I TIMOTHY

How the Pastor Should Organize and Operate the Church

AUTHOR:    Paul

THEME:      How the Pastor should organize and operate the Church

KEY WORD:           GOOD            Found 22 times

DOCTRINE    Found 8 times

KEY VERSE:

1 Timothy 3:15‑16      But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16       And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The church of the living God is not the truth, but it is called the pillar and ground of the truth.

The local church is not necessary for Salvation but it is a requirement for stability.

DATE:           63 – 64 A.D.  Written to Timothy a young Pastor at Ephesus from Rome while on house arrest.

INTRODUCTION:               Four of Paul’s epistles were written to individuals. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy and one letter to Titus. Both men were Paul’s converts who became pastors of local churches and Paul instructed them about the organization and rules of a local church. Paul wrote the three Pastoral Epistles close to his death. Paul addressed Timothy and Titus as soldiers in the army of God and he gave ministerial charges to these men concerning the ministry. The Pastoral Epistles are not found in Codex Vaticanus because Romanism despises the independent and local pastor.

Timothy, who was a pastor, is receiving a letter from the Apostle Paul concerning the proper way to do the work of the lord as Pastor of a local church.

1. Paul had finally been released from his first Roman imprisonment after being confined for two years. He immediately began traveling to visit and help churches he had begun.

 

2. With Dr. Luke and Timothy, Paul visited the Ephesian church and was alarmed to see the church had been invaded by the false teachers. Because of the dangers of the false teachings, Paul gave Timothy the assignment of staying behind as the pastor of this church.

 

3. It is most probable that Paul was at Colosse visiting his friend, Philemon, when word reached him that Timothy was experiencing great difficulties in pastoring the Ephesian church. Several of these problems are listed below.
4. Timothy was a young preacher pastoring older people.

1 Timothy 4:12 – Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

When doing God’s business, wisdom does not always depend on age. If a man is called to pastor a people, then God has every ounce of wisdom needed for every problem any member will ever have!

Timothy, because of the difficulties in the church, wanted to quit.

1 Timothy 1:3 – As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus… Paul is now pulling back the veil of a preacher’s heart and revealing that preachers are human, too!

 

1. Timothy was allowing the church problems to affect his spiritual condition.

1 Timothy 4:13‑16   Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14       Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

15       Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

16       Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.  – A preacher won’t be any good to his people if he worries more about his walk with man than he worries about his walk with God.

6. The Ephesian church represented Paul’s greatest concentrated labor as he had remained several years building and nurturing this church. He was shocked and amazed to discover that this church had allowed false teachers to infiltrate its walls and undermine their doctrines.
7. To remedy the situation, Paul gave Timothy the enormous assignment of staying behind and “cleaning house” of the false teachers and their heresy. Paul would then be free to travel to other churches and help them as well.
8. This letter to Timothy, then, is a letter saturated with wisdom, advice and commands on the necessity and the methodology of building and maintaining a sound, solid local church. It serves as a constant reminder for pastors and people alike.

Timothy was led to Christ by Paul in Lystra (Acts 14:6; 16:1-3; 1 Tim. 1:2). Timothy was circumcised for the sake of testimony because his mother was a Jewess, but his father was a Greek. Paul gave Timothy twelve general orders as a soldier in this first letter. The premier order was to attain sound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 2:1). Sound doctrine is the product of a faithful study of sound words with a sound mind (Ps. 119:80; 2 Tim. 1:7, 13).

Paul put Timothy in charge of the following twelve orders:

1. Maintain sound doctrine for the purpose of the law and purity of the gospel (1:3-20)
2. Continue in prayer and study of the word (2:1-8)
3. Teach the role of women in the church and home (2:9-15)
4. Establish the ideal qualifications of the Pastor (3:1-7)
5. Establish the ideal qualifications for deacons (3:8-13)
6. Guard the mysteries and the truth of the deity of Christ (3:14-16)
7. Beware of the infiltration of false doctrine (4:1-11)
8. Maintain personal discipline and holiness (4:12-16)
9. Behave properly toward the elderly (5:1-16)
10. Honor those who labor in the word, doctrine, and personal health habits (5:17-25)
11. Teach the relationship between Master and Servant (6:1-5)
12. Be content as a soldier of Christ by resisting the temptations of worldly wisdom and wealth (6:6-21)

