Eph. 5:8-14; Titus 1:9-14, Timothy: Convince! Rebuke!

We have two similar words to add to the “preaching” arsenal, if you will.  The NKJV “convince” means to convict, refute, confute and thus to find fault, correct.  The NKJV “rebuke” means to censure or admonish; by implication, forbid.  Trench’s Synonyms of the NT says the former is to convince the person of their fault, and the latter then to rebuke them for their fault.  Both are strong.  Both are part of the preaching aspect of the pastoral ministry.  First: to convince (17x)!

·       Mt. 18:15: A sinning brother, tell him his fault just between you and him.

·       Lk. 3:19: John the Baptist rebuked Herod about Herodias, his brother’s wife.

·       Jn. 3:20: All evil-doers hate the light because by it their deeds are exposed.

·       Jn. 8:9: Dealing with the woman caught in adultery, what Jesus did and said caused her accusers to be convicted by their conscience.

·       Jn. 8:46: Jesus asks, “Which of you convicts Me of sin?

·       Jn. 16:8: The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, judgment.

·       1 Cor. 14:24: If an unbeliever or uninformed person joins a meeting of believers and hears in his own language he is convicted by all.

·       Eph. 5:11,13: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them. Things exposed are made manifest by the light.

·       1 Tim. 5:20: Sinning elders to be rebuked in presence of all so the rest may fear.

·       2 Tim. 4:2: part of preaching is to convince of sin and then to rebuke it.

·       Ti. 1:9,13: Elders must exhort and convict those who contradict sound doctrine.  Titus should sharply rebuke Cretan believers so they will be sound in faith.

·       Ti. 2:15: Similar to Paul’s charge to Timothy, Titus should speak, exhort and rebuke with all authority.  “Let no one despise you.”

·       Hb. 12:5: We should not be discouraged when we are rebuked by the Lord.

·       Jas. 2:9: Those who show partiality are convicted by the law as transgressors.

·       Rev. 3:19: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  … be zealous and repent.

The noun form appears 2x and these are important.

·       2 Tim. 3:16: Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction (meaning to straighten out) and instruction in righteousness.

·       Heb. 11:1: Faith is the evidence (convincing, conviction) of things not seen

Three other “single use” compound terms are found here:

·       Jude 1:15: Christ will execute judgment and “thoroughly convict” the ungodly.

·       Acts 18:28: Apollos “mightily convinced” the Jews at Ephesus.

·       2 Peter 2:16: Balaam was rebuked by his jackass for his iniquity.

These are clear and valuable words from Christ, the Head of the Church. They need to be accepted by those who need them.  AND to be practiced by those involved in pastoral ministry, as well as by all believers when it is appropriate.

Acts 12:5-11, Timothy: Be Instant! (?)

That, of course, in the KJV.  The NKJV says “be ready.”  We can move on, having understood Paul’s instruction, except this word is really quite interesting in its 21x in the NT.  It means to set something in place, to place in order and thus, to be ready.  It might refer to someone being at attention, ready to do something without hesitation. Keep that in mind as we “fly” through these passages.  You will see it is a favorite term for Luke

·       Lk. 2:9: An angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds of Bethlehem.

·       Lk. 2:38: The prophetess Anna coming in that instant gave thanks to the Lord.

·       Lk. 4:39: Jesus stood over Peter’s mother-in-law, rebuked the fever and it left her.

·       Lk. 10:40: Martha, busy with serving, approached Jesus to get Mary to help.

·       Lk. 20:1: As Jesus taught in the temple and preached the gospel, the priests/scribes/elders confronted Him.

·       Lk. 21:34: Take heed not to be distracted with drunkenness and cares of this life and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

·       Lk. 24:4: At the tomb, two men in shining garments stood by the confused women.

·       Ac. 4:1: As Peter and John spoke to the people the authorities came upon them.

·       Ac. 6:12: The authorities came upon Stephen, seized him, brought him to the council.

·       Ac. 10:17; 11:11: As Peter wondered about the vision he had seen, those sent from Cornelius stood before the gate.

·       Ac. 12:7: An angel stood by Peter while in prison.

·       Ac. 17:5: The rioting mob attacked the house of Jason.

·       Ac. 22:13: Ananias came to Paul and stood and said, “receive your sight.”

·       Ac. 22:20: When Stephen was martyred Paul was standing by consenting to his death and guarding the clothes of those killing him.

·       Ac. 23:11: The Lord stood by Paul, assured him he would testify him in Rome.

·       Ac. 23:27: The Roman commander notes how he came to Paul’s aid when he was seized by the Jews.

·       Ac. 28:2: The rain was falling on island of Malta when Paul was ship-wrecked.

