Wonderful Jesus!

Enduring Hardship!

2 Timothy 2:3- You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. NASB

Last week, we celebrated Veteran’s Day in America. Let me extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the servicemen and women who have served in their country’s armed forces to protect and defend them. I also extend my thankfulness to their families. Whether your loved ones came home healthy and whole, broken and in despair, have passed away, or are still in active service, you have provided support and encouragement to them. So, to all of you, thank you for your service!

Our text today reminds me of my own military service. Last week, our school celebrated Veteran’s Day for the first time. During one of the assemblies, I was asked, “What was the hardest part of being in the military”? Without thinking about it, my response was that the hardest part was being away from home. There were some lonely days and nights. I actually cried all the way to Italy! Then came the shock of BootCamp! Although I had some idea of the physical stamina needed to complete it, I had no idea of the mental capacity I would need. It was tough! But I made it!

Paul was totally committed to the cause of Christ! He had preached the message of the kingdom that had been passed down to him through great persecution. Let me remind you:

I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 NASB

Paul had some rough times! Yet, as he looked to the end of his life, he encouraged Timothy to continue the legacy of faithfulness and perseverance he had demonstrated to him in the face of persecution!

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1 NASB

Be strong, Timothy! God has given you the grace needed to persevere, so this isn’t the time to pull back! The early church was experiencing tremendous persecution. Paul was in prison, facing imminent death because of this persecution and yet he told Timoth to be strong! Paul trained Timothy and taught him everything that he knew about the gospel of Jesus and the walk of faith! Now it is time for his departure, and he wants Timothy to understand that he expects him to continue in the faith without wavering! This is not an unusual time for Paul to be exhorting Timothy, because Jesus did the same thing when His departure was nigh. The only problem was that the disciples didn’t listen to Him and were thrown off course at His arrest and crucifixion! Paul didn’t want this to happen to Timothy!

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2 NASB

This is an interesting verse that appears not to be connected in a casual reading of the text, however, I think it is the major topic! Paul instructs Timothy to continue to teach the same gospel message that he had been given. Not only that, Paul wants him to entrust that message to faithful people who will be able to teach others! At this difficult point in church history, when it would be easy to draw back, Paul encouraged Timothy to persevere!

Paul told Timothy to endure like a soldier:

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3 NASB

During the time of the writing of this letter, soldiers were expected to serve in the military for 20 years without being married. That’s hard! Along with their commitment to singleness was the commitment the sodiers made to training, to perseverance, to overcoming in order to be the best they could be. This was the picture that Paul wanted Timothy to keep before him. Paul continued by stating:

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
2 Timothy 2:4 NASB

With these words, Paul reminded Timothy that he was engaged in spiritual warfare, and therefore should not entangle himself with the things going on around him! Maybe that was the fact that Paul was about to die or some other matters. We don’t know! But what we do know is that Paul was telling Timothy to stay focused!

Paul then brings up the life of an athlete:

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:5 NASB

Again, the point behind these illustrations is to encourage Timothy to stand firm in what he believes, no matter what! There are no shortcuts in the kingdom! You must play by the rules, or there is no reward for you just like in an athletic competitions! The gospel of Jesus was as relevant at his departure as it was when he was with Timothy instructing him. The way of holiness, the integrity, the steadfast life was probably more necessary at this point, then ever before.

And then there is the farmer, Paul wrote:

The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
2 Timothy 2:6 NASB

Whether the farmer is the first to partake of the fruit of his labors (as in blessings), or the fruit of suffering, or the first to reap the rewards of heaven (as in martyrdom), I am not certain. But I am certain that Paul is still encouraging Timothy to hang in there and see what the end will be!

Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
2 Timothy 2:7 NASB

Conside what I say! Think about all of this, Timothy! Don’t ignore it! For I am certain that the Lord will help you to understand all of this as time goes on, in case you don’t understand it now!

Such is the relationship that Paul shared with Timothy! As Timothy’s mentor, he took advantage of every opportunity to teach Timothy the things he needed to know to be successful in his ministry. Paul understood that a lot was being placed on Timothy’s shoulder. He was being passed the baton by Paul whether he wanted it or not! Much like maybe Joshua felt after Moses’ departure. But scholars believe that Timothy lived a faithful life before the Lord, fulfilling Paul’s wish of sticking it out in Ephesus and staying true to the kingdom!

Getting into ministry is easy. Enduring the hardships of ministry, especially when you are going through for your faithfulness to the gospel is not always a piece of cake. There is a saying in the church, the bigger the level, the bigger the devil. News flash! There is only one devil and his attacks don’t make him bigger. But when he attacks, we are to stay true to the gospel message, remain firm in our faith, and refuse to compromise our stand of integrity! So remember, whether you are in ministry or a member of the congregation, you are to endure like soldier, stick to the plan like an athelete, and reap the rewards like a farmer! God is counting on you, and so are those who know you! Wonderful Jesus!

No Shame!

2 Timothy 1:8-Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God…NKJV

Have you ever felt ashamed of being a Christian? Or maybe, it wasn’t so much that you were ashamed of being a Christian, but being associated with someone or something that shed a negative view on Christianity. While I have never been ashamed of being a Christian, I have often felt embarrassment over the shenanigans some people get caught up in as they name the name of Christ!

In this letter to Timothy, Paul is again in chains. And theologians agree that it is the last letter Paul wrote because he was later martyred. Paul writes this letter to encourage Timothy but (in a sense) also to say farewell to Timothy.

I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy
2 Timothy 1:3-4 NKJV

Paul told Timothy that he had indeed been called by God to be an apostle. He wanted Timothy to know all of his service to God had been “with a pure conscience” before God. And even though Paul was in prison and facing death, Timothy was very much on his mind and in his prayers. Paul really loved Timothy, and if we couldn’t see it in the first letter, this second letter leaves us no doubt. Although they were not blood relations, the blood of Jesus had made them family in a way that was equally, maybe even more binding, than that of natural blood. Their relationship was definitely that of mentor and mentee, but Paul was also Timothy’s spiritual father and Timothy was his son!

