Adult Quarterly Faithful Servants of God A Study in 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy; Titus QUARTERLY AIM: The student will learn what God expects from those who serve Him and will support, encourage and help those who are called to the ministry. March 4 Counted Faithful... 4 11 Faithful Praying... 11 18 Faithful Behavior... 18 25 Departing from the Faith... 25 April 1 Faithful Interaction... 33 8 Faithful Servants... 41 15 Precious Memories... 48 22 Precious Promises... 55 29 Precious Provision... 62 May 6 Precious Rewards... 69 13 Order in the Lord s Churches... 76 20 Order in Christian Homes... 83 27 Order Between Churches and Governments... 90 Vol. 105, No. 2, Spring Quarter, 2018. Editor in Chief: Kyle W. Elkins, kyle.elkins@bogardstore.org Business Manager: Wayne Sewell, wayne.sewell@bogardstore.org 2018, Bogard Press, 4605 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503-2928 www.bogardpress.org; 1-800-264-2482
About the Writer Dr. David Robinson was born in Greenville, Mississippi and grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was saved in 1956 and was baptized by Cones Road Missionary Baptist Church. He graduated from Hot Springs High School, attended the University of Mississippi and graduated from the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1966 earning the Master in Bible Languages and Doctor in Bible Languages Degrees. He surrendered to preach in 1960 and was ordained to the gospel ministry in December of 1962. He has pastored churches in central and southern Arkansas. From 1967 to 1999 he served as an instructor in the Missionary Baptist Seminary. He served as Registrar at the school from 1978 to 1988 and as Chancellor and Editor of the Missionary Baptist Searchlight from 1988 to 1999. He served as Chaplain for the Pulaski County Sheriff s Office from 1992 until 2007. He served on the Sunday School Committee of the ABA from 1987 to 1998 and as President of the ABA in 1999 and 2000. He has served as Parliamentarian for the ABA since 2001. Presently, he is pastor of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he has served since 1971. He has written Young People s Sunday School literature, the BTC Adult Quarterly, and he currently writes the Sunday School Adult Quarterly used in the churches of the American Baptist Association. He may be contacted at dcrobinson@aristotle.net.
American Baptist Association Through-the-Bible Series Sunday School Lessons Winter Spring Summer Fall 2018 Ephesians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Jeremiah Lamentations 2 Kings 24; 25 2 Chronicles 36 John 1 10 2019 John 11 21 Ezra; Nehemiah Habakkuk; Haggai Malachi; Esther 1 Peter 2 Peter 1, 2, 3 John Jude 2020 Daniel Ezekiel Zechariah Revelation 1 11 Revelation 12 22 Genesis 1 11 Job 2021 Genesis 12 50 Matthew 1 13 Matthew 14 28 Exodus 2022 Romans Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Hebrews Joshua Judges Ruth 2023 Acts 1 14 Acts 15 28 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 4 1 Chronicles 1 10 Mark 1 8 2027 2026 2025 2024 Mark 9 16 Psalms 73 150 Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon 2 Corinthians 2 Samuel 5 24 1 Chronicles 11 29 1 Kings 1; 2 Galatians Isaiah 1 39 2 Chronicles 29 32 2 Kings 17 20 Nahum James 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Kings 3 22 2 Chronicles 1 24 2 Kings 1 13 Joel; Obadiah Luke 1 13:21 Luke 13:22 24 Isaiah 40 66 2 Kings 21 23 2 Chronicles 33 35 Zephaniah Psalms 1 72 1 Corinthians Hosea; Amos; Micah; Jonah; 2 Kings 14 16 2 Chronicles 25 28 Philemon Philippians Colossians
March 4, 2018 1 Counted Faithful Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-20 Focus: 1 Timothy 1:3-12, 18-20 Key Verse: And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. 1 Timothy 1:12 Sunday Devotional: There Is No Other Gospel, Galatians 1:6-9. Application: The student will learn that God expects His children to be faithful no matter the situation or circumstance. A FIRST LOOK Today, we begin a study of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus. We begin with 1 Timothy which is one of three books called the Pastoral Epistles because these letters were written specifically to two pastors, Timothy and Titus. They deal with how pastors and churches are related to each other. Timothy served the church in Ephesus as pastor while Titus pastored a church on the island of Crete. Both were challenging and maybe difficult fields, but in some ways every field of labor for the Lord is challenging and difficult. These books offer us wonderful lessons for preachers, but they are also very instructive for churches. The work of the Lord is never a one-man show. Every child of God has a place of service in the Master s kingdom, and the Bible gives us ample Daily Devotionals M. Paul s Testimony, 1 Timothy 1:13-17. T. The Purpose of the Law of Moses, Galatians 3:19-25. W. God Entrusted Us with the Gospel, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6. T. The Anointing of the Holy Spirit, Luke 4:14-20. F. We Owe It to God To Spread the Gospel, Romans 1:9-16. S. The Gospel Is for All Men Everywhere, Romans 10:12-15. 4
Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-20 5 instruction for doing every good work. There are thirteen chapters in these three books, and we will consider one chapter for each week s study. We begin with the admonition for these men to remain faithful even in the face of the heresies that had crept into the churches in the latter days of the first century. God s men must be diligent because Satan s agents are constantly at work. There are those who teach false doctrines, and we need to take them seriously. If unchecked and unchallenged, false doctrines will invade and weaken the strongest churches. As in most matters we need balance here. We must fight the forces of false doctrine, but in doing so we must not neglect our positive duty to preach the gospel to the lost. The devil can cunningly accomplish his purpose by dividing and diverting our energy. The best defense is often a good offense. When we are actively engaged in a positive ministry, we are in a good position to resist the wiles and attacks of Satan. A CLOSER LOOK I. The Danger of Wrong Thinking 1 Timothy 1:3-5 3. 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, 4. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. When God led Paul to leave Ephesus and to continue in his ministry, Paul realized that false teachers would come in and try to pollute the truth he had worked to establish in the church there. Paul worked for three years with the brethren in Ephesus, and a great church had been established. Inevitably, Paul had to move on, but he did not want this work to collapse. A faithful missionary will not only plant churches, but he will also do his best to see that they grow and are stable.
6 Counted Faithful Paul asked, or besought, Timothy to stay in Ephesus and continue the ministry there. Paul was very specific in his charge to Timothy. The term charge is a military term and it means to be placed under orders. Of course, Timothy was just as much a preacher as Paul, but Paul was an apostle, and he was stressing the seriousness of this teaching. This request was not made without thought. This was an important matter of business, and Timothy was to treat it as such. The problem Timothy faced was that others would come in and preach doctrines that Paul had not taught. Timothy was to seriously charge the members in the Ephesian church to stop this practice. As a shepherd, a pastor is responsible for feeding his flock, and one of his responsibilities is to see that the poison of false doctrine is not taught. It is simple to authenticate any doctrine. We should test all teaching by using the Word of God. If an idea or doctrine is taught in the Bible, we should teach it, and if it is not, we should not accept it. Of course, this means that we have to search the Scriptures and know what they teach. God has given us the Bible as an all-sufficient guide for our faith and practice, and we should never ignore it or substitute popular contemporary human teachings for the timeless Word of God. The source of much false doctrine is the so-called wisdom of men substituted for the plain truth of the Bible. When we know what the Bible says, we do not need further information. We just need to teach and practice what we know. Fables are another source of false doctrine. A fable is a story or a legend that may grow from a kernel of truth but takes on a larger-than-life quality. When tales are told and retold, they can easily exceed truth. Some people have such a good memory that they can remember things that never happened. Beware of a fabulous story that is too good to be true. It most likely is not true at all. For instance, we often hear of the good old days when everything was perfect. We are never wise when we get lost in yesterday (Ecclesiastes 7:10). Another source of error is trying to give deep meanings to really simple things that have no hidden meanings. Genealogies are exactly like that. They are links to the past, but they can also bring up endless and unanswerable questions that can only divide and cause strife. The Bible instructs us to simply avoid these things. Leave them alone. When you hear a false doctrine, a fable
Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-20 7 or a question that has no answer, walk away. Jesus did not answer every question He was asked, and we do not have to either. Keeping the faith should produce charity and unfeigned, or unpretended, faith. The Lord s churches are attacked with false doctrine from the outside, but they are also attacked by the inner trouble brought on by those who pretend to have faith that they truly do not possess. True belief in Jesus will always result in changed behavior (2 Corinthians 5:17). This will be manifest as a pure heart and a good conscience. However, it is possible to pretend, or feign, faith in Jesus. II. The Danger of Immature Teachers 1 Timothy 1:6-10 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. 8. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but 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. Those who merely pretend to believe without actually having a life-changing experience with Jesus are walking a dangerous road, not only for themselves but also for those they may influence. Such people are easily turned away from the truth, even by vain jangling. This may refer to the endless misuse and false applications of the Law of Moses given by the false teachers of that day. Truth is strong and self-evident. Our faith does not rest on the parsing of words, and true doctrine does not rest on some obscure point of grammar. Those who reduce truth to such levels do not understand the things they are trying to teach others. The first requirement of a teacher is that he know his subject matter. No skill in presentation or strength of personality will substitute for knowledge of the subject being taught.
