DUNCAN/The ordinary means of grace
Please turn to 1 Timothy 4:11-16. In this passage, Paul has some very personal words regarding the Christian ministry for the young pastor Timothy. However, this passage is not only applicable to Timothy, it applies to all Christians. In verses 11-16, Paul says that there are certain things that are central to the ministry of the church. And as Christians, we should long for the local church to be like Paul says it ought to be in this passage. Paul also tells Timothy to live in accordance with the Word of God in order to be an example to the flock. If Timothy is to do certain things in order to be an example to us then we should also follow the example set forth in Scripture. And even though these words are spoken to a minister, they are applicable to every Christian. Thus, Paul gives us six words so that we will know what a faithful minister looks like, what a faithful church looks like, and so that we ourselves will grow in grace, in doctrine, and in life.
I. Speak with Authority.
In verse 11, Paul says, “Prescribe and teach these things.” Paul is telling Timothy that his proclamation needs to be authoritative. Paul is saying, “You are not speaking for yourself. You are not sharing your opinions. You are not burdening people with your own idea about life. You are speaking God’s Word to them, so be authoritative about it.” Because all faithful Christian teaching has within its view the production of a life of fellowship and obedience to God, it has got to be authoritative because we are not just speaking the Word in order to tell others something new or interesting. We are not just giving others some fun facts to know and tell. Christian teaching has in view the transformation of life. And so it has got to be authoritative. As Christians, we ought to want to sit under a ministry that is faithful in the authority of its proclamation. This is not just another opinion about life. This is Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, telling us specifically what God wants in ministry.
II. Prove Your Office by Your Life.
In verse 12, Paul says, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” In other words, Paul is saying, “Timothy, show that you have every business being a minister of the Word of God by the way you live. Practice what you preach.” Notice that he zeroes in on five specific areas. First, Paul says, “Timothy, show with your language that you are a minister of the gospel by the respectful and appropriate way you talk to people.” Secondly, he tells Timothy, “Show with your manner of life that you are called to be a preacher of the Word of God.” Thirdly, Paul says, “Show in the way that you serve others in love that you put their interests before your own and that you serve them even at your own expense.” Fourthly, he says, “Timothy, by your faith, show that you are called to be a minister of the Word.” Finally, Paul tells Timothy to love the female members of the congregation like a sister in Christ. Thus, Paul is encouraging Timothy and us to adorn our life with godliness and to strive after holiness by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
III. Read, Preach, and Teach the Word of God.
In verse 13, Paul says, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.” In other words, Paul is saying, “Timothy, make the Bible the center of your ministry. God has given you the means whereby you are to minister to His people which include the read Word and the preached Word. Make the focus of your ministry the reading and preaching and teaching of the Word of God.” In faithful Bible preaching, there are always three things. First, there is the explanation of the Bible so that we can understand it. Secondly, there is the application of the Bible so that we will understand how the teachings of the Bible connect to our life. Thirdly, there is exhortation which is a compelling call to respond to the Word of God. Thus, Paul is saying in this passage that faithful Bible-based preaching ought to compel us to appropriate the application of God’s Word to our life.
IV. Do Not Neglect Your Spiritual Gifting.
In verse 14, Paul says, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.” All Christians should take heed to the cultivation of and reliance upon divine spiritual gifting
because what God has called us to do as Christian witnesses is beyond the native inherent power of any human being. God has called us to be witnesses to those who are spiritually dead and call them to life. We do not have the power to do that. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. Thus, Timothy must be dependent upon that, and to be dependent upon that, he must cultivate the gift of the Holy Spirit in him.
V. Be Absorbed in Gospel Work.
In verse 15, Paul says, “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all.” Paul is saying to Timothy, “Be engrossed with these things, and make these doctrinal and didactic and ethical concerns such a priority in your life that people can actually watch you grow.” And that is an example to all of us. There ought to be progress made in our growth in the Christian life. And there ought to be maturation. We ought to be growing in grace. And so Paul says to Timothy, “Be absorbed in this gospel business of right teaching and sound doctrine and faithful living.”
VI. Pay Attention to Your Life and Teaching.
In verse 16, Paul says, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and those who hear you.” In other words, Paul is saying to Timothy, “Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching because that will be the instrument that God has chosen for your own salvation and for the salvation of others.” Paul makes it clear that God uses means of grace in our salvation. In Romans 10:17, Paul says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Thus, Paul gives us these six words regarding Christian ministry. May God grow us by His Word and make us like the Lord Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.