He's Still Speaking

Timothy is called Paul’s son

Introduction

To be in Spiritual Leadership Timothy had to know that

It is a life under examination

It is a life of Sacrifice

It is a Life to be desired

There is something empowering about Knowing who you in Christ and the purpose of your life.

An Acquired Understanding

Saul whose name was changed to Paul had shown himself to be the premier communicator of his day.

His understanding of Jewish customs and traditions made him the perfect choice. His accomplishments and reputation were well known. He was a rising star.

Philippians 3:5–6 ESV

5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

The source of this teaching.

Didn’t come from his training

Did not come from his customs or traditions

Paul had an encounter with God.

A Divine Appointment

1 Corinthians 2:1 ESV

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:4 ESV

4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

Faith is

Not and intellectual exercise.

A recognition of God Presence

An understanding of God’s power

Where does our faith stand?

Paul’s faith could have been

In his Position

In his Possessions

In his Personal power

Philippians 3:7–8 ESV

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Paul recognized the limitation of human effort

Just Fig-leaves

In Geneses Fig leaves were used to cover

Their nakedness

Their shame

Their sin

It was inadequate then, It is inadequate now

1 Timothy 1:12–15 ESV

12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

His writings not only helped the church in his day. Even today we are amazed at both his theology and way of life.

This is a big deal

1 Timothy 1:3–7 ESV

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Timothy has been

Chosen by the Apostle Paul

Given authority in Paul’s work

Assigned oversight responsibility

Timothy has responded well to what he has been taught.

1 Timothy 4:6 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.

He was

Trained in the words of faith

Romans 10:8 ESV

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

He was

Trained in the words of faith

Followed good doctrine.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

2 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.

There is a prophetic mantle on Timothy

1 Timothy 4:14–15 ESV

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.

It was

Not earned

Not learned

A gift given

Why would it be neglected?

There is something rewarding about work

Ecclesiastes 2:24 ESV

24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,

There is nothing better than work that

Comes from the hand of God

Satisfies my needs

I enjoy doing

Ecclesiastes 5:19 ESV

19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.

The Power of Recognition

It all comes from God

Wealth and possessions

Deuteronomy 8:17–18 ESV

17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

It all comes from God

Wealth and possessions

The ability to enjoy it.

Psalm 34:8 ESV

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Paul speaks to his son about

Spiritual Leadership in Crisis moments

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

The Spirit tells him the Propensity of People

People have a tendency

To change their opinion

To change their mind

To change their position

The Spirit tells Timothy to

Prepare for it

Expect it

When people go astray

++We want to fix it

++We want something to change

Making people change is not easy, It’s impossible

True change

Is not just obedience

Is not just compliance

Is a spiritual matter

Romans 2:29 ESV

29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Matthew 10:20 ESV

20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

John 6:63 ESV

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

2 Corinthians 4:13 ESV

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,

He’s Still Speaking

Spiritual Leadership is

Relationship not lordship

1 Timothy 5:1–2 ESV

1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Spiritual Leadership is

Relationship not lordship

Caring for the needy

1 Timothy 5:9–10 ESV

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.

Spiritual Leadership is

Relationship not lordship

Caring for the needy

Handling honor in humility

1 Timothy 5:17–19 ESV

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

You are not alone

Celebrate those that rule well

Honor them publicly and privately

Be patient in judgment

Spiritual Leadership is

Relationship not lordship

Caring for the needy

Handling honor in humility

Works to preserve the whole

1 Timothy 5:20 ESV

20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

John 15:1–5 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.