Posts tagged 1 Timothy
How to Treat Your Leaders | 1 Timothy 5:17-25
How to Treat Your Leaders | 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Series: Guard this Treasure

Title: How to treat your leaders

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-25 NIV; 1:3-7

Bottom line: We care for our leaders best through rewards, discipline and wise selection.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. MAIN REFERENCES USED

INTRODUCTION

Even today, the day after Iran fired over a hundred missiles and drones at Israel, their prime minister is under fire from many calling for his ouster. Among legitimate critiques are character assassination attempts designed to slander or just take down that leader. This, unfortunately, is common for leaders today whether we’re talking the federal government or the local school board.

But what about leaders in the church?

Paul left Timothy in Ephesus on his behalf to confront false teachers and to call out those who are behaving sinfully. He is also to make sure that leaders are rewarded and chosen wisely as well. This is what we will deal with today.

As far as our church is concerned, we are an autonomous, non-denominational church led by a team of 5 elders (aka pastors, both lay and paid). They are the position we’re talking about today. How do we treat them? Let’s see how Paul answers that question.

SERMON OUTLINE (based on the Outline Bible):

SECTION OUTLINE FIVE (1 TIMOTHY 5)

Paul gives advice concerning older and younger men, older and younger women, widows, and church elders.

I. THE PEOPLE (5:1-16): Paul gives advice concerning church members.

II. THE PREACHERS (5:17-25): Paul's advice concerning church elders.

A. Elders in general (5:17-22, 24-25)

1. They are worthy of double honor (5:17-18).

        • So in summary, "double honor" indicates these faithful elders should receive both material support as well as the utmost respect and appreciation from the church body. This ensures they are properly cared for and esteemed for their service.

2. They must never be unjustly accused (5:19-20, 24-25).

3. They must be impartial (5:21).

4. They must be proven before being ordained (5:22a).

5. They must keep themselves pure (5:22b).

B. Timothy in particular (5:23): "Drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often."

CONCLUSION

I can tell you there have been plenty of times in the past 18 years when I’ve had contentious conversations with other elders about how we should lead this church. There have been times when I’ve been slandered, misunderstood, and called out. Sometimes legitimately too.

Bottom line: We care for our leaders best through rewards, discipline and wise selection.

I can tell you from personal experience, Paul’s advice here is sound and works. Ultimately, he’s simple giving us God’s words on the subject. We would be foolish to ignore them.

Pray

NOTES

Let’s ask some summary questions:

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. How to reward, discipline and choose your elders.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because churches rise and fall on leadership.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. Treat their elders well by

  1. Rewarding them when they do well,

  2. Disciplining them when appropriate,

  3. Choosing them carefully.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. Because they lead the church towards or away from Christ.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. They lead the church towards Christ by

  1. Overseeing the flock

  2. Shepherding the flock (lead, feed and protect)

  3. Preaching and teaching the flock

  4. Loving the flock

OUTLINES

Outline Bible (Willmington)

SECTION OUTLINE FIVE (1 TIMOTHY 5)

Paul gives advice concerning older and younger men, older and younger women, widows, and church elders.

I. THE PEOPLE (5:1-16): Paul gives advice concerning church members.

A. In regard to older men (5:1a): Treat them as respected fathers.

B. In regard to younger men (5:1b): Treat them as brothers.

C. In regard to older women (5:2a): Treat them as mothers.

D. In regard to younger women (5:2b): Treat them as sisters.

E. In regard to widows (5:3-16)

1. Older widows (5:3-10, 16)

a. Widows who are over sixty, godly, and have no living chil-dren (5:3, 5, 9-10, 16): These are to be honored and provided for.

b. Widows who have living children and grandchildren (5:4, 8, 16): They are to be cared for by their families.

c. Widows who are carnal and live only for pleasure (5:6-7): They are to receive no help.

2. Younger widows (5:11-15)

a. The rule (5:11-12, 14): Let them remarry and raise children.

b. The reason (5:13, 15): This will keep them from immorality and idle talk.

II. THE PREACHERS (5:17-25): Paul's advice concerning church elders.

A. Elders in general (5:17-22, 24-25)

1. They are worthy of double honor (5:17-18).

2. They must never be unjustly accused (5:19-20, 24-25).

3. They must be impartial (5:21).

4. They must be proven before being ordained (5:22a).

5. They must keep themselves pure (5:22b).

B. Timothy in particular (5:23): "Drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often."

BKC Outline

I. The Salutation (1:1–2)

II. Instructions concerning False Teachers (1:3–20)

III. Instructions concerning Conduct in the Church (2:1–3:13)

IV. Instructions concerning Guarding the Truth in the Church (3:14–4:16)

A. …

C. Responsibilities of a good minister of Christ (4:6–16)

V. Instructions concerning Various Groups in the Church (5:1–6:10)

A. Concerning various age-groups (5:1–2)

B. Concerning widows (5:3–16)

C. Concerning elders (5:17–25)

D. Concerning slaves and masters (6:1–2)

E. Concerning the heretical and greedy (6:3–10)

VI. Final Charge to Timothy (6:11–21)

A. Exhortation to godliness (6:11–16)

B. Instructions for the rich (6:17–19)

C. Exhortations to remain faithful (6:20–21)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

  1. Retell the story in your own words.

  2. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

  3. Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

Final Questions (index cards optional)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

AnswerThePublic.com

Wikipedia.com

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Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, 1 Timothy, Guard this Treasure, Grace Christian Fellowship, non-denominational church, bible believing church, Ladson, SC
Where's a Palm Frond When You Need It? | Matthew 21:1-9
Where's a Palm Frond When You Need It? | Matthew 21:1-9

“Where’s a Palm Frond When You Need it?”

Setting:

- Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, so folks were pretty excited…including Jesus’

enemies

- Matthew 20:17-19

17  Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to

them,  18  “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the

chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death  19  and will hand

him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be

raised to life!”

- Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons asked Jesus if her boys could sit at his right and left

hands

- They didn’t get it…in fact, Matthew has her at Jesus’ crucifixion…

Matthew 21:1-6

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two

disciples,  2  saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey

tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.  3  If anyone says anything to

you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4  This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: (the prophet Zechariah)

5  “Say to Daughter Zion,

    ‘See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” [a]

6  The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  7  They brought the donkey and the

colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.

