1 Timothy 3:1-7
This passage tonight gives us the qualifications for a an “overseer” man of God that is called to lead in His church. Not about skills but about character and integrity
What I want to do is make this more applicable to everyone by using this passage as a challenge to all of us. Because in a nutshell a leader needs to be a good Christian. So tonight we are going to learn about being a good Christian.
Vrs 1 The desire to lead…
The task is noble….
There four areas in which these traits are displayed
How you see yourself …
Aspire- You can tell much about yourself by your aspirations and desires
Sober-minded- Picture
Self controlled- are you given to sinful habits that you cannot stop?
If you are just doing the right thing to please yourself you are not doing the right thing.
How others see you…
Above reproach- junk drawer, people have nothing bad to say about you that is true.
Respectable- do you have the reputation of someone to respect, not because of position but because of how you act and react?
Hospitable- how welcoming are you?
Know the Word (Able to teach) Your life is teaching other people. The more Bible you know the more Bible will come out.
Not a drunkard- given to addiction and abuse alcohol.
Not violent- is violence the form of entertainment you chose?
Gentle- went you are dealing with others are you gentle and compassionate with them?
Not quarrelsome- this person is always ready to engage in conflict
Not greedy (lover of money), how generous are you?
Good reputation with outsiders- how do they see you?
If you are just doing the right thing to make yourself look good in front of others you are not doing the right thing.
How your family sees you-
Faithful, takes care of family (how you interact with your family tells much about how you will and do interact with God’s family the church)
Answer this question Are you a good…? Whatever role you play.
If you are just doing the right thing to please your family you are not doing the right thing.
When there is a deficiency in how we view our self or there is a problem with relationships we have it makes us reevaluate or reflect on who we really are.
I call these the defining moments of who you really are.
These defining moments should help us to see how much we need Jesus and how we need to live for Him.
Background of the movie
(Fireproof/The Cross clip)
We have these things hidden in our heart and many times it take a defining moment in life to bring them out, Jesus sees them and we need repent of those things that we are doing. We are broken and only Jesus can fix us.
Jesus- He sees the real picture of you, we can’t hide from what He sees, it is the real us.
Faith -Not a recent convert, GOSPEL
Intention -not prideful
Vrs 6-7 If we don’t fall in line with Jesus and the character He wants us to have, we will ruin things in our live and Satan will have the upper hand.
How do we work on our “picture”?
Bible, Repentance, Prayer,
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Entrusted "...from creation"
1 Tim 2:8- 15
Tonight we are going talk about the role of men and their responsibility and the role of women in regards to the family of God the church.
Vrs 8 on the heals of the preceding verses about prayer we see here Paul telling the men, by design you are to be worshippers of God, praising Him and not fighting with one another.
Vrs 9 In Ephesus these styles may have been associated with what prostitutes were wearing.
Good advice to give any women don’t dress like a prostitute.
Modesty= the idea here is not trying to attract attention to yourself for the way you look.
Vrs 10 what a women should focus in on is her character. This does not mean that more spiritual women are out of style. I think it is wise for men and women alike to keep up with current styles to some degree to be a witness to the world we live in. (Hudson Taylor)
By what Paul teaches later in 1 Timothy we can conclude that some of the false teaching that was going on was aimed at young single women. Don’t get married, dress seductively, don’t listen to men
Vrs 11 “learn” Paul’s charge to them was pay close attention to the Scriptures and the truth they hold for your life. These false teachers are just trying to malign the cause of the GOSPEL and get you off track.
Vrs 12 Teach or have authority Two Resposibilities
Teach – setting doctrine (what the church believes based upon Biblical truth)
Authority – Guarding, upholding and making decisions based on Biblical truth in the local fellowship.
Authority…what is meant here? What we will eventually see (1 Timothy 3) is God’s desire is for Godly men to rise up and take care of the spiritual health and wellbeing of the church.
Ill Police Officer
Elder/overseer has the job, responsibility and authority to keep the church spiritually on track, correct/rebuke people when they are sin, make sure no false teaching is creeping in
Three positions
1. Egalitarian- no distinction
2. Hierarchical –men are in charge
3. Complimentarian- men and women are equal and have different roles that compliment one another. Women can do everything men can do except elder/overseer
-OT Priests were men
-Apostles were men (Jesus could have chosen women and would have if that was intention, Jesus did not bow to the culture)
-Overseers in NT church were men.
Vrs 13 roots it not in culture but in creation. Genesis 2:18, 21-23
One preacher said it like this “The rightful place of a women is by her mans side no out in front or left behind”
Helper God is a helper an ever-present help
Different roles within the trinity.
Does this mean men in general have a degree of authority over women in general? No
This means within a husband and wife’s relationship the man’s responsibility is spiritual support and love of his wife.