8 Counted Faithful One of the ways false doctrine enters the Lord s churches is that men are put in teaching positions without the skills, knowledge and spiritual development to teach effectively. Sadly, teaching positions are often filled by anyone willing to serve instead of those who are best qualified. This leads to confusion and doctrinal error. The problem in Ephesus was a perversion of the Law. Paul pointed out that there is nothing wrong with the Law, and there is nothing wrong with teaching the Law if it is done properly. It was important to understand that the Law had a purpose and that purpose must be understood. The Law is a schoolmaster that is designed to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). It points out our sin and highlights our inability to resolve our sin on our own. The misuse of the Law can easily become a violation of the Law. This can lead to false doctrine which will turn people away from Jesus, not toward Him. The unfailing test is in the fruit that is born. Those who are truly born again and are led by the Holy Spirit will not exhibit the perverted behavior mentioned here. These verses are not teaching that we can behave ourselves into Heaven. They are showing us that when we are saved, our character will be changed and we will no longer behave as we once did. Behavior is the ultimate test of spiritual character. This is not to say that good people will not occasionally do bad things. However, the things mentioned here are the perpetual habits of a lifetime. This is exactly the kind of behavior that faith in Jesus changes. The glorious gospel will free those who truly believe it from this evil behavior. Those who merely pretend to have faith will easily slip back into these heinous sins. Permanently changed behavior is the real test of internal spiritual renewal. Just as it is impossible for light and darkness to coexist (2 Corinthians 6:14), it is impossible for these evil works to coexist with sound doctrine. III. The Blessing of the Gospel 1 Timothy 1:11, 12, 18-20 11. According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-20 9 18. 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; 19. Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20. Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Our defense is in the truth of our calling. Paul had been entrusted with the gospel, and Christ had placed him in the ministry. This shows us how Paul thought of himself and of the job Jesus had given him to do. If we have proper respect for the Lord and for the things He has asked us to do, we will spare ourselves many of the pains of following false doctrine. Much false doctrine comes from those who see themselves as advisors to God, not as His humble servants. There is a progression here. When we give in to false doctrines and merely pretend to have faith, we can become confused and think right is wrong and wrong is right. Remember, it can never be right to do wrong, and it can never be wrong to do right. No matter how demanding our circumstances may be, they will never change the truth of God s Word. We are in a war, and the battle is waged in the minds of men and women every day. Paul knew this, and he encouraged Timothy to see things this way. Timothy was to fight this spiritual battle using the only weapon he had available, the Word of God. He was to preach in faith, believing what he said was and what the Word declared, and he was to preach with a good conscience knowing that his life reflected the things he preached. Here is the good offense that is the best defense. Paul was quick to point out that some people had not behaved this way. Hymenaeus and Alexander were called by name. We do not know specifically what they did, but we do know that their bad conscience had shipwrecked their faith and, perhaps, the faith of others. This is an interesting metaphor. It pictures the great damage we can do to our ability to serve the Lord. Keep in mind that we know that once we are saved we are eternally saved. Although our influence may be ruined, those who are saved will eventually go to Heaven. We may be saved, so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:15), but we will be saved.
10 Counted Faithful Those who can be taught should be taught. Those who can be warned should be warned, but some will resist the truth no matter how it is presented. Such people can only be left alone, or left to satanic destruction so that they can learn not to profane the sacred truth of the Bible. A FINAL WORD From the beginning in the garden, Satan has lied and misrepresented the simple things that God has said to mankind. Like Eve, people are still hearing and believing the lies while rejecting the truth. Paul knew that this was a danger in Ephesus and warned Timothy and us about the dangers of false doctrine. We do not have to look hard to find false doctrine in our world today. We should know that there is something that we can do when we encounter it. First, we must teach the truth. The simple and plain truth of the Scriptures will rebuke the hair-splitters and fable seekers. Tell the old, old story over and over again. There is never a reason to do otherwise. Then, we must insist that what we believe must have an affect on how we behave. Beware of any teacher who is not changed by what he teaches. Do not buy hair restorer from a bald man. Do not be impressed with fancy words and beautiful presentations. Instead, seek the simplicity that is in Christ. Then, realize that we will not win every battle. When others refuse the truth, we should simply leave them alone. If they are saved, they will eventually see the error of their ways. If they are lost, they may hear and accept the truth of the gospel message. Either way we have done all that we can do when we preach and teach the truth and do our best to see that those who hear us understand it. FOR CLASS DISCUSSION 1. Why did Paul and Timothy stay in Ephesus? 2. Name some ways we can be distracted from important truths today. 3. Do you believe God has directed you in your life? Why or why not? 4. In what ways has God counted us faithful as He did Paul?