Paul wanted to see Timothy one last time to be filled with joy before his departure. He knew this situation was hard on Timothy, that Timothy had even shed tears over it, but Paul wanted Timothy to know that he was in a good place and needed to know that Timothy was also in a good place!

Paul reminisced over his experiences with Timothy:

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV

He fondly remembered the faith that Timothy had in Jesus. His commitment to the gospel of Jesus and his labors in the ministry. He reminds Timothy that he had a legacy of faith that began first with his grandmother then, his mother, and it was also instilled in Timothy. Not only does Paul remember, but he also wants Timothy to remember.

In those darkest moments of life or our greatest trials, we have to watch what we are meditating on. Paul knew that he couldn’t spend his time awaiting his sentence focusing on his imminent death. Not if he wanted to remain filled with hope! So, he spent that time encouraging Timothy to continue with his assignment by remembering the things that mattered. His faith!

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV

Paul reminded Timothy to stay focused. Stir up the gift of God that’s on the inside of you, given to you by God. This is not the time to allow fear to get a grip on you. Yes, Christians are being persecuted! Yes, things are tough right now! But don’t let fear paralyze you and hinder you in the fight of faith! Stir up your gift! For God has given you everything that you need to continue in the work of the Lord, power, love, and a sound mind!

Then Paul said to Timothy:

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God…
2 Timothy 1:8 NKJV

In other words, don’t you dare allow shame to enter your heart! Not shame over the testimony of our Lord, nor shame over me being a prisoner! These are not things to be ashamed of! If anything, Paul told Timothy, share with me in the suffering for the gospel’s sake! That’s why I’m in prison! Not because I have done something wrong or have brought embarrassment to the cross, but because of my unrelenting faith in Jesus and my faithfulness in proclaiming the gospel (see verses 9-11)! As a result, persecution has come to me, and if you are indeed the young man in Christ I know you to be, you will also suffer persecution!

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

Paul wanted Timothy to understand that there was no shame in his game! He wasn’t upset or offended that he was in prison with a death sentence hanging over his head! As a matter of fact, Paul reiterated to Timothy that he knew who his faith was in and it hadn’t changed! Not only was his faith in Jesus secure, but he was persuaded that Jesus was able to keep all that he had committed to Him! That’s great faith!

But Paul didn’t end there! Paul gave Timothy some more advice:

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 NJKV

Paul told Timothy to hold fast to the things that he had taught him! They were sound teachings! Things taught to him in faith and in love! Paul wanted Timothy to understand that he wasn’t believing in something or someone that wasn’t worth it! The gospel of Jesus was worth every moment of joy and every moment of pain to Paul, and he wanted Timothy to understand that his life wasn’t lived in vain! So, the good thing that was committed to Timothy by the Holy Spirit, Paul wanted Timothy to keep at it, to not give up! Powerful words of encouragement!

I’ve read these letters so many times through the years! But never have I really taken the time to think about what Paul was really saying! Paul was completely sold out to the cause of Christ. Nothing was more important to him. He saw his imminent death as a means that the devil could use to shipwreck Timothy’s faith! And he couldn’t bear the thought of that happening! So he laid it all out for Timothy to see so, that he would be encouraged by all that Paul had experienced and not discouraged!

Today, many have abused their positions in the church. They have been caught doing some unthinkable things which have caused many to feel shame, embarrassment, and even shipwrecked in their faith! Paul reminds us, through his letter to Timothy, that there is no shame in the cross! When Jesus was placed on the cross, the devil thought he was bringing great shame to the name of Jesus! But if it had not been for the cross, we would all still be in our sins! Jesus was unconcerned about the shame they were trying to cast upon Him because we were all on His mind! Aren’t you glad that He didn’t give up? I most certainly am!

As believers, we cannot afford to let circumstances or others’ lack of integrity cause us to feel shame! We must make up our minds that it is for Christ we live and regardless of others’ inability to remain faithful to the call, we choose to remain faithful! So even though I am disturbed by what I see in the media, I choose to remain strong like Paul and declare, there is no shame in my game! I am delighted to be a Christian and plan to continue to stand for Him and what His word teaches me, even when it is not popular! Wonderful Jesus!

Powerless to Stop Us! Revised & Reposted

2 Timothy 1:7- For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. NKJV

Today, I want to begin going through the book of 2 Timothy! It is believed that 1 Timothy was written when Paul was arrested in the book of Acts. However, the time for the writing of 2 Timothy was later, before Paul was executed. Paul writes to Timothy to give him final instructions on how to live for God. These instructions are not only beneficial to leaders but also to the body of Christ. Before blogging on a subject, I typically check to see what I have already written. I discovered this post in the early part of 2022 and decided it was worthy of reposting. I have edited it and made some changes, so if you so desire, you can go back and read the original post!

We’ve finally gotten to a place where COVID isn’t dictating our every move and we can breathe a little easier! Or can we? This school year alone, we have had a string of people in our building who were reinfected with the virus. Fortunately, they recovered and are doing well! As the world watches what is unfolding in Ukraine and Israel we can’t help but wonder, where will this all end? Fear is always looking for a way to overtake us, but God’s plan involves us overtaking fear!

The first part of this verse is really key to understanding the entire verse. For God has not given us the spirit of fear! Whether Paul is referencing an evil spirit or an attitude of fear, we know that he is saying it doesn’t come from God!

We don’t have to do a Google search to figure out what is meant by the word fear. Fear enters our hearts when we become anxious, worried, sense danger, or are distressed over something. And fear is something that we have all experienced on some level! But again, the wonderful thing about fear is that it doesn’t come from God!

As I mentioned already, there is a lot of fear being stirred over what is happening in Ukraine. I can hardly stand to view the news coverage of what they are going through. I applaud their strength and tenacity to fight for their freedom while mourning for the country and its people. It’s enough to cause us all to fear. Then there is the war in the Gaza Strip. There are no words to express the sorrow of what happened in Israel, or of what is happening in the Gaza Strip! We need divine intervention in both of these situations. But as believers, we have been admonished by God to not embrace fear. Let’s continue to pray that God will indeed intervene in these conflicts!

