We are delving into what Paul the Apostle had to say to his young protege, Timothy, who was a young pastor in Ephesus. And remember, they didn’t have instruction, there was no Bible yet. So Paul wrote these things to him as a way to encourage him and instruct him on how to manage a church.
In Chapter 2, we talked about that a little bit and hit on the controversial topic of women in ministry. Chapter 3 goes into that a little more, so I decided to skip that today and go into Chapter 4. So if you have your Bibles, please turn with me there. We’ll be reading verses 8-10, then skipping down to verses 15 and 16. The in-between verses there are more specific to Timothy, and so we’re going to skip over those and get to the main point.
As you’re turning there, I mentioned last week that I would give you a more detailed argument as to why I believe women can participate in ministry today, as opposed to Paul and Timothy’s time.
And speaking of quick, simple, and easy, I had to prepare this sermon rather quickly. Unfortunately, when I’m working full time, moving, and having had some full Saturdays with family the past few weeks, it cuts down on your sermon prep time. So, this may be a little too simplistic, but I guess it’s better to be simple than complicated, right? I remember when I was in preaching class, and the instructor, who was the pastor at the Elim church we were going to, said that our aim as preachers–in a public speaking sense–was to speak clearly and simply. So here we go. 1 Timothy 4:8-10, then 15 and 16.
Scripture: 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
These things that Paul is saying to Timothy really aren’t any different than the things I’ve been saying all along. Continue in your Bible study, and that will help you in knowing the difference between Godly and ungodly teaching; steer toward continuing listening to Godly teaching; and as you gain greater godliness as you do, not only will you see a difference, so will others see the difference in you, and that difference will lead others to the truth.
Let’s take a look at verses 8 and 9 again: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.”
Notice how Paul puts godly training above physical training. Kind of makes you feel relieved, doesn’t it? I have to admit, there are some pastors out there where you kind of wonder if they have this backward. I posted a reel on social media the other day that said, “Don’t fall for all style and no-substance churches.” And it’s usually those churches who have the fit pastors that make everyone in the congregation look like there’s something wrong with you if you don’t work out.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there is–as Paul said here–value in keeping yourself fit. In fact, Proverbs 23 tells us not to drink too much wine, and not to eat too much, either. So you can see what sin I struggle with. Other pastors do as well. And we all know now that healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle lead to a longer and more productive life, which is a godly thing.
So, I’m not dismissing that, but Paul says that “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” So as our world gets bogged down with healthy lifestyles, among those healthy lifestyles should be a healthy spiritual lifestyle as well. In fact, the two should not be separated. A healthy physical lifestyle is godly; as well as a healthy spiritual lifestyle. But as Paul said to the Corinthian church, when we discussed the sermon on ‘love’ a few weeks ago, he is in essence saying the same thing he said as he segued 1 Cor. 12 and 1 Cor. 13. “Now let me show you the most excellent way.”
A healthy physical lifestyle will benefit your life on this earth. But a healthy spiritual lifestyle will not only benefit your life on this earth in other ways but will also benefit the life to come in eternity. Or rather, where you will spend your life in eternity.
As I said last week regarding women in ministry, we denominations–and even within the Baptist denomination branches–get bogged down with literally splitting hairs over certain doctrines. Here’s another one among Baptists–eternal security.
Dad always told me not to go there. But what should we believe about “once saved always saved?”
Jesus said in John 6:39 “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.”
Then a few chapters later in John 10, Jesus said: “27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
So why argue “once saved always saved?”
Because of what Jesus said in verse 27: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Paul goes into greater detail on this in Romans 8. We did a three-part sermon series just on Romans 8.
And in it, he said: 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
And if we skip down a few verses, Paul says, 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
So is there eternal salvation? Yes. For those who are truly saved. Saying a prayer doesn’t make you saved. Some people say the sinner’s prayer or get baptized, and then walk away and say, “Well, I’m good.” But no, you’re not. Not if you didn’t mean it. Not if you don’t repent. Just as a brief reminder, reread Matthew 7 and Matthew 25. Jesus was very clear that not all who call him Lord will be saved.
And that leads me to 1 Timothy 4 verse 10, which says, “10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
So many people understand our beliefs. They may share our beliefs. But they–like the Joker in Batman–wonder, “Why so serious?” I mean, loosen up a bit, right? Take a few drinks. It’s okay to say these words. It’s okay to do this or that. Why even bother going to church at all? Nobody goes to church anymore. Then they wonder why so many churches are closing.
Imagine being the first Christians. Talk about being outnumbered. Talk about being seen as strange. But they knew they were strange. They knew they were different. They knew they would be (future tense) looked down upon, scoffed at, ridiculed, and persecuted.
Atheists and agnostics today think the disciples started Christianity to obtain power and control. Well, that did happen, but not for another 300 years. And that was what created The Dark Ages. And we can see other times throughout history where giving Christianity power is not the best thing to do because it becomes corrupted.
In fact, as a side note, as we see churches decline here, there is rapid growth in Asia and Africa. Not the places where you’d expect Christian growth–especially considering Asia is home to China and Muslim countries–which we all know are leading persecutors of Christians. Reminds me of the illustration I gave last week about the missionaries in the Amazon jungle.
Peter told his readers, “I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” Foreigners and exiles are not meant in the literal sense but in the spiritual sense. Some translations call us, “aliens and strangers” on this earth.
The writer of Hebrews said: “For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.”
And so this, as Paul reminded Timothy, is why we labor and strive. This is why we live. We don’t just live and die, as Solomon observed in Ecclesiastes. We live for a greater purpose. And what is that purpose?
