Reconciliation Ministries

Developing And Excellent Ministry

Greetings dear brethren, Greatly beloved of God. These past few days I have been thinking and reading on 1 Timothy 4:6-16 and in particular "An Excellent Ministry." Hope this will encourage you in your walk and consciousness of His calling for you and to those who are around you as we consider ...


"Developing An Excellent Ministry"- 1 Timothy 4:6-16
1. - Personal Sanctification /Application
2. - Biblical Foundation
The Outcome?
3. - Visible Transformation "evident for all to see."


INTRO
Several years ago a Professional athlete said he was not a "role model." His point being that it was the parents’ responsibility to be "role models" for their children not athletes. At the time the debate was fast and furious over whether professional athlete's had a Responsibility as "role models" in our society to our children. Perhaps you remember that event and even the name of the athlete. Maybe you even had strong views on one side or the other of what he said. Perhaps you didn't and don't even know who it was or even care what he said. But the point is this when it comes to You and I we need to care about those around us as God calls us to be "role models" indeed others are to be able to "follow" us as the "pattern" for Christian Living.


The Lord Jesus is our Ultimate Example
"EXAMPLE for you to Follow in His Footsteps."- 1Peter 2:21
"You also became IMITATORS of us and the Lord."- 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Those in LEADERSHIP are to Set and Pattern the Example;
A. - "Remember those who led you and taught you the Word of God; and considering their conduct IMITATE their faith."- Hebrews 13:7
B. - "Join in Following my EXAMPLE..." Philippians 3:17
C - "For you yourself know how you Ought to Follow our example..." - 2 Thessalonians 3:7
D. - "...in order to offer ourselves as a MODEL for you, that you might FOLLOW for EXAMPLE."- 2 Thessalonians 3:9
E. - "The things you have learned and received and heard and seen IN ME, Practice these things..." - Philippians 3:9

The CHURCH is to Lead by Example
"You also became IMITATORS of us and the Lord."- 1 Thessalonians 1:6
"...you became an EXAMPLE to all those who believe"- 1 Thessalonians 1:7

Paul said to the church in Philippi "Brethren join in Following my EXAMPLE..."- Philippians 3:17

In 1 Timothy 4:6, Paul writes to young pastor Timothy about being a "good servant of Jesus Christ."
The Word "Good" can be translated "Excellent" and "servant" can be translated " minister."

So Let us Consider the INGREDIENTS for "AN EXCELLENT MINISTRY"
"A Good servant of Jesus Christ" DOES NOT DRIFT INTO BEING SUCH. God lays out what is involved in the character and conduct of one such servant. Let me share with you TWO Ingredients for such a Good and Godly servant. What the Ingredients are for "AN EXCELLENT MINISTRY" that Honors God and is the Biblical Pattern for a Church.

1. Personal SANCTIFICATION-1 Timothy 4:12
In verse 12, Paul says "be an example". The word "example" ethically speaks of "pattern". None of us live for ourselves; we live and are to live such a life before others as they can "Pattern" their lives after us as we pattern ours after what God calls us to be."

Paul tells Timothy that he is to be a pattern and set a pattern in 5 areas for those who believe.
He is to be an example in his
A. -SPEECH -
It is to be, Truthful, Loving-Ephesians 4:15 Gracious- Colossians 3:6. And it is to "Build" others up- Ephesians 4:29.
His speech is Never to be "unwholesome"-Ephesians 429, or "slanderous"- Ephesians 4:31 he is to lay aside lying- Ephesians 4:24

B. -CONDUCT. He is to be a Pattern in his Conduct - Hebrews 13:18 The way he lives his life...is to be with "wisdom" -Colossians 4:5; "worthy of the Gospel"-Philippians 1:27 "with reverence during " his stay upon this earth- 1 Peter 1:17

C. -LOVE. He is to be an Example in Love How to live loving others. Love is a choice of self denying and sacrificially choosing to prefer others for God’s Glory and their benefit.- John 13:34-35, 1John 3:16, Love can be learned- 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, We are to "excel" in Love- 1 Corinthians 14:1, Love's "Behavior" is seen in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

D. FAITH. He is to be an Example in Faith- Hebrews 11:6, Romans 4:19-20

E. PURITY. He is to be an Example and set a pattern with regards Purity- Psalm 119:9, Philippians 4:8.

His life is to be a "pattern" for others to follow. He must make choices in each of these areas and excel at them, WORK AT THEM. By Gods Grace he can.

