1 Timothy 4:15-16

B4 Be steadfast in your belief

C1 Keep on habitually applying these things.

D1 We need to think. We need to deeply think. We need to be careful.

D2 The Greek word apply is μελετάω meletáō. It is frequently translated as meditate, practice, attend to with the idea of being diligent, and having a plan to follow and follow it. The Christian faith is one of learning truth from the Scriptures, then teaching and living it. We must keep on practicing the faith. Also in Acts 4:25 CSB You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? [The word plot or devise in the same word]

D3 Verses

E1 Psalm 77:12 NET I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!

E2 Philippians 3:12-14 NLT I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

C2 Give yourself wholly to them.

D1 Robertson writes: [Give yourself is] Present imperative second person singular of ειμ, "keep on in these things.

D2 The things of God are most important to our life today and in the future life.

D3 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

C3 ...progress may be obvious to all.

D1 Progress in the Christian faith comes from the preceding verses.

D2 We should always be growing.

D3 To grow we need spiritual food. 1 Peter 2:1-3 EMTV Therefore having put away all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all slanders, 2 as newborn babes, desire the genuine milk of the word, that by it you may grow, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

D4 We need to be taught. We need to live it. We need to teach others.

C4 Watch yourself and your teaching.

D1 The Greek word for watch is ἐπέχω epéchō. It means to fix your attention. In this case, watch yourself so that you take care of your spiritual health, emotional health, and physical health.

D2 3 John 1:2 EMTV Beloved, concerning all things I pray you to prosper and to be healthy, just as your soul prospers.

D3 Teaching/doctrine is all we believe. It includes God’s character, beliefs, lifestyle, and worldview. We learn this today from the teachings of the Bible especially the New Testament.

C5 Continue in them.

D1 Continue in them

E1 The Greek word for continue is ἐπιμένω epiménō. It means to remain, stay put, not to waver. In this case, from the truth taught by the Lord Jesus and His apostles.

E2 2 Thessalonians 2:15 EMTV So then, brothers, stand fast and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our letter.

E3 Galatians 5:1 NLT So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

D2 Our progress must be something all can observe clearly. It must be in private and public.

C6 ...for in doing this you will deliver both yourself and those hearing you.

D1 Wilbur Pickering remarks: Paul here emphasizes human responsibility. If Timothy goes astray, those who trust him in spiritual matters will also go astray; if he remains firm those who follow him will too. This reminds me of James 3:1. "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment."

D2 Lange writes: For in doing this. The sense of the σωτηρία is positive as well as negative. As to the former, Paul probably meant the saving of Timothy himself, and of those that heard him, from false doctrine and its unhappy effects. But with this is joined the gaining of the salvation promised through the gospel to all that believe, the blessedness of which Timothy and his hearers would thus more and more partake. A twofold and most alluring reward is thus assured to his fidelity.

D3 The salvation mentioned here is not soul salvation. It is salvation/deliverance from the world’s way, worldview, lifestyle, and philosophy. It is deliverance from error.

B5 Applications

C1 There is a Christian life for our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C2 We need to study, teach, and live the Christian faith.

C3 We need to actively think about God’s teachings.

C4 God will give us grace to do these things.

D1 James 4:6 NET But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.

D2 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NET I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

D3 1 Peter 5:10 GW God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while.

C5 Do not quit.

B6 Questions

C1 How is consistency important to the Christian life?

C2 Why do God’s teachings need to be the greatest priority?

C3 What is the Christian life? How is it different from a non-Christian life?

C4 Why do we need God’s grace to live a Christian life?

1 Timothy 4:11-14

B3 More pastoral advice.

C1 Paul is speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so all these words are not suggestions, they are required.

C2 Pass along and teach these things.

D1 The Greek word commanding is παραγγέλλω paraggellō. It means to transmit as pass on/pass along a message. Mainly, it is the message of this letter and/or specifically verses 1-10.

D2 A very important message indeed. It is the message of salvation. It is the message of God’s kingdom teachings as God’s rules, worldview, lifestyle, etc.

D3 Whatever we teach and emphasize MUST be believed and lived by us. We cannot be someone who teaches one thing but lives differently. God will judge the hypocrite.

