Part II of the one about widows and pastors. And yet, it does apply to you. Read on.

This is part II of a section at which we've already looked.  The passage in question is about how Timothy, a pastor, is supposed to take care of widows in the church.

Now before you tune out, there are basic principles at play that apply to all of us.

First, the church is formed by the gospel.  In Christ, God has adopted us into his family and made us heirs with Christ of his Kingdom.

The church exists in this world to proclaim the excellencies of Christ to the world.

It is from these realities that these commands flow.  We're to love people as individuals, based on their needs, to draw them close to Christ, and to show Christ to the world.

In the previous post, we dealt with the first criterion that Paul gave regarding whether widows were to be taken care of by the church's budget or not.

The second criterion is this - has the widow in question lived a life that shows that she treasures the Kingdom of Heaven above the things of this world?

Scripture says that Timothy is to 'command and teach' things, including this:
She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day - but she who is self indulgent is dead even while she lives (1 Timothy 5:5-6).

See the contrast?  A widow who expects God himself as her reward prays.  She dedicates herself to constant prayer.  She is characterized by prayer.  She is not self-indulgent - not looking for her own pleasure now on earth.  Someone living for pleasure is spiritually dead!  But a true widow loves God and is characterized by prayer.

The Apostle Paul says more about this woman: "having been the wife of one husband, 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"(vv. 9b-10).

The overarching principles that Timothy is supposed to understand are these:
1)  Deal with people according to their own spiritual needs -
2)  Deal with people in such a way that the Gospel is accompanied by righteousness in life - so that the Gospel looks good.

So we are to learn how to deal with each other from those principles.

However, there are some principles applied to widows in particular that can apply to us as well.
1)  There is a contrast between prayer and self-indulgence.
2)  Thus, there is a contrast in what one treasures - heaven or earth.
3)  Another way to state that is the contrast between enjoying God's glory in opposition to living for my own pleasure in his creation.
4)  This treasuring of God's glorious kingdom leads one to purity in life and self-sacrifice for the sake of his people.

I think, then, that we can ask several questions of ourselves -

1)  Do I consider what others need from Jesus?
2)  Do I take the time to seek out what others need from Jesus?
3)  How can I do a better job of doing that?
4)  Do I consider how I can honor the Gospel in my relationships - in terms of how we look to the world?
5)  How can I do a better job of making the mission of the Church - announcing the Gospel to a dying world - a key in how I relate even to Christians?
6)  How dedicated to prayer am I?  How does that reflect where my treasure lies?
7)  How can I deepen my treasuring of the Kingdom of God?
8)  How can I dedicate myself to prayer better?  What can I do practically do ensure a deeper prayer life?
9)  What are some action steps I can take to serve Christ's Church better?  What needs exist that I can help meet?

Prayer, thank you for loving us individually and adopting us into your family through your true Son, Jesus.  Thank you for bringing us into a community - a family - to show how great your love is to us!  Cause us to consider how others need you - and to even ask them.  Cause us to consider the mission of your glorious grace in the world as we relate to each other!  Purify us - cause us to treasure and enjoy you rather than settling for the world, passing away as it is.  Thank you for seating us in Christ in heaven - so that we will be with you forever one day!  Grant us joy in you, Father.  Because of Jesus we pray, amen. 

Do NOT ignore needs in God's Church! 1 Timothy 5:3-8, part I

Frankly, when I’m with people from church, I don’t mentally process things before I say them.  I just say them.  They talk; I react. 

Sure, maybe there will be a little consideration of what I say before I say it.  But, I think if we’re honest, it’s very little.  And I think if we’re honest, when we consider how we treat people, even in the Church, it’s rarely on the basis of the Gospel. 

The Scripture we’re about to look at has to do specifically with how to treat widows in God’s Church.  And this is a subject we need to know about.  However, this passage also gets at the heart of how we treat people who are in hard circumstances. 

It’s easy to feel compassion on people in hard circumstances.  Yet, this passage goes beyond mere compassion. 

We are to treat Christians in hard circumstances in light of the Gospel. 

Honor widows who are truly widows.  But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 

            She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day; but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 

            Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.  But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 

This is a situation within God’s Church – God’s household.  Everyone involved has been brought together by the good news about Jesus rising from the dead – and salvation in him.  God has united this group as a family.  He has loved us, and expects his children to treat each other like he treats them, for his glory. 

And hard things have happened.  In that culture, widows were fairly helpless.  They couldn’t just get a job and take care of themselves!  They were financially lost if they had no husband. 

Sin exists in the world and it has brought with it death and suffering.  We can ignore those realities, or we can deal with them. 

And Timothy, the Pastor, is commanded to deal with them and to give commands to the Church regarding their care!  “Honor widows who are truly widows” – meaning take care of them - v. 4.  “Command these things” – v. 7.  This is the family of God – let us love who God loves.  We are not permitted to ignore our siblings in need and in pain. 

Yet, we must, in love, evaluate each specific situation.  We’re not allowed to be intellectually lazy or to make default choices. 

First, Pastor Timothy is told to evaluate whether the widow in question has family members that can take care of her. 

 If you’re like me, your instant thought is, of course – if someone can be off church assistance, that’s best for the budget!  But that’s not what Paul has in mind here at all. 

The heart of the issue is

1)  That children show godliness, that is, act like God and glorify him

2)  That children make a ‘return’ to their parents, honoring their position and authority – a thing that God has granted and used for their good

3)  That God be the ultimate object of this – it’s for his pleasure, not ours

4)  That Christians confirm the Gospel in how they live – you can’t claim to love God and not love your neighbor – especially those closest to you – in your own house! 

Here’s the situation in a nutshell –

A person, in this case, a widow, is in grave need. 

Her closest relatives, if believers, are to be motivated by the Gospel.  They are free in Christ from sin and from this world.  They are loved by God and now love others – especially those closest to them.  And they are to show God’s love by physical care for their relatives – for the glory and pleasure of God. 

If there aren’t believing relatives, though, the Church as a whole – as the family of God, as those adopted in Christ – must glorify God by taking care of those who are hurting. 

The widows themselves are to be evaluated as per their particular needs, however.  That, next time, God willing.  

For now, let’s consider a few questions. 

1)  Do I take action on needs I see in God’s family? 

2)  Do I consider what the Gospel would imply that I do within God’s family? 

3)  Do I care for my own family for the sake of the glory of God? 

Father, I do not love like I should.  I think too highly of myself, and I think too much about myself and my needs and wants and happiness.  But that is not demonstrating the love of Christ, and I’m sorry. 

            Thank you that Christ loved us and gave himself for us – and that in him, you’ve adopted us and given us a certain inheritance. 

            In light of that promise, cause us to walk in a way like Jesus did, in love, so that you will be glorified, and the Gospel will be lifted high for the salvation of all your people. 

            In Christ I pray, amen.  

Do you love who God loves? Really love them? 1 Timothy 5:1-2

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

Now Paul begins to give Timothy specific instructions on how to deal with certain types of people. 