The psalmist wrote these words that give me great comfort:

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalm 91:5-6 NKJV

The psalmist didn’t write that we would not witness these things. Nor did he promise that they would never happen around us. But he encourages us to not be afraid of the things that happen during the night. He tells us that bombs, arrows, and even bullets on the highway may be a reality, but we are not to take on fear. He said that we would experience world pandemics and a threat of destruction, but we are not to lay hold to fear! Although we can attribute these words to the psalmist, we know that God authored them! It is He who continues to encourage us to not be afraid!

The second thing Paul tells us about fear is that it is a spirit. And since he told us that it’s not from God, it has to be from lies we have embraced or the devil! In 1 John, we are told that fear involves torment. When we allow the spirit of fear (actual spirit or an attitude of fear) to have a dominant role in our lives, we invite torment to come and reside with us! Torment has the power to make our lives miserable. It paralyzes us, causing us to become immobile so that all we can do is wallow in our fears!

David wrote these words:

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4 NKJV

David’s attitude is the attitude that we should all embrace and it is key when fear comes around. We must learn to trust in God. There is no getting over fear without trust in God. David said that when he put his trust in God, he was determined to not give in to fear. That has to become our attitude to walk free of fear!

Paul wrote that God did not give us the spirit of fear, but there are some things that God has given us. He has given us a spirit of power! Dunamis power! Why would fear and power be in the same thought in Paul’s mind? I am sure it’s because Paul is telling us that God has given us the power to conquer our fears.

Paul was actually encouraging Timothy in this passage. Paul fondly remembers the time he spent with Timothy. Paul told Timothy that every time he thinks of him, he stops and prays for him. This is an example that we can all follow. How many times do people come to mind that you haven’t seen or spoken with in a while? That’s probably a good time to stop and pray for them!

Paul reminisces about Timothy’s heritage of faith which he received from his maternal side of the family. Paul rejoices in the gift that Timothy received when he laid his hands upon Timothy and the Holy Spirit flowed through him. Then Paul encouraged Timothy to keep that gift flowing in his life and ministry. Don’t let fear overtake you, overtake it! That’s not from God, so don’t receive it!

What God did give to Timothy, and to us when He gave gifts, was the power to operate in the gift! Many people are gifted, but if that gift is being hidden because of fear, what good is the gift? When God bestowed gifts on us, it was with the intent that we would use them for His glory. Fear is designed to keep us from operating in our gifts for the glory of God! Don’t allow it!

I know people whom God has gifted to sing, but they allow fear to keep them on the sidelines of life. The fear of standing in front of a crowd, or the fear of messing up, or not being good enough has them paralyzed! Well, if that’s you, it’s time to break free of that spirit and allow God’s power to enable you to operate in your gift!

Then God gave the spirit of love!

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2 NKJV

Ministry is most effective when the people of God feel loved! Whether it is a kind word, a hug, a phone call, or some type of service, people have a greater appreciation of it when they sense the love behind it. For Timothy to continue to honor God with his work in the ministry, love had to be preeminent in all that he did. The same is true for those of us who serve in the church today!

Lastly, Paul wrote that God has given us a sound mind! Yes! And thank you, Jesus! When people aren’t thinking right, it isn’t God! God has given His children a sound mind. Well, in this case, in keeping in mind what Paul is talking about, a sound mind refers to a disciplined mind. A person who walks in the knowledge of who they are in Christ, even in their mind. So when fear comes to the attack, you don’t lose your mind! Your mind stays at peace and in agreement with what God has already said about the situation! You resist the spirit of fear, and because you have a sound mind, you don’t give over to your emotions!

There’s so much in this single verse that Paul was writing to Timothy, and therefore to us! There will always be something going on around us designed to cause fear to rise up in us! There will always be a new task, step, or endeavor we can walk into, and fear will be hanging around, waiting to keep us from being a success! But when we understand what God has given us, to overcome that fear, it will be powerless to stop us! Wonderful Jesus!

Godliness With Contentment!

1 Timothy 6:6-Now godliness with contentment is great gain. NKJV

We’ve come to the end of the book of 1 Timothy! Thus far, we have learned about the special relationship that Paul and Timothy shared and its impact on their work in the kingdom of God. Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him to hold true to the gospel of the kingdom while standing firmly against the false teachings permeating the church at Ephesus. In Chapter 2, we discussed why Paul told Timothy that women should be silent in the church, and it had nothing to do with them being able to teach and preach the word of the Lord. We’ve learned about the mystery of godliness and how Paul shared with Timothy the qualities of spiritual leadership and how to choose those who would lead the people of God.

By Chapter 4, Paul warns Timothy that many will leave the faith because they would fall prey to the deceiving spirits and doctrine of demons designed to pull them off course. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that these days of darkness were coming so that he could prepare his heart for them. And, in my most recent blog, we learned the importance of caring for one another, showing respect to one another, and taking care of our spiritual leaders. For such a short letter, Paul packed a whole lot of information in it!

Now, in this last section of the letter, Paul returns to his original subject, in which all of these other things actually are included, godliness.

Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.
1 Timothy 6:1 NKJV

In the past, this scripture, and others similar to it, have been used to keep people in subjugation and to tell them they should be happy to be there because God ordained it to be. Well, that is not what Paul was advocating here because slavery is not the heart of God. Although slavery has been happening amongst mankind for millennials, that doesn’t mean it is God-approved, any more than the sin that plagues our societies is His will. God’s heart is that all men be free, that’s why He came in the flesh to redeem us!

What Paul was saying to Timothy and the saints at Ephesus was no matter what their place in society was at that time, godliness required that they honor those whom they served. It would be synonymous with us working at a job today. Whether we are the employee or the employer, godliness requires that we honor one another, especially those who share our faith.