D4 God’s method: 2 Timothy 2:25 NLT Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth.

C3 All Christians need to be an example.

D1 Jesus is our example. He is also the one we are to imitate.

D2 John 13:14-15 GNB  I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.

D3 1 Peter 2:21 GNB It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps.

D4 We are to be examples to the unsaved in these things: in word, behavior, love, attitude, faith, and purity.

C4 Let no one despise your young age. It is not age that matters but maturity. See Pickering in his notes: As a professor of mine once said, "Your youth is not the problem; it's the immaturity that goes with it."

C5 Consistently apply yourself in reading [of Scripture], exhortation, and to teaching.

D1 Publicly and privately.

E1 We need spiritual food (Scripture), encouragement and motivation (exhortation), and to teach others.

E2 We need to read, think about what we read (the Bible term of meditate, that is, thinking through and deeply), teach what we read, and live what we read.

F1 Joshua 1:8 GW Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed.

F2 Psalms 1:2 ESV but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

F3 See also Psalm 19, Psalm 119, and Proverbs 1:1-7.

D2 We are to encourage and motivate others to do the same.

D3 We teach by speaking, doing, correcting, etc.

C6 We receive gifts from the Holy Spirit.

D1 All believers have a gift.

E1 The gift is given so we can serve God faithfully and be successful at it.

E2 The gift is given so we can be joyful and content in exercising that gift.

D2 We must develop this gift by the exercises from verse 13.

D3 God has delegated this to us.

D4 Let us be faithful.

D5 It is possible to neglect our gift. God knows.

C7 Questions

D1 Just based on this Scripture, what are some ways to attain spiritual maturity?

D2 What is the importance of being an example (pleasing to God) in everything we do?

D3 We all have a gift to serve God. Serve God when you see a need and can fulfill it. Why do some not serve God, use the gift God has given, and meet a need if we are able?

1 Timothy 4:6-10

B2 Remind brethren

C1 These instructions are primarily for the pastors/leaders but should be applied to all brothers and sisters. Most pastors/leaders do not.

D1 Timothy must remind them, that is, bring them up occasionally to refresh their memory.

D2 Good teachers do not teach something one time. They review it from time to time as necessary.

D3 Timothy must nourish himself as well. We need to be nourished in

E1 Words of faith, that is,

F1 Matthew 4:4 NLT But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

F2 Psalm 1:1-3 NLT Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

E2 Good teaching

F1 Luke 24:27 NLT Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

F2 God is the Teacher of all teachers, the greatest, the best. This verse prophesies but the character trait is reality: Isaiah 2:3 NLT People from many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob's God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.

E3 Consistently

F1 Hebrews 13:8 NLT Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

F2 Malachi 3:6 NLT I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

F3 Attitude—I need to do this. I will do this.

F4 Dedication—I will do this every day.

F5 Habit—I will do this as a habit without fail, except in an emergency.

F6 Help—I will seek God’s help and wisdom.

F7 Others—I will teach and be taught by others.

F8 Expect—I expect God to teach me through Scriptures.

F9 Application—I will live what I’m taught.

E4 Barclay writes: It tells us how to face the task of teaching. Timothy is told that he must feed his life on the words of faith. No man can give out without taking in. He who would teach must be continually learning. It is the reverse of the truth that when a man becomes a teacher he ceases to be a learner; he must daily know Jesus Christ better before he can bring him to others.

C2 In doing so, we are being pleasing servants of the Lord Jesus.

D1 We remind ourselves and our fellow believers of these things. W

D2 We must not do the things of verse 7.

D3 The method is to remind ourselves through Bible reading, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship (with God and believers).

D4 We have to be open and listen when our fellow believers remind us.

C3 We have to be nourished in the faith. This is knowing the Gospel and Biblical doctrine.

C4 We have to follow them carefully. We do not follow them to be saved or to be better Christians than someone else. We do follow them because we want to be good servants of Jesus Christ.

C5 We are not to follow crude myths or old wives’ stories. These are not doctrine. They are religious myths and stories. None of them are something Christians need to believe.

C6 We need to be in training for living a godly life.

D1 We must know the Bible.

D2 We must know what we believe.