 

The FAITH – Salvation and all that it includes – Jude 3   Hebrews 6:1-2

A Book – Psalm 138:2       Psalm 12:6-7

A Message – II John 9       I John 2:22-23         I John 6:1

A Plan – The doctrine of Salvation – John 1:12  Ephesians 2:8-9

An Institution – Matthew 16:18            Ephesians 3:21       Colossians 1:18

A Method – Acts 8:30-35            1 Corinthians 1:17-18       Titus 1:3

A Power – Isaiah 44:3       Zechariah 4:6          Acts 1:8

 

Mysteries of the The FAITH – 1 Timothy 3:9

The Blindness of Israel – Romans 11:25

The Rapture – 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

The Body of Christ – Ephesians 5:32

The Indwelling of the Holy Ghost – Colossians 1:27

The Iniquity of the Antichrist – II Thessalonians 2:7

Godliness – 1 Timothy 3:16

Babylon the Great – Revelation 17:5

 

OUTLINE OF I TIMOTHY.

1. Teaching concerning false teachers. I Timothy 1.  Paul presents Timothy’s position concerning defending his church from false teachers and their perverted use of the law.  He tells of the need for the pastor to fight them.
2. Instructions concerning worship and prayer. I Timothy 2.  Here Paul gives instructions concerning the Gospel, the place of man and women in the public services, the importance of prayer, and instruction concerning public prayer, etc.
3. Qualifications of pastors and deacons. I Timothy 3.
4. False doctrines that have crept into the church and how to deal with them.

I Timothy 4.  Notice especially verses 1-5 and see how similar these false doctrines are to those found even in the Columbia area.

5. The pastor’s duties concerning guiding his people away from false doctrine.

I Timothy 5.

6. Conclusion and exhortation. I Timothy 6.

TIMOTHY WAS ONE OF PAUL’S CONVERTS. In I Timothy 1:2 notice the words, “my own son in the faith,” and in I Timothy 1:18, “son Timothy.”  Timothy was not Paul’s son according to the flesh, but he was his spiritual son in that Paul had won him to Jesus Christ.  There are those who believe that Timothy was converted much like Paul was converted. When Paul was a young man, Stephen was stoned.  Paul held the coats of those who stoned Stephen.  No doubt he watched the face of Stephen and heard the words he spoke as he died. The Bible seems to teach that Paul never got away from this.  It pricked him constantly until one day he received Stephen’s Christ.  While Paul was in the city of Lystra, he also was stoned to death.  It was here, no doubt, that he was caught up into the third Heaven.  God brought him back to life, but a young man had watched him die just as Paul had watched Stephen die.  This young man was Timothy.  It is speculation but certainly probable that Timothy was converted because he couldn’t get away from the beautiful death of Paul, just as Paul could not get away from the beautiful death of Stephen.

 TIMOTHY CAME FROM A MIXED MARRIAGE.   His father was a Greek; his mother, no doubt, was Jewish.  Perhaps this is the reason why Timothy was converted after he had become a young man.  His mother, no doubt, was a good woman, but she had been guilty of a mixed marriage. (Teacher, stress here the importance of Christian young people marrying only Christians. Also, stress the importance of Christian young people dating only Christians.)

TIMOTHY’ S FATHER PROBABLY DIED DURING HIS SON’ S INFANCY. His father’s name is unknown, though he was a Greek and Gentile by descent. Acts 16:1, 3.  The absence of any personal allusion to the father in the Acts of the Apostles implies that he must have died or disappeared during the son’s infancy.  The care of the boy thus was turned upon his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois.   (Teacher, no doubt you have sate children in your class whose fathers are dead or who are for some reason being reared by their mothers. Encourage them that they can become something for God. There may be members of your adult class who are mothers having to rear children alone.  Encourage the mothers that they can succeed in rearing their children in the service of God.  Use illustrations of this.)

