1 Timothy 3:14-4:5 [NASB1995]
The big picture of this letter: Cultural Norms & Values based on God’s Word. Jesus is the author & perfecter of our faith: THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS. Paul was given the job of laying the foundation of Christ Jesus’ church. This letter was and is so important to a church like ours
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;
All Spirit indwelt believers must be on guard for false teachings by diligent study of Scripture and persistent prayer. We must reject legalism and focus on heart condition.
- So far these things being written are:
- Charge certain persons not to teach different doctrine
- The need in Christ’s Body of a vibrant, Biblical prayer culture
- To focus on what the goals are of Christ discipleship are:
- A Pure Heart / A Good Conscience / A Sincere Faith
- The purpose of the Law / Torah is to reveal our need for God to us
- Christ’s role as Mediator between God and humanity
- Gender roles in the church’s gatherings based on creation
- Qualifications for Elders and Deacons [Christ-Like Leadership]
15 in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
- Paul wants to come to see Timothy in Ephesus, but must go where God leads
- Conduct = Culture
- What we DO flows from what we believe and value
- The Body of Christ is those who have been ‘Set Apart’ for God / ADOPTION
- This community is to become what supports ‘The TRUTH’ about Christ
- This letter sought to lay foundations for how Christ’s church was to function
16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness [faith in Christ]: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
- Common Confession = What we all are to believe the same about [UNITY]
- The Mystery being described here is how God saves wretched sinners
- These are the basics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Revealed in the flesh = He was born a human, He shared our condition
- Vindicated in The Spirit = Baptism, Miracles, Transfiguration
- Seen by Angels = In the desert…at His resurrection
- Proclaimed among the Nations = [Salvation for all people groups]
- Believed on in the world = Mass Salvation at Pentecost
- Taken up in Glory = Ascension after resurrection
THIS TRUTH IS TO BE TRANSFORMATIVE IN THE LIFE OF BODY MEMBERS
4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
- This is referring to Old Testament prophecies and direct revelation to PAUL
- This is the practice of trying to incorporate the world’s wisdom into Christianity
- People seeking to follow Christ can be deceived about what that entails
- There are ‘blind guides’…people so lost they don’t even know they are lost
3 those who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
- These are various types of legalism, rules without a heart for God
- Focus on Jewish kosher requirements
- Acts chapter 10:9-16 [Peter’s Vision]
- God spoke then and here: Gratitude unlocks the vault of God’s blessings
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
- For those ‘In Christ’ all of God’s creation is good when used as directed by God
- Recognition of God’s provision & gratitude for it gives Christ’s people freedom
- With focus on God’s Word & Prayer we can enjoy all that God has created
GOD BREATHED TRUTH!
SUMMARY & APPLICATION
God has given the Body of Christ guidelines for: conduct, leadership, discipleship, gender roles and other things thru Scripture because His Church is ‘The’ Foundation of Truth.
All Spirit Indwelt followers of Christ Jesus must make God’s standards their standards, God’s values their values and adopt God prescribed attitudes by yielding to His Spirit in us.
SUMMARY & APPLICATION
The Body of Christ is to be united around the Biblical Gospel, sharing in common an understanding of who Christ Jesus is and what He has done.
Every member of Christ’s Body must completely understand and be able to articulate the essentials of the Biblical Gospel.
You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. ~ 1st Peter 3:15 NLT
SUMMARY & APPLICATION
There will be spiritual and human that will lie and deceive people into focusing on behavior and not belief. But if Jesus’ Body clings to His Word and prayer by His Spirit we can enjoy all God has created with thanksgiving!