storiesofvalue

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  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.  This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance  (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. ¹¹ Command and teach these things. (1 Timothy 4:7-11)

Godliness is the goal of spiritual training, and it is attained through sound teaching.

There are other kinds of goals, such as physical competition.  A few days ago I ran a 5K on a whim to support a friend who had organized it.  You need to know I have a regular 7-day regiment which involves an hour and five minutes on an elliptical machine, and some light weight lifting.  And for many years I have exercised instead of eating lunch, which saves time, money and calories.  And I read on the machine, which is a big plus.

So you would think a 5K race would be a piece of cake, even though I am 54.  Right?  Well, not exactly.  Oh, the race itself wasn’t that big of a deal, but at the halfway point I pulled a muscle in my leg.  For a few minutes it hurt so badly I thought I was going to have to stop running, but the pain began to subside and I finished. 

What happened?  The answer is simple: though I was exercising daily, I was not preparing for a race.  My body just wasn’t ready for the challenge.

But more important than this painful reminder was that, outside of a few sore muscles, it really didn’t impact my life one way or another.  The only things of eternal significance I encountered were my conversations with people before the race.

Physical training is of “some value” because it keeps us from hurting ourselves when we compete.  But training in godliness has great value, because it not only helps us in this life, but prepares us for the life to come. 

I know this doesn’t make good sense in our culture.  How could grounding ourselves in the Word of God possibly be more valuable than a good cardio workout?  I hope you can see from my words earlier that I am all for regular exercise.  However, we can have a low heart rate, and a good road race, and still make some really bad decisions.  I have known people who allowed the euphoria of a physical exercise program cause them to lose their moral perspectives.

Eventually, the body breaks down, and if we haven’t trained ourselves in the things of God, we are left empty.  That’s because our physical selves are wasting away, but the river of life that flows from the throne of God is eternal. 

The false teachers in Ephesus had all kinds of “exercises” they were trying to force on believers, full of “myths and tales” that had no substance. 

It is important to make sure the things that consume our time are going to lead to something of lasting value.  After all, the race we are in is more than a whim.

Dear God, help me train for the long-run.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.  (1 Timothy 4:6)

What “things?”

…That spiritual acts should never be used for the purpose of impressing God, or gaining self-righteousness…

This includes forbidding others to marry, and binding them to meaningless rules and regulations.  It was Timothy’s job to bring perspective to the situation in Ephesus. 

I couldn’t help but zero in on the phrase “good minister” in this morning’s passage.  Of course, everyone in the Lord’s church is a minister, but some, like Timothy, are called for a special task. 

What makes a “good minister” in the church leadership sense of the word?  When I was a young minister, church people in the region where I served often talked about finding them a “good preacher.”  What was a “good preacher?”  He was someone who fired people up without chasing them away.  He was good at marrying, burying, visiting the sick and helping people through their troubles.  And he was good at leading others to the Lord.

A “really good preacher” was someone who could do all of these things and still land an eight pound bass, and fix the church furnace on a cold winter morning.  But the bottom line was clear: as long as the preacher kept the church building full on Sunday life was good. 

I don’t remember, however, a high value being placed on ministers exposing “hypocritical liars”.  I am not saying there weren’t any (hypocritical liars that is), or that no ministers exposed them.  And I am not suggesting a minister would be fired or persecuted for pointing out heresy.  I am merely suggesting that challenging false teaching in the church was not something people naturally thought of when they thought of a “good preacher.” There were some bad things one could be expected to preach against, such as rock music, premarital sex, drugs and alcohol.  But not false teaching.

Maybe this is because no one really saw much false teaching going on in the churches where I preached…unless it was some sort of doctrinal error being taught by the congregation down the road.  And, of course, there were those wacky cults, but they were mostly in other parts of the country, or overseas. 

Did I see some doctrinal errors in the places where I preached?  Yes.

Did I point them out?  Not always.  I was afraid of being labeled a “bad” minister.

Maybe this is why Timothy needed Paul to help him remember what it meant to be a “good minister.”  Sometimes, we can’t see the bad when we are in it.

Dear God, give me the courage to distinguish the good from the bad.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.  They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:2-5) 

I will not go into detail on the exact nature of the heresy in Ephesus, except to say it was multifaceted.  There was a dash of Gnosticism, which believed matter was evil, Judaism, which sought to bind people to rules and regulations, and various forms of ascetic lifestyles.

