Category: New Testament

Operation Ephesus

1 Timothy 1:18-20

Operation Neptune Spear

Wartime is filled with special missions. Missions so important that great care is taken to keep them a secret. They are staffed with only the people critical to success, and each person is trained to have laser focus on the objective.

In May of 2011 the US Military undertook one such mission. This one to capture or kill one of the United States most wanted: Osama bin Laden. Codenamed: “Operation Neptune Spear” the mission included a group of highly train Navy Seals who entered the terrorists compound, cleared it, killed the mass murder, and left with valuable intelligence in under 40 minutes.

The mission Timothy was on wasn’t going to break the news cycle like Operation Neptune Spear did, but it was very important nonetheless. 

Operation Ephesus

Paul had asked Timothy to stay in Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3), but this was more than a request. This was a specific charge, a mandate that would involve Timothy’s calling, skill, training and focus.

“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;” 
1 Timothy 1:18

Mission Operator: Timothy

God had told them that Timothy would take part in this Charge. I don’t know what form this prophecy took, but it’s safe to assume that God made it very clear to his church that Timothy was meant to work for Him in the proclamation of the gospel and defense of the truth.

Mission Objective: Sound Doctrine

Timothy was to ensure that the believers in this place were taught the truth (1 Tim 1:3-4). This would be no small task. Already just a few years after the gospel was first preached in this region false teaching was making its way into churches.

Mission Resources: Faith and Good Conscience

Paul knew that this would be a war, but Timothy had the resources he needed to carryout this struggle.

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 
1 Timothy 1:19

Timothy would need Faith and a Good conscience in this fight. These are the same words we discussed in 1 Tim 1:5. Paul was very concerned that Timothy keep these things as he went to battle.

Faith

This refers to the whole of what Timothy knew from scripture and from Paul’s teachings. He would need this confidence in the fight.

Paul, in writing to the church at Ephesus called faith a shield that would “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Eph 6:16) This Faith is the main line of defense against the doubt that evil forces hurl at believers. Timothy would need this confidence just as much as the people in his church. 

Good Conscience

In the defense of the truth I fear that some abandon their own conscience. We can get a christian version of “the ends justify the means” and leave behind the guidance of the Holy Spirit in a vain attempt to advance the cause. This is a sure way to lose your way. 

Mission History

Others had failed this charge because they lacked faith.

“Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” 
1 Timothy 1:20

While we don’t know a lot about these men, they are used as negative examples. They abandoned God, put aside faith and good conscience leaving Paul no choice but to bar them from Christian fellowship.

Learn from examples like this, view the wreckage of their lives and ministries as a warning about a way to avoid. Preach the word, with your words and with your choices.

Your Turn

Operation Ephesus lives on wherever you are when you read this. The Gospel still needs to be proclaimed boldly, the truth is still the only place to stand. Like Timothy you will need the resources of faith and a good conscience. Many have fallen in this struggle as they give in to false doctrine and reject God.

Will you stand in this war?

The Law is Useful

1 Timothy 1:8-16

In the State of Louisiana it is illegal to wrestle a bear. I would love to know the backstory for this law. 

I can just imagine a group of young men, standing around talking about who is stronger, quicker, smarter, etc. Then they start thinking of ways to prove it. “I’m strong enough to win a wrestling match with a bear.” One might have said, then another may have answered, “I bet you couldn’t!” And so begins the necessity of yet another seemingly random law. (Facepalm emoji)

The Use of God’s Law

We sometimes undervalue God’s Law. After all why would God give a set of Laws that He knew no-one could keep? And didn’t Jesus fulfill the Law anyway?

I understand. I get it. And I’m very thankful for the fact that Jesus did fulfill the Law, thus providing a way of salvation for all of us who couldn’t keep it.

But how do we use it correctly now?

“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;” 
1 Timothy 1:8

Who is the Law for?

Not for Righteous People

Paul starts answering some of the ready questions with the statement; “the law is not made for a righteous man” (1 Tim 1:9). If you are innocent, or holy in yourself the law simply wasn’t made for you.

For Sinners

But Paul doesn’t stop there. He immediately starts to list some of the kinds of people who the law was made for.

“… 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,  
10 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;” 
1 Timothy 1:9b–10

Usually when we read lists like this one, we skim through them thinking “this isn’t me” then close the page and we’re done. But before we move on let’s key in on one word in this list: “liars”. 

What is a liar? It’s someone who lies. The law is for liars. Let me be honest (if not obvious) this means me. It also includes 100% of people that I have ever met, and I’d assume that have every lived.

You, Me, and Paul

The law is not for righteous people, but it is for you and me. It’s for sinners.

