Monthly Archives: July 2024

1 Timothy 5- Provide For Your Family

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But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy 5:8

One of the challenges of the Church and Christians is to provide for those who are in need. As Jesus said “Its more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) Many people catch on to this and try to abuse the Church to support them , when they are capable of supporting themselves. The early Church in the writings called the “Didache” called these people “Christmongers” those who abuse the Church by continually taking and not giving back

The words of the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is a strong message and waring “Anyone who doesn’t provide for himself and his family, has denied the faith and is worse than a infidel or non believer”  As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of Thessalonia “if you don’t work, you don’t eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) this idea that Christians should be lazy and non productive is not Biblical. In fact it should be the opposite, as the Apostle Paul said “in everything we do, do it for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) How do we give glory to God by taking advantage of people? 

The Apostle Paul goes through intensive instructions of situations when someone should accept help from the Church, however this should be an exception. Many people have used the Church as their own provider, essentially you are stealing from God. If you are capable of taking care of your family, then you should take care of yourself and your family. This doesn’t just mean in finances but in all things, raising your children in The Lord is a special calling

Even the Apostle Paul, while he was in ministry, worked as a tent maker not to burden the Church (Acts 18:3) Paul as an Apostle and minister of Christ, was worthy of receiving support and wages of the Church, however he choose to help the Church also. I think this model would keep alot of more Pastors honest, relying solely on the Church to financial support you, could lead into compromise or corruption. Don’t get me wrong, Pastors and leaders of the Church are worthy of their wages (1 Timothy 5:18)

As the Apostle Paul says in verse 16 “ do not let the Church be burdened” he warned those who can provide for themselves, should provide for themselves so they don’t burden the Church. Then those resources can be used for people who actually need them, just as God designed for His Church, Amen

1 Timothy 5- Spiritual Family

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Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 1 Timothy 5:1-4

The Church, the Body of Christ, is a spiritual family designed by God. Many Christians don’t understand this concept , that when you refuse to belong or participate in a local Church community, you are neglecting your spiritual family, and essentially you are depriving yourself of spiritual fellowship. Nobody was made and designed to walk this world alone, especially in this spiritual battle against the demonic realms of the devil (Ephesians 6) Left alone, there is a greater chance you will fall to temptation and the vices of the devil

Jesus introduced this concept, “Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50) While Jesus family was looking for him, he taught us that those who do the will of His father, those who are Born Again in Christ, are the family of God, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

So the Apostle Paul , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us basic instructions to treat older men and women as if they were our natural parents. As God commanded, we are to honor our mother and father (Exodus 20:12) Now I understand life is perfect and people are not perfect, so each situation may vary, but this is the moral principle, to treat our parents with love and respect, including our spiritual parents within the Church community.

As well as treat younger women and men, as brothers and sisters in Christ. There should be a level of respect, love, and dignity demonstrated towards one another in the Church. Many people within the Church don’t have a natural family for one reason or another. Or many Christians are rejected by their natural family because of their Christian faith. This is why it’s essential and important for the Born Again believer to be in community with other Born Again believers. 

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) We are all one family in Jesus Christ! Don’t forsake the assembly of your brothers and sisters (Hebrews 10:28) Amen!

1 Timothy 4- Meditate on The Word of God

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Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:15-16

The Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit instructed Timothy to “meditate upon these things” Do you meditate upon the Word of God daily? Alot of Christians when they hear the word meditate, they think of new agism, but the word meditate simply means “revolve in the mind” Do you ponder and chew on the Word of God daily? 

The BIble says “The Book of The Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate upon it day and night , so that you may be careful to do what is written in it” (Joshua 1:8) Last night I was reading on the reformation movement, the whole core of the issue is the Church abandoned the authority of scripture , man-made doctrines and practices crept in and overtook the Church. The reformers went back to the Word of God, Christ alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone. 

Paul is teaching Timothy to meditate upon the Word of God in everything that he does. The Bible should be the foundation of your Church’s doctrine and practices. But also he instructs him to “give yourself entirely to them” If your going to talk the talk you also needs to walk the walk. This can be applied to all Christians, faith without works is dead (James 2:26)

We must submit to the authority of Christ, as Jesus said ““If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24) If anyone desires to be a disciple of Christ, a Christian, you must deny yourself and submit to The Lord Jesus Christ. You must submit to the authority of the Word of God, you must submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Why? As Paul says here “That your progress may be evident for all” As the Shepherd of the Church, you must set the example for the flock. Its one thing to preach the Word in and out of season, but you must also live the Word in and out of season. You must be the Shepherd for the sheep, if you dont your just another wolf leading them to the slaughter. This is a higher calling that shouldn’t be taken lightly, again meditate upon the Word of God

A warning then is given “Take heed to yourself and your doctrine” Watch yourself and your teachings, are you being obedient to God or are you off on the broad road to destruction? (Matthew 7:13) This is why you need to meditate upon the Word of God daily and examine yourself. “In doing this will save you and those who hear you” Don’t be a stumbling block for others coming to Christ, be obedient to Christ and His calling upon your life, meditate upon the Word of God daily, Amen!

1 Timothy 4- Equipped for Service

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Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Timothy 4:12-14

In most cultures, even in our Western culture today, most people view your wisdom and capabilities based on your age. This was especially how it was in the Greek and Jewish cultures, younger people were typically in subjection to their “elders”. So the Apostle Paul was preparing Timothy, as a young man, to be prepared to take on this leadership role even though many would despise him because of his young age. While life experience can bring much wisdom, the Holy Spirit brings alot more wisdom. 

We need to remember this within the Church today, we often dismiss the younger people or children, as if they have nothing to offer to the body of Christ. However if they are filled with the Holy Spirit, they have godly wisdom beyond their age, and gifts given from above. Don’t be so quick to dismiss the younger people in the Church. As Jesus said ““Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

So how was Timothy going to lead or win these people over? The Apostle Paul instructed him “ be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” Be a living example for Christ, be a walking testimony, understand that all eyes are on you! Many people might not read their Bibles, but they are watching you, how you live, how you conduct yourself, what you say, walk in the spirit. 

What is one of the main jobs of the Shepherd of the Church? Create entertainment events to bring in large crowds? No, the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy what his main job is “

give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” Preaching and teaching the Word of God is to be your main focus as the Shepherd of the Church. Todays Church has all these worldly programs for “Church growth” ect, ect But how many Christians in that Church are fed the Word of God? How many of them know how to evangelize to the local community or answer objections to the faith from opposing groups?

You need to feed people , Jesus said “Man can’t live on bread alone but every word that proceeds from God” (Matthew 4:4) The reason most Churches are dead is because they have been starved from the Word of God. You can’t build a Church on carnal things and expect a spiritual Church. The foundation of the Church must be Christ and his word revealed by the Holy Spirit in obedience to our Heavenly Father

Now being a Shepherd of the Church is not an easy calling, however as the Apostle Paul told Timothy “Do not neglect the gift that is in you,which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.” Your calling is from God and not yourself. If your Pastor appointed themself, this is a red flag, the Holy Spirit calls who He wants as the Shepherd of the Church and the elders of the Church approve by laying their hands on the Pastor. The Apostle Paul lists all the qualifications earlier in this letter, but don’t neglect this calling because you have been given a gift from the Holy Spirit, that has equipped you for service, Amen!