I would like to spend a moment on the last of these three: ascetic lifestyles.  Those who practice asceticism do so to separate themselves from the normal trappings of life in an effort to connect to something higher or deeper as the case may be.  In a sense, when we go for a hike in a national forest, we are practicing asceticism.  We walk when we could drive, sweat when we could be sitting in an air-conditioned home, and endure gnats, mosquitoes and a number of others pesky woodland residents. 

Why do we do it?  Because walking down a forest trail clears our mind.  It enables us, for however short a period of time, to separate ourselves from the cares of life and think about God’s creative genius. 

Beyond this common experience, there is absolutely nothing wrong with more zealous forms of asceticism, such as the choice not to marry in order to wed one’s self to a holy cause, fast, or do without anything for the purpose of obtaining something else.  Jesus also never married, was accustomed to fasting, and even gave up His body on a cross for our salvation. 

I probably should mention there are some bizarre and fruitless forms of asceticism that tend to focus more attention on the individual than on a greater purpose.  But what spiritual value is there in enduring pain so others will praise us?  This is why Jesus said we should try to look as normal as possible when we are fasting. 

Yet, in Ephesus, there were those who used ascetic practices for all the wrong reasons.  They likely attempted to disconnect earthly matter from spirit by denying their bodies. They also pressed their practices on others.

This is why Paul makes an important point about God’s creation.  It isn’t that there is anything wrong with abstaining, or even that some foods truly aren’t bad for us, especially in excess.  The point is, rather, that the use of ascetic practices for the purpose of attaining spiritual status with God is ungodly.  If we are fasting to focus on God, that is fine.  But if we think our fasting will impress God and others, we are sinning.

It is strange that something can be both good and bad depending on how we use it.  But such is the case with so much of what God has made.  That’s why He gave us His Word as an instruction manual.  But for some reason, we are much better at giving instructions than following them.

Dear God, help me do things for the right reasons.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Timothy 4:1)

We aren’t told exactly where the “Spirit clearly says” these things.  However, throughout scripture we learn that demonic powers are at work, distorting the truth and attacking God’s church from the inside out. 

It is possible Paul was referring to his earlier warning in Acts 20 when he met with the elders from Ephesus at Miletus.  He believed it was the last time he would see them, as he was going to Jerusalem where he would be taken prisoner.  Paul told the elders “wolves” would come into the church, attempting to tear it apart.  They were to be on guard.  Did Paul receive his warning through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit?

The term the New Testament uses to define sound teaching, right or wrong, is “spirit.”  The Holy Spirit provides sound teaching and demonic spirits produce deception.  The gift of “discernment”, that is often misinterpreted to mean one can read the thoughts and feelings of others, is actually given for the purpose of distinguishing between these spirits. 

But how does it work?  I mean, how does the gift of discernment help us determine whether a teaching is true or false?  And what about the rest of us who don’t possess this special gift? 

I believe those who have the gift of discernment have a special prompting of the Holy Spirit that nudges them when they hear something that is inconsistent with truth.  Of course, this nudge has to pass through the filters of one’s fallen nature, so even a gifted person can be wrong.  This is important to remember so one doesn’t become conceited in his discernment, or intolerably opinionated.

For the rest of us, we can look to the Word of God, which has been given to us by the Holy Spirit.  It is our standard of truth by which we measure teaching.  The more we learn and the more life we experience, the better equipped we are to identify and overcome Satan’s schemes.  We begin to understand Satan (in a strategic sense), and learn to see through him. 

We also learn to identify a demonic spirit in those who are using the medium of teaching to deceive and destroy.  I am not suggesting we start seeing people with whom we disagree as demon-possessed.  Rather, the more familiar we become with the way Satan works, the easier it is to see his hand in the lives of others.  I am convinced, most of the time, people who are being used by him are unaware they are being exploited.  This is why confronting false teaching should always be done with a desire to see people turn from error and return to the Word of God.

In reference to the “later times” mentioned in our passage I believe it is now and then.  In other words, we are in the “later times”, but this season might last thousands of years.  It might also end tomorrow.  It really doesn’t matter.  I wonder if Satan is watching the time.  If he isn’t, he should.