A Good servant and Minister of Jesus Christ firstly pays attention to his own life and walk and his Personal sanctification but he also must build his life and ministry on...

2. A BIBLICAL FOUNDATION
Jesus spoke of two types of foundations in Matthew 7:24-27. There we read of two types of people. Each have the same experience. Each hear the same Message each respond. One is called "wise" by God, the other is called "Foolish" by God. What was the difference? One heard the Word and "acted" upon it by choice and God said he was like a "wise" man- Matt 7:24. The "foolish" also hearing did "not act upon it" - by choice and his calamity was great.- Matt 7:26.

The difference between the two as God sees it? The Foundation, which Jesus said was HIS WORD-

TWO POSSIBILITIES FOR YOU AND I
A. - It is Possible to be a "Hearer of Gods Word and DECEIVE yourself" by not obeying what you hear according to Gods Word in James 1:22.

B. - It is also possible to be "WISE" in Gods Evaluation by hearing and PRACTICING what you hear.

What type of foundation are you presently choosing to build upon? Anything other than the Word of God is "Foolish!"

OUR FOUNDATION
The Foundation is Christ Himself and His Precious, Marvelous, Life changing Word for those who hear and CHOOSE to obey.

At times the fault lies not in faulty preaching but in disobedient and disinterested spiritually "Lukewarm" people. Churches concerned about "numbers" as the end goal rather than The Exalting of God and the Integrity of God’s Word.

In some other instances it is because the LEADERSHIP of a congregation have abandoned the pure "unadulterated" Word of God- 1 Peter 2:2 and now are Promoting "friendly seeking churches" where the lost can come and not be disturbed in their sin BY WHAT THEY HEAR FROM THE PULPIT. Where they can experience some "fellowship," enjoy a nice cup of tea and have "their ears tickled." Yet Peter tells us the reason people stumble is because they are "Disobedient to the Word"- 1 Peter 2:7

Paul told Timothy to "Preach THE WORD"- 1 Timothy 4:2..."In season and out."
When it is appreciated or not-, whether it is popular or not- 2 Timothy 4:2.
Knowing there comes a time when people not wanting the truth will "turn their ears from the TRUTH and will turn aside to myths."- 1 Timothy 4: But nevertheless he is to build his Ministry on The Foundation of Gods Word!!

He is "TO GIVE ATTENTION TO..." Gods Word for his people and in particular, 3 AREAS - 1Timothy 4:13

1. - READ it to his people- 1 Timothy 4:13
2. - EXHORTING his people to not only hear it but obey it. - verse 13
3. - TEACHING people. - verse 13 Instructing them on how to live the Christian life according to God’s Way.


GOD’S WORD IS -GOD'S WORD
The Scripture is "A Living and Abiding Word of God"- 1 Peter 1:23
The Scripture is Sufficient for the Knowledge of salvation- 2 Timothy 3:15
The Scripture is Sufficient for Sanctification - 2 Timothy 3:16
The Scripture is what "The Man of God uses" - 2 Timothy 3:17 It is "adequate" and "equips" him for "every good work." God has given us His Word to Inform and Transform us as we choose to Obey it as an expression of love and devotion to Him- John 14:21. Jesus asked "why do you cal Me Lord and do not obey Me."

In many places we have departed from the Uncompromising, Powerful Word of God and chosen instead to try and entertain our people with feel goody sermonettes and "worship" services and entertainment. And all the time our flocks are starving, hungering, wondering "why am I not being changed," CHURCH CONGREGATIONS AND LEADERS BECOME MORE CONCERNED WITH "PHYSICAL NUMBERS" than "Spiritual Growth" and Depth of DEVOTION to Jesus Christ and His church. Some times a church may need a "back door revival" where those who are not committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and Godliness need to leave if they will not pursue His Ways according to His Word. It is possible to have a few people and be mightily known and used as a PATTERN and influence for the Kingdom of God and have a Large Congregation of people whose only commitment is to themselves and the comfort and convenience of their families!


This is not to say large congregations are not nor cannot be Godly but the PATTERN is the same for an EXCELLENT MINISTRY whether big or small.