We should remember that God has given the pastor instructions on addressing people with the Gospel – and now talks about relationships with different types of people – so that the Gospel will be lifted high in the Church. 

Here are a couple interesting things about this text:

1)  God seems especially concerned that pastors not rebuke older men sharply, though that command applies to all groups.  Pastors should rebuke no one sharply, especially older men. 

Why might that be?  Simple – real authority structures exist in families and in communities.  Older men are the ones who have authority in their families and typically in the Church.  To rebuke an older man sharply would be to disrespect him and the position that God put him in.  

2)  God gives the young pastor an analogy to family relationships.  People in the Church should be treated as family members.  Why? 

First, because they are.  Paul wrote Timothy so that he’d know “how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God…”(1 Timothy 3:15). 

It really is family, because God really adopts people in the person of Christ.  Everyone who is in Christ, through faith in him, is a child of God (1 John 3:1). 

Secondly, because there is no unit on earth as typified by love as the family.  And God is love towards all his children, and his children thus must love one another.  This family is characterized by love. 

3)  That’s why ‘sharp rebuking’ is replaced by ‘encouraging.’  Now, that doesn’t mean pastors are to just come alongside people and say, ‘good job!’  What’s implied here is that a behavior needs to change. 

But that said, God tells us that the way that change should happen is through encouragement – partnership – entering into the situation with the person to help them with it. 

Why?  Because Jesus was manifested in the flesh – alongside of us – and took on our sin and died – and was vindicated in the Spirit – in his resurrection – bringing us with him to glory. 

There is no judgment from Christ – let there be none from us.  There is compassion and love and entering into the thick of things from Christ towards his people.  Shall pastors do any different?  Shall pastors be more harsh than their Lord? 

4)  Young women, the pastor is commanded, are to be treated uniquely, in all purity.  Timothy was a young man.  He especially is warned to be pure with young women – since the temptation to fall into lust or any kind of sexual sin will be greater with young women. 

And note that Paul says ‘all’ purity.  He emphasizes how stringent Timothy must be – how on his guard he must be.  There must be no impurity or inconsistency or hidden agenda or mixed motives in his dealings with young women – not because young women are ‘bad’ or something – but because Timothy, and pastors in general, are men, susceptible to temptation. 

How should we summarize these things? 

1)  God has adopted all believers in Christ into his family through Christ, his Son. 

2)  He has done this in love, and caused us to be a family marked by love. 

3)  Pastors represent Christ in this family in Christ’s absence, and are to come alongside everyone to help them out of their sin – not condemning, but loving and helping people. 

4)  Those relationships and conversations will look different, based on what sort of family member each person is. 

5)  These things do apply to all of us – as we speak to other members of God’s family. 

Father, I admit that when I see sin in the Church, my first response is not to think of the love that you have for each of us – that you punished Jesus for us and have adopted each of us in him, perfectly and forever.  My first response is often to ‘fix it’ – to fix behavior rather than to give your love to a person who is missing out on you. 

I think in part that’s because I believe I’m either righteous – or at least more righteous than them.  Forgive me, Father!  I’m a sinner…  And I think it might also be because I want to believe myself to be a Savior – and yet, only Christ is our Savior. 

Help me to love your people well – since you love us and are our Father – and you’ve chosen to adopt us in Christ because of your love. 

I ask these things so that Christ will be lifted up by the Church and honored among the peoples!  Glorify yourself, my Lord! 

In Christ I pray, amen.  

Is Christianity Practical? 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2; 6:17-19

It's very common to have a set of beliefs or doctrines challenged by a questioning of its practicality. Does it actually change your life? Does it affect how you live? Does this worldview actually show up in the way you live your life?

The reason for that challenge is simply that, many times, a person's lifestyle is clearly inconsistent with his stated beliefs. We've all seen the pastors who've fallen because of sexual scandal, and we've all heard the stories of religious 'hypocrites.'

Part of that judgment against Christianity in particular can be unfair - because Christians claim to be guilty of sin!

Part of that judgment against Christianity in particular, however, is fair. The reality is that cultural Christianity doesn't change lives.  Growing up in church doesn't change one's life. Claiming to be 'Christian' doesn't change your life.  Saying a certain set of words in agreement with truth the Bible might teach doesn't change your life.

The good news is that Christ, on the other hand, does.

In chapter 4 of 1 Timothy, Paul gives Timothy instructions about preaching the word of God. He says to the young pastor, "Command and teach these things" (v. 11) and "...train yourself for godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come"(vv. 7, 8).

Then, beginning in chapter 5, Paul begins to give Timothy specific ways to instruct different types of people in the congregation - older men, younger men, older women, younger women, widows, slaves, and the wealthy.

Before delving into the specific sections, I think it's helpful to think through a few general themes that this section brings up.

1)  People are different.  Not to state the obvious, but they are.  They have different needs.  They have different lives.  They have different perceptions of reality.  They will need to obey commands differently depending on their situations in life.  They're going to be tempted by different things.

Pastors thus need to be mindful of who they're addressing.  They need to think through the person's particular needs, desires, sins, and situations.

And so do the rest of us, as we engage them in holy conversation.

2)  Yet, people's different situations and different lives are to be addressed by the same Gospel!  How a pastor applies the realities of the Gospel may change - but the Gospel does not.  "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching"(4:16).  "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"(4:6).

Thus, pastors, and the rest of us, must address each other's life situations with the Gospel itself.  We'll see specific ways Paul does this in this section.

The Gospel is good news of eternal life freely given because of Jesus Christ.  People's situations are not addressed with naked command - but with good news that salvation has been given to them.

3)  These commands are unified on another repeated theme - the end, or goal, that the Gospel be seen by those in the church, as well as outsiders, as a good thing.  In other words, the lives of Christians should make the Gospel look good.  Or to put it in a negative way, the lives of Christians should not make the Gospel look bad.

The heart is that the Gospel be lifted up - that Christ be lifted up and shown to be glorious and worthy of our allegiance.

Paul's reason for writing Timothy is that "you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God - a pillar and buttress of truth."

The Church exists to hold high the Gospel!  And Paul then gives the confession of the Church - the good news that is held up for all -

"Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory!"  (3:15-16)

So what are some practical implications of these things?

1)  We must consider people as individuals.  We must listen.  We must get to know their specific situations.  Loving them implies this.  Loving them implies that we take the time to understand what's going on - that we don't assume we know exactly what they should do.  We must take the time and effort to consider them.

To do less is unloving and lazy.

2)  We must address people with the Gospel.  We must desire their good - we must want them to know Christ more than all things!  We must realize that only he is the Savior - that we are not.  We must recognize that behavior modification is not good news.

We must genuinely love them and give them the Savior.  Not use them and seek to save them ourselves.

