1 Timothy 6

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Friday, Aug 24: 1 Timothy 6

Paul’s mentorship of the young Timothy is an instructive model for our day. Paul just pours himself into Timothy, instructing him and guiding him away from controversy and deeper into a ministry of the Living Word. His words here rival a Vince Lombardi halftime speech for their motivational quotient: “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses,” (v11-12). And Paul goes on: “I charge you in the presence of God…and of Christ Jesus…to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord,” (v13-14). Paul doesn’t mince words — this is a high calling. But Timothy has to be encouraged in the knowledge that Paul deems him worthy, deems him capable of living into this calling. This is what mentors do — they see us at our worst, yet they continue to believe in and point us toward the best version of ourselves we can become.

I once read that in order for a boy to grow into the kind of man God intends him to become, he needs the example of another man in his life. I’ve had several such mentors in my life and I’ve written about them from time to time on this blog: Johnny Markham, Lee Milam, Gary Bradley — men who, like Paul with Timothy, have put their arms around me as a young minister, teaching and instructing and (on occasion) rebuking me along the way. Their examples have been consistent, their encouragement toward me persistent. Maybe the greatest blessing has been the fact that they’ve believed in me, believed I was at least capable of service and ministry at some level. And that belief has truly made all the difference in my life.

So, on behalf of every Timothy out there, today we give thanks for our Pauls, for our spiritual fathers in the faith, the men and women who reach out in love, showing us the most excellent way.

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1 Timothy 5

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Thursday, Aug. 23: 1 Tim. 5

Although Timothy is not to let any one despise him for his youth (4:12), he is still commanded to approach his elders in a spirit of respect and love. “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father. Treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity,” (5:1-2). Although Paul will argue against many of the prevailing social norms that separate Jews and Gentiles, he also sees great value in the mutually respectful tenor of familial relationships, which forms the basis of his teaching in these verses.

Paul turns his attention to a particularly important subject in body life: carrying for those in need, specifically the widows in the church. Paul reinforces the familial obligation as the primary means of provision for widows (perhaps drawing on Jesus’ teaching against those who would declare the right of “corban”, material gifts devoted to God). But Paul also spells out criteria for helping those who are truly in need. The takeaway for us is to seek generosity coupled with discernment. It is interesting that Paul does not recommend an indiscriminate pattern of generosity; instead, stewardship requires the set of criteria Paul offers. The goal is not to withhold blessings from those in need; far from it. The goal is to provide for those who are truly in need, while encouraging individual family units to help in ways that are appropriate.

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1 Timothy 4

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Wednesday, Aug. 22: 1 Tim. 4

Several of our readings this year have reinforced the idea of “falling away”. Paul’s reflections at the beginning of 1 Timothy 4 is another such passage. Paul reminds Timothy of the Spirit’s warning, “that in later times some will depart from the faith,” (v1). Paul seems to specifically have in mind those who would minimize or even deny the “fleshly” blessings of marriage and food (v3). Paul’s comment in v4-5 reflects a deeply held Jewish conviction: “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” Echoing Psalm 24, Paul reinforces the created world as God’s domain for expressing His goodness toward us.

Lest we take this emphasis on materiality too far, though, Paul counters: “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come,” (v7-8). Paul’s sage advice to Timothy: avoid worthless controversies and put your full effort into something that counts – godliness! Why is godliness so important? It is for godliness we were created (Gen. 1:26-27).

Timothy is to oppose this false teaching in spite of his young age. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Paul continues, encouraging Timothy to devote himself to the ministry of the Word, teaching and studying and proclaiming Gospel truth. The stakes couldn’t be any higher, “for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers,” (v16).

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1 Timothy 3

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Tuesday, August 21: 1 Timothy 3

 

In this chapter, Paul spells out qualifications for church leaders: elders and deacons. It’s interesting that Scripture lays out the qualifications for these men, but no qualifications for “ministers”, at least not in the sense that we understand the term in our churches today. What does that tell you about the leadership structure God intends for His churches?

As a full-time minister, I certainly appreciate the support and encouragement I receive from our church family. But I also want to recognize the tireless service of the men who serve our flock as elders. Oversight can be a time-consuming project, but they commit themselves to it wholeheartedly because they understand this as one of the demands of leadership. But they compliment this with a true pastoral touch, a shepherding presence among the flock. This begins in their families, where these men again exercise oversight. But that oversight is coupled with true compassion, modeled first by the Good Shepherd. Take a moment and thank God for your shepherds and their families. They give of themselves, they pour their hearts out in prayer, they balance their responsibilities at work with responsibilities at home and responsibilities at church…and they deserve our prayers.

