Category: Church

The Purpose of Paul’s Writing

1 Timothy 3:14-15

Ever run late? 

We all do it occasionally. What type of person are you when you’re running late?

Do you text ahead? Leave them guessing? Call and talk to them the whole time you finish your trip there?

We can be thankful that Paul was the type to write ahead. Even though he wasn’t late yet, he wanted Timothy to have the instruction in this letter, just in case.

“These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:” 
1 Timothy 3:14

Paul wanted to come to see Timothy and be with the Church at Ephesus. This letter was his way of helping Timothy know how to handle things in the church if he couldn’t come as soon as he hoped.

This is how Timothy was to Conduct Himself

"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." 
1 Timothy 3:15

Paul wanted Timothy to know how to carry on with the church in Ephesus if he should be delayed from coming. The idea of “behave” in verse 15 isn’t meant to read as the opposite of misbehave. Paul wanted Timothy to know what to do, how he should carry on in the work of God in that place.

So far this instruction has included encouragement to stay true to Biblical doctrine, instruction for church meetings, and teaching for how to select church officials. There will be more as we go through this letter.

In committing these things to Timothy, Paul is setting a very important precedent: The work of God is bigger than one person. Timothy was gifted to do all of these things. God was with him to help him. 

You and I can learn how we are to “behave” in the house of God. In church meets God wants more from us than to just sit and listen. The word “behave” includes the idea of “keep busy”. How are you going to productively keep yourself busy in your local church?

What the Church is:

The last part of verse 15 is a powerful statement of what the church is. These 3 things give us some further insight into how we are to behave, after all the value of something can change how we treat it.

House of God

Here think “the family of God.”

If you are a believer, when you meet with your church you are gathering with God’s family. Look around you. Everyone you see is family. God cares from them, He cares for you… a lot!

You belong here. Whether you feel it all the time or not, you belong when you are with God’s people.

Church of the Living God

The Church (gk: ekklesia) is a group of people that are called out by God. Throughout the New Testament this term is used mostly to refer to local churches.

The church at Ephesus wasn’t just any assembly of people, neither is your church. It is the “church of the living God”. Is there life in your church meetings? How can you contribute to that life?

Pillar and Ground of the Church

The church is the “pillar and ground of the truth”. We could think of this like the strong pillars of an ancient building, standing on a solid foundation. Your church is to bear the weight of truth and stand strong in it. As time passes erosion may threaten below and wild storms above, but the church is the pillar and ground of truth

Verse 16 helps us see the significance of the truth we stand for.

"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." 
1 Timothy 3:16

How well do you know and stand in the truth of God?

Your Turn

Church Member:

  • Learn how you are to “behave” in church. Don’t just attend meetings. Be the vital part of God’s work that He has called you to be.
  • Illustrate the truth of God alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Non-Church Member:

This post isn’t directly about church membership, but… You need a church. I know that there are church out there that don’t always show the life of the “living God”, churches that have given in to the storms and erosion that seeks to overthrow truth. But these aren’t every church.

Find a solid church, one with life and joy. Become an active and vital part of what God is doing there. 

This may mean going back to where you have previously attended. It might be hard, it’ll probably require some humility, but it’ll be worth it.

Deacons (Part 1)

1 Timothy 3:8-13

The role of deacons in the Bible and in churches is very interesting. In many churches deacons are part of the legal structure of the church and the accountability of the ministry. They are often very resourceful men of God, leaders of faith. 

But what is a deacon according to the Bible? And what does the Bible say about what kind of men should be deacons?

What is a Deacon?

A Servant

The word deacon is translated here from a word meaning “servant”. The idea is strange.  The “deacons” (plural) were to be a group of men with very specific and very high qualifications. Their purpose was to serve the church.

The first group of deacons (Acts 6:1-7) were among the most overqualified group of servants ever.

The First Deacons

The Apostles saw that the needs of the widows in the church’s care were too great for them to meet and to continue to be faithful in prayer and active in the ministry of the word. So they asked for men to be nominated for this ministry…

“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” 
Acts 6:3

A Bold Example

These men didn’t just serve tables, their faithfulness led them to testify of Christ with boldness. Stephen, one of these men, was martyred for his faith at the end of Acts 7 after giving irrefutable testimony of Christ. Philip, another of the deacons from Acts 6, was instrumental in seeing the gospel spread to Samaria and then, through an Ethiopian official, into North Africa (Acts 8:4-13, 26-40). Philip is later referred to as “Philip the evangelist” in Acts 8:8.

