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.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thoughts after eye surgery....
Yesterday I had a minor eye surgery. I was told that I might experience slight burning afterwards, but that I'd probably not experience any pain at all.
That was drastically incorrect.
My eyes were killing me. I couldn't stop crying - couldn't even open my eyes. I wanted something to bite down on, to grip on to, to hit.
Have you ever experienced something that put you in that much pain? Maybe an illness? A surgery? An injury? Childbirth (which I hear hurts a lot)?
Recall those moments and how you felt.
God brought to my mind that in hell there is 'weeping and gnashing of teeth.' I realized then that the intense pain that I so desired rescue from was so much less than what people are experiencing and will experience in hell.
And like the rich man in the story of Lazarus , in hell there is no reprieve. No alleviation. Continuous torment.
I can think of several proper ways to respond to these truths. What do you think?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
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.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Parody of a Modern Worship Service
This is at the same time hysterical, and yet, sad.
Make sure to link to 'how to write a bad worship song' at the end there.
Make sure to link to 'how to write a bad worship song' at the end there.
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.
“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.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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.
Friday, April 30, 2010
How Far is Too Far?
The CCEF has released part of their 'mini-book' - which is article length - about how far one can 'go' sexually before marriage. Good stuff.
http://www.ccef.org/sex-marriage-how-far-too-far
http://www.ccef.org/sex-marriage-how-far-too-far
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Page CXVI
Some of you may remember a post of mine a while back bemoaning the state of modern Christian music - both for its lyrical content and for its lack of musical creativity and complexity.
You may remember I mentioned a band called Page CXVI that redoes hymns - and brilliantly at that.
There's a free download of one of their songs at http://www.pagecxvi.com
It is definitely worth your time to check out.
You may remember I mentioned a band called Page CXVI that redoes hymns - and brilliantly at that.
There's a free download of one of their songs at http://www.pagecxvi.com
It is definitely worth your time to check out.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Church Government is about Worship, Part IV - 1 Timothy 3:16
(16f) …(he was) taken up in glory.
This is the last phrase in the ancient Christian hymn that Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:16. Before we get to its meaning, its worth remembering that this hymn is worship. God in this section gives us a declaration of his own glory in the midst of talking about how the local church is to be governed.
Why? Because the Church is to support and hold up the truth – and not merely to hold up the truth as true, but to hold up the truth as glorious and meaningful and holy and awesome.
And so everything Paul’s been saying about the ministry of the local church serves this point – worship.
Now, to turn to the phrase, ‘he was taken up in glory.’ This is a clear reference to Christ’s ascension into heaven after his resurrection. The same word, ‘to take up,’ is even used multiple times in Acts to describe this event; for example, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven”(Acts 1:11).
This event has multiple implications.
First, it, as we see in the Acts verse, leads us to the fact that Christ will return to judge the world and to be marveled at among those who believed in him (see 2 Thessalonians 1). And that is our great hope!
Second, the phrase points to Christ’s position. Since he’s been raised from the dead, he now has authority to govern all things. He is the Sovereign King, ruling over all creation. Consider Hebrews 1:3 – “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.” Since he reigns over all things, should we not honor him as such, taking comfort in his sovereignty despite our circumstances? And should we not worship him because of his position?
Third, the phrase points to Christ’s continuous intercession on our behalf. “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God – who is interceding for us”(Romans 8:34).
“For Christ has entered… into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf”(Hebrews 9:24).
It is Christ’s death and resurrection and exaltation that result in our perseverance – in the proof of our justification. He is now praying for us – and he is now securing for us perseverance and glory at his return – on the basis of his exaltation to the right hand of God. Sovereign God and sovereign savior! How great is Jesus Christ, Creator, Sustainer, Savior, Restorer!
This is the reason for church government – the worship of Jesus Christ – our God and Savior.
Summary:
1) Church government exists for the worship of Christ
2) Christ’s ascension means that he is sovereign over all things, including our perseverance in salvation, and that he is returning to restore us to himself.
Prayer:
Holy Christ! You live in glory. You reign over all things! You have all authority and are deserving of all praise! Holy are you, my God and Savior. There is no one like you. And yet – you reign through your death. Your ever present blood has secured a people for yourself. You have glorified yourself in your love to sinners here.
O my God – let us worship you. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and lips to sing your praise forever.
Amen.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
But I don't have time...
Turn to Jeremiah 17. Right click here and open it in a new tab if necessary.
Two things are contrasted in the beginning - trusting in human strength for ultimate salvation and satisfaction vs. trusting in the LORD God for salvation and satisfaction in him.
Okay, we know that.
Now, satisfaction in the LORD God is found in a life of faith - but particularly in hearing the word of the LORD preached and responding in worship.
Jeremiah responds in a prayer for salvation to the LORD, honoring him.
He is immediately told to go rebuke Israel, by the words of the LORD, about their working on the Sabbath.
Think about that. They were doing things they needed to do to get by on the day God had appointed to rest in him - to worship, hear the word, and to fellowship - without working for their livelihood. The mark of faith in God was a day spent trusting that worship, prayer, the word, and fellowship were more important to life than 'all the stuff I have to get done.'
They lived in an agrarian society without modern conveniences.
And yet - how much do we give up time for God because 'we have too much to do'?
Two things are contrasted in the beginning - trusting in human strength for ultimate salvation and satisfaction vs. trusting in the LORD God for salvation and satisfaction in him.
Okay, we know that.
Now, satisfaction in the LORD God is found in a life of faith - but particularly in hearing the word of the LORD preached and responding in worship.
Jeremiah responds in a prayer for salvation to the LORD, honoring him.
He is immediately told to go rebuke Israel, by the words of the LORD, about their working on the Sabbath.
Think about that. They were doing things they needed to do to get by on the day God had appointed to rest in him - to worship, hear the word, and to fellowship - without working for their livelihood. The mark of faith in God was a day spent trusting that worship, prayer, the word, and fellowship were more important to life than 'all the stuff I have to get done.'
They lived in an agrarian society without modern conveniences.
And yet - how much do we give up time for God because 'we have too much to do'?
The danger in celebrity preachers...
I just got back from a conference called Together for the Gospel. There were many big name speakers. They were all excellent. They communicated God's word with clarity and zeal. They are men whose podcasts I listen to, and who I obviously traveled and paid to hear.
I just read Jeremiah 17:5. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength..."
God has surely ordained the office of preacher for the communication of his very message to us, the Gospel, written in the pages of Scripture.
Yet - I think we may be tempted to trust the messenger at times - even more than the message. How will this preacher convict me today? What turn of phrase will he use to cut to my heart? What new knowledge will he impart to me?
