10.28.20 1 Timothy Pastor Raymond Sloan

all right we are in the first letter to timothy timothy first timothy is where we have been over the last several weeks and tonight we will conclude with uh chapter number six just a little bit of review you can go back into the app into the website the series are posted out there and you can follow along back to catch back up if you need to but uh this is uh paul's letter to timothy was his spiritual son he refers to him he put timothy in a place of responsibility over the care of the church that was established in ephesus all right paul had established that work along with his brethren that were helping him and we know that paul's desire always was to be an encourager a helper he was a leader if you will had a pastor's heart a preacher's heart if you will also he addressed his letters typically to the church in an attempt to encourage and help them but this particular one of course is written to timothy and the instruction and the help that he puts here is an attempt to assist the body the church family as he shepherds them and as he grows and matures them by teaching and instruction and whatnot this was paul's desire was to help timothy do just that okay keep in mind church is new body of believers coming together they're coming out of all the things of the world all the doctrines and teachings of the world and they are coming into the church and of course with that they are bringing a lot of their own past and and their false failures or whatever they were involved with before and now they are needing some serious instruction and guidance it's the same thing in 2020 as somebody comes into the church discipleship training and teaching is very vital for that so that's what this letter is for we're going to pick up tonight in uh first timothy chapter number six now uh last week we concluded of course chapter five very powerful powerful scriptures uh making us all aware about the the falling away the things that are going to happen in the church towards the end but but i want to again we're going to start here verse number one notice here what paul says to timothy let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor that the name of god and his doctrine be not blaspheme and they that have believing masters let them not despise them because they are brethren but rather to do them service because they are faithful and beloved partakers of the benefit these things teach and exhort okay paul is addressing the working relationships in a church okay gotta understand that this the this principle is uh how to let me let me say it this way how to hold a job okay how to be responsible fruitful grow mature and so forth not only in the church but outside the church on your jobs how you interact with people okay there's there's human relationship here there's the boss owner whatever you want to call that manager and then there's the worker those that are connected to doing a service doing a job for this boss owner or whatever it is now on a job for an example just to give a point of reference you would accept accept a job and after you've interviewed and you've talked to them you guys come to an agreement shake hands documents are signed and you're off and working you discover your vacation days you discover 40 hours a week or whatever it happens to be the breaks you get the benefits uh days off whatnot all of that is is just a way that you understand that the this is how the system works all right um this is just how people interact one with another okay not everybody can be a business owner some are going to be workers not everyone can be workers some will be or have the ability to be the business owner now we understand that even today we we get that there's corporations companies there's those who clock in clock out there's those who uh log in you know they they get that it's all part of the working relationship with humans now when it comes to spiritual working though when it comes to spiritual levels and responsibilities things things are somewhat at times a challenge let me give an example just an example here what what paul is trying to address here with timothy there's a doctor in a church let's say he would be in this church or in any church this doctor has studied he has been to uh 12 years of school if you will he's done internships he's done residence here and there he has a an intellect he has a qualification he's very learned educated he's learned the human body and whatever specialty that he happens to be okay this doctor is very astute uh respected makes money uh has a house job kids wife so forth so on when he goes to a church to be a member of that church that pastor of that church probably or maybe but most likely is not as well adapted or as well as studied in medicine and the human body and so forth okay as humans we we can it's very easy for us to think that well since the doctor is smarter paid more bigger house better car whatever those things are that as humans we established then technically he is higher in the scheme of things than the pastor who drives a smaller car lives in a smaller house has a has whatever that he does because he's a pastor or by vocational he works as a carpenter whatever happens to be paul is addressing this with timothy all right if you have a job you honor the boss on the job doesn't matter what that boss does or whatever doesn't matter how smart you might think you are as an employee or somebody working for them there is responsibilities in the levels and you have to understand those all right so in the spirit world things are different because as much as that doctor may make or as big of his house he might have or whatever accomplishments he's done he needs a pastor in his life and that's a god called a position okay so when and here again this letter of first timothy is 2 2 timothy from paul and he's saying that if you've got employees or if you've got people working for you or whatever understand the relationship here all right don't think just because you are making all the money doing this that you supersede or you overstep what a pastor called of god word from god breathing life into you every week don't think that you're able to ignore what the pastor the preacher says all right you need spiritual guidance just like i would need for an example medical guidance from that doctor the fact of the matter is simply this if you're in tune with the spiritual side and you're walking after the spiritual things of god you have to understand that god is leading and guiding whatever level out in the world that you have whatever position job title whatever you have if you're working and doing the things of god then you work for your boss and you understand that responsibility okay and then in the church understand that there is same structure but it's a spiritual bound it's a spiritual set up it's a spiritual making if you will of the church now the reason that paul is having to address this is is it might very well be that's the same kind of things that we face today 2020 somebody could think you know what i've studied i've applied myself i've got this profession or i make this much money therefore i don't need a preacher in my life when the the truth is you you need a shepherd to spiritually help you and you need to submit to that shepherd so that he can you need to listen to the preaching and the teaching and the admonishment you need to be around the family of god growing and worshiping and loving god together it's