3)  We must ultimately give commands so that the name of Christ will be honored.  It's really easy to be pharisees and just love 'righteousness' - without really wanting to please Christ personally.  It's really easy to try to fix behaviors that we just don't like - that make us upset - rather than seeking to genuinely glorify Christ.

Holy Father, I confess that I'm a sinner.  It is often not my aim to please you.  It isn't my aim to honor Jesus Christ.  I do not love my neighbor well.  I do not consider them; and so often, I do not give them Jesus!  


O God, I'm sorry.  


I thank you that Jesus' resurrection is my vindication because of your giving it to me.  I thank you that you love us so much.  That you lift up the Gospel and save us.  That you love us individually in Christ.  


God, glorify Christ in me and among us so that we love each other, point each other to the cross of Christ, and honor you.  


Because Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead I ask - amen.  

Impurity in life or doctrine can damn you... 1 Timothy 4:16

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.  Persist in this, for in doing so you will save both yourself and those hearing you. 

This is Paul’s concluding statement in the section of his letter in which he’s commanding Timothy to preach the Bible, and thus, the Gospel, accurately – and more, to correct those who are contradicting it. 

This is the pastor’s job!  And the verb tenses give us a clue as to how emphatic Paul’s commands are – these activities are to be continuous, regular, and the norm – not occasional, not special, not sporadic! 

Here, pastors are commanded to be keeping watch over themselves and the teaching.  This means constant observation.  Constant guarding.  Constantly making sure nothing is making cracks in the wall!  Making sure there are never fault points – and being ever vigilant in doing so. 

When God uses the words ‘yourself’ and ‘doctrine’ he lists two distinct things. 

‘Yourself’ in this context refers to godliness of life – being an example of holiness to the Church before God in all things.  So, it is possible to not keep a close watch on oneself.  This takes daily examination and confession.  It takes daily meditation on God’s word and prayer to expose the chinks in one’s armor.  It takes constant vigilance and a diligence in never compromising.  It takes constant examination in light of God’s holy word – constant confession of sin – and constant repentance.  Pastors must be always engaged in these things. 

‘The teaching’ here refers to God’s word being proclaimed – it refers to preaching and teaching in the life of the Church – and specifically – the content of what is taught.  Pastors are commanded to be ever vigilant about what is preached in church!  And what is believed.  The content of preaching must be the Bible – not the thoughts of a man.  And this must be guarded – which means that the pastors thoughts must be guarded.  He must be confined to seeking wisdom for salvation in the Scriptures.  Every line, every sentence he teaches must be teaching what the Bible has already said.  He must guard himself against believing he is wise or has something worth saying that doesn’t come from Scripture.  He does not. 

Paul gives us the reason that Timothy is supposed to be on his guard – being on guard saves the preacher and the hearers! 

There’s much to take note of here. 

First, life and doctrine (teaching), are not separated in experience.  Paul says, ‘persist in this,’ not, ‘persist in these things.’  It is a single act to guard life and doctrine.  They must and always do run together. 

Second, Paul reiterates that this is to be constant activity for pastors. 

Third, salvation results from a pastors guarding his life and teaching.  But this salvation is the future salvation – entering into God’s Kingdom.  It is not speaking of the moment of justifying faith.  There is no true justifying faith that is not accompanied by purity of life. 

Fourth, this salvation is not only for the hearers, but the preacher.  He is being saved by God’s word in the same way as the Church is – he is no different. 

Where does that leave us? 

1)  Pastors are to always be vigilant about their lifestyles, examining their lives before God’s word. 

2)  Pastors are to be ever watchful over what is preached, taught, and believed in God’s Church. 

3)  Pastors are to distinguish, yet never separate life from doctrine. 

4)  Pastors are to persist in their watchfulness, because that watchfulness is how people will enter God’s Kingdom. 

5)  Salvation ultimately comes, thus, from God’s word. 

6)  Church members are to submit to the authority of their pastors as examples and teachers – since they’re put in charge to keep watch over our souls. 

7)  Church members are to follow this example – because salvation is found in the word of God. 

Father, I have been lazy in guarding my life against sin.  I’ve not been always vigilant.  I have compromised.  I’ve not lived a life of radical self-evaluation.  I’ve separated life and doctrine – though you do not.  And at times, other things have taken priority in my heart and mind – as if other things were bigger and better than salvation. 

Thank you that the teaching you’ve given us includes the reality that Jesus’ vindication is my vindication.  That through faith you’ve seated us who believe with him in heaven – and we have already been transferred to your kingdom. 

Yet, cause us to be ever vigilant, in light of your saving action. 

Because Jesus died for me, lives for me, and is praying for me, I ask for these things – amen. 

Pastors should be show offs...? 1 Timothy 4:15

Practice these things; immerse yourself in them – so that all will see your progress. 

Paul here commands Pastor Timothy to practice the things he’s just listed.  He’s being very redundant, though.  He’s already emphasized multiple times what Timothy is to be doing as a pastor!  And then he repeats himself again even in this verse! 

Why?  God wants it known to us that pastors are to be focused, single-minded, dedicated, toiling – and living a lifestyle of doing so.  They are to never neglect their charge – but to always be working on it, knowing that rest comes in the word and Sabbath itself now, and in heaven later. 

The words Paul used here indicate a whole pattern of life.  Pastors are to breathe the air of ‘these things.’  This of course begs the question, ‘what are these things?’ 

From chapter 1, preaching sound doctrine so that we’ll live in a way that pleases God – and correcting those who disagree…

From chapter 2, public prayers made, even for enemies, and the learning about and worshiping of God by both men and women in the Church…

From chapter 3, elders and deacons appointed for the sake of guarding God’s Church against false teaching – and nourishing them in love through the Scriptures – as well as service to Christ’s body when there are physical needs…

From chapter 4, warnings against false doctrine and things that contradict the Gospel, a life lived by thinking about the Gospel and by prayer, preaching the Gospel, nourishing himself on the Gospel, and being an example to the Church

Amidst other things – all related to proclaiming the Word of God, and living in a way that reflects belief in the Word of God, being nourished continuously by the Word of God. 

Paul wants to hammer this home!  Pastors must, must, must pay attention.  This is their job – the care of God’s people by God’s word! 

God gives pastors a purpose, in this specific instance, for the command to live in this way – so that all will see the pastor’s ‘progress’ or ‘success.’ 

The progress, I think, Paul has in mind here does not separate Timothy’s ministry abilities from his obedience to God.  The idea is that both flow from his dedication to God’s word – and that God is doing work in Timothy and through Timothy – because of the Bible. 

The ‘progress,’ then, is growth in conformity to God’s Word. 

God wants his people to see the pastor’s growth!  Why? 

We’ve seen in chapter 3 that the office of pastor exists to uphold God’s word.  God wants his word magnified, his name honored – which is the best thing for his people.  It draws us to him! 

And we’ve seen in chapter 4 the opposite of that – a lack of progress can malign God’s word and bring it into disrepute – which is bad for God’s people – and ultimately, dishonors God. 