I had a horrible boss. But she told me that she was a believer during my interview, which I later had serious doubts about! Let me tell you, she was probably the worst person I have ever worked for! It was disheartening because one day I became the focus of her meanspiritedness. As I prayed about the situation, I was receiving counsel from those I worked with to bring a case against her. But one day during my prayer time, I heard God remind me that we are not to take another believer to court before the unrighteous. Not really believing that she was a believer, I knew that God had spoken to me. So I resigned my position because I couldn’t honor her anymore. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I had a great peace about it. As a result, I later changed my career path, and that has been a real blessing in my life. I wonder if I would have made that change if I had not gone through that situation because I am thrilled with where I am today? But what I don’t wonder about at all, is did I honor God, because I know that I did!

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing…
1 Timothy 6:3-4a NKJV

As mentioned above, Paul has not detoured from his original conversation of godliness. Everything included in this letter falls under the theme of godliness. Now Paul is telling Timothy that anyone who teaches anything contrary to what he had written in this letter was teaching against the concept of godliness. He went on to point out that they were proud and really didn’t know anything! That’s some strong language! But Paul wanted Timothy and those in the church to understand the absolute importance of living a godly lifestyle! And that message is equally as vital for every believer today!

Paul makes the statement that “godliness with contentment is great gain!” Again, some use this verse out of context to convince people that poverty and godliness are partners in faith. That’s not what Paul was stating here. Paul wanted Timothy and the church at Ephesus to understand that godliness had nothing to do with the things they possessed or did not possess because they couldn’t take any of that stuff with them! He wrote:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10

Money and material things are not a person’s problem. Having money doesn’t make you ungodly, and not having money doesn’t make you godly. It’s easy to take a vow of poverty when others are providing for your every need. But for those of us who live in a society where we have to work to eat, money is valuable. I work hard all week long, and while I like my job, I wouldn’t do it without the paycheck that is attached to it! Paul wasn’t talking about making money because he worked as a tentmaker to keep people from feeling obligated to give him an offering. (Too many pastors are working hard all week to provide for their families, while still having to provide for the spiritual needs of the church)!

Paul stated that the love of money is the problem, not money itself. And you can have a love for money at any economic status known to man. Greed is an ungodly characteristic that leads to all kinds of evil. And both the poor and the rich can have a spirit of greed.

Money has such a powerful allure that Jesus referred to it as a god:

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 NKJV

Mammon means riches, and riches is translated to money in all of our minds. Jesus points out more vividly what Paul was getting at. The love of riches draws us down a path of ungodliness to the love of another god. We begin to see ourselves as being untouchable, more important than others, above the law, and therefore, we will do anything to gain more riches and to protect the riches that we have. There is no peace or contentment in that because you don’t actually have the riches, they have you! Paul wrote this type of life has caused many hearts to be pierced with many sorrows.

Paul wanted Timothy and the saints at Ephesus to understand that when your life is a pursuit of godliness, that’s where the true riches lie! Peace of mind is more valuable than the money in a bank account. Having a relationship with the One True God is more precious than riches. Living a lifestyle where there’s no need to look over your shoulders, sneak around, lie and cheat, or sell out to the devil brings far more contentment and gain in life than the wealth of this world. And that message rings true for each of us today! Godliness with peace brings much gain into our lives. Wonderful Jesus!

Communication, Care, and Compensation!

1 Timothy 5:1-2-Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

We’re living in a day and time when communication skills are suffering. Due to the overwhelming amount of social media we are exposed to and the numerous devices we have, we spend less time communicating with others. Then, when we do talk to one another, we seem to not know how to do it with love. Paul addressed this issue with Timothy.

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 NKJV

Paul told Timothy that as a young man, he should watch his tone when he speaks with an older man or woman. Actually, Paul told Timothy that when he speaks with an older man or woman, speak to them as if he was speaking to his parents. In other words, Paul was encouraging Timothy to show the elder members of his congregation the respect due them.

Paul wanted Timothy to understand that while he was indeed the pastor, the head of the local assembly, wisdom was the way to lead. Rebuking older people, throwing his title at them, throwing his weight around, and disrespecting them was not okay. This applied not only to Timothy, as a pastor, but it applies to all church leaders and members. We need to be mindful of the way in which we talk to one another. All the time! It doesn’t mean that we can’t be friendly, (I’m very friendly with a lot of people I address with a title), it just means that we choose to show them the respect due them.

Paul also told Timothy to speak with younger men and women as if he was speaking with his siblings. For some of us, that’s not very helpful! But the point of the analogy is to help us to understand that in any healthy relationship, there must be healthy communication. In the body of Christ, we must learn how to get along and how to show each other respect, even when we disagree.

Then Paul addresses his concern for the widows in the church.

Honor widows who are really widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.
1 Timothy 5:3-4 NKJV

In the time of this writing, Paul understood that women had no way of making a living. They relied heavily on their husbands for their livelihood. This presented a problem when the husband died and left his wife without protection and care. Paul instructs Timothy on the church’s responsiblity for widows. This is not the case today. Most women are capable of making a good income and even have retirement plans. But there is still a lesson for us in this letter.

Paul states that children and grandchildren should be the first to provide for widows and elderly parents as a way of repaying them for the care they received from their parents. Again, this can be sticky for some of us! But it is applicable to all of us! Even if we choose an assisted living facility for our elderly loved ones, we should not forget about them as we go on with our lives. If we are unable to provide for them ourselves by having them live with us, then we should at least make sure they are well taken care of in a facility, while visiting them often.

Lastly, Paul addresses the care of the pastor and the need to compensate them.

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18 NKJV

I believe most people will agree that pastors need to be taken care of financially. They have families and bills just like every church member. However, they have surrendered to the call of God to serve Him and His church in ministry. It’s hard enough to be a pastor, but a working pastor who goes to work at another job outside of the church is not able to fully serve the congregants. Therefore, to keep them healthy, their family with shelter, food, and clothing means they need income. And the church is to provide that income! Do they need to make a salary commiserate with a celebrity? No! But they also shouldn’t be living in poverty.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month! What a wonderful opportunity to honor pastors! Hopefully, most pastors are well taken care of, but we know that not all of them are. So October is a gentle nudge to remember our pastors and show them some appreciation. And if there are other ministers and leaders in your church who have blessed your life, throw some appreciation their way. Anytime is a good time to let someone know they have encouraged you, or God has used them in your life.

