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!

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach. 1 Timothy 4:6-11

The idea of godliness or holiness is a foreign concept to the modern day Church. Todays Christianity is more carnally minded, consumer Christianity, what can Jesus do for me? But true Christianity is a servanthood, its a submission and obedience to The Lord Jesus Christ as your Master. And during this walk of submission and obedience, we learn to live a life of godliness, as the Apostle Paul “but godliness is profitable unto all things”

However this Biblical concept of Christianity is not popular, and its never going to be popular. But to be a true shepherd/pastor of the Church, to be a faithful leader of the Church, you need to be obedient to the Word of God. As the Apostle Paul says here under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ”. If you keep the Bible as the foundation of your Church, you will be a good Shepherd for your Church. However many false Christian groups have rejected the Word of God as their authority, or they have corrupted the Word of God to fit their carnal minded agendas.

How do we know how to discern false and good doctrine? Being filled and led by the Holy Spirit is a start, but also as the Apostle Paul says here “But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness” False teachers will arise daily with new false teachings, refuse and reject them which have not been given to you by the Holy Spirit. This is what happens when the Word of God is not the foundation of the Church, the Church will eventually believe anything, as many Anti-Christs have gone out into the world (1 John 2:18)

Many spend their days and hours dedicated to their physical health. This can be a good thing for your body, but what about your soul? If you can develop a workout routine to maintain your physical body, you can develop a routine to feed your soul with the Word of God and prayer. As the Apostle Paul says “for bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is profitable unto all things” Most people are more concerned about the state of their physical appearance, than the state of their soul. Discipline yourself to become a student of the Word of God. Submit your life to The Lord Jesus Christ, turn away from your sin and turn to Jesus in a life of godliness, be filled and led by the Holy Spirit, be in constant prayer with our Father who is in Heaven, Amen!

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; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1-5

If you don’t believe the Word of God is as relevant today as it was back then, read this text today. The first thing I want you to notice about the text today, its begins with “Now The Spirit expressly says” This revelation and warning is coming directly from the Holy Spirit, this is not Pauls idea or prediction, God is warning us that in the last days, there will be a great falling away, a great apostasy in the Church. Are we not seeing this today? If you look across the denominations in Christianity, there is a great falling away going on, we are living in this prophecy.

“Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed or following seducing or deceiving spirits and doctrines and teachings of demons” This is what we see in the Churches today, many Churches have been overtaken by demons, teaching false doctrines and deceiving the masses. We see many Christians falling away from the faith and following demonic teachers and religion. The Holy Spirit warned us about this, this is why you need to study your Bible, you need to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit, you need to submit to our Lord Jesus Christ. 

These false teachers who are under the influence of demons and not the Holy Spirit “speak lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” Many people wonder how can these false teachers be so wrong, how can they stand up in the pulpit and teach the lies they teach? Because they are under the influence of demons, they have no conscience anymore, they have no love of God, they are planted by Satan to destroy the Church and to confuse the elect.  You must discern these demons and rebuke them!

The Apostle Paul gives Timothy some examples of false teachings that have invaded the Church of Ephesus, forbidden marriage, dietary laws, circumcision, ect. These are all works based salvation, which is the root of all false religions. Salvation is found in Christ alone (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) anyone who adds to Christ for salvation is a false teacher. Unfortunately many of these false teachers are still alive and well today, many people want you to be yoked under the Mosaic Law instead of Christ, these are false teachers and deny the saving grace of Christ. 

Brothers and sisters, its clear we are living in the last days, the great apostasy has come upon the Church, don’t be deceived, test the spirits, be led and filled with the Holy Spirit, read your Bible, and put your faith in Christ alone for salvation, Amen!

