The Answer to Slavery

Faithful Servants

Book of 1 Timothy Chapter 6

As we go through the Books of Timothy and the Book of Titus not only are we learning about the workings of the Church, the officers of the Church and the Pastor of the Church, we are also learning that God expects us to be "faithful" to the Church.

To be faithful is to be full of faith and trustful.

We are to be "faithful" because our God is "faithful"!

Deu_7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

We will see the Holy Spirit will stress the importance of being content, as opposed to covetousness, which characterizes those out in the world.

The phrase "under the yoke" expresses the condition of slaves!

Slavery is one of the greatest crimes against humanity, yet it still exists in our world today.

It is estimated that there are at least 40 million slaves in our world today, generating over 150 billion dollars in revenue.

Therefore, slavery continues, there is still a market for slaves and big money!

It is impossible for this to keep going on without the governments of our world and the UN who by their own policies help those nations who deal in Slavery and not doing very much at all to stop it!

Here we will see God address those slaves.

*****1Ti 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

We will see that God did not urge these people to escape, nor to rebel but to remain in the circumstances that they were in and by God's help to triumph over their difficulties and sorrows.

Studies will show, that it is only by God's methods that slavery can end. It is only by God's methods that slavery could be wiped off the face of this earth!

In reality, if God had taught that slaves should escape then early Christianity would have suffered greatly. There is no human being that can out think the Lord. The "gospel" is intended for every human being no matter their circumstances.

These same principles will also hold true in the workplace of today and as long as time last!

The one answer to all the problems in this world, is still Jesus Christ and this includes the answer to slavery!

Without a doubt the Apostle Paul called slavery a yoke that no human being should bear.

But still every slave was to count his master worthy of all honor.

The truth is, in these days of the Apostle Paul, most every slave was better off where they were at, than to be set free where they could not provide for themselves.

The greatest lesson we as Christians can learn is, the fact that we are all purchased by the blood of Jesus, and we are actually in the service of the Lord all our lives. The Lord is our Master!

The doctrine of God is that, when the slave and the master are both saved, then slavery would cease to exist!

As far as the workplace, if the "gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ reached into the workplace, there would be no need of unions nor contracts because the "Love of God" would rule in our society!

The Christian slave and the Christian worker should do their best to give an honest day's labor, just as if they were working for the Lord, which they are!

If this Christian worker is working for a Christian employer or Christian slave master, he should not try to take advantage of this situation.

*****1Ti 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

We must remember that these slaves in the day of Paul had no legal rights at all. They were just a piece of merchandise just as they are today! When the slave and the master both became Christians, it is easy to see that the slave may think that master would release them to freedom.

If that slave followed the Word of God and then became the best worker he had, we could see that maybe the master would expect to reap some benefits from his hard work.

It was very hard at times for the slave to think of his master as his brother in Christ, while he remained his slave, yet this what God is teaching!

The truth is, when both the slave and the master work as if they were slaves to Christ Jesus, "they would together" have a greater testimony for the truth in Jesus Christ.

It should be the same in the workplace of today. If boss and employee both are Christian and work as if they worked for the Lord, they together would have a greater testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Nowhere in the Scriptures does God approve of slavery!

Slavery is an invention of humanity. BUT, we all as Christians, must still be like the Apostle Paul and be content in every situation this world throws at us.

Php_4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1Ti_6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Heb_13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

And we will learn a greater lesson from the words of our Savior:

Mat_22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Mar_12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Luk_20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

We must remember we live in this world, but we are not a part of this world!

Joh_17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

It was Timothy who would have to teach these tough sermons, because these conditions existed in the Church in Ephesus!

When we prayed the sinner’s prayer, we agreed to live by the laws of God, no matter our situation!

Being a slave or master, or boss and employee, has nothing to do with our commitment to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

This is the truth of God!

*****1Ti 6:3 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;

1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Who is a false teacher? Those who do not teach the words of the Lord Jesus Christ!

A false teacher will always have a different doctrine!

They may mention Christ Jesus, but they refuse to accept that He is God and we are all to follow His commandments!

The Words of Jesus are not just the ones in red in most Bibles but actually the entire Bible is the Word of God!