Like these great men of the faith, our deacons today must be chosen carefully, they must be men of humility and service, but they must also be men who are bold in the faith.

In 1 Timothy 3 Paul gives the qualifications of this office with some guidance about their families, and how they can use the office of a deacon.

Qualifications of a Deacon

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;  
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 
1 Timothy 3:8–10

Paul lists these qualifications for a servant of the church. He must be:

Grave: A man who is honorable. He isn’t flippant about important things.

Not double-tongued: He speaks the truth to whoever he is talking with. Gossip and lies are not the way of a deacon.

Not given to much wine: as with the pastor, he isn’t given to the use alcohol.

Not greedy of filthy lucre: His goal isn’t money, this is key as some of the roles of a deacon will involve the use of money for ministry. He won’t neglect the role of a deacon to pursue personal wealth.

Hold to the gospel with a pure conscience: The Mystery of the gospel is the revealed gospel and its implications for all peoples. Deacons need to be grounded in God’s Word.

Proven and found blameless: Time must be given to observe someone being considered for appointment as a Deacon. Great damage could be done by one man who would misuse this office.

Overqualified?

Many of these qualifications overlap with those given earlier in the chapter for Pastors. There is a good reason for this. In the early church Pastors would mostly come from within the church. They would likely be saved, baptized, trained and ordained to minister in the same church.

The deacons would have been instrumental in this process and potentially have been men that would later be called to pastor whether in that church or in another church in the same city.

The rest of this passage (which we’ll look at next week) bear this out even more, talking about the deacons wife, family and the implications of his service.

Your Turn

Serve: Jesus called all of us to serve. You don’t need a special office. You don’t need a vote. Be a person of character, and serve.

Study: Compare the qualifications of a Pastor (1 Tim 3:1-7) with those of a deacon (1 Tim 3:8-13). How are they similar? How are they different?

Are you a deacon? Read and pray through this passage. God has given you a great opportunity in the place you serve. Seek only Him for good standing and boldness.

Are you looking for a deacon? Give time to prove a man before appointing him to be a deacon. We sometimes see potential in people and try to help them reach it. This is good, but appointing someone as a deacon too soon can be very damaging.

Women in Church

Roles in Church (Part 2)

1 Timothy 2:9-15

Everyone should be in church. Men, women, and children should be active in church. But not everyone will be active in the same ways.

Paul continues his teaching on church meetings with instruction for women in church.

Women, be an Example of Christian Character

“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;” 
1 Timothy 2:9

This is the instruction to women while in church meetings. The “Church Service” or “Worship Time.” How each person takes their place in church meetings communicates to others their willingness to follow God’s way in worship.

Women are to be examples in:

1. Appropriateness 

Verse nine could be summed up with the the word “appropriateness.”

Clothing

The ideas of the greek words behind “adorn” and “modest” are more about order and appropriateness than modesty. We often use the word “modest” meaning the opposite of “immodest”. And that thought would be included in this, but the main point of the verse is to wear things are fitting for church meetings.

Sure! There’s a place for hiking clothes. But is that place at a church meeting? Usually not. Paul seems to be making the point that even the fanciest outfits might not be the best fit for church meetings.

Women can and should be a vital example of appropriateness to the church and the world outside the church.

Persona

How a woman carries herself is part of this appropriateness. “Shamefacedness and sobriety” aren’t used here to mean that a women is an underling, or that she can’t smile in church. 

The woman Paul has in mind will be conscious of how her persona, the way she acts and lives reflect on her, her church, and most importantly her Savior. 

2. Good works

(Photo by Ben White on Unsplash)
“But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
1 Timothy 2:10

At some point do a Bible search for the phrase “good works.”

You’ll find that: God created us “unto good works” (Eph 2:10), Paul prayed that the church at Colossi would be “fruitful in every good work” (Col 1:10), that we are to look for ways to encourage our fellow believers to “good works” (Heb 10:24), along with many other things.

In this passage we see Paul simply encouraging women to be an example of good works. These good works will be becoming. Though you shouldn’t flaunt them, others will see them.

 Some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned about service are from the women God has placed in my life. The grace and joy they show as they serve God, are very pleasing to Him. These good works also reflect well on these wonderful women.

3. Submission

“11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
1 Timothy 2:11–15

The word “subjection” is from a word family meaning to rank under. This is often seen in military contexts, one person submits to the orders of another, not because he or she is less intelligent or capable, but because they are of a different rank.