This is referencing the Old Testament prophesy of the coming King…the Messiah

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

    righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

This prophesy of the coming King was 500 years before Jesus…

In Jacob’s blessing on his son Judah, he is also pronouncing that Israel’s true and everlasting

king will come from the tribe of Judah…even referring to the donkey

Genesis 49:10-11

The scepter will not depart from Judah,

    nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, [a]

until he to whom it belongs [b]  shall come

    and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

11  He will tether his donkey to a vine,

    his colt to the choicest branch;

he will wash his garments in wine,

    his robes in the blood of grapes.

Why a donkey?

In ancient times, when a conquering king rode into a city, it was usually with a show of great

power and wealth, on a white horse in times of war, and a donkey in times of peace. Our King,

Jesus was going to ride into the city triumphantly, yet peacefully and meekly on a donkey.

Meek, meaning power under control.

1 Kings 1:32-34

32  King David said, “Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.”

When they came before the king,  33  he said to them: “Take your lord’s servants with you and

have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon.  34  There have Zadok

the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout,

‘Long live King Solomon!’

This represents the day that Solomon was recognized as the new king

So - The symbolism and significance of this event would be understood by everyone there…

- So, After a few years of showing people who He was, and telling those He healed not to tell

anyone, Jesus was letting the people of Jerusalem, those visiting for the Passover, the

leaders of the synagogue, the rulers of Jerusalem and every single one of us know that He

was and is indeed the Messiah…the King

Matthew 21:1-6

6  The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  7  They brought the donkey and the

colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8  A very large crowd spread their

cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  9  The

crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna [b]  to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” [c]

“Hosanna [d]  in the highest heaven!”

Hosanna: means “save now”…where did that come from??

Psalm 118:25-26

LORD, save us! (That is the word Hosanna)

    LORD, grant us success!

26  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.

    From the house of the LORD we bless you. [a]

- They did not truly understand HOW Jesus was going to save them.

-

- Their expectations were not in line with the King’s will, but their own.

-

- They understood the prophesy enough to know that He was the messiah, but not enough to

get past their own notions of why He was there and what the Messiah was going to deliver

them from… He did not come to deliver them from Rome. He came to deliver them and all

of us from sin, death and hell.

-

So why did they lay down palm fronds?

Palm branches were often used in the celebration of victory and in King David’s time, they were

used to honor royalty.

Even Wikipedia says: The palm branch, or palm frond, is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace,

and eternal life. We see them in the old testament and even in the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 7:9

9  After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from

every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They

were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

So if palm branches are so important, why didn’t we distribute them today?

Because you already have one…because I believe we already ARE one…

If we are in Christ, are we not (as Wikipedia called it) symbols of victory, triumph, peace, and

eternal life?

Everything you can lay down before the King, you already have. We know what it meant for

people to lay down their coats and palms before Jesus, but He is calling us to lay down our lives

for our King…our hearts, our minds, our strength …everything we are.

Every thought / Every action / Every relationship / Every job / Every habit / Every worry / Our

past, present and future. That is what we should be laying down before our King

In Luke 14, Jesus talks about the cost of being a disciple…

Luke 14:25-27

25  Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:  26  “If anyone comes to me

and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their

own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.  27  And whoever does not carry their cross and

follow me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33

33  In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Galatians 2:20

20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live

in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

He wants us to lay down everything we are for Him…so much more than a palm frond and a

cloak.

He laid down His life for us and asks the same of us for Him.

What are your expectations of the King? Are they in line with His will or with yours?

Do you know that our King isn’t here to make you rich? Or to make you happy? Or to help you

take control of society with power. Our king said “in this life you will have trouble” and “Whoever

wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

As a follower of Jesus, If we are not living a life for Him, are we yelling “Hosannah” with our

mouths and “Crucify Him” by our actions?

This was easier when it was just a palm branch…in fact…where’s a palm frond when you need

it?

That same king who came riding a donkey into Jerusalem as a peaceful conquering king,

conquered sin and death, delivered us from an eternity without God, and is coming back to

vanquish the enemy…and the next time, He will be riding a war horse…

Revelation 19:11-16

11  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called

Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.  12  His eyes are like blazing fire, and on

his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he

himself.  13  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.  14  The

armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and

clean.  15  Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will

rule them with an iron scepter.” [a]  He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God

Almighty.  16  On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Luke 19:39-40

39  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

All of nature knows the significance of this moment…and this King…do we?

Pray

The Lord’s Supper

23 Corinthians 11:23-26

23  For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he

was betrayed, took bread,  24  and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my

body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  25  In the same way, after supper he took

the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in

remembrance of me.”  26  For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the

Lord’s death until he comes.

Passages from The Message:

Matthew 20:17-19

Matthew 21:1-6

Zechariah 9:9

Genesis 49:10-11

1 Kings 1:32-34

Matthew 21:1-6

Psalm 118:25-26

Revelation 7:9

Luke 14:25-27

Luke 14:33

Galatians 2:20

Revelation 19:11-16

Luke 19:39-40

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Guest UserGrace Christian Fellowship1 Timothy 4, 1 Timothy, Guard this Treasure, Darien Gabriel, non denominational church, bible believing church, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Chris Karpus
How to Stay True to Christ | 1 Timothy 4:1-10
How to Stay True to Christ | 1 Timothy 4:1-10

Series: Guard the Treasure

Title: How to stay true to Christ

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-10 NIV

John 15:1-5 “train to remain”

Bottom Line: We stay true to the faith by training to remain in Christ.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. MAIN REFERENCES USED

INTRODUCTION

How to Avoid the Titanic Mistake

James Cameron, director of the movie Titanic, describes the Titanic as a ‘metaphor’ of life: ‘We are all living on… [the] Titanic.’

When the Titanic set sail in 1912, it was declared to be ‘unsinkable’ because it was constructed using a new technology. The ship’s hull was divided into sixteen watertight compartments. Up to four of these compartments could be damaged or even flooded, and still the ship would float.

Tragically, the Titanic sank on 15 April 1912 at 2.20 am. 1,513 people lost their lives. At the time, it was thought that five of its watertight compartments had been ruptured in a collision with an iceberg.

However, on 1 September 1985, when the wreck of the Titanic was found lying upright on the ocean floor, there was no sign of the long gash previously thought to have been ripped in the ship’s hull. What they discovered was that damage to one compartment affected all the rest.

Many people make the Titanic mistake. They think they can divide their lives into different ‘compartments’ and that what they do in one will not affect the rest. However, as Rick Warren (from whom I have taken this illustration) says, ‘A life of integrity is one that is not divided into compartments.’

David prayed for ‘an undivided heart’ (Psalm 86:11). He led the people with ‘integrity of heart’ (78:72). Supremely, Jesus was a ‘man of integrity’ (Matthew 22:16; Mark 12:14). How can you and I avoid the Titanic mistake and live lives of integrity?

