November 23, 2014
Evening Service

I Tim. 6

 

            This morning we saw how we are to treat Widow women, elders, younger women, and men.  Christians are to be respectful, caring, considerate, loving, and if need be, good providers for all in our families that are worthy.  Honoring our parents above all.  If we are growing in the grace, and knowledge of God, allowing His Spirit to flourish in our lives, all these traits will be ours.

 

This evening we close I Tim.  Then the Lord willing we will continue on with II Tim.  Next Sunday morning Greg will be bringing us a summary of I Tim.  Then Dec. 7, Jared Thomas will be bringing a message on Christmas, then Dec. 14, Bro. Steve Lee will bring us a lesson on Christmas.  Then on the 21^st is our Christmas program by the kids.  December will be very exciting for all of us, a most wonderful time of the year.  We will probably start II Tim. the evening of the 7^th.  Read ahead, and enjoy hearing from your God.

 

I Timothy chapter six; THE CONCLUSION.

 

1Ti 6:1-21  Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 

·         480 times is the word servant used in the Bible.  Beginning with Genesis.  There has always been servants, who were hired servants, and bondmen, bondmaids, who were slaves.

·         This describes servants:  Lev 25:38-43  I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.  (39)  And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:  (40)  But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:  (41)  And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.  (42)  For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.  (43)  Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.

 

·         Now this describes bondmen, or bondmaids:  Lev 25:44-46  Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.  (45)  Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.  (46)  And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour.

·         Here in the book of Leviticus it tells of all the laws that pertained to the Jews.

·         So, we can readily apply what Paul is telling Timothy concerning servants, not slaves, would be applied to a relationship of employer, and employee.

·         Notice the attitude Christians are to have toward their employer.  WORTHY OF ALL HONOR.  Remember the reason, that the name of God, and His doctrine be not blasphemed.  ARE YOU STRONG IN THIS AREA, OR WEAK?  WHAT FRUITS DO WE SHOW ON THIS SUBJECT?

·         When we are faithful, hardworking, obedient, trustworthy, then we are bringing glory, and honor to our God, and His doctrine.  WHERE DO WE STAND?

·         Attitude, Christian, is everything.

 

·         1Pe 2:18-20  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  (19)  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  (20)  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

 

(2)  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 

·         And Paul doesn’t leave out employers.  They would be the masters.  They are not to despise, but rather do them service, because they are fellow Christians, faithful, and beloved, partakers of the benefit. 

(3)  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  (4)  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,  (5)  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 

·         Notice the contrast in attitudes.  Easily observed, and noticed.

·         Withdraw thyself from these types of people.  Do not be deceived for this attitude is not only in the workplace, but is in many churches.  WITHDRAW THYSELF.

(6)  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  (7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  (8)  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  (9)  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  (10)  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

·         This should be the ultimate goal of every Christian.  Living a simple, faithful life to God.  Not getting caught up in the rat race that our world is in today.  Live simple, surround yourselves with the things of God, be busy about God’s business, and eagerly, and patiently watching for His appearing.

 

THEN PAUL ENCOURAGES TIMOTHY:

(11)  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  (12)  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 

·         These are the attributes God is looking for in His people.  Fruits of the Spirit.

(13)  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;  (14)  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

·         God is using the Apostle Paul to install life giving instructions for all posterity.  What a blessing, which will one day lead him to martyrdom.

(15)  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 

·         What a glorious picture of our Lord Jesus.  I would have you notice, He alone is immortal at this time.  We will be at our resurrection.   I Cor. 15.

 

(17)  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  (19)  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 

·         I consider this charge to be to all America.  Considering other countries, we are rich beyond measure.  However, we can’t be in the will God, and covet all the worldly pleasures, and leave the things of God undone, such as helping the poor, and needy.  We will be held accountable.

THEN A HEART FELT CRY:

(20)  O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:  (21)  Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.  HELP US WHERE WE ARE WEAK AND DRAW US CLOSER TO YOU.   AMEN.