Deacons and their Wives

1 Timothy 3:8-13

It just makes sense that an overqualified servant would have a family that measures up to his character. Paul’s description of a deacon continues to include the deacon’s family and his perspective of reward.

The Deacon’s Wife

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 
1 Timothy 3:11

The presence of these qualifications for the deacons wife are a further indication of the importance of this office in the church.

The Deacons wife must be:

Grave: (Same as with deacons) honorable, viewing important things as important.
Not slanderous: She won’t tell lies about others to make people think badly of them. This slander would also include gossip.
Sober: She is well balanced, has a steadiness about her.
Faithful in all things: She is trustworthy and faithful.

The Deacon’s Family

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 
1 Timothy 3:12

He is to be the husband of one wife. A one woman man.

This verse compares interestingly with verses 4-5. Just as a pastor must have an orderly household, the deacon must as well. When a pastor’s kids aren’t terrors it’s one thing, but when the deacons kids are walking in God’s way the testimony of the church increases greatly.

The Deacon’s Reward

For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
1 Timothy 3:13

A deacons service isn’t in vain. Those who serve well have received two things: “a good degree”, and “great boldness in the faith”.

A Good Degree

The phrase “good degree” has the idea of a favorable rise in standing.

Though a deacons focus must be on true service, there will be a many who see that service and respect him greatly in it. The surest way to influence is through service.

In Matthew 23 Jesus taught about the importance of service.

10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matthew 23:10–12

Jesus words on Service show that the way to true greatness is through service.

Great Boldness

In this is think of Stephen and Philip. I also think of the many deacons I have known who have had great boldness in witnessing.

Just this last Sunday one of the deacons shared about the opportunities God has given him to witness in the last few weeks. These come only with boldness.

Boldness only comes from sincerity and confidence. The deacon who is true to who God has called him to be in and out of church meeting times and is grounded in God’s word will know great boldness in the faith.

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: Search the gospels for where Jesus talks about service and greatness.

(Here are some passages to get you started: Matt 18:1-11, Matt 20:20-28, Luke 9:46-48, Luke 22:24-27)

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 the good standing and boldness.

Are you looking for a deacon? Consider the family of the man being considered before appointing him to this very important role.

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.

Who’s the Pastor? (Part 2)

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Last week we looked at the desire for ministry and the needed character of a pastor. Today we’re going to carry that on into how that desire and character are applied and evidenced in their family, maturity, and testimony.

Family Life

A pastors family life shows just how well his character is lining up with the characteristics Paul gave in verses 2 and 3. Here’s what he says about the Pastor and his family:

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 
1 Timothy 3:4–5

I am blest to be a PK. As a kid, I knew my dad wasn’t caught up in seeking his own glory. He always worked to lead us, my family and my church, to a real walk with God. This meant that we talked about the Bible like it was real and practical at home, and we heard the same thing from the pulpit every time the church doors were open.

How a pastor leads his family will show how he is leading the church. A man who doesn’t have his own house in order probably isn’t the best choice to lead a church.

Pastor, don’t lose track of how you are leading your family. This is one of the greatest ministries you have.

Maturity

A pastor cannot properly lead a church if he is a novice.

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 
1 Timothy 3:6

A novice is a new christian. There is NOTHING wrong with being a new christian! In fact I think some of us who have been saved a while could learn from the zeal of the newly saved. But that zeal isn’t always accompanied by the maturity needed to lead a church.

In this Paul is calling on the spiritually mature to pastor. The new Christian should learn and grow and be encouraged in his desire to be a pastor, but appointing him to that role before he is ready would lead to his own destruction and the harm of that local church.

Testimony

A pastors character, family life and maturity must be seen by the world outside the church.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 
1 Timothy 3:7

This refers to the reputation that a pastor has in a community, among unsaved people. How does he conduct business? Is he kind? Fair? What skeletons do they see in his closet that are hidden from those in his church?

Why does this matter?

Why would the opinions and perspectives of the unsaved world matter in a case like this?

Let me answer that with some questions. Would you go to a church pastored by a man who was given to road rage? who frequently broke “minor” laws to get what he wanted? Or, who had addictions he was unwilling to deal with?

My unsaved friends see all of these kinds of things in pastors as reasons to not trust churches and christians.

In short: Testimony matters.