Again, in a church meeting context this means two things: the women are to learn in silence, and to submit to the authority of church leaders. Paul also gives a couple reasons for this.

Learning Quietly

The greek word has a broader meaning that “silence” as we usually think of it (absence of noise). You could also think of this as “active listening.” To maintain order women are to learn quietly.

Submitting

Women aren’t to teach men, or to usurp authority over men. This is a demonstration of order not as a value indicator of women.

There are times in my church where women speak in church meetings, this isn’t a usurpation of authority, they are acting under the authority of our pastor (as are all the men that speak in church).

Reasons

Paul gives to main reasons for this order: Adam was created before Eve (v.13), and Eve was deceived by the serpent and Adam wasn’t (v.14). 

You are An Example!

So much more could be said about this passage but I don’t want to lose our main point, a point that Paul brings the conversation back to in the last verse of this chapter.

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
1 Timothy 2:15

Women, you are an example. You teach through how you live. You change the world by how you care for the youngest and most impressionable of us. Many times women work in children’s ministries in churches, don’t ever view this as a second-rate job. The future of the spread of the Gospel is sitting in those nurseries and classrooms.

Your Turn

I recommend doing word studies in this passage. Pray through how to apply it.

Consider what kind of an example your Appropriateness, Good works, and Submission are to those around you.

Seek out an older woman to give you counsel and instruction as you apply these truths (Titus 2:3-5).

How to “Do Church”

An overview of 1 Timothy.

In ministry we often look to other examples as a starting place for the practical points of things. This has a good side and a bad side. 

  • Good: We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There is no shame and LOTS of wisdom in learning from others.
  • Bad: We sometimes use what others are doing as a starting point when we should be going back to the Word of God to see how things are supposed to look.

Where should a Pastor Start?

What would it look like to start from scratch? A brand new church, with just the biblical approach of church and ministry. How would a pastor start?

Meet Timothy

Timothy and Titus are the guys who know what this is like. Before churches all used hymnals or had a similar order of service as everyone else, these men of God were pastoring churches that sprang up as a result of Paul’s missionary work. Paul wrote them three letters going over some of the most important points for New Testament Churches. 

Over the next few weeks we’re going to be looking at the first of these epistles, 1 Timothy. But before we get into the details let’s zoom out and get an overview of this letter to Timothy.

Overview of 1 Timothy

Author

Paul the Apostle states that he is the author in 1 Timothy 1:1. Paul was converted to being a follower of Christ after persecuting the Church (Acts 9). He was called at his conversion to be a minister for Christ to the Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew) though it took a few years for him to really begin this ministry (Acts 13). Paul was probably the first to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the city of Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21) this visit was very brief, but Paul returned later and spent over 2 years with these new believers (Acts 19).

Recipient

Timothy (also called Timotheus) was the main recipient of the this letter (1 Timothy 1:2)

Timothy had been received into Paul’s church planting team for Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3). He was the son of a Greek man (probably an unbeliever, though we don’t know for sure) and a believing mother. He had been given a heritage of faith in Christ by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. 

Timothy was probably not a super confident person. Paul encourages him a couple of times to not let anyone despise him (1 Tim 4:12) and not be driven by fear (2 Tim 1:6-7). Yet Timothy was someone Paul could rely on (Philippians 2:19-23). Paul viewed him as a son.

Key Thoughts and Structure

(Paul’s purposes in writing essentially create the outline of the Epistle)

I have had to summarize the themes in these points, but hope to unpack a lot of this in the coming weeks and months.

Right Teaching – 1 Timothy 1

Right Worship and Church Organization – 1 Timothy 2-3

Personal Instruction for Timothy – 1 Timothy 4

Right Relationships in Church – 1 Timothy 5-6:2

Right Priorities – 1 Timothy 6:3-21

Challenge:

Read this letter in one sitting. This will help you see it’s structure and overall message.

Share:

What are some of your favorite verses from the Firat Letter to Timothy?

What jumped out to you from what Paul was writing that we could apply as we “Do Church”?

The Most Important Thing

You walk in to church, this meeting is going to be different you’ve decided that you’re going to do the most important thing first, then the next most important thing, then the next…

So you walk right past all your friends, you bypass the coffee table, and you start. You’re not listening to announcements or reaching for a hymnal. You bow your head and with the rest of the congregation you start praying. This prayer is meaningful, not quick and formal. You pray for each other, then for lost people around you to be saved. Then you pray for your government officials by name, even the ones you don’t like.