I enjoyed this chapter because it is so very applicable to our lives today. As believers, we need to watch our tone when we talk with one another. We need to speak the truth in love and treat people with the same respect that we want to receives. We also needed a reminder that our elderly community should not be forgotten. Who can you take a meal to, or spend a little time with to encourage them? Lastly, pastors and church leaders work hard to provide ministry to the church. We should let them know they are appreciated, but we should also compensate them for their time and efforts on our behalf. Be blessed! Wonderful Jesus!

Days of Darkness!

1 Timothy 4:1- Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…NKJV

We’re in chapter 4 of the book of 1 Timothy. In its original format, there are no chapters and verses. However, in 1227, Stephen Langton completed the first Bible with chapters in each book. In the 1400s, Nathan, a Jewish rabbi, developed the system of verses for the Old Testament, and Robert Estienne developed the verses for the New Testament in 1551. Thus, we now have chapters and verses, in our Bibles, making them easier to navigate through. Thank you, Lord!

Paul continued his instructions to the young pastor, Timothy, in this chapter. He told Timothy:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…
1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

Whether those days were the latter days of Timothy’s era or the latter days of today, they still ring with a truth that needs to be addressed. People are departing from the faith. Many teach, maybe correctly, that once you are saved, you are always saved. However, this verse causes me to ponder on that a little more. Can people actually depart from the faith? I believe they can! And it is the first issue that Paul addressed which would mark the dark days of later times.

We break contracts, we divorce our spouses, we walk away from families, and we can most definitely walk away from God. Paul tells us why people will be departing from the faith in the last days, which is the focus of this blog today.

What does “departing from the faith” mean? In this verse, the word faith is taken from the Greek word “pistis” and means assurance or guarantee. It is also the word that denotes belief in the sense of a pledge, or conviction, to God, His word, and the relationship of the believers to Him (Blue Letter Bible). Therefore, Paul is saying that people will actually depart from what they believe or have pledged to believe about God and His word. They will abandon the teachings that are unique to what believers should hold dear to their hearts! Things like the cross, the blood, the resurrection, the Son of God! But there will be extenuating circumstances! These extenuating circumstances don’t excuse the people’s departure, they help us to understand what transpired and how to avoid the same situations.

Paul addressed that a major problem, or circumstance that will cause people to fall away will be the subject of deception. Deception has been a tool used by the devil to pull God’s people away from Him since the Garden of Eden. Deception caused Joshua and the children of Israel to form a treaty with the Gibeonites. And, deception caused Judas to betray the Savior. Therefore, it is no surprise that it will still be used against the people of God in later times.

The spirit of deception is running amuck in our culture today. People believe all kinds of things that to the “saved” mind make no sense whatsoever. Whether you look at the political scene, the religious culture, the entertainment arenas, or even the school systems, you might be wondering how people can believe the things that they do. It’s deception! Paul warned this would be a problem so that we wouldn’t embrace it or be pulled away by it. Yet, with all the biblical knowledge floating around, the televangelists, blogs, podcasts, and online Bible tools, deception is at an all-time high. As a matter of fact, the same mediums we use to promote the gospel, or also used to pervert it. We’re living in dark days!

I think about what is happening in Israel right now. It’s a sad situation to realize the extent of destruction and pain that is happening not only in Israel but also in the Gaza Strip where people live. The Israelis are people whom God loves and sent His Son to save. But so are the Palestinians. God loves them all, and as believers, we need to pray that God will intervene in this war and bring a speedy solution that will help all parties involved. Just like we should be praying about the war in Ukraine. When we start believing that people should die for this reason or that reason, the heart of God is not guiding our hearts. These are dark days.

Another issue that Paul warned us about that would cause people to depart from the faith is the issue of false teachings or doctrines of demons. False teachings are able to get a foothold in the church because people do not desire to know the truth about God’s word. We become anesthetized to the importance of studying the word of God and become vulnerable to false doctrines.

Since the pandemic, we have settled into a sense of complacency in regard to church attendance. Because we can catch a service on stream, we give in to the lie that we don’t need to attend church. We understand that we the people are the church, yet we feel removed from the need to be in attendance in church. This lie opens us up to be exposed to every wind of doctrine on YouTube because we are not in a Bible-teaching setting where we can ask questions and receive sound teaching on what God says in His word. Talk about days of darkness!

How can we discern the truth from a lie? Someone asked me if I believed that the Holy Spirit would tell me something that wasn’t in the word of God? I told them that the Holy Spirit would never contradict the written word of God. That’s our first test about what someone is sharing with us, does it contradict the whole counsel of God’s word? Another way we can identify false teaching is the focal point of the teaching. Are you the focal point? Is an individual, cause, or nation the focal point? Then it’s false teaching! Jesus is the focus of the gospel because He points us to the Father! It’s not Jesus and something else, it’s Jesus! If the teaching doesn’t reflect Jesus, who He is, what He did at Calvary, and His resurrection, that teaching might need to be rejected! Dark days!

Our dependency, hope, and trust are in the saving work of Jesus. Therefore, our teachings, and what we believe, should line up with this truth or we are on a path that will cause us to depart from the faith!

Paul made one other statement in verse 2 that I feel a need to address!

Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
1 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

False teachings are lies. That’s the gospel truth. But it’s the next part that grips my heart: having their conscience seared with a hot iron. In our Bible study this past week we talked a little about this. This picture of searing something with a hot iron is powerful if you think about it. When a hot iron is taken to a nerve ending, it is seared, and therefore the life that was once in that nerve is no longer there. It is dead! Paul is saying that when we embrace the lies of hypocrisy, the spirits of deception, and the teaching of demons, our conscience which helped us discern good from evil, is now seared to the point that we no longer respond to the Holy Spirit’s tug! Whoa! Do you see that?

That’s a scary picture that we can embrace deception and false teachings that will cause us to lose all ability to respond to God! And as a result, we will depart from the faith! Yes, these are extenuating circumstances! But they are circumstances that we allow to take place in our hearts for whatever reason we imagine. Let’s not be those people with a seared conscience. Let’s make a commitment to God today that we will be found pursuing the truth! What is truth?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 NKJV

Wonderful Jesus!

