Sunday School 1-29-06 1st Timothy 5(1-8), (17-24)
1st Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
Respect
The word translated “elder” here is not speaking about a person who holds an official title in the church, but it is referring to someone older than himself. In the previous chapter, Paul cautioned Timothy with the words: “Let no man despise thy youth.” One way to keep this from happening was for the young minister, Timothy, to treat those who were older than him with respect. Timothy was the pastor of that church, but that did not give him the right to disrespect the senior citizens of the Church. They could be a lot of helo to a young minister if they are shown they are wanted and their opinions are valued. We should make it a goal of Addison Freewill Baptist Church to welcome and embrace our elderly parishioners. This is not a deep spiritual matter, but common courtesy, which, by the way, seems to have become lost in our day. Young people should learn to respect their elders! Unless given permission, the younger person should call the older Mr. or Mrs. Brother or Sister is permissible, but bub and buddy are not! First names should not be used unless requested by the elder. Elderly people should also be treated with patience, tolerance, and love. Never forget Matthew 7:2 “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” If the Lord tarries, you will also be old one day. You will be treated as you have treated others.
5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Treatment of women
Pastors should strive to avoid impropriety in their relationships to the women of the Church. There is nothing wrong with a Christian embrace, but it should be completely without ulterior motive. The elderly women should be treated with the same respect you owe to your own mother; the younger women treated as if they were sisters. Nothing will tear up a church like the hint of a sexual scandal. Actually adultery doesn’t need to happen; it just needs to appear as if something untoward is going on. In the eyes of God sin is sin; there is no white or black sin: just sin, but in the eyes of men, sexual sin does incomparable damage to a ministry. I request, no demand, that the men and women of this church treat each other in a holy manner. The last thing any of us wants to do is bring reproach on the church of God.
5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 5:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
Family Responsibilities
I know I am treading on dangerous ground here, but the Church of God in America has made a grave error in charitable giving to the poor. The Bible teaches us that pure religion is to provide for widows and orphans that are in need. (James 1:27) This verse teaches us that we have responsibilities to widows, but to those who are “widows indeed.” If a family has a widowed woman in their midst, but she has children or nephews, it is their responsibility to care for her. The need should only be brought to the church when the family is unable to care for the situation themselves. I have no problem providing goods and services for those who are widows indeed, but America has lost the pride and concept of responsibility which made it strong. We have been taxed so hard by the lazy, life-owes-me-a-living, segment of our society that many worthy folks are not receiving the care they need. We need to go back to the days when folks only sought charity when it was truly needed and strove to provide for themselves. God encourages His people to work and provide for their own families. To rely on charity is OK, but only when disability or misfortune require it; and then only until that situation can be resolved. It should be temporary, not a permanent arrangement! We should also remember that charity can only be given when the financial requirements of the Church has been met first. I don’t think it is right for a church to be giving away money to the poor and not supporting their own Pastor and the ministries of the Church. The old saying (this is not in the Bible) is true: Charity begins at home.
Conduct
Notice that there is a conduct clause in this arrangement. Paul demands that ladies who receive help from the church live holy lives. I think churches have a responsibility to provide for their own (those who attend our church) first. I don’t think we have any command from God to subsidize unholy living. We should not be in the business of providing money so people can get drunk and smoke cigarettes. It is not wrong to say ”no” to folks who show no sign of committing their lives to Christ and demand constant help. By not demanding a life improvement from these folks we are giving them license to live contrary to the Word of God. Don’t forget our first responsibility is to give people an opportunity to be saved.
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.
Infidel
The person who claims to love God, but refuses to provide for the physical needs of his family is simply not being truthful. I firmly believe that when God saves a man who is to lazy to work the Holy Spirit will condemn that attitude and give that person a desire to live a meaningful life. Please understand, I am not talking about someone who is truly disabled and therefore unable to work. We as a society have a responsibility to provide for the unfortunate among us who are physically unable to provide for themselves. The verse here uses the word “infidel.” The word means one who does not believe or trust in God, in other words, a sinner. I don’t mean to be harsh, but the welfare lifestyle of America is not biblically based. The church needs to get back to teaching personal responsibility. This lack of responsibility is what has caused our society to become one of rewarding laziness, excusing living above our means, aborting unwanted children, and a skyrocketing divorce rate. We must get back to teaching people to live with the decisions they make! We would be more careful what we choose if we knew we must live with our choice.
5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 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.
Paying the preacher
I know some will accuse me of ax-grinding here, but don’t take my word for it, read the scripture. These two verses instruct the church to pay the preacher and to pay those who rule well and labor in the word, twice as much. The word translated “honour” means a valuing by which the price is fixed, or to pay for a person or thing bought or sold. Double means double. I have often wondered why people think a plumber should be paid well, or a teacher, or a carpenter, or those who belong to union, but the preacher should starve. I decided when I first started in the ministry, to never charge for any service I provide. I take money when it is offered, but I never ask, and have never asked, for a certain sum to perform a service such as a wedding, funeral, revival, etc. Although this is my decision, others do not feel the same, and they are perfectly correct in feeling so. I have often had people tell me indignantly about a preacher charging for a wedding or a funeral, but I notice that person doesn’t work for free. The scripture teaches the church to provide for their Pastor. I think the rule of thumb should be if the church is rich, they should pay the Pastor very well. His children should be able to live as well as the children of his parishioners. If the church is made up of blue collar type members; he should be paid a salary that a blue collar person should expect. This is one place where the church should not search for a bargain. My father always told me that I would get what I paid for and if a deal sounded too good to be true, it probably was. That bargain basement Pastor may cost you far more than you are saving on salary!