notice what paul says about this and in verse number three if any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words even the words of our lord jesus christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud you hear this knowing nothing but doting about questions and stripes of words whereof cometh envy strife railings evil surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds destitute of truth supposing that gain is godliness from such withdraw thyself verse six let's listen there godliness with contentment is great gain okay now paul is telling timothy that if anybody is trying to teach you something else you know what you're really smarter than the preacher or you're really smarter than the bible teacher you're really you make more money than the pastor whatever that is if that attitude gets into the church then instead of it becoming a spiritual maturity walk with god it now becomes a business and a negotiation of who can make the most money and have the most influence now listen carefully paul says that that person who's trying to come in and so discord they're proud they don't know anything they don't know they don't have a relationship with god if that person is always questioning he's always wondering about the authority in the church he's taught bringing strife into the church family cross talking saying one thing to one person another thing to another from that if that spirit is in the in the church if that's in the family of god there's envy there's strife railings evil thoughts opinions perverse arguing with men about that have evil minds and thoughts they're removed from truth these things it's interesting how paul is telling timothy timothy you're the preacher you're the pastor of the church so you watch for this because there will be some that will come in and feel like you owe them something because of their stature in the world but not so what that is is the enemy's way of sowing discord don't know who he thinks he is he ain't smart as i am i'm the one that studied okay understanding that if you are consistently doing the work of god and if you you are bringing your body your mind your spirit your finances everything into subjection of what the church is teaching all right you have to understand that you got to have a job you got to have possessions because you got to live and so forth okay we get all that paul is telling timothy though to if this spirit and attitude gets into your church you need to remove yourself from it because if you are godly and you understand the scriptures and the responsibility and authority and how it works in the scriptures then you can be content with what you have content to say i am following god i am pursuing him that is great gain and in fact this one that's coming into the family let's say and sewing discord and questions and things they're all of this spiritually they're they're very immature spiritually they're they're struggling just with their identity the fact is great gain comes from being content and with what god is doing in your life now this is a very important chapter here in first timothy let me continue here as we go a little deeper you're going to find out exactly why paul was trying to help timothy with this in in verse number seven very powerful for we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out verse eight having food and raiment let us therefore therewith be content when you were born we were all born the same way didn't have anything with us we had to take the breath that we first took when we got out right understanding that each one of us have to find our place in the body of christ in the family of god you didn't bring anything here you're not going to take anything out everything that you have if you're submitted to god you realize it is from his hand and his blessing upon your life whether your appear in stature of finances and houses uh things and possessions or you're it doesn't matter if you're walking in god then you can be content knowing that everything comes from god therefore evidently god has you in mind when you're receiving what you're receiving from him listen to this verse number nine the reason again paul is mentioning this in the closing out of this first letter here verse 9 they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lust which drown men in destruction and perdition for the love of money is the fruit of all evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith pierced themselves through with many sorrows listen to this the wealthy rich person can so easily fall into temptation into the snare of the devil the lust of the possessions of things the desire to covet and to have things it can destroy you it can destroy a church family all right paul says that they drown they're they're getting over their head with attitudes and actions that are not godly and then they begin to do things and they begin to say things and they begin to look for things to fulfill the desires in their heart therefore he says the love of money is the root foundation if where it's connected to of all evils listen to this loving stuff more than god will cause you to fall now nothing wrong with stuff understand it house clothes car whatever it doesn't matter okay you have those things you do that you work your job whatever you're involved in in life it's okay as long as you don't love it more than you love god because what will happen is is if you have a job you have a a house you have a car let's say all these things of just life are in in place as you're working and you you you apply yourself and god opens the door for you to make more money or to be promoted on the job you do that and then all of a sudden you begin to think highly of yourself and you begin to purchase other things or desire more money so you can have other things to compete with those around you who have the same things but they don't have a relationship with god next thing you know that thing that you've bought doesn't matter what it is you'll want to spend more time with it than with god and your family and your soul itself is going to be lost listen those who lose out they love money and stuff more than they love god therefore they lose their joy and their contentment in christ jesus all right but thou verse 11 says this thou o man of god flee these things follow after righteousness godliness faith love patience meekness fight the good fight of faith lay hold on eternal life where unto thou art also called and has professed a good profession before many witnesses timothy timothy listen this is what he's saying preacher flee these things instead righteousness godliness faith love patience meekness almost sounds like fruit is going to begin to show itself doesn't it fruit of spirit okay that said when you have the desires to want to please god more than man to want to have more of god than the things of this world again the things and the stuff of all this that that's that's irrelevant in this because it's your love for it that's going to cause you to fall away eternal life can be yours if you do what the lord jesus christ is teaching you to do listen to this knowing how to deal with your earthly possessions okay let you develop a relationship with god that will last and will stand the test of time you've got to learn how to deal with earthly possessions again there's nothing wrong with things there's nothing wrong with wealth there's nothing wrong with stuff i mean honestly it's just it's just things it doesn't have anything