TIMOTHY WAS TAUGHT THE SCRIPTURES FROM A CHILD. II Timothy 1:5. His godly grandmother, Lois, (stress the importance of a good grandmother in a child’s life) and his mother, Eunice, taught him the Word of God. He had a Jewish education and was grounded in the Old Testament Scriptures which made him ready for the Gospel of Christ when he heard it through the lips of Paul.

TIMOTHY WAS SINCERE. Notice the words “unfeigned faith” in II Timothy 1:5. This means “non-hypocritical faith.” There was no “put—on” in Timothy.  He was a sincere servant of God.

 TIMOTHY WAS A LOYAL FRIEND.   Philippians 2:22.  Timothy was a companion of the Apostle Paul on many of his missionary journeys.  He was one of his most constant companions along with Silas and Luke. (Teacher, stress the importance of friendship and of being loyal to our friends and caring for our friends. This does not mean just “care” like “love,” but a “caring” like “providing for the needs of our friends.”)

 TIMOTHY HAD SPECIAL GIFTS FOR COMFORTING AND TEACHING.   Paul used him to ground the churches and to stabilize the Christians in the faith.

 

6. TIMOTHY WAS A PASTOR. He was Pastor of the church at Ephesus, which was perhaps the biggest of all the churches in Asia Minor. (Teacher, stress the importance of the pastor in the life of a child, or, for that matter, in the life of anyone.)
7. TIMOTHY DIED A MARTYR’S DEATH. He gave his life for the Lord Jesus Christ. Under the reign of Domitian, about 98 AD, having been the pastor at Ephesus for 15 years, he was there stoned to death by the heathen, for reproving their idolatry and false worship of Diana.
8. TIMOTHY NEEDED THE APOSTLE PAUL. Most think that he continued pastoring the church at Ephesus so long that it was he who was the “angel” of the church of Ephesus to whom the message of Revelation 2:1-7 was addressed.  Timothy was Pastor of the church that had lost its first love.  The church had drifted away from soul winning.  Could it be, that Timothy needed the Apostle Paul? Timothy was a wonderful man, a faithful friend and a loyal follower, but when he was apart from a strong leader he found himself in need of help.  Here again is the importance of our need of each other and especially of our need of spiritual leadership from God’s man.  Though Timothy was a pastor, he needed a pastor to keep him zealous for Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote him in one place and said,” “Rekindle the flame that was placed in thee when I laid my hands on you (when I ordained you).”  See II Timothy 1:6. Timothy‘s flame perhaps had dwindled, and so the Holy Spirit led John to write a letter beseeching Timothy and the church at Ephesus to get back to their first works and their first love.

 

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF TIMOTHY

 

We will divide the book into 3 parts, with Part I dealing with the matter of safeguarding the pure MESSAGE of the church (from false teachers) as well as listing the 4 necessary kinds of MEMBERS.  In Part II, we will look in depth at the MINISTER and the 3 basic characteristics of the ideal “preacher.”

Concerning this troubled church in Ephesus, Paul discusses several different aspects.

1. THE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH. (1 Tim. 1)
2. It was being weakened by false teaching.

1 Tim. 1:3 – As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

As usual, Paul found it necessary to assert himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ.” The reason? Because his teachings were being replaced by those who were spreading heresy.

1. It was being weakened by irrelevant controversy.

1 Tim. 1:4 – Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

The devil would love for God’s people to study their Bibles if they would only start finding fault with others who don’t agree with 100% of their interpretation in all matters.

1. The important aspect of the Bible is not whether foot-washing is or is not Scriptural – it is “ye must be born-again.”
2. It was being weakened by ignorant teachers.

1 Tim. 1:7 – Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

2. These people were zealous to spread their views and opinions – but they spoke out of complete ignorance of the Bible.
3. These false teachers were trying to teach that the law could transform sinners into righteous, heaven-deserving saints. Paul points out plainly that “the law is good” for revealing a sinner – for what he is.

1 Tim. 1:9-10 – Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.  The Law has no life giving power to quicken us and make us alive in Christ.