The Mystery of Godliness

1 Timothy 3:16-And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness…NKJV

Godliness is not a strange term in the Christian vernacular, but the opposite. We talk about it, sing about it, pray for it, and try to practice it regularly, yet find ourselves trying to hone into the concept of what is true godliness. Paul wrote that without controversy, or in other words, without a doubt, it’s a mystery.

And then Paul does what seems to be out of place. He quotes the words to a popular song, (according to scholars) as if he is clearing up the mystery of godliness, or at least is giving us a heads up to what it pertains to:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16b NKJV

Before addressing the song, I would like to return to a previous statement of Paul.

I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:15 NKJV

In chapter three, Paul has listed the qualifications of leaders in the church. His list was pretty exhaustive; and covered the gamut of behaviors Timothy should look for when deciding whom to place in leadership. He wrote about leaders not being greedy for money, that they should be married to one wife, that they should not be novices to the faith, that they should be able to teach the word, and not be given to wine. All things that are still applicable for today!

But then Paul states that he is also writing so that Timothy would know how to conduct himself in the house of God. Yes, Paul was advising Timothy on choosing godly leaders, but Paul was also telling Timothy what his life should look like before the church. I don’t think the mystery of godliness had anything to do with Paul not knowing or understanding what godliness looked like. But during a time, when there was a lot of focus on Judaism, Hellenism, Romanism, and Greek mythology, Paul wanted to help Timothy to set up boundaries in his life and the lives of other church leaders that would make them stand out in the crowd. Also, Paul wanted to encourage Timothy so that even when it was tough, or odd, or if he was the only one, to continue living in godliness.

We’re living in such a day now. There is a lot of focus on a lot of things. We have more religions now than was prevalent in Paul’s day. We have people who claim to know the same God, and are reading from the same scriptures, yet walking away with different understandings of what is godly and what is not! We argue if women should have their heads covered in church, or should they wear pants, or even, if they should teach and preach, but a greater concern lies in their lifestyle. How are they living before the church and the world?

As a church, we have been studying the book of Timothy. Last week, our daughter made a comment about what she thought was godliness. She said that when we think of godliness, we should think of those things that point people to Jesus. Therefore, anything that was a distraction from the person of Jesus should be considered ungodly. That resonated with my spirit. All the things that point us and others to Jesus pertain to godliness. And now Paul’s song makes perfect sense as a part of the dialogue about godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16b NKJV

What’s our focus as believers? What really matters as we live our lives as kingdom citizens? To really attain godliness, we must remember that God was manifested in the flesh as Jesus, the Savior of the world! There is no other God besides Him and none can compare to Him! We must also remember that the Spirit of the living God, justified, or vindicated Him, through acts of supernatural empowerment and raising Him from the dead! The Spirit of God bore witness that Jesus was indeed God!

Jesus was seen by angels. How many times in the scriptures did angels appear on the scene for Jesus? There were several! When Jesus was born angels announced His birth! After He was tempted for forty days and nights, they came and ministered to Him. On the day that His tomb was discovered empty, angels proclaimed that He had risen! And on the day that He ascended into heaven, (was received up in glory), an angel asked the disciples why were they still gawking at the heavens?

He was preached amongst the Gentiles and believed on in the world! That was huge! He was not only the God of the Jews, but now the Gentiles had access to God through Jesus! That news is still being heralded around the world today! Jesus is the Savior of the world! We can only obtain access to God through Him, and throughout the centuries, millions have come to God through Him!

Godliness is very much about our actions. It also includes our character, our attitudes, and the way we conduct ourselves (Tony Evans, NASB study bible). Jesus was our first example of godliness, and His disciples continued with their own lives being examples. Our challenge today, as it was for Timothy and others, is to not be influenced by the world around us, but to influence the world around us with a lifestyle of godliness!

My favorite scripture on godliness is found in 2 Peter:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 3:2-4 NKJV

That’s a lot to unpack! Suffice it to say, God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through His divine power. He’s equipped us to be godly, so we just need to believe that we can live a godly life because He is committed to helping us in our pursuit.

So is godliness really a mystery? I don’t think it truly is since Paul took the time to give us concrete examples of it. Everything he did not cover just needs to come into alignment with scripture. When we miss it, we repent and fix it. But without a doubt, each of us should desire to live a life that is an example of godliness. Wonderful Jesus!

The Need for Leadership!

1 Timothy 3:15-I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. NKJV

As we continue in the book of Timothy, Paul addresses the issue of church leadership. It doesn’t matter what denomination you find yourself in at this time, one thing they all have in common is a leader. Whether that leader is a local pastor, a district superintendent, or the head of the denomination, the Bible has guidelines they all must submit to.

As a young believer, I met a former church overseer. He had been relieved of his headship because he had begun to see himself as a god. His word was law, he could have sex with other women and create a “godly seed”, and a bunch of other foolishness. When I met him he was still trying to present himself as this “godly leader” whom the church had forced out because of jealousy. As young as I was, as inexperienced as I was in the word of God, I am grateful that I saw through that foolishness! Paul wrote:

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV

The word bishop is taken from the Greek word episkopē, which is literally translated to mean overseer. I’m sure Paul ran into many eager young men who wanted to be in leadership in the church. As a proclaimer of the truth of God’s word, Paul felt there was no better work to want to be a part of. He was sure that as the work in Ephesus continued to grow, Timothy would have to appoint more and more overseers over the work of God and he wanted to help Timothy to make wise decisions for the protection of the ministry and the people of God. Paul gave us a list of things we should look for in godly leadership:

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable…
1 Timoth 3:2a NKJV

Paul wrote that an overseer in the church must be blameless. Looking at the literal definition in Greek and what the Vines dictionary says about the word is helpful, but we know what blameless means. It means without blame. It’s one thing to be under the attack of the media and others for righteousness’ sake. It’s a different ball game when we are under attack because we don’t know how to conduct ourselves in a godly manner. It’s great to feel a call to ministry and leadership within the church, but if you have a questionable life, please do not apply. The last thing the church needs is another leader embarrassing the faith!