How do stay true to Christ (godliness) and overcome false teachings?

Proper diet + exercise

CONTEXT

False teachers are intentionally wreaking havoc on the Ephesians church. That’s the context for this letter. There are issues in the church at Ephesus and Paul can’t be there to straighten things out. So he sent Timothy in his place to straighten things out until he can get there. This letter represents his instructions to Timothy to help him do just that.

“If I were preaching a sermon specifically on 1 Timothy 3:14-16, the main topic would likely revolve around the significance of the church as the guardian of truth and the mystery of godliness centered on Jesus Christ. I would focus on how these verses highlight the importance of understanding and upholding the core beliefs of Christianity while recognizing the profound nature of Christ's life, message, and exaltation.” -ChatGPT 3.5

We guard the treasure of the gospel (truth and godliness) by:

Sermon Outline (by Hughes):

Remaining true to Christ and godliness requires:

  1. Diet for Godliness (6-7a)

    1. Reject bad doctrine

    2. Dine on good teaching

  2. Exercise for Godliness (7b-10)

    1. Called to exercise

    2. Benefits of exercise

CONCLUSION

Life-Changing Words

Nicky Gumbel

My father wanted to go to Russia before he died. We went there on holiday as a family. At that time Bibles were strictly illegal there. I took with me some Russian Bibles. While I was there I went to churches and looked for people who seemed to be genuine Christians. (Church meetings were often infiltrated by the KGB.)

On one occasion, I followed a man down the street after a service. I went up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. There was nobody about. I took out one of my Bibles and handed it to him. For a moment, he had an expression of utmost disbelief. Then he took from his pocket a New Testament, which was probably 100 years old. The pages were so threadbare they were virtually transparent. When he realised that he had received a whole Bible, he was elated. He didn’t speak any English and I didn’t speak any Russian. But we hugged each other and he started to run up and down the street jumping for joy.

The words of God are ‘more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb’ (Psalm 19:10).

Why are the words of God so precious? Jesus said: ‘People do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). The original expression means ‘is continually coming out of the mouth of God’; it is like a stream pouring forth and, like the stream of a fountain, it is never static. God is continually communicating with us. He does so, primarily, through the life-changing words of the Bible.

Bible in One Year 2021 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 41 • Devotional

Bottom Line: We stay true to the faith by training to remain in Christ.

In conclusion, let’s ask some summary questions:

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. How to stay true to Christ.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because there are false teachers out there trying to derail our faith.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. Train to remain in Christ.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. So they’ll stay true to Christ.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. Prayerfully read the Bible each day.

Pray

NOTES

Too busy to pray and be in the word?

This call is for all of us who know Christ—regardless of how busy we are or how demanding our occupation. Billy Graham has shared that his medical missionary father-in-law Nelson Bell (who ran a 400-bed hospital in China, often on his own) made it a point "to rise every morning at four-thirty and spend two to three hours in Bible reading. He didn't do his correspondence or any of his other work. He just read the Scriptures every morning, and he was a walking Bible encyclopedia. People wondered at the holiness and the greatness in his life." I asked a personal friend, Dr. Ken Gieser, who worked with Dr. Bell, about this, and he affirmed every word.

Consider the example of Lt. General William K. Harrison who was the most decorated soldier in the 30th Infantry Division, rated by General Eisenhower as the number one infantry division in World War II. General Harrison was the first American to enter Belgium during that war, which he did at the head of the Allied forces. He received every decoration for valor except the Congressional Medal of Honor-being honored with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, and the Purple Heart he was one of the few generals to be wounded in action).

When the Korean War began, he served as Chief of Staff in the United Nations Command and because of his character and calm self-control was ultimately President Eisenhower's choice to head the long and tedious negotiations to end the war.

General Harrison was a soldier's soldier who led a busy, ultra-kinetic life, but he was also an amazing man of the Word. When he was a twenty-year-old West Point cadet, he began reading the Old Testament through once and the New Testament four times annually. General Harrison did this until the end of his life. Even in the thick of war he maintained his commitment by catching up during the two- and three-day respites for replacement and refitting that followed battles, so that when the war ended he was right on schedule. When at the age of ninety his failing eyesight no longer permitted this discipline, he had read the Old Testament seventy times and the New Testament 280 times! No wonder his godliness and wisdom were proverbial. It is no surprise that the Lord used him for eighteen fruitful years to lead Officers Christian Fellowship (OCF)."

General Harrison's story tells us that it is possible, even for the busiest of us, to systematically train ourselves in God's Word. His life also remains a demonstration of the benefits of a godly mind's programming itself with Scripture. His closest associates say that every area of his life (domestic, spiri-wal, and professional) and each of the great problems he faced was informed by the Scriptures. People marveled at his godliness and his ability to bring the Word's light to every are marvele

OUTLINES

Outline Bible (Willmington)

SECTION OUTLINE FOUR (1 TIMOTHY 4)

Paul contrasts two kinds of shepherds.

