Gospel. Paul says that when people see the way we love and act it should point them to Jesus. When we think about Jesus, He was King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, yet, Jesus died a slaves death on the cross. There is a story about a man named Spartacus who was a slave that fought in gladiatorial games. He became infamous in Rome because he led a massive slave revolt against Rome. His men, unwilling to betray their leader Spartacus, all were put to death alongside him in one of the most violent acts of execution ever recorded. It says there were 6,000 soldiers who were crucified alongside Spartacus along a road known as the Appian way. It is said that there were so many people crucified that it was about one every 6 feet. It was a public demonstration for anyone who would revolt against their masters. Crucifixion became synonymous with slavery. Spiritually, the cross represents our spiritual slavery to sin. All who rebel against God are subject to eternal death and separation. The cross is what we as sinners deserve. Paul says in Romans 6 that we were slaves to sin who rebelled against the Lord, but because of Jesus we can have life in His name. So when we think about this idea of slavery, and injustice, we find great encouragement knowing that the God of the universe died a slaves death so that we could be set free. And in whatever injustice we might go through, we know that Christ is sympathetic to our hurt, He walks alongside us, strengthening us, empowering us to walk in the light as followers of Him. In Christ we have been made slaves to righteousness and slaves to God.
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
For the Christian slave, while they were made to be obedient to their earthly master, in truth they had but one master and Lord, that is Jesus Christ. So in every context of authority, governments, teachers, employers, we love and serve as if they were the Lord. We walk in integrity, we work hard, we deal justly, because it is the Lord that we answer to at the end of the day.
Do you show honor to the people who have been put in authority over you?
False Teachers and True Contentment
False Teachers and True Contentment
All the way back in chapter one we talked about how there were men in the church who were acting wickedly within the church for dishonest gain. There goal was to get rich off the church and leading God’s people astray. Here Paul is going to address the situation more directly.
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
The problem comes when people walk away from the truth of Scripture. Everything a church does should be anchored in the teachings of Scripture. This book is the inspired Word of God. These men have walked away from the teachings of Christ and are living in arrogance. Paul says that in their discontentment, they have a craving for controversy and fighting about words. The fruits of their words are envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant frictions among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth. Their actions split and divide the church, hurt people, and turn a lost world away from the cross of Christ. How much do you have to hate someone to destroy their relationship with Christ for selfish gain. This is a serious offense and unfortunately one that is common in churches.
There was a research study that said four out of ten unchurched Americans state that the reason they no longer attend church is because of negative past experiences in churches or with church people. That’s 40% of people who walk away from Jesus and walk away from Christianity do so because of the behaviors and actions of other people in the church. That is a serious red flag. Obviously there is some nuance in there. But there is no mistaking that a significant number of people in America have been victims of the hateful behaviors “Christians” have.
Paul, in chapter 4, told Timothy to set the example in his speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Look at your character. Look at the way you live and act. Do you draw people closer to Christ by your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity or do you push people away from Jesus?
We as Christians should be people of repentance. There will always be sins we need to repent of and turn away from. We can never stop repenting. Never stop turning towards the Lord. We are followers of Christ. As such we need to walk in humility and be willing to surrender to the truths of Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives.
These men sought to use faith for financial gain, but Paul says there is a gain to godliness.
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 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. 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.
The key here is contentment. What is contentment? Contentment is a trusting in the Lord to provide and being satisfied with all that the Lord has provided.
Paul talks about the lessons he has learned about contentment in Philippians 4.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The secret to Paul’s contentment, even under serious persecution, isn’t a secret at all. Paul trusted in the Lord to strengthen him. When we feel discontent we need to be reminded that we have a good and gracious God who loves us and provides for us.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God loves us and cares for us better than we could love and care for ourselves. He is our good shepherd who leads us beside still waters, who restores our souls, and who also protects as we walk through valleys of shadow and death. In every circumstance, godliness is of gain to us. Even when living a life of godliness costs us our time, money, comfort, and even our very lives. Obedience to Jesus is always worth it. We never have to question that because we never have to question God’s goodness. Contentment is a choice. Choose to trust in the Lord.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Paul ends this letter to Timothy by challenging him to live on the offense. This whole book has been about defending the faith but now its time for some offense.
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Paul tells Timothy to flee from evil and to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. What great things to pursue in our lives. What are you chasing? Fame, power, popularity, money? All of those things are empty pursuits. Chase after what really matters in this life. Chase after Jesus. Paul Tells Timothy to flee evil, pursue what is good, and to fight the good fight of faith. Following after Jesus is seldom easy when you are doing it right. Following Jesus involves surrender, sacrifice, and service all in the face of opposition and criticism. Paul calls Timothy to faithfulness. It is interesting in this charge the things Paul calls Timothy to remember in his pursuit of obedience. Paul isn’t telling Timothy to be obedient for obedience’ sake, but to be in light of the power of the Gospel and of the grace of God. He reminds Timothy of Jesus’ faithfulness, of His sovereignty, that He is holds the keys to eternal life, that He is the light of the world that shines in the darkness. The one worthy of all honor and eternal dominion. We are obedient because of who Jesus is. That is the truth that drives us forward. It is the engine of our train, the fuel of our faith, the hope for our eternity. Everything we do in life and ministry should be done for Jesus, through Jesus.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Paul told Timothy that money isn’t evil, but that the love of money is a cause for all kinds of evil. How are we as Christians called to use the resources God has given us? Paul says not to be arrogant because of what the Lord has blessed us with but to be generous and ready to share. Don’t simply be rich with money but be rich in good works. Don’t put your faith in money but trust in the Lord and find true eternal life.
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
The way Paul begins this last line is evidence that Paul understands the enormous task put in front of Timothy. This responsibility was too large for Timothy to carry by himself. It was a task only possible in the grace of the Lord Christ Jesus. He says, Timothy, live in the truth.
In a world full of lies and deception, are we desperate for the truth?
When was the last time you read your Bible? When was the last time you prayed for the Lord’s wisdom and direction?
Do you want the truth? And once you have it, are you willing to live it out?
Paul brought up Jesus confession before Pontius Pilate. That confession in John 18 caused a response from Pilate. He said, “What is truth?” What is truth? In a world plagued by the lies of satan, what is truth? Truth is a person, and His name is Jesus. And the confession of Christ is that He has come into this world to reveal to us the truth and to call us to live by it. Will you answer the call of truth and follow Jesus?