D3 We must know how to live a Christian life.

D4 We must be able to answer questions challenging our faith (apologetics).

C7 Physical exercise is OK but will not enhance our faith. Some of the same points of being a better athlete can be applied to learning God’s ways.

C8 We need to be ready for living tomorrow with God’s standards stronger in us then today.

C9 Believing that Jesus is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe is offensive to many people. The Gospel is offensive. Jesus is offensive. A Christian life is offensive to many. God’s standards are offensive to many. See also 1 John 4:14, Isaiah 45:22, 1 Timothy 2:4, Acts 2:21, 2 Peter 3:9.

B3 Applications

C1 Christians are different. Saving faith is different. Jesus is different. Jesus suffered, so will we.

C2 God gives us grace and strength for whatever we face.

C3 We need to be taught and to teach each other.

C4 We need to encourage each other in the faith.

C5 We need to pray for each other.

B4 Questions

C1 What is the relationship between being a great athlete and a great Christian?

C2 Why does the pastor/leader have to learn and teach?

C3 What is the importance of consistency in the Christian faith?

C4 Why do we have to emphasize knowing the Bible, knowing what we believe, knowing what the Christian life and worldview is, and knowing how to defend the faith (apologetics)?

1 Timothy 4:1-5

B1 Warning of Apostasy

C1 This is for the latter times

D1 End of the church age

D2 Just before the Tribulation. The Tribulation period itself is one of complete apostasy of government, religion, and society. Only God can save.

D3 Society falls apart

D4 Like the days of Noah and the times of Sodom and Gomorrah

E1 The sins of society are NOT any special sins.

E2 They are the breaking of God’s Commandments as summarized in the 10 Commandments.

E3 Every law is broken in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E4 Truth changes from the correspondence theory (reality) to the Narcissistic theory (what I say is truth, is truth).

E5 Genesis 15:16 NRSV And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."

F1 Punishment does happen. We don’t know when.

F2 God is very patient. He wants all to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

C2 Characteristics of those times

D1 Depart from the faith—leaving the Gospel and doctrine as taught by the Lord Jesus and the Apostles.

E1 Steps in apostasy

F1 Truth is the first thing to be changed.

F2 Then Bible interpretation becomes everything except the plain, normal sense.

F3 Then the Gospel is corrupted or neglected. Works or something else become necessary.

F4 Then the doctrine of God, the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are changed.

F5 Christianity departs from evidence and a reasonable faith to one of experience and mysticism.

E2 Becoming deceived

F1 The method: charisma, philosophy, empty deceit. Colossians 2:8 AMPC See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).

F2 Comes from spiritual ignorance: Matthew 22:29 NRSV Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.

F3 True sets one free from deception. We must start with truth/reality. John 8:31-32 WEL Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “If you continue in my teaching, you are truly my disciples, 32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

D2 Liars are rampant.

E1 These teachings come from liars whose consciences are seared. They just don’t care anymore about God’s truth in its plain, normal sense.

E2 The devil, hating God, uses lies for his teaching. God, loving truth, uses truth to teach the truth.

E3 Claim to be spokes-persons for God. Jeremiah 14:14-15 GNB But the LORD replied, "The prophets are telling lies in my name; I did not send them, nor did I give them any orders or speak one word to them. The visions they talk about have not come from me; their predictions are worthless things that they have imagined. 15 I, the LORD, tell you what I am going to do to those prophets whom I did not send but who speak in my name and say war and starvation will not strike this land—I will kill them in war and by starvation.

E4 Use the same words and terminology with different meanings/definitions.

D3 A seared conscience is one in which truth is suppressed and pushed aside.

E1 Romans 1:18 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

E2 Often we believe false teachers because we become deceived and sear our conscience as well.

F1 James 1:22 NIV Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

F2 Sometimes we think everything is wonderful, we are strong Christians, and we have arrived at spiritual maturity. But, in reality, we are in terrible shape. Revelation 3:17-18 GNB You say, 'I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. 18 I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see.

E3 We need to live a life in truth/reality.

F1 Psalm 86:11 NKJV Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

G1 God loves to teach.

G2 We must acknowledge our ignorance and need to be taught.