·       1 Thess. 5:3: When people say “Peace and safety” then sudden destruction will come upon them.

·       2 Tim. 4:2: Timothy! Be ready in season and out of season. 

·       2 Tim. 4:6: The time of Paul’s departure was at hand.

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, Timothy: Preach the Word (2)

Let’s do a limited word study.  First, the noun “preacher” (the one who is a herald) is found in 1 Tim. 2:7 and 2 Tim. 1:11 (Paul was appointed a preacher and an apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth), and in 2 Pt. 2:5 (Noah was a preacher of righteousness).  The noun “preaching” (the content of what is preached) is 8x in the NT.  These are insightful.  We previously mentioned Mt. 12:41/Lk. 11:32 in the reference to Jonah.  Here are the others.

·       Rom. 16:25: Paul says his gospel and the preaching (again, the content of Jesus’ message) is according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.  Jesus introduced the mystery (e.g. Matt. 13, the mysteries of the kingdom of God parables) and Paul was assigned a major part of revealing this mystery (Eph. 3:1-13).  The content of NT preaching progressed beyond the content of Jonah and the other OT prophets (1 Pt. 1:10-12; Heb. 11:39-40).

·       1 Cor. 1:21; 2:4: It pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.  Then Paul says, his speech and preaching came not with persuasive words of human wisdom.  The content of the preaching is the “gospel,” the message that is God’s power to save (2:5).

·       1 Cor. 15:14: The preaching here, which is the gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Christ, 15:3-4), was what Paul was referring to in chapters 1-2.

·       2 Tim. 4:17: And Paul continued with this content as he stood before Rome near the end of his life, that the preaching might be fully assured (Youngs Lit. trans.).

·       Titus 1:3: This refers to the “mystery,” being the word of God “in due time manifested” through preaching (again, the content).

There is a definite consistency to the content of the message.  Paul made it clear that what Jesus started, and Paul expanded upon (having received it from Jesus), was to be continued through Timothy and we must conclude, us as well.  Paul did not make room for “continuing revelation,” additions to the content of the message, such as is seen in Catholicism and the Papal announcements.  Or in cults, such as the Latter Day Saints and their so-called another testament of the Book of Mormon.

Now, concerning the verb “to preach” in 2 Tim. 4:2, this is the only use in the Pastoral Epistles (other than 1 Tim. 3:16, Christ was “preached among the Gentiles”).  Paul did not use this particular term in encouraging Timothy and Titus.  But having said that, he uses it here in perhaps the last time he speaks to Timothy on the nature of his ministry.  The terms Paul does use (as those we have seen in 1 Tim. 4, and also the additional imperatives here in 4:2,5: rebuke, convince, exhort, watch, do the work of an evangelist) should be seen as supporting the ministry of “preaching the word.”  This ministry is fundamental to pastoral ministry and must not be allowed to be discontinued or replaced by “discussions” or “maybes” often hear from the pulpit.  There must be the ministry of heralding the word!

2 Timothy 4:1-8, Timothy: Preach the Word (1)

We concluded the imperatives Paul gave Timothy in 1 Tim. 4.  But I thought as long as we were on this path, we might go to 2 Tim. 4:2,5 for a similar passage but with different terms.  If we are interested in what I would call “pastoral ministry” then these are valuable.  In advance I will say that Paul’s instructions to Timothy include a variety of emphases.  In 1 Tim. 4 the key terms are “command and teach.”  You will see in 2 Tim. 4, as Paul was on trial in Rome, and there an atmosphere of “these are my final instructions given the urgency of the times,” that Paul has a more intense word for Timothy.

First, “Preach the word!”  The word refers to a “herald,” one who would make an announcement in a public square perhaps.  In other words, it is not a Bible study discussion but a “monologue,” a declaration which is not intended to be optional for those who hear.  They can deny, ignore or act on the message but they cannot argue the message. 

This is a large subject, more so than what we will do here.  There are books written about what it means to “preach” (verb), the “preacher” and the content of the “preaching” (nouns). 

In the Gospels those who “preached” included John the Baptist (e.g. Mt. 3:1), Jesus (e.g. Mt. 4:17), and those followers of Jesus that He sent out (e.g. Mt. 10:7).  The message in each of these cases was, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  There is a significant reference to the content of the preaching recorded in Mt. 12:41 (Lk. 11:32).  Jesus made a connection between the content of His message (repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand) and the content of Jonah’s message (Jonah 3:4).  The content is therefore not just facts about a situation (the Messiah is on the scene, He is coming to your town) but also the command as to what is the appropriate response to the message (repent).  This passage also tells me that there is a connection between New Testament preachers like Jesus and Paul and Timothy and the preachers of the Old Testament, the prophets of old.  The OT prophets pointed out the sins of the people and called them to repent and worship the LORD God of Israel.  To this day that kind of message is needed in the Church.