The Old Testament teaches of the "Coming of Christ" and the New Testament teaches us the "death, the burial, and the ascension" of Christ and all that is in between, but also of His Second Coming, which is also in the Old Testament!

How do we know a false teacher or false preacher? They will not attach themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ!

They will talk about God and they will show you certain Scriptures to prove their point, but they will never accept the pure unaltered Word of God and to them, Jesus was just a man mentioned in the Scriptures. They may even say a good man or a prophet but certainly not God!

These false teachers will never accept the righteousness that comes by Jesus Christ!

These false teachers will never separate themselves from the world.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

I know many times our Pastor will teach a tough lesson and he will say, it is just a message of maintenance but when Paul was teaching Timothy these things, they were happening in the church at Ephesus and they are happening in many places of worship today!

That phrase "wholesome words" describe the Word of God but the opposite of wholesome, "would be words of disease".

A false teacher will always bring words of disease and death to the soul!

God says they are proud of what they are doing but they actually know nothing!

The longer they teach lies the more the people will ask if God really exist as it is today in many places.

The false teacher only knows the god of religion, but not the Lord God purity, which is Christianity!

Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, "this man shall be blessed in his deed".

Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, "this man's religion is vain".

Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, "To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world".

The false teacher has a corrupt mind and they intend to corrupt everyone else they can.

The false teacher will focus on the doctrine of man (humanism).

The false teacher will focus on works. (self-improvement, self-image)

The false teacher will focus on religion. (religion will lead to your death)

The false teacher will tickle your ears. (prosperity gospel)

The false teacher does not have nor, will he ever teach the truth! (The Word of God)

The truth is, God will never honor anyone who does not honor His Son Jesus Christ!

There is nothing in any sort of works doctrine that will go far enough to be a "Born Again" child of God!

The truth is, God will never accept but one thing and that is "Faith" in the works of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ did all the works; our part is to believe. It is called "Faith"!

There are also those who come into the ministry for the sole purpose of making money!

They look at the ministry, as only a way to make a living!

It is these same people who will commercialize religion!

They see preaching as a career, when preaching is a calling of God.

They see the church as a business, when the church is a hospital for souls and the household of faith and that faith in the promises of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They see the church as man-centered and not God-centered!

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

The greatest trait of the church is godliness!

*****1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and "it is certain" we can carry nothing out.

1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Almost everyone you meet, young or old, will be searching to have contentment in their lives.

People are just looking for ways to be satisfied with the life they have! Very few of these people realize that these things can come only by the Lord Jesus Christ!

The secret of contentment is truly godliness!

Godliness is knowing where you are at any point in your life and knowing where you are going when you die!

Godliness brings with it peace of mind and gratitude to that person who gives you these wonderful things, The Lord Jesus Christ.

It's called the "Grace" of God!

Godliness is when you know you lack nothing to make you more content!

Godliness is being fulfilled, satisfied, complete and sufficient.

It is a fact that we brought nothing into this world and no matter what we may gain while we are alive in this world, we cannot take anything out of this world!

As Christians, we do not struggle to be rich, but we are also not seeking to be poor, we know that the secret to being content is not money.

*****1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Most all of mankind is seeking more and more money. I can remember when I myself was caught up in that trap.

God has taught us all along that contentment does not come with more money.

We might ask why is this not true?

1) God says money will first tempt you and then money will enslave you.

The person who has enough money to buy, or go, or do, anything they want at any time they want, will soon have a sense of power, but this is only worldly power. They will be tempted to do more and more until they find that they have entrapped themselves with greed and can never have peace in their lives.

2) Money can cause foolish and hurtful lust.

How foolish is it to have closets full of clothes, yet still crave something new?

How foolish is it to always want the best clothes, when there are better-quality clothes that are cheaper?

How foolish is it to always have to go to the best restaurants, which in most cases are not the most healthful?

How foolish is it to indulge in in the evils of society, causing so much damage to the body that even money cannot repair it?

Money will cause cravings, and lust, just because you can afford to partake in such things.

3) Many people are drowned in the destruction caused by having too much money!

Wealth can become a personal monster!

Pro 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Pro 28:21 To have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Pro 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

4) It is not money itself that is evil, it is the love for or lust for money that is the root of all evil.

This is the one thing that dominates everything in our world today.

The parent of all that is evil in our world, "is money"!

