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!

Phil. 1:12-26, Timothy: Give Yourself Wholeheartedly

We need to be sure and keep the entirety of 1 Tim. 4:15 in mind: Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  We have seen that Timothy is not to “worry” but is nevertheless to be focused in mind and heart on Paul’s “imperatives.”  Obviously, to “give yourself entirely” is the obvious step in application: think about these things and not other things, and then make your decisions and plans accordingly.  The reason Paul gives is to that Timothy’s “progress” may be evident to all.  He should not let them despise his youth, but they should be able to see that he is growing and maturing as a believer and servant of the Lord.

Let me say this about “progress.”  Paul used this term two other times, in Philippians 1:12,25.  The first has to do with the “furtherance” of the gospel, the second with the spiritual “progress” in the faith of the Philippian believers. We could say that these are the things in which we must “progress” in ministry.  As Timothy sets his mind on the things related to the word of God it will be possible for the gospel to be spread about and the believers to grow in Christ.

This word translated by the phrase “give yourself wholly” is a form of the verb “to be.”  But it is emphatic, indicating you are in the place you want to be and are intent on staying there.  For example, Joseph was to take the infant Jesus and His mother Mary to Egypt and “stay” there (Mt. 2:13).  Jesus told the woman to go in peace and “be” healed of her affliction, meaning a healing that would hold (Mk. 5:34).  Again, in Luke 19:17 the master tells the servant “have authority” over ten cities.  It means the reward is certain and continuing.  The word is not used very often, meaning that when it is used it adds a significant emphasis.  This is why the NKJV adds the word “wholly.”  It is not a separate word but a recognition of the extent to which Timothy is to apply himself.

We talk a lot about being filled with the Holy Spirit and about Christ living His life in us.  And we must speak of this.  The life that pleases God is one that is “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” not strong in the fleshly strength and ability of the servant.  But let us be clear: when the Spirit controls, when Christ is alive in us, it will result in a wholehearted service and it will manifest itself in “progress” the maturing of the believer.  Paul is right to encourage Timothy in this.  There will come a time when Paul is no longer around to check up on his spiritual son.  Timothy needs to understand that there is no place for slothfulness in the ministry of Christ.  I need to know this too!  Thank you Lord for these imperatives.

Psalm 77, Timothy: Meditate on These Things

The next imperative for Timothy in his pastoral ministry is to “meditate” on the things Paul is telling him.  He is to “roll these things around in his mind.”  It is the opposite of the negative term “neglect” in 4:14. In Mark 13:11 Jesus told the disciples not to “premeditate” what you will speak when arrested. Acts 4:25 quotes Psalm 2:1, “Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things.”   

“Meditation” is more an OT topic.  In today’s reading from Psalm 77 the Psalmist “meditates” in his heart at night, either because it is a quiet time allowing for deeper thought or because he seeks to quiet his mind and heart (77:6).  One subject for meditation is “the works” of God (77:12).  But this is not what Paul is calling Timothy to do.  He tells him to meditate on these “imperatives.” 

To understand this NT word I think it’s helpful to consider a related term.  The Herodians said of Jesus “nor do You care about anyone” (Mt. 22:16; Mk. 12:14), meaning He did not base His actions on the opinions of others.  The disciples pled with Jesus asleep in the boat, “do You not care that we are perishing” (Mk. 4:38).  Martha accused Jesus of not “caring” that her sister left her all the work (Lk. 10:40).  The hireling doesn’t care about the sheep (Jn. 10:13), Judas didn’t really care for the poor (Jn. 12:6), and Gallio didn’t “take notice” as the Greeks beat the ruler of the synagogue (Ac. 18:17).  Paul said slaves should not be “concerned” about being slaves (1 Cor. 7:21) nor was God concerned about oxen (1 Cor. 9:9).  Which brings us to 1 Peter 5:7: in submission to the Lord we are to be “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”  All these passages speak of “worry’s” that people seek to ignore or who should ignore them.  These are things that occupy our minds but that should be cast upon the Lord.