Having said that, we also see that “preaching” and “teaching” are often used in the same context.  Jesus was teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Mt. 4:23).  Paul was preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ (Ac. 28:31).  In 2 Tim. 4:2 Paul commanded Timothy to “preach the word … with all teaching.”  My thought is that preaching heralds the announcement while teaching gives explanation from the Scriptures.  Pastor ministry must have both.  The pastor is a teacher (Eph. 4:11) but the teaching must come with the appropriate call to hear and heed.

Psalm 119:17-32

 

Psalm 119:17-24 Gimel: Humble yourself before God’s word.

For us to benefit from the word of God we must approach the Word properly.  That is the subject of this stanza.

First, we will need God’s bountiful supply if we are to live according to God’s word (v17).  Apart from God’s help, we cannot please God (Rom. 8:8).  We will hear the Word, but not do the Word (Jas 1:22-25).

We must ask God to open our eyes to His truth (v18).  The natural man cannot understand the things of God (2 Cor. 2:14-16).  Our natural eyes cannot see spiritual truth.

At the same time, we must ask God to make His truth clear to us (v19).  Living in this world where God’s people are strangers means we are surrounded by ideas and philosophies that, if brought to the Word, will actually obscure the meaning.  Remember that Jesus used parables to hide his teaching from the world but to reveal it to His disciples (Mt. 13:10-17).  Yet even then His disciples needed Christ to reveal the truth to them. 

We also need to have a deep longing for the Word in order to truly benefit from our time spent there (v20).  We cannot come to the Scriptures with the attitude we may have when we read the newspaper.  We must have an eagerness to study, to concentrate, to learn and for that we need God’s abundant supply.  It is true that often, as we begin to read the Bible that the longing will grow within us.  But that is God’s work, and we are dependent on Him for it.

The remaining verses tell us that we will benefit more from the word of God if we come expecting it to be beneficial.

o God’s word will give you confidence when dealing with the self-confident people around you who stray from the truth (v21).

o Obedience to God’s word will give you a right view of yourself when you are put down by others (v22).

o Even when great and powerful people speak against you and against God, meditation on His word will sustain you (v23).

o God’s word, as you delight in it, will provide accurate counsel in the issues of life (v24).

Let us come to Scripture with humility and with great expectation.  Seek God’s bountiful supply as you begin your times with God and trust Him to accurately and perfectly meet your need each day.

 

 

 

 

Psalm 119:25-32 Daleth: Bring your life-issues to God’s word.

In the fourth stanza we are reminded that God’s word is concerned with our “way” of life.  The goal of Scripture is not simply to give us knowledge but to change our lives, to correct us and to instruct us in righteousness that we might be mature (2 Tim. 3:16-17). 

Note that 5 verses begin with the same Hebrew word, translated “way” in v26-27,29-30 and “course” in v32.  Also note that the same word begins v25 and v31, translated “cling”.

The Psalmist begins by acknowledging his human weakness.  His soul (inner man) “clings to the dust” (v25) from which he came.  It “melts from heaviness” (v28).  He needs revival; he needs strength. 

The real battle for believers has to do with the soul, not the body (1 Peter 2:11).  In this battle the Psalmist has declared his “ways” to the Lord, as He desires us to do (Matt. 11:28; Phil. 4:6-7).  Note that God’s answer to him will come as he is taught God’s statutes (v26) and is made to understand the “way” (lifestyle) of His precepts (v27).

There are only 2 “ways” to follow. 

o Matt. 7:13-14 it is the “broad” way or the “narrow” way. 

o Psalm 1:6 it is the way of the righteous or the way of the ungodly.

o Jer 21:8 it is the way of life and the way of death.

o Psalm 119:29-30 it is the way of lying and the way of truth.

The believer is one who has already chosen the narrow way of truth.  And yet, his life is a constant struggle in the soul with the old way, the way of life he used to practice.  Thus, having chosen the way of truth, he pleads with the Lord to remove the old way of thinking and the former habits and choices.

As his soul clings to the dust, he now affirms he will cling to God’s word and will thus run the course of this life.

As we come to the word of God let us remember that its major effect in our lives is to “renew our minds” so that our way is changed (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:17-24).  We are too weak to make this change ourselves; we must come to the Word, and then cling to the Word.

Bring your life issues with you when you come to spend time with the Lord.  Allow the Word to convict you, renew your mind, and change your ways.