And it can be easy to forget - this merely is a man who is explaining God's words in Scripture. God's word, empowered by his Spirit, is the only thing that saves us from this evil age. We must be careful lest we put our trust in a fallible man - and not in the infallible words he is charged with teaching.
There is a flipside to this - that we turn to the LORD. Read the rest of Jeremiah 17. The LORD is the lifegiver - and that life comes through his word - and his word results in prayer, faith, and worship.
I just read Jeremiah 17:5. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength..."
God has surely ordained the office of preacher for the communication of his very message to us, the Gospel, written in the pages of Scripture.
Yet - I think we may be tempted to trust the messenger at times - even more than the message. How will this preacher convict me today? What turn of phrase will he use to cut to my heart? What new knowledge will he impart to me?
And it can be easy to forget - this merely is a man who is explaining God's words in Scripture. God's word, empowered by his Spirit, is the only thing that saves us from this evil age. We must be careful lest we put our trust in a fallible man - and not in the infallible words he is charged with teaching.
There is a flipside to this - that we turn to the LORD. Read the rest of Jeremiah 17. The LORD is the lifegiver - and that life comes through his word - and his word results in prayer, faith, and worship.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Church Government is about Worship, Part III - 1 Timothy 3:16
(16e) … (he was) proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world…
Verse 16 is an early Christian hymn that Paul inserted in the midst of a section about how the church is to govern itself. Why? Because church governance and structure exists for the worship of God.
And particularly, this hymn is about Jesus. It’s about what he did in the world and what he accomplished – and how that brings about godliness in and among God’s people. He has secured a people for himself – and he has secured worship for the Father.
In these two phrases we see something particular about Jesus’ ministry. The Jews expected a savior from the nations of the world. They were oppressed, constantly attacked, and enslaved.
Now, that is in part their own fault. God told them unless they repented, those things would happen. And yet, God had promised salvation from the God-hating nations of the world.
Yet here we see the victory of Jesus proclaimed among the nations. And what is the victory of Jesus but the victory over sin and death? The hold of the devil over all humanity has been broken, the guilt of sin over the nations has been done away with, and the necessity of death and hell for the whole of mankind has been erased completely and forever for all who believe, who are called, who are set apart by Jesus’ blood.
And so Jesus’ proclamation among the nations was not merely a proclamation of victory for himself, though it was that, it was a proclamation of his victory for the world and for the glory of the Father – because his victory meant the godliness of the nations through mercy freely bestowed by God.
And we who believe in Christ are among those nations. Christ is mercy for us. His victory is our victory, his resurrection is our godliness, his entrance into life is our entrance into the Kingdom of God. And so we come to the next phrase – ‘believed on in the world.’
Christ has been believed on in the world – among the nations. He is God over all things, not just a national God. There is no room for relativism here. There is no room for ‘truth’ meaning ‘whatever works for you’ or ‘whatever religion you grew up with’ – Jesus is Lord over everyone and everything.
And in his mercy he has brought saving faith to the world. His death and resurrection haven’t merely secured the proclamation of God’s glory in the whole world – but belief in it. Jesus has gotten a people from every nation for himself to the glory of the Father.
And this is why we have church government.
Summary:
1) Jesus’ victory over death is for a proclamation to all nations, in his mercy.
2) Jesus’ victory over death secures saving faith among all nations, not just certain ones.
3) We thus, are responsible for the proclamation of his name to all nations.
4) This is the foundation for church governance: the mercy of Christ through his death and resurrection, saving all who believe for the glory of God.
Prayer:
Holy God! What can I think of now but your great mercy. You have given your Son into this world and over to a brutal and violent death – but to vindicate him. He was and is righteous, and so you rewarded him with a Kingdom which will never pass away. And you have through him given us the mercy of the Bible – and the grace to believe – and therefore, you have saved us – and you are saving people from the whole world.
Father, this is a glorious thing – and it shows your greatness. O give me a sensitivity to your glory in your word and let us respond appropriately in the Church in thanksgiving and honor to your name.
In Christ I pray, amen.
Verse 16 is an early Christian hymn that Paul inserted in the midst of a section about how the church is to govern itself. Why? Because church governance and structure exists for the worship of God.
And particularly, this hymn is about Jesus. It’s about what he did in the world and what he accomplished – and how that brings about godliness in and among God’s people. He has secured a people for himself – and he has secured worship for the Father.
In these two phrases we see something particular about Jesus’ ministry. The Jews expected a savior from the nations of the world. They were oppressed, constantly attacked, and enslaved.
Now, that is in part their own fault. God told them unless they repented, those things would happen. And yet, God had promised salvation from the God-hating nations of the world.
Yet here we see the victory of Jesus proclaimed among the nations. And what is the victory of Jesus but the victory over sin and death? The hold of the devil over all humanity has been broken, the guilt of sin over the nations has been done away with, and the necessity of death and hell for the whole of mankind has been erased completely and forever for all who believe, who are called, who are set apart by Jesus’ blood.
And so Jesus’ proclamation among the nations was not merely a proclamation of victory for himself, though it was that, it was a proclamation of his victory for the world and for the glory of the Father – because his victory meant the godliness of the nations through mercy freely bestowed by God.
And we who believe in Christ are among those nations. Christ is mercy for us. His victory is our victory, his resurrection is our godliness, his entrance into life is our entrance into the Kingdom of God. And so we come to the next phrase – ‘believed on in the world.’
Christ has been believed on in the world – among the nations. He is God over all things, not just a national God. There is no room for relativism here. There is no room for ‘truth’ meaning ‘whatever works for you’ or ‘whatever religion you grew up with’ – Jesus is Lord over everyone and everything.
And in his mercy he has brought saving faith to the world. His death and resurrection haven’t merely secured the proclamation of God’s glory in the whole world – but belief in it. Jesus has gotten a people from every nation for himself to the glory of the Father.
And this is why we have church government.
Summary:
1) Jesus’ victory over death is for a proclamation to all nations, in his mercy.
2) Jesus’ victory over death secures saving faith among all nations, not just certain ones.
3) We thus, are responsible for the proclamation of his name to all nations.
4) This is the foundation for church governance: the mercy of Christ through his death and resurrection, saving all who believe for the glory of God.
Prayer:
Holy God! What can I think of now but your great mercy. You have given your Son into this world and over to a brutal and violent death – but to vindicate him. He was and is righteous, and so you rewarded him with a Kingdom which will never pass away. And you have through him given us the mercy of the Bible – and the grace to believe – and therefore, you have saved us – and you are saving people from the whole world.
Father, this is a glorious thing – and it shows your greatness. O give me a sensitivity to your glory in your word and let us respond appropriately in the Church in thanksgiving and honor to your name.
