Focus on What Matters

 

“Focus on What Matters”
Spiritual Leadership in the Church Series

1 Tim 3:1-11

 

THEME: Faithfully fulfill the ministry committed to your charge.

RELEVANCE: discouraging and difficult tasks should not be permitted to force us to abandon the ministry committed to us.  We must be steadfast and faithful to our charge to keep the faith by teaching sound doctrine, proclaiming the Gospel, and defending the Faith.

INTRODUCTION:

Despite his calling, his close association with Paul, and his spiritual gifts, Timothy was easily discouraged. The last time Paul had been with Timothy, he had encouraged him to stay on at Ephesus and finish his work (1 Tim. 1:3). Apparently, Timothy had physical problems (1 Tim 5:23) as well as periods of discouragement; and you get the impression that some of the church members were not giving their pastor the proper respect as God's servant (1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 2:6-8).

Ephesus would not be the easiest place to pastor a church. Satan had his workers in the city; for wherever there are spiritual opportunities there are also satanic obstacles (1 Cor 16:8-9).

Paul wrote the letter we call 1 Timothy to encourage Timothy, to explain how a local church should be managed, and to enforce his own authority as a servant of God. In 1 Tim 1 Paul explained the three responsibilities of a pastor and people in a local church.

MESSAGE:

TEACH BY CONSTANTLY PURSUING DOCTRINAL CLARITY (1Tim. 1:3-10).

After communicating volumes with his brief greeting, Paul abruptly turned his attention to one of the immediate reasons for his letter—Timothy's struggle with false teachers.

   1.  Be a Teacher of Truth. (1Tim. 1:3-6)

God had committed the truth of the Word to Paul (1 Tim 1:11), and Paul had committed it to Timothy (1 Tim 6:20). It was Timothy's responsibility to guard the faith (2 Tim 1:14) and to pass it along to faithful people (2 Tim 2:2).

        a) The Charge of the Teacher.  (1Tim. 1:3) “charge some that they teach no other doctrine”

1) What was the order? "Do not teach different doctrines from those taught by Paul!"    

·       This is the first charge to Timothy-to be a defender of the faith. The spiritual leader must guard against and correct false teachers. 

·       In the original text there are thirty-two references to "doctrine," "teach," "teacher," "teaches," and "teaching" in the three Pastoral Epistles.

·       In the early church, the believers were taught the Word of God and the meanings of basic Christian doctrines. In many churches today, the pulpit and choir loft are places for entertainment, not enlightenment and enrichment.

2) Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus as a personal deterrent to those who were promoting their own brands of Christianity. He was to charge the ministers, teachers, and leaders to preach “no other doctrine” than the doctrine of God's Word.

·       They were not to add to the doctrine of God's Word.

·       They were not to take away from the doctrine of God's Word.

·       They were not to formulate new doctrines for the church.

·       They were not to make what they thought were improvements nor to correct what they thought were defects in the Word of God.

·       They were not to change or alter the Word of God to any degree whatsoever. In the clear words of this verse: "charge some that they teach no other doctrine."

·       "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Gal.l:6-9).

·       "Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" (Mt.l6:12).

·       "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Col.2:8).

·       "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines" (Heb.l3:9).

3) The need was urgent! Urgency implies action, but in Timothy's case, the required action meant he had to stay where he was, doing his job.

·       Urgency doesn't necessarily mean doing something new; it may mean renewed effort or perseverance under pressure.

·       Our responsibilities in life require an occasional "urgency check." Marriage, parenting, being a church leader, or other long-term tasks can easily become halfhearted efforts.

·       Do you have someone in your life who urges you to stay faithful? Meet regularly with that person or group to encourage one another.

4) “Serve Christ; back Him; let His cause be your cause; give not an hair-breadth of truth away, for it is not yours but God's.” -- Samuel Rutherford

        b) The Concentration of the Teacher.  (1Tim. 1:4)

1) Paul identified the false teaching as "fables and endless genealogies" (1 Tim 1:4).

·       Titus faced the same kind of false teaching in Crete (Titus 1:14; 3:9).