Your Turn

Are you a pastor?

Pay attention to the needs of your family. They are a precious responsibility from God.

Let your family and the world around you see you walk with God for real. Be the example of character and maturity that our world needs.

Are you called to be a pastor?

Grow in your spiritual maturity. Read God’s word daily, memorize, meditate on it and apply it to the world around you. Make yourself accountable to a trusted friend, your pastor or others to growth and maturity.

Maybe you are neither of the people mentioned so far.

Pray for your pastor. Your pastor needs your prayer and support.

Be your pastor’s encourager. Too often we criticize without any attempt to encourage. Don’t fall into this trap. As we go along there will be instruction for how to approach your pastor with concerns, and there may be a place for these, but in it all be an encourager.

Who’s the Pastor? (Part 1)

1 Timothy 3:1-7

When you think of a Pastor, what are some of the first thoughts that come to mind? (Take a minute and put these in the comment section below.)

Following some general instruction for Timothy about church meetings, Paul goes on to explain the offices of Church Leadership. These offices are Pastor (Bishop) and Deacon.

Bishop is one of the office names for a Pastor used in scripture. We most commonly use the more personal term “Pastor” these days, so that’s how we’ll be referring to this office in the paragraphs that follow.

What are the qualifications of a pastor?

The Desire to Be a Pastor

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” 
1 Timothy 3:1

The words “desire” and “desireth” carry the idea of something that you long for and are reaching after. God places that desire to be a pastor in the hearts of some. This should be encouraged.

Let me repeat this: The desire to be a pastor is a good thing! Looking after God’s people is a “good work.” This is an effort that is pleasing to God.

I was challenged about my call to pastor just after I turned 19. I was eating a meal with an older pastor and was asking questions trying to learn from his experience and wisdom. He must have caught on, he stopped the conversation and very curtly asked me, “How do you know that you’re called to be a pastor? Lots of people start on this without actually being called. Are you REALLY called to it? Don’t tell people you are then quit later.”

I was blown away.

I can understand this man’s reason for concern, I’m sure many men have been pastors who weren’t called.

The Ministry leader I was with took me aside later and showed me 1 Timothy 3:1, he told me that if God had given me this desire I was after a good work. I walked away from this experience more sure of my calling than I ever before.

Wanting something isn’t enough, without the Personal Character, Family life, Maturity, and Testimony to carry it out.

Personal Character

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Timothy 3:2–3

Following desire a pastor must have a high degree of personal character.

For brevities sake, I’ll summarize these. I highly recommend that you take the time to do a personal study on these characteristics.

A pastor must be:

Blameless: above reproach
The husband of one wife: a one-woman man
Vigilant: Will keep his head when things are out of wack, alert to the dangers surrounding the flock
Sober: He isn’t controlled by his own emotions
Of good behavior: has established order in his own life.
Given to hospitality: willing to open his home to strangers.
Apt to teach: simply able to teach, this includes knowledge and wisdom to apply truth to the needs of the church.
Not given to wine: he doesn’t allow for misuse of alcohol. The simplest way to accomplish this is to not consume alcohol at all.
No Striker: He isn’t ready to attack others.
Not greedy of filthy lucre: His goal isn’t money.
Patient: He is gracious and patient in interactions.
Not a brawler: A peacemaker not a fight-starter. Not quick to anger, or violent in self-defense.
Not Covetous: He isn’t primarily after personal gain in any form. This selflessness of character allows him to put God and others first.

So much application could be made on each of these points. In fact, I’m sure as you read them you thought of pastors that were examples of these things in either a positive or negative way.

Your Character

God hasn’t called everyone in every church to be a pastor, but imagine how it would benefit a church if every member strove for this character.

Reread that list, how does your character line up? Maybe you struggle in a couple of these areas. I know some of these points are not natural for me. Seek God’s help to have this quality of character.

Your Turn

Are you a pastor?

Reconnect with the desire that God put in you heart to minister to His church.

Meditate through this list again, and seek to grow even more in your personal character, family life, maturity and testimony.

Are you called to be a pastor?

Has God given you the desire to pastor?

Talk to your pastor about it. Then study through this set of qualifications and seek God’s help in being a person of character.

Maybe you are neither of the people mentioned so far.

This a challenge to grow in this personal character.

