November 16, 2014
Morning Service

I Tim. 3

 

            We are fast approaching the most wonderful season of the year.  We have gone through the Spring, which represents the new birth, and the resurrection of our Lord.  The summer, which represents the toils of this life.  We are leaving the fall, which represents the twilight of life, and soon the winter, which represents death.  All seasons are beautiful, but in the fall we have our Holiday of Thanksgiving.  A time when we reflect on all good things God has allowed us to enjoy.  Then we have Christmas.  A time when we recognize the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  As they say, “the most glorious time of the year.”

            In our recent studies we remind that we have seen the birth of the church Jesus said He would build.  We have seen this church persecuted, but still marches on.  We have seen men martyred for their faith in Christ.  Believing they have a greater reward awaiting them.  We have seen throughout history this church persecuted, but yet remains gloriously alive.

            The Apostle Paul has been chosen by God to bring us God’s glorious gospel message.  In so much as he has stated “if anyone come to you with another gospel than that which you have received, let him be accursed.”  A curse from God, to anyone that doesn’t build on the foundation that Paul has started, preaching the same gospel message he preached.

            The church is growing by leaps and bounds, so the Apostle Paul knows that they will need some type of organization, and guidelines.  This is the reason for the writing of the Pastoral epistles.  One scripture that represents this authority is this, “1Ti 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

            In chapter two we saw some important things to help us to know how to behave ourselves in the house of God.  THESE ARE REQUIREMENTS FROM GOD.

1.      1Ti 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2.     1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

3.     1Ti 2:9-12  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  (10)  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.  (11)  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  (12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

You see, unless you attend services, or have a good Bible study practice, you would not know this.  Women are not to teach men.  That may sound harsh, and mean, but God said it, I’m just relaying the message.  God has seen fit to give women a very important role in His church, but it is not to teach doctrinal points, or to usurp authority over a man.

 

Her important roles, which I believe to be none more important;

Tit 2:3-5  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  (4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Our aged women are to be teachers, but not of men.  You can see how important these things are that God has instructed them to teach, and by whom, older women.

 

These were in chapter two, let’s see what we have in chapter 3.

 

1Ti 3:1-16  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 

·         Bishop = Bishop is from the Greek, and denotes one who exercises the function of overseeing.

·         Pastor = A minister of the gospel who has the charge of a church and congregation, whose duty is to watch over the people of his charge, and instruct them in the sacred doctrines of the Christian religion.

NOW NOTICE THE QUALIFICATIONS.  NOT UP TO US, BUT TO GOD.

(2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  (3)  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;  (4)  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  (5)  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)  (6)  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 

·         All these are admirable traits in a man’s life, and if we look closely at them, we will see that each and every Christian man should strive for these in his life.

(7)  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 

·         We have heard it said, “I don’t care what the world thinks of me,” well we can see that it is important that non Christians have a good report of us.

 

(8)  Likewise must the deacons= 

·         This office of deacon came into view in Acts chapter six: 

Act 6:1-4  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.  (2)  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  (3)  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  (4)  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

The verses above tell us what is expected of these deacons, but Paul goes a little further;

QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS:

be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;  (9)  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  (10)  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 

·         If we willing allow someone to possess the offices of Bishop, (Pastor), Deacon, without these qualifications, then we will have problems.  We realize that no one is perfect in relationship to God, but we must do the best we can to accept men in these offices that work at having these traits in their lives.

THEN NOTICE, EVEN THE WIVES ENTER INTO THE QUALIFICATIONS:

(11)  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 

(12)  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  (13)  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

·         As I’ve said before, if we look closely at these qualifications, we will see that they should be attributes of every Christian.  LOVE, FAITHFULLNESS, AND MORALLY SOUND.

 

THE REASON FOR WRITING THIS LETTER:

(14)  These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:  (15)  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

·         Take time to study chapter 14 of I Cor.  A glimpse of an early church gathering.

(16)  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: 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.

·         A description of none other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

 

FATHER, AGAIN WE THANK YOU FOR THE SIMPLICITY, AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE US TO LIVE BY.   HELP EACH OF US TO STRIVE FOR THESE QUALIFICATIONS IN OUR LIVES.   AMEN.