G3 Just being taught by God (reading and studying the Scriptures) is not enough. We must live it continually and in private and public.

G4 Walk is our daily life.

G5 Unite as in undivided motives, attitudes, thoughts, words, and deeds.

G6 Our heart is the core of our being. We are not to be hypocrites.

F2 1 John 1:6 ISV If we claim that we have fellowship with him but keep living in darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth.

F3 James 1:23-25 GW If someone listens to God's word but doesn't do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 However, the person who continues to study God's perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don't merely listen and forget; they actually do what God's teachings say.

D4 Turning to seducing spirits and teachings of demons. Leaving truth.

E1 Lifestyle is determined by whatever a person decides.

E2 The plain, normal sense of Scripture becomes changed to one of “spiritual interpretation.” Doctrine and messages come from meeting God(?) in The Silence. The people are deceived to think it is Yahweh who gives these messages, but the messages come from the false. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 CSB For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

D5 Lies and hypocrisy

E1 What these false teachers say and do are not the same.

E2 They love to cover up and hide what they really believe and do.

E3 Many fake pastors hide various abuses and financial documents from the faithful.

D6 Conscience seared—people do all these evil things and do not feel any guilt.

D7 Forbid marriage.

D8 Teach the necessity to avoid certain foods.

E1 This refers to foods not related to health, but to progress spiritually. Some teach that Christians must follow the dietary laws outlined in the Old Testament. If someone wants to follow those laws, so be it, but if they teach it is spiritually necessarily for the Christian, it is false teaching. I am a Christian not a Jew. God bless the Jews.

E2 The truth is Christians can eat. The reason? God created these foods to be partaken with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. So, if a teacher teaches the necessity of not eating something for spiritual reasons, they are teaching lies. Beware! We have been warned.

E3 These foods are spoken by the Holy Spirit to be good and not to be refused. We are to be thankful for them, when we eat any food.

E4 These foods are sanctified.

F1 Because God said so.

F2 Because of prayer.

E5 We can also worship on Sunday or any other day: Colossians 2:16-17 WEL So then don't let anyone condemn you in food, drink, religious festivals, new moon, or the Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of things to come, but the real substance is Christ.

E5 A link about Torah observance by Jews for Jesus.

C3 Resources:

D1 Last Days Apostasy of the Church Andy Woods This is a 6-part series.

D2 1 Timothy 4:1 The Church of the Apostasy -1 W A Criswell

D3 1 Timothy 4:1 The Church of the Apostasy -2 W A Criswell

C4 Questions

D1 How is a person deceived?

D2 What makes the last days a time of greater deception?

D3 How can we avoid deception?

D4 What is our standard for living the Christian life?

1 Timothy 3:14-16

B3 Reasons for church conduct

C1 Paul wants to come, see them, fellowship with them, teach them, but until then, he wishes for Pastor Timothy to know the importance of Christian conduct. This is how we live our Christian life.

C2 God’s household

D1 This is God’s family. This is Christians (people who have believed).

E1 Ephesians 2:19 CSB So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household.

E2 God is the Father, for we are born again. John 1:12 NIV Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

E3 God’s family has rules. Here are a few:

F1 Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

F2 Colossians 3:5-8

F3 James 1:19-20

F4 Philippians 3:18-19

F5 Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

F6 Consider this list. Galatians 5:18-26

D2 We learn from this that our fellow Christians are family members with us. We are together as a family in God’s family.

C3 We are not together for a similar purpose, reason, or goal, but we are together as a family. Our father is God the Father. Our brother is Jesus, God the Son. Our comforter and guide is God the Holy Spirit.

C4 The church is to be the light in this world in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. We are to honor God by obeying His rules in the New Testament.

C5 Our religion is a mystery to the unsaved. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary on mystery: In New Testament usage, a mystery is not a puzzle or a secret that leaves people in ignorance, but a truth that God reveals. It usually refers to something that people normally would not know, but that God in his grace makes known to them (Eph 3:4-5; Col 1:26; Rev 17:7). The truths concerning salvation through Jesus Christ are mysteries in this sense. People could not work them out by themselves, but God who planned salvation from eternity reveals them (Rom 16:25-26; 1Ti 3:9, 16).

