Grace & A Pastor's Heart: 1 Timothy 5:3-16

1 Timothy - Lasting Instruction: Grace and A Pastor’s Heart: 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Pastor John Weathersby Sunday March 17, 2019 We said last week that we’re seeing this “softer side” of Paul. We can read him and start to feel like he’s rough around the edges and heartless. However, we’ll all see in Paul a) mindful look at wise decisions for the Church that don’t let it be taken advantage of, and b) an assumption of an organized Church. 1 Timothy 5:3–16 (ESV) 3 Honor widows who are truly widows. This honoring that Paul is speaking of carries an understanding of financial support. Honor these widows, by making sure they’re cared for. The same word for honor is used in Acts 28:10 which reads: Acts 28:10 (ESV) 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. Paul’s heart is not that there be a widow in the church who is struggling to make it by and that the Church just continue on, Paul has a Pastor’s heart. However, what we’ll see is that his Pastor’s heart is also wise and in balance with scripture. Consider Jesus’ words to the disciples he first send out Matthew 10:16. Matthew 10:16 (ESV) 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. So with grace and a Pastor’s heart, balanced with wisdom in the second half of the verse he said, “who are truly widows”. We’re seeing here Paul’s care for individual members (his Pastor’s heart) in balance with his wisdom in decision making, and he’s passing down here a loose framework for Timothy to follow and to allow the Church from that point on to make decisions. Paul’s section here shows some general truth’ about the church, about Timothy’s role and looks at one of our tenants, Paul provides “a mindful look at wise decisions for the Church that don’t let it be taken advantage of”. Why does Paul do this? The Church’s primary role is not mercy ministry. I’ll say that again - because perhaps our popular culture has made church and mercy ministry synonymous - they aren't. The role of the Church is to, equip the saints, elevate God in worship commonly with the local body, and as the individuals of the Church scattered - to be living examples of the Gospel’s impact and share that Gospel with people you interact with. Let’s illustrate with an example: Church A - participates in mercy first over study/worship as an offshoot. Church B - participates in study/worship first and mercy as an offshoot. Which sounds like the Biblical Church construct - by the way, Church A, was this church before it closed, transitioned to the bank, and we bought it for pennies on the dollar. Transitioned to mercy ministry. Christians, I think we can feel burdened around giving, and around mercy, and with the depth of the great needs around us- I want to encourage you to stay supple like that. Be impacted don’t grow cold. However, I think we read into the text sometimes - and we need to let the text stand and not add to it with pre-conceived notions - we need to be mindful and wise, as we see given here as an example. We’ll come back to that. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. But - modifies the earlier statement. Take care of widows; don’t let them be uncared for IF they’re truly windows (he’ll come back to this) BUUUUT if she has grandchildren or children let them first learn to show godliness. Isn’t that interesting - learn. This sounds like a discipleship opportunity, one of my LEAST favorite words of our day a “coaching” opportunity if you will. Here’s my take guys - you want to be involved in discipleship, great, you want to coach me take your creepy shorts, high socks, clipboard, and whistle and coach someone else; I detest coaching, perhaps you can tell. I feel over coached - I get a tone of impromptu coaching where I work, when I come into the Family of God - I don’t want coaching, I hunger for discipleship. Learn with me, follow after Christ with me, don’t blow a whistle in my face and instruct me on how to get better - let's open scripture together and explore and pray. Coach Hines knows best don’t question him; the tie and the polo make it clear they say I’m here for sports, but respect my authority Coaches send you out to walk for your good because they know what you need ‘trust the system - Disciples follow Christ; Christ knows best disciples walk together. So let's look at Paul’s test for ‘true widows”: I said we’d come back to reading into the text and Paul’s mindfulness and wisdom. Paul says the heart of the church should be to care especially for people in the church (this is important) there IS to be a special love and care for the family of God - where do I get that, I pray your asking, remember we’re like Levar Burton here: Galatians 6:10 (ESV) 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, Is she a truly a widow, in the sense of needing to be cared for? Is her Church family her LAST family, is she a believer in word and conduct - known for being a prayerful person. Have you been around ladies like this - it’s obvious! We miss out here at this church on having older ladies - give it time and we will, I’m looking at you ladies that’ll be you for the kids running around here God willing, but this is what Paul is talking about. 