but when you love it and you you pull it to you and you want it more than you want him now you're going to allow the enemy to come in notice how paul continues here listen to this verse 13 i give thee charge in the sight of god who quickeneth all things and before christ jesus who before pontius pilate witnessed a good confession that thou keep this commandment without spot unrebukable until the appearing of the lord jesus christ which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only potentate the king of kings the lord of lords verse 16 who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honor and power everlasting amen now paul's words to timothy are this keep the commandments that you have received you can read about them in letters okay when you read the letter to the ephesians to the galatians to the philippians to the thessalonians called the to the colossians when you read these letters that paul wrote there are commandments and teachings in those things okay you keep those commandments timothy you keep those commandments person church of people in the church church family do them without spot love god develop a relationship with him and do these things until jesus comes back to take his church away all right he's the chief of all things the potentate if you will he's the the ruler of all things the lord of lords the king if he hits him all right paul makes sure that he emphasizes to timothy the real power that he needs is not in the money the stuff the possessions the the job whatever it is it's not in any of that but it is actually in jesus christ okay and as if you're and you're on your job uh driving your car enjoying your house being with your family whatever the things you do with the stuff you have if you put jesus in it he can bless that stuff okay the world struggles with this they can't even see the power and the spirit of god because their eyes are focused on the things of the world okay now he ends here with an amen meaning this is it so let it be but notice notice i'm going to read the remainder of this as we bring this lesson to a close tonight verse 17 charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living god who giveth us richly all things to enjoy that they do good they be rich and good works ready to distribute willing to communicate laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life verse 20 timothy keep that which is committed to thy trust avoiding profane vain babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called which some professing have aired concerning the faith grace be with thee amen second part of the letter last part of the letter it's almost it's almost a post script a ps because he ends it here in 16 with an amen but then in 17 he he he says those that are rich i got to say one more thing the wealthy in the church you you're going to want them in the church stay with this but you let them know they cannot be high-minded they can't trust enriches more than god but they've got to trust god who gives them the desires of their heart the ability to work the ability to to do and to to have and to possess things okay let the wealthy know that they can use their wealth to advance the kingdom of god okay paul is not saying to timothy here you don't want anybody rich in your church and you all want to be poor that's not the case at all in fact digression here acts the church starts people are selling their stuff giving to the church and to those who had need they were taken care of all right it was the landowners it was the the business owners that were selling things the wealthy were selling things because they were understanding by revelation of the spirit of god in them now that their stuff wasn't going to get them to heaven but that god had given them these things so that they could in fact turn around and help those who come into the church i have seen in my own self and perhaps you have too and understand it even in 2020 i have seen multiple times how that somebody with nothing literally broken broke no job no place to live no family to speak of they can fall in love with jesus repent of their sins be baptized in his name receive the wonderful gift of the holy ghost plant themselves in a church and before long you're going to notice that they they look better their countenance is better they begin to dress differently they begin to be blessed with a better job they now drive a vehicle they now rent an apartment they now have furniture they now are working a better job they get raises on their job they get promotions they didn't have anything and yet now that they're in church god is beginning to bless them i think it's a positive and a true saying that if you have a relationship with god the possessions you have come from him and if you'll learn how to handle them he'll want you to have him because then you can learn how to give and how to bless and how to be used with those things that you possess in the church paul is not saying to timothy that all rich people go to hell not true not at all what he's saying is timothy as the preacher let people understand they can bring their wealth into the church but they can't love it more than god in fact if they fall in love with god and they begin to use the gift of giving to help people to bless the church to help in in endeavors in missions and and buildings and and helping homeless and helping widows and orphans and they're doing that with the funds and the possessions they have god is going to bless them the more and the more and the more as we close this session for this evening i want us to pray i want you to pray and first of all give thanks for what you have great place to start lord thank you for what you've given me all right some of you can pray a really really deep prayer of gratitude to god because it wasn't long ago you had zero and now god has blessed you and multiplied to you over and over and over his blessings okay as you pray pray for wisdom to know what to do with the things that you have again the problem is not stuff and things the problem is is what to do or how to put them in proper perspective okay and then pray seek the for the good things that god wants you to have and then keep them in check and be thankful every day for them can we do that this week right now let's pray jesus we're praying lord as we close out this lesson tonight praying lord first of all we give you thanks for all of the wonderful great blessings financially spiritually the things lord the emotion the physical the the healings that's happened in our lives and our minds and our hearts god you have been so so good to us and for that we give you thanks so many of us tonight lord that have studied this out we have been been brought lord so so far because we fell in love with you and developed a relationship with you i pray god that you would help us to always lord have an attitude of thankfulness and let us always lord be glad for the multiplied blessings in our lives and let us learn the gift of giving giving back to the things of god allowing you to bless us lord allowing what we give to be multiplied so that others could hear the wonderful good news of jesus christ i pray for the church tonight pray lord for every family every individual we're going to love you serve you bless your name every single day because you're god and it all comes from you in jesus name amen amen thank you so much for joining us with us tonight in this bible study next week we'll pick up with the second letter to timothy