Whom Shall I Send? INTRODUCTION

Transcription

1 Whom Shall I Send? Background Passage 1 Timothy 3:1 4:16 Lesson Passages 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 3:8-13; 4:6-16 Lesson for March 16-17, 2013 Dr. James Patterson INTRODUCTION The next round s on me, Greg shouted above the noise in the sports bar. Ain t nobody can stop my man, Kobe Bryant, he boasted, while pointing to the large-screen television. Greg was a regular at this establishment. It was among his favorite places to come toss back a few, catch a game, and maybe keep an eye out for his next ex-wife. His buddy, Harris, replied: Kobe wouldn t have averaged 10 points a game, if he were playing back in the days of Bird and Magic. Bull! Those guys are over-rated! Kobe would ve scored 40 points a game back then. I tell you, that 3-point jumper is his money shot. And, speaking of money, I ll tell you what. I wish I had his money. I would have me a solid black Cadillac Escalade; my own private jet; a girlfriend in every city; and a thousand square foot wine cellar beneath my mansion. Harris snorted, Err, you re not exactly known for being careful with your money. You would probably get cheated out of it by your financial advisors. I d control my own accounts. Like the good book says, the Lord helps those who help themselves. Well, I better get back home before the old ball and chain gives me too much grief. Your tab is $87.96, the bartender stated. Put it on this card, man. A few minutes later, the bartender said in a quiet voice, I m sorry sir, but your card was declined. Do you have another form of payment? Speak up! I can t hear you over all the noise.

2 I said, YOUR CARD S BEEN DECLINED! The area around the bar got a little quieter. Greg turned to Harris. Hey friend, can you spot me a few bucks until payday? There s some sort of computer glitch with my credit card. Harris frowned and asked, I don t know. How can I be sure you ll pay me back? No worries, declared Greg. You can trust me. I m a Deacon over at 7 th Avenue Baptist Church! Obviously, Greg was not representing his church very well, or the position of deaconship. Most grievously of all, he was being a very poor ambassador for Jesus Christ. Shouldn t there be some policies in place in the Church to minimize this type of situation? As a matter of fact, there are some Biblical requirements for selecting pastors and deacons, clearly stated by the Apostle Paul in the Book of 1 Timothy. Those passages are the basis for today s lesson. Historical Background Information on 1 Timothy Growth: By 60 A.D., Ephesus had become the center of world Christianity. Its numbers increased dramatically each year, and its influence over the region had become more pronounced. Diversity: The city was multi-ethnic; economically disparate, with masters and slaves often belonging to the same church. The Church needed to figure out how to create a place for all. Complicating things, many of the new converts attempted to bring along the favorite characteristics of their former religion, such as magic or festive/unruly, paganistic behavior. This often led to chaos. There were few or no guidelines for expected behavior among church members and leaders. In addition, the local churches were splintered. There were no large churches, with a single pastor. Instead, there were 100 s of small, home churches, each with their own pastor and deacons. One can see the difficulty to keep everyone on the same page.

3 Teachers: Some began teaching their own version of the Gospel, incorporating ancient myths and paganism into the worship service. A clear statement of faith was needed a uniformity of doctrine. Leadership: There were no seminars for training teachers or pastors, and they were often selection process was often superficial. Some leaders began making up new rules and rituals. Accountability for the leadership was becoming critical, as some of their lifestyles were becoming counterproductive to the success of the Christianity. Ephesus was a very important Christian community, and it always held a special place in Paul s heart. Some of his best work was done in Ephesus. He had heard of the challenges facing the church at Ephesus and wanted so much for the church to overcome the challenges and thrive. But Paul was in jail and could not attend to matters in person. The two letters to Timothy, known as the pastoral epistles, resulted from this situation (64 67 A.D.). Timothy was Paul s protégé, had traveled extensively with Paul, and had been sent to numerous trouble spots by Paul, when the latter was unable to attend in person. Paul referred to Timothy as my beloved and faithful son in the Lord and as one who focused on the affairs of Christ, not on his own comforts. Paul s writings to Timothy are among the most primary and original teachings on church organization. One troublesome question was how to choose leaders from among all this diversity. Should leadership be based on wealth? Age? Education? Charisma? Public speaking? No. Paul was more concerned with issues of character and personal integrity. He also considered that some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit include: pastors and teachers, as well as helps and governments. Those who were gifted in such a manner would also be highly considered for service. LESSON PASSAGE 1 Qualifications for a Pastor 1 Timothy 3:1 7 1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer [the word could mean bishop, elder or pastor], he desires a noble task.

