The historic visit to the UK this weekend of Pope Benedict 16th has rightly received considerable media attention. There are several reasons for the media interest: Although Pope John Paul II came on a pastoral visit in 1982, this is the first ever state visit by a Pope. The invitation came from Her Majesty the Queen. More controversially, while the Church of Rome forbids its clergy from marrying, it is embroiled in a deeply damaging scandal of child abuse that is truly global in scale. Then, just before Pope Benedict arrived, one of his senior advisers – Cardinal Walter Kasper – suggested to a German magazine that arriving at Heathrow airport was like landing in a “Third World country”. Benedict has also offended some humanists by associating their view with the “Nazi tyranny that wished to eradicate God from society.”
While journalists have focused on these controversies, few have asked the more fundamental question of why England is not Catholic like France, Spain and Italy. Why is England Protestant? On Friday Benedict gave an address in Westminster Hall. It was here that Sir Thomas More, the Lord Chancellor, was tried and condemned to death for defending his ultimate allegiance to the Holy See rather than his loyalty to King Henry VIII. This is why English Monarch can never be Roman Catholic. Pope Benedict came on this historic visit, in his words, to heal wounds and extend the hand of friendship to the British people. This dialogue is welcomed.
The impression given though, even some religious journalists, is that the RC and Anglican churches believe much the same thing and that our differences are trivial, or the result of Henry VIII’s testosterone levels. The fact is there remain serious theological differences between the Church of Rome and England.
Since the Reformation both churches have believed that the other has departed from the true faith. This is why studying 1 Timothy this Autumn is going to be so important and relevant. We will find practical guidance on how to live as Christ followers. We will also find answers to the questions that continue to divide Christians. Lets recap what we learnt two weeks ago.
The Purpose of 1 Timothy
The central purpose of First Timothy is found in 1:3 and 3:15:
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer.” (1 Timothy 1:3).
“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 the truth. (1 Tim. 3:15)
The primary focus concerns false teaching and its devastating effects. But the letter also contains positive instruction that inoculates against the errors of the false teachers. Paul’s real concern is with the results of the false teaching – promoting speculations (1:4; 6:4), arrogance (6:4), and greed (6:5–10). Paul focuses on how authentic faith leads to godly lifestyles. Lives not shaped by the gospel have turned away from the faith. 1 Timothy is therefore a clear call for Christians to live out the gospel – to live like Jesus.
With the appointment of Andy Bruins as co-pastor of Cornerstone Church in Kingston-upon-Thames, we are seeking to appoint a new Youth Pastor from early in 2011.
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.
The singing of William Blake’s poem, immortalised by Sir Hubert Parry’s music, has become a national institution. It is sung every year by tens of thousands of people on the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall and simultaneously in the Proms in the Park venues around the country. Since 2004, it has also been the anthem of the England cricket team. And at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, Team England will use “Jerusalem” as the victory anthem from 2010 onwards. The Commonwealth Games Council for England conducted a poll of members of the public which decided the anthem for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The three options were “God Save The Queen”, “Jerusalem” and “Land of Hope and Glory”. Jerusalem was the clear winner with 52% of the vote. It has literally become the nation’s hymn.
But what many people do not realise is that beneath this poem, in the illuminated hand written original, which appears in the preface to his epic Milton a Poem, Blake wrote a verse from the Bible: ‘”Would to God that all the Lord’s people were prophets” (Numbers 11:29). The New International translation reads, “I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29).
Thirty seven years ago next month I became a fresher at Sussex University. I was just settling into my new room when two American missionaries with Campus Crusade for Christ knocked on my door. Was I interested in doing a survey on religious opinions? I was. We met again a few weeks later and they led me to Christ, for which I will forever be grateful.
They recommended a good church where the Bible was taught and I began attending every Sunday. Another soul won for the Kingdom. Mission accomplished. Job done? No, not quite. In fact, definitely not. This is not what Jesus commanded his disciples to do in the Great Commission. Because this is not the way to reach the world for Christ. Jesus said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
What did Jesus instruct his disciples to do? Make disciples.
