Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

A great cause for problems with in the church is partiality and favortism shown by leadership and to leadership.

It is only a given and natural that one will be closer to a group of people or an individual more so than than another group of people or individual.

This even evident through Jesus’ relationship with the people throughout His ministry.

Jesus ministered to the crowds.

He had compassion on them and had a gut wrenching response to their spiritual condition as we find written within the Gospels, But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36).

With that in mind, it is easy observe within the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that Jesus was closer to the twelve than He was the crowds.

Even within the twelve, He had three that He was closer too, Peter, James, and John.

Yet again, we find that within the three, He was closer to one, the beloved disciple, John.

What does this show us?

What does this have to do with our text today?

Paul, within our text, writes to young Timothy to stand firm, and emphatically insists that Timothy practice the principles he commanded to be observed in relationship to leaders (vv.17-20).

He declares that this observance is not to be with prejudice.

He did not tell Timothy that he could not be closer to some than others, but did say, when it comes to choosing and correcting leadership, be slow, methodical, intentional, and without prejudice.

In doing so, Timothy would protect himself and the church.

We need this leadership style within the church today.

Not only do we need this leadership within the church today, God demands it.

Focus Passage

21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.

25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

(1 Timothy 5:21-25 NKJV)

Stand Firm | 1 Timothy 5:21-25

Outline

Paul has just given Timothy instructions on how to relate to leadership within the church (vv.17-20).

He states those that serve and serve faithfully, respect and support.

He states in opposition to that, those that are unfaithful, correct and rebuke openly as an example to others within the church.

Paul knew that there were those within the church leadership that were influential and causing problems already.

He writes to Timothy...

1 Timothy 1:20 (NKJV)20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2 Timothy 2:17 (NKJV)17 And their message will spread like cancer.

Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

Stand Firm | 1 Timothy 5:21-25

May we realize that not every influence and influencer within the church is a good influence, even if they are in leadership.

Paul knew that Timothy would find those within the church that would oppose this teaching.

He knew that Timothy would face pressure without and within to compromise and share partiality or not follow through on this vastly important teaching to the church.

So, how does Paul address this possible scenario?

He brings to him an emphatic directive, I charge you.

Paul’s emphatic directive to Timothy (v.21)

1 Timothy 5:21 (NKJV)21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

When Paul brings this emphatic directive, I charge you, he calls for a three-fold witness for accountability in Timothy’s faithfulness to this directive.

These three witnesses all reveal three powers that judge.

I. Paul calls upon a three-fold witness for accountability

A. He calls the judge over all as a witness - ‘I charge you before God...’

B. He calls the coming judge of the earth as a witness - ‘I charge you before…Jesus Christ’

C.

He calls the executioners of God’s judgment as a witness - ‘I charge you before…the elect angels’

II.

Paul calls for Timothy to be faithful to obey and preserve his teaching

Paul, had just wrote in his letter how to properly address, support, and correct leadership, Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine...Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all (5:17-20).

Now, he calls on Timothy to be faithful in obedience and preservation of this teaching, that you observe these things.

It is hard for many to face confrontation.

It is even harder for leadership to correct other leadership at times.

When those that we must correct are fellow co-workers, those that you have a relationship with, it becomes even harder.

I have never felt good about correct any employee or felt joy in firing an employee.

With that said, it is necessary to have accountability, especially of those in leadership that have influence on others.

He also knew that not only was it hard to discipline those that you work with, it is especially hard to not show favoritism to those that you are closer with.

III.

Paul calls for Timothy to be observant proper relationships with leadership without favoritism

He writes, observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

As God is not a respecter of persons, we are are not to be.

Acts 10:34 (NKJV)34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

Do not be hasty in your decisions (v.22)

1 Timothy 5:22 (NKJV)22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

While leadership is important to have in the church, the process by which we choose leadership is equally as important.

Paul understood this.

He also understood that a new church would need direction.

He knew that any pastor would be under pressure to not only lead a church through this process but would feel the pressure of delivering as soon as possible on this responsibility.

With this in mind, Paul gives clear direction to Timothy within his epistles in choosing leadership.

Paul had already given him clear direction in what to look for in the area of character (who they were in private just as much as they were in public).

These righteous character traits were given in (3:1-13), in describing those of the both the office of bishop/overseer/pastor and that of the deacon.

Paul, within our current text tells Timothy...

I. Take your time in choosing leadership

Paul writes to Timothy, Do not lay hands on anyone hastily.

Many churches have erred in choosing pastors, deacons, and other leadership when they chose the candidate in haste.

They feel this over whelming need to feel the vacancy of pastor quickly.

They feel that we must have so many deacons or we just have to have a deacon period.

In this situation, they do the process in haste.

They do not take time to pray, to search through the Scripture, and truly seek God’s will.

They all to often give into the flesh and the cry of members stating we need a pastor, youth pastor, deacon, Sunday school teacher, etc., and they never take time to work through the process and give God time to work.

In doing this they have hindered themselves.

I have always said and will continue to encourage our church’s nominating committee to be wise in their search for servants of the church.

I would rather have blank spaces where names use to be on committee and teachers, than to nominate someone just have a warm body in place.

The work of the kingdom of God is far more important than just having warm bodies.

Those who serve and lead in a church are to be morally chaste, active in attendance, giving, and worship.

They are to be faithful to the Lord and His bride.

Those in leadership should only be chosen after prayer.

As we find in the book of Acts, Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away (Acts 13:3 NKJV).

Paul not only tells Timothy to be sensitive and cautious in choosing leadership, he explains why.

II.

Be cautious not to join in the sin of others

Paul writes to Timothy, nor share in other people’s sins.

What does he mean by this?

He is reminding Timothy, that and the church are guilty by association.

What he is stating is that when a church, in haste, chooses leadership and that leadership is consumed in sin, the church is just as guilty as the leader in sin.

They did not take their time to test the spirits.

They did not take their time to seek the Spirit’s will and direction.