It was for Paul. Look ahead at verses 12-13, where Paul lists some of the sins he was guilty of.

“12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;  
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” 
1 Timothy 1:12–13

The knowledge of sin was a part of the “glorious gospel” that Paul was called to preach (1 Tim 1:11). This is the same good news we as believers share today. Paul’s salvation was an act of mercy because of who Paul had been in the past (1 Tim 1:16). We have received this same mercy. Causing us to say as Paul did: “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Tim 1:15)

Jesus Christ did come to save sinners. And I am so thankful that He saved me!

Your Salvation is an Example to Others

Through the example of our salvation we can lead others to belief in Christ Jesus and Everlasting Life.

"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." 
1 Timothy 1:16

If you are a Believer you have the wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with others through your testimony.

Your Turn

How have you used your testimony to help you share the gospel with others?

Share your testimony in the comments below. Believers can be encouraged when we share like this and unbelievers have the opportunity to see God at work in normal peoples lives.

Share your testimony with someone in the real world. Yes. In real life. Look for a way to share with someone else what God has done in your life.

Timothy’s Mission

What kind of a shopper are you? Do you enjoy the process of looking at things, scanning through shelves and racks to see what’s there without any idea of what you’re after? Or, are you like me?

I don’t even like to park in a stores parking lot without knowing what I need to get, and being 100% sure I couldn’t get it easier online. When I shop I’m on a mission. I identify my objective and attack.

Timothy was on a mission in Ephesus. He had been set on a task and it would require focus and discipline. 

The Mission

“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,” 
1 Timothy 1:3

Timothy was given the responsibility of teaching, and holding the teaching in this church to the standard of scripture. And there would be obstacles:

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

There was a damage that could and would be done to this church if he failed his mission. These diverging teachings would cause great division and distract from the message of the gospel.

The Means of Success 

A mission can usually be accomplished a few different ways.

For instance, when I go into the store I could demand that everyone get out of my way. Ramming into carts and stands and bowling people over to get what I want. I could also take a fast approach, running through dodging people and things as I go hastily grabbing things off the shelfs even if they really aren’t what I need.

You see, It matters how we accomplish a mission.

Charity

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 
1 Timothy 1:5

How Timothy accomplished his mission mattered.

What would he gain if his mission was accomplished at the cost of Christ-like love?

Would it be worth it if he kept the teaching pure, but his own heart and conscience were defiled in the process?

How would the faith of others be strengthened if his faith was a fake?

Paul had seen all of this before in other teachers and didn’t want this result for his “son in the faith.”

“6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;  
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” 
1 Timothy 1:6–7

These men are very good at talking (“vain jangling” means empty talk) but they don’t have any idea what they’re talking about.

Your Mission

Your mission, is to live out the teachings of Scripture in a way that oozes with with the love of God.

Your family, church, community, friends and coworkers need you to hold the line of scripture with strength. It’s not the time to back away from it. Or to let others do it who lack the christian character of charity.

We must be firm and bold in how we live and teach scripture. But this boldness MUST be accompanied by the Love of God.

Your Turn

Comment how someone has influenced your life for God by how they showed love.

What passages of scripture help you keep a focus of godly love in your ministry to others?

Hope

What do you hope for? What do you place your hope in?

Paul begins a letter to Timothy, his “son in the faith” (Tim 1:2), with these words:

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” 
1 Timothy 1:1 (emphasis mine)

Paul Identifies His hope as a person: Jesus Christ. What is Hope? Why did Paul need hope? Why do you and I need Hope?

What is Hope?

One dictionary I use often has this for the first entry under “Hope” n.

“A desire of some good, accompanied (with) at least a sight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.”

Noah Webster’s first edition of An American dictionary of the English language.

Generally Hope is a confidence that things will get better. Maybe like the feeling after a long day of yard work in the summer knowing that you will soon be able to shower, and cool off.

I think for many it’s far more meaningful than that: It’s a confidence that the world will be better. Or at least that your place in it will improve.

Why Do I Need Hope?

Paul in a different place (Eph 2), reminded a church where they had come from with these remarks:

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
Ephesians 2:12

You see this is where all humanity starts: without hope. 

Our sin makes a huge void between us and God. This gulf was bridged by God the Son, Jesus. This is why Paul calls Jesus his hope in 1 Tim 1:1. Jesus is the very source and essence of all permanent hope.

Preaching this hope was Paul’s calling:

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” 
Colossians 1:27

Paul was commanded to preach the gospel to the gentiles. Timothy was a part of this group with a jewish mother and gentile father he was a misfit in either set. This gospel was for him.