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:14-16

The Apostle Paul is now summarizing everything that He just taught under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “That you may know how to conduct yourself in the House of God” This is clear instructions of how the Church is to be structured and behave together. What is the House of God? The Apostle Paul defines it here “the Church of the Living God” the Ekklesia, the body of Christ, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Paul is laying down the foundation of how the body of Christ is to be structured. Over time Christians have strayed away from this order, but this was the God given order by the Holy Spirit. The root of alot of failure within the Church today is the disobedience of the Church. The Holy Spirit has given us directions through the Apostles, yet many people still defy those orders and make up their own religions which ultimately fail

Now the Apostle Paul here says “And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness” Throughout the Apostle Pauls epistles, he reveals mysteries or revelations from God. The Apostle Paul is giving us revelation from God, he is given us explanation or commentary on the Old Testament or doctrine of God. Here the Apostle Paul is revealing to everyone that Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh.

Back up again , remember the Apostle Paul said “without controversy, Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh” Even today, the revelation of Jesus Christ being God in the Flesh is a great controversy, in fact many people who profess to be Christians still try to deny this fact. The Apostle Paul is saying, and I’m paraphrasing, this is not even debatable, this is foundational Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ is God manifested into the flesh. Again, going back to many Christians deny the revelation and instructions of scripture, which ultimately leads them to fall away to a false religion

“Justified in the Spirit” The Apostle Paul gives recognition to the Holy Spirit, who was there also , as the Triune God throughout Jesus ministry, the Incarnation of Christ, the Wilderness, the Baptism of Christ, and the resurrection of Christ. The Holy Spirit was with Christ throughout the fulfillment of Christ ministry

“Seen of Angels” Now this is an interesting passage, because the original Greek word “angelos” can also mean messengers. I believe this passage is in reference to the Apostles being eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

“Preached among the Gentiles” Here the word Gentiles can also be translated as world. As we know the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) needs to be fulfilled, The gospel of Jesus Christ preached to the entire world, the fullness of the gentiles must happen!

“Believed on in the world” The gospel is not only preached to the entire world, but the gospel will be received by the elect, the remnant of God that was chosen before the foundation of the world

“Received up into glory” And this is obviously a reference to the Ascension of Christ, where 40 days after the resurrection of Christ, Jesus ascended back to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father, as King of all Kings , and Lord of all Lords. All power and authority has been given to our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Here we see the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, giving the qualifications for the leaders of the Church. Previously Paul gave the qualifications for an “overseer” which includes positions such as a Pastor, Elder, ect. And we see the qualifications are we see the seriousness of these callings. Nobody should enter into these positions lightly, as the Apostle James said “Not everyone should be a teacher, as you will be held under stricter judgment” (James 3:1)

Today we look at the position of “Deacon” this word means “to serve” A deacon is essentially anyone who is serving the Church under the authority of the Overseer (Pastor, Elder, ect) While many like to claim the title as Deacon for carnal reasons, from a Biblical perspective, the Deacon is a servant of the Church, held under strict qualifications just as the overseer, as the Apostle Paul says “they should have great boldness in that faith which is in Christ Jesus”

Now an interesting note in verse 11, the original Greek word is “Gune”now this word can be translated as wife, but also as woman. If you look at the different English translations, many translate it as woman, meaning this role as “deacon” is open to men and women in Christ. We can see an example of this in the Bible, Romans 16:1 Phoebe is listed as a deacon or servant of the Church. 

However in the next verse 12, we see the Apostle Paul says “Deacons to be the husbands of one wife” So the question would be in verse 11, is Paul addressing the woman deacons or is he addressing the wives of the men deacons of the Church? Either way, this position of Deacon is to be under the spiritual authority of the Overseer (Pastor/Elder) 

It’s clear the Deacon is not to be a new convert, as the Apostle Paul says “let them first be proved, and let them use the office of deacon , being found blameless” This should be a mature Christian, who has been proven to the Church for their spiritual maturity and leadership. In the Early Church , one of the main responsibilities of the deacon was managing the finances of the Church. As you can imagine, this trust needed to be put in a Christian who was well respected and trusted by the body of Christ. 