Paul’s particular command here, then, is for Timothy to be dedicated to the Scriptures – to the Gospel – in both study and proclamation – so that God’s glory will be made known for the good of his people. 

Here are a few observations –

1)  Christian growth, in both life and ministry, comes from God’s word

2)  Pastors especially must be completely immersed in God’s word

3)  Pastors must immerse themselves in God’s word for the sake of God’s glory in the saving of his people. 

4)  God’s word honored is the best thing for God’s people. 

5)  All Christians should follow pastors’ examples – striving for immersion in the Gospel of God for the sake of growth towards God and the glory of God. 

Father, you’re so good to us.  You’ve given salvation in Christ’s rising from the dead!  And you’ve given us the Scriptures so that we can know you, and increase in knowing you.  I confess distraction from your words.  I confess unbelief.  I confess treasuring other things.  I confess seeking you outside of ways that you’ve commanded, namely, your word.  I confess that I haven’t loved your people enough to treasure your word and be immersed in it. 

Father, it sickens me that I’ve treasured other things, spoken more highly of other things, thought higher thoughts of other things – than you in your word. 

I’m an idolater, worthy of hell.  Yet, you’ve justified me in Christ because of your glorious love!  Thank you, my Lord and my God! 

Cause me to be immersed in your word, for my joy, your glory, and the joy of your people.  You are worthy, my God! 

Because of Christ’s death in my place and rising from the dead, I can pray – so be it! 

The Bible is NOT Boring; YOU are. 1 Timothy 4:13

(13)  Until I come, be devoted to the public reading of Scripture, to the exhortation, to the teaching.  

Timothy was one of the pastors of a church in the city of Ephesus.  He had a job to do - just as modern day pastors do.

His job was to be devoted to the three things that God lists for him here - public Bible reading, giving the Bible's commands, and teaching what the Bible has to say.  Note the common link?  The Bible.  Or in the passage's words, the Scripture - the writings given by God. 

In other words, Timothy is supposed to give Jesus' people Jesus' words, explaining them and applying them as he does it. 

Before we look at specific aspects of how that must look, though, it's worth noting that Timothy, and pastors, are to be devoted to these things - the public service of God's word.  The word that is translated 'devoted' is used to describe those who are 'addicted' to 'much wine' in 1 Timothy 3:8.  How does a drunk view alcohol?  As a need.  They have a compulsion to get it.  It underlies the things that they do.  It is a significant factor in their motives.  It is the overriding passion in their hearts! 

And that is how pastors are to treat their preaching of the word!  Furthermore, the verb tense used for 'be devoted' indicates that this is something that is supposed to be constant.  These services - giving Christ's word to Christ's people - are never to cease, never to wain, nor is the pastor's zeal in doing them. 

This implies that God's word is worthy of zeal and compulsion.  It is that good - that enjoyable - that significant. 

It also implies that God's people need feeding - and that feeding must be of a devotee to God's words - or else there is a great inconsistency.  God's words are words of life!  What would it say if a pastor treated them as boring or insignificant.  They are everything! 

Paul lists three things that Timothy, and thus pastors, are to be devoted to: the public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching. 

Pastors are to read Scripture in public.  It is the actual words of God.  It must have its proper place!  It must be heard in the congregation.  It itself is life - not preaching! 

Pastors are to exhort.  The Bible gives many commands and encouragements.  Pastors are not to skip them in favor of heady things or anything else.  These things in Scripture must be given to God's people! 

Pastors are to teach - that is to say, they are to give God's people God's teachings, God's truths.  These aren't necessarily things that say 'do this' - but rather are truths about God and truths about what he has done in history. 

Therefore, God's people have certain implied responsibilities.  They must do the work of listening to God's word being read.  They must obey the commands in Scripture.  They must learn the truths of Scripture and trust them as they are heard - and delight in them and love them!  If preaching is to be done with zeal, is it not so that listening and believing and obeying might be done with zeal? 

A pastor can fall into certain sins, then. 
-he can be dispassionate about the ministry he's called to
-he can fail to execute the ministry he's called to with consistency
-he can fail to read Scripture to God's people
-he can fail to faithfully teach ALL that God has to say - both truths and commands
-he can fail to rely on God and his word to bless God's people
-he can rely on his own abilities rather than on God's power and promises
-he can fail to love God's people and so give them little to eat
-he can have his own glory or pleasure in mind - not God's glory in the joy of his people through his word
-he can fail to delight himself in the Lord through his word

The rest of God's people can also sin in several ways:
-they can fail to do the work of listening to God's word
-they can rely on the preacher rather than God's word
-they can be seeking entertainment rather than joy from God's presence
-they can mistake entertainment for God's presence through his word
-they can fail to pay attention to preaching because of intellectual laziness
-they can fail to desire to really obey God, outside of adding church activities to their schedules
-they can tolerate the misuse of the pulpit
-they can fail to believe that knowing God is the highest joy of mankind

Yet, God is merciful and loving towards his people, even when we sin. 
-He has given us his word - it is grace, our nourishment, life, that which brings us into God's presence
-He has given us new hearts, that, despite still being in the flesh, yearn to hear from their Lord
-He has given us pastors and churches through which to be nourished by his word
-This command itself is gracious.  God is commanding - come to me!  Delight in me!  Let go of the things that hold you back from enjoying me - and feast.  Taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Pastor, delight in the Scriptures, and you'll be satisfied.  Child of God, listen to the read and preached word of God, and delight in the Lord. 

PRAYER;
Father, thank you for adopting us in Christ Jesus your Son into your family.  Thank you for giving us your word!  O God, cause our pastors to delight in you in it and to feed us with it!  Cause us to yearn for it and be satisfied as you give yourself to us for our joy and your glory!  Your commandments and promises are our delight.  Forgive us for delighting in other things.  Forgive us for working for food that doesn't satisfy.  Fix our appetites, and fix our gazes on you.  Because Christ died for us, rose for us, and is interceding for us, we pray boldly - amen. 

Critical people usually have a hard time seeing God's sovereign grace - 1 Timothy 4:12

(12)  Let no one despise your youth, but rather, be an example for the believers in speech, in manner of life, in love, in trust, in purity.  

Timothy was a young pastor.  Here, Paul gives him instructions about how to live based on two facts:

1)  The Gospel should be heard and heeded, unhindered by human preconceived notions, by the people of God. 

2)  Certain aspects of a person can hinder the reception of the Gospel by even the people of God - like being young. 

Paul's concern here is not that people despise Timothy for being young - but that they tune out God's word because Timothy is young!  And if they do that, they will fail to be nourished and fail to enjoy God's presence. 

Now, youth is attended by certain sins - 2 Timothy 2:22 commands, "Flee youthful passions."  As people get older, their sins change.  However, when we see somebody younger and think that they must be less spiritually mature than us, we err - because we fail to give God credit for what he can do - and we fail to realize that growth is from him through his Scriptures. 

