A Good Minister – Part 2 – 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Nineteenth lesson in a verse by verse series through 1 Timothy. This lesson continues the theme of what it means to be a good minister of Christ. 5 areas are examined.

1. Brief review of theme: 1 Timothy 3:14-15. 1 Timothy presents a benchmark with which local churches can examine themselves.

1. This Section (Chapter 4-6): Paul councils Timothy on a wide range of issues relating to his personal conduct and ministry (Gromacki).
2. Brief review of previous lesson: 1. The preaching of a good minister (Vs. 6); 2. The priority of a good minister (Vs. 7-9); 3. The pursuit of a good minister (Vs. 10-11)
3. This section: The mind of God on the ministry. Essential in a day when there are many man-centred ideas for ministry being promoted. 1 Timothy presents the Divine template for ministry.

The Example of a Good Minister (Vs. 12)

Discourage Disrespect (negative) (12a)

1. ‘despise’ = to disdain, think little or nothing of, to think down, to underrate.
2. ‘youth’ = youthful age

Display Christ-likeness (positive) (12b)

1. ‘example’ = type
2. ‘word’ = his speech
   1. No corrupt communication (dirty language, loaded sentences etc…)
   2. Sanctified pulpit speech
   3. Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
   4. Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
3. ‘conversation’ = behaviour, manner of life (lifestyle), personal conduct
4. ‘charity’ = Christian love
5. ‘spirit’ = inner man. Fervent in spirit,
6. ‘faith’ = trust and dependence upon God
7. ‘purity’ = chastity in matters of sex (5:2). Purity of act and thought
   1. Essential in the day of moral degradation we face.
   2. Essential in light of the fact many men of God are falling in this area.
   3. The three big destroyers of men in the ministry: Fame, Fortune & Females
   4. Beware of emotional flirtation (e.g. social media)
   5. Establish good standards for interaction with the opposite sex.

The Focus of a Good Minister (Vs. 13)

Reading

1. Reading = audible reading. Refers to the practice of public reading in the assembly.
2. Reading = important element of public worship (remember context – 3:15)
3. The Example of Christ: “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16
4. Colossians 4:16 “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.”

Exhortation

1. Means to come alongside (Holy Spirit)
2. Means to encourage
3. Refers to the public proclamation of the Word, following the reading of the Scriptures (refer 2 Tim. 4:1-2)

Doctrine

1. Teaching ministry, content of message given.
2. Strong emphasis in this Epistle, word occurs 8 times (e.g. 1:3; 4:6, 4:16). The church is supposed to be “the pillar and ground of the truth.” (3:15)
3. Note: Doctrine is not a peripheral issue in Scripture. Why the modern de-emphasis on purity of doctrine?

The Gift of a Good Minister (Vs. 14)

1. The cultivation of the gift (14a)
   1. ‘neglect’ = “be not careless about” same root word as ‘meditate’ in Vs. 15. Refers to a failure to give proper attention to something, to be unconcerned about something, a flippant attitude/disregard towards a thing.
   2. ‘gift’ = spiritual gift. Note words “in thee”
2. The reception of the gift (14b)
   1. Bestowed on Timothy at his ordination.
   2. ‘presbytery’ = elders. Paul included (2 Tim. 1:6)
   3. Apostles could grant supernatural gifts.
   4. Post-Apostolic time: Gifts recognized through ordination rather than given.
3. The application of the gift
   1. A man of God must take care to utilize and develop his God-given gifts for ministry.
   2. Laziness in ministry is a serious matter.

The Commitment of a Good Minister (Vs. 15)

1. The Object of his commitment (15a)
   1. “these things” = the instructions of the Epistle
   2. Application: Committed to revealed, Apostolic truth (Word of God)
2. The manner of his commitment (15a)
   1. Meditation upon them = the preachers mind
   2. Dedication to them = the preachers heart
3. The Goal of his commitment (15b)
   1. ‘profiting’ = progress, advancement
   2. ‘appear’ = manifest

The Attention of a Good Minister (Vs. 16)

1. The responsibility (16a)
   1. “take heed” = to fasten attention upon
   2. To himself (personal life)
   3. To doctrine (theology)
2. The reward (16b)
   1. Protection for himself
   2. Protection for the sheep
   3. Note: The word salvation does not always refer to salvation from sin. Context is the key. Refer 2:15. Salvation in this verse refers to protection from the apostasy described in 4:1. A faithful pastoral ministry brings blessing to a local church and is a huge part in keeping it from doctrinal decline.
   4. “We are constantly on a stretch, if not a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the Gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the planor organization. God’s plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s method. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” E.M. Bounds (Power through Prayer)

Conclusion

1. What sort of expectations do you have of your pastor? Do they fall in line with God’s ideals or man’s?
2. Are you content with God’s model for the local church or have you imbibed the 21^st century itch for change for the sake of change?

Sermon 19 of 27 in 1 Timothy Series

Sermon Audio Id: 102316537512