What is Paul saying to Timothy, and to me?  There are some things that should occupy your mind, not as worries (Phil. 4:6-7) but as focus.  As one called to your ministry, occupy your mind with “these things” (what to communicate to the believers, being an example, taking heed to certain things that exalt the word of God, and sharpening the gift you have from the Lord). 

This imperative is important in that it tells Timothy not to allow his mind to wander off into things that are not important.  To illustrate, when I was younger, in pastoral ministry, but still in the formative years, through my education I was led to read various books from the “church growth” movement.  The concern was totally on making decisions in ministry that would result in larger crowds.  As I look back, I can say that there are many who were led to “care about” or “meditate on” those things so that the result was they did not apply their minds and hearts to “reading, exhortation and doctrine.”  In my view I was being encouraged to make decisions based on the philosophy of the world and not those from the Head of the Church.  Timothy and I need to be like Jesus, who did not base His life and ministry on the opinions of men but was led by the Spirit and the Word!

Matt. 22:1-14, Timothy: Don’t Neglect Your Gift

There are things Timothy was called upon to take heed of, to draw near to.  These had to do with the word of God: reading it, exhortation (preaching it) and doctrine (understanding and teaching it). At the same time there was something he was not called to focus on but which he needed to be sure not to neglect it altogether.  The word is defined as to be careless of:—make light of, neglect, be negligent, no regard.  There are some critical truths for us as we consider what we should or should not neglect.

·       Mt. 22:5: When the invitation went out for the wedding supper of the rich man, many made light of it.  So remember this: to neglect something means you don’t think it needs much consideration or attention.  According to the Bible, if you neglect the gospel the consequences are eternally disastrous.

·       1 Tim. 4:14: This refers to some blessing conferred on Timothy by the elders of the church, perhaps the one at Ephesus or perhaps in Antioch where Paul was tied to and Timothy would have attended with Paul.  It had to do, not with knowing the word but the means by which Timothy ministered the word.  Several of the gifts were “speaking” gifts (teaching, preaching, encouragement). Perhaps he needed to seek the Lord’s help to better communicate the word.

·       Heb. 2:3: How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. 

·       Heb. 8:9: When Israel did not keep their part in the Mosaic Covenant the LORD disregarded them.  That’s pretty powerful.

·       2 Peter 1:12: Peter was faithful not to neglect reminding his readers of things they already knew.  For pastoral ministry that is important.  The “sermon” does not need to be new and exciting every week.  And not intentionally ever!  Reminders are critical.  The pastor and people both need to keep this in mind.  If the sermon is “new truth” someone needs to check up on the pastor.

In the process of focusing on what you think the Lord has for you to do, don’t fail to neglect other things.  Submit to Christ daily and be open to His reminders of things to consider.  Sometimes it comes in the form of a “criticism.”  Don’t always reject these things.  Ask the Lord if you are neglecting something.

Matt. 16:5-12, Timothy: Take Heed to the Word

Here is an important word for a pastor or any believer. The compound word “pros” (towards) and “echo” (to have), to move towards something so as to have a grip on it, is sometimes translated “beware” and other times to “give attention,” as we have in 1 Tim. 4:13.  Timothy was to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”  Here are other things to consider.

·       Mt. 6:1: Take heed that you do not do your alms before men, to be seen by them.

·       7:15: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing.

·       10:17: But beware of men for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.

·       16:6,11,12: Take heed (see with your eyes, i.e. keep your eyes open) and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  He was not talking about bread but to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  Then the disciples understood He did not tell them to beware the leaven of bread but the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Cf. Lk. 12:1.)

·       Lk. 17:3: Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  I.e. no slander and no holding a grudge.