1. GODLESS SHEPHERDS (4:1-5): Paul warns Timothy against false teachers.

A. Who they are (4:2): Hypocritical and lying religious leaders.

B. What they will do (4:1b-1c, 3)

1. Abandon the faith (4:1b)

2. Follow teachings that come from lying spirits and demons (4:1 c)

3. Forbid marriage and the eating of certain foods (4:3)

C. When they will do it (4:1 a): In the "last times" before Jesus' coming.

D. Why they are wrong (4:4-5)

1. Everything God created is good and thus should not be rejected (4:4).

2. Everything God created is made holy by God's Word and by prayer (4:5).

II. GODLY SHEPHERDS (4:6-16): Paul lists some dos and don'ts concerning Christian ministry.

A. The don'ts (4:7a, 12a, 14)

1. Don't waste time arguing over foolish ideas and silly myths (4:7a).

2. Don't be intimidated because of your youth (4:12a).

3. Don't neglect your spiritual gift (4:14).

B. The dos (4:6, 7b-11, 12b-13, 15-16)

1. Warn the church members concerning apostasy (4:6).

2. Keep spiritually fit (4:7b-11).

3. Be a godly role model in all you do (4:12b).

4. Continue to publicly read, teach, and preach the Word of God (4:13).

5. Give yourself wholly to the ministry (4:15).

6. Keep close check on your own life (4:16).

BKC Outline

I. The Salutation (1:1–2)

II. Instructions concerning False Teachers (1:3–20)

III. Instructions concerning Conduct in the Church (2:1–3:13)

IV. Instructions concerning Guarding the Truth in the Church (3:14–4:16)

A. The church and its truth (3:14–16)

B. Predictions of apostasy (4:1–5)

C. Responsibilities of a good minister of Christ (4:6–16)

V. Instructions concerning Various Groups in the Church (5:1–6:10)

A. Concerning various age-groups (5:1–2)

B. Concerning widows (5:3–16)

C. Concerning elders (5:17–25)

D. Concerning slaves and masters (6:1–2)

E. Concerning the heretical and greedy (6:3–10)

VI. Final Charge to Timothy (6:11–21)

A. Exhortation to godliness (6:11–16)

B. Instructions for the rich (6:17–19)

C. Exhortations to remain faithful (6:20–21)

W Wiersbe sermon outline

Key theme: How to manage the ministry of the local church

Key verse: 1 Timothy 3:15

I. The Church and Its Message (1)

II. The Church and Its Members (2–3)

A. Praying men (2:1–8)

1. For rulers (2:1–3)

2. For sinners (2:4–8)

B. Modest women (2:9–15)

1. In dress (2:9–10)

2. In behavior (2:11–15)

C. Dedicated officers (3:1–13)

1. Pastors (3:1–7)

2. Deacons (3:8–13)

D. Behaving believers (3:14–16)

III. The Church and Its Minister (4)

A. A good minister (4:1–6)

B. A godly minister (4:7–12)

C. A growing minister (4:13–16)

IV. The Church and Its Ministry (5–6)

A. To older saints (5:1–2)

B. To widows (5:3–16)

C. To church leaders (5:17–25)

D. To servants (slaves) (6:1–2)

E. To trouble-makers (6:3–5)

F. To the rich (6:6–19)

G. To the “educated” (6:20–21)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

  1. Retell the story in your own words.

  2. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

  3. Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

Final Questions (index cards optional)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

AnswerThePublic.com

Wikipedia.com

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, non denominational church, bible believing church, 1 Timothy, guard the treasure
Who Guards the Truth and How? | 1 Timothy 3:14-16
Who Guards the Truth and How? | 1 Timothy 3:14-16

Series: Guard the Treasure

Title: Who Guards the Truth & How?

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:14-16 NIV

Bottom Line:  We guard the treasure by showing up living the truth, sharing the truth and exalting the Truth the rest of our lives.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. MAIN REFERENCES USED

INTRODUCTION

Sometimes my wife Anita sends me to the store to pick up something she needs to prepare dinner. If she just needs one or two things,  I don’t usually write it down. If it gets longer than three things, or if branding and size become an issue, I will write it down. My chance of getting back home with the correct thing is exponentially more likely if I write it down than if I don’t. But being a man, I tend to want to not write it down.

It’s ironic, I think, that Paul wrote down instructions for Timothy to follow and actually believed that Timothy would follow his instructions. Especially considering that we men don’t love to follow instructions. And, yet, we have the letter 1 Timothy, because a man wrote down the instructions for another man to follow. Isn’t God good?

CONTEXT

And that’s the context for this letter. There are issues in the church at Ephesus and Paul can’t be there to straighten things out. So he sent Timothy in his place to straighten things out until he can get there. This letter represents his instructions to Timothy to help him do just that.

“If I were preaching a sermon specifically on 1 Timothy 3:14-16, the main topic would likely revolve around the significance of the church as the guardian of truth and the mystery of godliness centered on Jesus Christ. I would focus on how these verses highlight the importance of understanding and upholding the core beliefs of Christianity while recognizing the profound nature of Christ's life, message, and exaltation.” -ChatGPT 3.5

We guard the treasure of the gospel (truth and godliness) by:

SERMON OUTLINE

I. We are the church who guards the treasure

  1. The household of God

  2. The church of the living God

  3. The pillar and

  4. Foundation of truth (the treasure)

II. We guard the treasure/truth by

    1. Showing up and living the truth

    2. Proclaiming the truth

    3. Exalting the truth

CONCLUSION

Bottom Line:  We guard the treasure by showing up living the truth, sharing the truth and exalting the Truth the rest of our lives.

In conclusion, let’s ask some summary questions:

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. Who guards the truth in these last days?

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because it’s us—we are guardians of the truth.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. 1. Guard the truth by

    1. Showing up and living the truth

    2. Proclaiming the truth

    3. Exalting the truth

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. Because that’s our job as guardians of the truth.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. 1. Show up #incarnation

  1. Share #proclamation

  2. Worship/live 24/7 #glorification/exaltation

Pray

NOTES

None

OUTLINES

BKC Outline

I. The Salutation (1:1–2)

II. Instructions concerning False Teachers (1:3–20)

III. Instructions concerning Conduct in the Church (2:1–3:13)

IV. Instructions concerning Guarding the Truth in the Church (3:14–4:16)

A. The church and its truth (3:14–16)

B. Predictions of apostasy (4:1–5)

C. Responsibilities of a good minister of Christ (4:6–16)

V. Instructions concerning Various Groups in the Church (5:1–6:10)

A. Concerning various age-groups (5:1–2)

B. Concerning widows (5:3–16)

C. Concerning elders (5:17–25)

D. Concerning slaves and masters (6:1–2)

E. Concerning the heretical and greedy (6:3–10)

VI. Final Charge to Timothy (6:11–21)

A. Exhortation to godliness (6:11–16)

B. Instructions for the rich (6:17–19)

C. Exhortations to remain faithful (6:20–21)

W Wiersbe sermon outline

Key theme: How to manage the ministry of the local church

Key verse: 1 Timothy 3:15

I. The Church and Its Message (1)

II. The Church and Its Members (2–3)

A. Praying men (2:1–8)

1. For rulers (2:1–3)

2. For sinners (2:4–8)

B. Modest women (2:9–15)

1. In dress (2:9–10)

2. In behavior (2:11–15)

C. Dedicated officers (3:1–13)

1. Pastors (3:1–7)

2. Deacons (3:8–13)

D. Behaving believers (3:14–16)

III. The Church and Its Minister (4)

A. A good minister (4:1–6)

B. A godly minister (4:7–12)

C. A growing minister (4:13–16)

IV. The Church and Its Ministry (5–6)

A. To older saints (5:1–2)

B. To widows (5:3–16)

C. To church leaders (5:17–25)

D. To servants (slaves) (6:1–2)

E. To trouble-makers (6:3–5)

F. To the rich (6:6–19)

G. To the “educated” (6:20–21)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

  1. Retell the story in your own words.

  2. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

  3. Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

Final Questions (index cards optional)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

AnswerThePublic.com

Wikipedia.com

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, non denominational church, bible believing church, 1 Timothy, Guard this Treasure
Overcoming Obstacles to Fruitfulness in the Church | 1 Timothy 2:1-15
Overcoming Obstacles to Fruitfulness in the Church | 1 Timothy 2:1-15

Series: Guard the Treasure

Title: Overcoming obstacles to fruitfulness in the church

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-15 NIV (More below)

Genesis 1:26-27; 2 & 3

Bottom Line:  We overcome these 3 obstacles to being a fruitful church through pure and peaceful prayer, good deeds, and submitting to God’s design for leadership.