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:4-7

As we continue to look at the qualifications for an “overseer” , which is a common term shared among leaders in the Church such as Pastors, Elders, Bishops, these rules apply to all these leadership positions. The first thing we notice the correlation between family and the Church. As we talked about the structure of the family, (husband, wife, children) is the same in the Church. There is a structure and order to the family as well as the Church. 

One of the qualifications is for the man to be able to manage his own household. If you want to get a good idea of what kind of leader your Pastor/Bishop/Elder would be, ask their spouse and children. You will get a real and honest depiction of this persons character. If this man’s homelife is a disaster, why would you think he would be able to manage a Church family? Now of course there are exceptions and alot of variables that apply to this, however we can generally get a good indication of someone based on their homelife

Another qualification is this leader should not be a new convert. We know often when people get saved or “come to Christ”, many new believers are on fire for The Lord. However a new convert can easily be confused and deceived by false doctrine. I’m sure most of us have experienced this during our walk with Christ. Your faith should have been tested and tried in the fire, when you become a leader of the Church, you will face heavy opposition from Satan and demons everywhere. You need someone who is prepared for the spiritual warfare they will endure, and be able to lead a community in their walk with Christ

The Apostle Paul mentions, they shouldn’t be a recent convert because “lifted up with pride , become conceited, and fall into condemnation of the devil” A new convert might like the idea or title or a leadership role in the Church, however these reasons are carnally driven and not led by the Holy Spirit. Satan likes to tempt us with pride, and eventually we will fall in sin. We need to make sure the leader is rooted in Christ, actually called by God to fill this position, not answering the call for financial gain or feeding their egos.

Finally, what kind of reputation does your Pastor/Elder/Bishop have with the outside community? What are people saying or what experiences have they had with them? We understand some people have good testimonies, but those testimonies should be old news, we shouldn’t be seeing the local Pastor as the local bar every Friday night. It loses all credibility to the Church and Christ, this person must have the mentality as a servant of Christ, to bring all glory to God in everything they do, especially their family, Church, and ministry, Amen!

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works 1 Timothy 2:8-10

So now we see the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is giving instructions on the order of the Church. We worship a God of law and order, not a God of chaos and confusion. There is order and instruction in Gods design for everything, just as it was in the beginning in Creation. God had structure and order with Adam and Eve, and this model is to be implemented in the Church and throughout society. Any deviation from this structure leads to disaster as we are seeing in todays society and the Church. 

God is calling all men to be Holy, to be set apart for Christ , and to be leaders of the Church. As the Apostle Paul says here “ I will therefor that men pray everywhere” The original Greek word here translated as pray can also mean worship. We need Men of God, who are Born Again and have a relationship with God. We need men who have a relationship with Christ, to rise up and lead the body of Christ and their families. Notice the Apostle Paul says “everywhere” the Men of God are to lead worship everywhere they go. Not just in the sanctuary on a Sunday morning, but also at the dinner table during the week, and everywhere. Problem is many men have abandoned their calling and role by God to pursue the lusts of this world

These Men of God are also to lead the Church “without wrath or doubting” As Jesus said “A kingdom divided shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25) These men need to be real leaders for Christ, and not dividers. They need to be Shepherds of the Church and keeping the flock together and safe, not allowing the wolves to enter from within and devour the flock. They must also truly be Born Again and have faith in Christ. If they are weak in the faith, they will be weak leaders. 

Woman are to dress modestly and not bring dishonor to The Lord or themselves. The worship services during this culture, had become more of a fashion show, women wanted to display their wealth and beauty, this is very common in todays Church also. However the focus should be on The Lord Jesus Christ and not ourselves. ,We should not be bringing attention to ourselves but bring attention to The Lord. If we have wealth, we should be be flaunting it among others, be humble and respectful to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

As the Apostle Paul says “woman who profess godliness with good works” Woman of God should present themselves as servants of Christ. Not dressing to be seductive or boastful, but present themselves as respectful to The Lord and their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as a sister. This can apply to the men also.