Paul is concerned that people will tune out the word because of Timothy's youth, so he tells him not to let people do it!  How?  By being an example, or a type.  In other words - by having a truly transformed life. 

He gives categories for this young pastor to think through: speech, manner of life, love, trust and purity.  A young pastor especially must embrace living like Jesus publicly in those things. 

Why?  Because God's nourishing and satisfying word transforms people.  If a pastor's life is transformed, it gives evidence for the reliability of the word he is preaching.  It at least alleviates skepticism based on other, human factors.  See the previous part of the chapter. 

There are some danger signs we must look out for! 

Pastors must be careful to let not anything they are or do externally be a hindrance to someone understanding God's word.  If they can change something about themselves, they must change it! 

Pastors can fail to really strive to nourish themselves on God's word - and be stagnant in their character growth. 

People can criticize pastors - not for their faithfulness to God's word - but rather, based on external, human understanding. 

People can fail to heed God's word as preached through his servants. 

It really all boils down to paying attention to people rather than to God and his word. 

Yet, God has rescued us from this situation.  He has given us his word, ordained that his presence be made known in and through it, and has given us pastors.  He has given us good churches!  Jesus ultimately is our type and example and savior and teacher.  We must together look to him to learn to obey him - through pastors put in place by him to communicate his word. 

Prayer: 

Father, thank you for giving us your Scriptures.  You have communicated to us the words that bring life - words about your Son dying in our place, rising for our justification, and returning to bring us to himself.  Cause us to not think of people as the world does - but as you would have us - thinking of your sovereign grace in the delivery of your word.  Feed us on your word.  Cause us to enjoy and abide in Christ - so that we'll bear fruit for your glory. 

In Christ I pray,
amen

The two distinct things that must be in sermons. If they're not, pastor, repent. If he won't, dude, get another church. 1 Timothy 4:11

(11) Command and teach these things.

In this verse, the apostle Paul commands Timothy, a young pastor, to command teach the things that he’s just been writing about.

What has he been writing about?
1) The Holy Spirit says that these ‘last days’ will be characterized by teachers in the church who are teachings things which contradict the implications of the Gospel
2) The Gospel is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose for our justification, and reigns – and that our justification is by belief in him.
3) The implications of that Gospel include that this physical world can be used for the glory of God – as we are hearing the Gospel and in prayer.
4) As people are nourished by the Scriptures, the Spirit produces godliness in them, and this godliness draws us nearer to the presence of God – and ultimately is the path of the Christian towards heaven and the full experience of God’s presence.
5) These things, particularly starting with nourishment through the Scriptures, are worth working hard for.

These are the things that Timothy, as a pastor, is to command and teach.

Paul used two words, didn’t he? ‘Command AND teach.’ Why is that? Well, the things he’s been writing about include both exhortation and doctrine – or commands and theology. Thus, Christians need both truth/doctrine/theology AND exhortation/commandments/practical implications of that theology. Pastors are thus required to give it. Neither must be assumed. We are in dangerous territory if either are assumed – being heady and forgetting we live in the world – OR – trying to be practical – and doing so for reasons not in accordance with truth. These heretics in 1 Timothy 4 looked very ‘godly’ by the worlds’ standards – and even in Christian eyes.

The Greek words ‘command and teach’ are in a verbal tense that is explicit about when these things are to be done – and that is, all the time, on a continuous basis. Pastors must, must, must be always presenting the Gospel, the truths of Scripture, and contradicting those things that contradict them – and they must, must, must always be giving Jesus’ sheep commands that flow out of the Gospel and the Scriptures.

And that’s because we need it. God has created us, as we’ve seen, to be nourished, just as one is nourished by foods. Pastors must continuously be nourishing themselves, and they must be continuously nourishing the sheep of God.

And the sheep must run to nourishment – they must run from false teachers, false preachers – preachers who are failing to preach the Gospel – and preaching things not from Scripture – and they must run to preachers who are preaching the words of God.

And when they get there, they must pay attention. They must not expect to be like babies being fed – but they must pay attention to the Word of God.

This is grace – that God has spoken to us promises. Jesus came in the flesh, into our world. His deeds, his death, his resurrection are recorded for us. The implications of those events are recorded for us. His commands are recorded for us. When he said ‘make disciples of the nations’ he was talking about making disciples of himself – teaching them to obey what HE has commanded.

And as his people hear his promises through the preacher, he produces godliness and we receive the presence of God, in part now, and in full when he returns to bring us home to him forever.

SUMMARY:
1) Preachers are to give both doctrine and its practical implications all the time, as well as contradicting things in the church that are in opposition to write doctrine. That is, what is in 1 Timothy 3:15-4:10.
2) Preachers must continuously be nourishing themselves on the word of God.
3) Sheep need nourishment from the word of God regularly, and must pay attention to the preachers.
4) God in his love has given us his word and pastors to communicate it to us.

PRAYER:
Holy God, set your name apart in us as holy!!! You are worthy of all praise, loving and gracious God. Help our pastors to regularly be nourished by the word, to regularly feed your sheep. Help us to feed on your word! Make it clear to us, implant it in us, and produce godliness in us. We yearn for you and want your promises. Thank you for the grace you’ve given to us in giving us the good news about Jesus – in giving us faith – in giving us all that accompanies salvation – and in giving us preachers. Cause us to pay attention to your word. Cause us to honor you here on earth.

Because Jesus stands vindicated before you, we pray confidently – amen.

You need evidence for trusting God's promises? Here ya go. 1 Timothy 4:10

(10) For unto this we work and we struggle, since we have set our expectation on the living God, who is savior of all people, especially believers.

Paul was always toiling for the sake of the Gospel. He was preaching, engaging in conversations – even when it meant he’d be beaten, imprisoned, tortured, rejected, and hated.

And he makes note of this in a section of Scripture talking about one’s personally being nourished by God, being holy before God, and experiencing the presence of God. He clearly did not disjoin his personal walk with God from his ministry, preaching, leading to his own martyrdom. We should learn from that. Service to God is connected to, not distinct from, our walks with him. Pastors should toil, being fed by God’s word.

But why does Paul bring it up? He begins the verse saying, ‘for unto this.’ He’s justifying a statement – he’s backing a statement up. Which statement? The previous one – he just got done saying that the statement is trustworthy. Which statement?

Nourishing oneself on the word of God brings about godliness which brings about the experience of the presence of God here in part and full in the future when Jesus returns. Jesus has sent his Spirit to give us glimpses of him now – and will come full later and we will see him.

Paul is talking about his hard work to give evidence for the promise of God. Why on earth would some work themselves, literally, to death? There must be a reason! In Paul’s case, it was because of the promise of God – his presence, in the Spirit now, and in the fullness of Christ at his return.

Toil – hard work as if the things of this world and happiness here doesn’t matter - comes from being fed by God’s word.

He gives a related reason for his toil as well: “since we have set our expectation on the living God, who is savior of all men, especially believers.”

