Archive for the ‘Pauline epistles--BibleTrekToday’ Category
Scripture reading for October 19th: 1st Timothy 4:1-16
“The Spirit clearly says that in the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have have been seared as with a hot iron.” (1st Timothy 4:1) Paul told Timothy that there would be many false teachers to confront in these last times before Christ’s return. These teachers would be full of demons which would bring doctrines that would cause people to depart from the true Gospel of salvation through faith. These teachers would have their consciences cauterized so that they could not feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
But a minister of Christ would know the truth and teach it. They would have nothing to do with these teaching, rather they would warn the believers to have nothing to do with them and teach the truth instead. Not only that, they were to embody the truth by living in godliness by the power of the Holy Spirit. (1st Timothy 4:8-10) Only the Gospel has the power to bring godliness into our sinful lives through faith in Jesus Christ!
Preaching the Gospel is the life-calling of pastors and teachers. “Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set and 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 teaching.” (1st Timothy 4:11-13) Paul told Timothy to move forward in his calling. For a pastor this involved setting the example for the believers with your own life. His ministry must be matched by his living. If these contradicted each other, his message would be lost!
Timothy was to devote himself to public reading of God’s word! (Romans 10:17) The central focus of all a minister’s preaching and teaching must be the word of God! Myths, jokes, and ‘old wives’ tales’ would not bring the change needed in the hearts of his flock! “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save yourself and your hearers.” (1st Timothy 4:16) As you look for a church family today, evaluate what you are receiving from the pulpit ministry. Is there an example of godliness and strong preaching and teaching of the word? Beware of wolves in pastor’s clothes!
Scripture reading for October 18th: 1st Timothy 3:1-16
In this chapter, Paul tries to help Timothy with some guidelines for those who work at overseeing the church. He gives Timothy some qualifications for both overseers and deacons and their spouses. These are not meant to be laws, but help Timothy evaluate those seeking to become leaders in the church and to give instruction to the church of the standards that God values in His leaders. Behind all these values and qualifications is what Paul calls ‘the mystery of godliness.’
It’s a good thing to desire to be an overseer in Christ’s church! Overseers are what we might call the pastors, superintendents and bishops of today. “Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.” We note that these qualifications involve character more than gifting or charisma. The ability to manage and minister in the home takes precedence over ministering in Christ’s church. If it doesn’t work at home, in will not fly in God’s household!
“He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.” Time in service is also a qualification. It takes time to grow in grace and the character of Christ. Pride and conceit are primary weapons of the devil and each man is born the first time will pride as a stronghold. When Christ changes us, we need time to grow in relationship and to build a reputation outside the church as well as in as a consistent follower of Christ. Reputations are easy to lose!
These instructions were given to help people know how to conduct themselves properly. But a relationship with Christ is foundational to godly living. “Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” (1st Timothy 3:16) Faith in Christ brings godliness to all who believe as we humbly follow our Lord!
Scripture reading for October 17th: 1st Timothy 2:1-15
One of the main duties of a pastor is prayer. Paul continued his instructions to this young pastor in the area of prayer. Jesus, Himself, is praying for all of us as believers. He is the only mediator between God the Father and mankind. We as pastors must do business with Him!
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men–the testimony given in the proper time.” (1st Timothy 2:1-6)
This simple instruction on prayer began with praying for those in authority. God places all authority in the positions He desires. (Romans 13:1-2) We are to obey and submit to authority, but also pray for them, whether they are godly or not. The prayers of godly people for those in authority help to insure a quiet and peaceful life. When authority is under a prayer covering, God’s people can also have freedom to spread the Gospel to all men. God wants all men to be saved because all need saved. All are sinners for who Christ paid the ransom of His own life blood! Timothy and all who minister would do well to keep these facts in mind!
“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” ” I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” (1st Timothy 2:8-9) Paul’s instructions to men and women in the church were given to help each fulfill the roles that God had given them. Men, in that society, needed encouragement to be leaders in prayer in the church. Women needed instruction in modesty and submission. Paul was addressing problems that Timothy faced in Ephesus. The principles he taught are helpful for us today. Thankfully, Jesus is our mediator yet today!
Scripture reading for October 16th: 1st Timothy 1:1-20
Paul’s letter to Timothy, his son in the faith was written to instruct a young pastor in leadership in the church. Timothy was a pastor of the church at Ephesus. There were false teachers and other issues in the church and Timothy was a young man who evidently struggled in leadership. Paul’s experience and ability to teach shine through this first of his ‘pastoral’ epistles.