Dear God, help me discern.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (1  Timothy 3:16)

There are a number of approaches to this verse, but I like to see it as Jesus’ life biography.  Consider the following:

He appeared in a body: born of a virgin and placed in a manger in Bethlehem.

He was vindicated by the Spirit: the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at His baptism and God said, “This is my beloved Son.  In Him I am very pleased.”

He was seen by angels: The word for angels in the New Testament can refer to heavenly angels or earthly messengers.  I believe Paul is talking about those who witnessed Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection.

He was preached among the nations: Jesus’ witnesses preached His message to everyone.

He was believed on: People believed in Jesus and followed Him.

He was taken up in glory: Jesus gave His disciples their final commission and ascended into heaven. 

Those who put their faith in Jesus…who accept His life, ministry, death and resurrection, are motivated to live holy lives.  To know Jesus is to be like Him: beyond all question. 

I think it is important to note, the ethical behavior of those who follow Jesus is rooted in historical fact.  This is contrary to those who like to see Him as a moral teacher, but not the only Son of God.  Why are some so ready to accept Jesus’ morality while rejecting His resume? 

Do we accept the authority of anyone else in our lives without a background check?  Do we go to doctors who don’t have diplomas?  Do we let people who haven’t been to dental school drill holes in our teeth and fill them with epoxy compounds? 

Why would we do anything Jesus asks us to do if He was not who He claimed to be?

This really is the dilemma of false teaching.  False teaching attempts to strip away the divinity of Jesus to make His Words more reasonable.  But in doing so, it loses any basis for a high moral ground.

Because of the things Jesus said about Himself, He is either God’s Son, or a liar.  There is no middle ground. 

I actually can stand in the middle ground in many cases…but not here.

Dear God, thank You for giving me a foundation for my faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

If you ever have an opportunity, you might enjoy making a list of the terms used in the New Testament to describe the church.  Three of them are in today’s passage:

God’s Household: The church is a family, and God is her Father.  Therefore, when we come together to worship, serve and grow as followers of Jesus, we are a household of faith.  This is why sometimes it is difficult to discern whether a Bible author is talking about a physical or spiritual household.  And in many cases, they are one in the same. 

The Church of the Living God: The word “church” is actually generic.  The Greek word translated as “church” refers to a “gathering” or “assembly” that is “called out”.  People form assemblies for many reasons in our culture.  But when they are called together for the purpose of worshipping the Living God, they are the church of the Living God.

The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth: While the word of God is obviously viewed as a foundation of truth, the church itself stands for truth.  This is an incredibly awesome thought when we consider the visual and the responsibility it puts on God’s household.  When we go to our National Mall we see impressive buildings with huge pillars and foundations, representing the unchanging principles on which our country was founded.  Do people view the church and its devotion to truth in the same way?

When I was a kid, my parents talked with me about how I should behave at church.  You know…the basic things I wasn’t supposed to do.  Things like running in church, eating the communion that was left over from worship, talking during the sermon, using a mirror to reflect the overhead lights in the sanctuary into the eyes of church members during the offering…

Ok…so maybe I didn’t do that last one (if my mother is reading this).

But beyond these things, there are some grown-up behaviors Paul has in mind.  We don’t use people of the church as a vehicle for our own ambitions.  We don’t distort God’s Word to mislead others, bind people with legalistic expectations God never intended, or condemn people we don’t like.  We don’t gossip, get drunk, pursue dishonest gain, or neglect our families. 

You see, it isn’t the outward architecture of the church that influences our world, but rather the heart of its people.  And to a great degree, the heart of the church is reflected in its actions.

We probably should continue to teach our children how to behave in church, but the older I get, the more I pay attention to what grown-ups do.  I suspect this is what those who aren’t a part of God’s household watch too.

Dear God, teach me how to behave.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)

It is good to serve the Lord, and those who assume the role of Elder and Deacon in the church bless the lives of others and are blessed.  We should honor and encourage our leaders, and their families, because if they serve well, and we support them, we all benefit. 

Yet, Paul’s term “excellent standing” seems a bit out of sync.  Perhaps it is just a personal thing with me, but I have never thought of leadership as something we do to gain respect and prestige. 

