Rev. David Holwick J 1 Timothy - Clean Up the Church, #10
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
March 14, 2010
1 Timothy 4:9-16
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I. A room with a view.
Do you like zoos?
I do. There is always such a variety of animals.
Back in 1996 a zoo in Copenhagen, Denmark, put a human couple
on display.
A man and woman were put in a see-through cage in the
primate display next to the baboons and the monkeys.
A standard zoo label gave details about their habitat, diet,
and threats to their existence.
It wasn't too bad - they had living room furniture,
a computer, a television, and stereo.
Unlike their neighbors, who aren't allowed out, the two
humans occasionally leave their fishbowl existence.
How well would you do in a zoo?
If you are a Christian, you sort of are already.
Everybody is watching you, and they should.
What are you showing them?
#36190
A. Timothy was Paul's secret weapon against the false teachers.
1) It was so secret, Timothy himself wasn't so sure about his
effectiveness.
2) But Paul knew his integrity would be the best way to show
up the opponents.
B. Integrity is important for us as well.
1) We want people to believe in Christ.
2) It is up to us to model him.
II. We have a wonderful message.
A. We have a living God.
1) The NIV introduces this as a "trustworthy saying."
2) But most commentators say this should be attached to the
end of verse 8, about godliness.
3) It is awesome, nonetheless.
a) Christianity is not just an ancient creed or a vague
hope.
b) Our God is living and can be experienced by us.
c) Is it something that YOU have experienced?
B. We have a saving God.
1) Paul calls him the Savior of all men.
a) Some take this to mean everybody gets saved, no matter
what they believe.
b) This is called Universalism.
1> It has the advantage of being very positive and
generous.
2> But there are an awful lot of verses that oppose it.
3> The Bible consistently teaches that salvation is
selective.
A> Jesus himself says only a few attain it.
B> So what does Paul mean here?
c) God is potentially the savior of all.
1> Jesus died that anyone can be saved.
2> But believing is the key to receiving it. 4:10
A> The Bible always calls for a human response -
believe, repent, walk with God.
B> You have to want it.
2) God can save you.
a) No matter what you have done, you are not beyond God's
grace.
b) Do you believe?
III. Potential pitfall.
A. Timothy is considered young. 4:12
1) His society honored the elderly.
a) His opponents in the churches were elders.
2) But bear in mind that Timothy was probably 30 to 35.
a) It probably wasn't just his age, but his temperament.
b) He seems to have been a rather timid sort of guy.
B. Everybody has limitations.
1) It may be age, education, finances, looks.
2) People will judge you for all these things.
3) But God can still use you in a powerful way, if you let him.
IV. Timothy's clear agenda.
A. Exercise your authority. 4:11
1) He is to command and teach the churches.
2) "Command" sounds a little militaristic.
a) Paul doesn't mean he is to bark out orders.
b) Notice how he is to command - by example.
B. Set an example. 4:12
1) Timothy is not expected to be perfect (verse 15 mentions
progress) but he should be genuine.
2) The areas he needs to focus on:
a) His outer life.
1> Speech.
A> Jesus said what comes out of your mouth reveals
what is already in your heart.
B> Timothy's speech should reveal a good heart.
C> His sermons should show the same thing.
2> Life.
A> King James has "conversation" which meant
lifestyle back then.
B> The way he lives outside the church is just
as important as his conduct inside.
b) His inner life.
1> Faith.
A> He should show an intimate trust in God in his
daily activities.
2> Purity.
A> Not just sexually, but a pureness and godliness
in everything he does.
c) The glue between the inner and outer - love.
1> Don't just do the right thing - it has to be for
the right reason.
2> He should have a genuine concern for people.
C. Remember God's gift. 4:14
1) His inner and outer life flow into his church life. 4:13
a) The Bible is the core of it.
b) Read it, preach it, teach it.
2) Timothy may not have been a natural at preaching.
a) Paul is always encouraging him and challenging him.
b) But it is not Timothy's ability or Paul's efforts that
give him authority.
1> God called him to the ministry.
2> The Holy Spirit confirmed it to others.
3) We are not limited by our DNA.
a) Certainly our personal attributes (and lack thereof)
can have a great impact on us.
b) But God can give us gifts that go beyond our natural
abilities.
c) Never tell yourself you can't do something.
If God enables you, you can do anything.
V. Keep at it.
A. Be diligent and show progress. 4:15
1) Real growth takes some effort.
2) How much progress do you see in your spiritual life?
a) More importantly, how much do others see?
B. Watch your life and beliefs carefully.
1) Everyone else is, so you might as well too.
2) What you believe is just as important as your conduct.
C. Salvation is at stake. 4:16
1) Our own.
a) This could be construed as salvation by works.
b) It really reflects the Biblical truth that genuine
Christians go the distance.
1> As Jesus said, those who persevere to the end are
saved.
2> So don't give up!
2) Those we come in contact with.
a) Can we actually save people?
1> The Bible sometimes uses this kind of language.
b) Of course, God does the saving part.
1> But we can be his instruments.
2> Have you ever introduced anyone to Jesus?
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SOURCE FOR ILLUSTRATION USED IN THIS SERMON:
#36190 "Homo Sapiens in a Zoo," by David Holwick, adapted from an
illustration in Leadership magazine, Vol. 17, No. 3; original
source was Parade magazine, December 29, 1996.
This and 35,000 others are part of the Kerux database that can be
downloaded, absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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