Becoming a Good Minister of Christ

Introduction

In the first 4 parts of the series, Becoming a Good Soldier in battle, we dealt with Paul’s personal instructions to Timothy concerning his life, development and relationship to the Lord.

This part deals with the pastoral work that Timothy must accomplish in Ephesus as instructed by Paul.

Main Points

Timothy must be a “good minister” of Jesus Christ

A minister is a “servant”. A servant works for other people.

Three types of “servants” or ministers

1. a “doulos” - a slave

A doulos is owned by his master, a property.

A doulos serves only his master.

2. a “diakonos” - one who waits, a willing servant

A diakonos is one who offers his service to another willingly.

Ephesians 3:7 NKJV

of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

3. a “leitourgos” - a public servant

A leitourgos works for the benefit of the people, serves the people’s needs in a given setting.

Example - the priests in OT, they serve the people by attending to their sacrifices and offerings

Romans 15:16 NKJV

that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Timothy’s “gift”

1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

It was given by prophecy

1 Timothy 1:18 NKJV

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

It was the basis of his ministry

- this charge is given to you based on the prophecy over you…

There is a difference between Paul and Timothy’s ministries:

Paul was “called” to the work -

Timothy was “gifted” to do the work

2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Regardless, Timothy did his work as a fellow laborer, and a faithful disciple to Paul.

Timothy must “instruct others”

Note: This instructions form the foundation of the “pastoral work” of elders and deacons in the church

1 Timothy 1:3–5 NKJV

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

1. That they teach no other doctrine...

2. That the saints should pray for all men

1 Timothy 2:1–7 NKJV

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

3. That the men in the church should pray with holy hands...

1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

4. That the women in the church should not teach and rule over the men

1 Timothy 2:9–15 NKJV

in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

5. That Bishops in the church must possess good qualities worthy of their role

1 Timothy 3:1–7 NKJV

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

6. That Deacons in the church must possess good qualities worthy of their role

1 Timothy 3:8–13 NKJV

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

7. That respect and honor must be given older men and women, Elders, and masters

older men and women

1 Timothy 5:1–2 NKJV

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

True widows

1 Timothy 5:3–5 NKJV

Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

Elders

Elders

1 Timothy 5:17–20 NKJV

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

Masters

1 Timothy 6:1–2 NKJV

Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

8. That the rich members of the church must be learn how to do good

1 Timothy 6:17–19 NKJV

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Timothy must fulfill this work

Without prejudice, and partiality

1 Timothy 5:21 NKJV

I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

Prejudice - pre-judgment, a bias

Guard the thing that was committed to him

1 Timothy 6:20–21 NKJV

O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

Conclusion

Those of us who are called and identified as “servants” of God are responsible for this pastoral work

those who are “called” of God to the work

those are are “gifted” and appointed to do the work

A “good minister” of Jesus Christ is one who...

guards the doctrine and beliefs of the believers

instructs the brethren to