Overview of I Timothy… (3 points)

• The whole counsel of God
  • Our desire to is to teach through the whole Bible – chapter by chapter / book by book!
  • Acts 20:27 – “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
  • We finished II Thessalonians – the 14^th book of the New Testament – 9^th of 13 Epistles of Paul…
  • We will start today with I Timothy – the first of what is known as the Pastoral Epistles!

• 1^st – Why Paul wrote the letter… (3 points)
  • 1^st – Paul wrote three NT books – to two pastors – I Timothy / II Timothy / Titus…
    • The books have become known together as what we call the Pastoral Epistles…
      • Timothy was the Pastor of the church in Ephesus…
      • Titus was the Pastor of the church on the Island of Crete – Mediterranean Sea…
      • Paul wrote the books to encourage and instruct pastors / leaders in ministry!
      • Our desire as we work out way through what is called the pastoral epistles…
      • Is to encourage and help equip us to be Biblical leaders…
      • That is not to say we are all called to be PASTORS – be we are all called to LEAD!
    • We think of CHURCH as a building we meet in on Sundays…
      • But church is not a place – it is the PEOPLE of God…
      • Our families are a small church that meets EVERY day of the week…
      • And we are called to LEAD in our families – Dads / moms!
      • Ephesians 6:4 – “Bring [your children] up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
    • All of us are called to be ministers of the Gospel…
      • We are called to lead people to Christ in our communities…
      • God has called us to go out and share the Good News!
      • Romans 10:14- – “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
    • The reality is we need to learn and be prepared for that work…
      • The way we are prepared is by listening to the Word of God – studying His Word!
      • II Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God… that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
  • 2^nd – Paul wrote the books so the leaders would have answers…
    • He deals with how to handle false teachings / teachers within the church – I Timothy 1
      • When a knock comes at our door – and someone begins to question the TRUTH…
      • How do we answer – our kids are watching – do we know how to defend our faith!
      • Do we know how to recognize and deal with a false teaching / teachers…
      • In order to have those answers – we need to be in the Word and learn ourselves…
    • He deals with rules and regulations for worship within a church – I Timothy 2
      • Can a woman be a pastor – this is a controversial issue in our day…
      • What role do women have – how should they dress in church
    • Paul deal with how to pick Deacons and Pastors to lead the church – I Timothy 3-4
      • How to raise up leaders in the church – laborers for the harvest…
      • Who should be a pastor in a church / who and what are deacons…
      • What are the qualifications for these men – what are their responsibilities
    • He deals with relationships within the church – respect / purity – I Timothy 5
      • How should men interact with women in the church…
      • What role should the older women have with the younger women…
      • What purpose does the church have in taking care of widows in the church
    • He deals with how to handle money in the church – I Timothy 6
      • How to handle money with integrity – in a way that honors God!
      • I Corinthians 4:2 – “It is required in stewards that one be found faithful…”
  • 3^rd – The Pastoral Epistles lay out guidelines for the structure of the church…
    • I Timothy 3:15 – “I write so know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God…”
    • Some of the guidelines are not very popular – EVEN controversial!
    • We need to know how GOD WANTS HIS church / our FAMILIES to be run…
    • We are not out to please people – we do not follow their ideas – we follow God…
    • When we follow the Word of God – we will inevitably upset some people…
    • But that does not mean we stop – all the more we need to obey the Lord…
    • The Word of God upsets people – because it has the power to convict – and change them!

• 2^nd – Where Paul wrote the letter… (2 points)
  • 1^st – In Philippi on his 4^th missionary journey…
    • There are only 3 missionary journeys in Acts – ending with Paul in prison in Rome…
      • The emperor during this time was a man called Caesar Nero…
      • Many believe that when Paul was first imprisoned – he shared the Gospel with Nero…
      • Just as he had done before Felix / Festus / and King Agrippa – Acts 24-26
      • But when the Caesar rejected Jesus – he went mad / perhaps possessed!
    • Paul was ultimately released from house arrest – returned to Macedonia – I Timothy 1:3
      • This is a 4^th journey not recorded in the book of Acts
      • At this time – he wrote both I Timothy and the book of Titus
  • 2^nd – 4-6 years later Paul was arrested a 2^nd time…
    • This time he was held in the in the Mamertine prison…
      • Nero began a widespread persecution against Christians…
      • He would clothe Christians in animal skins – then fed them alive to the lions…
      • He rode his chariot down the road lined with burning Christians for light!
    • Paul would ultimately be beheaded during this 2^nd imprisonment in Rome…
      • It was there on death row – that Paul wrote the book of – II Timothy
      • Paul knew his time was limited – so he wanted to prepare these pastors!
      • II Timothy 4:6 – “I am already being poured out… the time of my departure is at hand.”
      • We do not know how much time we have – with our kids – with those we love…
      • The question is what we are going to do with the time God has given us…
      • We can live for the things of this world – money / possessions – an empty life…
      • Or we can take the time we have been given and use it serve Jesus!
      • Ephesians 5:16 – “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

• 3^rd – Who Paul wrote the letter to… (6 points)
  • 1^st – We know quite a bit about Timothy…
    • He is mentioned in 10 of the 13 letters of Paul  – more than any other person…
    • Timothy joined Paul at the beginning of his 2^nd missionary journey – Acts 16
    • He was a young man – at least in the beginning of his ministry – I Timothy 4:12
    • And he stayed with Paul all the way through the 3^rd missionary journey…
    • Timothy was a man who traveled with and was trained up by Paul!
      