·       The "fables" refers to all forms of fictional teaching. It means the speculations of men about God and Christ and the teachings of God's Word. (See 1 Tim.4:7; 2 Tim.4:4; Tit.l:14; 2 Pt.l:16)

·       The false teachers were using the Old Testament Law, and especially the “genealogies,” to manufacture all kinds of novelties; and these new doctrines were leading people astray.

·       The false teachers were raising questions, not answering them. They were not promoting "God's saving plan" ("godly editing," 1 Tim 1:4), but were leading people away from the truth.

·       Instead of producing love, purity, a good conscience, and sincere faith, these novel doctrines were causing division, hypocrisy, and all sorts of problems.

2) To help Timothy, Paul reminded him of the central points in the conflict. Among the issues surrounding the false teachers were the following:

·       False teachers taught what was wrong (1:3).

·       False teachers engaged in trivial but divisive arguments (1:4).

·       False teachers were more interested in controversy than in faithfully spreading the gospel (1:4). They give heed to speculations and questions rather than godly edification.

·       False teachers had turned away from the personal evidences of God's presence in their lives and had taken up "meaningless talk" instead (1:6).  They put empty discussion above godly love (v.5-6).

·       False teachers desired the position and prestige of teachers, but they had nothing of value to communicate (1:7). They put ambition and personal ideas above the truth (v.7).

·       False teachers set the law and the gospel against each other, although each has its own place in the plan of God (1:8-11).

·       False teachers put self-righteousness above God's gospel (v.8-11).

3)  “Neither give heed to …” Refuse the fables and myths!

·       Timothy was also exhorted to charge these men not to pay attention to fables and endless genealogies.

·       “Which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith.” In other words, Paul tells Timothy that all these types of false teaching won’t build you up in the faith. I think we can observe today in the liberal churches the fruit of their many years of unbelief. It has produced a hard core of almost heartless individuals who absolutely lack faith. They have rejected the Word of God, and the results we see in their churches are unbelievable.” --- McGee, J. V.

·       1 Tim. 4:7, But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

       c) The Cause of the Teacher.  (1Tim. 1:5-6)

The word “end” refers to the purpose, goal, or cause of the “commandment” or charge Paul was giving to Timothy.

1) The Teacher is to Be Focused on Charity! (1Tim. 1:5)

(a) “Charity” or love is the intent or cause of the charge Paul gave to Timothy.

·       Therefore, spiritual leaders and teachers are to focus upon growing

o   In love and in teaching love.

o   Mark 12:28-34; 1Cor. 8:1-3; 1Cor. 13

·       The great call of believers is...

o   To know the love of God and to love God (1Jn. 4:7-14).

o   To love each other as brothers in the Lord.

o   To love the lost of the world so much that we are driven to take the gospel to them.

·       Romans 13:8-10, Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. [9] For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [10] Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

·       Galatians 5:6, For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

·       Galatians 5:13-14, For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

(b) The Goal of preaching the truth would produce wonderful results in the hearts of the church members.  Note the love we are to possess does not come from the human heart. 

·       “Timothy was to deliver this charge to the church. The goal of preaching the truth and warning of error is to call men to true salvation in Christ, which produces a love for God from a purified heart (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 1:22), a cleansed conscience (Heb. 9:22; 10:14), and genuine faith (Heb. 10:22).” ---J. MacAuthur

·       Produce a Pure Hearts

o   Love develops in a pure heart: a heart forgiven by God and cleansed from all impurities.

o   A heart that is not weighed down by selfishness, worldliness, envy, covetousness, and immorality.

o   2 Tim. 2:22, Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

o   1 Peter 1:22, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

o   Acts 15:9, And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

·       Produce a Good Conscience

o   Love develops in a good conscience: a conscience that knows there is nothing between it and God, between it and men.

o   A conscience that knows it has been true to God's Word and has taught no error.

o   Paul used the word "conscience(s)" twenty-one times in his letters, and six of these references are in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim 1:5,19; 3:9; 4:2; 2 Tim 1:3; Titus 1:15).

