BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES/J. Ligon Duncan III

BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES/J. Ligon Duncan III

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Encouraging disciples

Please turn to 1 Timothy 1:1-2. This is the first of three letters often referred to as Paul's pastoral epistles. They are written to individuals, but they are meant for congregations. In 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, Paul is giving us God's word for how it is supposed to be in the local church. The biblical view of the church believes that God's message and method always accomplish what He intends. The biblical view of the church says that the crucial task of the church is not to update the Gospel or to find new methods that work, but to always be striving to be faithful in believing and living out both God's message and His method. In other words, Paul is concerned about what we believe and how we live together as Christians. And in 1 Timothy, Paul gives us instructions on how to live in the local congregation in accordance with God's method and message. This passage can easily be divided into four sections. First, Paul draws our attention to a God-appointed ministry. Then, he points us to a God-conscious ministry. Next, Paul explains that the ministry of the church is to be one of spiritual encouragement. Finally, he addresses a God-resources ministry.

I. The Ministry of the Church is a God-appointed Ministry.

In verse 1, Paul says, "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God." Paul is drawing attention to the fact that he is an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God. He is not an apostle because he knew the right people or because he was smart and ambitious and worked his way up the ecclesiastical ladder. Paul is an apostle because one day he was on the way to Damascus to kill Christians. In Acts 9:4, we read that Jesus met him, and said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And in Acts 9:15 Jesus instructed Ananias to go care for Paul saying "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." Paul was called to the Gospel ministry literally by Jesus. And Paul is drawing attention to the fact that, in the church, God is the one who appoints ministry. All ministry in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is done according to that same appointment and directive. And the success of that ministry and success of the church depends upon that realization. It is God's church, and He appoints its leaders. The minute we begin to appoint those who are not chosen of God, we get into trouble. The success of the church's ministry depends upon a God-appointed ministry.

II. The Ministry of the Church is a God-conscious Ministry.

In verse 1, Paul says, "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope." Paul is exceedingly conscious of the triune God who has called him into service. The ministry of the Christian church, in fact, depends upon a clear apprehension of who God is. And Paul stresses four things about God. First, God is Savior. We do not just need to know things about God, we need to be forgiven. Paul is conscious that he has been called to serve God's people by a God who saves. Paul points us to a God who saves us from our sin at the cost of His own Son. Secondly, Paul says he is called by God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope. Paul is emphasizing that Jesus is of the same substance, equal in power and glory with God. It is a testimony to the deity of Christ. Paul also refers to Jesus as "our hope." The New Testament speaks about "blessed hope" which refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The great thing that we as Christians look for is the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the culmination of His kingdom! Thirdly, in verse 2, Paul refers to God as his Father. You cannot call God "Father" unless you know His Son. It is the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who ushers us into the presence of our heavenly Father. God has become, in Jesus Christ, our Father. Lastly, Paul concludes by saying that Jesus is our Lord. Jesus is not merely Savior, He is Lord. Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth, and He is Lord of the church. In these verses, Paul is reminding us that the ministry of the church is a God-conscious ministry.

III. The Ministry of the Church is an Encouraging Ministry.

In verse 2, Paul says, "To Timothy, my true child in the faith." Paul pauses in the midst of this very important letter to say, "Timothy, I just want to say, you are a son to me in Christ." Do we encourage one another in the church and in the ministry that way? Are we looking to encourage and mentor people in Christian service? Are we supportive of one another in the Christian life, or are we adversarial or indifferent? Paul's very example reminds us that we must actively encourage others in the Christian life, in the local church, and in the Christian ministry. Have you encouraged your deacons in what they do for you and for others? Quietly, sometimes, behind the scenes in the church—have you encouraged them in that? Have your encouraged your elders in the spiritual duties that they do in the church? Quietly and behind the scenes, but there, nevertheless. Paul reminds us here that the ministry to the Christian church is to be one of spiritual encouragement.

IV. The Ministry of the Church is a God-resources Ministry.

In verse 2, Paul says, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." Paul points Timothy to the resources of Christian ministry as his encouragement. How does Paul encourage Timothy? By pointing him to the attributes of God. He is our Savior, He is our hope, He is our Father, and He is our Lord. Paul also reminds Timothy of the provisions of God. He gives us grace and mercy and peace. The Christian church is utterly dependent upon the resources granted to us from the Father in Jesus Christ. We do not have the power to do what God has called us to do. Do you know what the task is that God has given to us? God has said, "Now, here is all I want you to do. I want you to raise the dead, and I want you to heal all the wounded in the church." Only God can do that, and we are pressed back on the resources that only God can give which are His grace, His mercy, and His peace. May the church, by the work of the Holy Spirit, faithfully serve God and our neighbor as we rest on His resources.






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