Within the church (family of God) Godly men are to spiritually love and support the people in the church.
When this system breaks down…
Vrs 14 “Eve deceived”
Satan takes the Scriptures and uses it against them, like He did to Jesus
Does not mean women are more gullible, it illustrates the result of Adam dropping the ball in spiritual support of his wife and Eve being out on her own without the love and support of her husband. In essence Paul is saying look what happens when we buck the system that God set up.
(I am a little brother, “go try that”)
The result of the system set up by God…
Vrs 15 “Saved in childbearing” The timeless role of women… this shows this passage is trans-cultural, no matter what time or culture you live in the role of women will always contain giving birth.
Is there something that you would deem more important then bringing children into the world? Here is what society says… get that over with so you can really make a difference.
It seems to be then that Paul is arguing that no matter what society around you says, there is a specific call and role on men as well, lead in their households and in the household of God (the church)
This is Paul speaking about the important and special role that women have in every culture and society.
The temptation for some is that because of this the Bible/God and Christians are chauvinistic because the role of women is different.
Let me point out truth from the Bible about how the opposite is actually true.
-Timothy would fully understand the importance of the role of women because of his mother and grandmother brought him up in the faith
-Aquilla and Priscilla- husband and wife team teach Apollos Acts 18
-Phoebe – a servant Romans 16
-The first spectators of the resurrection were women, who in the Jewish culture a testimony of a women would not be regarded.
-Most importantly Jesus’ high regard for women, His ministry to them His empowerment of them, tells us the God of the universe has does not put anyone down due to gender. GOSPEL
There is an attack today as there was in that day on the role of men and women and in essence what happens when we say there is no distinction women actually are in a far worse position.
The Bible should set the culture.
Here is why…men have a responsibility to provide for, guide and lovingly serve their families, like Adam they miss the mark.
Not only do they miss the mark they gladly welcome their wives to take on their role as well. So now you have the wife/mother who can’t in good conscience not fulfill her role as a mother so she takes that role of the husband/father as well.
In essence the man is saying you have your heavy load here take mine too. (you want to bogart off my punishment, more power to ya). I get to do nothing and you get to do everything then I can spend the money on the toys I want.
So in an effort to be liberated women everywhere become enslaved to bear heavy burdens of providing for and raising the family while the husband becomes one of the kids who eventually becomes outshined by in many cases the daughter who becomes the “mommy” when mommy is not home.
Then some would say to this NO NO NO men treat women badly so we have to be independent of men. I would say to that biblically speaking that Jesus does not stand on the side of those men and Christianity and biblical teaching holds women in the highest regard.
This is exactly the reason I teach M4J once a month because we want men to rise up and lovingly serve their wives and children (and if they don’t have them yet, we want them to fully indoctrinated so when they do it goes well)
The first lesson at M4J over a year ago was this Complimentarian view, and guess what.. the feedback I got was from a few different places. “Now I know what I am supposed to do for my family” not …”I am in charge or listen to me” And some women say my husband is a different man.
When men step it up and become the “keepers of the gate” so to speak in the church. It encourages other men to also step it up. Then everyone benefits.
The Bottom line is this. Church leadership in regards to governing authorities is a role that is entrusted to qualified male leadership and Godly women should stand by their side and support the GOSPEL work.
Tonight we are going talk about the role of men and their responsibility and the role of women in regards to the family of God the church.
Vrs 8 on the heals of the preceding verses about prayer we see here Paul telling the men, by design you are to be worshippers of God, praising Him and not fighting with one another.
Vrs 9 In Ephesus these styles may have been associated with what prostitutes were wearing.
Good advice to give any women don’t dress like a prostitute.
Modesty= the idea here is not trying to attract attention to yourself for the way you look.
Vrs 10 what a women should focus in on is her character. This does not mean that more spiritual women are out of style. I think it is wise for men and women alike to keep up with current styles to some degree to be a witness to the world we live in. (Hudson Taylor)
By what Paul teaches later in 1 Timothy we can conclude that some of the false teaching that was going on was aimed at young single women. Don’t get married, dress seductively, don’t listen to men
Vrs 11 “learn” Paul’s charge to them was pay close attention to the Scriptures and the truth they hold for your life. These false teachers are just trying to malign the cause of the GOSPEL and get you off track.
Vrs 12 Teach or have authority Two Resposibilities
Teach – setting doctrine (what the church believes based upon Biblical truth)
Authority – Guarding, upholding and making decisions based on Biblical truth in the local fellowship.
Authority…what is meant here? What we will eventually see (1 Timothy 3) is God’s desire is for Godly men to rise up and take care of the spiritual health and wellbeing of the church.