o   The word "conscience" means "to know with." Conscience is the inner judge that accuses us when we have done wrong and approves when we have done right (Rom 2:14-15). God created man with a “conscience” as his self-judging faculty.

o   It is possible to sin against the conscience so that it becomes "defiled" (Titus 1:15). Repeated sinning hardens the conscience so that it becomes "seared" like scar tissue (1 Tim 4:2).

o   Hebrews 9:22, And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

o   Hebrews 10:14, For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

o   Acts 24:16, And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

o   “Because God has written His law on man’s heart (see note on Rom. 2:15), man knows the basic standard of right and wrong. When he violates that standard, his conscience produces guilt, which acts as the mind’s security system that produces fear, guilt, shame, and doubt as warnings of threats to the soul’s well-being (cf. John 8:9; 1 Cor. 8:7,10,12; Titus 1:15; Heb. 10:22). On the other hand, when a believer does God’s will, he enjoys the affirmation, assurance, peace, and joy of a good conscience (cf. Acts 23:1; 24:16; 2 Tim. 1:3; Heb. 13:18; 1 Pet. 3:16,21).” –J. MacAuthur

·       Produce a Real Faith

o   Love develops through unfeigned or sincere faith.

o   A faith that is set upon God and His Word, that holds to God's Word and trusts and teaches God's Word and God's Word only.

o   Hebrews 10:22, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

(c) The end of God's commandment of God is love. We must commit our lives to learn more and more about the love of God and to teach the love of God more and more. But to do this we must be totally committed...

o   To having a pure heart before God.

o   To having a good (clear) conscience before God.

o   To following the faith, that is, the teachings and doctrine of God's Word.

          2) Some Teachers Have Focused on Vain Jangling.  (1Tim. 1:6)

(a) It is tragic when professed Christians get off course because they refuse "healthy doctrine" ("sound doctrine," 1 Tim 1:10).

o   Paul also calls it "the doctrine . . . according to godliness" (1 Tim 6:3), "sound words" (2 Tim 1:13), "sound doctrine" (2 Tim 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1), "faith" (Titus 1:13; 2:2), and "sound speech" (Titus 2:8).

o   Note exactly what Scripture says: “some having swerved have turned aside” to empty discussions.

(b) Many prefer the "vain jangling" (1 Tim 1:6)

o   Those who teach novelties rather than the pure Word of God that produces holiness in lives.

o   Refers to speech that is aimless and has no logical end. It is essentially irrelevant and will not accomplish anything spiritual or edifying to believers. It a fruitless or pointless discussion. False doctrine leads nowhere, but to the deadening end of human speculation and demonic deception (1Tim. 6:3–5).

o   “Vain jangling” means empty chatter, beautiful words, flowery language. There are people who will butter you up and pat you on the back, but it means nothing. It’s all just talk.

o   It is unfortunate today that we not only have "vain jangling" ("meaningless talk,") in teaching and preaching, but also in music. Far too many songs not only teach no doctrine, but many even teach false doctrines. A singer has no more right to sing a lie than a teacher has to teach a lie.

o   "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Tim.4:l-2).

o   "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision" (Tit.l:10).

o   "Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?" (Job 15:2-3).

o   The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness" (Eccl.l0:13).

   2.  Use the Law Correctly.  (1Tim. 1:7-10)

The reason for this false doctrine was a misuse of the Old Testament Law.  Timothy not only had to show them how to be teachers of truth, but how to use God’s law correctly.

      a) Understand the Purpose of the Law.  (1Tim. 1:7-9)

These false teachers did not understand the content or the purpose of God's Law.

