On Pastoring: 1 Timothy 1

Intro

As I have mentioned before, immediately after I got saved, I knew I was called into the ministry. In fact, for me, I knew it was the only thing that I could do. I have tried to do many things since and nothing has every really worked out.

What I haven’t mentioned is that as a young 17 year old, I was part of a evangelistic drama team that travelled all up and down the east coast and even as far as Costa Rica. My job was to preach. I would weave the different presentations together into a message and give a small sermon with an altar call. While I had a ton of zeal, I didn’t have a ton of knowledge on how to lead anything. Then I would read verses such as which says, “we who teach will be judged more strictly.” I was also president of our youth group which meant I had direct influence over the things we would do as a youth group, and about 3 times a year, for some reason they let me preach.

Explanation

I had a great youth pastor who I can’t find at the moment. He encouraged me and would help guide my studies. He taught me that if I wanted to be a leader in the church I needed to study what many call the pastoral epistles- 1st and 2nd Timothy, and Titus.

Why am I teaching it at a Sunday School class? Well I have read the typically speaking it takes 5-6 years for a pastor and a congregation to meld together, and up to 10 years for that church to really start making an impact on the community. Well, sometimes it doesn’t have to take that long, and I want to do everything I can to not fall into the norm.

So my effort is this: I want you to know what makes me tick.

ACBC Constitution’s job description of pastor is:

The Pastor is the leader of the Church. He/she shall be responsible for the preaching of the gospel, the teaching of disciples, the counseling of the souls, and the administration of the Church. He/she shall oversee and advise the Board of Ministry and all aspects of Church life. These shall be done according to the Statement of Faith set forth in Article II, Pastor(s) and any candidates for licensing or ordination shall meet the qualifications for elders and deacons set forth in , , ; ; .

So while I wholeheartedly agree with that, I want to go through these epistles together so that you can:

Know why I do the things I do.

Hold me accountable to the standard God holds me to.

Know that as a pastor one of my roles is bring people up to continue the work that He has called this church to.

Salutation, vv.1-2

Challenge

1 Timothy 1:3–6 NIV

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.

1 Ti Who emphasize non-essentials rather than true godliness; who, instead of building up character, stir up strife, vv 3-6

Men are teaching false doctrines

People are devoting themselves to myths and endless genealogies

Focus is on the controversies

Advancing God’s work is taking a back seat

Some have turned to meaningless talk

My job

command people to stop

Why - these things are distractions

We have within our possession God’s Word. It is complete. In it is the truth. It teaches us everything we need to do and how to think about every subject. Now I used to love to debate, and for some reason there are alot of things to debate about. However, while the Bible does teach us that Iron Sharpens Iron, often time the debates we have separate. This passage teaches us that they are a waste of time. My responsibility as a pastor is to do everything I can to help us steer clear of these thing.

Reason for correction

Love - not dominion - not control

Pure heart - no alterier motives

Good conscience - to the best of your understanding

Sincere faith - truth rooted in our belief in Him

The law is not for nit picking, It is to win those practicing wrong doing.

1 Timothy 1:8–11 NIV

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

1 Ti 1:

An Example to Ministry

1 Timothy 1:12–14 NIV

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

1 Ti 1:

We see is thankfulness — for the undeserved gift and privilege

Ministry based in mercy and grace not on our qualities

How we should think

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

1 ti 1”15

Sometimes when we have gone around the block a few times we might think we have done something if we have survived. We can begin to rest on the idea that God has made us into pretty great people. However, if there is anything good in us it’s all because of Him. In fact, our greatest message is the patience He has for us. The people we are reaching for knows that we are far from imperfect. One of the greatest complaints I have heard was that the lost don’t feel welcome, or they feel judged. The fact of the matter is that we arent all that without Him.

* His acknowledgment of divine grace and confession of unworthiness, vv. 14-15

* His experiencing Christ's patience, v.16

The first solemn charge to Timothy, vv. 18-20

Fight the good fight

it is a fight

it is one worth fighting

to win we must

hold on witha good conscience.

those who reject hand them over to Satan to be taught