 

3. But, it is the gospel that redeems!

1 Tim. 1:15 – This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief

1. It was being defended by Paul – and hopefully Timothy.

1 Tim. 1:18 – This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

“Charge” is a military word meaning to command. Paul is here commanding Timothy to put on his armor and to declare war on the false teachers!

 

1. THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.

(1 Tim. 2-3)    Paul next provides Timothy with 4 necessary kinds of church members he must develop if the church is to be salvaged.

 

1. The church must have praying men. (1 Tim. 2:1-8)
2. The church should pray for those in authority.

1 Tim. 2:1-2 – I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2. The church should also pray for sinners.

1 Tim. 2:4 – Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.   This points to the reason for people going to hell – it is not God but the lack of prayer that hinders salvation.

1. The church must have modest women. (1 Tim. 2:9-15)
2. They should be modest in their dress.

1 Tim. 2:9 – In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.

Paul places an emphasis here on the outward appearance of a woman. If she professes to be a godly woman, then she would look like one!

1 Tim. 2:9-10 – In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame­facedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

2. They should be modest in their behavior.

1 Tim. 2:12 – But I suffer not a woman to teach, not to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

This verse is not forbidding women from teaching children or other women the Bible. It is, however, placing women in a submissive position and forbidding women from “taking over” the man’s role.

 

1. The church must have dedicated officers.

(1 Tim. 3) Pastors (1 Tim. 3:1-7)

The Bible uses various terms to define this Biblical office of the church.

2. Elder – this points to the spiritual maturity and divine wisdom a pastor receives from God.
3. Bishop – this points to the managerial or overseer role of the pastor. The pastor will be held accountable for every aspect of every ministry within the local church.

The pastor must meet certain qualifications in order to have God’s stamp of approval on his ministry. A few of his qualifications are listed below.

1. Personal.
2. “He” (1 Tim. 3:1) The pastor must be a man!
3. “Blameless” (1 Tim. 3:2) This does not mean sinless, but rather “no accusation should stick.”
4. “Husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2) Great controversy has surrounded this statement and centers around 2 primary interpretations:

(i)        First view – that Paul was forbidding polygamy.

(ii)       Second view – that Paul was forbidding divorce.

(iii)     At the time that Paul wrote this letter, polygamy had already been outlawed by Roman law. Also, there is no evidence to suggest that polygamy was an issue or problem in the early church.  Therefore, the most conservative (and correct) view is that Paul was forbidding divorce.

(iv)      Regardless which view is held, the point is – there should be no marital questions in a pastor’s life!

2. Family. (1 Tim. 3:4-5) The pastor must be the head of his home and have his family under control. That doesn’t mean that the children are perfect, but that they are obedient.
3. Churc. (1 Tim. 3:6-7) The pastor must not be a new convert or he will be destroyed by pride.  He should also have a good testimony – among both saved and lost people!
4. Deacons.  (1 Tim. 3:8-13) The word “likewise” in (1 Tim. 3:8) underlines the fact that deacons are to meet high standards as the pastors are expected to.  A few of these qualifications are:

a.)       “Grave” (1 Tim. 3:8) – means to be held in high respect, not for their wealth or influence but for their Godliness.

b.)       “Not doubletongued” – means that he has learned how to control his tongue.  A deacon, in order to assist the pastor, will be brought into an area of confidential information.  A deacon with a loose tongue can quickly be used to hurt the lives of good people as well as crippling the ministry and effectiveness of the church.

c.)        “Ruling their children and houses well.”   (1 Tim. 3:12) Once again, perfection is not in mind, but “doing right” is.  A deacon is being placed in a position of being an example to others. Therefore, they need to have their homes in order.

Paul has been encouraging Timothy by setting forth a picture of the ideal church. He was reminded that the message had to remain pure and unchanged, for if the message of the church changes – the mission of the church will become an impossibility.

Also, if the message remains true to Christ, it will produce church members who are pleasing to God.  There will be men who know how to pray – women who want to please God through modest dress – and godly officers.

 

III.     THE MINISTER IN THE LOCAL CHURCH.

(1 Tim. 4)

1. He must be preaching the Word of God.
2. Why?
3. Because apostasy was beginning to occur and would only become worse! 1 Tim. 4:1 – in the latter times some shall depart from the faith.
4. Because the false teachers were demonic influenced!

