November 23, 2014
Morning Service

I Tim. 5

 

Last Sunday evening Greg brought to us chapter 4 of I Timothy.  In that chapter it shows us the importance of studying our Bibles. 

 

The first topic:  1Ti 4:1-6  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  (3)  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  (4)  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:  (5)  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.  (6)  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Now had you not studied your Bible, and see this truth you could have been led astray, and deceived.  There are numerous groups that try to tell you what to eat, drink, and the holy days to keep. 

Think about it for a moment.  The largest Christian group in the world does not allow their priests to marry.  Some seventh day Pentecostals also will try and tell you what to eat, also, seventh day Adventist.  This is not the gospel that the Apostle Paul taught.  Paul calls them seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. 

 

Also Paul told Timothy to command, and teach what he had been taught, and that by doing this he would save himself, and those who obey him.

 

Now let’s see what chapter five has in store for us:  Remembering that these things are written that we might know how to behave ourselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar, and ground of the truth.

 

1Ti 5:1-25  Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;  (2)  The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.  (3) 

·         Respect, and honor.  This is something a Christian should be full of.  Respect, and honor.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.  (4)  But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.  (5)  Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 

·         We recall back in chapter 6 of Acts, this is why the seven deacons were chosen.

·         A widow that fits this description is to be taken care of firstly by her family.  It doesn’t mean just son or daughter, but any family member that decended from the widow.

·         Mat 15:5  But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; Mat 15:6  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.  Mat 15:7  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

·         Jesus is telling them that when God said, “honor your father, and your mother”, He meant take care of them if they ever need anything.  Take care of their needs, whatever they may be.

(6)  But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.  (7)  And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.  (8)  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 

·         Clear, and simple.  Easily to be understood, but unless you read it, you won’t know.

 

(9)  Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,  (10)  Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 

·         Taken into the number, or those that the church is taking care of.

·         No one under 60 years old is to be taken in by the church.

·         There are still expectations;  she must be full of good works.

·         One thing to notice, the washing of saints feet is a good work, not part of worship service.

(11)  But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 

·         When they quit putting the things of God first in their lives.  That’s wanton against Christ.

(12)  Having damnation,

·         Or, rather, having “condemnation;” or incurring guilt. This does not mean of necessity that they would lose their souls.

because they have cast off their first faith.  (13)  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.  (14)  I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.  (15)  For some are already turned aside after Satan. 

·         These are expectations from God Almighty.  Taught by the Apostle Paul, so that we might know how to behave ourselves in the house of God.

(16)  If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 

·         That is the precise word of instructions, concerning widows.

(17)  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  (18)  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 

·         This thought goes along with what the Apostle taught the church at Corinth.  I Cor.chapter 9.

1Co 9:14  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

(19)  Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 

·         Deut. 17:6.  This was part of the Jewish law.

(20)  Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 

·         This is an area where I believe we are weak.  I’ve always considered it God’s job through the Spirit to correct, or chasten someone.  We control what people do in the services, but it is God who ultimately corrects someone.  There are ways to confront, or correct someone, always in love.

(21)  I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.  (22)  Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.  (23)  Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.  (24)  Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.  (25)  Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

·         Treat everyone the same, and be fair.

·         Don’t ordain men to quickly.

·         Don’t get involved in other men’s sins.

·         All things will be revealed at the judgment.

There is nothing we have looked at this morning that cannot be understood by His followers.  Most expectations are this way.  We need only to read, and study God’s word to understand them.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO BE IN YOUR WILL UPON YOUR RETURN.  AMEN.