Graham continued his series on 1 Timothy this morning, concentrating on 1 Timothy 5.

1 Timothy 5 [ 36:48 ] Play in Popup | Download

1 Timothy 5

The last theme was Character, now we have Calling and Responsibility

Intro

Some details in this chapter were for them alone. It appears that in Ephesus they had a church widows programme. This is not a recommended practice, it is a report of what was happening there. Is this evidence of the business women again?

For those wanting to study the New Testament letters it is worth stepping back from the detail from time to time and asking, “What is the grand theme of this section?” The answer to that question is often the key to unlock the meaning of the detail.

So I step back, and what do I see? In the previous section I saw ‘character’ as the theme, now I see ‘responsibility’ as a theme, and also another thread running through about God calling believers to respond to him and commit themselves to his calling upon their lives.

First though, where are the church elders? Why is Timothy having to deal with these issues?

See Acts 20:29-30.

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

I think Timothy’s role is one of a trouble-shooter. Not easy for a young man, and an outsider.

1) Responsibility

The importance of commitments freely entered into. We may not have this widows system but we still enter into commitments.

Providing for family, mutual care. Care for those for whom we are responsible.

Good order in the church is important v1-20.

Verse 21 “keep these instructions” compare with 2:12 “I do not permit…” This instruction is just that, an instruction, and not a matter of Paul’s own preference and practice.

2) God’s calls believers

Ordination, verse 22.

  • Why would he be hasty?
  • Character of ordinand?
  • Age of ordinand?
  • Possibility of not keeping faithful to calling and commitment? Compare with the matter of the young widows.

The church leaders calling and vocation, verses 17-20

  • Worth. Not a salary scale!
  • Do not allow a leader’s reputation to be easily destroyed by mischievous people.
  • Do not allow sinning leaders to get away with it. See Acts 20:29,30.
  • Public! Guard the special nature of the calling to service.

Jeremiah 1:4-16

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

Ah, Sovereign LORD, I said, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.

But the LORD said to me, Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.

Psalm 139:13-17

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.