[:en]SCRIPTURE: 1 TIMOTHY 4
“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. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” ( 1 Timothy 4: 12-13)
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” ( 1 Timothy 4:16)
Paul wanted Timothy to be a good, devout and growing minister. So he gave him instructions on how to become one.
- Preach the Word in truth (vs. 1-6) – Paul warned Timothy that the church will fall away from the true faith and believers will deny the basic doctrines of the Bible. False teachers will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits of demon. They are hypocrites who explained the word in willful disobedience of God’s truth through self-seeking lies. They will teach ascetism – abstaining people to eat certain food and forbidding them to marry. In opposition to false teachings, Paul affirmed that everything that God had created is good. We should receive it with thanksgiving.
- Apply God’s Word in your life (vs. 7-12) – As our body needs food and exercise to become healthy, our soul also needs a combination of spiritual food and spiritual exercise to become godly. Paul said: “For physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (v. 8). Paul taught Timothy to emphasize spiritual discipline more than physical exercise.
- Grow in Christ through His Word and Prayer (vs. 13) – Paul instructed Timothy to “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (v. 13). God’s Word must be explained so that the believers will know the true doctrines of God’s Word.
- Exercise your Spiritual Gift (v. 14) – When the elders ordained young Timothy, God gave him some spiritual gifts to equip him in his ministry. But Timothy had neglected it, so Paul wanted to stir him up to use his gifts.
- Dedicate yourself wholly to God (v. 15) – Give yourself completely to the Lord. God should always be your first priority.
- Watch your life and doctrine closely (v. 16) – Paul cautioned Timothy to examine his spiritual life. He should live up the doctrine so that he can pastor a growing church.
LESSON:
A good minister must “set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (v. 12). He must not only preach God’s Word, but he must put it into practice. He must have a close relationship with God through reading His Word and prayer. He must exercise his spiritual gift to advance the gospel. He must dedicate himself to God without compromise. And he must examine himself and see if he has good testimony for believers to follow.
It is not easy to be a pastor. As a church member, we must also allow pastor to have time for devotion. We must pray for him and pay attention when he preaches. We must provide financial support and give him encouragement for him to progress the gospel.
Paul’s teachings do not only apply to pastor but it also applies to every believer. How about you? Are your growing in His Word? Do you pray and have a personal relationship with Him? Are you exercising your spiritual gifts to serve God and others? Is your life a good testimony to the unbelievers?[:]