Be a support to your pastor in prayer and encouragement. He is a human being. He’s going to struggle and it’s probably harder for him to have real friends than you know.

We’ll look at the rest of the passage next week.

Men in Church

Roles in Church (Part 1)

1 Timothy 2:8

Ever get done with a training time just to realize the resulting action wasn’t clear? You know there is something for you there, you’re just not sure what it was. This passages jumps straight from teaching on prayer right into how the family works in church.

Let’s not forget how practical God’s Word really is. Teaching is given in this passage for both men and women in church (we’ll look at the part for women next week).

Men, Pray!

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” 
1 Timothy 2:8

Here again we see the word “therefore”. This is pointing us back to the previous passage, this thought build on that one.

In verses 1-7 Paul makes the case for Prayer in church, now he’s going to give some instruction for this to happen.

Men are to pray.

Some of this instruction is good whether you’re a man or woman. I think there is a reason that Paul focused this to men, and I’ll try to address that as we work through this verse.

Pray Everywhere

This phrase as it would naturally seem means: “Pray wherever you are.”

Wherever you are, men should pray

In the context of church meetings this is instruction for men to pray.

Men need to pray in church. Men need to pray in their homes. This is a NEED.

I don’t personally see that this excludes women from praying in church meetings, but there may be cultural contexts where that is necessary. This passage is calling out men to lead in church (more on this is as we progress through the epistle).

Pray Lifting up Holy Hands

Lifting Hands

The outstretched arm is an instinctive expression of trust, a child won’t reach out to someone they don’t trust. Prayer is reaching out to God in trust. It calls out to His strength and waits on Him for a response.

From what I read raising hands in prayer was culturally normal is some of these regions, as it is in some places even now. However we pray: with hands raised, without them raised, our hearts must be reaching for God. We must know that we have reached the end of ourselves, and wait on Him for His perfect strength.

Lifting Holy Hands

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me: 
19 But verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 
20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his mercy from me. 
Psalm 66:18–20

God is interested in our holiness. So much is said about this in scripture (see Isa 6:1-8, 1 Pet 1:15-16 and others).

When we regard iniquity in our hearts our prayers are only surface deep. We are bringing God just the words of this prayer, not our devotion. Our hands are the main way we act on things. How we use them is a direct expression of out intentions and priorities.

Think through how you’ve used your hands today. Are they able to be lifted to God as Holy?

God is very merciful and will forgive sin as His children confess it to Him. (1 John 1:9)

Pray without Wrath

In the movie “Inside Out” the character, Anger, was male. This wasn’t random. Men are known for greater external indications of anger.

Do you find yourself naturally drawn to prayer when you’re deep in an anger fit? I don’t! Are you able to genuinely pray for someone that you are plotting revenge against? I’m not!

Anger is human. What you do with that anger is where there is a potential for sin (Eph 4:26-27). Don’t harbor that anger when you come to God in prayer.

Pray without Doubting

Doubt is the enemy of Faith. Think back to the Garden of Eden, the serpent brought doubt into Eves mind with the simple phrase “hath God said” (Gen 3:1).

Later in the New Testament James warns against doubt (James 1:6-7).

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James 1:6–7

We cannot expect God to answer the prayer we don’t believe in Him to answer.

Your Turn

Pray.

Volunteer to pray, help start prayer teams, and grow in your personal pray life.

Men, take this challenge and lead in prayer.

Pray through the items listed in this verse.

Ask God to show you any sin you’re regarding in your heart, ask Him to show you any anger or doubt.

Pray First

1 Timothy 2:1-7

Timothy was in a war (1 Timothy 1:18). He had been called and gifted by God for ministry in training people in God’s word. He had been trained by Paul for this ministry. And now he is on his mission: teaching truth, calling out error and leading souls to a merciful savior.

Now what?

What’s his first step? How should he get started?

Pray

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” 
1 Timothy 2:1

Notice the word “therefore”, this word is an arrow pointing us back in the text. It’s telling us “You may have read on, but don’t forget what I just said.”

Yes, Timothy is on a mission. And that mission will involve a lot of interaction with people. But it MUST all begin with prayer.

Pray First

Prayer must be first. Whether this is in priority or in chronology it must be first, not an afterthought. I wrote before on this passage and I’ll refer you to that post for further application of this verse.

