1 Timothy 4 "God Gives Gifts - Use Them!"

 “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you.” (v.14a)

God never gives a person a task without also providing him with the strength to perform it. Timothy was gifted in a variety ways, but especially for public ministry; and in this Epistle and the next, the Apostle Paul challenges him to both “stir up” his gift (v.6), and not to “neglect it” (v.14).

W. W. Dawley, referring to this truth says, “God gave Moses a rod, David a sling, Samson the jawbone of a ass, Shamgar an oxgoad, Esther the beauty of person, Deborah the talent for poetry, Dorcas a needle, and Apollos an eloquent tongue—and to each the ability to use their gift. As a result, each one of them did effective works for the Lord.”

Likewise, our heavenly Father has given at least one spiritual gift to each of us as believers, and provides us with all we need to complete the task as well (1 Cor. 12:6). Therefore, I encourage you to seek Him in prayer as to both your gift and where He is calling you to use it. 

We are all essential in the body of Christ (vv.14-27) and there is much work to be done. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, stir it up, and use it for His Glory. 

The Truth: "There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:6-7)

1 Timothy 3 “Lead an Exemplary Life”

“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach.” (vv.1-2)

“Do as I say, not as I do,” is the worst kind of leadership example their is. Through it, everyone is left with no clear example to follow, and all will end up scratching their heads and may even resort to sarcastic comment like, “Hey, why don’t you practice what you preach!” 

The example of leaders is powerful in the church, whether for good or for bad. When leaders make bad choices, churches are deeply wounded by their hypocrisy, sometimes even causing good people to leave the church, or even to doubt the gospel. But when leaders make good choices and lead exemplary lives, they inspire all those watching. 

That's why the issue of personal conduct is the root of many of these qualifications for overseers and deacons before us today. Surprisingly though, in this list here in 1 Timothy, it has little to say about what leaders should believe. But it has much to say about how they should live. While it's often easy to assert what we believe, it's much harder to prove it by our actions.

Christian leaders should know that their conduct and character—whether public or private—cannot be separated. God sees and knows all, and He is just as concerned with our attitudes as He is with our actions. Therefore, leaders must lead an exemplary life, for Christ and His church. 

It takes time for someone to establish these kinds of credentials, and it takes maturity not to be carried away by the power associated with leadership. This explains why the elder needs to have a good "track record" in the faith, and usually a few gray hairs on his head.

Therefore, while our text tells us that, “if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” It also tells us, “An overseer must be above reproach.” Though none of us are perfect, to be in church leadership, one should lead "an exemplary life." 

The Truth: “As God's steward, an overseer must be above reproach--not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.” (Titus 1:7)

1 Timothy 2 "Pray For All Men"

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (vv.1-2)

Here in chapter 2 Paul encourages Timothy to be a man of prayer by praying for “all men”, sinners and saints alike. Especially, as noted in our text, “those who are in position of authority.”

I don’t know how you feel about the people in authority over you, but if you’re like most, praying for them may not be your first impulse. Yet according to our text, we are to include them in our prayers on a regular basis. While we may not have “kings” who rule over us, each of us could name someone who qualifies as, “those in authority” over our lives (i.e. government officials, work supervisors, parents, teachers, etc)

And as difficult as it is to see so much corruption, dishonesty, finger pointing, fake news, and individual agendas promoted over the greater good by some in leadership, we would all do well to remember that God is the ultimate ruler, and our hope is not in earthly “kings” but in the King of kings, who alone has power and authority over even the most powerful rulers. 

Therefore, pray for all men, and all who are in authority, for they truly need it!

The Truth: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1)

1 Timothy 1 “No Other Doctrine”

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (v.15)

This statement by Paul written to Timothy is what the gospel boils down to for me. I’m a sinner, and Christ came into the world to save me. By His grace and long-suffering, I have obtained His abundant mercy and my name is written in the Book of Life, by believing on Him. 

This can’t be accomplished any other way. Yes the law is good in that it points out our sin, but only Jesus can forgive, cleanse, and bestow everlasting life. No other doctrine, no other teaching, no other way leads to heaven and our LORD.

God’s law pinpoints our problems, while God’s grace provides the solution.

The Truth: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

Micah 7 “God’s Glorious Mercy and Pardon”

“Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity
and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?
He does not retain His anger forever,
because He delights in mercy.
He will again have compassion on us,
and will subdue our iniquities.
You will cast all our sins
Into the depths of the sea.
You will give truth to Jacob
and mercy to Abraham,
which You have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.” (vv.18-20)

In our reading today, the prophet Micah asked, “Who is a God like you?” (v.18). None–He’s incomparable! The proof is that He pardons and forgives. His anger is replaced by compassion. He rejoices to show mercy. He doesn’t forgive grudgingly or even matter-of-factly. Rather, it’s something He loves to do, something that gives Him great pleasure.