In Christ I pray, amen.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Church Government is about Worship, Part II - 1 Timothy 3:16
(16d) …(he was) seen by angels…
We must remind ourselves that this hymn exists in a context about how the pastors are to govern the church of God. And so we see that the foundation and goal of church government – of teaching, of offices, of correction, of everything – is worship of Jesus the Messiah.
And if you don’t remember the first two phrases, go back and read them and remind yourself of the glory of Christ in his incarnation and resurrection.
And now we see that Jesus, risen from the dead, was seen by the angels.
Why is this significant? Angels spend their time in the presence of God. They do his will. They belong to a whole other realm; one that we can’t see. They behold glory unhindered, and so they cover their faces – see Isaiah 6.
Furthermore, when Jesus rose from the dead, he was granted all authority. 1 Peter 3:22 says that through his resurrection, Christ is “at the right hand of God (the place of authority), with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Speaking of the spiritual realm – though particularly fallen angels, Paul says in Colossians 2 that by Jesus’ death and resurrection, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame…”
1 Peter 3:19 says that Jesus, after his resurrection, made proclamation of his victory to fallen angels as well.
And more, we see that through Jesus’ humiliation and resurrection, he inherited a position much greater than the angels – who are in God’s presence forever, doing his will – see Hebrews 1.
And so we must be careful lest we make a mistake – and behold Jesus as a mere resurrected human. He is certainly a resurrected human. But he is not merely that. He is very God, exercising all authority in the universe – everywhere – eternally. The angels have beheld him. And though much more powerful than us, more wise than us, and certainly seeing God in a way that we don’t yet see him – they have seen the resurrected Son of God – who reigns from heaven over all things forever.
And now, according to Hebrews 2, they serve us at Jesus’ command – since he has perfectly rescued all who are his out of this world.
Summary:
1) The resurrected Jesus was seen by angels – they experienced firsthand his crowning as Ruler of EVERYTHING.
2) Angels are in the presence of God, and are smarter and stronger than us.
3) Jesus reigns over all things now. He is God, reigning forever – and with that authority, rescuing us.
Prayer:
Father, you have exalted Christ by raising him from the dead. He was righteous, and you have rewarded him for it. And because of that righteousness, you will one day reward us, who in your love, you have joined to your Son. You have magnified Christ in the spiritual realms – in realms we can’t see – but you’ve told us about it so we’d know just how great Jesus is. Cause us to have eyes that see how glorious he is, ears that hear with joy, hearts that give thanks, and an undying zeal to honor him who saved us by his blood.
And in that blood we ask, amen.
We must remind ourselves that this hymn exists in a context about how the pastors are to govern the church of God. And so we see that the foundation and goal of church government – of teaching, of offices, of correction, of everything – is worship of Jesus the Messiah.
And if you don’t remember the first two phrases, go back and read them and remind yourself of the glory of Christ in his incarnation and resurrection.
And now we see that Jesus, risen from the dead, was seen by the angels.
Why is this significant? Angels spend their time in the presence of God. They do his will. They belong to a whole other realm; one that we can’t see. They behold glory unhindered, and so they cover their faces – see Isaiah 6.
Furthermore, when Jesus rose from the dead, he was granted all authority. 1 Peter 3:22 says that through his resurrection, Christ is “at the right hand of God (the place of authority), with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Speaking of the spiritual realm – though particularly fallen angels, Paul says in Colossians 2 that by Jesus’ death and resurrection, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame…”
1 Peter 3:19 says that Jesus, after his resurrection, made proclamation of his victory to fallen angels as well.
And more, we see that through Jesus’ humiliation and resurrection, he inherited a position much greater than the angels – who are in God’s presence forever, doing his will – see Hebrews 1.
And so we must be careful lest we make a mistake – and behold Jesus as a mere resurrected human. He is certainly a resurrected human. But he is not merely that. He is very God, exercising all authority in the universe – everywhere – eternally. The angels have beheld him. And though much more powerful than us, more wise than us, and certainly seeing God in a way that we don’t yet see him – they have seen the resurrected Son of God – who reigns from heaven over all things forever.
And now, according to Hebrews 2, they serve us at Jesus’ command – since he has perfectly rescued all who are his out of this world.
Summary:
1) The resurrected Jesus was seen by angels – they experienced firsthand his crowning as Ruler of EVERYTHING.
2) Angels are in the presence of God, and are smarter and stronger than us.
3) Jesus reigns over all things now. He is God, reigning forever – and with that authority, rescuing us.
Prayer:
Father, you have exalted Christ by raising him from the dead. He was righteous, and you have rewarded him for it. And because of that righteousness, you will one day reward us, who in your love, you have joined to your Son. You have magnified Christ in the spiritual realms – in realms we can’t see – but you’ve told us about it so we’d know just how great Jesus is. Cause us to have eyes that see how glorious he is, ears that hear with joy, hearts that give thanks, and an undying zeal to honor him who saved us by his blood.
And in that blood we ask, amen.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Church Government is about Worship. 1 Timothy 3:16, part I
(16a) And undeniably great is the mystery of godliness:
Paul’s just finished a section instructing Pastor Timothy about how he ought to lead God’s Church. He’s hit on soundness in doctrine, worship in response to God’s word, gender differences, disciplining people in the church, and church government.
And all this is such that God’s Church will glorify God by acting like Christ in the world.
Paul will continue to give instructions about how to govern the church in chapter 4, and so v. 16 seems a little out of place. But consider this: it is hard for Paul to go on too long about specifics in church governance without going back to worship and the celebration of Christ.
And we should learn from that. Propriety in ministry, in church government can be an idol. It can replace Jesus, even if we’re right in what we’re saying. We need to follow Paul’s example here – and thank the Holy Spirit for causing him to write this way. Paul returns to the core of everything – Jesus.
And he calls it the ‘mystery of godliness.’ By that he means that the end or goal or purpose of the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus is people becoming godly – being like God – and therefore, glorifying God – just as Adam and Eve should have done, being made in God’s image.
We cannot be godly on our own, but we depend on a preached message.
It’s a mystery that leads to godliness. Mystery in the Scriptures refers to something that was veiled in the Old Testament, before Jesus. There were signposts pointing to it, but it was hidden. But now, mysteries have been made known. Jesus has come. So when Paul refers to this as a mystery, what he’s saying is that we have been given the full disclosure of God himself about all of history.
This message is undeniably great. Note the celebratory tone. This truth is magnificent, it’s glorious, it’s heavy, it’s vital, it’s holy, it’s awe-inspiring, it’s amazing. And we know that to be true.
(16b) He was manifested in the flesh…
If Jesus was manifested, before he was manifested, he was hidden. We, however, live in the current reality of his being made known. God has revealed himself to us.