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Seem harsh? Paul is a realist? Is a lady on her own BUT not living a prayerful believers life - Church, you have no duty here. Timothy, who is to organize the church consider the life and conduct before signing the church up to support people. Interestingly lots of folks would say, then she’s an unbeliever. Here is John Calvin on the matter: “this is supposed by some to mean that they are unbelievers; an opinion with which I do not at all agree. I think it more natural to say that a woman “is dead,” when she is useless, and does no good; for to what purpose do we live, if it be not that our actions may yield some advantage” -Calvin If he is right, then Paul gives a framework for a) is she a believer, b) is she an active saint and an asset to the Church which gives a balance of grace and a Pastor’s heart, with wisdom. Paul He continues: 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Paul gives both sides of the coin, earlier he said, “let them learn” in verse 4 - disciple them in caring for family. I/they won’t then, that says something about that person’s character and beliefs. The distinction of provisions is general for relatives, and specific for members of household. Who is of your household, I don’t know that - who live in your walls, who are those near-by relatives, you have God-ordained passages here to care for them. And an assumption that you do so in a way that lets your household continue. Meaning you cannot uphold two houses, you provide, as you’re able in a loving manner - if folks demand more than you can give, you don’t give it. 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. B) Assumption of an organized Church. They’re literally managing a role of people who fall down through these qualifications (I’m guessing it’s not a huge list, but I don’t know maybe it is). Lot’s left open here - there is room for Timothy to generally apply these principals with specifics that fit the church. But an organized structured church is assumed to pull this off. Policies, membership, and lots is assumed. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Paul is mindful and wise, he acts with grace and a Pastor’s heart and balanced with wisdom. This widow program is specific - it’s not a life of ease program, it’s not social security, it’s rare and hyper specific but born of love and administered with great care and wisdom. 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. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. Interesting that mismanagement here could lead to slander for the adversary. Taking a younger woman with IF YOU WILL with lots of life ahead of her, and adding her to the churches widow care program would be odd. She can be out participating in life in so many ways she’s energetic not left behind by family and frail. The enemy is after believers - would she be tempted by him, likely - in what ways: *shrug, in what areas of sin is she tempted, then in those ways. Perhaps going out and being married, having kids staying busy helps, get a job - but don’t be enrolled in the widow program, young lady! 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. Burdened. That says a lot. a) Mindful look at wise decisions for the church that don’t let it be taken advantage of, b) Assumption of an organized church. Here is my big point - ready, if Timothy is to give this much consideration to widows to support, how much more healthy “younger” people who approach the church and ask for help? How are we mindful and wise not being taken advantage of - and do we have an organization to the Church which helps us make these decisions? As you see Paul’s softer side comes in balance of great wisdom. Does our softer side come in balance? I think many Christian’s believe that we need to act on softness only, and that’s not the case. Guilt and slow death come from that- we need the balance of wisdom. We live in a cold world. Paul’s test of widows, how does that give insight to other areas. Where we’re told to provide for the poor - what tests then would Paul give to that? Is someone poor because they approach you on the street and don’t look put together, would Paul say yeah, slam that guy 5 bucks. I can point to you individuals in Harrisburg who live on Church ministries, and use the money they get to get wrecked all day, stumblingly plowed. Is that what Paul would say to do? Exhaust and extend yourselves feeding and working to give money so that these people can do heroine, live in empty warehouses spreading STDs and experiencing with drugs? Church, we are to be gentle like doves but wise as serpents. Paul acts with grace and a Pastor’s heart, balanced with wisdom. Pray: Pray through the following questions: • Are we a worshiping church? • Are you a worshiping church member? • Are you wise? • Is our personal mercy a guilt-filled or spirit filled venture? With Grace and a Pastor’s heart, Balanced with Wisdom