When God forgives, it’s 100 percent! Not only is His forgiveness perfect in erasing any trace of our sin, it’s a joyous act of mercy by a God who delights to forgive His people. And when He forgives, sin is gone–as far as the east is from the west. The Lord puts it behind His back and tramples it underfoot. He hurls it into the depths of the sea. He’s not filing it away in His mind waiting to bring it up again. It’s gone.

Are you worried about what you’ve done in the past? Rejoice! God has “cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (v.19). Are you still concerned about your sins? Rejoice! “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17). And “I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions” (Isaiah 44:22). 

If you have put your faith in Jesus and asked Him to forgive you, the past is truly forgotten. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). Trust and rejoice!

The Truth: “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25).

Micah 6:8 “Walk In Love”

“He has told you, O man. What is good; and what the Lord requires of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (v.8)

There is something within us that longs for justice for others and for ourselves. But there is only one aspect of justice that is fully within our control, and that is our behavior toward others.

To a people who hurt the Lord deeply by their selfishness and unjust treatment of others, the prophet Micah said, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what the Lord requires of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (v.8). 

What does the Lord long for from us? He wants action ("do justly"), affection ("love mercy"), and association ("walk humbly with your God") As Christians, instead of demanding "Let right be done to me," may our rallying cry become "Let right be done by me." Great things can happen when we say, "In my family, in my community, in my church, in my workplace, in every relationship, let right be done by me!"

God wants us to be just in the way we treat others, to be kind toward them, and to “walk humbly with Him,” which is to say: TRUST in Him, love Him, and prefer His will over our own.

Here in our text, Micah reduces the six hundred and thirteen rabbinical commandments to just three; do justly, love mercy and walk humbly. Our Lord later reduces them down to just two; Love God and love your neighbor. May I suggest focusing on the first and greatest commandment “Love the LORD your God with all your heart,” then everything else will fall in line. 

The Truth: “You shall love the Lord your God will all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment, and the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 23:37-38).

Micah 5 "From Bethlehem One Will Go Forth"

 "But as for you, Bethlehem (Ephrathah), too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." (v.2)

Here, the prophet Micah, inspired by God, pinpoints the site where the Messiah would be born, 700 years before the event. It would not be Rome, nor Athens, or Jerusalem but in the little town of Bethlehem – home to shepherds, the outcasts of the religious elite. This birthplace speaks volumes of our Lord’s personality and priorities – topics for deeper consideration and study.

In our text we also see the glorious prophecy (which was fulfilled by Jesus Christ) that the One Ruler of Israel (although He would be born in Bethlehem), His goings forth are from eternity past. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13). This means from the very beginning, Jesus was there - from Genesis to Revelation you will find Him. 

There simply was never a time when the Jesus did not exist. 

The Truth: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler, One who will shepherd My people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6)

Micah 4 “The LORD Reigns Over Restored Zion”

But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” And He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.” (vv.1-3).

“In the last days,” meaning this has not yet happened. Micah is talking about how God is going to establish His throne upon the earth, and how the mountain of the house of the Lord is going to be established in Zion during the kingdom age, when Jesus comes and reigns again. "Then God shall give to Him the throne of David and He will order it and establish it in righteousness and in judgment from then and forever." 

Micah then goes on to prophesy that the nations of the earth will come up to Jerusalem (for out of Zion will come the law of the Lord), "Come let’s go to Jerusalem and to the house of God, and He will teach us His ways.” Jesus will be there teaching the ways of the Father. And, “He shall judge among many people, He will rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: and nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (v.3). 

Meaning, He will speak with authority, teaching truth; the law will go out from Zion rebuking strong nations far off; He will judge between peoples; and there will be no more war. He will be our defense, no need for military budgets. In that day every man will live in peace; no one will make man afraid (v.4).

Interestingly enough man has tried during his entire existence to accomplish this that, only to fail in every attempt. Without righteousness one can not rule righteously. Only Jesus, the “Prince of Peace” can bring everlasting peace. Only Jesus “Our Righteousness” can bring the righteous of "rule of law" to man. But that day is yet to come, and as Christians we look forward to His appearing.  

The Truth: “Now it will come about that in the last days The mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” (Isaiah 2:2-3)