Letters to a Faithful Pastor

Introduction:

Tonight we are going to begin a new journey through the Book of ’m not sure how much time you’ve spent in the Pastoral Epistles of 1-2 Timothy or Titus, but all three of these letters share some similarities; and they were written to pastors and churches, which means that they are not just for ministers to read, but also for the churches that represent Christ.

First, let’s take a look at what these epistles, or letters are.

The Pastoral Epistles:

1 -2 Timothy

Titus

Timothy was Pastor to Ephesus

Titus was Pastor on the Island of Crete

Purpose:

Encouragement to Titus and Timothy to persevere in their ministry

Instructions about local church ministry

As we see the purpose of these letters, we all need to understand that while we are not all called to be pastors in the vocational sense, we are all called to lead others and make disciples. We need the church to know what they should look for in a pastor and also understand how they should act as the pastor they call leads them. Let’s take a look at just a couple verses tonight as we open with Paul’s first letter to Timothy.

Read text. Pray.

1. Paul’s calling was commissioned by God (v.1)

Here we see two of the three members of the Trinity involved in Paul’s ministry. God is referred to here as Savior. We normally think of Jesus as Savior, but remember that it is God’s will that we be saved by Jesus death on the cross. Jesus said, “Not my will, but yours be done.” We also see Jesus referred to as our hope. Our hope is in nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. The Holy Spirit is the silent member of the Godhead involved here by empowering Paul’s ministry.

however, let’s take a closer look at Paul’s commission to ministry and his call to salvation. Turn with me if you will to the Book of Acts, chapter 9 for just a moment as we look at Paul’s salvation and calling to ministry.

Read

Paul was the chief persecutor of the church. He was not a seeker. I recently was thinking about the seeker-sensitive church movement. I don’t know if you remember hearing a lot about that, but think about this for just a minute. Is anybody really seeking God before they are saved? No! We are all wandering astray like sheep. We depend on God’s grace to open our eyes and save us.

Paul wasn’t seeking Christ to follow Him, but to persecute His followers. He was against Christ, not curious about Him.

2. Paul’s calling was to be passed on (v.2a)

Paul gave birth, spiritually speaking to many churches and pastors in the ministry. Luke was an associate of Paul. Epaphras was the church planter to Colossae. Titus was pastor to Crete, as we saw earlier. And Timothy was probably Paul’s closest companion. There of course are others also, but Paul saw Timothy grow up as a young man into a pastor.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

All of us have a similar responsibility. We are to be disciples that make disciples. It isn’t about just making a convert. A convert is someone who says a prayer or walks an aisle, but there is no followup with them. A disciple is someone who learns and follows someone. It is the idea of an apprenticeship.

3. Paul’s calling encouraged others (v.2b)

Paul, in his greeting, gives his blessing to Timothy and the church. He wishes them three things: grace, mercy, and peace.

What doe these words mean?

Grace - unmerited favor

Mercy - compassion or forgiveness of sin (not getting what we deserve)

Peace - a position that we have in Christ where God no longer holds our sin against us

Application:

Am I obedient to God’s call on my life to minister in the context He has given me?

Am I a disciple that makes disciples?

Do I encourage other people by pointing them to Jesus, or do I turn them away from Jesus with my attitude and actions?