Strive to be a Good Servant

Opening

1 Timothy 4:6–16 ESV

6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Intro

Remember the letter so far

Structure of the church

Charged the officers of the church to protect the truth

Last week

Warning against false teaching

Particular group that has come about in different forms

Instructed the importance

Prepare Yourself

Avoid

Have nothing to do with irreverent or silly myths

Old wives tales

Stories, there is a level of this in tradition, but must be avoided

Train

Physical vs spiritual

Physical is temporal

Spiritual is eternal

Gives the idea that it must be worked on and developed over time

We work hard and toil because our hope is in the living God, savior of all people (common grace) especially for those who believe (eternal rewards)

Teach Truth

V11

Twin duties of the Pastor

Command - order what must be done

Teach these things

This is referring to the aspects of the first part of the letter

This this type of command is elsewhere in this letter and in the NT so it isnt an isolated command

v12

Youth - probably not that young, more like 30s/40s.

Be an example - teach by demonstration

in conduct

in love

in faith

in purity - free from ritual impurity

Paul is making sure that until he comes

give attention to the PUBLIC reading of scripture

exhortation - urging someone to do something

Teaching

Share Your Gifts

Share your gift

God gave for a reason

Find it

affirmed by others

In this case it was through prophecy

Laying on of hands by the council of elders

Again we get the instruction of a plurality of Elders

Different word but referring to the same office

Spiritual guidance this group in a church gives should affirm and pour into gifts

Become the Good Servant

To be a good servant for Christ we must keep an eye on what we are doing. We remember we serve for God, to honor and glorify him.

Practice/train

immerse

see progress

Keep a watch

Make sure what you are teaching and what others hear is right

Action and doctrine

Monitor the teaching

This isn't referring to Tim saving himself, but by teaching the truths of scripture we are saved

Luther “Here I stand I can do no other, God save me, Amen”

Luther sparked the reformation, but it is not him, but the word of God through him.

May we like Luther seek true doctrine over the preference of the culture and stand firm in the word of God to become good servants of Christ enabled by the spirit.