Paul gives more practical counsel for the characteristics of a healthy church and how Christians are to treat others in their local church body.
1 Timothy 5: Instructions for the Church
1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honour widows who are truly widows.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
11 But refuse to enrol younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry
12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
15 For some have already strayed after Satan.
16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The labourer deserves his wages."
19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
24 The sins of some men are visible, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
25 So also good works are visible, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
1 Timothy 6:
1 Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
False Teachers and True Contentment
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,
14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 which he will display at the proper time---he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge,"
21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
Things to think about…
What do you think about Paul’s instructions to older men, widows and younger women who want to get married 1Tim 5? How much of this is cultural, how much is Paul’s opinion and how much is it God’s will? How do we interpret some of these things in the scriptures? We know it is all God’s word even though the Lord may use Paul’s personality or the cultural setting of the time. But as the message he is writing is coming from the Lord Himself we must treat the words as truths that contain a timeless message for Christians. The message of 1Tim 5:1-17 is one of community around families. Christians need to look after their families first. Unfortunately we live in an age where influence and culture take away from the church and family and more responsibility has been given to the government. This is not always a bad thing, especially where there is neglect or abuse being carried out. But Paul says it is primarily the responsibility of the family to look after family. I see God’s wisdom in this. Even now there seems to be a turning back to have aged care to continue in the home as long as possible, where possible.
Those who preach are called to live by the gospel, 1Tim 5:17, 18. I thank God for the privilege of being provided for in this way. Sometimes there are accusations that come against the pastor or elders of the church. It’s important to make sure that Christ is honoured with the principle and process in the light of 1Tim 5:19.
What’s the main message in 1Tim 6:1,2? Is it that God condones slavery? Some say it does. This is nonsense of course. So what are these verses saying? Remember masters had to provide for slaves. In many ways the modern equivalent is the provision and interaction that should occur between employers and employees. Especially those who belong to the household of faith. If we have an unbelieving employer, Paul encourages us to show them the gospel by our service that honours to Christ.
We can praise God for the peace, unity and joy we have in the church. Have a look at what destroys it in 1Tim 6:3-10. Some want to allow doctrine to divide, Paul says that this is not within the Spirit of Christ. Money obviously can cause division for the “love of money is a root of all kinds of evils”, 1Tim 6:10. We know in the western church this is a constant danger and an opportunity for some to fall away from the faith.
The Lord of course provides the answer to the problem expressed in 1Tim 6:3-10, by giving the solution in 1Tim 6:11-21. Paul urges Timothy to promote true Christian community within the body. As God has been rich in mercy and love with us, we should display the same characteristics towards each other.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
The reading this week was from Lamentations 4
Jeremiah is sitting looking at the destroyed city of Jerusalem. He had prophesied for 40 years for the people of Jerusalem and Judah to repent of their idolatry and the rejection of what God had shown in his word. They paid the price and the Babylonians knocked down the city wall and destroyed and burned the temple. They killed many of the leaders in 586BC. They then took everyone else captive to Babylon. They stayed in Babylon for 70 years as the Lord had said.
1. Discuss your immediate thoughts when you read/hear this passage – Lam 4.
2. Jay shared what it was like to lose earthly possession in the flood of 2011 and then having to rebuild their home. Have you been through a traumatic experience where you have lost something of value. Eg Property, health, a relationship. Discuss how that affected you.
3. Trial comes to all of us. Some do it without Christ. Sometimes there are seasons in Babylon. It is not home, but it is still a place of rest and blessing. Jay and his family spent 3 months rent free in North Ipswich while he was rebuilding their home. There was an opportunity to give encouragement and cheques to other flood victims. The time in Babylon for the Jews was a time to “build and to plant”, just as Jeremiah was told in Jer 1:10. What building and blessing has happened in the wilderness periods of your life?
4. Pray for the prayer points and as a cell group.
Prayer Points
1. Pray the information given in the Covid talk by Jay on Sunday would dispel misinformation and be a source of blessing for the church.
2. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours 😉
3. Pray for ministries as they start up this week – especially Sunday School, PlayPatch and Recharge. Pray for Maddison and Melinda as they lead these ministries.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
6. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
Praise Points.
1. New cell groups.
2. Praise and worship – thanks Rod, Molley, Riley, Rin and Dan.
3. The freedom to gather, albeit with masks on Sunday. This Sunday no masks.
Announcements
1. No masks needed this Sunday. Hallelujah.
2. PlayPatch starting up next term for toddlers at church. See Maddison for details.
3. Men’s brekky TBA. But will be down at Colleges Crossing within the next month or so on a Saturday morning.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
