Hold to What is Sacred - 1 Timothy 5
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
holdtowhatisscared.com
holdtowhatisscared.com
The challenge of small rural church is that we are called by hold to the traditions that draw is closer to Jesus, but we must be willing to adapt our methods to meet the needs of our culture, community and the individuals that we are trying to reach for Jesus!
Our message of salvation in the name of Jesus never changes
Our methods is sharing The Gospel must adjust and be effective (fruitful) to reach new generations with the love and provision of God!
TS: This morning we are going to talk about dignity and respect, which is sacred, and should always be extended in the church...
1 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.
Point #1: In the Church We are Called to Lead with Dignity and Respect!
Point #1: In the Church We are Called to Lead with Dignity and Respect!
Paul directs Timothy to...
Not rebuke an older man, but to exhort him as a father!
To exhort (encourage) younger men as brothers...
To exhort (encourage) older women as mothers,
To exhort (encourage) younger women as sisters...
With all purity!
This should be the churches S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure!)
Pastor Randy Gariss says, “We should never others in a way that degrades their dignity, we should interact with others in a way that elevates dignity.”
3 Support widows who are genuinely in need.
4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.
5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers;
6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Point # 2: Support Who are Genuinely in Need!
Point # 2: Support Who are Genuinely in Need!
A widow is a Mom or Grandma whose husband has passed away...
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
What do you think Paul means by “genuinely in need?”
Is this a widow who every time she has a need she is able to pull out her checkbook and has the money to pay for any need or service that she might have?
BTW: These widows are often exceedingly generous towards God and others!
Is this the widow who had loved and cared for her family well and they in turn serve and care for her every need?
No…you see that she is loved and cared for because her family is awesome!
This is usually the widow who does not have family and friends to support and encourage her...
Which leads to Paul’s next point...
If any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.
5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers;
6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach.
We show our love for God by showing our love for our family!
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
How serious is God about this?
When we don’t care for our own family, we deny our faith in Christ and are worse than an unbeliever!
9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband,
10 and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.
11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry
12 and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge.
13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.
14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.
15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.
16 If any believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.
Point #3: Who Qualifies for Support?
Point #3: Who Qualifies for Support?
10 In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”
This sentiment is the context of Paul’s further direction...
God calls us all to contribute!
When one is unable to contribute, then the church is called to add support...
9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.
11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry 12 and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge.
13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.
14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.
15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.
16 If any[b] believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, The worker is worthy of his wages.
Point #4: Respect and Honor Leaders in the Church!
Point #4: Respect and Honor Leaders in the Church!
Elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor...
Especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching!
18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,[d] and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
This verse is where we get the concept of paid elders (pastors), who dedicate themselves wholly to the church!
19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid.
21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
22 Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later.
25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
Point #5: Paul Teaches Us About Disciplining Leaders.
Point #5: Paul Teaches Us About Disciplining Leaders.
19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
This come from
20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid.
When you publically lead, you must publically be held accountable!
21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
There is no favoritism in the Lord!
Paul then shifts to direction specifically for Timothy...
22 Don’t be too quick to appoint[e] anyone as an elder,
and don’t share in the sins of others.
Keep yourself pure.
23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface[f] later.
25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.