1 Timothy 3:1-2

Chapter 3

 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

      We are now looking at the qualifications for a Pastor/Elder/Bishop/Overseer. All four of these titles really refer to the same office: a ministry of pastoral leadership of a local flock of the Church. Titus 1 and 1 Peter 5 both talk about this office as well, but as we look at 1 Timothy, Paul is saying that it is a good thing if a man (not a woman) desires the office of bishop (pastor/elder/overseer of the house of God). It is a good work, a life of service, that he desires. However, he must meet certain qualifications, not just desire it. Today, we hear a lot of emphasis on experiencing a call and this is good; but it cannot be divorced from Scriptures clear qualifications.

 2 A bishop then must be blameless,

        Being blameless carries with it the idea of being innocent, not deserving reprimand for wrong actions. In short this man is self controlled and is not bring reproach on the name of Christ through living in a questionable fashion. As we will see in all these requirements, God expects the pastor to set an example through his lifestyle that the flock should follow. He is to be an example and a leader.

 the husband of one wife,

      When this man got married, he should stay married for life. He should not be getting divorced upward of 3x’s as many over half in the American church today do. If he was divorced before accepting Christ, this may not apply; however, the Scripture is very clear that God expects the pastor to set an example in his marriage: by clinging fastly to his wife and not getting divorced over unbiblical grounds (the only Biblical grounds is adultery—Matt. 5). If he has problems and conflict with his wife, he is to love her as Christ loves the Church and gave himself for it (Eph. 5).

 vigilant,

    Vigilance carries with it the meaning of being alert, spiritually awake; ready to detect and avoid danger. In short, the pastor should not be lukewarm, but should be “on fire” for the things of God and in relationship with the Lord and in the Word so that he can detect dangers in doctrine, in lifestyle, in national policy, in beliefs, and in the culture for himself and the flock he is an undershepherd of.

sober,

      The pastor is to be seriously minded, sober; and not caught up in pursuing pleasures and a “good time.” Rather, he is to set the example of carefully living a life that honors the Lord. Not be mere willpower, but by continuous humility and trust in God.

 of good behaviour,

       The pastor should be known for his good behavior, not for losing his temper and showing immaturity through his tongue. This applies not only in his words, but his actions. A helpful illustration is this “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right”  (Proverbs 20:11, KJV).

 given to hospitality,

      He should know how to be hospitable. This many times may apply by opening his home, caring for people, and practicing kindness.

 apt to teach;

       This is one is very important. Even if he is not naturally talented to teach, he must be able to. For the role of pastor is largely teaching the flock. Yes he is to lead them, but he cannot effectively lead if he cannot effectively teach. Therefore, he must learn how to clearly teach the truth to others.

1 Timothy 3:1-2 (KJV)

1 Timothy 2:11-15

This one is a little more lengthy, simply because I needed to deal as best as I could with this passage since it has been twisted to mean so many different things. Whether you agree with what I have written or not, I simply ask you to ask the Holy Spirit what this passage means and what the Scripture really teaches.

 God bless

 

Parallel passages (1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and Titus 2:3-5)

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

      Paul says that women are to lean to be silent. But why, well Paul goes on to explain in the next few verses and in 1 Corinthians 14, which I have included at the end today, why. But the first thing I want to call your attention to is that this issue of women having different gender roles than men has been universally evident throughout the 6,000 years or so of this world’s existence. It is only in the last 200 years that feminism and complete gender “equality” has emerged causing doubts and, sadly, many denominations have revised their doctrine (teaching) on the subject.

       Paul says that women are not to teach, this does not mean not to teach her children or other women (Titus2). In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul says that this not teaching men (eldership, pastoral ministry, preaching) is a pattern for the churches, not just one particular church as false teaching today has said. Paul does not suffer (allow, condone) women teaching in the church. Why? Because she is not to usurp authority over men. The reason for this goes all the way back to the first few chapters of the Bible, you see, God created woman to be a “helpmeet,” a companion and helper for a man to fulfill his God-given work. She was a helper, not the leader. Man was clearly appointed as the leader by God.

13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

       Adam was created by God and given a task to do: name the animals and then take care of the Garden of Eden. Eve was created to help him and be a companion to encourage and lift him up. Adam was not the one deceived in the Garden. No, he willingly in full knowledge of his disobedience ate the fruit. But Eve, woman, however was deceived. This portrays a principle that should be considered: women tend to be more susceptible to deception because of their more emotional nature. Men, tend to be more unemotional and can make decisions without really worrying about how somebody feels, but rather remaining somewhat objective and focused on what is truth. This is why God has appointed men to be the leaders of their families and the Church, because they can deal with doctrinal error and not get caught up in the emotions and feelings to as great an extent as women naturally tend to do. The man is not without accountability, though. He is to submit to Christ, which is a very high standard; and the woman is to submit to him (Eph. 5).