In fact, so much money can be made off evil, evil will not end until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made off medicines, that cures will not be searched for, until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made off wars, that world peace will not be sought, until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made off the poor, that they will remain poor and those that were once above the poor, will join them until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made in research, that the world will be convinced that it is the people that causes all the problems in the world, until the Lord returns.

In fact, so much money can be made off abortions, that these people are not considered to be murderers of children, until the Lord returns.

Planned Parenthood is the house of death for children and the parts house for body parts!

It is a fact, that much of the church have become so worldly, that money is beginning to control the church and the church will be judged first and then the world , when the Lord returns to this world!

What can we do as Christians? God says to flee all these things and come to know His ways, the ways of truth!

*****1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Our Pastor must truly be a "man of God"!

The true "man of God" will flee from the temptation to be rich!

As Christians we to are never to have a passion for wealth in the things in this world!

The true "man of God" will flee from the temptation to lust for the things of this world!

The true "man of God" will flee from selfishness.

The true "man of God" will flee from perverse disputings of the Word of God!

The true "man of God" will follow after righteousness (as in being in hot pursuit of spiritual gains)!

His heart will be right with God!

His heart will be open to the molding of God the potter!

He will have a heart that has partaken of the Divine nature of God!

2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: "that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature", having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Godliness means, to remain in the reverence and awe of the Living God, (being Christlike).

We sometimes make our God to be little, but we have a great big God who is "all powerful"!

Righteousness is simply doing things the right way and the right way is by the Word of God!

But, Without faith, we simply cannot please God!

Faith is that confidence in God that allows us to trust in everything that He says!

Love is that love that goes out from God and His Son, our Savior and then to all those He died for!

Patience is that trait that knows the Lord will return and we will see Him as He is and being watchful and praying until He returns!

Meekness is that trait that is hard to find but, to be a Christian, (Christ-Like) is to continue searching for the goodness of the Lord to apply it to our own lives.

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Being meek is being prepared for that war we are in till God calls us home!

*****1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Timothy was directed to be a good soldier but, as Christians we are all in this same battle. The goal of the Christian is to "lay hold on eternal life"!

The moment we trusted in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are promised eternal life!

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

We must not just know this is true, but we need to live our lives now, as if it is already true!

Death is just the last step we take in this world and the first step we take into the throne room of God, in person!

The message of every Pastor should reflect on this truth!

We can never profess eternal life, if we live for the things of this world which will pass away!

*****1Ti 6:13 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;

1Ti 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1Ti 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

1Ti 6:16 "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 honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Paul brags on this young preacher because he has professed the truth of God since being saved through hands of the Apostle Paul by Jesus Christ who is Life and the Giver of Life!

We are to profess the name of Jesus in everything we do!

When Pontius Pilate judged the Lord, he found Him innocent of all charges:

Luk 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

Pontius Pilate could have set the Lord free right then, but he gave Him over to the Cross!

Another evil man, who had the opportunity to make the right choice, is now remembered as the man who crucified our Lord!

Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

God will present many choices to us, to see if we will make the right choice. These are things that will not tempt us because God will never tempt us with the things of this world.

The first right choice we had to make was accepting the Lord Jesus Christ into our heart and then knowing we are just strangers passing through this land!

We have a home in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ always told the truth, even knowing that it would lead to His death.

When the Lord Jesus Christ arose out of that borrowed tomb, He proved He was life and that He controlled all life.

Jesus Christ has the power of life within Himself!

The commandments given to Timothy by Paul through the Holy Spirit are verses 11-12.

These commandments are for every Pastor.

In fact, these commandments are for each and every Christian!

How long are we to keep these commandments? Until the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ!

For the Christian, this will be at the Rapture of the Church.

For everyone else, it will be when the Lord will set His feet upon this earth!

As we age and get closer to going home, these things should be at the forefront of our minds!

There is no retirement plan in the army of God!

Ecc 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

Jesus Christ is our Creator.

Jesus Christ is the Preserver of all things.

Jesus Christ is the only sovereign Lord of all the ages.

Jesus Christ will be known as King of kings, Lord of lords, when He sets His feet down at Gethsemane!

All the kingdoms of this world will belong to Christ when He returns!

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who has the power to enforce His will upon this earth when He returns.