1 Tim. 4:1 – giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

1. Because the false teachers will be blatant hypocrites, preaching one thing but practicing the opposite! 1 Tim. 4:2 – Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  This is sadly demonstrated in the newspaper accounts of Catholic priests, while claiming a life of celibacy, have resigned when an affair with a woman or children has surfaced.
2. There is a disastrous tendency in our time for churches to drift into a “teaching ministry” and get away from a “preaching ministry.” Notice, Paul encourages Timothy.  1 Tim. 4:6 – If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
3. Teaching is primarily imparting new truth while preaching is primarily reminding us of old truth with the intent to make a decision.
4. Teaching expands the mind – preaching expands the heart. Teaching handles facts – preaching handles fire.
5. Paul is encouraging Timothy to use his God-given gift of “Preaching” to straighten out the mess in the church. Red-hot, Holy Ghost preaching will melt hearts, form tears and give birth to holy desires or it will erect a barrier to hard, rebellious hearts which will cause them to go elsewhere!

 

1. He must be practicing the Word of God.

1 Tim. 4:12 – Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

It just won’t do to have preaching that is constantly undermined by a poor testimony. Preachers who don’t want to live in a glass house need to get out of the ministry because we have been chosen to be an example to our people!

1. In word. Preachers need to guard their lips and speech just like anybody else – if not more so. We should set an example for using our speech to constantly encourage, lift up, exalt, and at times rebuke.
2. In conversation. The preacher must be setting the example for others in his personal behavior – how he conducts his personal life.
3. In charity. The preacher should lead the way in teaching his people to love people.  A cold-hearted church can usually be traced to an indifferent, cold-hearted pastor.  A warm, friendly, giving church will be following the same kind of pastor -matching the pastor’s personality.  A godly pastor will grow a godly church – a praying pastor will grow a praying church, etc.
4. In spirit. The preacher will be the spark plug for enthusiasm among God’s people. They will begin to get excited about what God’s doing only when the pastor is excited!
5. In faith. The most faithful, steady, “you-can-count-on-him” person in the entire church ought to be the pastor. Faithfulness will build faithfulness! If a pastor is rock-solid and steady in his beliefs and convictions, he will produce people who know what they believe and why they believe it – and will cling jealously to the teachings of the Bible.
6. In purity. The most important quality of the minister is holiness of heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit (Ex. 29:1; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 4:1-7; 5:23; 1 Peter 1:13-16). The pastor can take no chances with a wrong thought life and must be constantly doing battle with the flesh. The greatest spiritual struggle should be fought by the pastor in order to maintain this spiritual purity. The faithful minister’s most vital relationship is his personal time with the LORD (2 Cor. 4:1-2; Eph. 6:24).
7. He must be progressing in the Word of God.

1 Tim. 4:15 – Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

1. A growing pastor will mean a growing church. As the pastor develops a closer walk with the Lord, the people will also draw closer to the Lord. The most significant attribute of the Pastor’s preaching is sound doctrine. Sound doctrine stems from the study of the sound words of God with a sound mind (Psalm 119:80). Faithful observance to Paul’s admonitions can save the pastor and the people from spiritual shipwreck in the ministry (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

 

1. How does a pastor continue to grow?
2. 1 Tim. 4:13 – Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. By emphasizing the Bible in his personal life. The Bible must come alive in his life or it will not come alive in the pulpit. He must learn to govern his life and solve his problems or he will not be able to help others with it.  The pastor must be constantly trying to dig for new buried treasure!
3. 1 Tim. 4:14 – Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of hands of the presbytery. By using his spiritual gifts. The pastor must never lose touch with his people but should constantly be involved in ministering.
4. 1 Tim. 4:15 – Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. By guarding his private devotions. The pastor doesn’t need to spend more time talking with people than he spends with the Lord. He can’t afford to allow his time to be dominated by just one person, unless it is the Lord!
5. 1 Tim. 4:16 – Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. By examining himself.  The pastor should strive to please the Lord instead of people or himself.  He needs to walk a fine line of being dissatisfied with himself and yet being confident that God is satisfied.