 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

        At first glance this passage may appear confusing. But after seeking the Lord and then double checking myself with several commentaries, I believe that this verse is referring to what my initial conclusion was after mediating on it: woman is saved through bearing the Lord Jesus Christ. If a woman accepts Christ (whom womankind bore), and if she continues steadfastly in her faith and in love and in holiness and soberly (sound mind, wisdom, alert), she will be saved. She is saved the same way that every man is saved: through Christ and walking out her Faith the rest of her life. However, she alone has the distinction of having had the privilege of bearing the Savior in her body.

1 Tim 2:11-15 (KJV)

 

Parallel Passages to Consider:

 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Titus 2:3-5 (KJV)

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Corinthians14:34-35 (KJV)

 

The following passage is not talking about destroying gender roles and distinctions, but rather, that all are saved in Christ and are thus one body, the Church:

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:26-28 (KJV)

1 Timothy 2:9-10

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety;

     Just like Paul commanded men to pray a certain way, he now likewise commands women to adorn themselves with modest clothing. And not just modest apparel, but with shamefacedness (bashfully; with excessive modesty—Webster’s 1828) and sobriety (serious mindedness). Simply put, Paul is teaching that God desires women to not only be modest in clothing—that is incredibly important as representatives of Christ and His message!—but also modest and wise. She is to be sober minded, that is, level headed and wise. Likewise, the godly woman is to be bashful (sheepish, properly having a downcast look; hence very modest/excessively modest—Webster’s 1828). She is bashful in the since that she does not draw men’s attention to herself through seductive clothing; rather, out of her excessive modesty, honorable men are attracted to her character and inner beauty which has been magnified by her careful attention to honor the Lord.

 not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

        In Paul’s day, braided hair was the sign of a prostitute. And so he instructs women not to braid their hair to identify it. Now, this may not be the sign of a prostitute today, yet we should heed the Words of Scripture and not blow them off as related to a cultural issue that has no relevance to us. In addition, not adorned with gold, pearls, and costly jewels or ornaments. Paul again here is emphasizing that the godly woman is to put her focus on the Lord and be serious minded and excessively minded, not caught up in fashion and style, but focused on the Lord. Now, I am not advocating the extreme of not taking care of oneself at all such as never combing the hair or bathing, but rather, I am advocating the serious attention to continue readjusting one’s focus to the Lord and not on one’s body and “attractiveness” like the world emphasizes for women to do. All the way back in the Bible times, the world screamed for women to make themselves appear sexy and pleasant to the eyes. But the Bible nowhere mentions that for the godly woman. Yes, there is the Song of Solomon, but that is exclusively within the context of married love.

 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

          Instead of pursuing styles and sensual attractiveness, Paul exhorts that women are to adorn themselves with good works. If you turn over to 1 Peter 3, you will see that godly women who quietly live out their faith and are rich in good works will win their husbands over to the Faith—at least that is the model that the Bible gives us and it is true. The notion of being a nagging wife who constantly screams the Bible at her husband is not found in Scripture, but rather quiet servanthood modeling Christ’s humility.

 1 Tim 2:9-10 (KJV)

Tip for Young People--one of the investments you can make for your future

    The thought that I want to share with you today is a thought I read in a book this morning: seek learning over entertainment. Invest your time learning some valuable skills that will help you throughout your lifetime. Study particular subjects through books, free ebooks, the internet, and more. Get learning! Prepare now by learning a variety of skills and becoming an expert in many subjects. These things will benefit you a lot when you are older.

 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Prov 2:2-6 (KJV)

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Prov 23:23 (KJV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

A Challenge to the Culture from Scripture: Casting the Vision

A Challenge to the Culture from Scripture

Casting the Vision

 

      This year is nearing its end. Yes, there is the hype of Christmas and New Years and the enjoyment of family traditions, but the end of this year is a good place to press pause and set aside some time aside to examine the year.

·         What challenges did you face?

·          What did God teach you this year?

·         What decisions were made? What steps of faith where taken?

·         Did God enable you to give sacrificially this year?

·         What were the big accomplishments of the year?

·         Who spoke into your life or has become a good friend?

·         How has the Holy Spirit been transforming you, conforming you to the image of Christ this year?

·         Has anyone come to Christ through your ministry (every Christian has a ministry)?

·         Has anyone been discipled or aided in their walk through you by the power of the Holy Spirit?

     Answering questions like this in a special notebook is a very meaningful and even Biblical activity to do. For one, we see God all throughout the Scripture telling His people to set up memorials and to remember what He has done. During seasons of discouragement, being able to go back and look at what God has done in our life is important. Likewise, reviewing how God was faithful and providentially provided throughout history is encouraging. I think that we forget to remember far too often. It is important to take time aside to review what God has done, thank Him and bless His name!

Our focus changes when we Bless the Lord: no longer are we asking for selfish things, but delighting in his blessings…..                                                                                        We are content.

