The House of God - 1 Timothy 2 & 3

Intro:

1 Timothy 2:1–7 CSB

1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Point #1: God Calls Us to Live Tranquil and Quiet Lives in All Godliness and Dignity!

Godly lives are praying lives!

Paul urges that we pray in...

Petitions

Prayers

Intercessions

Thanksgiving

for everyone in authority over our lives...

Living lives that are dignified and Godly pleases God.

God wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

Again Paul references his office...

For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth;[a] I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

1 Timothy 2:8–15 CSB

8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. 9 Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman is to learn quietly with full submission. 12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. 15 But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.

Point #2: Equal and Complimentary.

Paul begins with what men should be like in the church...

Men are to pray

Men are to lift up holy hands in worship to God...

Men are to function without anger or argument...

Then Paul address women’s function in the church...

Women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense,

not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel,

10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

11 A woman is to learn quietly with full submission.

Then Paul says some controversial things in 2021!

12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet.

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.

15 But she will be saved through childbearing,

if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.

1 Timothy 3:1–7 CSB

1 This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.

Point #3: Paul Sets the Qualifications for Elders in the Church.

1. Paul gives us another trustworthy saying...

a. This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer,[a] he desires a noble work.”

2. 2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach,

a. How is one above reproach? By being a person of character...

1. the husband of one wife,

2. self-controlled,

3. sensible,

4. respectable,

5. hospitable,

6. able to teach,

7. 3 not an excessive drinker,

8. not a bully but gentle,

9. not quarrelsome,

10. not greedy.

b. 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity.

1. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)

c. 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil.

d. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.

Sometimes believers feel that this list is unattainable but with the help and leading of the Holy Spirit we can live and lead this way in the church.

1 Timothy 3:8–13 CSB

8 Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Point #4: Paul Sets the Qualifications for Deacons.

Deacons should be...

worthy of respect,

not hypocritical,

not drinking a lot of wine,

not greedy for money,

9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons.

Then Paul gives us some expectations for Deacons wives and families...

11 Wives,[b] likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything.

12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife,

managing their children and their own households competently.

Then Paul shares a blessing for those who serve faithfully.

13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:14–16 CSB

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Point #5: The Pastoral Epistles (Letters) are Written So That God’s Church Might Know How to Properly Conduct Themselves!

Paul shares his desire to come to them soon...

Undoubtedly, Paul desires to come to teach them in person...

But in case he is delayed he shares this letter to instruct them in the conduct of the church...

Then Paul shares what this is all about: JESUS!!!

He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.