Jesus was revealed in the flesh. Flesh in Paul usually does not mean simply ‘physical.’ It refers to the entire world system under the control of sin – and destined for hell. It stands for rebellion against God, ignorance, darkness, and ultimately destruction.
Jesus was revealed into that world. The Holy God entered a sinful system as a human. And he did so in love – to relate to – to have friendship with – sinful people.
(16c) …vindicated by the Spirit
To be ‘vindicated’ means to be shown to be righteous, or in the right. Someone who is vindicated suffers unjustly, and at the last, justice is done and they are freed from that injustice and rewarded for their righteousness.
In this little word ‘vindicated’ live both the crucifixion and the resurrection of the Messiah.
Jesus never sinned. He always obeyed God. He never deserved the slightest pain – let alone punishment.
Yet, by God’s design, he suffered at our hands. We put him to death by the will of God the Father so that the punishment we had earned would be counted towards him. Christ didn’t deserve to die – we did – but he took it from God in our place, by our bloody and evil hands.
And because he was righteous, the Holy Spirit of God vindicated him. Could a righteous one, and one who had paid the penalty for our sins, stay dead? No! That would be unjust. And so the Holy Spirit raised him from the dead, in glory, showing him to be righteous.
In the old world of sin Christ died and rose, bringing in a new order of things, governed by the Holy Spirit. And the Triune God began to set the screwed up world aright.
He was patient with our sins, not punishing us. He punished Christ in our place. He raised Christ from the dead because Christ is the only righteous one! And as God gives his Holy Spirit, people join Christ in his status as ‘righteous’ – even though we sin so much. Christ has been vindicated – and so, one day, all who have his Spirit will be as well.
Summary:
1) Instructions about church government should be couched in worship in response to the Gospel.
2) The Gospel brings life change.
3) The Gospel was hidden, but is now made known.
Prayer:
God, we were separated from you. Lost in this world. Without purpose, without happiness, without meaning – destined to die. You sent Jesus and showed yourself to us. You killed him for our sins and raised him because he is holy – and through that you have declared us to be righteous – even though we’re not.
Thank you.
Thank you that one day we will be vindicated as Christ was through resurrection.
Cause these truths to sink into my heart to produce glory for yourself in my life.
Because Jesus died and rose and intercedes for me I pray – amen.
Paul’s just finished a section instructing Pastor Timothy about how he ought to lead God’s Church. He’s hit on soundness in doctrine, worship in response to God’s word, gender differences, disciplining people in the church, and church government.
And all this is such that God’s Church will glorify God by acting like Christ in the world.
Paul will continue to give instructions about how to govern the church in chapter 4, and so v. 16 seems a little out of place. But consider this: it is hard for Paul to go on too long about specifics in church governance without going back to worship and the celebration of Christ.
And we should learn from that. Propriety in ministry, in church government can be an idol. It can replace Jesus, even if we’re right in what we’re saying. We need to follow Paul’s example here – and thank the Holy Spirit for causing him to write this way. Paul returns to the core of everything – Jesus.
And he calls it the ‘mystery of godliness.’ By that he means that the end or goal or purpose of the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus is people becoming godly – being like God – and therefore, glorifying God – just as Adam and Eve should have done, being made in God’s image.
We cannot be godly on our own, but we depend on a preached message.
It’s a mystery that leads to godliness. Mystery in the Scriptures refers to something that was veiled in the Old Testament, before Jesus. There were signposts pointing to it, but it was hidden. But now, mysteries have been made known. Jesus has come. So when Paul refers to this as a mystery, what he’s saying is that we have been given the full disclosure of God himself about all of history.
This message is undeniably great. Note the celebratory tone. This truth is magnificent, it’s glorious, it’s heavy, it’s vital, it’s holy, it’s awe-inspiring, it’s amazing. And we know that to be true.
(16b) He was manifested in the flesh…
If Jesus was manifested, before he was manifested, he was hidden. We, however, live in the current reality of his being made known. God has revealed himself to us.
Jesus was revealed in the flesh. Flesh in Paul usually does not mean simply ‘physical.’ It refers to the entire world system under the control of sin – and destined for hell. It stands for rebellion against God, ignorance, darkness, and ultimately destruction.
Jesus was revealed into that world. The Holy God entered a sinful system as a human. And he did so in love – to relate to – to have friendship with – sinful people.
(16c) …vindicated by the Spirit
To be ‘vindicated’ means to be shown to be righteous, or in the right. Someone who is vindicated suffers unjustly, and at the last, justice is done and they are freed from that injustice and rewarded for their righteousness.
In this little word ‘vindicated’ live both the crucifixion and the resurrection of the Messiah.
Jesus never sinned. He always obeyed God. He never deserved the slightest pain – let alone punishment.
Yet, by God’s design, he suffered at our hands. We put him to death by the will of God the Father so that the punishment we had earned would be counted towards him. Christ didn’t deserve to die – we did – but he took it from God in our place, by our bloody and evil hands.
And because he was righteous, the Holy Spirit of God vindicated him. Could a righteous one, and one who had paid the penalty for our sins, stay dead? No! That would be unjust. And so the Holy Spirit raised him from the dead, in glory, showing him to be righteous.
In the old world of sin Christ died and rose, bringing in a new order of things, governed by the Holy Spirit. And the Triune God began to set the screwed up world aright.
He was patient with our sins, not punishing us. He punished Christ in our place. He raised Christ from the dead because Christ is the only righteous one! And as God gives his Holy Spirit, people join Christ in his status as ‘righteous’ – even though we sin so much. Christ has been vindicated – and so, one day, all who have his Spirit will be as well.
Summary:
1) Instructions about church government should be couched in worship in response to the Gospel.
2) The Gospel brings life change.
3) The Gospel was hidden, but is now made known.
Prayer:
God, we were separated from you. Lost in this world. Without purpose, without happiness, without meaning – destined to die. You sent Jesus and showed yourself to us. You killed him for our sins and raised him because he is holy – and through that you have declared us to be righteous – even though we’re not.
Thank you.
Thank you that one day we will be vindicated as Christ was through resurrection.
Cause these truths to sink into my heart to produce glory for yourself in my life.
Because Jesus died and rose and intercedes for me I pray – amen.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The high calling of the assembly of Christ - and of the individuals in that group - 1 Timothy 3:14-15
(14a) I hope to come to you soon…
Paul has just finished giving Timothy instructions about how to run God’s Church – how to act out the love of Jesus to the people of Jesus for the glory of Jesus.
And here again we see his love for his spiritual son revealed. He has been desiring to visit young Timothy. He expects to see him soon.