In this last lesson of I Timothy, we will focus on the MINISTRY of the local church. Limiting its focus to the confines within the local church itself this ministry will touch the lives of 7 types of people.

So, we find in this letter, a goldmine of encouragement written from an aged warrior to a new recruit.  And what is an encouragement to a preacher will also be an encouragement to every church member.

1. THE CHURCH IS TO MINISTER TO OLDER SAINTS. (1 Tim. 5:1-2)
2. Realizing that there is a definite “generation gap” between the young Timothy and the older saints, Paul gives the young preacher bursting with zeal some excellent advice.

1 Tim. 5:1 – Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father.

Timothy was to be named mindful of his elders and treat them with courtesy and respect. This would be excellent counsel for our young people as well – to respect their elders – and they will if they are raised to do so!

1. Paul also gives wise advice concerning treatment of women.

1 Tim. 5:2 – The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, WITH ALL PURITY.

A church is to be like one big happy family, but we must be certain to maintain the purity.  It is extremely unwise for teen girls and women to show their pastor appreciation by hugging him – a friendly hand shake will do.

1. THE CHURCH IS TO MINISTER TO WIDOWS. (1 Tim. 5:3-16)
2. Under this category, Paul lists a total of 4 kinds of widows, only 1 which was to receive assistance from the church.

 

1. Widows that are widows indeed. 1 Tim. 5:3 – Honour widows that are widows indeed. This type is to be honored by the church having some definite qualifications:
2. Must be a godly woman.    1  Tim. 5:5 – continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

 

1. Must be a needy woman. 1 Tim. 5:5 – desolate. In other words she has no relatives to take care of her.
2. Must be at least 60 years old and had not been divorced.

1 Tim. 5:9 – Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

 

1. Must have a good testimony.

1 Tim. 5:10 – Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

 

4. Widows with a family. 1 Tim. 5:4 – But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. These widows are to be cared for by the family members.  Notice the very strong encouragement given to the family members by Paul.  1 Tim. 5:8 – is worse than an infidel.
5. Widows living in pleasure. 1 Tim. 5:6 – But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.   This woman was not worthy of church support or help because she has a pitiful testimony.
6. 4. Widows younger than 60. 1 Tim. 5:11 – But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;   It would seem that the true widows were not to receive charity, but were to be involved in actually serving in the church. The younger widows, however, would not be consumed with serving Christ but would think more about finding a husband.  To them, Paul says to get married.  1 Tim. 5:14 – I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

 

THE CHURCH IS TO MINISTER TO CHURCH LEADERS. (1 Tim. 5:17-25)

There is a distinctive between the elders of 1 Tim. 5:1 and the elders of 1 Tim. 5:17. In (1 Tim. 5:1), we have a reference to the age – elderly.  In (1 Tim. 5:17), we have the office of a paid preacher.

The pastor’s primary job is to feed the sheep with the proper doctrine and instruction from the word of God (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4). He is to be a faithful steward of the mysteries of God and the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27; 1 Cor. 4:1-2). He faithfully preaches the word privately and publically (Luke 14:21-23; Acts 20:20; 2 Tim. 4:2)

2. Timothy had created problems within the church because he had ordained staff-members too soon and had also jumped the gun and misjudged some of them.
3. In order to remedy the situation, Paul recommends 2 things:
4. The preacher who is doing a terrific job serving God and the church should get twice the salary of the run-of-the-mill preacher.
5. The preacher is always to be assumed innocent of any accusation unless there were 2 or 3 respected witnesses.
6. The relationship between pastor and staff-member is a very special one and must be understood properly.
7. The pastor’s primary duties in the church consist of preaching and praying. In a small church, the pastor must obviously do much more than this – however, his primary duties NEVER change!
8. As the church grows and is able to add paid staff, the staff member is brought into a position of relieving the pastor of certain duties which will allow the pastor to give himself to his primary duties of preaching and praying. However, the staff member is to be committed to performing his new duties just as the pastor would if he had the time. This highlights the necessity for being “like-minded.”

