1 Timothy 1:12
1 Timothy 1:15
1 Timothy 2:1-2
1 Timothy 3
1 Timothy 3:4-5
1 Timothy 3:3-7
1 Timothy 3:11
1 Timothy 4:2
1 Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 5:20
1 Timothy 6:6
1 Timothy 6:10
Won The Lottery
Topic : 1 Timothy
General
Parangelia (paranello)
The Greek noun parangelia and its corresponding verb paranello appear six times in the book of I Tim., translated as either “Charge” or “commandment.” Paul was quite concerned for his young disciple Timothy, and went to great effort to remind him of the truth and charge him to keep it and encourage its keeping in the lives of those in his care. Let us briefly look at these charges.
First, Paul wanted to charge Timothy to remain strong in his personal faith. “This charge I commit unto thee that thou mightest war a good warfare: Holding faith, and a good conscience” (l:18-19). “I give the charge in the sight of God, that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (6:13-14).
In a similar vein, Paul knew the dangers of false doctrine. “I besought thee that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (l:3). Following a discussion of specific false teachings (4:1-10) and their refutations, Paul concludes: “These things command and teach” (4:11). Even those who nominally adhere to proper teaching need direction. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God” (6:17). Living up to these charges (commandments) brings real benefit in this life as well as in eternity, as we see in our text, a pure heart full of agape love, a conscience unfettered by sin and false doctrine, and a strong faith, not weakened by hypocrisy.
If we would be disciples, we should mind the charges given to Timothy.
1 Timothy 1:12
Men Wanted
Early in this century a London newspaper carried an advertisement that read: “Men wanted for hazardous darkness, and constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” The ad, signed by famous Arctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, brought Inquiries from thousands of men. Commenting on this in his book Be Faithful, Warren W. Wiersbe said, “If Jesus Christ had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this: ‘Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church. You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you. You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy. You may not see the results of your labor, and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed. It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life.’” - D.C.E.
1 Timothy 1:15
Judging
An interesting thing happened one day in a church where the great American businessman Samuel Colgate was a member. During an evangelistic campaign a prostitute came forward and confessed her sins. She was broken-hearted and wept openly. she asked God to save her soul and expressed a desire to join the church. “I’ll gladly sit in some back corner,” she said. The preacher hesitated to call for a motion to accept her into membership, and for a few moments the silence was oppressive. Finally, a member stood up and suggested that action on her request be postponed.
At that point Mr. Colgate arose and said with an undertone of sarcasm, “I guess we blundered when we prayed that the Lord would save sinners. We forgot to specify what kind. We’d better ask Him to forgive us for this oversight. The Holy Spirit has touched this woman and made her truly repentant, but apparently the Lord doesn’t understand she isn’t the type we want Him to rescue.”
Many in the audience blushed with shame. They had been guilty of judging like the Pharisee in the temple who exclaimed self-righteously, “God, I thank You that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers” (Luke 1811).
Another motion was made and the woman was unanimously received into the fellowship. -H.G.G.
The Light Dawns
Because Christ is in us, we have the assurance that our sins are forgiven. The Lord Jesus came into the world to pay the price for our sins. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15).
Early in the 16th century, England was visited by Erasmus, one of the greatest scholars of the Renaissance. While he was at Cambridge, he made a profound impression on at least one of its scholars. Thomas Bilney had been feeling the emptiness of the religion he had been taught. He felt that Erasmus had knowledge of a secret that was hidden from English eyes, and vowed he would purchase every book that came from the great master’s pen. Erasmus had translated the New Testament into Latin, so Bilney purchased a copy of it. He summarized its effect upon him by saying:
My soul was sick and I longed for peace, but nowhere could I find it. I went to the priests, and they appointed me penances and pilgrimages. Yet by these things my soul was not set free. But at last I heard of Jesus. It was then, when first the New Testament was set forth by Erasmus, that the light came. I bought the book, being drawn by the Latin rather than by the Word of God, for at that time I knew not what the Word of God meant. On my first reading I chanced upon these words, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” This one sentence through God’s inward working did so light up my poor bruised spirit that the very bones within me leaped for joy and gladness. It was as if, after a long dark night, day had suddenly broke.
Bilney knew himself to be a sinner and trusted Christ to save Him. The indwelling Christ gave him the assurance that his sins were truly forgiven, and he gave his life to unfolding to others the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Light to a Troubled Soul
Some Christians become deeply distressed when they focus on the depths of sin in their own hearts. At that moment, they are vulnerable to the enemy, who seems to whisper, “Look at you—you haven’t been saved at all! You are every bit as great a sinner as before.” Although these believers long for purity, they see only their own defilement. It is then that the faltering child of God must be reassured that Jesus is a real Savior of real sinners.
