The first thing that we have learned last time is “Willingness to do, what was told us to do.” Today, we will be discussing what are those things that was told to do. Through the first letter to Timothy, we will be learning the Household (the Church) as a “social structure”. Things that we Christians are supposed to be doing in order to have a better community.
Please do note that these principles are generally acceptable to nearly all cultures worldwide. And Paul addresses the roles and supposed to be the actions of each one inside the community of believers.
For Pastors, Leaders, Soon to be Leaders
1 Timothy 1:3-11, 1Timothy 6:3-21
Guard against false doctrines (1Tim.1:3-7) – “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.”
Just right after the salutation of Paul, he then instructed Timothy to command “certain people”. Some of these people are so concerned with genealogies and also to myths. Some of them are engage in false teachings. The thing is, if someone is so engaged in myths and genealogies there is a chance that he is teaching in process wrong teachings.
This is actually the beginning of some known cultic movements. Their devotion to myths and meaningless talks resulted to false understanding of what is right and of sound teaching. They simply believe in what they see, and unfortunately, also to what they feel.
v.5 “The goal of this command is love…” Still the goal of guarding against false teachings is love. We want people be restored in the right way, in the right understanding and beliefs.
v.9 “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous…” The law being referred here is the Law of Moses nonetheless, it is very applicable even in laws. We have a law to
Teach sound instruction (1Tim.6:3-5) “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
The sound instruction being referred here are the instructions found in chapters 1-5. We will go into details on each one later in this study.
These sound instruction are the basic teachings on how the church should be run, and function. When we get into the details you will see that the principles applied is generally accepted to most cultures around the world. And many of these instructions are still being applied and used to many churches these days.
However, we can also be assured that the enemy is constantly working and is always trying its best to destroy the church by attacking it’s principles and sound doctrine and practices.
v. 3 “If anyone teaches otherwise…” tells us that there are people in the church in Ephesus who are teaching some other things. As you see in chapter 1, there are false teachings that are circulating in the Church.
Now look here in verse 4, these people who are engaged in controversies and quarrels about words are also in friction between people of corrupt mind, they have been robbed of the truth, and also think that godliness is a means to financial gains. Even if you look in our own religious / spiritual culture, you can see that these two kinds of people does exist and they themselves are in constant conflict.
Get rid of the love of money (1Tim.6:10) “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
v.6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” Many people doesn’t realize that becoming rich is not the ultimate satisfaction of life. Here what Paul is saying comes with wisdom. “godliness with contentment is great gain.”. It is something that money cannot buy. Peaceful life, love and contentment aren’t these things more important that money cannot pay?
Here is what Paul said in verse 9 “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” When people desires to be rich be very careful to fall into temptation and trap. Here’s the thing, either it will destroy you too soon, or will destroy you later, big time.
It’s not wrong to have a job, to have a business, or to become rich or to be born rich. But be careful in the “love of money”. It comes in many forms and yet you are not aware that you already fell into the trap. Many people wandered away from the faith because of the love of money. Many of them hurt themselves so badly and soaked themselves into griefs and bad losses.
The key is “godliness with contentment.”
Live a life worthy of calling (1Tim.6:11-16) v.16 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
What can be life more than a life worthy of calling? Flee from the love of money, and all kinds of wickedness, this is what Paul means here. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. These are the things to be desired, and with these, there is no law against it.
v.12 “Fight the good fight of the faith.” Our walk is not an easy walk. We will be walking on the narrow road, away from the path of many people. But this is where God called us. Just as Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, “Take a hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession…”
Stand firm (1Tim.6:17-21) v.17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
When you are a leader of the Church, you know that there will be challenges in your leadership. It’s not just the temptation of the love of money, and other wicked things, but there are also false teachers, and there are also people who challenges the authority given to you because they thought they are better. And some thought that they have power because they have money.
In our passage, Timothy seems to be having some problems over the rich group who have put their hope in their wealth. So Paul instructed Timothy to teach them to be rich in good deeds and use the worldly wealth in generosity and willingness to share (v.18).
Challenge:
- What are the things in your life are still hindering you in serving?
- What will be your action plan so that you will be in aligned in God’s plan in your life?