You see, if we take the Biblical approach to church meetings the most important thing we do is pray.

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

First of All

I like the focus of this statement, “first of all.” While there are lots of things we can (and should) do in church meetings, this one is first. First in priority if not in order of service. While I don’t think this post will prompt all church attendees to stop talking to each other before church, I hope I can remind you in the next few paragraphs of the great value of prayer.

Pray, pray, pray, pray

This passage points out four areas of prayer, or kinds of prayer. Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, and Giving Thanks. 

Think through these when you’re praying. I know personally I can get a bit self-focused in prayer (supplication), when I really need to be praying for others (intercession) or praising God for all that He has done for me (giving of thanks).

Even when praying as a church we can be in seasons of difficulty where we wouldn’t naturally consider thanksgiving, or when we are blessed and praising but don’t bear the burdens of others in Intercession.

How To Make it Important

Application comes down to personal choices. In personal prayer make the time to pray meaningfully. Make this time as early in the day as you can. This is never easy, but it’s worth it. (More could be said about this but I’ll hold off for a future post.)

In church, don’t let prayer become rote or obligatory. Prayer isn’t a transition between things in the order of service, prayer is talking to The Almighty, prayer answering God Who knows when you’re just going through the motions.

When you pray publicly, pray to God. Don’t pray for the approval of anyone else hearing. Their approval is fleeting. God is looking for faithful sincerity.

What about you?

Write in the comments below: How do you do your personal prayer time? How has your church applied this teaching that you think might be helpful to others?

What are we doing at Church?

What are we doing at church?

I have an unpopular truth to share with you… are you ready? “Worship” the way we tend to think of it today, singing, isn’t a primary purpose of church meetings. There it is. Singing in church is something I LOVE (note the all caps, those weren’t a mistake) but the New Testament only lists them twice in connection to church meetings (Eph 5:19 and Col 3:16), however the references to other key components of church meetings are all over the New Testament, particularly Paul’s Letters. 

“What are they?” You may be asking, well I’ll tell you about one of them this week, the other we’ll look into next week.

What are we doing at church?
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 1 Timothy 4:13

Pay Attention! What Paul would say to focus on.

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

1 Timothy 4:13

Paul wanted Timothy to pay attention to these these three things: Reading, Exhortation, and Doctrine. This isn’t to say that this was the only thing that Timothy ever did, I’m sure there were many times of comfort, rejoicing, etc. But these things needed to be in focus. Let’s look at why this might be and how we can put feet to this scriptural command.

Reading

Bible reading is the foundation or scriptural understanding and spiritual growth. It is the energy and accountability that believers and churches need to live for God. Timothy and his church needed Bible reading, you and I need Bible reading as well.

What are your Bible reading habits like?

Don’t read condemnation in that question. I sincerely care about your time with God in His word. There is no greater habit you can build than to be faithful in Bible reading and Prayer.

Public Bible Reading

Bible visibility is a key part of a New Testament church. You should hear the words of scripture read every time you go to church. When I preach I am careful to read the words of scripture. They have power! My words don’t have that power.

Exhortation

The word “exhortation” is a bit outside of our normal vocabulary. Most of don’t go to church saying: “Man, I need some exhortation today.”

Exhortation (english word) means: “incitement to that which is good or commendable” We might think of the word “encouragement.” If someone is down, we encourage them, if they are doing well, we encourage them. You get the point. The greek word carries the same breadth of meaning.

Could you go to church saying, “How can I encourage someone?”

There are many people who need this support, encouragement, and confidence. Where better to get it than from God’s people?

Doctrine

The church is meant to be a group of people that teach each other and learn from each other. The word “doctrine” simply means teaching. The teaching of God’s word. But not just the fun trivia we need practical application. 

Teaching and Learning are amazing gifts, but it’s not easy to learn. Learning requires humility. Many times we go to our church meetings and don’t want to lose face. Trust me there is more to gain in learning than you might lose by acknowledging that you don’t know.

Bible Ready, Encouraging others, and Bible Teaching

That’s it. Paul would want us to pay attention to these things. So get to it.

When you’re in church next look for the presentation of the Word of God (reading), seek to be an encouragement to others (exhortation), and walk into it willing to learn (doctrine).

Your Turn

How can you do these things in your next church meeting? 

Maybe your church is still meeting online, how can you apply these goals to the online format?