5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Accusations
This commandment is often neglected, but we should never believe a charge against an elder unless it is proven without a doubt. This scripture says it should be witnessed by two or three reliable witnesses. Remember, the Devil is a liar and the father of liars. Just because someone says they saw an elder doing something untoward, does not make it true. The elder is supposed to have earned the trust of the church before being put in office; that trust should be maintained unless there is undisputable evidence to the contrary. When the accusation is true, then repentance is required. The idea is not to humiliate an elder who makes a mistake, but to rebuke an elder who commits a scandalous sin and continues in that sin. Remember, Christ died for the elder also. He is merciful and understanding to them also. When a public failure occurs, a public rebuke is required. The elder who has committed such an error has brought a public reproach upon the cause of Christ and should suffer a public rebuke in order to warn others to watch their own lives.
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.
Without partiality
The word means to show favoritism to someone. When a Pastor is administering a church he must not show partiality. He cannot excuse sinful behavior for those he likes or to those who happen to give lots of money. Offices and honors in the church should be earned, not given to those who do not deserve them. Notice, I didn’t say he must treat everyone the same, because that is not true. God does not treat everyone the same. For example, some are born to wealth and privilege; some struggle to make their own way. God knows what is best for us all. Some need kindness to motivate them; some take a kick in the pants every once in a while. The idea is not the same treatment, but to have the same love and desire to see them succeed. This is a tough area to measure up in and I request that you help me by praying that God give me courage to be honest in our labor.
5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Ordination
The phrase “lay hands on” is referring to ordination. We are instructed to not get in too much of a hurry to set people aside as preachers and deacons. They should first prove themselves in the church, and in their personal lives; then are they fit to be honored as an elder. This verse warns us by saying we can be a partaker in their sin. The word partaker means to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, or be made a partner. The reason we are a sharer, or a partner, in their sin is because we are partially responsible for their sin by disobeying the commandment and pushing them too far, too fast. We are accountable for their misbehavior in office. The novice is not responsible to be aware of this admonition; the elders are.
5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
A little wine
Timothy evidently had the Pastors disease: ulcers. I’m just kidding! In reality, Timothy must’ve had something wrong with his digestive system as Paul admonishes him to not drink water, but to use a little wine. This ailment must have been chronic as Paul called them his “often infirmities.” There are two principles to understand here. Number one, the water of Timothy’s day was not purified in some cases as it is today and carried bacteria and other pathogens in it. If Timothy had a weak system, this water could easily have caused him serious problems. Secondly, don’t forget the word “little.” I have been reminded by many folks who want to excuse drinking that Paul suggested Timothy drink wine, but I don’t think I have ever heard one of those folks remember to include the word “little.” The word translated little here means little of number, quantity, or of degree or intensity. Many feel Paul was not talking of drinking a few drinks of wine, but of using “little” wine, referring to the purity and intensity of the wine. In other words a wine watered down to avoid intoxication. You are free to think what you want, but do not forget last week’s lesson with Paul’s admonition of bishops and deacons as being people who should avoid drunkenness. I think Christian people today are better off to avoid liquor altogether!
5:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
Secret sins
This verse is often misunderstood. This is not speaking of sins being revealed at the Judgment seat of Christ, but of sins being revealed by people the church is considering, or has already installed as elders. This whole chapter has been speaking about elders and the government of the church. This is about elders also. The verse means some men lead sinful lives in the open. You know they are not qualified to be members, let alone elders, of the church. But some men you don’t find out about until they are already installed. What should be done with those folks? The scripture teaches us to remove the leaven so the entire lump can be holy. We are told that a “little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1st Corinthians 5: 6-8) Paul calls upon the church to purge out the old leaven of sin. An elder who is found to be living in a sinful, unholy manner should be removed from the elders board. The church made a judgment based on the information they had, but they were not aware of the secret sins of the fellow. These sins followed after him or became known after the fact. Please understand, I am not talking about some small character flaw; I am talking about open, presumptuous sin. The next verse says “they that are otherwise cannot be hid” in other words they will be found out in time. Brother Patterson used to call these people wolves in sheep’s clothing. He would often remind us that the black hairs of these wolves eventually will show through their disguise!
New Living Translation (to be used as an commentary only)
1 Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as though he were your own father. Talk to the younger men as you would to your own brothers. 2 Treat the older women as you would your mother, and treat the younger women with all purity as your own sisters.3) The church should care for any widow who has no one else to care for her. 4 But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God very much.5 But a woman who is a true widow, one who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. Night and day she asks God for help and spends much time in prayer. 6 But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead. 7 Give these instructions to the church so that the widows you support will not be criticized.8 But those who won’t care for their own relatives, especially those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers.
17 Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”
19 Do not listen to complaints against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse him. 20 Anyone who sins should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that others will have a proper fear of God.21 I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the holy angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing special favor to anyone. 22 Never be in a hurry about appointing an elder. Do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.23 Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.
24 Remember that some people lead sinful lives, and everyone knows they will be judged. But there are others whose sin will not be revealed until later.
THE ADDISON FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH BAD WEATHER POLICY:
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PASTOR RICK BARCUS