 

THE CHURCH IS TO MINISTER TO SLAVES.   (1 Tim. 6:1-2)

1. It has been estimated that 25% of Rome’s population were slaves. With the impact of Christianity being felt throughout the Roman Empire, Paul addressed these comments to the slaves, because there were 2 tendencies occurring.

 

1. Christian slaves with lost masters tended to feel “free in Christ” and were thus tempted to disobey their masters since they were lost.

1 Tim. 6:1 – Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

1. Christian slaves with saved masters were tending to take advantage of the situation and trying to be set free by using their religion.
2. To both types of slaves, Paul encourages them to be diligent in their service which will be a good testimony for Christ.

It is important to understand in this day and age that God’s Word does not condone slavery but it regulates slavery.

1 Timothy 6:1-2    Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

The faithful pastor is required to teach that it is blasphemy against God for a slave to rebel against his master. This truth reveals the Emancipation Proclamation, the abolitionists of the 1860’s, and the politics of Abraham Lincoln and the 39th congress are blasphemous actions and attitudes against God and the USA. The goal of the said wicked people was not freedom of any race, but the slavery of all races by counterfeiting the original constitutions of each individual state and the constitution for the USA. Arrogant and ignorant people cause strife over this issue without researching the fax. The institution of slavery has never been abolished (Rev. 6:15). Communism, democracy, Fascism, Nazism, and socialism enslaved people to the public policy. A true republic protects the life and liberty of the people. The highest calling of any Christian is a slave of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Jeremiah 34:14-16    At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.

15 And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name:

16 But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.

Zedekiah used the words liberty and freedom as political ploy ease to subtly bring people into subjection (2 Peter 2:18-19). The proper regulations up on slavery requires complete freedom after six years of service (Exodus 21:1-6). Zedekiah proclaim liberty, but foolishly reneged on his proclamation. In the history of the USA dishonest Abraham Lincoln and the 39th Congress repeated these awful ask. The Emancipation Proclamation freed no one and its purpose was to incite insurrection. Lincoln violated his oath of office and public duty by and acting a police state. After the War of Northern Aggression be evil oligarchy and Congress supposedly freed the slaves with the 13th article of the bill of rights, but the 14th article nullified the liberty of the 13th. The 14th article created an artificial person or an artificial entity under the subjection of Congress because the said article begins, “All persons born or naturalized in the US, and SUBJECT to the jurisdiction…” section 5 states, “The Congress shall have power to ENFORCE, by appropriate legislation…” these are not words of liberty; they are evil words of deception to enslave the people to the oligarchy of Congress.

VIII.  THE CHURCH IS TO MINISTER TO TROUBLE-MAKERS.   (1 Tim. 6:3-5)

 The church is to have a definite part in dealing with trouble-makers. What is to be done?

 

1. Identify them. 1 Tim. 6:4-5 – He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2. Proud.
3. Ignorant “knowing nothing.”
4. Spiritually sick “doting” means diseased, sickly.
5. Love to argue, perverse disputing. – 1 Tim. 6:5
6. Corrupt minds.
7. Opportunists (willing to use religion to profit themselves – in money, power or prestige.)

 

2. Exclude them.

Titus 3:10 – A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;

3. 3. A trouble-maker in the church is to be dealt with immediately and firmly. They are like deadly, cancerous growth which must be eliminated for the sake of the body.

 

THE CHURCH IS TO MINISTER TO THE RICH. (1 Tim. 6:6-19)

1. Paul warns the rich.

1 Tim. 6:9 – But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Paul is warning the person who “wills” or desires to be rich.  If your only goal in life is to be wealthy, then you WILL face grave temptations – and you will experience spiritual failure!

 

1. Paul warns the minister of the rich.

1 Tim. 6:11 – But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Notice Paul’s 3 commands given to Timothy in (1 Tim. 6:11-12).

1. Flee the temptation of money.
2. Follow after a godly life.
3. Fight sin.

 

1. Paul encourages the rich.
2. Not to be proud but thankful to God for their wealth.

1 Tim. 6:17 – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

2. Not to trust their wealth more than God.

1 Tim. 6:17 – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

You can’t take it with you! This absolute truth cannot be changed by modern technology.

 

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