And the deacons of the church deserve commendation as well for their leadership and stewardship. In my opinion, we often overlook these men who commit themselves to the ministry of the church, men who serve in many roles either public or private. We have one such deacon at Mayfair, a man who has quietly prepared our communion trays nearly every Sunday for the past 15 years or so. Every Saturday afternoon, he brings his radio to the building — years ago it was a transistor radio; now it’s his iPod! — and he begins the two-hour long process of filling communion cups for 1,600-1,700 worshipers. I run into him some Saturdays if I happen to be at the building for something. But he’s there ever week, quietly serving the Lord and our church body. These deacons and their families are equally deserving of our prayers. Thank God for the men who are carrying out the ministries in your local church. Pray that God will grant them strength as He mounts them up on wings like eagles. “For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus,” (v13).

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1 Timothy 2

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Monday, August 20: 1 Timothy 2

Paul begins with an encouragement to prayer, which is something you’d probably expect to find in the Bible. What’s interesting is his emphasis on praying for “all people”, particularly ruling authorities. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way,” (v1-2). This is good and pleasing to God (v3) because it is in keeping with His desire that “all people” would be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (v4). This broad scene of “all people” referred to here is countered by the acknowledgement of one mediator, one access point to life with God: “Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (v6).

Paul moves from prayer into a broader discussion of the mechanics of worship: lift holy hands without quarreling; women should adorn themselves modestly in keeping with the godliness they profess; women should also learn in quietness and submission, rather than seeking to wield authority. Much ink has been spilled in an effort to explain these verses as they pertain to women’s roles in the church’s public life of worship. Is Paul’s statement universally binding on all churches and all believers everywhere? Based on his appeal to the order of creation and his indictment of Eve as the one who was deceived (v14), some will argue that this is the case. And based on other passages like 1 Cor. 14:33-35, the evidence seems to point this direction. But then, what are we to do with the teaching of Paul in 1 Cor. 11 where he encourages women to cover their head while they pray or prophesy, presumably in the corporate worship setting where these activities took place?

The issue is obviously one that requires a lot of attention and discussion. For our purposes, I want to point out Paul’s insistence that the Biblical narrative has power to speak to our current circumstances, no matter how contemporary they may seem. The challenges facing people of faith today are certainly unique to our times. Yet, Paul gives us hope that the template of faith is already laid out for us. Paul finds these little hooks throughout the Biblical narrative, places where he can get a foothold and survey the landscape. Paul enters into the world of Scripture and finds instruction and guidance. And the same is true for us. I suppose people will debate the nature of Paul’s teaching here for a long time, but what’s undeniable is his insistence that true life is found in God’s Word, the Living Word alive in these stories, making them more than episodes of Scripture but something even more robust and lively — the key to life itself.

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1 Timothy 1

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Friday, Aug 17: 1 Timothy 1

I’ve never noticed until today the way Paul begins his letter to Timothy: “Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior,” (v1). This tells us a lot about Paul’s self-identity. His life is devoted to the commanding authority of God. Paul has relinquished his own story for engagement in the grand, sweeping story of God revealed through Christ Jesus. Paul considers his position as God’s “slave” or “servant” (terms he often uses in his introductions throughout the epistles) superior to being “god” of his own little world. This is instructive for us.

Paul also calls Timothy “my true child in the faith” (v2). Paul, who never marries and never has a child by blood, adopts Timothy, a young man whose mother and grandmother possess deep faith, but about whose father we know very little. Could it be that Timothy is a template for today’s “unfathered” generation, a generation hungry for true paternal figures in the wake of their biological fathers’ absences and failings? And Paul help us imagine how to reach out to these young men to disciple them and mentor and shepherd them “in the faith”?

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith,” (v5). God’s command over Paul’s life is aimed at demonstrating love. For all of our indebtedness to Paul for his teaching ministry, perhaps his greatest contribution is his ongoing insistence that love remains the core Christian doctrine, “the greatest of these” (I Cor. 13). This love is manifest first in the person of Jesus and this is the basis of Paul’s teaching: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost,” (v15). But this love becomes personal, extending beyond mere theology into testimony: “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life,” (v16). And this truth comes spilling out of Paul in doxology: “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen,” (v17).

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Colossians 4

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Thursday, Aug. 16: Colossians 4

Paul closes this chapter with some final remarks about the Christian life: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,” (v2). For many of us, I suspect prayer is a posture of thanksgiving. We readily acknowledge God as the source of blessing and most of the time we are quick to thank Him to these. But we are also to remain watchful, anticipating His glorious in-breaking into human history but also seeking to perceive His “lesser” movements — a long prayed-for possibility coming to fruition; a definitive “Yes” or “No” in response to our request for clarity; a gentle and inexplicable leaning toward something out of the norm that we can only attribute to the working of the Spirit. We pray in thanksgiving and we pray in expectation. This is our charge in prayer.