  • 2^nd – Timothy followed the example of Paul in ministry…
    • I Corinthians 16:10 – “Timothy…does the work of the Lord, just like I do.”
      • Timothy had been with Paul / watched Paul – and learned the ministry from Paul…
      • Never underestimate the power of EXAMPLE – we are constantly being influenced!
      • Why do we think one style of clothing is better than another…
      • Why were bell bottom jeans in style – out of style – perhaps in style again…
      • There is GREAT power in EXAMPLE – it molds and shapes how we view the world!
      • The EXAMPLE of the people we choose to surround ourselves with influence us!
      • They will by their example either stir us up to give ourselves to the Lord…
      • Or they can be a distraction – keep us from following after the Lord!
      • I Corinthians 15:33 – “…bad company corrupts good character.”
    • LEADERS are to be an EXAMPLE to others…
      • A Godly LEADER should not just be telling others what to do – but show them as well…
      • A Godly LEADER does not tell you to serve – he serves as an example!
      • God calls Dads to be the example to their children of how to follow the Lord…
      • Our children are watching – learning – what example do we give to them…
      • Our kids are like sponges – they soak up every word we say…
      • Our kids are like mirrors – they reflect everything we do!
  • 3^rd – Timothy had proven himself…
    • I Corinthians 4:17 – “I sent Timothy… my beloved and faithful son in the Lord.”
      • Timothy had been like a son to Paul – I Timothy 1:2 – serving with him in the Gospel…
      • Timothy had proven faithful over his years of service – had had not faltered…
      • He was not unstable – he had shown over time you could depend on him!
    • If we want to be a Godly Leader – then we must serve faithfully…
      • I Corinthians 4:2 – “Let a man so consider us, as MINSTERS of Christ.”
      • MINISTER – a slave who worked a Roman ship – under the deck – hard working…
      • No one would ever see and under rower – it was a humbling POSITION – a MINISTER!
      • Sad to say the church has lost sight of that today – MINISTER has become a title…
      • Rather than working hard for God – it describes one who tells others what to do…
      • A Godly leader is a proven MINSITER – comes early / leaves late – keeps serving!
  • 4^th – Timothy was flexible in the ministry…
    • Whether it was serving in Corinth / Philippi / Thessalonica / or Rome…
      • Timothy was always available and ready to answer the call!
      • We might be convinced that we are called to a specific role…
      • My job is to – be a mom / serve in a particular ministry / work at a particular job…
      • We get comfortable in our role – and refuse to be open to anything new!
      • The 11^th commandment – blessed are the flexible for they will not be broken…
      • Often we get frustrated / miss opportunities – because of our expectations!
      • We need to not be so focused on where we are going – or what we are doing…
      • Our identity is not in what we are doing / or where we are serving…
      • Our identity is simply in Christ – and we need to flexible in what He wants us to do!
    • The reason why Timothy was so flexible – he trusted in the Lord…
      • If we trust in the Lord then we have no problem no matter what the Lord does…
      • We know that no matter where He sends us / what we are doing…
      • Ultimately if we are following the Lord it is going to be the best for our lives!
      • Be a servant of Jesus is not conditional – so long as it is what we want…
      • If we make it conditional we will find we are no longer serving…
      • Not that God would send us somewhere / have a do something we did not want…
      • Along with the call – if we are open – comes a change of heart!
    • If we do not trust in the Lord – it is because of fear – making us un-flexible…
      • When God tells us to go and start teaching a Bible study / share Jesus with a friend…
      • We resist because we do not think we can do it – we do not trust God can help us…
      • We doubt – what if no one shows up to the study / what if they make fun of us!
      • One of the hardest things to do in life – is to take a step of faith…
      • We often hesitate because – we think we might fail – we might not be able to do it…
      • Or we hesitate because – what if we are wrong and this is not what God wants…
      • But with God nothing is impossible – it is not about our ability…
      • And we will never go wrong if we take a step of faith – God will direct our steps!
  • 5^th – Timothy had genuine love for the people…
    • Most people look out for number one – they only care about themselves…
      • Philippians 2:20-22 – “I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare… you know how Timothy has proved himself.”
      • But Timothy had the same heart as Paul – and cared genuinely for others…
      • Timothy was not out trying to impress anyone – earn points with God…
      • His care for others was natural – it flowed out from his love for Jesus!
    • You can always tell when someone is driven by selfish motivations…
      • You can always spot a LEADER who is only looking for what he can get…
      • When he comes around you want to hide – or at least hide your food…
      • Because you know he is not looking out for you – he is looking to get from you!
      • It is not hard to see they are focused on their best interests – not yours…
      • In contrast when we have a genuine love for others – we will serve others…
      • Out of a natural response to the Love of Christ that is within us!
  • 6^th – There came a point when Paul needed to let Timothy step out on his own…
    • In the end Timothy became the pastor of the church in Ephesus – I Timothy 1:3…
    • John 16:7 – Jesus told the disciples it was better if He went away…
    • Because then He could send the Holy Spirit to fill and empower the disciples.…
    • Not that the Holy Spirit was not already there – baptism of Jesus – Mark 1:10
    • The problem was the disciples – with Jesus there they did not need the Spirit…
    • Because they looked for Jesus to do everything – for their sakes Jesus had to go away!
    • If we are honest – we do not want responsibility – let someone else do it…
    • It takes no faith to let someone else serve the Lord – be used by the Spirit…
    • What takes a step of faith is to believe that God can use me!