4 2Now the overseer (pastor) must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. Verses 1-2: Because the overseer, or pastor, position is so critically important, candidates should not pursue such a position lightly. It must be a heart-felt calling. The pastor must be relatively blameless. He will not be perfect, of course, but there should be no grounds for anyone to bring a legitimate charge of unfitness against the pastor. This is important, as followers seldom rise above the quality of their leaders, and a scandalous leader can demoralize his pastorate more quickly than just about anything. 2 The husband of but one wife has generated quite a bit of discussion. Does this mean that pastors will not be involved in a polygamous relationship (more than one wife), as the pagans often did? Or, should we interpret this verse to be a requirement that pastors should be married, but not single? Since Paul, himself, was single, this viewpoint was probably not what he was conveying. What about widowed men who have remarried? What about men who have been divorced and remarried? Divorced but not remarried? There are those who believe that if a man could not keep his own marriage together, how could he hold a congregation together? Does this mean there can be no second chance for the divorced, regardless of their age at marriage or their spiritual condition at the time? Nowadays, the majority interpretation appears to believe that Paul simply meant a pastor should be a man who currently lives in a Christ-like manner with a stable home life. It has also been referred to as a one woman man, that is, he is faithful to his wife.

5 Certainly the pastor must lead a disciplined life that avoids all forms of excess and is free from rash action. He must be respectable and sensible and must demonstrate discernment. Hospitality skills were mentioned, because in Paul s day, traveling Christians often depended on fellow believers for a place to stay. The pastor s hospitality was vital to the survival and growth of the early church. Even today, a pastor must possess the ability to pull in outsiders, and the way he treats others affects the viability of his church. The ability to effectively teach the Word of God was a major responsibility of this position. Good study habits and communication skills are implied. Verse 3: Certain characteristics are prohibited to pastors. They should never drink to excess. Pastors should always demonstrate a Christ-like gentleness of spirit, rather than being a bully or argumentative. They should not be greedy for fame or for money, as the temptation to use the office to further their own comfort or agendas would be very great. No matter how successful they become, they should not become prideful or arrogant. Verses 4-5: In some ways, the home is a training ground for the ministry. If a man is disrespected in his own household and cannot control his own family, he is not a natural for the pulpit. Again, no one expects perfection, but a man cannot be one thing at home and something quite different at the church. Verse 6: Those who take on Church responsibility too soon as baby Christians may become overly prideful and not do as good of a job as if they had waited until becoming more mature in the faith. Church members should not encourage brand new believers to exercise too big of a role right away. It is better to start them with small positions and give them heavier responsibilities a little at a time. Verse 7: He should be able to represent the Church well to outsiders a man of exemplary behavior. Does he pay his bills on time, keep his word? Is he scandal-free? There are few things that hurt the Church more than a fallen pastor. LESSON PASSAGE 2 Qualifications for a Deacon 1 Timothy 3:8 13 8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

6 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. Verse 8: The word, deacon, comes from a Greek word that means to serve. Deacons, too, should be sober, respectful, not hypocritical, and not greedy. It is often the deacons that handle the money, so their honesty must be unimpeachable. There are no prohibitions against having wealth, but deacons must gain their money honestly, above reproach, and without clouds of suspicion over them or their church. They must be serious in their faith, and they must be taken seriously by others both inside and outside of the Church. If their reputation becomes tarnished, it reflects negatively on the cause of Christ. Public drunkenness is clearly unacceptable, and the surest way (though not required) to avoid crossing the line is to completely abstain from strong drink. Deacons can be servant leaders in this regard. The expected behavior of deacons isn t beyond the reach of other believers. Deacons should simply demonstrate a consistency of behavior that all Church members should be striving toward. Verse 9: Deacons must have a solid knowledge of God s Word. The Deacon must agree with God s Word in his heart, as well as in his mind. His unshakeable confidence in the Gospel can provide a powerful sermon-in-deed for other believers. Verse 10: The Church s expectation regarding a deacon s service calls for them to be mature spiritually and otherwise. In some churches, this testing is literal. Some churches require a formal exam and probationary period to help screen out anyone who is not a good match with the position. In any case, the potential deacons lives have shown over time if they truly understand the Bible and if they can live with the Bible as their guide, basing their personal decisions on God s Word and Will.