I checked out this phrase and learned that the term for “standing” has to do with a “threshold” or a “grade.”  The Old King James even translates is “degree.” This only made matters worse since it suggested leaders are working their way up the rungs of a ladder.

And so I had to go back and reconsider my thought process.  I realized, while good leaders don’t necessarily serve for the purpose of gaining respect and prestige, when they do serve well, these things come.  How they are used for the kingdom depends on how a leader views them.

On one hand, one’s standing can be used to influence others.  If others are watching, then what a leader does and says really matters.  As a result, he has an opportunity to guide others closer to the throne of God and a life of sacrifice.

On the other hand, a standing can be used to inflate one’s ego.  In this case, the goal becomes to make sure others are watching so one’s position can be used for personal gain.

If we think back over Paul’s list of qualities for both elders and deacons, it is easy to see the difference between these two approaches.  The influencer lives a temperate life and nurtures his family in the way of the Lord.  The inflated ego says one thing but means another, gossips about others who pose a challenge, and looks for a way to exploit the resources of the church for his or her personal gain.  And the latter is often highly skilled in wrapping selfish intentions in religious sounding language and ministry jargon.

Over the years I have heard people struggle to describe this contrast in leadership style.  Some say, “He is highly respected, and the good thing is, he doesn’t know it.”  In other words, he has attained a degree of standing in the spiritual community of the church, but that was never his goal.  Nor does he think about his position now that he has it. 

And so, I guess I am comfortable with the idea of an “excellent standing” in leadership.  I had better be, because this is a good translation of Paul’s teaching, and I don’t want to go argue with an apostle.  I will also go so far as to say a leader should feel blessed if he finds himself in this position in life.

But like any position, he must let God use it.  If he doesn’t Satan will.

Dear God, show me how to have an excellent standing.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. (1 Timothy 3:11)

Does it really matter whether a leader’s wife is a person of character?  After all, when someone assumes a place of leadership, his family isn’t being asked to lead….right?  Well, partly. 

No, a Deacons’ wife should not be expected to lead.  She might lead, and her life will be a blessing to those who follow her.  But this is not a biblical expectation.  In fact, sometimes the spouse of a leader can set an example of what it means to follow.   

Yet, leader’s wives do have some specific opportunities, and as a result need to give attention to a few character points.  If care is not taken, they can diminish the influence of their husbands.

Before I continue, although Deacons’ wives are the topic of our passage, I believe the principles shared here are applicable for the husbands or wives of any spiritual leader.  So be sure to adapt them for your situation.   

First, the wife of a Deacon is worthy of respect.  We aren’t given any specifics, but she obviously must have a good reputation inside and outside of the church family.  This doesn’t mean she should be expected to be perfect, or possess a preconceived set of abilities or personality traits.  Rather, it suggests she practices high moral standards and treats others with respect.

She is not a malicious talker.  Some of us are really good at shrouding malicious conversation in “god-talk.”  We might wrap it in a prayer request about someone we heard was “struggling.”  We might talk about something someone did that is “weighing us down.”  And we might even claim to be mind-readers and talk about something in another person’s life that “God laid on our hearts” or “revealed to us”.  But it is all gossip.  And that’s all I have to say about that, except to remind us all if we do this, or listen to it, we shouldn’t pretend it is something else. 

She is temperate.  A leader’s life is so packed with emotion, his marriage partner needs to be able to restore his perspective, and not continually add to his drama.

She is trustworthy in everything.  In a way, Paul’s thought on “malicious talk” and this point go together.  A Deacon’s wife (and, as I have suggested, any leader’s spouse) is often aware of confidential and potentially harmful information about others.  She may also be aware of other’s weaknesses.  But as a woman of God, her desire is to build others up and protect the journey people are on as they struggle to grow in every way. 

I have always found it interesting that Paul talks about a Deacon’s wife, but not an Elder’s wife.  In light of my other references in today’s devotion, I certainly think Paul’s points are transferable to all leaders.  Maybe Paul had some specific Deacon’s wives in mind as he wrote, and therefore only included them.

Whatever the case, a leader is only as strong as the attitude he is surrounded with in his home.  And a wife who lives for God, and demonstrates His heart in every way is a leader’s greatest asset.

Dear God, thank You for those who stand with Your leaders.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. (1 Timothy 3:8-10)

Most of the characteristics outlined by Paul for the role of Deacon have been covered in our study of the elder role. Once again, I refer you to the Titus one devotions in previous posts at www.storiesofvalue.com.

