I Tim 4:6-16

1. Intro.
1. the word minister is from the same Greek word as deacon; however, the office is not spoken of here
2. anyone who serves in any capacity must see himself as a servant
3. this servant is one who serves willingly and is not the same as a slave servant
4. Paul’s instruction to Timothy is applicable for all who serve the Lord
2. a good minister warns people of error - 4:6
1. the act of reminding
1. there is a necessity to remind Christians of error (giving a warning is a must)
2. a minister must teach people to be discerning
1. teach them to think biblically
2. teach them to discern between truth and error
3. the truth is the foundation from which error can be dealt with properly
1. being grounded in the truth will prevent us from being tossed about by ever wind of doctrine
2. the believer can deal with satanic error by being strong in the Word
2. the church’s failure to be discerning has allowed all kinds of error to creep in
1. many churches are weak, confused, and in some cases apostate
2. many churches only hear watered down sermons
3. the church is being flooded with…
1. charismatic confusion
2. unbiblical psychology
3. success oriented philosophy
4. prosperity doctrines and man-centered theology
4. the church must draw the line between error and truth
5. God holds pastors accountable for warning the people of spiritual error
6. the pastor is to protect the flock
3. a good minister is an expert student of the Scriptures - 4:6 ("nourished up" = to educate)
1. the best defense against error is a personal knowledge of the Bible ("words of faith and …)
1. it is hard to understand how so many churches have lost sight of this fact
2. ministers must be first and foremost a student of God’s Word, not just a good communicator
3. a minister must be able to understand, interpret & apply the Word of God with precision & wisdom
2. the learning of God’s Word is a continual process
1. if we do not regularly feed on God’s Word, we will starve to death spiritually
2. to be able to think & speak biblically, one must spend a large portion of time in the Bible
3. the Bible is an inexhaustible treasure that demands a lifetime of study to find it full riches
4. there is no virtue in ignorance
5. sad but true, our generation does not like to sit & think, but prefers to be entertained
3. Paul acknowledges Timothy’s spiritual growth - "hast attained"
1. Paul encourages him to continue being nourished by the Word of God
2. a good minister must continually feed on divine truth
3. he cannot give out what he does not take in
4. the better learner he is, the better teacher he will be
4. a good minister avoids the influence of unholy teaching - 4:7
1. Christians do not become spiritually strong by eating religious garbage
1. we are commanded to "refuse" that which is detrimental to our spiritual life
2. "refuse" means to decline, shun, avoid or reject
3. that which is to be rejected is "fables" (myth, fallacious religious concept)
2. a description of these fables
1. profane
1. something radically different than what is holy
2. anything that contradict the Word of God
2. old wives’
1. a sarcastic saying used to ridicule a particular point of view
2. a picture of a senile old woman telling fairy tales to a child
3. it was applied to things lacking credibility
3. our mind is a precious thing, and must be kept clear of satanic lies
1. God wants servant who have their minds saturated with the truth of His Word
2. a good minister must have and maintain biblical convictions
3. biblical convictions are gained and maintained by a constant study of God’s Word
5. a good minister will discipline himself in personal godliness - 4:7-9
1. the term "godliness" - 7
1. never used as an attribute of God, but is descriptive of the believer
2. the word stresses outward devotion and respect of God
2. godliness involves exercise - 7
1. "exercise" means a constant, strenuous activity that will increase strength and ability
2. the believer must get into spiritual shape & maintain that condition
3. a believer cannot be a spectator in the spiritual experience
4. athletes train to gain a crown, but the goal of a Christian is godliness
3. the profit motive - 8
1. physical exercise has little profit
1. Paul admits that physical exercise has profit
2. physical exercise only benefits the body
3. physical exercise is only beneficial for a short time
2. spiritual exercise has the maximum benefit
1. godliness benefits more than just the body
2. godliness has profit in the present and the future
3. the best possible life that anyone can live is in the will of God
4. the present benefit of the godly life is a useful, fruitful & God blessed life
5. the future benefit of the godly life is at the judgment seat of Christ
4. the evaluation - 9
1. it adds emphasis to what was said & identifies it as trustworthy
2. the greater benefit of spiritual exercise is an obvious truth
3. it is spiritually immature to preoccupy ourselves with our bodies
4. Christians are a group of people that are in spiritual training, not a group of body worshipers
6. a good minister is committed to hard work - 10
1. the price of ministry
1. the ministry is an heavenly pursuit, but it is also an earthly task
1. we work because of the eternal benefits
2. anyone who understands heavens’ glory & hell’s horror will be involved in the work
2. labor
1. the emphasis is on strenuous effort to the point of exhaustion
2. we are engaged in an eternal work; the destiny of souls are at stake
3. reproach
1. labor is what Paul did for others, reproach shows what others did to Paul
2. Paul received verbal & physical abuse by those he tried to win to Christ
2. strength for ministry - "we trust in the living God"
1. we have placed our hope in God and we remain in that confidence
1. our hope is set on the future
2. in this life our goal should not be self indulgence
2. hope by itself has no value
3. misplaced hope will bring disappointment and destruction
4. only the hope & trust placed in the living God has value
3. purpose of ministry - "who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe"
7. a good minister will speak with authority - 11
1. meaning of words
1. command –to charge, to declare
2. teach – giving forth of information
2. a lack of authority in preaching today
1. entertainment oriented preaching is popular today
2. many weak suggestions come from the pulpit, but is that what God really wants?
