Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 4 (day three)
“Everything God created is good.”
Jesus rested in the knowledge that his Father had created heaven and earth, and he walked in this world fearlessly because of what he knew. From Jesus, Paul learned that same assurance: “Nothing can separate us…” If fear dwells in us, we can’t extinguish it by changing jobs, changing friends, or changing circumstances, because fear is portable, and we take it with us everywhere we go. The only remedy for fear is to learn peace from the same God who taught it to Paul. We begin learning by praying with Paul: If God be for us, who can be against us? Over time, just as it did with Paul, peace will vanquish fear in us.
Put Your Head Down
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 4 (day two)
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” (vs. 16)
My father has a way of cutting to the chase when offering advice. I would go to him overwhelmed by the amount of things going happening at once, the demands placed on me by others, or if I just felt like I was sinking. In those times he would say “just put your head down and get after it.” He never would allow me to find a way out, or quit. He knew life was tough and more often than not, unfair, but that didn’t excuse me from participating. ‘Put your head down’, was a way to remind me to focus, not to look around and worry about what others were doing or thinking. Looking at that phrase now, I would an additional instruction. Pray.
Life is tough, and often unfair. There are those seeking to derail us from our course and purpose, but we were not called to the sidelines. Get yourself ready for the task, pray for the strength to endure and then get after it. God bless you.
Latter Day Saints
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 4 (day one)
“The Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.”–v. 1-2.
Latter day saints. Not Mormons, but all who live for Christ in the period AFTER the cross and resurrection and ascension and BEFORE His return. What the Bible calls “the later times” or “the last days”. ( see 2 Timothy 3:1) Evil days. Even within the church, (Acts 20:29) people will fall away from truth. They will claim to believe the gospel, but have no testimony of it’s cleansing power. Hypocrites so far as gospel truth is concerned. Consciences burned and numb, insensitive to the Spirit’s conviction. What does this warning say to postmoderns who desire to be faithful? All week, we will read and reflect on Paul’s answer. God bless you, Latter day saints!
Leaders needed
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day seven)
“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”—Ezekiel 22:30. Sad statement. God willing to heal, renew a nation. Looked for someone to obey His call. Found no one. Without leadership, nations fail. (Please remember this on Tuesday when you go to the polls.) Churches, too. After 30 years of missionary ministry, Paul is in prison facing the end of his life. He sees clearly the priority. Find new leaders! Men (and women) of New Testament character. Sincere and strong examples for the churches. 1 Timothy 3 is his instruction to Timothy as he undertakes this assignment. Us? Are we convinced that the church needs leaders? Pastors, Deacons, Sunday School teachers? Do we feel the urgency that Paul felt? “It is not too late”, says the Lord, “but, leaders are needed”. Are you ready to lead?
Pastors matter
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day six)
“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.”–v. 1. Familiar phrase in 1 and 2 Timothy. A “trustworthy statement” is a faith statement that Paul endorses for the complete confidence of his friends. The first (1:15) says that “Christ came into the world to save sinners”. Trust this truth! The second (3:1) says that “Pastors matter and that young men who aspire to this office should be encouraged”. I admit my bias (and Paul’s) but years of observation have convinced me. Churches do better when they have leadership. In v 1, Paul calls them overseers. (episkopoi–“those who look over, or manage.” note Episcopal.) In Acts 20:17, Paul calls them elders (presbueteros–“elderly men, deserving respect”. note Presbyterian). Other places, they are called pastors. Whatever we name them, these God-called, heart-committed men are central to the life and service of the church. Trust this truth, says Paul.
Strong and Visible
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day five)
Paul goes into great detail in describing the qualifications and character traits for the servant/leaders of the church. He doesn’t mince words in his prescription or perspective. The result of this kind of outlined leadership leads to a church that is strong and visible. See verse 15- “which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth”. The church as a foundation will keep the true doctrines of the faith strong against heresy and withstand the tension that will always come from the surrounding culture. The church as a pillar will lift high the Name of Christ and the Truth of the Gospel. Great Privilege! Amazing Opportunity! Incredible Responsibility! May FBCSA be both strong and visible!
High Standards
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day four) There is a model for growth inherent in the church. Just like a baby is born, unable to do much at all, and they grow and mature to walk, talk, think, and reason…so the believer develops and grows in godliness. Paul writes to Timothy that there are standards to be met for one who aspires to be a pastor. There are also standards for a deacon to be chosen to serve. What if a believer does not want to be a pastor or a deacon? Are there standards for him? Yes! We all have expectations of how we live our life for Christ. God’s Word gives us instructions for how we should grow and mature in our walk with Christ. Our standards are not necessarily lower than a deacon or a pastor, they are still a part of our growth potential. We may not have matured yet to that level or standard or we may not have been called to serve in those capacities. We are to be like Christ, though…there is no higher standard.
Primary
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day three)
“For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?”
If we teach forgiveness and thanksgiving and honesty and love in our church meetings, but we do not seek to use those words to shape the most basic fellowship we know—the home—we have turned our backs on the primary domain of human spiritual formation. Perhaps we could replace the question, “What will the people at church think?” with “What will the people at home think?”
Qualified
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day two)
Above reproach, good reputation, worthy of respect, sincere, tested, trustworthy…Paul states from the beginning that a desire to lead the church is a noble task. It is one that not all of us will be called to do. Don’t you wish we used similar criteria for how we choose our civic leaders? No where in this passage does Paul say anything about their ideology, except to say they must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith. That doesn’t read “believes exactly like I do” or “subscribes to the party to which I always support”. Paul has faith that if we appoint men of sound faith, they will be guided by the spirit and use the mind that God has given them to discern the best path forward. Is this the litmus test you use in selecting your leaders? Should it be?
Looking for leaders
Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day one)
“An overseer (Pastor) must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. . .Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain.” v2, 8.
His life is almost over. After 3 decades of missionary/pastoral ministry, the Apostle Paul sits (again) in a Roman jail cell. He will be executed soon. He is not, however, afraid. His concern is for the churches, for his Christian friends. With clear confidence in the future and the Lord who will guide His church into it, He writes to Timothy. Appoint leaders! Set the bar high! In character, in ability. Look for men who are filled with the Spirit, self-controlled, respectable, good examples that others will want to follow! “I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.”–General Robert E. Lee. Then, and now, the church is looking for leaders.