·       20:46: Beware of the scribes who wear their religion to be seen

·       21:34: Take heed to yourselves lest your heart be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

·       Acts 5:35: Gamaliel told the Jews to take heed what you do with the Christians.

·       8:6,10,11: The multitudes heeded Philip and the gospel. But they gave heed to Simon who astonished with his sorceries.  The new birth brings new heroes.

·       16:14: Lydia opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

·       20:28: Paul told the Ephesian elders, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

·       1 Tim. 1:4: Don’t give heed to fables, endless genealogies, which cause disputes. (Cf. Titus 1:14.)

·       3:8: Deacons must not be given to much wine.

·       4:1: In latter times men will give heed to deceiving spirits, doctrines of demons.

·       Hb. 2:1: We must give more earnest heed to what we heard lest we drift away.

·       7:13: Christ was from a tribe from which no man has officiated at the altar.

·       2 Pt. 1:19: And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

I hope you took time to consider.  We must take heed to our lives, and also to the word of God and not to teaching that only causes disputes.

Psalm 119:1-16

 

(Note: The "speed" with which we take Psalm 119 depends on how it fits with my own personal Bible reading.  This year I am taking it 16 verses at a time which means 2 stanzas each Sunday.  I hope you will figure out how to do this because Psalm 119 is a magnificent portion of Scripture.  It's length often discourages people being willing to study it.  What kind of person thinks like that when it comes to the Word of God!!!)

Psalm 119:1-8  Aleph: It is a blessing to obey God’s word in our trials.

Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem.  Each stanza contains 8 lines under the heading of one of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet, in consecutive order from first to last.  Each verse or line within the stanza begins with the letter for that stanza.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, with nearly all of the 176 verses containing a reference to Scripture.  It bears testimony to the unknown writer, that he has a deep connection to Scripture.  God’s word is his mindset at all times of the day, and particularly in the unspecified, severe trial in which he finds himself. 

This opening stanza pronounces a blessing.  A key term in the stanza is way or ways.  It seems that the Holy Spirit, before exalting the word of God, wants us to remember that it is not simply having and knowing Scripture that brings blessing.  It is obedience to the Word.  The blessing is on those who are undefiled in the way (v1), who do no iniquity as they walk in God’s ways (v3).

Notice both the singular term (way, v1) and the plural (ways, v3).  As Jesus said, there is one way, the difficult way (Matt. 7:13-14).  God’s people must be on that way, having entered at the narrow gate by faith in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ.  Then the believer must remember that every day is filled with choices concerning his ways while on the difficult way. 

God’s word gives us direction for those ways.  Thus the Psalmist prays that his ways might be so directed that he is keeping God’s word (v5).  The result of this would be that he would be …

·       Free of shame when he comes to the Word (v6).  When we read the Bible we are looking into a mirror that reveals our flaws (James 1:23-24).  When this trial is over the Psalmist wants to come to the Word and see that his ways throughout have been God’s ways.

·       Free to worship God (v7).  We are hindered in our worship when we regard or retain sin in our hearts.  God is properly praised by one whose heart “stands upright”. 

What a needed reminder as we begin this grand Psalm that richly exalts the word of God.  It is necessary but never sufficient just to know God’s word.  The blessing of God is on those who follow the Word, whose way and ways are God’s.

 

Psalm 119:9-16 Beth:  Make intake of God’s word a daily priority.

The previous stanza was concerned with our ways.  This stanza begins with a related and appropriate question, How can a young man cleanse his way (v9)?  The question is not so much concerned with the need for forgiveness when we sin.  Rather it concerns the general cleansing of our way (note the singular again), so that the path of life we have chosen is itself cleared of ideas and temptations that would cause us to wander (v10).  This clearing of the path is best done in one’s youth, before our lives become over-burdened with the consequences of sin.

We cleanse our way, our general approach to life, by …

·       v9: taking heed according to God’s word.  To take heed is to listen to and learn Scripture with a view to application and obedience.

