Apologies to all for the ropey quality of the first recording. It was recorded using an old mp3 player. This first short recording is the first bit of the sermon.
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Standard Podcast [7:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Standard Podcast [23:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download1 Timothy 3
Intro
We have identified that the grand theme of this letter so far is unity. Paul has been dealing with disunity by addressing with those things which either the cause or aggravate disunity.
He has covered man arguing, who he told to pray, and women displaying social difference by their jewellery and expensive hair braiding. Paul even mentioned his personal policy of restricting the role of women in church meetings. I mentioned that at this time business women guilds were large and powerful. In some cities the business women guilds had the largest buildings.
This section gave us the context of the previous section and helped persuade us that it was about people appropriating leadership or influence without having any right to do so.
1) Non-appointed leadership
Self-appointed bullies. Those that control yet are accountable to no one.
If this error is left uncorrected, a church will normally have more than one such self-appointed ‘leader’.
2) Properly appointed leadership
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
“Reliable is also translated “faithful”. God can add ability to character and availability. God can not add character to ability, that is our gift to Him.
The list of qualifications is all about character before ability.
(a) Elders
Also called overseer. Duties were to teach and preach (3:2, 5:17), direct the affairs of the church (3:5, 5:17), Shepherd the flock of God (Acts 20:28), guard the church from error (Acts 20:28-31).
(b) Deacons
They serve.
Difference between the two offices of elder and deacon? And Elder answers for the souls in their care.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
(c) “Wives”. Literally translated - “the women” in 1 Timothy 3:11
New International Version - In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
New American Standard Bible - Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
New Century Version - In the same way, women must be respected by others. They must not speak evil of others. They must be self-controlled and trustworthy in everything.
(d) Female Deacons
Romans 16:1-2 refers to a woman who was a deacon (no such thing as a deaconess):
I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant (diakonos), of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper (prostatis ) of many and of myself also.
3) Purpose of leadership
Discipleship. Order, yes, but the real purpose is the fullness of stature for the believers.
Ephesians 4:11-14
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
A comment about MILK
Hebrews 5:12-14
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
