1 Timothy 5 "Be Slow To Ordain"

 “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure” (v. 22).

Here in chapter 5 Paul issues a word of caution to Timothy, and the generations of Christians after him, from making the costly mistake of laying on of hands (setting apart men for church leadership) to quickly. When enough time is not spent observing the potential elder or deacon, the wrong man might be chosen for the job. Paul clearly has this idea in view in when he exhorts Timothy not to “take part in the sins of others” (v.22)

Church leaders who pick elders or deacons, who have not been thoroughly examined, are partially accountable to God for their transgressions. Only leaders who keep themselves pure will avoid this fate. In other words, church officers will not share in the sins of the men they ordain if they take the time necessary to observe the potential candidates. Additionally, if the men they ordain are later found to be guilty of some grievous error, the elders will not be accountable to God because they did all they could to select good men, even if they were able to pull the wool over their eyes.

Therefore, be slow in ordaining church leaders, time will tell.

The Truth: “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4)

A Thanksgiving History

 (From the archives)

The original feast in 1621 occurred sometime between September 21 and November 11. Unlike our modern holiday, it was three days long. The event was based on English harvest festivals, which traditionally occurred around the 29th of September. After that first harvest was completed by the Plymouth colonists, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of, "Thanksgiving and Prayer,” shared by all the colonists and neighboring Indians. 

During the American Revolution, a yearly day of national Thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and by the middle of the 19th century many other states had done the same. Here is an excerpt from the state of New-Hampshire's Thanksgiving Proclamation.

"The congress in general assembly do here by command the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness."

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of Thanksgiving as the last Thursday in November, which he may have correlated with the November 21, 1621, anchoring of the Mayflower at Cape Cod. Since then, each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date for Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939. (approved by Congress in 1941)

As a nation our forefathers knew the value of thanking God for all His blessings. It is my prayer that our current and future generations of leaders will do the same. 

The Truth
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

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).