C6 The Lord Jesus was revealed in the flesh. He is the God/man.

D1 Many translations foul this Scripture. Wilbur Pickering PhD states in his Bible notes: Instead of 'God', 1% of the Greek manuscripts read 'who', and most modern versions follow this 1%. But 'who' is nonsensical (in the context), so most of them take evasive action: NEB and NASB have “he who”; Phillips has “the one”; NRSV, Jerusalem, TEV and NIV render “he.” Berkley actually has “who!” In the Greek Text the relative pronoun has no antecedent, so it is a grammatical 'impossibility', besides being a stupidity—what is so mysterious about someone being manifested in flesh? All human beings have bodies. The pronoun can be accounted for as an easy transcriptional error, a simple copying mistake, so why not stay with the 98.5%? “God was manifested in flesh”—now there you have a mystery!

D2 Jesus is 100% man and 100% God. This is the faith. See the Athanasian Creed.

D3 Justified in the Spirit. Jesus has been vindicated as sinless.

E1 Romans 1:3-4 ESV concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

E2 Hebrews 9:14 CSB how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?

D4 Devotional:

1 Timothy 3:16 (F B Meyer. Our Daily Homily)

Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.

It is more than likely that this is a fragment of one of the earliest hymns of the Church. In her hymns, and maintenance of the ordinances, she thus becomes the pillar and ground of the truth. The words “mystery of godliness” are probably a general heading which is further unfolded and expanded in the six following sentences, which may have been sung antiphonally:—

“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.”

The Extremes of Manifestation. — The Eternal Word was manifested in the flesh. But it was not simply a physical manifestation; we cannot forget the descent of the Holy Spirit at his baptism, or the authentication of his words which the Spirit gave in signs and wonders, and convinced hearts, and converted lives.

The Extremes of Created Intelligence. — Angels worship Him; and Gentiles, sunk in heathen darkness, hear the story of his wondrous love. Jesus is the centre of all worlds: from heaven’s bright spaces they come to Him on the one hand; from earth’s dark sins they come on the other. In Him meet angels and men.

The Extremes of Space. — Glory is above: “He was received up into glory.” The world is but a speck, a mote in the beam of eternity. How great the space between the two! But the feet of our Emmanuel have trodden its low pavement, and He has now taken to Himself his former glory. Like Jacob’s ladder, He links earth with the throne of God.

B4 Applications

C1 There are to be pastors, deacons, and deaconesses.

C2 There are requirements in order to be one. Being a great business person or leader in society counts for nothing in God’s church.

C3 We must be consistent in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C4 We are a family. We are to love and live as a family. The house we live in is God’s house. This is not referring to communal living.

B5 Questions

C1 What is Christian conduct?

C2 What is the importance of consistency in the faith?

C3 What is mysterious about Christianity to non-Christians?

C4 What is the importance of “God with us?”

C5 How can God be manifest in the flesh?

1 Timothy 3:1-13

B1 God’s Undershepherds, His leaders

C1 Jesus is Supreme in the church: Ephesians 1:22-23 WEL He has put everything under his feet and given him to be the head of everything in the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything of everything.

C2 Jesus is the supreme teacher and leader: Matthew 23:8-12 WEL But you are not to be addressed as Rabbi, because one is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brothers. 9 “Do not address anyone as your “Father” on this earth, because one is your Father, who is in heaven. 10 “Also do not be addressed as “Teachers,” because one is your Teacher, the Messiah. 11 “Instead he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 “And whoever will exalt himself will be humbled, but he who will be humble will be exalted.

C3 Jesus’s rules/commands are supreme: John 14:15 WEL If you love me, obey my commandments.

C4 Jesus appoints the offices: Ephesians 4:11-12 WEL He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

C5 Jesus has plurality of elders in every church:

D1 Acts 14:23 WEL After they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

D2 Acts 20:17 WEL At Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

B2 Pastors, Deacons, and Deaconesses

C1 Qualifications

D1 A true believer (this is different than claiming to be a believer, for someone might be able to say or teach correct doctrine but their life is not matching the New Testament character and life of a real believer. For the characteristics of a true believer, please read 1 John).