Rom. 15:14-21, Timothy: Continue!

The word “continue” means to stay at or with, to tarry still, still to abide, to continue, remain.  Let’s glean what we can from the 18X the word is used in the NT.  The last is from 1 Tim. 4 and will let us consider its application in ministry.

·       Jn. 8:7: The Jews kept (continued) bugging Jesus with their trick question.

·       Ac. 10:48: After baptizing the new believers asked Paul to stay a few days.  New Christians need “continuing” ministry.

·       Ac. 12:16: Peter continued knocking on the door until someone answered.

·       Ac. 13:43: Believers need to continue in the grace of God.

·       Ac. 15:34: Silas remained, stayed on, at Antioch after delivering the letter from the council at Jerusalem.

·       Ac. 21:4,10: Finding disciples in Tyre Paul stayed there, then again at Caesarea.

·       Ac. 28:12,14: Landing at Syracuse Paul and group stayed three days, then for another seven days with brethren at Puteoli.

·       Rom. 6:1: Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Of course not!

·       Rom. 11:22: God’s goodness is on believers if you continue in His goodness.  Note that this “continue” is not about a person losing his salvation or some such thing.  It is the Church which, if it becomes apostate, will be cut off as was/is Israel in this time of her blindness.

·       1 Cor. 16:7,8: Paul hoped to stay a while with the Corinthians if the Lord permitted.  But for this time he would tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

·       Gal.1:18: After 3 years Paul went to Jerusalem and remained with Peter 15 days.

·       Phil. 1:24: Paul concluded the Lord intended him to remain in the flesh so that he could continue in ministry.  In this list look at how often Paul is concerned with staying in or going to places.  These are MINISTRY decisions.  His ministry required frequent travel (Rom. 15:14-21).  He had to know when it was necessary to stay for a while.

·       Col. 1:23: continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard. Did you see that?  Earlier, continue in grace. Now, continue in faith.  Of course: if it is not of faith it is not grace, and vice versa.

·       1 Tim. 4:16: Which brings us to Timothy.  Not only must he take heed to himself and his doctrine; he must continue in these things.  Why?  Look at the words and consider them: for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.  Paul is not the Savior.  But as a preacher of the gospel, and one who stands on the gospel, he must continue and not become side-tracked in the ministry.  The salvation (point of faith) and saving (daily working out of salvation in your life) depends on faithful continuance.

Nehemiah 6:1-14, Timothy: Hold Fast!

Here is a little “Greeky” thing.  In 4:13 Paul told Timothy to “give attention” to reading, exhortation and doctrine.  The word is “prosecho,” to bring something near to you.  In 4:16 Paul tells Timothy to “take heed” to yourself and your doctrine.  The word is “epecho,” to hold on to.  They are similar but with a little difference.  Look at the other references to “epecho” in the NT.

·       Lk. 14:7: Jesus noted how the religious Jews chose the best places to sit when invited to a dinner.  Jesus had His eyes on a particular habit of the Jews that revealed something about them.

·       Acts 3:5: The lame man at the Beautiful Gate gave Peter and John his attention, expecting to receive alms from them.

·       Acts 19:22: Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. 

·       Phil. 2:16: Paul told the believers, living in a crooked and perverse generation, to be holding fast the word of life.  This is the “participle” meaning this “holding fast” is the continuous attitude and action of believers.

·       1 Tim. 4:16: Likewise, then, Timothy needed to be holding fast to himself and his doctrine.  Except that this is an imperative, which should result in the participle.  He is encouraging Timothy to a level of self-examination, now and then stopping to consider how he is spending his time and with whom he is spending his time.  And he needs to check his doctrine, to be sure he is not in some way sliding away from the truth or neglecting the truth.  The need in pastoral ministry is to be declaring the “whole counsel of God,” holding back nothing that is profitable for the flock, and meeting the flock at home or in public (Ac. 20:20,27). 

This is, in my experience, a truly necessary imperative.  It is so easy to get wrapped up in some doctrine or aspect of ministry to the exclusion of other things.  Sometimes we call them “hobby horses.”  Other times we might not see them clear enough to call them anything.  You might not like this illustration, but it is one that I have experienced.  I have found that an emphasis on the sovereignty of God to the neglect of the responsibility of man, as well as the opposite situation, has been a problem in the preaching/teaching ministry.  When I converse with the Mormon “elders” or the JW door-knockers one of my favorite lines is to say: “I believe everything the Bible says about God and Jesus, even if I struggle to put it together.”  Their problem is that they sit on one truth to the exclusion of others, and that leads to their heresy.  Lord, help me to take heed to myself and to my doctrine!  To be faithful like Nehemiah!