Here’s a Trustworthy Saying, part 4
Posted by Chris on March 7, 2010 under Sermons
further studies in I Timothy
Trustworthy Sayings
- Christ came into the world to save sinners (1:15)
- Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task (3:1)
- Our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers (4:10)
Teach These Things
- All ages (5:1-2)
- Widows (5:3-16)
- Elders (5:17-25)
- Slaves (6:1-2)
- 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
- 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)
- Older men, women; younger men, women [Not elders]
- 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?
- 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
- 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
- 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