Today we live in a world under the guidance of our Savior, but it is not He that does the evil in this world!

The Lord returned to Heaven in a body that was not subject to death but was at that time, glorified.

We should also understand that if God was visible, then there would be far too many who would find flaws in His looks.

God is invisible, so even those who are blind can see Him and Hear Him, just like everyone else!

Just so we think right, each one of us has a soul and we cannot see our own soul.

We know that there is a God because He lives within us and we can talk to Him anytime we want to!

*****1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

There can be no doubt that this world we live in separates different classes of people by the riches they possess. What a shame!

Those who are rich in the church must never think they are better off than others. In fact, there is a reason why some have more than others, those who have are to help those who have not!

Many times, those who are rich place their riches in money markets hoping to build upon their riches and many times that gain never comes.

If they would invest those riches in the "body of Christ" they would have a sure gain in the riches of Heaven!

We must all, rich and poor and all those in-between, know that everything we possess comes by the "mercy" of God!

Those who gain riches by taking away from the poor will certainly suffer in the last days!

Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Jer 17:11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Rich or poor we are all to trust in the Living God from whom all blessings flow!

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

What is the greatest truth of the Church? We are alive forevermore!

If we would just lay hold of eternal life as the Lord says, nothing in this world would be so important that we would put it before the Lord.

1Jn_5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

If we would trust the Word of God like we say we do, we will realize that there is really nothing that compares to the Word of God!

*****1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

1Ti 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

There are many today, some even in the church, that exalt worldly knowledge above the Word of God, these are sad people.

As we are discipled and grow into mature Christians we will better realize that what God says will always be true!

Today as we live and breathe God's air, the world will try to put Science above the Scriptures.

The truth is, that it is impossible for true Science to disagree with the Word of God!

Science by definition is the knowledge gained by understanding the truth or the facts of truth by the mind.

Then Science must agree to the Word of God which is based on the fact that our Savior is also the Great Creator of all things!

Those who go against the Word of God, are not searching for facts but only disagreement.

This is that false Science that the world uses to confuse the people!

That man Steven Hawking died but before he did, he predicted that the world would soon end. He knew he was about to die so he wanted everybody else in this world to die. He has been mad at God all his life and refused to repent right up to his end!

He also could have been saved!

Timothy was to guard against any thing that went against the Word of God.

Timothy was to protect the truth of God.

Timothy was to preach the "Gospel", the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

The enemies of the Church will do their best to the destroy the church, but this is impossible.

What is false science? Profane and vain babblings and oppositions to true science.

God says to turn away from all such teachings, no matter how much so-called proof they say they have!

Any Science that disputes the Word of God is an outright fabrication of the real truth!

This church in Ephesus had this problem of leaving their first love and even though they were taught the truth by many good men of God they would always go back to accepting a false Science and leaving their first love, Jesus Christ!

This is now the world we live in. A world that has lost the love of the One and only true God, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jesus asked, will there be any who have faith when He returns? Only He knows that answer.

We must always turn away from false teaching of any kind but especially those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as our Redeemer!

Amen

Let's Pray!

The Word of God is Alive and Written for Today

Faithful Interaction

1 Timothy 5

We should understand as Christians we must certainly share in the responsibility for each other in times of need.

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, "especially unto them who are of the household of faith".

Just as we have this responsibility in times of need, we have this same responsibility, "in times of discipline".

The truth of the church is the fact that we are all in the same family, the family of God, the household that has Jesus Christ as the Head!

The one thing we must always remember is, that the preaching and the teaching of the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ is always the first priority over any so called "social gospel" of its members.

The church must get out of the social gospel business, and the political truth business and get back to teaching the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ"!

Those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, will be more suited in obeying all the Word of God!

Those who are right with God, will know what to do in most all circumstances and all questions will be answered by the Scriptures!

The Word of God is alive and even more true today because it was written for the latter days, the days we now live!

*****1Ti 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

1Ti 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Paul is still writing to Timothy about church organization and simply "how we are all to act in the house of God".

The "elders" in this Scripture refer to the older Christian men. It is normally true that older Christian believers have more wisdom in dealing with life.

Not only Christian life, but also of the things of this world.

We must also be aware that they may not be right all the time!