There was a point in the past at which Paul made a decision – to commit his future to the promises of God about Christ’s return – and forgiveness through his death, received by faith.

Why can he strive and struggle? Because he has an expectation for the future based on God’s promises.

This future is both near future and distant future. We get God’s presence in part through the Spirit now, and in the fullness of the Spirit when Christ returns later.

This is why Paul describes God as the living God. He is active. He is sovereign. He reigns over all things. His promises are true and can be trusted. If we obey his word, we will suffer – but his promises are true. We will never be willing to suffer unless we believe his promises!

This is also why Paul describes God as savior of all men, especially believers. If anyone is saved in this world – from an early childhood death, from a motorcycle accident, from cancer – it is by God’s sovereign and merciful hand. Every time someone is saved, God is showing off his great grace.

And those things are happening now! God is sovereign, living, and active now. And so we can trust his promises – and thus strive and toil and suffer for the Gospel – now.

But God is savior of believers in a particular way – we will be in the new creation with him, experiencing the fullness of his love and glory, forever.

God is the savior, all of the time, in every circumstance, and so we can trust him, fix our expectations on what he has promised us in Scripture, and move forward to serve him in this world – announcing Christ as King and Savior despite what happens.

The end of all this is that pastors fix their hopes on the great promises of God so that they will nourish themselves on the word and be filled with God’s fullness, as the Spirit glorifies Christ among us and in us for our joy and his glory – and as this happens, we speak the good news to others, and we depose falsehood – so that all will hope in Christ – and glorify God forever.

SUMMARY:
1) Paul worked really hard all the time for the sake of the Gospel.
2) His personal life with God was not distinguishable in practice from his ministry.
3) His life should be an example to us – striving because of God’s promises.
4) His life gives evidence for the reality of God’s promise – his gracious presence.
5) That gracious presence is now through the Spirit, and in the future in Jesus’ return to earth.
6) Toil must come from a decision to place one’s expectations on, and trust in, God’s word.
7) God is sovereign savior in all ways, at all times, now and forever.
8) Pastors must nourish themselves on the word, trust God’s promises in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and move forward in proclamation of the Gospel.
9) All believers should imitate this, being nourished on the proclaimed Gospel.

PRAYER:
God, you are Holy. You are so gracious. You are sovereign over all things. You control everything, now, and in the future. You are trustworthy. You have given us a glimpse of your glory in your word. Help us to see it, to trust you. Give us great delight in your presence. Cause us to become more like you, being convinced that the promises of your presence are greater than anything this world can offer. Cause us to reflect Christ in word and deed in this world, for his glory. Save your people through the word communicated by these means.

Thank you for your promises – that you’ve forgiven us in Christ, declared us righteous, and are sending him to gather us as your children to yourself. In Him we pray, amen.

Preaching for the Presence of God - 1 Timothy 4:7-9

Paul has just finished giving Timothy the pastor commands about correcting teachings that contradict the Gospel in his church.  He is to function as Christ’s representative, caring for his people, celebrating that they are saved by his death and resurrection – not by secret knowledge or rules.  Timothy is to do this by being nourished by the Scriptures. 

(7a)  And have nothing to do with godless, silly myths…

We should first observe that there are godless, silly myths.  What are they?  Well, we should first observe that they are not from God.  They are false, being myths.  And they’re stupid. 

If we go back to the first part of the chapter, we see that they’re satanic in origin. 

And if we look at verse 6, we see that they contradict the words of the faith and good doctrine, or teaching, that Timothy has followed. 

They are from the enemy of God, in opposition to God, in contradiction of God, and are being used to seek to deceive the people of God. 

But they’re stupid and false. 

Timothy, the pastor, is to have nothing to do with them.  What does that mean?  Well, certainly, he is to contradict them in public (v. 6).  He is to nourish himself on the Scriptures – not to dwell on these speculations – things that aren’t written about in the Bible.  He isn’t to waste energy on these things – except to expose them by the light of the word of God in public! 

(7b)  Rather, train yourself for godliness… 

Here, God gives us the opposite of dwelling on myths and speculations – training oneself for godliness. 

How does one do that?  Paul gives us the example of training for a physical event: (8a) – for while bodily training is of some value… 

Bodily training had an end in mind in those days – an event – something that would take the body to its limits – something that required preparation. 

In the same way, godliness takes preparation.  It isn’t merely something you can just do, per se. 

So how does one train for it?  How does one prepare to reflect the glory of God in this life?  Well, what is the opposite of having something to do with godless, silly myths?  It’s feeding on the words of the faith and doctrines in Scripture, that are from Jesus. 

The energy that it takes to produce godliness in someone’s life is found in the Scriptures – and primarily as the Scriptures teach about the person and work of Jesus. 

(8b)  …for… godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 

And here is the reason that Timothy is to train for godliness – it has value for this life and eternal life. 

So while these speculations are based on demonic lies, God’s words, as we are fed on them and godliness is the result, holds promise for now and later. 

What promise? 

When Paul uses ‘promise’ terminology, he’s typically talking about fellowship with God – relationship.  There is a promise of relationship forever to all who are declared righteous in Christ through faith! 

There is as well promise of fellowship with God through his Holy Spirit even now, as we wait for Jesus to come back to renew this world and fix it. 

We see this in 1 Timothy 6. 

What about now?  How does it hold promise for us now?  Ephesians 1 and Romans 8 tell us that all believers have the Holy Spirit.  However, given the commands in Galatians 3 and 5, we see that we can relate to Him more or less.  Our relationship with God, seeing Christ’s glory, is through the Holy Spirit – and godliness, cleansing ourselves from sins by faith in Jesus’ blood and repentance, draws us ever nearer to him. 

And that is gain, for what does the Spirit do?  John 16 says he glorifies Christ – and we want to know Christ – Philippians 3.  We want fellowship with God – 1 John 1.  And we want to rejoice in him and delight ourselves in him.  At his right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

So what is this promise? – the joy of knowing Christ, in part now through the Spirit, and fully later.  (9)  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.  These things are not earned by our godliness – but rather are in agreement with it.  The joy of knowing Christ is for us accomplished by Christ – and pastors are to teach for the sake of godliness – for the sake of the fellowship of the saints with their God! 

And godliness is accomplished through dwelling on the person and work of Jesus Christ by the Spirit – not on stupid lies that aren’t taught in Scripture – but rather contradict it. 

SUMMARY:

1)  Pastors are not to be tricked by beliefs that are outside of the Scriptures. 

2)  Pastors are to expose those falsehoods with Scripture. 

3)  Pastors are to nourish themselves on Scripture. 

4)  The effect of nourishing oneself on Scripture is godliness. 

5)  The effect of godliness is fellowship with God, both in this life and in eternal life. 

6)  Pastors must believe these truths and preach these truths. 