Some of the false teachers were trying to teach the law. They were evidently coming out of a Jewish background and thought that adding the law would be logical to please God. “We also know that the law is not for the righteous, but for the lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which is entrusted to me.”
The Gospel declares a person righteous by faith in Jesus Christ, not by any works on our part. When the law is added to faith, the Gospel is made of no consequence. The only purpose that the law can serve is to reveal sin in sinners. It is like a mirror that shows sin, but cannot remedy or erase sin. Paul’s list of the types of sinners who need the law would have included many in Ephesus.
But Paul also told Timothy that sin had permeated his own life as well. Paul was once a blasphemer and violent man who was a respected teacher of the law! But God showed him mercy because of his ignorance of faith. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1st Timothy 1:15-17) God’s grace was available to all, even the worst of sinners! This amazing God was the King of Kings and deserves worship for who He is!
Scripture reading for October 15th: 2nd Thessalonians 3:1-18
God created man to work and work is honorable. One of the results of a wrong view of the second coming of Christ in Thessalonica was a number of the church members quitting their jobs and living off of others in the church. This created strife and hard feelings. Satan is always out to divide the church!
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked day and night, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.” (2nd Thessalonians 3:6-8) Paul had set a godly example for these believers. He now warned them to stay away from those who were idle. Avoiding work was not proper for Christians. They were to work and provide for themselves and their families.
Paul had a rule that he always used and taught: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2nd Thessalonians 3:20) Laziness is a sin that displeases God and causes strife in the body. Idleness allows too much time to gossip and interfere with the business of others. Paul commanded those who were idle to settle down and work so this problem would be taken care of.
In dealing with those involved, believers were to not have fellowship with them. They were to warn them as brothers, but not go so far as to treat them like enemies. (2nd Thessalonians 3:14-15) In looking at Proverbs, there are more warnings against idleness and laziness that about drunkenness. (Proverbs 12:27, 13:4, 19:15, 24:30-34) Christians should set examples of hard work and financial propriety. They should be the best givers and not just takers. Jesus, Himself, taught that it was more blessed to give than receive! (Acts 20:35)
If we are lazy in our daily work, we often will lack diligence to seek the Lord as well. Spiritually luke-warm people make God want to spit! (Revelation 3:15-16) Let it not be said of any Christian that they are lazy! We all want to eat, physically and spiritually!
Scripture reading for October 14th: 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-17
One of the false teachings of Paul’s day in the Thessalonian church was that Jesus Christ had already come back. False teachers had evidently even gone so far as to attribute this to Paul himself. Paul wanted to be sure that they got the truth and gave them further teaching about the coming of the Lord and the events surrounding that day.
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4) Paul told these believers that there would be a time of rebellion that would precede the coming day of the Lord. A man would be revealed that would be known as the ‘man of lawlessness’. This man would set himself up as God and even use God’s temple to do that.
This lawless man would do the works of Satan but would use deception. He would produce counterfeit signs and wonders and do miracles that would deceive people into thinking that he was God. Those who followed him would be destroyed by Jesus Christ, along with this lawless one. Paul gave the reason that they would be deceived: “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:10b-12)
A love of truth will keep us from deception! In the world of the twenty-first century, people in our culture question if truth can even be known. “Truth is relative,” they say. But God tells us that His word is truth. (John 17:17) Heaven and earth will pass away, but not His word! (Matthew 24:35) Jesus told His disciples that He was the Truth! (John 14:6) The Holy Spirit is the ‘Spirit of Truth.’ (John 16:13) Paul told the Thessalonians that they were saved by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief of the truth. (2nd Thessalonians 2:13) May the Lord give us a love of the truth which frees us from deception!
Scripture reading for October 13th: 2nd Thessalonians 1:1-12
Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and making intercession for His bride, the Church. (Romans 8:34) We don’t see Him, but He is our brother and Priest. One day, He will be revealed from heaven to this earth. Jesus taught that the Son of Man would come on the clouds with power and great glory. His angels would gather the elect from all over the earth. No one knew when this day would occur, but all should be ready and working! (Matthew 24:30-31, 36, 46)
Paul wrote a second letter to the Thessalonians in which he sought to refute a false teaching that Jesus had already come and strengthen the church in preparation for the reality of the Day of the Lord. The Thessalonians had taken Paul’s Gospel and instructions in his previous letter to heart. They were growing in faith and love for each other. They were persevering in trials in the face of persecution from the pagans in the culture. (2nd Thessalonians 1:3-4)
Paul told them that those who were troubling them would get their due punishment. They must have patience and endure. “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” (2nd Thessalonians 1:7b-10)
Jesus will be revealed from heaven! He will come in blazing fire with His holy angels and those who are not standing in faith will not stand. It is truly a terrifying thing to know this truth and not be sharing the Gospel with those who are still lost. The punishment of unbelievers is an everlasting punishment, just like the reward of Christians is everlasting life with Christ! Unbelievers will be shut out from God’s presence forever, in outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth! (Matthew 24:51) Are you ready to meet our Lord?
