First Command or Mandate: WAGE THE GOOD WARFARE. 1 TIMOTHY 1:18-20, 2:1-4

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1 Paul s Leadership Teaching to Timothy 01 Session One FIVE CHARGES, COMMANDS OR MANDATES TO A LEADER From the Epistle of 1 Timothy Timothy received five charges or mandates as a leader in the church from Paul under the apostle s delegated authority. The Greek word charge ( paraggelia G38520) means this: To command or give strict orders; to provide instruction (on how to do what Timothy was given authority to do) or to receive a mandate (A mandate is to give someone authority and require that they act to fulfill it. It s an official order.) It s illuminating to remember that Nero was in office when Paul gave Timothy these five charges. In 1 Timothy, the Holy Spirit has given us, through the Word of God, a mandate. This is a group of official, divine orders. This mandate requires us, as Christian leaders, to do five things. First Command or Mandate: WAGE THE GOOD WARFARE. 1 TIMOTHY 1:18-20, 2:1-4 Notice the word good. This tells us there can be either bad or good ways to wage spiritual warfare. What makes warfare bad? Answer: Warfare is bad when we doubt or lack believing in what we are doing. It s bad when we lack trusting God in the midst of the battle. It s bad when we don t care about what we do and whether the way we do will be pleasing to God. What makes the warfare good? Answer - 1 Timothy 1:18-20: Again 1 TIMOTHY 1:18-20 A. Faith: You must have a foundation of faith to successfully do warfare for God. This becomes a foundation of righteous action. It carries the strength to fulfill God s charge or mandate. B. A Good Conscience: You must do what you do because you know it is pleasing to God. You know your choice to do what 1 and will give you peace in your heart.

2 God charged you to do will not cause you feelings of condemnation. You will experience the joy and satisfaction that you are doing what s right. Faith can be defined as, Believing God is who He said He is and then, acting on this truth. Another good definition of faith is, Believing God, behaving accordingly and trusting Him for the outcomes. 1 JOHN 5:4-5 A good conscience may be defined as: Knowing that whatever you do or say would not change if Jesus was standing next to you and watching you or listening to what you said. It s knowing that what you allow in your heart would please God. Good warfare may be defined as taking righteous action for God against demonic principalities and powers. It makes you a winner and champion for Jesus, because you did it His way. Again: 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4 We are to pray extensively and intercede for others. Use your faith to fight the evil ways of the enemy until you see the victory. Second Charge, Command or Mandate: CONDUCT YOURSELF IN THE HOUSE OF GOD. 1 TIMOTHY 3:14-15; 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-2, 6-7 A. Many people in church will be vulnerable to those who have deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. These spirits will try to deceive them into losing their faith in the resurrection. These deceiving spirits will work through people in the church. They will teach and try to convince that Jesus died, was buried, but never rose again the third day. This is the worst apostasy there is! It tries to destroy the truth and dependability of the Bible. These deceivers will try to take the truth and its power out of the Gospel and substitute lies. They will try to deceive God s people into believing that there is another way to heaven. EPHESIANS 5:6-11 They will drive people into hell. PHILIPPIANS 3:17-21 GALATIANS 6:9 2

3 They will try to deceive God s leaders into distorting and disobeying the commands of the Bible, concerning how to live, lead and teach the church. B. Doctrines of demons are what deceiving spirits will teach through false teachers. They will try to get the church to accept false religion or deny the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Paul said we are to conduct ourselves as warriors in the house of God. We are to fight against these lies and not allow them to be spoken unchallenged in our churches. Silence the false teachers lies and false doctrines with strong words of truth. Become leaders who are able to handle the Word of God with excellence. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 C. You must be sure of what you believe. This requires serious study and dedicated prayer, under the guidance of your Godfearing pastor. Then, you must be bold and will be able to defend what you believe. Third Charge, Command or Mandate DO NOT NEGLECT THE GIFT. 1 TIMOTHY 4:11-15 Be an uncompromising example of a good Christian leader. In Verse 12, Paul commands six ways to do this: 1. Let your life demonstrate the biblical principles and proper use of God s Word for every-day living. 2. Let your conduct be an example of godliness. Be someone who leads others because they follow the Christ in you. 3. Show the love of God in your attitudes, actions and devotion to your call to lead. EPHESIANS 4:11-16; 1 JOHN 4: Be filled with the Holy Spirit and let your daily life demonstrate this. 5. We have discussed the essential need for faith. Let your life demonstrate faith so others can see its value and embrace it. 6. Purity is a reflection of Christ. It needs to shine from within 3

4 each of us. Have a strong conviction not to allow impure thoughts and actions have any part of your life and ministry. Fight them off. Demonstrate your warfare to others. Be an example! Stand in the strength of your holiness! 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 1 Timothy 4:13 - Give attention to encouraging the church with correct doctrine. You will be able to do this if you spend time reading the Word of God and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Encourage others with what you say to them. (Give the highest priority to correct doctrine in what you say and do.) 1 Timothy 4:14 - Do not neglect the gift that is in you! There are times when we try to imitate somebody else s spiritual gift and neglect our own. Your gift uniquely fits you! Value this fact. Work to become very good at using your gift. Ask God for the anointing to do so, every day when you pray. Remind yourself of this often. 1 Timothy 4:15 - Meditate on these verses. Give yourself to the use of them for God s glory. MATTHEW 5: Timothy 4:16 - Never be tempted to quit! You are appointed by God to be a difference maker! Let your presence and obey the charge or mandate from God to bring light to darkened places. Fourth Charge, Command or Mandate OBSERVE THESE THINGS. 1 TIMOTHY 5:21 In the original Greek language of the New Testament, the word Paul used for observe meant to guard, keep or take care. He wrote this concerning everything Timothy had been charged with in this epistle. The Pulpit Commentary says, The strict sense of [the word] is I call heaven and earth to witness the truth of what I am saying in the presence of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels. (biblehub.com, pulpit commentary) Timothy was instructed to be a godly leader. He was to do all that Paul had charged him with, being careful not to have any prejudice or favoritism. He was not to favor one person over the 4

5 other, but was to fulfill the Holy Spirit s command to be equally fair to all those he led. We have the same command. Do not favor one person over the other. The church and its leaders must have a proper understanding of the humility and power to be seen in God s servant. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-5 PHILIPPIANS 2:1-16 Fifth Charge, Command or Mandate GUARD WHAT WAS COMMITTED. 1 TIMOTHY 6:20-21 The same original Greek word for observe in 1 Timothy 5:21 ( to guard, keep or take care of ) is used again in 1 Timothy 6:20. This time, Paul is more intense and urgent when he charges Timothy to be watchful over what God asked of him (Timothy) as a leader. Instead of translating the word to mean, observe what was committed to your trust, Paul uses this word in its military or warfare meaning, which was to guard. There was dangerous spiritual warfare going on and Timothy needed to maintain a strong guard over those things the Holy Spirit had charged him with. Be aware of the intense spiritual warfare going on. Like Timothy, you must guard those things that make you an effective Christian leader and minister of the Gospel. Guard the truths and wisdom of God s word. Fight against the intrusion of false teaching that would try its best to convince you to passively permit it to change people from believing winners to unbelieving losers. You are God s champion. Never give up. Press ahead to your victories. Never give out. Press forward in God s strength. Never give in to the devil s attempts to take you out of the will of God. Having done all to stand, just keep standing. Stand still and see the faithfulness of the Lord give you the victory. He is fully able to complete what He has begun in you. Bless His holy name. Amen. 5