The Dynamic Church
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Welcome to our studies in the Pastoral letters in which we will be looking at 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. These three letters were written by Paul towards the end of his life in about 62 AD. Today we begin with Paul’s first letter to Timothy.
Paul first met Timothy in Lystra on his first missionary journey recorded for us in Acts chapter 14. It`s likely Timothy came to faith in Christ at that time. Paul says in 1Timothy chapter 1 verse 2, “To Timothy my true son in the faith”. Paul wasn't Timothy’s literal physical father, but Timothy was born again into the family of God through Paul’ s preaching. Timothy isn`t mentioned by name until Acts chapter 16 verses 1 and 2. This is during Paul’s second missionary journey when he made a return visit to Lystra. We read that Paul “came to Derbe and then to Lystra where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a believer, but whose father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra spoke well of him”. Clearly Timothy had grown enough in the Lord since his conversion for him to be well spoken of by the church leaders. Conversion should always be followed by spiritual growth and development in our walk with God. If you are not growing in the Lord then you need to ask yourself if you are truly saved.
Timothy became a key worker alongside Paul and joined him on many of his missionary trips. He became a reliable assistant. Paul gave Timothy a responsible job to do. He asked him to stay in Ephesus and provide guidance for the church. We read in 1Timothy 1 verse 3, “Stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrine”. It's been said that Paul appointed Timothy to be the Pastor of the church at Ephesus. We have seen that this group of three letters is called the “Pastoral letters”. This is a little misleading. The church at Ephesus was already pastored by Elders. We read in Acts 20 verse 17, “From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the Elders of the church”. This took place well before Paul wrote this first letter to Timothy. The title “Pastoral Letters” was first given by Paul Anton of Halle in 1726 AD. Ever since they’ve been grouped under that name. It would be more accurate to say that Timothy was appointed as an apostolic delegate to Ephesus. He was an apostolic trouble-shooter! Timothy’s role was to deal with certain problems that had arisen in the church, and to shape it into a dynamic church for the Lord. So the Pastoral letters give us insight into the ideal make up of a dynamic church. A church well ordered and well structured for optimum effectiveness. The key verse of 1 Timothy is chapter 3 verse 15, “If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth”.
The main feature of a dynamic church is the centrality of the Gospel. We read in chapter 1 verse 15, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst”. We mustn’t be sidetracked by other themes and ideas. Paul warns of the sort of things that will distract the church. Alongside his warning about false doctrine in verse 3, he also says in chapter 1 verse 4, “nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work - which is by faith”. Myths are empty superstitions and unfounded stories. They are speculative and lead away from the clear truths found in the scriptures. Genealogies were important to Jews because they liked to trace their origins and discover which tribe they belonged to. Natural descent is not important, but what is vital is receiving Jesus and being born into his family through the new birth. The issue isn’t your natural history, but whether you belong to Jesus. Anything else leads to arguments and division. They hinder God's work. They certainly do not promote faith and obedience in love. Paul puts things in proper perspective in verse 5. He says, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith”. In fact, all forms of false teaching are destructive. Paul mentions this to Timothy in verses 18 and 19. He says, “Fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith”. It's important that you belong to a church where you are taught the word of God. This will provide you with a good foundation for faith, and save you from being led astray by every wind of false doctrine that comes along.
The problem in the church at Ephesus was that there were teachers who had a wrong view of the relationship of the law to the gospel. They argued to be saved you must also keep the law as well as believing in Jesus. The law is the Ten Commandments. Paul says of these teachers in verse 7, “They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm”. It must be understood that it isn’t by believing the gospel and keeping the law that a man is saved. Paul acknowledges that the law is good, but he says in verse 9, “We also know that law is not made for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill fathers and mothers, for murderers, for adulterers, for perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God”. The law doesn’t save us from sin but teaches us our sin. The law exposes our sin. It’s designed to bring us to the same point it brought Paul. When he compared his life to the requirements of the law he had to confess in verse 13, “I once was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man”. Paul says in Romans 7 verse 7, “For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said `Do not covet`”. The law caused him to see his sinfulness. He says in 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 16, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life”. If Jesus can save the worst of sinners in Paul then there’s hope for you. No matter how many times you’ve sinned and offended God you can know his grace and forgiveness. If you’re not convinced you’re a sinner just compare your behaviour to the Ten Commandments. Have you put God first in your life? If not you’ve broken the first one. Have you ever lied or stolen? There’s two more! God loves to show mercy. It’s mercy you need. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners like you. Call on him today and be saved.