3. when did we decide that God’s Word was only a suggestion
4. our teachings should be filled with commands, not just sentimental pleadings
5. "instead of trying to sneak up on people with God’s truth, we need to speak forth the word of God and let it do its work
3. what is necessary to teach with authority
1. view of Scripture (inspired & inerrant)
2. understanding of Scripture
3. know how urgent it is for people to hear the Word of God
4. obedience to our Lord’s command
8. the good minister will be a model for others to follow - 12-16
1. the power of an exemplary life
1. example is the most powerful rhetoric
2. our lifestyle is our most powerful message
2. an example of integrity - 12
1. both young and old can have integrity
2. "despise" means to look down on someone
3. to carry out his assigned functions, Timothy needed to gain the respect of the people
4. if people were to follow Timothy, he had to gain their respect; but how?
1. "in word" – both public & private should be above reproach
2. "in conversation" –this goes beyond speech to pattern of behavior
3. "in charity" or love – self sacrificing service on the behalf of others
1. this world has both givers and takers
2. those who truly love are the givers, not the takers
4. "in spirit" – the attitude in which something is done
5. "in faith" – steadfast and dependable
6. "in purity" – moral righteousness
3. an example of ministry - 13
1. "give attendance" – apply oneself to, total commitment to the task
2. "to reading"
1. this deals with the public reading of Scripture in the service
2. men need to hear what God has said
3. "to exhortation"
1. exhortation is a call for people to make application
2. exhortation is always intended to bring a person to a change of behavior
3. exhortation is not making people feel good, but pointing out the way that is right
4. "to doctrine"
1. the formal instruction of people based on the Word of God
2. teaching is aimed at the intellect; whereas, exhortation is directed at the moral sense of the hearer
3. teaching strengthens the intellect, while exhortation stirs the soul
4. in using our God given gifts - 14
1. a gift is an ability given to the Christian for service and growth
2. God alone decides what gift will be given to each believer
3. gifts are given apart from any merit on our part
4. gifts are given at the time of salvation
5. Timothy received a gift by extra-ordinary means
5. an example of single-mindedness - 15
1. how to achieve single-mindedness
1. "meditate" – the opposite of neglect
2. "give thyself" –yield, surrender
1. it doesn’t take much of a man to be a servant, but it does take all of him
2. a servant of God is never off duty
2. the purpose of being single-minded
1. personal growth - "profiting"
1. this implies that he had not yet reached perfection
2. we should not try to convince people that we have no flaws
2. growth that is obvious to others - "appear to all"
6. an example of vigilance - 16
1. personal vigilance - "thyself"
2. doctrinal vigilance - "doctrine"
3. don’t be a quitter and don’t give up - "continue in them"
4. the purpose for vigilance
1. "save thyself" –from personal & theological error
2. save "them that hear thee" – will be able to deliver his listeners from the same moral & doctrinal error
1. Christians become frustrated when they see their leaders fall into sin
2. Christians can be led into sin through faulty teaching