What were they to do? “teach them everything Jesus taught them. Right? Wrong. That is not what Jesus told them to do. He said “Teaching them to obey everything I commanded you…” The Church is a body. It is not just a mouth. We need to put the hands and feet back on the body of Christ.
When Trent led me to Christ that was only the beginning of his responsibility for me. You see we are born to reproduce. After I became a Christian, we met weekly for Bible study and prayer. We went out witnessing together and I learnt how to share my faith from him. He discipled me. After a year, he weaned me off my dependency on him by leaving the country.
Before he left, he wrote in my Bible, “Several guys, mainly one, shared with me about the love of God found in Christ. It changed my life. I shared that message with you and it changed yours. Don’t let it stop with you, pass it on.” I began to meet with one of his colleagues for Bible study and prayer and together we shared our faith, led students to Christ, took them through some basic Bible studies, showed them how to feed themselves, took them to a good church, took them out with us to share our faith, led other students to Christ, let them lead the basic Bible studies and they began reproducing themselves as well. Trent continued writing me letters from Easter Europe, like the one Paul wrote Timothy. He challenged me to work with him.
Over the years I made numerous trips behind the Iron Curtain to help Christians become disciple makers. In May this year I went back to Beilsko Bala, in Poland – the venue of my first trip in the mid 1970s. This time we were training church leaders to use the CE course.
There are two models of church growth. One that works and one that doesn’t. One that Jesus endorsed and one that many churches employ. The difference? It’s the difference between addition and multiplication. The difference between encouraging discipleship and encouraging dependency. Jesus said “make disciples” or “multiply disciples”. He did not say “add dependents” but that is what we do most of the time. The Church will never fulfil the Great Commission this way.
Let me illustrate. If the 12 Apostles had all been as fruitful as Billy Graham and each led a Crusade mission reaching 5,000 people every day, five days a week, for 50 weeks of the year, for 50 years, how many people would they reach for Christ? 750 million people. And the world’s population is? 6 billion. But if each of those Apostles shared their faith with one person a day and saw one person come to faith in six months but during the next six months discipled them and so that the 24 shared their faith with one person a day and saw one person come to faith in the next six months, how many people would have heard the gospel in a year? 6480. How many believers would there be after one year? 48. And if those 48 disciples shared their faith with one person a day and led one person to faith in Jesus in the next six months and in turn discipled them over the next six months as Jesus instructs, how many would have heard the gospel in two years? 32,688. How many believers would there be after two years? 192. After 5 years how many would have heard the gospel? 780,000. How many believers? 94,000. Using this simple method, the numbers hearing the gospel and the number brought to faith in Jesus double every six months. After 50 years how many people in the world will have heard the gospel? It would not take 50 years. Every person in the world would have heard the gospel within about 18 years – less than half a generation.
Why hasn’t it happened then? Partly because of isolation, distances involved, war and language barriers which still inhibit the proclamation of the gospel – but the greatest impediment is not linguistic, its not lack of technology or the fault of geography. It’s because the Church is largely content with addition instead of multiplication. Content with encouraging dependency rather than discipleship. That is why our mission statement is to know Jesus and make Jesus known, to win, build and send. And that is why we are going to study Paul’s these Sunday evenings in the Autumn.
The Recipient of 1 Timothy
The assumption in 1 Timothy, made explicit in Paul’s second letter is that they were in the disciple training business.
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2).
On the back of Time and Newsweek, there’s often an advert for Patek Philippe watches. The photograph shows a father playing with his son and the slogan says “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation.” That is what Paul is saying about the gospel in 1 Timothy.
The church does not own the gospel. We are to guard it and share it with the next generation. Paul urges Timothy over and over again to remain faithful to what he had taught him (1:18; 5:12–16, 21; 6:11–13). The letter concludes with Paul’s heartfelt cry: “Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust” (6:20).
We know Timothy was taught the Scripture from early childhood by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Tim. 3:15). He was born of a Jewish mother and a pagan Greek father (Acts 16:1). He was saved during Paul’s ministry in Lystra during his first missionary journey (Acts 14:6-23). Timothy was probably a teenage boy at the time. He became Paul’s disciple, his friend and co-worker.