PRAYER:

Holy God, I praise you!  You are holy, and yet, you’ve entered into relationship with us.  You have spoken in your word – cause us to believe and submit to it!  Cause us to yearn for it and feed on it!  Cause us to proclaim it.  You have justified us in Christ – cause us to rejoice in it!  Cause us to glorify you for it!  You have given us your Holy Spirit – cause us to depend on him!  Cause us to seek his presence through your word!  You have given us the promise of fellowship with you forever – God, give us expectation and trust that your promises are true – to live for that moment when we see your Son face to face – and to glorify you on earth now. 

Because Jesus lived for us, died for us, rose for us, intercedes for us, and is coming again to gather us –

And for the sake of his glory we pray – amen. 

A life of eating and feeding - 1 Timothy 4:6

God just finished giving Timothy via Paul, and us who are ministers, details of false teachings that would spring up in the visible Church on earth.

Verse 6 says, "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."  

Timothy's job as a pastor is to warn them about these false teachings.  Why?  Because these false teachings deny the Gospel.

People were making up rules that didn't exist and treating God's world as if it were evil.

Rather, God says in verse 5, that as Christians dwell in the Gospel and respond in prayer, they put God's world to holy use.  After all, Jesus came in the flesh to die for our sins, and was raised in a physical body!  Now, reconciliation with God is through faith in him.

So when people make up rules that make this physical world 'evil' - make all pleasures sinful - rather than fountains of thanksgiving and praise to God - they rob God of glory and deny the good news that Jesus saves sinners.

Now, the job of a pastor is to continuously teach right doctrine and warn against false doctrine.  Or 'teaching' if you prefer that word.  We're not talking about some stuffy, passionless systematic theology - but rather the teachings from God!

The teaching is to be continuous, which implies that the danger is continuous until Christ returns.

Now, Paul says that if Timothy does this he'll be a good servant of Christ.  This implies several things - first, that Christ will be pleased with Timothy's service.  Think of it!  The God of the universe happy because of us communicating his words!  Second, that pastors doing this are representing Christ, doing his bidding on earth, serving as his representatives.  And this is a massively important calling.

So the pastor's call is to represent Jesus' teachings such that Jesus will be pleased, as he should be, since he is King, God, Loving Savior, forever.

How's that for a motive at promoting right teaching?  The pleasure of Christ?  Not bad, huh?

In the next phrase, Paul instructs Timothy on the foundation for that continuous teaching - continuous feeding or 'being trained.'

The word here indicates 'eating' - and it is a continuous action - not something that one does once or even once in a while - this is a lifestyle.  He is feasting, savoring, getting strength to work.

What is he eating?  The words of the faith and good doctrine.  It could be that here he has in mind the distinction between Jesus' commands and Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

However, that distinction doesn't matter for us; both are in the Bible and the Bible consists of both.  Pastor, get soaked in the Bible.  Saturate yourself with it.  Feast on it.  Starve for it, yearn for it, take it and eat it.  Then, you will have a foundation for your continual proclamation of it to others.

Paul takes a moment to note that Timothy made a choice in the past to follow this 'doctrine' - really, to become a Christian - to bend his knee to Christ Jesus.  We did this in the past - and we are to continually return to those truths and the teachings of Christ.  He is our loving savior and holy king.

So, ministers of the Gospel, feed on the Scriptures all the time and communicate the Scriptures all the time.  And Christ himself will be represented to his beloved bride, his Church, and he will be pleased.

Satan doesn't want you to enjoy sex. 1 Timothy 4:3-5

So let’s get a little recap. 

The Christian Good News, or Gospel, is the message that Jesus Christ died on a cross, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is returning to judge the world and to establish his kingdom forever. 

That’s the news part.  The response part is faith in Jesus and a seeking to obey his commands. 

Everyone who does that, because of what Jesus did, will enter Jesus’ eternal kingdom rather than being judged by it. 

As people believed this message, they began to get together to celebrate it.  Those gatherings we call ‘churches.’  Churches exist to proclaim that message. 

There are people within these churches that will teach things that contradict the Christian Gospel and try to persuade people to leave it – and thus, to ultimately leave their church. 

What we learned last time, is that these people are the devil’s instruments.  What we’ll see today is what they were teaching in Paul’s day. 

(3)  who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 

These false teachers forbade marriage and required people to not eat certain foods.  You know, like meat on Fridays. 

I’m not exactly sure where these people were getting their ideas.  It could’ve been partially from Judaism – in which case they were missing the point that the ceremonial laws – the laws that set Jews apart from everyone else – had been fulfilled in the person of Jesus. 

It’s perhaps more probable that these teachers got their ideas from an ancient religion called ‘gnosticism’ - which taught that people would be ultimately saved by secret knowledge.  Some forms of Gnosticism taught that to gain this knowledge, you had to separate yourself from the physical world – because physical pleasure, they thought, was bad. 

Hence, marriage – more accurately, sex - was bad.  Good food was bad. 

The problem with this thinking is that God created the world.  And he created it to be good and to be enjoyed.  And he deserves to be thanked for it!  He is good and the giver of good gifts – and he deserves thanks.  To rob God of thanks is to blaspheme his name. 

Now, obviously, all good things can be perverted.  Sex and food can be used for sin.  But that doesn’t mean they’re bad.  They’re good, and God deserves to be honored with and for them. 

Furthermore, making physical pleasure forbidden contradicts the Gospel of Christ.  The Good News is that we’re not saved by attaining secret knowledge – but simply by trusting Jesus Christ.  If we are trying to cut ourselves off from pleasure to save ourselves, we blaspheme Jesus.  Not good. 

Paul next gives some rationale for his argument – that these things are to be thankfully received. 

(4)  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving… 

That should sound familiar.  God created this world – and it’s good.  Sure, it’s affected by sin – but ultimately, it isn’t sinful.  It’s good.  So to knock God’s world is to knock God.  If you’re doing so, knock it off. 

By the way, some people use this verse to justify drug use.  First, ‘mishandling’ God’s world has already been covered here.  You can’t genuinely thank God for giving you something your use of which results in your disobeying God.  So don’t be stupid.  The idea is that you shouldn’t reject things on the basis of their being enjoyable.  God is enjoyable.  So don’t dishonor God by saying he made bad things. 

(5)  for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. 

There’s another reason we are to not reject physical things that are pleasurable on the basis of their being pleasurable: God has set that thing apart for use to honor himself.  That’s what the apostle means when he says that that thing has been made holy. 

How does it get made holy?  By God’s word and prayer.  What does that mean?  Perhaps John 17:17 sheds some light on this: Jesus prayed for his disciples – he prayed that God would set them apart, make them holy, by means of the word, the truth. 

God has given us a book.  That book contains words, and those words point to a singular message – the Gospel.  See above.  Jesus was praying that God would set us apart to serve him, to honor him.  The means that God uses to do that is his word.  And prayer – note that Jesus is praying in John 17. 

So as Christians hold fast to the word of God and pray for God’s strength to be set apart for his glory, God will cause them to do so – even with regard to things on this world that are pleasurable. 