7 This is the principle in Matthew 25:21 Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. Verse 11: Like their husbands, the wives of deacons need to live in such a manner as to garner the respect of the church and community. Such respect comes in part by avoiding malicious talk or gossip and by behaving in a trustworthy manner. Verse 12: Similarly to the pastor s position, the qualifications for deacons call for a proven track record as competent and faithful family men. How deacons have treated their spouse and children and how they have led their families were key indicators of the way they would serve the family of God. For additional commentary, please refer back to the early discussion on the various interpretations of the husband of but one wife, in 1 Timothy 3:2. Verse 13: Faithful ministry results in the opportunity for further ministry, as well as an excellent reputation. Following these qualifications for deacons and pastors should help to keep the Church free from embarrassment and to enhance the witness of the Church. Paul also admonishes his readers that they, too, should represent the faith well. Believers lives should progress as they serve God not stand dormant. Also, Church members should not find themselves in a position where they are holding their leaders to a standard that they are not willing to accept for themselves. LESSON PASSAGE 3 1 Timothy 4:6-10 The Message (MSG) 6-10 You ve been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you ll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

8 Verses 6-10: The things Paul urged Timothy to address with the church members referred to the false teachings about marriage and food mentioned in 4:3 ( They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. ) Christians who desired to honor God in their service needed to reject outlandish ideas (silly, irreverent myths) that had nothing to do with becoming more Christlike in behavior or attitude. More than anything, church leaders needed to pursue training in godliness in sound beliefs and Spirit-controlled living. Evidently, the false teachers in Ephesus were obsessed with disciplining the body. While Paul acknowledged that such discipline had a limited benefit, it was of much more profit to train and equip believers for serving Christ both now and in the life to come. LESSON PASSAGE 4 1 Timothy 4:11-16 The Message (MSG) Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don t let anyone put you down because you re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed keep that dusted off and in use Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. Verses 11-14: These verses suggest that Timothy was probably of a younger age than the false teachers he was about to confront. He may have felt intimidated by this, but Paul urged him forward, as believers will respect a young leader s spiritual authority, if they observe him practicing the Godly lifestyle that he preaches. Paul further encouraged Timothy by reminding him that he had a spiritual gift that he must not neglect. His gift had been acknowledged by God through prophecy and affirmed by the laying on of hands by the church elders.

9 Verses 15-16: Consequently, Timothy had no reason to shrink from the challenging task awaiting him in Ephesus. He simply needed to practice the things he d been taught and gifted to do and to pay close attention to his Godly manner of living and Scripturally-based caliber of teaching. If church members saw consistency and spiritual progress in their young leader, they would have no rightful cause to reject his leadership. Accurately conveying the Christian message of salvation will bring in many new believers and will fulfill the responsibility of being a good and faithful servant. LIFE APPLICATION: How will we apply the lessons learned in today s passages? Are we here in this life for our own purposes or for God s? At the end of our lives, we will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well we have handled what God entrusted to us. Remember, To whom much is given, much is expected. Some are motivated by a desire to become a good and faithful servant, while others are driven by guilt, greed, fear, or the need for approval or recognition. What would our friends and family members say drives our lives? What should be driving our lives? We shouldn t serve God out of guilt or fear or duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he s done for us. What are some examples of Christian service that we perform as individuals or as a class? (home repairs, mission trips, Angels of Light, shoes for the needy, outreach to the elderly and to those in prisons). What are some examples of Christian leadership that we perform as individuals within this class? (director, teacher, deacon, counselor, greeter, social director, missions coordinator) There are no insignificant ministries in the church. Nothing we do for the Lord is a waste of our time. Jesus came to serve and to give, and so should we. We all spend our time in some way: hobbies, social life, pursuing wealth or fame. None of these will have lasting significance. Christian service is the pathway to real significance. In what area is our passion for service? What are our talents? What fruit do we see in our lives that other people have confirmed? That is a clue for what our Spiritual Gift is. Remember, our primary ministries should be in line with our gifts and talents, but our secondary ministry is wherever we are needed at the moment stacking chairs, getting the name tags, etc.

10 Furthermore, we should avoid competition with each other. We re all on the same team. God determines our greatness by how many people we serve. The world determines our greatness by how many people serve us. Do we exist to serve God, or does He exist to serve us? Your ministry is your service to other believers, and your mission is your service to unbelievers. Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. You may be the only Christian some people will ever interact with, and your mission is to share Jesus with them. If just one person will be in heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity. Heavenly Father: CLOSING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we give thanks for all of the members of our class who are serving in a leadership or service capacity, and we lift them up in prayer. We also pray to hear Your calling for our own opportunities to serve and lead. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.