·       v10: seeking God with a whole heart.  We must set aside private time with God when we seek Him without interruption.

·       v11: hiding His word in our hearts.  There is no other way to think God’s thoughts than to memorize His word.  Not just isolated verses but whole sections.  This is the foundation for thought and action in the cleansed way.

·       v12: being teachable.  When we plead with God to teach us we show a teachable spirit.

·       v13: reciting God’s word.  The memorized Word is soundly imbedded in the heart as we verbalize it. 

·       v14: rejoicing in the word.  How would we rejoice with the gift of a large sum of money?  We need the same attitude towards God’s word.  When in Israel at the end of the feast of Tabernacles, I was walking by a synagogue one evening as they were winding the Torah back from Deuteronomy to Genesis.  The event was accompanied by the sound of loud rejoicing by the participants.  God’s word is more precious than silver or gold and should bring that kind of joy.

·       v15: meditation and contemplation.  The memorized word becomes part of the thought process as we think on it and relate it to our lives.

·       v16: delighting in His word.  The things in which we delight we frequently repeat.  So it must be with the Word.  Repeated enjoyment of the Word will make it fresh, not to be forgotten.

Young or old, now is the time to cleanse your way by deep involvement in the word of God.  If you are involved in the lives of children, make it your ministry to encourage them in memorization of God’s word.  Make daily reading and study of Scripture a necessary part of your life.

 

 

1 Peter 5:1-7, Timothy: Be An Example to the Believers

The “imperative” is the verb “to be.”  This word can be “be” or “become,” which is good because Paul is calling Timothy to be an example.  He is young, and we don’t despise his youth, but we understand Timothy should have time and grace to grow into maturity.  Let’s tackle the word “example.”  It refers to the mark of a stroke or blow, print, a figure formed by a blow or impression, of a figure or image.  In theology we speak of “types,” of a person (Melchizedek) or thing (bronze serpent) that prefigures the Messiah.  It is more than an illustration or similarity.

Thus, it is imperative for Timothy to be the stamped image of what a believer should be.  The term is 16x in 15 verses.  Consider how it is used in the NT and you will have an idea of what Paul is saying to his spiritual son.

·       Jn. 20:25: Thomas would not believe unless he could see the print of the nails in Jesus’ hands and put his finger into the print of the nails, and his hand into His side.  That is pretty clear for Timothy to understand.

·       Ac. 7:43-44: In Stephen’s sermon he spoke of a time when Israel took up the gods Moloch and Remphan, images which they made and worshiped.  Moses made the tabernacle according to the pattern he had seen.

·       Ac. 23:24: The centurion in Jerusalem sent a letter along with Paul when he was taken to Caesarea, a letter in the following manner or form.

·       Rom. 5:14: Adam is a type of Him (Christ) who was to come.

·       Rom. 6:17: Though they were slaves of sin, the Roman Church obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which (they) were delivered.

·       1 Cor. 10:6,11: Paul mentions several events from Israel’s wilderness wanderings and then says, these things became our examples. And again,  Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

·       Phil. 3:17: Paul calls the brethren to join in following my example (term from which we get mimic, examples with other believers), and to use him as a pattern.

·       1 Thess. 1:7: The Thessalonian church became examples to other believers.

·       2 Th. 3:9: Paul was an example to the Thessalonians of how to follow us.

·       1 Tim. 4:12: our passage.  Note: Timothy is to be an example of the broad Christian life … in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity.

·       Titus 2:7: Titus, like Timothy, to be a pattern of good works (in doctrine with integrity, reverence, incorruptibility and sound speech).

·       Heb. 8:5: The Aaronic priests were a “copy” (a sign suggestive of anything, a representation) and “shadow” (an image cast by an object), fulfilling Moses’ instructions to make things according to the pattern shown him on Mt. Sinai.

·       1 Peter 5:3: Elders/pastors are not to act like lords over those entrusted to them but to be example to the flock.