Verse 10 finishes with this: “Because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”
Last week, we talked about praying for everyone, including those in government offices whether we like them or not. And again, this was Paul speaking to those in the oppressive Roman Empire. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it until my dying day. Thank God our hope is not in human governmental institutions.
We have a right and a duty to be informed citizens and informed voters, and try to vote for those who will impose godly legislation, but our ultimate hope is not in them. Why? Because they’re just fallen, sinful human beings too. And our institutions are governed by fallen, sinful human beings, and as wonderful as it has been to live in the United States of America, human history proves that humans are humans, and without God–or as our founding fathers would say–without the hand of providence, we are doomed.
“…our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, ”and then Paul adds this interesting line, “especially of those who believe.” Why make that distinction? If God is the savior of all people, then why say, ‘especially?’ Do we get ‘extra-saved’ or something?
Remember we talked about the “Oprah Winfrey” gospel that is basically universalist. God isn’t the savior of all people in the sense that all will be saved in the end. I actually heard an American Baptist pastor once say that. No, not everyone, as I said, will be saved.
Enduring Word put it this way: Jesus’ work is adequate to save all, but only effective in saving those who come to Him by faith.
“What God intends for ALL, he actually gives to them that believe in Christ, who died for the sins of the world [1 John 2:2], and tasted death for every man [Hebrews 2:9]. As all have been purchased by his blood so all may believe; and consequently all may be saved. Those that perish, perish through their own fault.”
Going down to the last two verses, 15 and 16, Paul often uses the word ‘therefore’ and we could use that today to conclude his thoughts here:
He says: [therefore] 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Enduring Word again says: “Often, progress is not evident because we do not give ourselves entirely to the pursuit of God and His will.”
Going back to the example of physical training, you know when someone is physically training and when they’re not. It’s evident. In the same way, our spiritual training is evident to all who see us.
I hope that my example is evident to all who ride with me in my medical shuttle van. Talking about politics, I have a woman passenger who’s been talking politics with me. Unfortunately, we’re on opposite sides, but I don’t doubt that she’s a Christian. Now, I don’t see how Christians can vote opposite of each other, because if you’re living by the spirit as Romans 8 says, I don’t think the Holy Spirit is going to contradict himself. But, The Holy Spirit also allows us the freedom to make our own decisions apart from Him as well. So there’s that.
Having said that, as we get closer to the election, we’re going to see a constant struggle with each other in the flesh and in the spirit. You’re going to see it in the flesh and feel it in your spirit. Sometimes there is going to be some divisiveness, even among fellow Christians. Not only politics, but as I said before, some doctrinal issues that people split hairs over.
I’ve lost some relationships that I may never get back again over doctrinal issues among fellow Christians. I lost my ordination through Elim over it. It’s the sort of thing that makes people want to resign or quit “organized religion” altogether.
But if we keep our eyes on Jesus, whatever happens, our pursuit becomes more focused on Him rather than on other matters such as religion and politics and the divisiveness of each.
Going back to Hebrews again, the first three verses of Chapter 12 say this: Therefore [there’s that ‘therefore’], since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
To the Philippians, Paul said this: 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if at some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
And to the Colossian church, Paul said: 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So going back to Timothy, Paul says for him to: “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”
In other words, whatever happens to us and around us externally, we should focus on Jesus and our own spiritual growth internally. And what happens internally will be seen externally, like the physical trainer. Not that we will be perfect, Paul even admitted that he did not obtain perfection. Only Jesus obtained perfection on this earth. And even then, he didn’t obtain it, he was born with it because he was God in the flesh, born without a sinful nature.
Don’t you wish that was the case with us? Thank you, serpent Satan.
As Paul concludes his statement here, he says, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Again, it’s sort of a recap of what he said earlier. Watch your life and doctrine closely. In other words, continue in that spiritual training. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, and keep your heart and mind focused on the truth of God, not the wisdom of this world. Not only will it benefit you, personally, Tim. But it will benefit your church because you’re the pastor. You gotta teach, you gotta lead not only by your doctrine but by your example as well.
As I said earlier, Timothy was the pastor of a church in Ephesus, and to an Ephesian church–maybe Timothy’s church, maybe not–Paul said:
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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.
14 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 people in their deceitful scheming.
And so therefore (there’s my ‘therefore’ for the morning) Paul again says to Timothy, “Persevere in them [life and doctrine], because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
So, in much of what he says to Timothy in these books, he’s speaking to a pastor. He’s also speaking to church leaders as well. And I want you to know that everyone in this congregation is a church leader. We don’t have a church of a hundred people who have the privilege of coming, sitting in a pew, making some small talk, and going. We are all leaders of this church. But even if we did have people here who had the privilege of coming and going, they’re still representatives of this church, and of course, the worldwide church–the worldwide body of Christ.
No one is really exempt from this charge that Paul gives to Timothy because once again from the words of Paul to another church–this from his second letter to the Corinthian church, we are all ambassadors of Christ, and as ambassadors, we all have the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, we all have some part to play in telling others that the way has been made for all of mankind to be reconciled with Christ.
How do we do that? By first keeping ourselves in check. We have to know our doctrine and live it. And by living it–having a healthy spiritual diet–we can be effective ambassadors. People will look at us and say, “Oh, I know you’re an ambassador for Christ. It’s obvious by the way you live. You represent Him the way an ambassador would represent the king of another kingdom that is not of this world.”
Think about that. Does your life and your doctrine represent a kingdom not of this world? It sounds weird, and even a little scary. But it becomes easier and more natural to do so the more you diligently train yourself in these matters. And boldness for Christ does come with the territory because that boldness comes through Christ. So the more we are in Christ, the more bold we are for Christ.
I’m going to close by skipping ahead to the next book.
2 Timothy 1:6-8 says: 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me as his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
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