We must not forget that a false "Gospel" was being preached in the Church at Ephesus and those doing so, were to be rebuked and excommunicated if need be!

We simply cannot allow those who reject the truth to bring their own false message into the House of God!

Timothy might certainly have to rebuke some elderly men in this church. These elders may have had many years in the Scriptures or very little, but they still had the wisdom of experience more than this young Pastor.

Many say that Timothy was only 23 years old at this time, but he was on fire for God!

In a real sense, Paul was saying to respect those who are older than you, Timothy and at the same time, even some of these may need to be rebuked.

The elder members of any church are never to be ignored, nor neglected, nor bypassed, not overlooked nor ever be set aside as useless!

They should be treated as fathers, with respect and honor.

The church needs to know their opinions and they need to be involved in all decision making.

It is true that many of them may be set in their ways and close-minded to new ideas or new ministries.

The point of the Apostle Paul is that, if and when one of these elders needed to be rebuked, they still needed to be treated as a father and not as an enemy.

We should understand that the Holy Spirit must always be followed!

Lev 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Those that respect their elders will have a better chance respecting our Heavenly Father!

The younger men are to be treated as brothers. It is our younger men and our younger generation who one day will keep the church going so they are also never to ignored or bypassed.

These younger men many times will need direction and they may not accept it, if they have not seen this in the family at home.

The church is to always function as the family of God because we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ freed us from the chains of Satan.

God the Father holds all the answers to the prayer life of the Church!

The Lord Jesus Christ as the Head and the Foundation of the Church, and our Intercessor between each member and Our Holy Father.

The Lord Jesus is the only Advocate to defend us from the continuous accusations of Satan.

The Holy Spirit is the power behind the church because He not only abides in each believer, but He also causes conviction of sin to the lost!

The church is a most powerful weapon against evil when it functions properly! This is where the problems lie today as the church gives in to political correctness, which goes against the Word of God.

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Just as the elderly men are to be treated as fathers, then the elderly women are to be treated as mothers!

We all have a mother who in most cases keeps our family functional and it will be no different in a working church!

God will hold the church responsible for those who mistreat its mothers!

If some of these need to be rebuked, it must not be done in contempt but in total respect.

Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Younger women are to be treated as sisters, but in all purity remembering they are also "born again" onto a new life.

There must be no immoral thoughts, when thinking about the physical attractiveness of these younger women!

Not many men will cause harm to their daughters nor their sisters!

They are all to be protected and guarded and nourished with the Word of God, just as all others in the House of God!

It is the church and the family that are to prepare those future virtuous women.

Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

When there are young and old of each sex, there will many families but as time goes by there will also be more widows!

It seems that the women will normally live longer than the men! We men need to find this secret of longer life, but it matters not to the child of God.

*****1Ti 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

Many times, there are church mothers who no longer have families outside of the church.

Many of these become desolate when they have no one to help them meet their needs.

Deu 14:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

We all think about the blessings of God but when we do not do right in the church, we are losing those precious blessings that we could have had as a church and as a family!

A widow indeed, is a widow who has no means of support outside the church. It is these women of the church that the church is to help.

BUT, this widow should, if able, still be involved in the ministries of the church!

*****1Ti 5:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Just so we are clear, God began the family before He began the Church. Every family is to operate as a miniature Church.

Children are to take care of their elderly parents!

The very first duty of any child, is to honor their parents! Nothing that is done in the church by these who are children of widows can take the place of honoring their parents.

The true believer is to be a Christian at home before he is a Christian anywhere else!

There is no other action by children where is says that it "is good and acceptable before God".

There is also this of the parents. Widowed parents are to live their remaining years above reproach!

They must be true to Christ and still trust in the Lord for their provisions!

God will meet the needs of His older children and His younger children alike!

*****1Ti 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

1Ti 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

1Ti 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

A true widow is that person male or female who have no relations to provide for them and are wholly devoted to God. These dear people can be the greatest prayer warriors in the church!

A widow, male or female, who has not been faithful to the church all their days should not be considered a "widow indeed"!

We must understand that no matter our age we are still to place our faith in our Savior and every added day can still be a blessing!

We see that Timothy, the new in Pastor in Ephesus, is to preach the whole counsel of God, to whoever sits in the pews of this church, young or old.

