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1 Timothy 4:6-10

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.    Have nothing to do with irreverent,   silly myths. Rather   train yourself for godliness;   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.    The saying is   trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.    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. Job descriptions are important to the success of every leader.  The minister of the Gospel needs to understand what is expected of him.  Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands what his ministry should entail.  These same responsibilities continue to be ours as we strive to serve the Lord and help others to do the same. EXPLAIN TRUTH AN
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1 Timothy 4:1-5

Now   the Spirit expressly says that   in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to   deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,   through the insincerity of   liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and   require abstinence from foods   that God created   to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.    For   everything created by God is good, and   nothing is to be rejected if it is   received with thanksgiving,   for it is made holy   by the word of God and prayer. One of the reasons it is so important to keep the church in good working order and have qualified leaders for the church is the certainty of false prophets coming on the scene.  The church is to faithfully proclaim and defend the truth of God’s Word so the false teachers will not be able to gain a foothold.  Satan is always striving to make us turn from faith in Christ for the glory of God to trust in our own efforts for our own glory.    THE COMING O
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1 Timothy 3:14-16

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that,   if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.    Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:    H e  was manifested in the flesh,   vindicate d  by the Spirit,   seen by angels,   proclaimed among the nations,   believed on in the world,   taken up in glory. The church is the institution created by God for the advancement of His mission in the world.  We all belong to the Church as the Body of Christ that is basically invisible.  However, we are called to be part of local churches that gather as visible bodies of believers in Christ.  Each church is unique and has a role to play in the outworking of God’s will.  However, there are certain truths that are essential to every church.  Paul writes to make sure that these truths are known and followed.   PROCEDURE IN CHURCH: The instructions given in thi
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1 Timothy 3:8-13

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine,   not greedy for dishonest gain.  They must   hold the mystery of the faith with   a clear conscience.    And   let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.    Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded,   faithful in all things.    Let deacons each be   the husband of one wife,   managing their children and their own households well.    For   those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Paul continues his instructions concerning the officers of the church.  Deacons serve an important role in the life of the church.  They have many of the same qualifications as the elders but they are not required to possess the gift of teaching.  The apostles appointed deacons in the early church to help in the distribution of food to the widows.  It se
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1 Timothy 3:1-7

The saying is   trustworthy: If anyone aspires to   the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.    Therefore   an overseer must be above reproach,   the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable,   hospitable,   able to teach,   not a drunkard, not violent but   gentle, not quarrelsome,   not a lover of money.    He must manage his own household well, with all dignity   keeping his children submissive,   for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for   God's church?    He must not be a recent convert, or he may   become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.    Moreover, he must be well thought of by   outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into   a snare of the devil. One of Timothy’s jobs while he was in Ephesus was to establish leadership in the church that would serve the body faithfully.  Paul provides the qualifications for the elders that would be entrusted with the respons
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1 Timothy 2:11-15

Let a woman learn quietly   with all submissiveness.    I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.    For Adam was formed first,   then Eve;   and Adam was not deceived, but   the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.    Yet she will be saved through   childbearing—if they continue in   faith and love and holiness, with self-control. There is certainly controversy and confusion about this passage in many churches today.  The idea of a distinction between men and women and their roles in the family and church certainly goes against the flow of many cultures around the world.  Some would argue that the literal and plain teaching of this passage is no longer applicable to today’s culture.  However, it is always dangerous to discard biblical teaching or try to interpret Scripture based on the cultures in which we live.  Certainly, the Spirit who inspired this text was aware of the many changes that would occur in future cul
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1 Timothy 2:8-10

I desire then that   in every place the men should pray,   lifting   holy hands without anger or quarreling;   likewise also   that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.    It is important to remember that the general subject of this passage is prayer.  Paul has given clear instructions about that things we need to take before the Lord in prayer.  Praying for our authorities, the salvation of others, and ministers of the Gospel is something that should be true of both our private and public prayers.  This passage turns to the subject of the prerequisites Paul places on those who will exercise the ministry of public prayer. PUBLIC PRAYER FOR MEN: Prayer in general and public prayer should be marked by a reverence and recognition that we are talking to God.  Preparation should be made for prayer in our relations
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