Scripture reading for October 12th: 1st Thessalonians 5:3-28
A key truth of the Christian faith is the second coming of Christ. Christ will come in the air to meet believers who are living for him. They will be preceded by those who have died in faith, being instantly resurrected in a glorified body. Both groups, the living and those who have died, will be caught up to heaven. (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18) No one knows the day or hour this will happen. This means that Christians should live each day in holy anticipation!
“But you, bothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like the others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (1st Thessalonians 5:4-6) People of the night are usually asleep and not alert to Christ’s coming. People of the night are often doing deeds of darkness, such as getting drunk and carousing. Christians belong to the day and are people of light. They understand the times and the urgency to live self-controlled and moral lives. Through faith in Christ, they are obedient to God’s word and ready for Christ’s coming.
“Be joyful always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophesies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid all kind of evil.” (1st Thessalonians 5:16-22) Paul’s short summary of how to live pleasing God and ready would be good for all to memorize. Our attitude of joy and thanksgiving in continuous prayer kindles the Spirit’s fire to obey God. We are open to God’s leading, but test all things and avoid all evil.
“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” God was at work in the Thessalonians and is working in us today. He has called us to be holy and given us the Holy Spirit. Jesus is coming for His spotless Bride! Lord help me to be blameless!
Scripture reading for October 11th: 1st Thessalonians 4:1-5:2
“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” (1st Thessalonians 4:1) These believers had listened to Paul’s message of the Gospel and responded in faith. They had observed his example and teaching about how to live and began to do it. Paul’s letter was to encourage them to increase their obedience level. This wasn’t to please him, but to please God. This is how Jesus Christ lived! (John 5:30)
A specific area of obedience was in sexual purity. Sexual sin harmed others as well as a person’s own soul. The pagan and idolatrous culture was full of sexual immorality. Idol temples employed prostitutes and homosexuality and incest were common. Paul reminded them of God’s will for sanctification. Sexual purity would please the Lord and disobedience would bring His wrath. “The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. for God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you His Holy Spirit.” (1st Thessalonians 4:6b-8) God’s word is truth and the Holy Spirit lives in us to lead us into all truth.
Another area of obedience involved work. A number of Thessalonians felt that because Jesus was coming soon that they could be idle. What was the use of working, when the church members would take care of them? “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1st Thessalonians 4:11-12) Paul taught that a quiet life of work and caring for family was a good witness. Idleness was causing strife and bad reputations outside the church and inside!
Christ would come back and those who trusted Christ, whether alive or in the grave, would be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. No one knew the day or the hour, but they were all to be ready. This kind of faith pleases God and gives encouragement and hope.
Scripture reading for October 10th: 1st Thessalonians 2:9-3:13
” We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” God’s word has power to work inside of those who will receive it. The Thessalonians had chosen to believe the word of God and embrace it as coming from God, not just men.
This is an argument in our culture today: “How can I know for sure that the Bible is God’s word, and not just men’s.” Jesus taught us that God’s word is Spirit and life. It is like seed or sperm, having the power to produce God’s life within us. (John 6:63) (1st Peter 1:23) All Scripture is inspired by God and the writers of Scripture were moved on by God and given what to write. (2nd Peter 1:20-21)
The Thessalonians often had suffered persecution from their own countrymen for turning away from the idols of that culture. Paul suffered too, as he preached the Gospel in that region. Paul taught the Thessalonians that Satan was behind this. God’s wrath had already fallen on some who were hindering them. (1st Thessalonians 1:14-18)
Paul sent Timothy to the church there to encourage and strengthen them in their faith. He was concerned that the trials might shake the church and cause them to fall away. He knew the ways of the tempter and carried this church on his heart. Timothy brought back a good report of their faith and love. “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
What a joy it was to Paul to know that his congregation was strong! He erupted in prayer again: “May the Lord make you love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” (1st Thessalonians 3:12-13)