It is a sad thing, but many widows seem to feel blessed that they no longer have that partner in life!

It is sometimes understandable when there has been much time with bad health, but the blessing comes from know that they no longer suffer!

These are those who live in pleasure, being released have given themselves over to the world.

The truth is, the world of pleasure is a region of death and a life of pleasure is living in death!

We must understand, that we are to obey these instructions in the church and God gives us a very good reason.

"That we will be blameless" when the Lord returns, and we meet Him at the "Judgment Seat of Christ".

We will all meet Jesus either at the Judgment seat of Christ, or at the White Throne Judgment and we make this choice ourselves!

The church that knows the truth of the Scriptures and makes application of the truth of God, is the Church that is a weapon against the evil of this world!

We will all be held accountable for the things we have done after we are saved! Not for punishment but for the loss of rewards we cannot lose the free gift of our salvation at any time!

It is so easy to lose a reward by the actions we take in the treatment of our elderly parents! Those who are widows indeed have no one to support them!

These things are written to the Church and to the Pastors of those churches!

Those children of the church, who do not take care of their elderly parents, especially those of their immediate family, are denying the faith!

They are worse than and an infidel or an unbeliever which is the truth of God! These are very strong words from the Holy Spirit!

*****1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Again, we must remind ourselves that God created the family before He created the Church!

The responsibilities of the Christian family are to never cease as long as we are alive.

In the Old Testament all transgressions against the family were severely punished and these things were not to change in the New Testament.

What did Jesus say?

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

When we deny our parents, we have denied the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ, because we have rejected true love!

*****1Ti 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

1Ti 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

1Ti 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

It should be obvious that the early church put those who were "widows indeed" to work in the ministry. I'm sure that there were the children because there are always children in the families but there are always other things these widows could do to spread the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Once a widow has recovered from the loss of that spouse they could give themselves fully to the ministry!

Today we do not see these things that often, but it does still happen.

Threescore years old would be 60 years of age. In the time of Christ, the life span of the people was not as long as it is today.

You may not be aware of it this number is slipping backwards today and this is because of the trend of Insurance and Medicare to pull back from the care of those over 70 and in bad health. This is the truth of Obamacare, feed them with medications and ignore major surgery of the elderly.

These would only be those who are already active in the church before the loss of their spouse.

These are those who had lived in a lawful marriage whether it be with one person or more successively but even that person has died.

These were to be women of good character and there is no one more special than that godly woman who has stayed by the Lord even when all her family were gone.

These are the same widows who treat the children of the church as their own.

These are the same ones, who can comfort all those in the church because they know what to be comforted really means.

These are the same ones who come to help others when there is a need.

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

These are the same ones that the young people of the church should look up to as those who have stuck by the Lord since the time of their salvation!

Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

The Holy Spirit suggest that those under 60 years old may not devote themselves to the Church because they are looking for someone else to wed, whereas those above 60 years old may not be interested in seeking another spouse.

The older widow would find all comfort in just God Himself and devote herself to Him.

The younger widow may also find all comfort in the Lord and devote herself to just the Lord but as time goes by she finds a new spouse it would be as if she had broken a vow to the Lord.

Deu 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

As we see, it could be very hard for a young widow keep a vow she has made to the Lord.

We will see that this is the sin of the Church in Ephesus in the end, leaving their first love.

*****1Ti 5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

When we pray in faith for the Lord to come into our heart and save us, we are making a vow to the Lord and when we break that vow we will suffer the consequences as the Scriptures have said.

This does not mean we have loss our salvation for that is impossible. We may forsake the Lord, but He will never forsake us, and He will never leave us because this is also what the Scriptures teach.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

The best thing that can happen to these younger widows is that they remarry but only in the church!

*****1Ti 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

1Ti 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

First, it is not wrong for anyone who has lost their spouse to stay single, but it is sometimes hard to do so without sin!

These younger widows, if supported by the church, would soon find the work of the church boring as they go from house to house in visitation.

These visits would become more about gossip, than contributing to the work of the church.

The Jews called these "gadding widows", having nothing else to do but gossip and tattle everything they learned of people.

They would always have some news to tell about others as they try to interfere in matters which did not concern them.

These things would not be written if they were not true!

We must understand God knows more about us then we can know ourselves!

