1 Timothy 4:6-16 (ESV)
20 October 2024
What is in our text this morning? Paul hits on several topics, some key themes describing how God’s leaders should act, how they should conduct themselves.
– Instructions for godly living. He tells us what we should be doing in order to honor God with our lives.
– He connects that to an encouragement to Timothy to be an example for others to follow.
– Paul clarifies the mindset of a believer. He’s going to tell us why we do all this, to build a strong spiritual investment with each day, and the hope that we have in Christ.
[4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.] 6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
• Paul is asking Timothy to be obedient and to share “these things” with the rest of the church. I believe Paul is referencing the last bit of what Todd preached last week.
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
• These are instructions on how Timothy can focus his ministry and teaching. Not on silly things that are irreverent, disrespecting to God. Focus instead on Godliness.
• Paul uses the word “train”. he’s saying you have difficult work to do, and you need to prepare to do it.
• Paul’s point is that those preparations and the value of physically training ourselves pale in comparison to building up the character of godliness.
• It is important because of its lasting value. Important now and later. It is NOT just important today.
• This is another trustworthy saying, that Godliness will hold its value both in this life and the one to come. It is a good investment
10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things.
• He finishes the thought on Godliness by describing it as our end goal. It is “to this end” that we work hard, toil, sweat. Make your life about THIS.
• Paul tells us the motivation for why believers can do it. Simply, we have hope in the true and living God
• This radically transforms our priorities and motivations. It allows us to pursue godliness
• 1 John 4:19
o 19 We love because he first loved us.
• (vs 11) Timothy is instructed to teach the church this essential fact, that we have our hope set in Jesus, and that becoming more like him is THE goal
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
• Not to be looked down upon. Also, can read this as a rebuttal to giving ourselves excuses. I’m young, my age precludes me from doing something. Paul was telling Timothy at least that was not a legitimate reason to ignore the call.
• Paul tells him instead to be a well-rounded example, both through words and the way he acts. Three specific ways: love, faith, purity.
John 13:35
o 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
• His faith is to be an example, a Godly leader shows how we trust and depend on God with our lives.
• In purity, we set ourselves apart. As Christians we are not full of the things of this world. We live distinctly different.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
• Instructions for how Timothy is to lead the church. He is to read scripture publicly. It was meant for all to hear.
• These are standards for the church. The leaders should do these things. Members should demand them. We should be a church that publicly reads the scripture.
• Paul assigns Timothy to “exhortation”. This is encouragement, urging on the body. Christian leaders are to provide encouragement and direction
• vs14 Paul tells Timothy not to neglect his gift. the instructions here are for him to use what he’s got.
• God’s leaders use the gifts, skills, situations and relational capital that God has given them.
15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
• Timothy is told to immerse himself in these things. Make it his lifestyle. It is not something he does on the side, or in his spare time. But he is to be immersed.
• It is central and the thing that everything else orbits around
• He’s telling us that Godly leaders should live this way outwardly, all the time, so that they are accountable to the church.
• Matthew 5:16
o let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
• It’s going to require diligence. A leader diligently watches his or her own lifestyle and what they are teaching.
• Persist we save others. Reading scripture in context we know that we don’t save people, and that’s not what Paul is saying here.
• Paul is saying that a Christian leader has a more credible witness when he practices what he preaches. That is a heavily worn expression, but this scripture is where it comes from.
Paul is telling Timothy that Christians are to focus on godliness. That aim will be hard, but because of the hope we have in Jesus, it is possible. Practically, when we focus on godliness our lives will look a certain way, and we will have a strong witness because of it.
Takeaway Points
Expectations for Christian leaders.
The church should be led specifically through:
– Publicly reading scripture
– Leaders that practice what they preach
Age is a number, not an excuse.
– Timothy was not to and likewise we should not make an excuse out of our age.
– As a young person you can say I’ll get to it. As an older person you can say, I’ve done my time. age isn’t an excuse, aim higher.
A Christian leader uses the gifts he or she has got.
– We need to answer our calling. We don’t hide them or play our gifts down
We are to surround ourselves with Godly influences, with the things of God.
– Being a Christian should not be cultural. But it should absolutely be our culture.
– It should influence what we watch and read, the things we spend our time on, the company we keep.
– Is Jesus your identity?
Application Questions
Who keeps me accountable? Am I keeping my leaders accountable?
– Am I growing, and can people tell?
Are my leaders devoted to the things of God? Public reading, exhorting others?
– In case you think this question isn’t about you, remember that our leaders are to be good examples of this.
– so are YOU devoted to this too?
What about my calling am I afraid of?
– We are all called to something. Do not neglect it. Is it laziness? Fear of getting it wrong?