And this is the kind of love that Jesus produces between people. Paul used to be a Jew among Jews – a despiser of the Gentiles and a persecutor of Christ. Timothy was a half-breed who would have been spurned by the Jews – and certainly by Paul before Paul met Christ.
But both had been convinced that Christ saves sinners- and both entered into the family of God, in which they were brothers. Paul wanted and planned to see Timothy…
(14b-15a) …but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God…
Yet, Paul doesn’t know if he’ll be able to make it. That’s why he’s writing. So we can thank God for hiding from Paul whether or not he’d see Timothy again – because it caused Paul to write him and to give us God’s authoritative words about his Church.
Paul wrote with a purpose. There are ways that it is necessary to behave in the Church. He uses a strong expression here when he says ‘ought.’ It must be the case. It’s vital that one act this way.
And his purpose is that Timothy, a pastor in God’s Church, know what is necessary for behavior within the local congregation.
And we thank God that he has revealed to us, in this book, what is necessary! That should motivate us to read it. To know it. To practice it.
Paul refers to the Church as the ‘household of God.’ It’s the place in which God dwells. It’s the place in which those who know him dwell. It is God’s family, those loved of God, those destined to eternal life with him forever – with the Lord Jesus as the head of the house.
And just so we know what Paul’s talking about, God had him write ‘which is the church of the living God.’
What is God’s family? Who are those in relationship with him? Those who are in the church – the assembly of those who congregate because of a common confession – a common belief – in the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.
And special concern here is given to the fact that God is the ‘living God.’ He is active. He is reigning. He loves us even now, and we have fellowship with him even now. He is able to and will bring about his purposes. He is active in his Church.
(15b) …a pillar and buttress of the truth.
God here gives a further description of his family, the Church. It’s fitting to review what Paul has said so far! Timothy, a pastor, must teach right doctrine and must guide people to live out the practical implications of that sound doctrine. The result is that the whole Church should be responding to God in holy prayer and worship – and that it should spread throughout the world.
To accomplish that end, God instructs us to ordain Church officers, one group to teach, the other to serve.
And it’s the end here that we should emphasize – the truth. The goal of this whole thing entails the truth from God.
Pillars in the Old Testament refer not only to physical supports – but to bearing witness to God. They existed to remind us of what God has said in the Scriptures and what he has done in history. And so God’s Church is here to give testimony to God’s truth. That’s why falsehood must be corrected – and why pastors are under such a high charge! For us to bear good corporate witness, we must know the truth and live the truth.
Further, God says, the Church is the buttress of the truth. It is to lift it high, as a ceiling, or a high gate. It holds it up into the view of the masses. And ultimately, the Church exists to lift Jesus Christ up – and his message – Christ saves sinners – to the whole world.
And this is a bit of a warning. The Church must hold Christ high. This is a call to action – to duty – to sweat, blood and tears. There was no promise that Timothy’s church in Ephesus would continue to uphold the truth.
Paul wrote for a reason – he was giving Timothy the necessary information for the function of God’s Church – which was holding the truth of God on high.
And so grace is given us in this – that we have been made members of God’s family – and that he has spoken to us in his word, the Scriptures. Now we have the sacred duty of holding them on high for the salvation of the world and the glory of God.
Summary
1) The Gospel brings about loving community.
2) Paul has given us what is necessary, in this letter, for the Church, and a local church, to function according to what God wants.
3) The Church is God’s family, in which God dwells and acts.
4) The Church is to bear witness to the truth of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed in the Scriptures.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for sending people to preach the Gospel to us – and for truly good news about forgiveness and vindication and a future with you. Thank you for giving us your Son, delivering him up for our sins, and raising him from the dead for our ultimate life. I pray that we would together strive for churches that live to bear witness to Christ – to lift him up. I pray that I as an individual would act properly within that context, for that end. Captivate our minds with sound teaching. Give us grace for fellowship with you, and joyful announcing of your Son, in whom I pray – amen.
Paul has just finished giving Timothy instructions about how to run God’s Church – how to act out the love of Jesus to the people of Jesus for the glory of Jesus.
And here again we see his love for his spiritual son revealed. He has been desiring to visit young Timothy. He expects to see him soon.
And this is the kind of love that Jesus produces between people. Paul used to be a Jew among Jews – a despiser of the Gentiles and a persecutor of Christ. Timothy was a half-breed who would have been spurned by the Jews – and certainly by Paul before Paul met Christ.
But both had been convinced that Christ saves sinners- and both entered into the family of God, in which they were brothers. Paul wanted and planned to see Timothy…
(14b-15a) …but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God…
Yet, Paul doesn’t know if he’ll be able to make it. That’s why he’s writing. So we can thank God for hiding from Paul whether or not he’d see Timothy again – because it caused Paul to write him and to give us God’s authoritative words about his Church.
Paul wrote with a purpose. There are ways that it is necessary to behave in the Church. He uses a strong expression here when he says ‘ought.’ It must be the case. It’s vital that one act this way.
And his purpose is that Timothy, a pastor in God’s Church, know what is necessary for behavior within the local congregation.
And we thank God that he has revealed to us, in this book, what is necessary! That should motivate us to read it. To know it. To practice it.
Paul refers to the Church as the ‘household of God.’ It’s the place in which God dwells. It’s the place in which those who know him dwell. It is God’s family, those loved of God, those destined to eternal life with him forever – with the Lord Jesus as the head of the house.
And just so we know what Paul’s talking about, God had him write ‘which is the church of the living God.’
What is God’s family? Who are those in relationship with him? Those who are in the church – the assembly of those who congregate because of a common confession – a common belief – in the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.
And special concern here is given to the fact that God is the ‘living God.’ He is active. He is reigning. He loves us even now, and we have fellowship with him even now. He is able to and will bring about his purposes. He is active in his Church.
(15b) …a pillar and buttress of the truth.
God here gives a further description of his family, the Church. It’s fitting to review what Paul has said so far! Timothy, a pastor, must teach right doctrine and must guide people to live out the practical implications of that sound doctrine. The result is that the whole Church should be responding to God in holy prayer and worship – and that it should spread throughout the world.
To accomplish that end, God instructs us to ordain Church officers, one group to teach, the other to serve.
And it’s the end here that we should emphasize – the truth. The goal of this whole thing entails the truth from God.
Pillars in the Old Testament refer not only to physical supports – but to bearing witness to God. They existed to remind us of what God has said in the Scriptures and what he has done in history. And so God’s Church is here to give testimony to God’s truth. That’s why falsehood must be corrected – and why pastors are under such a high charge! For us to bear good corporate witness, we must know the truth and live the truth.
Further, God says, the Church is the buttress of the truth. It is to lift it high, as a ceiling, or a high gate. It holds it up into the view of the masses. And ultimately, the Church exists to lift Jesus Christ up – and his message – Christ saves sinners – to the whole world.