  1. SERMON OUTLINE

  2. NOTES

  3. OUTLINES

  4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  5. MAIN REFERENCES USED

SERMON OUTLINE

Introduction

It’s probably not hard to imagine a church where there are men and/or women distorting God’s word as they teach or lead their SS class or small group. Maybe you’ve seen this before.

It’s not hard to imagine a church where men are arguing over how to lead a church. Where men are not right on the inside and yet trying to lead their family and/or their church family. As a result, they become divisive undermining leadership. Have you experienced this in churches before?

It’s not hard to imagine women being a distraction in church through immodest, distracting, or even seductive dress. Women who are about drawing attention to themselves. Women who are distracting everyone from the one they came to worship.

It’s not hard to imagine a church being tempted to change their beliefs, doctrines, and practices because of the pressures of the culture at large. Pressures to change how to lead a church and the roles of men and women.

Context

All of these are being addressed by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1-2. Paul is coaching Timothy through how to handle these challenges in the church at Ephesus.

My goal today is to help us see how to overcome 3 of these obstacles to fruitfulness in the church.

  1. The divisiveness of men,

  2. The distraction of women, and

  3. The distinct roles of leadership in the local church.

My aim is to show how Paul teaches us how to overcome these obstacles to fruitfulness in church.

He does so by exhorting us towards:

  1. Praying with a pure heart before God and at peace with each other,

  2. Adoring God with godliness instead of adorning ourselves as narcissists, and

  3. Resting in God’s design for leadership in the home and the church.

OUTLINE (Based on Wiersbe & Platt)

LAST WEEK

I. The Church and Its Message (1)

A. Teaching sound doctrine (1:1–11)

B. Preaching a glorious Gospel (1:12–17)

C. Defending the faith (1:18–20)

II. The Church and Its Members (2–3)

A. Praying men (2:1–8)

1. For rulers (2:1–3)

2. For sinners (2:4–8)

THIS WEEK

III. To divisive men in the church (2:8)

A. Pray with purity before God.

B. Pray with peace before others.

IV. To distracting women in the church (2:9-10)

A. Adorn yourself with modest dress.

    1. Do not draw attention to physical beauty.

    2. Do not draw attention to worldly wealth.

B. Adore God through a Christlike demeanor.

V. On the distinctive roles of men and women in the church (2:11-15)

A. Two principles:

    1. The principle of harmony: We interpret each scripture in light of all scripture.

      1. Ex. The Trinity. Bible says that God the Father is God, Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Yet nowhere does it outright state that. A thorough study of the Bible shows that God is one and that at the same time God relates as 3 persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We use all of scripture to interpret each scripture.

      2. There are no contradictions—just apparent contradictions.

      3. God is the author of scripture. (2 Tim 3:16)

      4. Therefore, it all must be true and not contradict.

    2. The principle of history: God has revealed scriptural truth in the context of specific historical and cultural settings.

B. Two reminders:

    1. God created men and women with equal dignity.

    2. God created men and women with complementary roles.

      1. For ex. God and Jesus are both God. Therefore, equal.

      2. Yet, they have different roles.

        1. Father directs

        2. Son submits

      3. In the same way, men and women are equal in value but having differing (complementary) roles in the church.

      4. We see this in the home as well. (Eph 5:22-32; Gen 1-3)

C. Two prohibitions

    1. Women should not teach as elders/pastors/overseers in the church.

    2. Women should not lead as elders/pastor/overseers in the church.

    3. The way elders lead with authority in the church is through humbly, faithfully teaching the church how to obey scripture.

    4. When gladly submitted to the elders, women are encouraged to lead out in all other areas of the church.

    5. Are there other positions that women should not lead in? Consider 2 questions when wrestling with this:

D. Two questions

    1. As a women teaches/leads, is she reflecting God’s pattern in scripture?

    2. As a woman teaches/leads, is she reinforcing God’s priorities in the home?

E. Two reasons

    1. God’s design in Creation: God gives authority to man.

    2. Satan’s distortion of creation: man abdicates authority to woman.

F. Two things we don’t know for sure

    1. Is 1 Tim 2:15 talking about salvation through the offspring of Eve?

    2. Is 2 Tim 2:15 talking about the significance of women nurturing children?

G. Two things we know for sure

    1. Women are sanctified as they glorify God in the distinct roles and responsibilities He has entrusted to them.

    2. Women are saved not through the birth of a child but through the death of Christ, who died to make us the men and women God created us to be.

Application

  • Only qualified men are to be pastors/elders in the church.

  • Pastors/elders are who regularly teach and preach to the entire church.

  • P/E are who exercises authority in the church regarding church discipline.

  • Some conclude that women should not teach at all. But that is not what this passage nor the NT says.

    • Women are instructed to teach younger women. (Titus 2)

    • Women are instructed along with men and young people to teach others to obey everything that Jesus commanded (Matt 28).

    • Women are able to pray and prophecy in the church service (1 Cor 11 & 14).

    • Women are able to lead and teach in every ministry in the church as long as it does not require her to function as an elder or pastor.

    • Ex. Women should not preach at a church every week. However, I do think that she can, under the authority of the elders/pastors, on occasion. I would say the same about a SS class or home group. It wouldn’t be that she would lead her own coed SS class or home group. However, I have no problem with her leading one of those as needed, again, under the authority of the elders/pastors.

Conclusion

Bottom Line:  We overcome these 3 obstacles to being a fruitful church through pure and peaceful prayer, good deeds, and submitting to God’s design for leadership.

In conclusion, let’s ask some summary questions:

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. 3 obstacles to fruitful, godly, holy, true, disciple-making lives

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because they are prevalent in our churches today.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. Overcome these obstacles to fruitfulness in family and church by

  1. Praying with a pure heart before God and at peace with each other,

  2. Adoring God with godliness instead of adorning ourselves as narcissists, and

  3. Resting in God’s design for leadership in the home and the church.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. This will lead our homes and churches towards fruitfulness: godly, holy, truth-saturated disciple-making.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. By asking God for the grace to live out this passage each day.

