Tag: Paul

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.

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.

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?

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”?