Tag: Church

Honoring Widows

1 Timothy 5:3-16

Taking care of widows has been the role of churches since very near the beginning of the church (See Acts 6). This is as it should be. Those who claim to know the love of God ought to be the most open about showing this love to others.

Paul calls the churches at Ephesus to this principle and then offers some important instruction as they care from these dear church members.

The Principle

“Honour widows that are widows indeed.” 
1 Timothy 5:3

“Honour” here means to show value. The context here will be talking about showing value through physical or financial aid. 

But there is a distinction. The widows that are to be given this aid are those that are “widows indeed.” These are the women who are over the age of 60, are without family to care for them (see verses 4, 8, and 16), and who demonstrate consistent Christian character.

Testimony of a Widow

“5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.  
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.  
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,  
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. ” 
1 Timothy 5:5–7,9-10

Widows can show trust in God in ways that few others can. Scripture and history are full of stories of these saints being an example in prayer and faith. Their good works, experience, and selflessness serve as a living illustration of living in Christlikeness.

Younger Widows

“11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;  
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.  
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.  
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.  
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.” 
1 Timothy 5:11–15

Paul cautioned against taking younger widows into the role of those being cared for by the church. These are more likely to remarry. Paul even encouraged the younger widows to remarry. Those who don’t remarry haven’t had the life experience to show the character mentioned above. There may even be some who turn from the faith because of the loss of their husband.

The Role of Children

“But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.” 
1 Timothy 5:4
“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 
1 Timothy 5:8
“If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.” 
1 Timothy 5:16

Churches are not to take this responsibility from the family of these widows. If a widow has sons, grandsons, or nephews, these should care for her and leave the church free to care for others.

Your Turn

Encourage your church to care for widows. 

This may not be full support, even assistance with a few needs can make a big difference. Be sure to help those who’s testimony you can see, and who have been faithful. A few ideas could be grocery assistance, gas money, or helping to catch up with a bill that is close to being late.

Look for ways to help the widows in your church. 

Offer to help with yard work or house maintenance. You may never know how encouraging these simple actions could be.

Care for the widows in your family.

Look after their physical and financial needs. Caring for them is pleasing to God.

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.

5 Strategies to Maintain Your Devotional Life on Vacation

Vacations are awesome! A chance to get away, rest, and spend quality time with loved ones. 

Dad and me standing at the top of a water fall during one of our hikes.

Last week I went on a family vacation. It was great, last-minute, but great! We did quite a bit of hiking, played games in the pool, and did a little shopping. Though this doesn’t sound like a lot, once you factor in meals, conversation, and a coffee run… or two it’s a full schedule. 

On vacation, you’re out of your usual environment so most of your routine is gone. But that doesn’t mean your devotional habits have to suffer while on vacation. 

Below are 5 tips that help me when I am trying to maintain my devotional life on vacation.

1. Pick Your Time

For Devotional habits to be maintained on vacation you have to decide when you’re going to do them. This is VERY basic but that’s how this stuff works.

On this most recent trip, my nieces decided that the apartment I was staying in was going to be where they’d hang out. I enjoyed this a lot. But it meant some very cute 6 and 8-year-old distractions would be coming over as soon as they knew I was up. I needed to plan my time accordingly. 

I try to give myself at least 20 minutes of focused time. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t, but if I don’t try nothing happens.

2. Pick Your Place

Choosing a place for devotional habits is something that has helped me for years. In the new environments of vacation lodging, this can be challenging as well.

The first couple of days on this trip I went for a walk in the morning for my prayer time. The new sites and sounds held a few distractions, but for the most part, I was able to focus. Then I would read my bible in the apartment where my stuff was set up.

Walking may not help you, but maybe there’s a balcony where you can hide for a few minutes, or if things get crazy you could try going to a coffee shop, anywhere that you can be consistent and that is accessible. I’ve known some who get up early and hide in a bathroom for their devotional habits. This wouldn’t be ideal for me but it worked for them.

3. Set Up for It

When you get to where you’re staying get out your Bible, Prayer Notebook, Journal, devotional book, or whatever you need. Make it visible. This visual reminder can help you keep up with your devotional habits.

I like to have a place to keep my Bible (I usually bring a hardcopy with me on vacation), journal, and prayer notebook where I can get to them easily in the morning. This also helps me to not lose them somewhere else.

4. Go To Church

Being in church is one of the best things you can do for your devotional life. On vacation, this can sometimes fall through the cracks, but let me encourage you to make it part of your plan.

There are many reasons to attend church even on the road. We, as believers, need fellowship with other Christians. We need to be challenged from God’s Word even when we can’t be part of the meeting of our local church. It is such a joy to meet like-minded brothers and sisters in other parts of the country.

Going to a different church can feel uncomfortable. You’re not with your church family, you can’t sit in your seat, the pastor may preach differently.

I’ve had some strange experiences visiting churches on vacation. When I was a teenager we went to a church for a Sunday evening service. My family and I arrived a little early and walked up to the front doors. They were unlocked. Assuming that someone was inside we went in to find that the building was empty. After about 20 minutes of us sitting in an empty church building, people started to show up. They had a service and then left, just about as quickly as they came.

This was a strange one, but most of my church visiting experiences have been much better. 

This last week most of my family was able to attend a prayer meeting with a small but great church not far from where we were staying. It was a blessing to sing with these brothers and sisters and to share in their prayer time. We were encouraged to hear the Word of God preached with boldness and clarity.

5. Give Yourself Grace

Give yourself some grace. Not everything will be like it is at home. Leave yourself some room. Remember these habits are about walking with God not keeping up with a checklist.

While I was on vacation my scripture memory plan just didn’t happen. I didn’t choose to stop, it just didn’t happen. But I can get back into it now that I’m home.

One day while I was gone, my schedule went crazy and I ended up reading my bible on my phone away from my journal. I texted myself my journaling thought for the day. I don’t like having my quiet time that way that’s how things worked that day.

When things go different than you had planned remember to put God first, not your habits. Give yourself some grace.

Your Turn

How have you maintained your devotional life while on vacation?

What are some struggles you’ve had in this? (There may be others in the comments who can give help from their experience.)

Are you on vacation? About to go on vacation? Put some of these tips to use and let me know how it goes.

Share this post with anyone you know who is headed out on vacation this summer.

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?