Ill Police Officer
Elder/overseer has the job, responsibility and authority to keep the church spiritually on track, correct/rebuke people when they are sin, make sure no false teaching is creeping in
Three positions
1. Egalitarian- no distinction
2. Hierarchical –men are in charge
3. Complimentarian- men and women are equal and have different roles that compliment one another. Women can do everything men can do except elder/overseer
-OT Priests were men
-Apostles were men (Jesus could have chosen women and would have if that was intention, Jesus did not bow to the culture)
-Overseers in NT church were men.
Vrs 13 roots it not in culture but in creation. Genesis 2:18, 21-23
One preacher said it like this “The rightful place of a women is by her mans side no out in front or left behind”
Helper God is a helper an ever-present help
Different roles within the trinity.
Does this mean men in general have a degree of authority over women in general? No
This means within a husband and wife’s relationship the man’s responsibility is spiritual support and love of his wife.
Within the church (family of God) Godly men are to spiritually love and support the people in the church.
When this system breaks down…
Vrs 14 “Eve deceived”
Satan takes the Scriptures and uses it against them, like He did to Jesus
Does not mean women are more gullible, it illustrates the result of Adam dropping the ball in spiritual support of his wife and Eve being out on her own without the love and support of her husband. In essence Paul is saying look what happens when we buck the system that God set up.
(I am a little brother, “go try that”)
The result of the system set up by God…
Vrs 15 “Saved in childbearing” The timeless role of women… this shows this passage is trans-cultural, no matter what time or culture you live in the role of women will always contain giving birth.
Is there something that you would deem more important then bringing children into the world? Here is what society says… get that over with so you can really make a difference.
It seems to be then that Paul is arguing that no matter what society around you says, there is a specific call and role on men as well, lead in their households and in the household of God (the church)
This is Paul speaking about the important and special role that women have in every culture and society.
The temptation for some is that because of this the Bible/God and Christians are chauvinistic because the role of women is different.
Let me point out truth from the Bible about how the opposite is actually true.
-Timothy would fully understand the importance of the role of women because of his mother and grandmother brought him up in the faith
-Aquilla and Priscilla- husband and wife team teach Apollos Acts 18
-Phoebe – a servant Romans 16
-The first spectators of the resurrection were women, who in the Jewish culture a testimony of a women would not be regarded.
-Most importantly Jesus’ high regard for women, His ministry to them His empowerment of them, tells us the God of the universe has does not put anyone down due to gender. GOSPEL
There is an attack today as there was in that day on the role of men and women and in essence what happens when we say there is no distinction women actually are in a far worse position.
The Bible should set the culture.
Here is why…men have a responsibility to provide for, guide and lovingly serve their families, like Adam they miss the mark.
Not only do they miss the mark they gladly welcome their wives to take on their role as well. So now you have the wife/mother who can’t in good conscience not fulfill her role as a mother so she takes that role of the husband/father as well.
In essence the man is saying you have your heavy load here take mine too. (you want to bogart off my punishment, more power to ya). I get to do nothing and you get to do everything then I can spend the money on the toys I want.
So in an effort to be liberated women everywhere become enslaved to bear heavy burdens of providing for and raising the family while the husband becomes one of the kids who eventually becomes outshined by in many cases the daughter who becomes the “mommy” when mommy is not home.
Then some would say to this NO NO NO men treat women badly so we have to be independent of men. I would say to that biblically speaking that Jesus does not stand on the side of those men and Christianity and biblical teaching holds women in the highest regard.
This is exactly the reason I teach M4J once a month because we want men to rise up and lovingly serve their wives and children (and if they don’t have them yet, we want them to fully indoctrinated so when they do it goes well)
The first lesson at M4J over a year ago was this Complimentarian view, and guess what.. the feedback I got was from a few different places. “Now I know what I am supposed to do for my family” not …”I am in charge or listen to me” And some women say my husband is a different man.
When men step it up and become the “keepers of the gate” so to speak in the church. It encourages other men to also step it up. Then everyone benefits.
The Bottom line is this. Church leadership in regards to governing authorities is a role that is entrusted to qualified male leadership and Godly women should stand by their side and support the GOSPEL work.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
"Entrusted" ...to mediate
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Vrs 1 Paul’s first line of offence against the false teaching is to urge Timothy to pray. You have been entrusted with a relationship with the Lord and relationships with others so you need to go to the Lord on behalf of them.
He Lists some Synonyms for prayer on behalf of others.
God puts you in relationships to live out an example of Christ. One of the things Christ does on our behalf is mediates (go between to the Father) for us. We can be an example of that mediation by lifting up those who we know in prayer even if they don’t trust in Christ or believe in the power of prayer.