Compromise will corrode the integrity and effectiveness of a church where there is not Personal Sanctification and a Biblical Foundation...!

It begins with those in Leadership "paying close attention to themselves and to their Teaching."- 1 Timothy 4:16.


The "Good servant of Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 4:6
1. Takes Personal Responsibility for himself and how he lives before God and others as is seen in Personal Sanctification. He himself is "CONSTANTLY Nourished" on "the words of Faith"- 1 Timothy 4:6.

He is not only in Gods Word for his own spiritual progress but he is also has a Firm Foundation in which he is laying for those in his care, namely he is laying ...
2. A Biblical Foundation - 1 Timothy 4:13

Paul tells him to verse 15 "Take pains in these things; be absorbed in them verse 16 "pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things..."

What things? His personal Sanctification and his Biblical Foundation... To what end?

Verse 16 - "THAT YOUR PROGRESS MAY BE EVIDENT TO ALL. The result of such a life lived in obedience to God will result in

3. A VISIBLE TRANSFORMATION
People can see he IS growing and maturing and becoming more like the Lord Jesus in his habits, attitudes, actions and his handling accurately of the Word of God. It is not speaking of "sinless perfection" but spiritually maturing. Paul said, "I have not yet attained... I press on..." - Philippians 3:13-14

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:15 "I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the Truth."

God wants us to know how to live and conduct ourselves in His body of believers no matter where we are, He wants us to have the foundation based on the "Pillar and foundation" of Truth. And he has made it clear that an "Excellent Ministry " is based on
1. - The Ministers Personal Sanctification and Building up the believers with.
2. - Biblical Foundation and as he does there will be.
3. - A Visible Transformation of what God is doing in his life and the lives of those under his care.

Indeed we are called as GOOD SERVANTS of Jesus Christ to be an "example" to other believers in the way we live to such an extent that they too can see and affirm "your progress may be evident to all."

PERSONAL APPLICATION
In the 5 Areas of Personal Sanctification namely, speech, conduct, loving, faith, purity what type of "pattern" are you setting as an example presently to those around you if they are to rightfully look to you as an "Example?"

In the Area of Biblical Foundation- What are you doing to base your ideas and decisions on? Are you Reading, Believing, Practicing, Proclaiming and making your decisions on His Word for you in your life?
1. -We are to HEAR and HEED His Word- Matthew 13:23
2.- We are to HIDE His Word in our Hearts- Psalm 119:11
3. We are to HOLD FORTH His Word- Philippians 2:16

3. - Is there a Visible Transformation that others have seen and affirm that they see your "progress" in the Christian Life?

Sobering questions, needful answers. Too often we "make a decision for Jesus" and live as though that is the be all and end all to the Christian Life. We live as though we are still in charge of our lives

Dear brethren, what an athlete says regarding his thoughts on whether he is a "Role Model" IS NOT the issue, but what God says! His people are to be and Becoming more and More "Patterns" Examples" of what a "Godly Role Model is" and His is the only Opinion that counts.

SUMMATION
The Standard is high... No, the standard is Impossible if it were not for the Living Lord Jesus and His Blessed Holy Spirit who has in His Word given us through "His DIVINE POWER EVERYTHING pertaining to LIFE and GODLINESS"- 2 Peter 1:3

You can as I can be pressing onto Spiritual Maturity and Be a Pattern for those around us for as Paul says we too may say "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me."-Philippians 4:13

Assignment
This week I have a card with 2 verses in my pocket that I pull out and read and hide in my mind and heart to help me remember and PRACTICE in an area where I have been deficient spiritually as of late.

Hide His Word, as the Psalmist says "I may not sin against Him." Psalm 119:11 Perhaps this week as you evaluate your PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY before God and other believers, you too could pick an appropriate verse and memorize and practice that you may be an "example" to those who believe and your "progress" may be "evident to all" of the Changing work of the Lord Jesus in you and THROUGH YOU.

We all are an EXAMPLE of something. I pray this for you and ask you would pray it for me that we would "take pains ... be absorbed ... pay close attention to ourselves and our doctrine." as Paul told Timothy. 1 Timothy 4:16.

We do so not to earn merit but to Honor Him, For His Names SAKE AND FOR THOSE WHO COME BEHIND US.

You are Loved and you are special because "He first Loved you."

In His Love,
Aidan

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