The people of Ephesus (where Timothy was currently stationed for ministry) were probably mostly gentiles. This gospel was for them.

Wherever you are from and whoever your parents are, this gospel is for you.

Wherever you minister and whoever you minister to, this gospel is for them.

A Present and Future Hope

Jesus is this hope in our present, but there is a future element to this hope. In writing to another of his young colleges, Titus (Titus 2:11-15) Paul reminds him:

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” 
Titus 2:13

There is a “blessed hope” in knowing that Jesus will return. Not to just be here in this mess, but to correct the condition of the world order to harmony, justice, and peace. Before this Christ will call His own to Himself (the “rapture”) and justly punish the human race. (Read the prophets and Revelation for details, as much as we are able to know them.)

Where is Your Hope?

What are you hoping in? Are you without hope right now? Please contact me if you would like to know more about how Jesus can be your hope.

Believers: Are you looking for the blessed hope? Live this day and everyday in anticipation of the Kingdom of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Your Turn

What are some verses God has used in your life to give you hope?

How has God led you to live differently now that you have His hope?

Jehovah

Getting ahold of people

*Ring* *Ring*

I jumped up from my seat and ran across the house to the phone in the kitchen. When I got to the receiver I took a quick breath, because I didn’t want to sound rushed, then I picked up the phone.

“Hello, Spilgers. How can I help you?” I answered as professionally as I could.

“Hello, is Ken there?” Said the voice on the other end of the line. I asked them to hold and went to find my Dad, the person they had called to talk to.

This scene played out countless times between me and my 6 siblings. We would want to be the first person to the phone, but if we were being honest we knew that almost all the calls would be for Dad or Mom.

The first phone call ever was made on March 10, 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant Thomas Watson. The entire call communicated these nine words:

“Mr. Watson–come here–I want to see you.”

Alexander Bell needed his assistant. He got ahold of him. He called him by his name. And Mr. Watson understood and came to the room Mr. Bell had spoken from.

Whether he knew it or not Mr. Bell was following the form for most of the phone calls I’ve received in my life. “Jonathan, come here, bring this, get that, go there.” Phones, and now cell phones and texting, have helped us get ahold of people in ways that were unimaginable before their invention.

Who we call is important. And knowing that we can get ahold of them is important.

Prayer is how we get ahold of God.

When we get ahold of God we call Him by His name, not just His title but His name. Let’s look again at the first mention of prayer in scripture:

“And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.”
Genesis 4:26 

Seth and his descendants were the first to pray to God by His name: Jehovah.

Jehovah is the most frequently used name of God, being used 5791 times in the Bible. This name is identified in the Bible in English by “LORD” or “GOD” in all caps (in some the publisher will use small capitals: “LORD” or “GOD”).

Jehovah means: “self-Existent or Eternal.” This is God’s proper name and the fact that it is specified is significant. It sets an example of calling on God, and that in that call we call on the name of the Lord: Jehovah.

“Jehovah” Explained to Moses

God explains the meaning of this name Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:13-14

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

The term“I AM” in Hebrew means to exist.

God wanted Israel to know that Moses was coming under His authority. God is the only self-existent being. Everything and everyone else was created by Him.

Jehovah’s Invitation to Pray

Later during the time of the Exile from the promised land God again identified Himself by His name, Jehovah, and encouraged His people Israel to call on Him. Speaking to Jeremiah He said:

“2 Thus saith the LORD (Jehovah) the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;
3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Jeremiah 33:2–3

Jehovah is the maker, former, and establisher and He is inviting them to call on His name and see answers that they can’t begin to fathom.

Jesus Invites us to Use His Name in Prayer

We aren’t without promises like this in the New Testament era. In John 16 Jesus invites us to pray and ask things in His name:

“23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. [Speaking of when they will see Jesus again] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” 
John 16:23-24

Jesus is saying that His name means something. When we pray in Jesus’ name we are calling on the name of the Lord. This isn’t a magic trick for getting what we want when we want it, but it is a promise from our savior of answered prayer.

Our prayer in Jesus name can’t be just a set of words “in Jesus name…” It must be sincere prayer, seeking God’s best, accompanied by a confidence in the fact that God will hear and answer prayer. 

Studying and Application:

  1. How did men communicate with God before the account in Gen 4:26 of the first prayer? (Look at Gen 1-4 for this information)
  2. Do you use the phrase “In Jesus Name” when you pray? If so, how has God used this in your life and prayer?
  3. Review your prayer requests from last week. How has God worked in these areas you’ve been praying about? Take a minute to add any new requests to your list now.

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?