The concept of being “tested”, however, is newly stated. One would assume any leader would undergo an evaluation before being asked to serve, but the word “tested” suggests a defined, formal process. We aren’t told how the test was conducted. Was it an interrogation before a council with witnesses giving testimony? Was a name presented to the church family as a “trial balloon” to see if there were any problems in one’s character? Were specific tasks given to a Deacon candidate as a test to see how well they were performed?

One possible insight into this process is found in Acts six where seven men were chosen to wait on Grecian widows in the church. Although the tasks given to these men sound simple, the apostles specified they were to be men “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.” Here is how the apostles framed the selection process: “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Acts 6:3) The phrase that jumps out to me here is “who are known to be”. It is possible the test for Deacons, as well as these men in Acts six, was nothing more than a survey of those who knew them to assess their reputation in light of given criteria.

Some churches have designed more thorough tests, including written doctrinal exams, probationary seasons of service, and interviews by other leaders. None of these are unbiblical, but I sense the system in the early church was less formal.

Regardless, it strikes me that Deacons, who were not charged with the shepherding of the flock as elders were, were viewed with no less scrutiny. I think this is because leadership in the church, regardless of one’s role, always involves people and truth. The word Deacon means “servant”, and in most congregations those who lead in this way tend to be generalists (a team of people who are gifted in many areas and capable of meeting a variety of challenges). But all leadership in the Lord’s body, specific and general, is relational and spiritual in nature.

We should test Deacons in all of the areas referenced by Paul. They are to “be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” When you are a generalist, you never know what you might be called to do, but it is important to know how you are called to do it, and why. This is why many professions have oaths that define the character that is expected in their given vocation.

And I should add, the same is true of every believer. Whether we lead or not, can any of us expect any less of ourselves than we do of our leaders?

Dear God, help me be ready for whatever You call me to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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 into the devil’s trap. (1 Timothy 3:6-7)

One of the difficult topics relating to elder selection has always been age and experience.  The Bible doesn’t tell us how old a shepherd in a church needs to be.  However, since one of the words for elder (“presbuteros”) means older man, it is assumed he should have some age on him.  How much age is the question, and the answer might change depending on the average age of those in a particular church body. 

However, “how long” one has been a follower of the Lord is addressed specifically.  The elder must not be a “recent convert.”  Granted, this is still not absolutely definitive, but it is probably safe to say he must have had time to be grounded in some of the theological and practical issues of following Christ he is certain to face as a leader.

But mostly, as suggested in our passage today, he needs to be seasoned with all of the trials and challenges that lead to humility.  He needs to see his role of leadership as an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing, instead of what he can personally accomplish for his own purposes. 

Over the years I have seen a lot of motivating forces in a man’s life that lead him to desire the role of elder.  I have met those who want to be put in a position of leadership so they can change things in the church they don’t like.  A few have seen it as an accolade, and once they attainted their position they were unreliable and disconnected.  And one or two have felt they could lead better than those who were leading.

I am not saying it is always wrong to want to lead so one can move the Lord’s church in a positive direction, but unless a man mostly just wants to be used by God, he is prone to Satan’s trap of conceit.  And I will add that any leader in the Lord’s church, including my kind (the Preacher), can fall to the same temptation. 

Of course this subject of seasoning relates to the one of age because it takes time to become seasoned.  Our reputation to outsiders and our character are formed through many experiences, good and bad.

In baseball, some people talk about the “sweet spot” on a bat where contact with a baseball is most likely to produce maximum results.  Perhaps there is something similar in relation to the eldership.  There is a point in a man’s life where his age, time as a believer, passion for Christ and love for people come together to make him the shepherd God can use.  And in this mix, he must also be at a place with his career and family that makes it possible to serve effectively. 

As I read our passage for today I thought about all of the vulnerabilities the devil tries to exploit in our lives.  He is crafty and cruel.  And if, with his craft, he can find a way to draw leaders into conceit and lead them to disgrace themselves publicly, he has scored a major victory.

For this reason, as we evaluate our walk with the Lord, we must realize it is better to wait for the right timing to be used by God than to become a trophy on Satan’s wall.

Dear God, help me know how to lead and when.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.