D2 The following are what shows in a person’s life after salvation. I count 18 in the list. Another person may count differently.

E1 First grouping is character traits. These are desire, blameless, vigilant, self-controlled, good behavior, not quarrelsome, not greedy, gentle, not contentious, not covetous.

E2 Second is marital status. He is to be a one-woman man. He does not HAVE to be married, though.

E3 Third is abilities. He is to be hospitable, able to teach, and a good manager at home.

E4 Fourth is addictions. He is not to be addicted to wine. He is also not to be addicted to porn, gambling, drugs, sports, work, etc. It is the addiction that is evil. Addictions affect decisions and judgment.

E5 Fifth is the length of time he has been a Christian.

E6 Sixth is standing in society. He has to have a good reputation in society, with Christians, non-Christians, government, education, etc.

D3 Even though many might have these qualifications, if the calling of God is present, the person will show pastor-like desires and actions.

D4 William Barclay writes on the contrast between a faithful and unfaithful shepherd:

But, on the other hand, there was the unfaithful shepherd. The difference was this. A real shepherd was born to his task. He was sent out with the flock as soon as he was old enough to go; the sheep became his friends and his companions; and it became second nature to think of them before he thought of himself. But the false shepherd came into the job, not as a calling, but as a means of making money. He was in it simply and solely for the pay he could get. He might even be a man who had taken to the hills because the town was too hot to hold him. He had no sense of the height and the responsibility of his task; he was only a hireling.

Wolves were a threat to a flock. Jesus said of his disciples that he was sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16); Paul warned the elders of Ephesus that grievous wolves would come, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29). If these wolves attacked, the hireling shepherd forgot everything but the saving of his own life and ran away. Zechariah marks it as the characteristic of a false shepherd that he made no attempt to gather together the scattered sheep (Zechariah 11:16). Carlyle's father once took this imagery caustically to his speech. In Ecclefechan they were having trouble with their minister; and it was the worst of all kinds of such trouble—it was about money. Carlyle's father rose and said bitingly: "Give the hireling his wages and let him go."

Jesus' point is that the man who works only for reward thinks chiefly of the money; the man who works for love thinks chiefly of the people he is trying to serve. Jesus was the good shepherd who so loved his sheep that for their safety he would risk, and one day give, his life.

C2 Responsibilities

D1 Preach the Gospel: 1 Corinthians 1:17 WEL For Christ didn't send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom in words lest the cross of Christ be ineffective.

D2 Read, exhort, and teach. The teaching would be teaching the Bible, doctrine, apologetics, and how to live Christian life: 1 Timothy 4:13 WEL Until I come apply yourself to reading [of Scripture], exhortation, and to teaching.

D3 Teach the doctrines of the faith: 1 Timothy 4:6 WEL If you remind the brethren of these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and good teaching to which you have carefully followed.

D4 Assist in the congregation’s direction in Christian life and outreach: 1 Peter 5:2 WEL Feed the flock of God, which is among you. Take the oversight voluntarily, not by being forced, not for money's sake but with a willing heart.

D5 Be examples. We have to live the same life we teach others to do: 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.

D6 Practice shepherd leadership. This is seen in the example and life of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many who say they provide this, but by their life, words, and actions are controlling. The controlling pastor is most likely a false convert to Christianity (Read 3 John about Diotrephes). 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.

D7 Teach other qualified men: Acts 14:23 WEL After they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

D8 They need to use discernment: 2 John 1:10 WEL If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house, nor greet him.

C3 The qualifications for deacons and deaconesses are similar.

D1 Listed character traits: respectable, not deceitful, not addicted to substances, and not greedy for money.

D2 Spiritual traits: to know and fully believe the doctrines of the Christian faith in such a way to be consistent in their words and lifestyle.

D3 Also, they need to be tested (examined, evaluated) regarding their spiritual traits.

D4 A blessing from God for faithful service is boldness (to live and preach the Gospel) and respect from others (reputation).

D5 The example is Stephen in Acts 6-7.

C4 Questions

D1 What are pastors, deacons, and deaconesses?

D2 What are the qualifications?

D3 What is the greatest qualification?

D4 How can we know if one is qualified?