Pray

NOTES

Women are made after men, out of men, and for men.

Other verses

    1. Gen 1:27 both men and women are made equal in value and in the image of God

    2. Gen 2 Woman was created AFTER man, FROM man, and FOR man (helper)

    3. Gen 3:1-15 Fall of Adam and Eve; curses; hope

    4. Matthew 28:8-10 First evangelist was Mary Magdalene

    5. Matthew 28:19-20 every disciple is called to “teach them to obey all that I have commanded” by Jesus

    6. Acts 2:17-18 Daughters and women prophesying and dreaming; Peter’s explanation after the women in the 120 are preaching the gospel throughout the temple grounds leading 3,000 to faith

    7. Acts 18:26 Priscilla and Aquila teamed up to teach Apollos to better understand the gospel

    8. 1 Cor 11:2-16 Man is the head of woman, Christ is the head of man, God is the head of Christ; men and women pray and prophesy in church; neither is independent from the other

    9. 1 Cor 14:26 Whenever the church comes together, everyone comes bringing something to offer (men & women)

    10. Gal 3:28 both made equal in value and in the image of God

    11. Col 3:16 “Teach and admonish one another” whenever you gather for church

    12. Eph 5:21-34 Submission in marriage and in the kingdom

    13. 2 Tim 1:5; 3:14 Timothy received instruction from mom and grandmother

    14. Titus 2:3 Older women should teach younger women. (Sounds like women’s ministry to me)

    15. Heb 5:12 “by this time you ought to be teachers”

Don’t forget about

  • Priscilla

  • Phoebe

  • Junias

  • Timothy’s mother and grandmother

  • Older women teaching younger women in Titus 2

Church order is consistently founded on family order. Why else would the world be so hostile towards 2 parent families when the studies all back up this wisdom?

Elders in the New Testament are tasked with several key duties, including:

1. **Spiritual Oversight:** Providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the church community.

2. **Teaching and Doctrine:** Instructing and ensuring adherence to sound biblical doctrine.

3. **Shepherding the Flock:** Caring for the well-being of the congregation, like a shepherd caring for a flock.

4. **Modeling Character:** Demonstrating a godly and mature character for others to follow.

5. **Prayer:** Engaging in prayer for the church and its members.

6. **Protecting from False Teaching:** Guarding the congregation against false doctrines or teachings.

These duties are outlined in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Peter 5:1-5 in the New Testament.

OUTLINES

OUTLINE Bible (1 TIMOTHY 2) — Paul writes about proper worship of God.

I. THE WORSHIP OF GOD (2:1-2, 8): Paul discusses the subject of prayer.

A. For whom we should pray (2:1-2a)

1. For those in authority (2:2a)

2. For everyone (2:1)

B. Why we should pray (2:2b): "So that we can live in peace and quietness."

C. How we should pray (2:8): "With holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy."

II. THE WILL OF GOD (2:3-7)

A. The mission (2:3-4): "God . .. wants everyone to be saved."

B. The mediator (2:5): Jesus Christ stands between God and people.

C. The method (2:6): Salvation was effected by the death of Christ.

D. The messenger (2:7): Paul has been chosen by God to serve as a missionary to the Gentiles.

III. THE WOMAN OF GOD (2:9-15)

A. Her responsibilities (2:9-11)

1. In matters of apparel (2:9-10): She should dress modestly as one who professes to worship God.

2. In matters of attitude (2:11): She should listen and learn quietly and humbly.

B. Her restrictions (2:12-14)

1. The rule (2:12): The woman is not permitted to teach or have authority over a man.

2. The reason (2:13-14): Two factors are given.

a. The factor of the original creation (2:13): Adam was created before Eve.

b. The factor of the original corruption (2:14): Adam was not deceived by Satan as was the woman.

C. Her redemption (2:15): She will be "saved" through childbearing and by living in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

BKC Outline

I. The Salutation (1:1–2)

II. Instructions concerning False Teachers (1:3–20)

A. Warnings against false teachers (1:3–11)

B. Paul’s experience of grace (1:12–17)

C. Paul’s charge to Timothy (1:18–20)

III. Instructions concerning Conduct in the Church (2:1–3:13)

A. Instructions concerning prayer (2:1–7)

B. Instructions concerning men and women (2:8–15)

C. Instructions concerning elders and deacons (3:1–13)

IV. Instructions concerning Guarding the Truth in the Church (3:14–4:16)

A. The church and its truth (3:14–16)

B. Predictions of apostasy (4:1–5)

C. Responsibilities of a good minister of Christ (4:6–16)

V. Instructions concerning Various Groups in the Church (5:1–6:10)

A. Concerning various age-groups (5:1–2)

B. Concerning widows (5:3–16)

C. Concerning elders (5:17–25)

D. Concerning slaves and masters (6:1–2)

E. Concerning the heretical and greedy (6:3–10)

VI. Final Charge to Timothy (6:11–21)

A. Exhortation to godliness (6:11–16)

B. Instructions for the rich (6:17–19)

C. Exhortations to remain faithful (6:20–21)

W Wiersbe sermon outline

Key theme: How to manage the ministry of the local church

Key verse: 1 Timothy 3:15

I. The Church and Its Message (1)

A. Teaching sound doctrine (1:1–11)

B. Preaching a glorious Gospel (1:12–17)

C. Defending the faith (1:18–20)

II. The Church and Its Members (2–3)

A. Praying men (2:1–8)

1. For rulers (2:1–3)

2. For sinners (2:4–8)

B. Modest women (2:9–15)

1. In dress (2:9–10)

2. In behavior (2:11–15)

C. Dedicated officers (3:1–13)

1. Pastors (3:1–7)

2. Deacons (3:8–13)

D. Behaving believers (3:14–16)

III. The Church and Its Minister (4)

A. A good minister (4:1–6)

B. A godly minister (4:7–12)

C. A growing minister (4:13–16)

IV. The Church and Its Ministry (5–6)

A. To older saints (5:1–2)

B. To widows (5:3–16)

C. To church leaders (5:17–25)

D. To servants (slaves) (6:1–2)

E. To trouble-makers (6:3–5)

F. To the rich (6:6–19)

G. To the “educated” (6:20–21)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

  1. Retell the story in your own words.

  2. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

  3. Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

Final Questions (index cards optional)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Timothy,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Timothy” by John Stott

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus, David Platt, Daniel Akin, Tony Merida