And this is a bit of a warning. The Church must hold Christ high. This is a call to action – to duty – to sweat, blood and tears. There was no promise that Timothy’s church in Ephesus would continue to uphold the truth.
Paul wrote for a reason – he was giving Timothy the necessary information for the function of God’s Church – which was holding the truth of God on high.
And so grace is given us in this – that we have been made members of God’s family – and that he has spoken to us in his word, the Scriptures. Now we have the sacred duty of holding them on high for the salvation of the world and the glory of God.
Summary
1) The Gospel brings about loving community.
2) Paul has given us what is necessary, in this letter, for the Church, and a local church, to function according to what God wants.
3) The Church is God’s family, in which God dwells and acts.
4) The Church is to bear witness to the truth of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed in the Scriptures.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for sending people to preach the Gospel to us – and for truly good news about forgiveness and vindication and a future with you. Thank you for giving us your Son, delivering him up for our sins, and raising him from the dead for our ultimate life. I pray that we would together strive for churches that live to bear witness to Christ – to lift him up. I pray that I as an individual would act properly within that context, for that end. Captivate our minds with sound teaching. Give us grace for fellowship with you, and joyful announcing of your Son, in whom I pray – amen.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Why the strict requirements on deacons? And their wives? And kids? 1 Timothy 3:11-13
(11) Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.
We’ve already seen that the role of ‘deacon’ in the Church is very important – they play an official role in the Church – being the hands and feet of Jesus in an official, ordained way. They are called to carry out Jesus’ mercy and love to those he has brought into his own body.
And so they are official agents of Jesus’ love for his Church. Thus, they must meet certain character requirements.
This verse details a few things about their wives. It’s clear from the early church literature that deacons wives served with them; they acted as a team. And so deacons’ wives were required to behave in certain ways. Interestingly, God begins this verse with ‘likewise,’ indicating that deacons’ wives have very high standards to meet as well.
They must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. These are very broad categories – but to break it down – their manner of living must reflect well on Jesus. They must be able to hold their tongues, being careful in what they say, to speak only as Jesus would have them. They must be temperate – not pursuing pleasure in this world. And they must be faithful in all respects – not having any glaring disobedience – blameless as their husbands are required to be.
(12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
Remember that a Christian marriage is to reflect the love and relationship between Jesus Christ and the people for whom he died, his bride, the Church (Eph. 5, Rev. 21). As Jesus is a ‘one woman man,’ so must a deacon be.
And as Jesus gently, lovingly leads his household by his Spirit and his word, so must a deacon.
(13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Now, here’s where God gives us the rationale for these stringent requirements – even over the deacons’ family.
Here are the reasons:
A deacon who serves well gains a good standing for himself.
A deacon who serves well gains great confidence in the faith that is in Christ.
Note that these are for deacons who serve well – in contrast to those who do not.
The heart of these requirements is to make sure that the Church appoints deacons who serve well. We want the Church to show how great Christ is to all people. And so our elected officials are to behave in an exemplary manner.
If a deacon serves well, the Church and the world will look up to him. Is this not what we want? Christ to be honored?
The second reason goes along with the first – a deacon who serves well gains great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. In other words, as someone who is called to be a deacon serves well, he grows in confidence, in boldness. He gets more courageous regarding the public proclamation of the faith of Jesus Christ. Consider Stephen in Acts! His role was to feed widows – but he was the first Christian martyr.
And so what’s the overall reason for these requirements? Deacons represent Jesus. When someone is called to an official Church role, they are called to represent Jesus in a particular way – and when they do so well, their role is magnified so that Jesus will be magnified all the more – even if it means that, like Stephen, the deacon may die.
Summary
1) Deacons’ wives, serving alongside deacons, must also represent Jesus well.
2) Deacons, like pastors, must show gentle, loving, authoritative, Christ-like leadership in their homes.
3) The reason for the strict requirements God places on deacons is that deacons end up representing Christ in an official capacity – growing in standing and boldness to those who need to hear about Jesus and be saved.
Prayer
Father, there are some strict requirements in this list. And beyond those strict requirements is the call to boldly, lovingly, winsomely bear witness to Christ in word and deed.
So first, thank you for orchestrating my hearing of the gospel from those who serve you. Thank you for granting me faith and Christ’s righteousness – for raising me to life and rescuing me.
Cause me to lead my household well, as Jesus’ has led us so lovingly. Cause me to serve you well so that Jesus will be honored – not me.
And it’s united to Jesus that I ask for these things – amen.
We’ve already seen that the role of ‘deacon’ in the Church is very important – they play an official role in the Church – being the hands and feet of Jesus in an official, ordained way. They are called to carry out Jesus’ mercy and love to those he has brought into his own body.
And so they are official agents of Jesus’ love for his Church. Thus, they must meet certain character requirements.
This verse details a few things about their wives. It’s clear from the early church literature that deacons wives served with them; they acted as a team. And so deacons’ wives were required to behave in certain ways. Interestingly, God begins this verse with ‘likewise,’ indicating that deacons’ wives have very high standards to meet as well.
They must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. These are very broad categories – but to break it down – their manner of living must reflect well on Jesus. They must be able to hold their tongues, being careful in what they say, to speak only as Jesus would have them. They must be temperate – not pursuing pleasure in this world. And they must be faithful in all respects – not having any glaring disobedience – blameless as their husbands are required to be.
(12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
Remember that a Christian marriage is to reflect the love and relationship between Jesus Christ and the people for whom he died, his bride, the Church (Eph. 5, Rev. 21). As Jesus is a ‘one woman man,’ so must a deacon be.
And as Jesus gently, lovingly leads his household by his Spirit and his word, so must a deacon.
(13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Now, here’s where God gives us the rationale for these stringent requirements – even over the deacons’ family.
Here are the reasons:
A deacon who serves well gains a good standing for himself.
A deacon who serves well gains great confidence in the faith that is in Christ.
Note that these are for deacons who serve well – in contrast to those who do not.
The heart of these requirements is to make sure that the Church appoints deacons who serve well. We want the Church to show how great Christ is to all people. And so our elected officials are to behave in an exemplary manner.
If a deacon serves well, the Church and the world will look up to him. Is this not what we want? Christ to be honored?
The second reason goes along with the first – a deacon who serves well gains great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. In other words, as someone who is called to be a deacon serves well, he grows in confidence, in boldness. He gets more courageous regarding the public proclamation of the faith of Jesus Christ. Consider Stephen in Acts! His role was to feed widows – but he was the first Christian martyr.