           1) Legalism is Not the Purpose.  (1Tim. 1:7)

o   They were leading believers out of the liberty of grace (Gal 5:1) into the bondage of legalism, a tragedy that still occurs today.

o   The flesh (our old nature) loves religious legalism because man made rules and regulations enable a person to appear holy without really having to change his heart. 

o   “Desiring to be teachers of the law” 

o   “More specifically, the problem with these false teachers, as is often the case, was a matter of the ego. They wanted to become respected teachers of the Law. Yet they were completely incapable of doing so. But instead of recognizing their inadequacies and remaining silent, they went on babbling as if with great authority, never understanding their subject (the Law), or even what they were saying about it.” --- Walvoord, J. F. 

o   “The Mosaic law is in view here, not just law in general. These were Jewish would-be teachers who wanted to impose circumcision and the keeping of Mosaic ceremonies on the church as necessary for salvation. They plagued the early church (see notes on Gal. 3–5; Phil. 3:1–8).” ---MacArthur, J. J.

o   These false teachers put their own ambition and personal ideas above the truth. The picture is that of a person who is ambitious..

a.     To be recognized as an original teacher or preacher.

b.    To be recognized as a creative person.

c.     To be recognized as the creator of a novel idea or doctrine.

d.    To be recognized as the author of a new concept or teaching.

e.     To be recognized as the founder of a new movement.

f.      The picture is that of a person who so desires to fit in with the latest fashion of teaching that he neglects or ignores the truth. He disregards the truth in order to fit in with his peers. The false teacher's ambition is allowed to cloud his understanding of the truth.

o   Barclay points out that the false teacher who is ambitious often...

a.     Demonstrates arrogance instead of humility.

b.    Focuses upon teaching rather than learning.

c.     Looks down upon simple-minded people.

d.    Regards those who do not agree with his conclusions as ignorant fools. 

·       "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mt.l5:9).

·       "Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God" (Mt.22:29).

·       "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself' (1 Tim.6:3-5).

           2) Revealing Lawlessness is the Purpose.  (1Tim. 1:8-9) “for the lawless and disobedient”

·       The lawful use of the Law is to expose, restrain, and convict the lawless.

·       The Law cannot save lost sinners (Gal 2:21; 3:21-29); it can only reveal their need for a Savior.

           3) Christian Living is Not the Purpose.  “the law is not made for a righteous man”

·       When a sinner believes on Jesus Christ, he is freed from the curse of the Law (Gal 3:10-14).

·       Then the righteous demands of the Law are met by the indwelling Holy Spirit as a believer yields to God (Rom 8:1-4).

      b) Understand the Particulars of the Law.  (1Tim. 1:9-10)

           1) Those Condemned by the Law.

·       Paul listed fourteen kinds of people who were condemned by the Law (1 Tim 1:9-10).

·       This is one of several such lists in the New Testament (see Mark 7:20-23; Rom 1:18-32; Gal 5:19-21).

           2) The Contents of the Law.

Paul (1 Tim 1:9-10) centered particularly on five of the Ten Commandments in Ex 20:

·       No. 5 - "Honor thy father and thy mother" - "murderers of the fathers and ... mothers. "

·       No. 6 - "Thou shalt not kill [murder]"murderers of fathers and mothers . . . manslayers. "

·       No. 7 - "Thou shalt not commit adultery" - "whoremongers [fornicators] ... them that defile themselves with mankind [sodomites]. "

·       No. 8 - "Thou shalt not steal'~ - "menstealers [kidnappers]. "

·       No. 9 - "Thou shalt not bear false witness" - "liars ... perjured persons. "

3) That Contrary to Sound Doctrine.

·       “sound doctrine. A familiar emphasis in the Pastoral Epistles (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1). “Sound” refers to that which is healthy and wholesome. It is the kind of teaching that produces spiritual life and growth, which implies that false doctrine produces spiritual disease and debilitation.” --- MacArthur, J. J.

      c) Understand the Place of the Gospel. (1Tim. 1:11)

1) It is the "glorious Gospel" that saves lost sinners. Paul had experienced the power of the Gospel (Rom 1:16), and he had been entrusted with the ministry of the Gospel (1 Thess 2:4).

·       Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

·       1 Thes. 2:4, But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

2) Law and Gospel go together, for the Law without the Gospel is diagnosis without remedy, but the Gospel without Law is only the Good News of salvation for people who don't believe they need it because they have never heard the bad news of judgment.

3) The Law is not Gospel, but the Gospel is not lawless (Rom 3:20-31).