Idleness is not good for anyone and the purpose of the church is not to be involved in such things and certainly not to support those widows caught up in those things.

They would go from being useful to becoming useless in the work of the church. Those outside the church would take notice of these things and ruin the name of the church. The church must never support such things as these!

These women had become widows through no fault of their own and certainly they would need some help.

The Holy Spirit says that they should remarry, bare children and be the head of that household and this would keep them busy enough to stay out of temptation.

Notice here we have another place where God does not condemn a second marriage in the church but actually encourages it.

Above all the things we do, let us never give occasion for Satan to exploit the church or the work of the church!

It is also a sad thing that many widows will leave the church when their spouse dies. Some just get mad at God and reject their salvation and reject their Christian life.

*****1Ti 5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

We should understand Satan is that roaring lion, walking about to see who he can destroy and when we get mad at God we open the door for Satan to step in.

Eze_16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

We seem to forget that God simply does not do bad things, and He will never tempt us to do evil.

Jas_1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

Jas_1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

As Paul is inspired by the Holy Spirit, he says some in the Church have already turned aside after Satan and there are some of these in most every church.

It is we who give into the works of Satan. Keep the inner doors of your heart to the outside world closed and locked always and do not provide even a crack where Satan can enter in.

2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

It is the Church family that is to come to the rescue of the widow whose only help is the church while they are still living.

*****1Ti 5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

If you believe in the truth of the Scriptures, then we are to take care of the widows in our own families and never send them to the responsibility of the church!

We must always keep in mind that it is the family that God created first and the actions of that family are to carry over into the church.

When believing families do not obey God in these things certainly the church cannot function as it should!

The family is to operate as a church within the church for the church to be the true "Bride of Christ"!

Isa 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

*****1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1Ti 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1Ti 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

We began this lesson talking about elders. Those were mainly just the aged.

Here as we begin this Scripture we see the elders of the church, those who preach and teach in the house of God and deacons and other who hold offices in the church.

We must remember that after Christ Jesus ascended back to Heaven, the 12 Apostles chosen by the Lord were the foundation of the Church!

The Church of today is still to preach the Apostles Doctrine, given to them by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Act_2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Since these 12 men chosen by the Lord are now in Heaven, it is the job of the elders of the church to assist the Pastor in teaching the Apostle's Doctrine.

We must also remember these words of Jesus:

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The modern-day church is now rejecting the Apostle's Doctrine because these words do not set well with those sitting in the pews nor does this doctrine fit in with the political correct societies of today.

It is these elders of the church (Pastors, Teachers, Leaders) that will be held accountable for the words they teach!

Act 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Those elders who have been faithful stewards of the true Word of God and have proven to above approach, should be counted worthy of a double honor and respect, but only if they rule well by the Scriptures.

It is the job of these men to be on guard against any error of the teaching of the Word of God!

Each one will be held accountable at the Bema Seat of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Of course, any who are not saved will go to Hell having no excuse for not believing of the truth.

When we see this word "honor" we should understand that means payment to that Pastor that and it says double honor or double the salary!

God will always deplore the money grabbing Pastor:

1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, "not greedy of filthy lucre"; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

God also deplores those churches that do not take care of that Pastor financially, when they are able to do so.

Every true Pastor is called and approved of God, if he preaches the whole counsel of God then he should be rewarded for his effort!

Deu 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

Those that labor in the Word of God and preaching, making sense of the Word of God, should be as that ox and taken very good care of.

The true Pastor is a treasure to any true church!

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

1Co 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

No doubt the church that has such a Pastor, that Pastor could be accused of wrong doing in an attempt to be rid of him.

God says there must be two or three reliable witnesses to that wrong doing or it should not be brought before the church!

And if these accusations are found to be true, they need to be brought before the church!

*****1Ti 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

We should clearly understand the instructions of the Lord should be followed at all costs or the church will be just as guilty as that one who had done that evil.

Disobedience is disobedience no matter who does the evil!

We should keep in mind, Timothy is going to Ephesus to root out false teaching!

We should also remember that we all are sinners only saved by the "Grace" of God.

If the honor of the true Pastor is being double value, then the rebuke of the false Pastor should also be of double value!

Then those who have heard and even approved of that false teaching may then repent and be restored to the truth of God.