Paul gives us insight as we seek to interact with our friends and colleagues who remain outside the Christian community. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person,” (v5-6). In light of our highly charged political culture today, especially in light of the national conversation re: homosexuality, the Bible, and marriage, these words are a timely reminder of the kind of speech that brings Jesus honor.

Paul closes with a flurry of names: Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister; Onesimus, the faithful chronicler of Paul’s missionary activity; Aristarchus, a fellow prisoner; Mark, Barnabas’s cousin; Jesus / Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas. The image we get is that of Paul surrounded by these dear friends and co-laborers, each drawing encouragement and strength from his brothers in arms.

Although the names are different for us, we quickly realize that we are equally blessed with the community God has surrounded us with. May we continue to strengthen and encourage one another until He comes again.

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Colossians 3

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Wednesday, Aug 15: Colossians 3

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” (v1,2).

With this statement, Paul seeks to elevate the Colossians to a more high-minded position. We struggle to know the particulars of the Colossian heresy, but it appears again that their argument is based on “human philosophy” (2:8), man-made opinions, rather than God’s instruction. Paul’s statements in ch3 remind us of our call to reflect on matters of eternal significance, the “weightier matters” that Jesus spoke about.

This does not require the Christian to reflect only on “heavenly” matters. It’s been said that Christians are so heavenly minded that their of no earthly good. Although the critique is unflattering, it’s a point worth making. We’re not commanded here to ignore matters of justice, poverty, and oppression in the world. Paul’s point is just this: you’ve put to death the earthly nature (v5), so live like it. As people who have put greed to death, we should have no problem assisting our brothers and sisters in need. We’ve been liberated to live generously. But we remain vigilant, ever on guard against the wiles of Satan. “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator,” (v8-10).

No, the life we live here on earth matters too much to ignore it completely. In fact, it matters so much that Paul implores us to a particular kind of living: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (v12-14).

These statements hardly need any commentary: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,” (v15-17).

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Colossians 2

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Tuesday, Aug 14: Colossians 2

Paul writes these believers to counter a prevailing heresy, some sort of divergent teaching that runs contrary to the true Gospel. This leads Paul to write, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ,” (v8). This thinly veiled attack against the heretics raises our awareness to the precarious nature of our position: we live in a world filled with swirling currents, forces that seek to distract…even destroy us and our faith. Earthly philosophies and perspectives may be an inevitable part of life in the flesh, but we should always be aware of the potential these also hold to work as a counter to faith in Jesus.

Paul’s argument against these heretics centers on life in Christ. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ,” (v9-10). It seems that Paul’s opponents are preaching that these Colossian brothers are “lacking” something in their faith, but Paul is adamant that fullness is found only in Christ. He speaks of our transition from death to life (v13) through the power of the cross (v14). And for Paul, the cross stands as the ultimate testimony to the full power of God in human history. It is at the cross that God declares victory over death and evil: “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross,” (v15). Paul uses language consistent with a conquering Roman general, victoriously parading his conquered foes down the streets of Rome.

Because this victory is ours, we should not let anyone look down on us (v16), as apparently the heretics are treating the Colossians. We remember that we have “died with Christ to the basic principles of this world,” (v20). If we have died with Him, then we must also declare our Life with Him, for He is the source of all that lives in us presently.

As we sometimes sing, “Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.”

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Colossians 1

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Jason

Reading for Monday, Aug. 13: Colossians 1

I love this chapter for several reasons. First, I love what Paul says about the gospel, how it is bearing fruit in his day “and growing throughout the whole world” (v6). This declaration continues today as the power of the Good News is continuing to be unleashed in every corner of God’s earth. I also love the demonstration of spiritual discipline here: “Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you,” (v9). “Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father…” (v10-12). Paul’s heart of prayer is disciplined, lifting these brothers up continually. And the content of this prayer is that they might live the kind of lives that bear fruit, that declare to the world the power of God, lives brimming over with Good News.

I also love this chapter for the information Paul gives us about Jesus. Some of the highest Christology in the New Testament comes here: “The Son is the image of the invisible God,” (v15). If we want to see God, look to Jesus. “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth…all things have been created through him and for him,” (v16). Everything was created by Jesus, for Jesus, through Jesus. It’s all about Him. “And he is the head of the body, the church,” (v18). The church is his bride, his treasure. A high ecclesiology flows from a high Christology. “He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy,” (v18). As surely as Jesus was raised, so, too will His followers be raised. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,” (v19). The fullness of God rests in Christ. Again, in Jesus, we have seen the fullness of God’s love.

Now, through Jesus, we stand reconciled before God, “without blemish and free from accusation” (v22). This only occurs, though, THROUGH Christ. He is the essential mediator on our behalf. We are incapable of approaching God on our own; we need Him to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. “This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant,” (v23). And this is the Gospel we proclaim, too.

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