People cannot refute our prayers
Sidlow Baxter “Men my spur our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons…but they are helpless against our prayers”
Vrs 2 For people in charge, if the people in charge live peaceful, quiet, Godly, dignified lives there is extreme benefits.
Many times people struggle with those in authority, they criticize, resent or even hate.
Jesus says “pray for your enemies” Why?
William Law says it this way “There is nothing that makes us love a person so much as prayer for them”
Vrs 3 here is the result.
1. “good” for us. If your boss, teacher, parents, civil leaders, church leaders respond to the call of God to follow Him it makes your life “good”
2. “pleasing” to the Lord
Before we move on in the text I want to pause and give you some helpful tips for prayer. Because John Bunyan said “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day”
Tips
1. Set aside a specific time or activity (Jesus in the morning)
2. Pray right away (if someone asks you to pray)
3. Journal (gives you the ability to see how God has been working in your life)
4. Change things up if you feel stale
5. Pray relationally to keep on track (circle)
Why pray?
1. Response to our salvation
Vrs 4 the Gospel is a free and universal offer to everyone. One of the false teachings or misconceptions that arose is God only desired to save the Jews not the Gentiles.
“knowledge of the truth”
Keys truths to understand and accept in order to be saved…GOSPEL
-I am a sinner
-Jesus is God
-Jesus paid for my sin with His death burial and resurrection
-I need to trust Him for my salvation
Results of that is…
-I am a new creation (born again as John 3 says)
-I can never lose my salvation (john 10 in His hand, Eph 4 sealed with the Spirit)
2. It gives glory to God
Vrs 5 “There is one God” This is why we don’t pray with people of different faiths. They are not talking to God. We do not pray with…Muslims, Buddhists, Scientologists, etc.
“One mediator” You cannot communicate or have a relationship with God unless it is through Christ.
3. He listens (When we pray by the Spirit through Jesus and to the Father)
4. Following Christ (a mediator)
Vrs 6
“Ransom” purchased our release from sin. High cost
As a Christian there is a cost to lifting others up in prayer…it takes time, effort and finding out their situation and life details. Jesus was willing to go the distance for us. (John 17 records His high priestly prayer)
Vrs 1 Paul’s first line of offence against the false teaching is to urge Timothy to pray. You have been entrusted with a relationship with the Lord and relationships with others so you need to go to the Lord on behalf of them.
He Lists some Synonyms for prayer on behalf of others.
God puts you in relationships to live out an example of Christ. One of the things Christ does on our behalf is mediates (go between to the Father) for us. We can be an example of that mediation by lifting up those who we know in prayer even if they don’t trust in Christ or believe in the power of prayer.
People cannot refute our prayers
Sidlow Baxter “Men my spur our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons…but they are helpless against our prayers”
Vrs 2 For people in charge, if the people in charge live peaceful, quiet, Godly, dignified lives there is extreme benefits.
Many times people struggle with those in authority, they criticize, resent or even hate.
Jesus says “pray for your enemies” Why?
William Law says it this way “There is nothing that makes us love a person so much as prayer for them”
Vrs 3 here is the result.
1. “good” for us. If your boss, teacher, parents, civil leaders, church leaders respond to the call of God to follow Him it makes your life “good”
2. “pleasing” to the Lord
Before we move on in the text I want to pause and give you some helpful tips for prayer. Because John Bunyan said “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day”
Tips
1. Set aside a specific time or activity (Jesus in the morning)
2. Pray right away (if someone asks you to pray)
3. Journal (gives you the ability to see how God has been working in your life)
4. Change things up if you feel stale
5. Pray relationally to keep on track (circle)
Why pray?
1. Response to our salvation
Vrs 4 the Gospel is a free and universal offer to everyone. One of the false teachings or misconceptions that arose is God only desired to save the Jews not the Gentiles.
“knowledge of the truth”
Keys truths to understand and accept in order to be saved…GOSPEL
-I am a sinner
-Jesus is God
-Jesus paid for my sin with His death burial and resurrection
-I need to trust Him for my salvation
Results of that is…
-I am a new creation (born again as John 3 says)
-I can never lose my salvation (john 10 in His hand, Eph 4 sealed with the Spirit)
2. It gives glory to God
Vrs 5 “There is one God” This is why we don’t pray with people of different faiths. They are not talking to God. We do not pray with…Muslims, Buddhists, Scientologists, etc.
“One mediator” You cannot communicate or have a relationship with God unless it is through Christ.
3. He listens (When we pray by the Spirit through Jesus and to the Father)
4. Following Christ (a mediator)
Vrs 6
“Ransom” purchased our release from sin. High cost
As a Christian there is a cost to lifting others up in prayer…it takes time, effort and finding out their situation and life details. Jesus was willing to go the distance for us. (John 17 records His high priestly prayer)
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