Paul said that an overseer should be the husband of one wife. Some tend to think that if a person has gone through a divorce this disqualifies them from leadership in the church. That’s ridiculous. Even if a person did get a divorce, when they remarry, they have only one spouse! A bigamist does not a good leader make! However, a leader has to understand that their life is on display for all to see, so be careful when you choose a mate, or make a decision to divorce. People are watching!

Paul stated that a godly leader should be temperate and sober-minded. These words have similar meanings. When we think of temperate and sober people we automatically think of “sipping saints”. But that’s not what Paul is addressing here. Paul was addressing the issue of self-control and having a sound mind. According to the Vines dictionary, the word temperate alludes to the fact that God bestows a lot of power on the leadership of the church and abuse can be the outcome of that power. Therefore, a temperate overseer needs to be one whose will is controlled by the Spirit of God. It’s an admirable quality to see and possess! I also think this word is reflective of a person with self-control and all that conveys! Leaders should be in control of their words and actions at all times.

So what does it mean to be sober-minded? I’m glad you asked. The Greek word for sober-minded literally means to save the mind. No unstable people need to apply for ministry. Does that mean that Paul has a problem with people who are struggling with mental illness? I don’t think so. Am I being insensitive? I hope not! I just think Paul is stating that this is a tough position and having a sound mind is important when handling the crises that will come with the position of leadership.

Again, Paul mentions the character of a godly leader by stating this person should be hospitable. In its original text, it means to have a love of strangers. A hospitable person is a welcoming person! Leaders should have open arms and open hearts where people are concerned. If you are locked up in your biases, maybe a position of leadership isn’t for you. We don’t have to agree with or accept all the issues people bring into our space, but we can still demonstrate the love of God and the respect for humanity to all!

There is such a huge need for leadership in the world, but especially in the church! And Paul said that if that’s what you desire, you desire a good thing. However, do yourself and the church a favor and make sure that you qualify for leadership! And if you’re a leader, please check out your members before placing them in leadership! The church needs godly leadership more than it needs bodies to hold positions! I couldn’t get through the entire list in this blog, but maybe there will be a part two. Wonderful Jesus!

A Woman’s Place!

1 Timothy 2:11-12- Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. NKJV

Times have changed since Paul wrote these words to the young pastor, Timothy! At that time, women relied on the men in their families for everything! As a lover of historical fiction, I know that women have made some tremendous gains in society, but in the church, there are many who still believe that a woman’s place is not in the pulpit! And if we take these words at face value, Paul seems to be stating that as a truth:

Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2:11-12 NKJV

Before I address these verses, let me first address the ones prior to them:

in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV

Paul addresses the issue of the way the women adorned themselves, approving first of modesty in their apparel and then godliness in their character. Although modesty looked different for them than it does for us today, we still understand the concept of what is modesty and what is not.

At one time in our society, women had to be layered in cloth to be considered modest in their clothing. Pants were absolutely forbidden. Today, women can wear pretty much anything! And many of them do! But I believe Paul’s words of modest apparel and godly character fit in every society and period of time.

As for the braiding of hair and wearing jewelry, I believe it had more to do with the customs of the day than with the actual wearing of jewelry and braids in the hair. Yet, if I were to give any advice, it would be that when we are in church, especially leadership, we should lead by example and be modest in our clothing and appearance. Some items we adorn need to be relegated to the category of “not appropriate for church wear”! That’s for another blog!

However, I want to argue the point that the issue of women’s role in the church of Ephesus is simply not Paul’s view of women and their ability to teach or preach in the church, as some believe it to be! I remind you that Timothy was the pastor of the church of Ephesus. Ephesus was a city dedicated to the goddess, Diana. The Ephesians had a glorious temple erected in her honor there, which is one of the seven wonders of the world today. And the temple priestesses at that time were glorified prostitutes. Realizing all of this, I believe Paul was warning Timothy to not allow women to have a vocal and visible part in the ministry because of the problems it would create for the local church and for him. This was a historical point that Paul was making and it was specific to that location.

Why do I say this? I say this because Paul speaks highly of women and their service to him and the church in other places in the scriptures. In Galatians 3, Paul wrote:

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. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:28-29 NKJV

Paul stated that in Christ we are all one and heirs according to the promise! Paul believed that all believers were the same in Christ. Paul did not believe that women were inferior to men and therefore, should not teach in the church. Paul validated women on several other occasions. In his pastoral letter to Titus, Paul wrote:

the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5 NKJV

Paul told Titus that women were to be teachers of good things like how to love their families, how to be godly women, how to care for their homes, and what it meant to be obedient to their husbands. All good things! But you are thinking that they only taught women about how to be good Christian women! Wrong!

Pricilla was a valued teacher of the gospel, along with her husband Aquila. Paul met them in Antioch. When it was time for him to leave, he took Priscilla and Aquila with him to Ephesus, and they both began teaching. In the same church, he encouraged the women to be silent.

When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Acts 18:26 NKJV

Later, both Priscilla and Aquila pulled Apollos to the side to teach him a better way and to give him a clearer understanding of the gospel. In the book of Romans, Paul sends his greetings to both Priscilla and Aquila calling them his fellow workers, stating that they had risked their lives to save his, and mentioning the church they had in their home. This shows us that Paul had no problem with women serving in ministry or teaching others about the gospel.

There are other places in the Bible that speak of women serving in the kingdom of God. Philip is mentioned in the Bible as having four daughters, all of whom were prophetesses. Women followed Jesus and the disciples to help with the ministry, and Paul gave thanks to Euodia and Syntyche who assisted him in the gospel. Wherever you turn in the New Testament, you are likely to run into women serving in the kingdom.

Women are a prominent part of the body of Christ today, as they were in its beginnings. Women were valuable in the spreading of the gospel and the work of the ministry! Each woman has to decide the role the Holy Spirit is leading her to in the kingdom of God! And then she needs to work it with all of her might!