 

    This next year, is an exciting year! Yes, not everything looks good around us—the country is a mess, but I encourage you not to focus on that. This past year, one of the great blessings God has given me through the encouragement of one of my friends and mentors is that I do not fear or worry about what happens in the country anymore. Am I active in fighting evil, signing petitions and voicing the truth of God Word? Yes, faithfully through the Holy Spirit’s (Christ in me) empowerment. Do I care about politics, education, legislation, debt (each American now owes some $200k toward the deficit), and future generations? A resounding yes! I am realistic that all this around us is bound for a crash unless God does a miracle, but I am at peace. I know that my God will preserve His remnant. I know that His Word promises that He will provide for my basic needs through the riches of Christ (Matthew 6, Philippians 4, 2 Corinthians 9:8). My focus has turned to the Lord, to seeking His face and to purposefully taking steps to provide for my future family and to stand up and lead when all around I hear people say that no one is standing up and leading. My personal life vision has expanded dramatically: homesteading, farming, multiple business endeavors, political causes and projects, ministry, relationships, homeschooling, discipleship, debt-free living and business, and most importantly, dependence on, abiding in, and empowerment from Christ’s Holy Spirit.

      I have studied business a lot this year and have reached one simple conclusion: the ways and plans of man are complex and futile. God’s ways, as revealed in His Word, work and are blessed! A business or an income stream is simply a method of taking dominion of the earth and practicing creative resourcefulness. I have come to the conviction that true wealth is simply having more than I need today. And to plan for the future, realistically, Scripture seems to pattern that a man must somehow incorporate reproducing plants and animals into his providing plan. Why? Because all throughout the Bible, you see wealthy men who had thousands of animals. God gave Adam the job of being a gardener and the natural thing about animals and plants is that most of them reproduce much faster and increase the value of one’s “wealth” (in food, cash value if sold, and living assets) faster than most if not all investments vehicles pursued today.  Now, I’m not completely against investment vehicles for Jesus says that it is better to put a talent in the bank than to hide it in the ground, but I do not think it is wise to make financial instruments one’s only source of “security.” Do not misunderstand, our security ultimately rests in the Lord, but His Word is also clear that He gives wisdom and discernment to those who seek Him and that the righteous have a completely different way of life, an intentional and conservative sort of mindset compared to the wicked (Proverbs and Psalms).

     Realistically, we are not very wise as a culture for we are almost completely dependent on grocery stores which would be empty within a few days of a huge disaster. Within a few weeks, people would be fighting each other for food and only a few would be prepared with a month’s worth of food supplies. Proverbs says that the wise man’s house is filled with choice wine and oil and has stores of provisions (Proverbs 21:20). I am not trying to be rude, but the truth is that we, as the Body of Christ, are not setting the example to the world by following God’s Word. The Whole Bible—every one of the 66 books and every single page has value. The Law is how we know that we need Jesus and how we show others their need for Christ (1 Timothy 1:8-11)!

 

Read:   2 Tim 3:16-17      2 Peter 1:20-21        John 1:1-4,14      Romans 12:2      John 14:6      Jeremiah 8:8-13    Proverbs 16:3   2 Chronicles 36:21    James 2:18  Isaiah 55:8 

   I believe that we can make a difference in our nation, but it is not likely going to be by legislation. Laws don’t mean anything if we do not, as the Founding Fathers said, self-govern ourselves. We need to live as the Bible teaches. When we do, and we disciple our families through not only the Words of the Bible but through action in applying it in many ways every day, while still being the Church and Biblically fathering the fatherless (single mother’s children, orphans) and widows (those who are truly widows) and caring for our elderly parents and family members, then we will transform the culture.

    Do you know how we got to where we are today? Largely through education. Socialists, communists, environmentalist, homosexuals, you name it, invested themselves in the educational system. Through books (most widely-read authors have horrible backgrounds and worldviews if you study them out), college campuses, and radical youth rebellion groups, they made their mark. Evolution became prominent, feminism spread to the point that its effects are so ingrained in the culture that even few in the Church can distinguish them, tolerance for evil has become engrained in us (although the Bible says to hate evil), compromise to avoid conflict has become the norm, being “kind” at the expense of being truthful or standing boldly for what is right has become the law of the land, and perhaps the worst evil of all, self-love and self-confidence have placed our fate upon our own shoulders and neglected God. God is a person that must not be presented through a program that is dependent on us being relevant today—what an error—; rather preached with conviction of the Truth and emphasis on personal responsibility in one’s own walk with God. Instead, God is often presented as the “get out of jail free card.” It is true that God gives freedom, but He certainly does not remove all the consequences for sin in this life just because you have finally accepted Christ. If that where the case, then why do HIV, AIDS, drug-inflicted disabilities, and criminal records still hurt the lives of many of those who have come to Christ? We must not preach a false Gospel.