Introduction to I Timothy…  

• 1^st – Introduction by Paul… vs. 1 (2 points)
  • 1^st – Paul was an Apostle of Jesus Christ – our HOPE…
    • The word APOSTLE simply means someone who is SENT OUT to preach the Gospel…
    • The picture is that of an ambassador – a representative of God to the world…
    • Sent out to share the Good News – the hope of salvation through Jesus!
    • We call them pastors – those who are SENT OUT to tell others about Jesus!
    • Because people do not know Jesus – they are lost in darkness and sin…
    • We can all can think of people right now who are not going to heaven…
    • We know people lost in superstation / worthless religion / and empty sinful pleasures…
    • We are called to be APOSTLES – SENT OUT to tell them about Jesus – Ephesians 4:11
  • 2^nd – Paul was made an Apostle by Jesus…
    • Paul was given authority from the priest to arrest anyone who confessed Jesus – Acts 9:2
      • But as Saul was nearing Damascus – a brilliant light beamed down on him…
      • A voice from Heaven called out saying – Saul why are you persecuting me…
      • When he came to the city – a man named Ananias came to pray for him…
      • The Lord had told Ananias – Saul is my chosen vessel – Acts 9:15
      • Chosen to be the apostle the Gentles – Romans 11:13 / I Timothy 2:7 / Galatians 2:7
    • Peter was the Apostle to the Jews – Galatians 2:8
      • Yet Peter was the working man – Paul was a Pharisee of Pharisees…
      • Simple logic would tell us that God would have called Paul to the Jews…
      • Paul knew Judaism inside and out – he was perfect to minister to the Jews…
      • Peter was a working man – he could have easily related to the Gentiles..
      • Yet God called them to the exact opposite ministries!
      • We are not always SENT OUT where we think we are the strongest…
      • If God called us to our strengths – then we would trust in our own abilities…
      • More often than not God calls us to our weaknesses – so that we trust in Him…
      • Never be afraid to step out in faith – especially if it seems impossible!
      • Remember God a simple man to build the ark – while the experts built the Titanic!
    • Chosen to bear fruit that lasts…
      • Paul wrote 1/3 of the New Testament – and his fruit can still be seen today!
      • Because if God is the one who calls / anoints a person – the results are dynamic…
      • We might come up with Great ideas – BUT only the ideas God comes up with work…
      • If God is doing the work – then even if I am not there – the work continues – fruit remains! 
      • John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…”

Because there is no greater calling or purpose in life – than to share Jesus with the world!

2^nd – A True son in the faith… vs. 2 (2 points)

1^st – Paul wanted Timothy to walk in Grace…

Timothy was chosen by God – not because of whom he was – it was by Grace…

Maybe we think – I am pretty sure God did not chose me…

Because we are looking at how messed up we are – and how few talents we have…

But we need to remember God do not choose us because of who we are…

He chooses by Grace – looking at who He is going to make us to be!

2^nd – Paul adds Mercy to his common greeting in the Pastoral Epistles…

Because Paul wanted God to hold back – mercy – what these pastors deserved!

My pastor once told me – Dave do not know why God made me a pastor…

He knew if it was not my job – I might never read the Bible!

We get the idea that LEADERS are somehow – holier / more righteous than the rest…

Chances are God choose us because He knows us all too well…

And he knows that if He does not keep us extra close – we would get in a LOT of trouble!

3^rd – Paul wanted Timothy to have peace…

Knowing we are chosen by God by His Grace – not because of our gifts…

Knowing that we have mercy – God will not give us what we deserve…

We can have peace – knowing God will stand with us as we LEAD others to Him!