Summary: 

1)  Satan’s human messengers were making up rules that weren’t in the Bible. 

2)  Their doing so made God evil and contradicted the Gospel. 

3)  We’re to treat this world by setting things apart, trusting in the Gospel, and through prayer. 

4)  We’re to also thank God for good things.  He is to get glory by how we use his world and glory for being good to us. 

5)  We must beware people who would teach false things! 

Prayer: 

God, you’re so good to us.  You’ve given us all we need on this earth – and so much to enjoy besides.  And more than that, you’ve given us your Kingdom through Jesus.  Thank you!  Cause us to use this world for your glory and to be thankful.  You deserve it – and we desire your gracious presence.  In Christ I pray- amen.  

People the devil uses - 1 Timothy 4:2

The Church is founded on and exists to proclaim these truths about Jesus Christ:

“He was manifested in the flesh
vindicated by the Spirit
seen by angels
proclaimed among the nations
believed on in the world
taken up in glory” 1 Timothy 3:16b

Everything that happens in Church is based on the word and for the word. The section we’re about to look at is therefore, both based on that message about Jesus and for the sake of that message about Jesus.

Actually, these things are what pastors are charged with putting before their congregations. We see in 1 Timothy 4:1 that, even though Christ has come and has been raised from the dead, some will leave the Church, showing themselves damned. They will do so because of satanic lies. That brings us to our section today.

(2) through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared…

These demonic lies come through people. People will persuade people to leave Christ’s Church. And since they say demonic things, they speak lies.

And so what must we do but test all things with the truth of God’s word? What other foundation do we have but the Bible? If we would know truth, we must know God’s word. And we must test things by God’s word.

The foundation of these lies is what leads many astray – it is insincerity, or hypocrisy. These people aren’t merely deceived – they are hypocrites. They never reveal their whole hand. They seek to persuade bit by bit, never honest about all of what they believe. They are actors. They play along. They speak enough truth to convince people of lies.

These liars have ‘seared consciences.’ To be seared is to be burnt and disfigured. It is to be damaged beyond recognition. The conscience is the thing in a person that helps distinguish right from wrong. And so these people have perverted senses of right and wrong. Their intrinsic ability to tell the difference has been grotesquely disfigured. They no longer feel the ugliness of sin nor the beauty of holiness like they should.

And so they believe and speak satanic lies – seeking to persuade people away from the truths of the Gospel.

We must beware. Right doctrine and righteous living go hand in hand. If a doctrine or deed doesn’t accord with the Gospel, we must recognize it as such and deal with it appropriately.

Pastors are to put these things before their congregations – and we are to beware heretical teachers.

Summary:
1) Satanic teaching will come through human liars.
2) These false teachers will be hypocrites, and have a perverse sense of right and wrong.
3) We are to beware of such people; pastors are to warn the churches about such people.

Prayer:
Holy God! You are sovereign over all things, even over heresy. And you are the truth. Whatever doesn’t come from you is not truth – and not only is unrighteous, but results in hell for people. God, imprint the Gospel of Jesus Christ on our consciences. Let us be discerning about the teachings and teachers we receive. Cause us to cling unswervingly to your word. In Christ I pray, amen.

Some in church will end up in hell - 1 Timothy 4:1

(1a)  Now, the Spirit expressly says… 

God has just finished showing us the purpose of the Church and of its government – worship of Jesus Christ, founded and based on God’s own words.  In Chapter 4, God, through Paul, begins to give Pastor Timothy more instructions on how to lead Christ’s Church. 

He transitions, and then tells us that the Spirit expressly says some things.  We must take note of several things here.  First, this is God who is talking.  He is the vindicator of Christ – He who raised him from the dead.  We need to pay attention – this isn’t advice from a human – but rather, God’s own words – God’s own warning. 

We learn that the Spirit is speaking clearly through what Paul writes.  There is no confusion about God’s message.  It’s understandable.  Make no mistake!  This word, ‘expressly,’ serves as a sober warning to us: we’re to pay attention! 

We also learn that through Paul the Spirit was speaking in words.  Paul wasn’t getting spiritual vibes – the Holy Spirit of God was giving him words to speak – actual words – particular words – clear words.  See 1 Corinthians 2. 

And so we should pay attention. 

(1b)  …that in later times some will depart from the faith…

This is what God himself was telling Paul – that some would depart from the faith after receiving the Gospel. 

‘In later times’ reflects that it is subsequent to their joining a church – hence, ‘the faith.’  But it also reflects that this activity is by the sovereign hand of God.  Even though Christ has been vindicated and the Spirit has been poured out – and redemption is happening through the word of God – yet, people will leave God. 

That is to say, the Spirit wants us to not have a false confidence.  Even though Christ has been vindicated by his resurrection, we still live in an era in which people who we thought knew Christ may abandon his word and his people. 

This is a terrible thought.  Some that were visibly part of God’s community are not saved.  They give assent to ‘the faith’ – yet, they will eventually leave it. 

God does not want us to have a false confidence that would lead us to give up an earnest pursuit of him and his words.  There is a danger, even in the church, of damnation. 

Truly, Christ has been vindicated, believed upon, and has saved those who genuinely have trusted in him.  Yet – some who we think do do not.  And so we must proclaim the Gospel with white-hot earnestness within the local church – and outside of it. 

(1c)  …by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…

How will some abandon the teaching of Christ?  By devoting themselves to something else – by being persuaded of contrary teachings.  It begins with paying attention and curiosity and ends in belief. 

And these things are lies!  They come from deceitful spirits – lying spirits.  They are demons – Satan’s angels.  They are here to lie and to make sure people are damned (see John 10). 

This is a grave warning.  Satan is active, seeking to persuade people of lies – even in churches- such that they will abandon the faith and be damned. 

And by the sovereign hand of God, he’ll have some success. 

This is a solemn warning for us to pay attention to God’s words.  To speak God’s words.  To dedicate ourselves to the Gospel and to test all things by God’s words, lest we be deceived and proved false – and lest others be deceived and fail to enter life. 

Summary

1)  God spoke directly and clearly to and through Paul – we must pay attention. 

2)  God is sovereign over all things, even over the activities of the evil one. 

3)  We live in a time in which it is still possible to abandon the truth, even though Christ is vindicated. 

4)  We must devote ourselves to knowing, loving, and proclaiming the Gospel with white-hot devotion that comes from these warnings. 

Prayer: 

Father, this is scary.  Yet, we confess that you are sovereign, that you are reigning over history, and one day, by your will and work, we’ll appear with Christ in glory.  Yet even now, falling away from the truth is possible – and the evil one wants us to.  O God, only you can preserve us.  We thank you for giving us your word which is how you preserve us.  Give us hearts that pay attention and eschew all things which contradict it.  Help us examine ourselves and our thoughts and other messages in light of it.  Vindicate us with Christ we pray, in whose blood we ask – amen.