When Martin Luther entered the monastery at Erfurt, Germany, he gave himself wholly to prayers, fastings, watchings, labors—all in a gigantic effort to gain peace from the guilt of his sins. But it was the simple testimony of the dean of the theological faculty, John Staupitz, that brought light to his troubled soul. He urged Luther to look away from his deceitful thoughts and evil impulses, and to cast himself wholly in the Redeemer’s arms. “Trust the righteousness of His life and the atonement of His death,” he said. Luther did that and found peace. But a short time later he lost the joy of his salvation. “Oh, my sin, my sin, my sin!” he lamented. With utmost kindness the dean replied, “Well, would you only be a sinner in appearance and also have a Savior only in appearance?” Then he added, “Know that Jesus Christ is Savior even of those who are great, real sinners, and deserving of utter condemnation.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
Prayer Responsibility
I did so in an unorthodox way at the baccalaureate service at Roberts Wesleyan College in late spring 1990. Not wanting to embarrass the faculty and administration seated in the choir loft behind me, I excused them from participating. Then I asked everyone else to stand. “I am putting you on your honor,” I said. “When I mention a political position for which you have a prayer responsibility, silently determine if you know that official’s name. If not, please be seated.”
I began with the president. Fortunately no one sat down. but embarrassment colored a few cheeks when I moved on to the governor. Casualties continued to mount when I mentioned “one U.S. Senator from your state.” Naming “the other senator from your state” brought real downward movement. By the time I asked about “the Congressperson who represents your district,” only about 25 percent of the audience remained standing. Had I named the sixth and seventh who should have been on that prayer list—their state senator and state representative—not more than one in twenty would have remained on his or her feet.
It doesn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to draw some deductions from this demonstration. If Christian people do not know the names of those whom they elect, it follows that they have not been interceding for them—and that they are disobeying their Lord.
I had one further point to make with the audience that day at Roberts Wesleyan. As I wrapped up my demonstration, I said softly to those still on their feet: “If you have not prayed for each of these at least once since the beginning of this year, please be seated.” One man, and one man only, continued to stand.
1 Timothy 3
Church Leadership
The N.T. uses four terms to describe the leadership of the church:
(1) “elder” (Gr., presbuteros) which places emphasis upon the authority that the leadership has to teach or rule in the church;
(2) “bishop” (Gr., episkopos—overseer) which emphasizes the fact that the leadership is charged with overseeing the local church and as such is responsible for the spiritual well-being of those in the church;
(3) “pastor” (Gr., poimen—shepherd) which places emphasis upon the responsibility of the leadership of the church to shepherd the flock. No shepherd has ever given birth to his sheep. It is the responsibility of those in leadership to do for the sheep what they cannot do for themselves and to make sure that they are in good spiritual condition so that they can do what comes naturally, that is, beget other sheep;
(4) “deacon” (Gr., diakonos—minister) which places emphasis upon the attitude that the leaders are to have in their leading. They are not to “lord it over” the flock, but are to realize that they are the ministers or servants to those whom the Lord has put under their care.
The function of the office of elder is twofold:
(1) teaching and
(2) ruling (1 Tim 5:17).
An elder is to be able to teach his people what the Word of God teaches and to give direction as to how that is to be accomplished in and through the local church.
The qualifications for the office of deacon are essentially the same as those for the elder except that the deacon is not to be “apt to teach.” The deacons are to be spiritual and in tune with the elders and seek to assist them in implementing the goals that the elders feel the Spirit of God is leading them to pursue through the local church.
1 Timothy 3:4-5
Mark Hatfield
Mark Hatfield, a senator from Oregon and exemplary Christian leader in politics, was interviewed in Harold Myra’s book Leaders. Commenting on family life, Hatfield said,
The home is the toughest environment of all for leaders. Why is it that the ones we love most are the ones we are most impatient with? My wife has often said to me, “I wish you were as patient with your children as you are with your constituents.” She’s right. She reminds me that I’m accountable to God and to my family, and I’m grateful for that.
1 Timothy 3:3-7
Televangelists
A Gallup Poll reveals that 78 percent of the public believes televangelists are untrustworthy with money, 71 percent say they are dishonest, 67 percent say they are insincere, and 61 percent say they don’t care about people.
1 Timothy 3:11
Women
- Bibliotheca Sacra, 136:542:167
1 Timothy 4:2
Insensitiveness to Sin
A little girl in London held up her broken wrist and said, “Look, Mommy, my hand is bent the wrong way!” There were no tears in her eyes. She felt no pain whatever. That was when she was four years old.
When she was six, her parents noticed that she was walking with a limp. A doctor discovered that the girl had a fractured thigh. Still she felt no pain.