Paul certainly addressed the issue of women in the Ephesus church, but this verse is not a good argument to keep God from placing a call on their lives and using them for His glory! Neither is it a strong enough verse for men to keep a dominant, non-inviting attitude over women as they forbid them to work in ministry! Wonderful Jesus!

Fables, Fiction, and Falsehood!

1 Timothy 1:3-4-As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. NKJV

In my previous post, I wrote about how Timothy and Paul met, and the special bond they shared in ministry. As a young man, Timothy demonstrated a hunger for the things of God and a love for the people of God. Paul noticed this in him and asked Timothy to join him in ministry. During that time, Paul discipled Timothy, then assigned him the pastorate of the church in Ephesus. In this chapter, Paul encourages Timothy in his leadership of the church.

Paul begins the letter by stating that he was an apostle of the Lord by the commandment of God:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope…
1 Timothy 1:1 NKJV

What stands out to me in this verse is the fact that Paul reminds Timothy that Jesus is our hope! Paul is reminding Timothy that the life he was living, the ministry he was leading, and the sacrifices being made were all because of the truth that Jesus was and is our hope! A simple reminder that each of us need to hear periodically. Our hope is not only in Jesus, but He is our hope!

This truth causes Paul to immediately delve into the concerns that he had over false teachings entering the church.

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine…
1 Timothy 1:3

Paul tells Timothy to remain in Ephesus. I have read this book on many occassions but have never noticed this verse or instruction before: remain in Ephesus! Was it because Timothy wanted to leave or because he wasn’t supposed to stay there so long? Whatever the case, Paul told Timothy to stay in Ephesus, just like he had previously instructed him to do and it appears that Timothy wanted to do something different.

Why did Paul want Timothy to stay in Ephesus? That’s easy! Because Paul wanted Timothy to help the people in Ephesus see that they were not to teach any other doctrine save the gospel of Jesus Christ! I heard it said that the mission of every pastor in the body of Christ is to make sure that the church stays true to the gospel of Jesus Christ! Even when it is tough and unpopular, this is the assignment of church leadership! Stay true to the gospel!

We’ve all heard things added to the gospel. Some teach that we can’t wear jewelry, or we have to wear long dresses, or no make-up, etc. They look at one verse in the Bible, or they take something out of context, and before you know it, it’s their gospel truth!

Although Timothy seemed to be reluctant, and although we later hear Paul telling him that God had not given him a spirit of fear, we can also recognize the truth that Paul believed in Timothy! Yes, he and Timothy had a great relationship and a strong bond, but ministry was serious and important to Paul and he would not have given Timothy this assignment had he thought Timothy incapable of handling it. Not to forget that Timothy was of both the Jewish and Gentile culture, making him perfect as the pastor for this diverse congregation of believers.

Paul also told Timothy:

nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
1 Timothy 1:4 NKJV

Paul called the false teachings that were trying to creep into the church fables and endless genealogies. We recognize the endless genealogies as part of Jewish traditions and the fables as a reference to the Gentile culture in Ephesus. Since Ephesus was considered the most important city of Asia Minor, the diversity of the city would have been considerable. Not only that, the famed Temple of Diana was located in Ephesus attracting people from all over the Roman empire. Timothy and the converts of Ephesus had much to navigate themselves through in terms of ridding themselves and the church of fables and genealogies.

There truly is nothing new under the sun. Today we have many of the same concerns Paul had when he penned this letter to Paul. There are all kinds of philosophies and religious ideologies in the world today. Many are asking, what makes Christianity so great when there are numerous ways to God? Just as it was important to rid the church of falsehoods, fables, and endless genealogies when Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, that is still a great concern today.

Paul explained why it was important for Timothy to stand against false doctrine while not getting caught up in all the false teachings that he would hear about:

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
1 Timothy 1:5-7 NKJV

Paul warned Timothy that these things were distractions and held no spiritual value for those whose hope was Jesus! Paul understood the purpose of the church, the purpose of the pastor or leader, and the things the enemy used to get them distracted from that purpose. Many, Paul stated, had left the faith and turned aside to foolish talking about things they didn’t understand but staunchly defended.

It was disturbing in the early church and it is disturbing now! False teacherss aren’t as easily identified as the Jews and the Gentiles were in Paul’s day, but they are just as dangerous, causing people to stray from the gospel of Jesus.

I remember the Jim Jones cult in the late 70s. According to his biography, he started out as a believer and ended up as a leader of a cult, causing many to stray from the faith and to later commit suicide. (I went back that far because I didn’t want to point a finger at those who are popular today). But if we are honest with ourselves, we can recognize that there are many wolves dressed up in sheep clothing bringing harm to the body and causing people to stray.

Paul said that the people of God would be known by their adherence to the commandment of love. The one Jesus left for us before He went to the cross:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 NKJV

Paul knew that the believers needed to focus on having a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. I don’t believe Paul was encouraging Timothy to ignore his surroundings because he told Timothy to be aware of all that was taking place! Understand the times in which you are living Timothy and the things you will have to contend with and possibly have to address in the church! But don’t get sidetracked and remember the things that separate you (as a believer) from them (unbelievers)!

I believe that is a relevant message for today. Pastors and leaders in the church need to address wrong teaching in the body of Christ. It’s dangerous to the body when our leaders stick their heads in the sand and ignore what is happening. However, anything that causes us to hate others is not something we need to get involved in. They are fables, falsehoods, and endless geneaologies! Anything that pulls us away from a sincere faith in Jesus towards a passionate stance for something outside the kingdom of God is distracting! And when our hearts are not pure, and our conscience is troubled, we need to recognize the signs for what they are, things that are contrary to sound doctrine!

Sometimes the truth can be hard! The mirror of God’s word doesn’t show us what we want to see, but what we need to see. Each of us need to examine our hearts to make sure the things we are passionate about are things Jesus is passionate about. We need to identify if our thinkology needs to be realigned to His theology because one day we will stand before Him and give an account of our lives; and we don’t want to be guilty of having followed fables, fiction, and falsehoods! Wonderful Jesus!