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

AnswerThePublic.com

Wikipedia.com

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, 1 Timothy, overcoming obstacles, fruitfulness, guard this treasure, Ladson, SC, bible believing church, Grace Christian Fellowship, non denominational church
How Not to Be Weak | 1 Timothy 2:1-7
How Not to Be Weak | 1 Timothy 2:1-7

HOW NOT TO BE WEAK        

 

1 Timothy 2:1-7


And the letters to the young pastor, Timothy, are personal and instructive.  Two distinctions from 1 & 2 Timothy

1.   In 1 Timothy we have the ideal church every pastor ought to have.

2.   In 2 Timothy we have the ideal pastor every church ought to have. 

Be a Zealous Prayer Warrior vv1-4
Be Steadfast to the Mediator of Prayer vv5-6
Be a Rigorous Teacher of Prayer v7

Read More
Ken DorrityGrace Christian FellowshipKen Dorrity, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, non denominational church, bible believing, church, 1 Timothy, how not to be weak, guard this treasure
How to Fight the Enemy Within the Church | 1 Timothy 1:1-20
How to Fight the Enemy Within the Church | 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Series: Guard the Treasure

Title: How to fight the enemy within the church

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1: 1-20 NIV

Acts 16:1-3; 20:17-38

Bottom Line: We fight the enemy within the church by teaching the truth to liars, preaching the gospel personally, and defending the faith wisely.

  1. SERMON OUTLINE

  2. NOTES

  3. OUTLINES

  4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  5. MAIN REFERENCES USED

SERMON OUTLINE

Introduction

“AS MENTIONED EARLIER, the most notable convert of the early English Reformer and martyr Thomas Bilney was Hugh Latimer, who like Bilney died at the stake. Latimer was easily the most popular of the reforming preach-ers—full of the Word, with a vivid preaching style. He preached justification by faith alone but also preached that a justified man will show it in the way he lives. He was unsparing of other preachers' shortcomings: "Since lording and loitering hath come up, preaching hath come down.... They hawk, they hunt, they card, they dice?" He accused his fellow preachers of "pampering of their paunches... munching in their mangers, and moiling in their gay manors and mansions."

On one occasion he was invited to preach at Hampton Court before Henry VIII, and he predictably offended the king. Henry commanded Latimer to preach again the following Sunday and to make an apology. Latimer addressed himself as he began to preach:

Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life if thou offendest; therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease; but then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest; upon whose message thou art sent? Even by the great and mighty God! who is all present, and who beholdest all thy ways, and who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully.

Then Hugh Latimer preached the same sermon he had preached the week of before-with even more energy! What a man of God! There can be no doubt that Hugh Latimer, like his mentor Thomas Bilney, fought the good fight.

Those sixteenth-century saints embodied apostolic steadfastness.“ -Hughes, p. 51

Paul hears about the infiltration of corrupt leaders in the church of Ephesus and, because he can’t go himself (it’s that bad), sends Timothy to shepherd the flock from lies to truth wisely. He exhorts Timothy to

  1. Fight the false teachers by teaching the truth (word of God),

  2. Preach the gospel personally, and

  3. Defend the faith wisely.

In the process, Timothy will train up others to do the same.

Context

Written AD 62-64 by Paul (a couple of years before 1 Peter) in Ephesus? To Timothy on his way to Ephesus? To give him instructions on how to correct the church in his absence.

The church of Ephesus is actually a network of house churches (Oikos) that are elder-led Jesus-communities.

Acts 16:1-3 reminds us where Timothy came from.

Acts 20 written AD 57-58 reminds us that Paul said false teachers would come. They have.

Emphasis was a large diverse religiously complex commercial metropolitan area. Temple of Artemis was located in Ephesus, which was considered an influential imperial capital. The temple of Artemis was located in Ephesus and was considered well. The city was considered an influential imperial capital of the empire due to emperor worship.

What does this mean for us? It means that we must, as a church, teach the truth, preach the gospel and defend the faith in word and deed for all to see.

Titus: Good believing leads to good be-living.

So how do we fight the enemy of the church when that enemy is inside the church?

OUTLINE (Based on Willmington & ?)

I. Guard the Treasure. How?

A. Fight the enemy by teaching the God-breathed truth (1-11)

B. Preach the gospel personally (12-17)

C. Defend the faith wisely (18-20)

Conclusion

Bottom Line: We fight the enemy within by teaching the truth to liars, preaching the gospel personally, and defending the faith wisely.

Other stories/examples

Daniel is a great example of a disciple of Jesus Christ as described by Peter in 1 Peter. He is a literal exile living in a kingdom hostile to his beliefs. He stays faithful over and over even when it costs him.

He is thrown into the lion’s den when he defies the King’s edict and prays to God instead of to the king per the new law. He is maliciously setup to bring his downfall. This seemingly happens when he is thrown into the lion’s den until the next morning when we learn that God shut the lion’s mouths and he was fine.

We will be persecuted for following Jesus Christ.

We will be slandered and misunderstood too.

We will become targets of hate for our beliefs.

God is faithful. He will not abandon us.

He calls us to bless them.

He will bless us.

In successive weeks at [HTB](https://www.htb.org/), I (Nicky Gumbel) interviewed two people of courage and faith.

One, Ben Freeth, inspired by his faith in Jesus Christ, had taken a courageous stance against the unjust regime in Zimbabwe. As a result, he was beaten, tortured and forced to watch his elderly mother-in-law and father-in-law undergo torture, from which the latter eventually died. Yet in the midst of his suffering, he chose to love and bless the torturers.

The second was a pastor from one of the sixty countries around the world where physical persecution of Christians still takes place. He had been imprisoned and, at one stage, sentenced to death for no other reason than his faith in Jesus Christ. Yet in the face of extreme suffering he refused to deny his faith.

Pray

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. How to lead their family and church well.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because this is God’s plan for parenting the family and the family of God.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. 1. Elders, lead the church like Jesus Christ led his disciples.

    1. People, lead one another like Jesus Christ led his disciples.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. This leads to healthy, reproducing families of faith that impact our broken world for good.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. 1. At home, for those under our roof, we lead, feed and protect the flock through the teaching and applying God’s word to our lives and each other.

  1. At church, for those in our local fellowship, we lead, feed and protect the flock by choosing qualified men to lead like Jesus Christ.

NOTES

“Suffering Christians who look to the Lord also gain comfort by remembering the family of believers (2:17). Samuel Bénétreau points out four advantages to be gained from knowing that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings (9).

First, there is encouragement in knowing that you are not alone and isolated, suffering in a unique way.

Second, you are reminded that the bond that unites you to Jesus Christ also joins you to the family of God throughout the world. Suffering Christians have a caring fellowship with those similarly afflicted.

