Here’s a Trustworthy Saying, part 4

Posted by on March 7, 2010 under Sermons

further studies in I Timothy

Trustworthy Sayings

  1. Christ came into the world to save sinners (1:15)
  2. Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task (3:1)
  3. Our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers (4:10)

Teach These Things

  1. All ages (5:1-2)
  2. Widows (5:3-16)
  3. Elders (5:17-25)
  4. Slaves (6:1-2)
  5. Wealthy (6:17-21)

Promoting Godliness

  • The Tragedy of the Trouble-making Mind (6:3-10)
  • Flee From All This Man of God (6:11-16)
    – Don’t dance to their tune
    – Pursue godly life
    – Hold on to eternal life
    – Don’t waver

Truisms

  • Some people just need to be mad. They want their pain.
  • Angry people don’t speak “reason.”
  • Some people need to be “right,” regardless of the cost.
  • Anxiety spawns triangles–even over distances.
  • Upset people lose the capacity to practice grace and will believe the worst of others in an instant.
  • Just one willful angry person can stir up a group if the healthier ones do not respond with godliness.
  • Anxiety spreads like a virus in a group that lacks immunity provided by godly leadership.
  • During times of acute anxiety emotionality trumps rationality, even in a church full of “smart” people.
  • Trust is a gossamer thread; once severed it’s almost impossible to regain.
  • Information reduces anxiety (but for anxious people, so will misinformation).
  • When people lack data, they’ll fill in the blanks.

Teach These Things

  1. All ages (5:1-2)
    • Older men, women; younger men, women [Not elders]
      – This is not “diplomatic immunity” for elders
    • Teach gently; be an example
    • Contrast to 5:20 (applied to elders)
  2. Widows (5:3-16)
    • Widows in ancient society
    • Help those who have no one else
    • Encourage others to follow God’s ways (care for family, marriage)
    • What principles could guide the way we help others?
  3. Elders (5:17-25)
    • Honor those who serve well
    • Beware of frivolous accusations (see Deuteronomy 19:15)
    • Do not be hasty to appoint or accuse; let the evidence surface
    • Bring everything into the open
  4. Slaves (6:1-2)
    • The statement accepts slavery without endorsing it
    • There is neither slave nor free in Christ (Galatians 3:28)
    • Show due respect and do not shame the way of God
  5. Wealthy (6:17-21)
    • Do not trust in riches
    • Trust in God
    • Use wealth for doing good and sharing (Luke 16)
    • Focus on the future