And so what’s the overall reason for these requirements? Deacons represent Jesus. When someone is called to an official Church role, they are called to represent Jesus in a particular way – and when they do so well, their role is magnified so that Jesus will be magnified all the more – even if it means that, like Stephen, the deacon may die.
Summary
1) Deacons’ wives, serving alongside deacons, must also represent Jesus well.
2) Deacons, like pastors, must show gentle, loving, authoritative, Christ-like leadership in their homes.
3) The reason for the strict requirements God places on deacons is that deacons end up representing Christ in an official capacity – growing in standing and boldness to those who need to hear about Jesus and be saved.
Prayer
Father, there are some strict requirements in this list. And beyond those strict requirements is the call to boldly, lovingly, winsomely bear witness to Christ in word and deed.
So first, thank you for orchestrating my hearing of the gospel from those who serve you. Thank you for granting me faith and Christ’s righteousness – for raising me to life and rescuing me.
Cause me to lead my household well, as Jesus’ has led us so lovingly. Cause me to serve you well so that Jesus will be honored – not me.
And it’s united to Jesus that I ask for these things – amen.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Deacons involve everybody. And deacon is still an odd word. 1 Timothy 3:10
(10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
God here continues to give a list of requirements that one must meet to be appointed as a ‘deacon’ in God’s Church. It’s probably worth revisiting the importance of this position.
Elders/Bishops/Pastors are called to lead Jesus’ Church – and that happens as they teach his word, and guide his people into greater obedience to him. They announce God’s word so we can first, have our sins forgiven; second, be relationally connected to God, hearing from him and responding to him; and third, to instruct us in how to glorify God.
Every Christian must serve God’s Church in some capacity. And every Christian must bear witness to Christ and his Gospel outside of God’s Church.
However, there are sometimes duties that must be taken care of in some official capacity as needs arise, that will rob Pastors of the time to do their duties well, and that will not happen organically without a structure in place.
Jesus’ Church is his body – it exists on earth to represent him and to save sinners – and it must function properly. Deacons are ‘hands’ and ‘feet’ in a sense – for Jesus. They are to serve for the health of the body according to its needs – exercising the love of Jesus for the needs of the moment.
And because they represent Jesus and his saving, merciful work in an official capacity, great things are required of them.
That’s why this verse that God had written requires testing. Simply put, God requires deacons to be tested and found blameless.
One thing that’s very interesting here is that Paul says ‘let them be tested’; he doesn’t say ‘you test them.’ He commanded Titus to appoint pastors – but here he seems to be saying that there must be a community role in appointing deacons.
In Acts 6:3, the Church in Jerusalem, massive as it was, is called together by the apostles to pick deacons. The apostles then ordained them.
So the whole Church picks deacons and tests them. In Acts, we see this as an act of love – as the body comes together to decide how to love individuals in the body.
We see that the pastors give them guidelines in terms of how to do so in Acts – and here as well, which means that instruction is received by the congregation in how to test people – what the requirements are. Particularly, the requirement here is that they be tested morally – they must be blameless.
Now, of course, that doesn’t mean ‘sinless.’ It does mean that they are living outwardly moral lives that will not bring the Good News about Jesus into bad repute.
So then, the community comes together in love for those in need – knowing that Jesus’ love must be the life that runs through the whole body. It is his bride, the collection of people he died for – and we must love them.
And sometimes a system must be put in place to do so – and so those who are put in official positions must be called by the whole Church – people who are blameless – who represent our Savior well in their characters as they represent him in their actions of mercy to the people that he uniquely and savingly loves.
Summary:
1) Deacons represent Jesus in official roles outside of the pastors' roles.
2) Deacons are to be called and tested by the church.
3) The church is to pick people who are blameless and represent Jesus well in their character
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us. You have given us great mercy in giving us new birth through the resurrection of Jesus. And you've given us mercy by calling us into your Church, in which we are sustained by the food that is your word. It's your love that shows us your glory - what greater joy could we have?
And yet, you have mercy on us in tangible ways as well. You've set up a system to meet our non-spiritual needs - and you've called us all to be involved in it.
I ask you to grant perseverance in holiness to the deacons at our church. And I ask you to give us wisdom as we participate in testing and appointing them. And I ask you to give our elders wisdom as they teach and apply your word to your flock - so that we will all grow deeper in our knowledge of and love for you.
Because of Christ's service to us we can ask for these things - amen.
Summary:
1) Deacons represent Jesus in official roles outside of the pastors' roles.
2) Deacons are to be called and tested by the church.
3) The church is to pick people who are blameless and represent Jesus well in their character
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us. You have given us great mercy in giving us new birth through the resurrection of Jesus. And you've given us mercy by calling us into your Church, in which we are sustained by the food that is your word. It's your love that shows us your glory - what greater joy could we have?
And yet, you have mercy on us in tangible ways as well. You've set up a system to meet our non-spiritual needs - and you've called us all to be involved in it.
I ask you to grant perseverance in holiness to the deacons at our church. And I ask you to give us wisdom as we participate in testing and appointing them. And I ask you to give our elders wisdom as they teach and apply your word to your flock - so that we will all grow deeper in our knowledge of and love for you.
Because of Christ's service to us we can ask for these things - amen.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Deacons. What in the world are they there for? 1 Timothy 3:8-9
(8-9) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
God here gives instructions for the other Church office which is described in Scripture – the office of ‘deacon.’
This begs the question – what’s a deacon? Well, to start with the obvious – not an elder. And again to state the obvious – not every person is a deacon.
That said, the word translated deacon merely means ‘servant.’ It’s interesting that this particular word only occurs twice in Scripture, and the other time, it actually means ‘servant.’
Given that, it’s very interesting that deacons were not ordained by the Lord himself, nor are they prescribed for Titus’ church-planting ministry.
However, we learn from church history and from Acts 6:2 that deacons were put into place to take charge of responsibilities that needed to be taken care of in a continuous capacity that were in addition to the proclamation of the Scriptures – namely and importantly, the physical care of people in the Church.
Now, this doesn’t excuse elders from physical care of people. Obviously, the apostles healed people as Jesus’ willed it. And elders should come pray for the sick (James 5). However, as overseers are entrusted with the spiritual care of the Church of God, so deacons are entrusted with necessities which are outside of that realm.
As such, they serve a very important function. Didn’t our Lord on this earth feed the hungry? Open the eyes of the blind? Heal the lame? Did he not come not to be served, but to serve – ultimately giving up his life in exchange for many lives (Mark 10:45)?
And so deacons, in an official capacity, represent their Lord in a unique way. Because of this unique, public title and appointment, they must fit certain requirements – such that Jesus is honored and the witness of Christians about Jesus to the world is unhindered.