The girl is now fourteen years old. She is careful now, but occasionally looks at blisters and burns on her hands and wonders, “How did this happen?” She is insensitive to pain! Medical specialists are baffled by the case. It is called ganglineuropathy.
There is another insensitiveness which is deadlier and more dangerous—insensitiveness to sin! Paul said of this malady: “Having their consciences seared as with a hot iron” (I Tim. 4:2).
1 Timothy 4:12
Agnostic
More recently, the Christian walk of Will Houghton, a preacher who became the president of Moody Bible Institute during the 1940s, played a large role in the conversion of an agnostic who was contemplating suicide. The skeptic was desperate, but he decided that if he could find a minister who lived his faith he would listen to him. So he hired a private detective to watch Houghton. When the investigator’s report came back, it revealed that this preacher’s life was above reproach; he was for real. The agnostic went to Houghton’s church, accepted Christ, and later sent his daughter to Moody Bible Institute. - H.V.L.
It’s What You Do—No When You Do It
- Ted Williams, at age 42, slammed a home run in his last official time at bat.
- Mickey Mantle, age 20, hit 23 home runs his first full year in the major leagues.
- Golda Meir was 71 when she became Prime Minister of Israel.
- William Pitt II was 24 when he became Prime minister of Great Britain.
- George Bernard Shaw was 94 when one of his plays was first produced.
- Mozart was just seven when his first composition was published.
- Now how about this? Benjamin Franklin was a newspaper columnist at 16 and a framer of the United States Constitution when he was 81. You’re never too young or too old if you’ve got talent.
Let’s recognize that age has little to do with ability.
1 Timothy 5:20
Fallen Leaders 1
I hold very stern opinions with regard to Christian men who have fallen into gross sin. I rejoice that they may be truly converted, and may be mingled with hope and caution received into the church; but I question, gravely question whether a man who has grossly sinned should be very readily restored to the pulpit. As John Angell James remarks, “When a preacher of righteousness has stood in the way of sinners, he should never again open his lips in the great congregation until his repentance is as notorious as his sin.” My belief is that we should be very slow to help back to the pulpit men, who having once been tried, have proved themselves to have too little grace to stand the crucial test of ministerial life.
Fallen Leaders 2
Richard Berendzen served for 10 years as president of American University, successfully raising funds and boosting the school’s once mediocre reputation. Under him, the university’s endowment jumped from $5 million to $20 million. But the president’s charm may have masked aberrant impulses. Police have traced obscene, sexual calls to his private line. He resigned, with the statement: “I cannot begin to convey my embarrassment, or my torment.”
1 Timothy 6:6
Dream On
Postwar Americans always cherished the expectation that their standard of living would improve with each generation. In polls at the onset of the Reagan era, 2 of every 3 respondents said they expected to be better off than their parents.
Now, that figure is being reversed. Almost three fourths of the 1,000 people who answered a Roper poll for Shearson Lehman Brothers say the American Dream is “harder to attain” than a generation ago. And 60 percent say achieving the dream requires more financial risk than it did for their parents. The poll also finds that some of the values held most dear during the 1980s—like wealth, power and fame—are those that Americans are now most likely to deem “unimportant.”
The most important elements of today’s American Dream center on family and friends. But money remains something to dream about. For Americans with household incomes under $25,000, it would take $54,000 a year to fulfill the American dream. Those who make $100,000 plus crave an average of $192,000. In other words, the American Dream usually lies nearly twice the distance away.
Resource
- “Evangelical Preaching,” Charles Simeon, p. 273
1 Timothy 6:10
A Root of All Kinds of Evil
- Christianity Through the Centuries, p. 307, Abuse of Indulgences due to lust for money.
Won The Lottery
Many people think money is security, but I Timothy 6:9 warns that it can be just the opposite. A few years ago, columnist Jim Bishop reported what happened to people who won the state lottery:
1. Rosa Grayson of Washington won $400 a week for life. She hides in her apartment. For the first time in her life, she has "nerves.? Everyone tries to put the touch on her. "People are so mean, " she said. "I hope you win the lottery and see what happens to you.?
2. When the McGugarts of New York won the Irish Sweepstakes, they were happy. Pop was a steamfitter. Johnny, twenty-six, loaded crates on docks. Tim was going to night school. Pop split the million with his sons. They all said the money wouldn't change their plans. A year later, the million wasn't gone; it was bent. The boys weren't speaking to Pop, or each other. Johnny was chasing expensive race horses; Tim was catching up with expensive girls. Mom accused Pop of hiding his poke from her. Within two years, all of them were in court for nonpayment of income taxes. "It's the Devil's own money,? Mom said. Both boys were studying hard to become alcoholics. All these people hoped and prayed for sudden wealth. All had their prayers answered. All were wrecked on a dollar sign.
- Chuck Rasmussen