Third, Christians are reminded that suffering is inherent in the Christian faith. Through suffering they have fellowship with Christ and their faith is purified. Peter speaks of the suffering that must be 'accomplished' or 'brought to its end' by the 'family of believers'. Suffering has its place in God's plan for a world destined for justice, peace and glory.

Christians know that the 'family of believers' does not suffer in vain; their experience of suffering is being brought to the victorious conclusion that God has designed.

Fourth, knowing of these sufferings stimulates hope.

The spread of persecution and trials points to the nearness of the consummation: the promised land is in view.50” -Clowney, p. 176

“In southern France, overlooking the Mediterranean, stands the Tower of Constance. There, in the eighteenth century, Huguenot women were imprisoned for decades because they refused to surrender their Reformed faith. In the tower room where they were held captive, a stone coping surrounds a round opening in the floor. Inscribed in the stone is the word

'Résistez! Marie Durand entered that room in 1729, when she was fifteen years old. Three years later her brother Pierre was hanged at Montpellier.

In 1745 she was offered her freedom if she would agree to renounce Protestant worship. She refused all such offers and remained captive for thirty-eight years, resisting the temptations to despair, to suicide, to betrayal. From her imprisonment she began a ministry of encouragement by correspondence. Some of her letters are kept today in the Museum of the Wilderness in the mountains of the Cévennes.” Clowney, p. 175

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV): 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

  1. Complete/restore

  2. Establish - strengthen and protect

  3. Strengthen

  4. Place on firm foundation

-Clowney, p. 178

Elders in the New Testament are tasked with several key duties, including:

1. **Spiritual Oversight:** Providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the church community.

2. **Teaching and Doctrine:** Instructing and ensuring adherence to sound biblical doctrine.

3. **Shepherding the Flock:** Caring for the well-being of the congregation, like a shepherd caring for a flock.

4. **Modeling Character:** Demonstrating a godly and mature character for others to follow.

5. **Prayer:** Engaging in prayer for the church and its members.

6. **Protecting from False Teaching:** Guarding the congregation against false doctrines or teachings.

These duties are often outlined in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 in the New Testament.

I. Living in the Suffering Church of God 5:1-11

  1. The humble role/rule (leadership) of Christs’ elders (1-4)

    1. Their fellowship with Christs’ sufferings and glory (1)

    2. Their charge as shepherds of God’s flock (2-4)

      1. The calling of the shepherd/elder/pastor

      2. The manner of the shepherd/elder/pastor

      3. The reward of shepherd/elder/pastor

  2. The humble service of Christs’ people (5-11)

    1. In mutual service (5)

    2. In confident devotion: humble service to God (5c-7)

    3. In triumphant suffering (5:8-11)

      1. The Christian resistance movement (8-9)

      2. The assurance of God’s saving purpose (10-11)

II: Final Greetings 5:12-14 (Clowney)

  1. Silas: Messenger or editor? (12)

  2. Peter’s purpose in writing (12)

OUTLINES

Shreiners outline

Elders—3 exhortations:

  1. Shepherd and oversee God’s flock

  2. Be eager in fulfilling their task and should not serve for financial gain

  3. Live as examples of the flock instead of using their authority to domineer the church

Helms Outline

I. An exhortation to elders (1-5)

A. The elders role (1-2a)

    1. To shepherd the flock of God

    2. Elders must not lack character

    3. Elders must not misunderstand their calling

    4. Elders must emulate their Chief Shepherd

B. The elders readiness (2b-3)

    1. Not under compulsion, but willingly

    2. Not for shameful gain, but eagerly

    3. Not domineering, but as examples

C. The elders reward (4)

D. Everyone else’s responsibility (5)

II. True Grace and eternal Glory (6-14)

Divine Logic of True Grace

A. Divine commands & encouragement (6-9)

    1. Humble yourselves/God cares for you (6-7)

    2. Be sober-minded and watchful and resist (8-9)

B. Divine Principle Repeated (10a) - True grace looks like this: present sufferings are intimately connected to eternal glory

C. Divine Actions Followed by Our Adoration (10b-11)

    1. Restore, Confirm, Strengthen, Establish

    2. Our adoration

D. Finishing in True Grace (12-14)

NIV Study Bible brief outline

After the opening (1:1-2), the letter has three main sections:

1: Peter first tells his readers to be holy in all you do. As Gentiles they once lived in ignorance (they did not know the ways of God). But they are now a holy nation, part of God's own people, and are called to a new way of life.

2: Peter then explains how this way of life will impress those who might accuse and persecute them without just cause.

3: Peter acknowledges that his readers are suffering for their faith, but he explains that this is only to be expected. The Messiah himself suffered, and believers all over the world are facing the same challenge. The followers of Jesus are waiting for the day God will visit them, and even in their suffering they can show they belong to God.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

P Schreiner Commentary

“Their ultimate enemy, that roaring lion, stands ready to devour them, but they have the conquering, suffering Shepherd at their side.” - P Schreiner

     0.       Elect exiles (1:1-2)

  1. Hope as Exiles - The church has hope amidst trials because of their new future and new family. (1-2)

    1. New future - Their new birth grants them an inheritance that can never be taken away. (1:3-12)

    2. New family (and new calling) - Their new birth grants them the rights and responsibilities of God’s people. (1:13-2:10)

  2. Exile Identity - In the midst of the world, they are to live as chosen exiles. (2-4)

    1. Submit - They are to submit to authority figures because this is how Christ acted. (2:11-3:7)

    2. Suffer well - Like Christ, they are to suffer for good because suffering leads to life. (3:8-4:11)

  3. Stand Firm - To keep their exile identity, they must stand firm to the end. (4-5)

    1. Suffer joyfully - They are to entrust themselves to God while doing good. (4:12-4:19)

    2. Resist the devil - The elders should shepherd the people, recognizing the danger they are in. (5:1-11)

  1. In Babylon (5:12-24)

Relying on Willmington’s Outline Bible

1 Peter 5

-Chronological life application, study Bible notes

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

  1. Retell the story in your own words.

  2. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

  3. Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

Final Questions (index cards optional)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Peter and Jude,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Peter ” by RC Sproul

“1 & 2 Peter and Jude” by Thomas Schreiner

“The Message of 1 Peter” by Edmund Clowney

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“1 Peter: A living hope in Christ”, Jen Wilkin Bible study

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

AnswerThePublic.com

Wikipedia.com

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Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, 1 Timothy, fight the enemy, non denominational church, bible believing church, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship