Apostle Paul’s 3 letters, the pastoral epistles. Ist and 2nd Timothy and Titus
Christian leadership: The major themes which runs through these 3 letters.
1st. Timothy or as Donald trump would say One Timothy, especially serves as a model for church and spiritual leadership.
Paul leaves young pastor Timothy the task of maintaining the church in Ephesus.
There is a principle in science called entropy.
The idea that everything in the universe eventually moves from order to disorder. From organization to chaos.
Everything is deteriorating.
Your car, your house, your computer all need constant maintenance and the same holds true with a church.
In 1st Timothy, Paul is giving Timothy tools for his church maintenance toolbox.
Let’s quickly look at 10 of these tools.
#1. Paul warns of the importance of sound doctrine and the problem of false and unbiblical teaching. Timothy Get your doctrine straight.
8 times in this 1 Timothy Paul mentions the importance of sound biblical doctrine.
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
That word defense in greek is apologia: a reasoned logical defense for what you believe.
What do you believe and why do you believe it.
If you are unsure of what you believe how can you convince others to believe it and follow you?
For NT Christians the bible is our foundational document which determines all question of ethics and morality and salvation.
Doctrine was under attack in Timothy’s day as it is today.
Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong has written several books claiming that the gospel stories are just that, stories and myths. Jesus, if he did really exist, didn’t actually perform any miracles, did not speak the words we read in the NT, and did not die on a cross for the sins of anybody. The bible has good moral teaching but is not the inspired word of God and is infact just a huge allegory.
Bart Ehrman : NT biblical textual scholar, Moody Bible Institute and Princeton Theological Seminary graduate, is an atheist NY Times best selling author and darling of NPR has made a fortune selling his 27 books claiming the NT is so full of errors and so corrupted you can’t believe any of it. His 2 latest books
Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why and
Forged: Writing in the Name of God--Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are
Have sold millions of copies and are constantly referenced in attacks by atheists against the bible.
If we can’t trust the bible in one area how can we trust it at all.
We end up with Cafeteria Christians: pick and choose what you like.
This is how we get an entire denomination voting on whether to still consider sex outside of marriage a sin. VOTING!!!
Another group ordaining homosexual bishops and marrying gays.
The social gospel and social activism have replacing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sermons about sin, repentance and hell are now considered hate speech in many “Christian” circles.
Correct doctrine is vital for any leader.
1 Peter 3:15 is not a suggestion, it is an command.
#2. Paul tells Timothy to Fight the good fight of faith
Ministry is a fight.
Expect opposition.
Don’t take a naive pollyanna attitude, be realistic.
Scripture tells us that Timothy was raised by his mother and grandmother.
Paul became his spiritual father and mentor
It’s possible that Timothy was a bit of a wimp.
We find Paul continually reminding him to stay strong.
In another………….... my son, be strong
Later………………… endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Leaders must be strong.
Stake out your core beliefs and be ready to defend them with scripture.
#3. Paul tells Timothy to institute rules for proper conduct and order
All institutions must have basic standards of proper conduct.
Schools, Business, Families, Churches must not be allowed to devolve into anarchy.
Leaders establish and enforce minimum standards of conduct.
Some schools boards considering going to uniforms because we have girls warming pajamas to school and boys with the pants hanging down below their butts.
#4. Begin to Delegate Leaders delegate responsibility to trusted helpers.
It’s critical to surround yourself with people who are spiritually on the same page and are mature believers. Church leadership is no place for new Christians who are learning the ropes.
Admiral Chester Nimitz who defeated the Japanese fleet at the battle of Midway and
changed the course of the war in the Pacific was a master at delegation.
“ Leadership consists of picking good men and helping them do their best.”
#5. Don’t let your age be a problem.
1Tim 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Paul talks a lot about age and the problems dealing with people of different ages and gender.
It’s been said “Age is not important unless you're a cheese.”
College campus…………….. crazy young people
In reality our nation is defended by millions of young people.
Age doesn’t always equate to maturity nor does maturity equate to age.
#6. Paul calls Timothy to personal purity and serve as an example to others.
Leaders are always under greater scrutiny and accountability.
Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia
Conquered the known world by age 33.
One of the greatest leaders of all time.
He lived with, ate with, slept with and personally led his men into battle.
He was the greatest horseman of his time and from the age of 18 personally led his crack 1600 man Companion Cavalry into battle.
At the battle of Gaugamela in what is now modern day Turkey he personally led his force of 47,000 Greeks in an attack on a Persian army 6 times their size.
Alexander led his cavalry across the River Granicus seeking out the rival Persian commander the killing him instantly with a lance to the face.
The Persian King Darius ran for his life and Alexander took his kingdom.
After Alexander’s untimely death from poison, it was found that his body was covered with the scars of battle.
He had suffered 8 serious injuries from every kind of weapon including sword, spear, arrow and javelin.
Alexander was a great leader because he led by example.
#7. Paul tells Timothy to Meditate on these things
This is really important for a leader. It’s so important to get off by yourself away from all the noise and think and listen to God.
Jesus frequently went off by himself.
#8. Paul warns Timothy about trouble makers and conflict resolution
How to deal with situations which can damage the ministry.
Dealing with diverse groups and interests with firmness and tact.
Satan loves church and is constantly working to cause disunity and dissention. Some in the church have their own agenda and the leaders have to weed out those who destroy unity.
#9. Avoid distractions. Keep the main thing the main thing.
The Japanese 17th century philosopher Matsuo Basho taught “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.”
Paul again in Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee used to talk about busy little Christians, scurrying around and not really doing much for the cause of Christ.
Are you reaching the lost for Christ?
Are you teaching the bible, or are you still arguing over whether to sing hymns or choruses while millions are on the way to hell.
Leaders must be prepared to constantly make mid course correction. redirecting the focus back to Christ.
The death of a church or a business is when you start to hear “ but we’ve always done it this way”
#10. Replacement: As good leaders retire they must be replaced by new good leaders otherwise that entropy thing takes over.
Some 30 years later we find Jesus speaking to The church of Ephesus in the Revelation Chapter 2
Revelation 2:1-4 (NKJV)2 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you
cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish
Christian leaders provide the vision and keep us focused on our first love …...Jesus.
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