Our focus in the ministry of God’s word is often consumed by the words we plan to say. We stress over the order of points, we look up endless lists of words in Thesauruses to find just the right word. This isn’t a bad thing, precision is important. But when we get fixated on our own performance we can miss the power of God.

We must pray first.

Pray for Everyone

Paul encouraged Timothy and the church to pray for “all men”.

Pray for everyone. Don’t hold back your prayers. Don’t assume that someone is beyond help.

I once had a student in Victory Club who was very difficult to work with. Rebellious, mean, defiant. I have to admit that when she stopped coming to club, I didn’t miss her. A couple months later I was going through my prayer planning notebook and was just about to strike out her name, when something stopped me. I left it there and prayed for her daily.

About 6 months later she came back to club, out of the blue. I was shocked. Then we invited her to a youth event a couple weeks later, where she was saved! I don’t give any real credit to my prayers, I give credit to the God Who called me to pray.

Don’t stop praying! Pray for everyone!

Pray for Leadership

“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 2:2

Pray for your government leaders.

Our government dictates the boundaries of how freely we can present God’s truth. We in the United States are very blessed to have the freedoms we do. God’s influence in governmental affairs is vital for our freedom to carry out His commands. In praying for them we are looking for God to give us peace.

We do not look to government for permission to share God’s word. However government can be a tool in God’s hand for protection as we share his Word.

Pray for Souls to Be Saved

“3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 
1 Timothy 2:3–4

God wants us to pray this way, because He wants everyone to be saved. This is a powerful reason to pray and to present God’s word boldly.

“5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 
1 Timothy 2:5–6

Not only does God want people to be saved, but Jesus made the way for us to be saved. Jesus is the mediator between God and mankind. He is uniquely able to ransom sinners.

Your Turn: Pray

My challenge couldn’t be simpler. Pray!

In preparing for this post I remembered someone that I have wanted to be see saved for years, but I haven’t been praying for them. I know how easy it is to want things but never pray, even things that I know God wants.

Think through your prayer list. Are there people who you should be praying for but you aren’t?

Is there anyone you have “given up” on. Let me encourage you to keep praying for them. God isn’t done with them, keep praying.

Hymn of Praise

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 
1 Timothy 1:17

This is one of my favorite hymns in scripture. From it comes one of my favorite hymns to sing in church.

Immortal, Invisible by: Walter C. Smith

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, 
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, 
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, 
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might; 
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above 
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, 
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight; 
All praise we would render- O help us to see 
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!

Hymns in Paul’s Writing

Paul includes this in his introduction to the letter to Timothy. Right in the middle of his exhortation to doctrinal accuracy, right after his remembrance of the grace and mercy of God given to him in his salvation Paul includes this hymn.

Let’s not miss this. Paul is writing to someone who is to be an apologist, a belief warrior and he writes in the words of this hymn.

I can imagine Paul sitting at a desk, writing this letter to his son in the Faith, his heart overflowing with praise for the God Who saved him. Committing with the words of this song to honor and glorify God for ever and ever.

Music Teaches

This hymn isn’t out of place. Just the opposite. Music teaches. As a teacher of truth Timothy could harness the power of hymns such as this in leading others to stand for truth. We can teach ourselves and others with the music we choose to let into our minds.

The Power of Music

What we sing to ourselves can strengthen or weaken us. We can pump our brains full of the ideology of a world that is against God. Or we can live in the joy of praise to God. These choices exist in every area of life. But none more than in what music you choose today.

I am blown away by the messages of modern music. The selfishness, sensuality, the disregard of God and his ways. Just last week I was exposed to a country song that basically had the message “God stays in his part of my life and I get the rest”. This isn’t a health perspective of God or life!

Our hymns are a different story. These songs are composed of words that move us to praise. Combined with their music, these hymns present a God worthy of praise and worship.

Your Turn

Make music a part of your worship to God.

What are some of the songs and hymns that lift your heart to praise and worship God? In the comments share some of the music that helps keeps your focus on God and His truth.

Be willing to turn off music that is teaching you things you know to be contrary to scripture.

Find some music that will lift the eyes of your heart to God, and motivate you to praise Him.

Here are a few songs and hymns that have been a blessing to me:

Is He Worthy?

You Alone are God

(To my knowledge this song has not been professionally recorded)

Immortal, Invisible

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?