As a result, many of the requirements of elders are the same for deacons – because they deal with Christian character and conduct – because Christian character and conduct are direct reflections of Jesus’ own life.
In the two verses in question, we see a common thread again – deacons are not to be living for pleasure in this life – but for the next world. This is just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him and is now seated at God’s right hand.
There are two additional features: that deacons must not be double tongued, and that deacons must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
To have a double-tongue means that one speaks differently to different people. What you get is not necessarily what other people get from such a person. Such a person ‘plays to his crowd’ – he is not forthright – he is a people-pleaser. This is why v. 10 is important (“let them also be tested…”).
Why are people double-tongued? In a negative sense, because they fear people and fear how people may treat them if they’re completely honest. In a positive sense, because they desire honor from people.
Both of these are bad. But consider the Lord himself. Was he consistent? Was he a fearer of man? Did his message ever change? No – he proclaimed the Gospel – the wrath of God and the mercy of God for sinners – even though it cost him his life. If anyone had reason to fear man, he did – he was about to be tortured by his creatures’ hands. But he set his face out of a love for the Father and endured the cross.
And if anyone had reason to seek honor, he did. He’s God! But he set aside his right to glory for greater future glory through the redemption of the Church.
A second requirement is different here: “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”
The mystery of the faith, here, is the Gospel itself. It’s called a mystery because it is the fulfillment of all that the Old Testament foreshadowed and promised – and now it is revealed in ‘the faith’ – which is not to say ‘our personal faith’ – but rather, the teachings that were accepted as authoritative. In other words – deacons must be sound in doctrine.
And they must hold it with a clear conscience – or a clean, cleansed conscience. That is to say, these people, deacons, must have an ability to distinguish between right and wrong – between pure and impure – and this is the fountain from which their holding to right doctrine flows. God has cleansed them, changed them, made them new – and so they hold to the apostolic teaching of Jesus.
Summary:
-Deacons are to carry out specific church roles that the pastors cannot because of their duties.
-Deacons are held to high standards, since they carry an official title from God’s Church.
-Deacons represent Christ in a unique, merciful, physical, serving way.
-Deacons therefore must fit many of the requirements that elders must.
-Deacons must not be people-pleasers.
-Deacons must have good doctrine.
-Deacons must show fruit of regeneration.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us – not only from our guilt but from every stain of sin in the world – all suffering as well. Help me put my hope for complete salvation in the return of Jesus. And I thank you that you’ve promised his return. Help us to be like Jesus here – not acting for peoples’ pleasures – but for yours. Teach us your word and bear fruit in us. Give us wisdom in appointing people to service. Honor your name and the name of Jesus through your Church! Because Jesus died for us, we pray – amen.
God here gives instructions for the other Church office which is described in Scripture – the office of ‘deacon.’
This begs the question – what’s a deacon? Well, to start with the obvious – not an elder. And again to state the obvious – not every person is a deacon.
That said, the word translated deacon merely means ‘servant.’ It’s interesting that this particular word only occurs twice in Scripture, and the other time, it actually means ‘servant.’
Given that, it’s very interesting that deacons were not ordained by the Lord himself, nor are they prescribed for Titus’ church-planting ministry.
However, we learn from church history and from Acts 6:2 that deacons were put into place to take charge of responsibilities that needed to be taken care of in a continuous capacity that were in addition to the proclamation of the Scriptures – namely and importantly, the physical care of people in the Church.
Now, this doesn’t excuse elders from physical care of people. Obviously, the apostles healed people as Jesus’ willed it. And elders should come pray for the sick (James 5). However, as overseers are entrusted with the spiritual care of the Church of God, so deacons are entrusted with necessities which are outside of that realm.
As such, they serve a very important function. Didn’t our Lord on this earth feed the hungry? Open the eyes of the blind? Heal the lame? Did he not come not to be served, but to serve – ultimately giving up his life in exchange for many lives (Mark 10:45)?
And so deacons, in an official capacity, represent their Lord in a unique way. Because of this unique, public title and appointment, they must fit certain requirements – such that Jesus is honored and the witness of Christians about Jesus to the world is unhindered.
As a result, many of the requirements of elders are the same for deacons – because they deal with Christian character and conduct – because Christian character and conduct are direct reflections of Jesus’ own life.
In the two verses in question, we see a common thread again – deacons are not to be living for pleasure in this life – but for the next world. This is just as Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him and is now seated at God’s right hand.
There are two additional features: that deacons must not be double tongued, and that deacons must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
To have a double-tongue means that one speaks differently to different people. What you get is not necessarily what other people get from such a person. Such a person ‘plays to his crowd’ – he is not forthright – he is a people-pleaser. This is why v. 10 is important (“let them also be tested…”).
Why are people double-tongued? In a negative sense, because they fear people and fear how people may treat them if they’re completely honest. In a positive sense, because they desire honor from people.
Both of these are bad. But consider the Lord himself. Was he consistent? Was he a fearer of man? Did his message ever change? No – he proclaimed the Gospel – the wrath of God and the mercy of God for sinners – even though it cost him his life. If anyone had reason to fear man, he did – he was about to be tortured by his creatures’ hands. But he set his face out of a love for the Father and endured the cross.
And if anyone had reason to seek honor, he did. He’s God! But he set aside his right to glory for greater future glory through the redemption of the Church.
A second requirement is different here: “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”
The mystery of the faith, here, is the Gospel itself. It’s called a mystery because it is the fulfillment of all that the Old Testament foreshadowed and promised – and now it is revealed in ‘the faith’ – which is not to say ‘our personal faith’ – but rather, the teachings that were accepted as authoritative. In other words – deacons must be sound in doctrine.
And they must hold it with a clear conscience – or a clean, cleansed conscience. That is to say, these people, deacons, must have an ability to distinguish between right and wrong – between pure and impure – and this is the fountain from which their holding to right doctrine flows. God has cleansed them, changed them, made them new – and so they hold to the apostolic teaching of Jesus.
Summary:
-Deacons are to carry out specific church roles that the pastors cannot because of their duties.
-Deacons are held to high standards, since they carry an official title from God’s Church.
-Deacons represent Christ in a unique, merciful, physical, serving way.
-Deacons therefore must fit many of the requirements that elders must.
-Deacons must not be people-pleasers.
-Deacons must have good doctrine.
-Deacons must show fruit of regeneration.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us – not only from our guilt but from every stain of sin in the world – all suffering as well. Help me put my hope for complete salvation in the return of Jesus. And I thank you that you’ve promised his return. Help us to be like Jesus here – not acting for peoples’ pleasures – but for yours. Teach us your word and bear fruit in us. Give us wisdom in appointing people to service. Honor your name and the name of Jesus through your Church! Because Jesus died for us, we pray – amen.
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