*****1Ti 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

We will all stand before God one day and be judged for the things we have done since being saved by the "Grace".

Each Pastor is to minister without showing partiality in the church and to rebuke without showing partiality.

With Timothy being so young, Paul cautioned him to not shrink back from reproving men of weight and influence, which means those who were of high standing outside the church.

This may the biggest problem in the church today, Pastors who refuse to preach all the truth of God because of influential men in the pews.

Timothy like all Pastors will answer to the Lord when He returns.

When Timothy stepped up to the podium and looked out over his flock, he must not immediately judge his congregation, he was to preach to them what God had laid on his heart.

Our first thing to do in the church is to worship the God of the Bible, in Spirit and Truth because this is the only worship that God will accept!

God says many times that He does not show partiality and we are to do the same!

Deu 1:17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

Deu 1:18 And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.

The Church should never make decisions or choices because some powerful man in the church insist on it!

The Pastor must preach all the Word of God without being partial to a few in the church.

The Pastor must not accept the favor of men just because of their wealth or their standing.

The Pastor must not give his attention to one group of people above another.

Pro 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

Pro 24:22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

Pro 24:23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

Pro 24:24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

Pro 24:25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

The Pastor must at all costs keep himself pure!

*****1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

When Timothy gets to this church in Ephesus, it is very probable that he does not know who is distorting the Word of God until he has been there for a while.

The laying on of the hands was used to ordain Pastors and maybe some elders.

Paul is teaching Timothy that he should spend some time there before he could be able to ordain a Pastor, or Deacon, or other man by the laying on the hands.

We also know that the laying on of the hands is done for the sick.

There is no power in "the laying on of the hands" because the power is in that prayer that is made during the laying on the hands!

The best example of one who is partaking of another man's sins would be Paul himself at the death of Stephan.

Act 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Act 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Paul was just as guilty of the death of Stephen, as was those who threw the stones that killed him.

This church in Ephesus was a young immature church that probably did not have a mature Christian in their group.

The truth is God will hold us responsible for the failures of unfaithful workers and any false teachers we have approved!

Each Pastor is to keep himself pure not only inside the church but outside the church!

According to some, these passages also prove that a fallen Pastor can be restored to his ministry or at least to some ministry in the church.

Again, let’s look at that word "wine".

*****1Ti 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

This is one of the most favorite passages for those who insist that God approves of drinking alcohol.

I personally disagree that this wine was used as a medicine, when combined with water.

Those who traveled outside of America have found that the drinking of water will cause terrible stomach problems, and this is what was happening to Timothy.

The fruit of the grape, grape juice, was made drinkable buy mixing one-part grape juice to two parts water to drink when traveling in those days.

The Roman soldiers would take the left over from wine that had turned to vinegar and had no alcoholic value and add water to drink in every nation for this same reason.

The Lord said not to even look at wine:

Pro 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

The point Paul is making is, that it was very important for each Pastor to take good care of their health.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What would Timothy expect to see in this church?

*****1Ti 5:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

1Ti 5:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Paul told Timothy that many of the men in Ephesus did not hide their sinful ways and certainly none of these should be chosen to serve in the ministry.

Timothy was not to judge them, except to know that they were not fit to serve the Lord at this time!

It is God Himself who will judge the sinner and He already has:

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Why would we even try to judge anyone who is already sentenced to death?

Timothy was to also expect to find men who would try to hide their sin. This is what we all have done in our past!

These men would not be able to hide their sin for very long once Timothy preached the whole counsel of God.

We should also understand that the good works of some are clearly seen, while others have good works that are not known to others or to just a few.

As we live in the church family we still cannot see into the hearts of other believers, it is their actions that we can see.

The only judgment we can make on others is by the Word of God and even then, we must be certain.

It is God who will Judge this world and even then, He can only judge by the Written Word because this is what He said Himself!

What was Paul saying to Timothy?

Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

We can also know that there some of God's people who would work in a ministry but are just never able for some human reason, but God knows these also and they will still receive a reward.

1Ki 8:17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

1Ki 8:18 And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

King David truly wanted to build a Temple but because of David's bloody hands, God would not allow it.

But it was well that it was in the heart of David to do so!

Amen

Let's Pray!