The words “my true son in the faith” (v2) denote his affinity or legitimate spiritual birth. By the time this letter is written Timothy has been Paul’s constant companion for fifteen years. He has frequently served as Paul’s trouble-shooter and as such was sent to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17), to Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:2), Philippi (Phil 2:19) and now Ephesus. He is probably in early to middle thirties by this point in his life. In many ways I think this letter resonates with us because we can identify with Timothy. First, he is not some kind of super-saint but a young man with real problems and yet used greatly by the Lord. Timothy considered himself inexperienced, insecure about the burdens and responsibilities being expected of him. Do you feel like that? I do.
If that is what is inhibiting you from active service for Christ then this letter is for you, this series is for you. Second, Timothy was also by disposition not an outgoing man but by temperament shy and needing affirmation. (2 Tim 1:7). Third, Timothy did not seem to enjoy great physical health.
He suffered from some kind of reoccurring problem with his stomach. (5:23). So this letter is intended as an encouragement, to motivate and challenge Timothy to remain faithful to his commission. In effect, this letter is Timothy’s charge from his teacher and mentor, the apostle Paul. The recipient of 1 Timothy.
The Purpose of 1 Timothy
The central purpose of First Timothy is found in 1:3 and 3:15:
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer.” (1 Timothy 1:3).
“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 the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
A primary focus of the letter concerns false teaching and its devastating effects. The letter as a whole is bracketed by discussion of the false teaching, and the positive instruction is crafted in direct contrast to the false teachers. The false teaching apparently involved speculation about the law (1:7–11) and asceticism (4:1–5). Paul’s real concern is with the results of the false teaching—for example, promoting speculations (1:4; 6:4), arrogance (6:4), and greed (6:5–10). Paul addresses the content of the false teaching only in passing but focuses on the fact that true Christianity is evidenced by lifestyles shaped by the gospel. Those whose lives are not shaped by the gospel show that they have turned away from the faith (1:6, 19–20; 4:1; 5:6, 8, 11–12, 15; 6:9–10). 1 Timothy is then a clear call for the church to live out in tangible ways the ethical implications of the gospel. The church is God’s primary vehicle for accomplishing His work on earth (see Matt. 16:18–20). The local church is the hope of the world.
The recipient of 1 Timothy. The purpose of 1 Timothy.
The Key Themes of 1 Timothy
1. The gospel produces holiness in the lives of believers, and there is no legitimate separation between belief and behaviour. Thus, those who profess faith but do not demonstrate any progress in godliness should question their spiritual state.1:5; 2:8–15; 3:1–16; 4:6–16; 5:4–6, 8; 6:3–5, 11–14, 18–19
2. Worldwide evangelization is essential and is rooted in God’s own evangelistic desire.1:15; 2:1–7; 3:16; 4:10
3. One key evidence of reception of the gospel is proper behaviour in corporate worship (evangelistic prayer, unity, modesty, and submission).2:1–15
4. Church leaders should be people whose lives are shaped by the gospel.3:1–13; 4:6–16
5. Appropriate honour is a key element in how Christians should relate to one another in the church.5:1–6:2
6. The created order (e.g., wealth) is good and is to be appreciated, though not worshiped.4:4–5; 6:17–19
These are the core themes we shall address in the following weeks. For now, here is an outline of 1 Timothy.
An Outline of 1 Timothy
1. The Church’s doctrine (1:3-20)
2. The Church’s worship (2:1-15)
3. The Church’s church leadership (3:1-16)
4. The Church’s moral behaviour (4:1-10)
5. The Church’s social responsibilities (5:3-6:2)
6. The Church’s attitude towards possessions (6:3-21)
In more detail:
A. The Church and its Message – Ch. 1
1. Teaching sound doctrine – (vv. 1-11)
2. Proclaiming the Gospel – (vv. 12-17)
3. Defending the faith – (vv. 18-20)
B. The Church and its Members – Ch. 2-3
1. Praying men – (2:1-8)
2. Submitting women – (2:9-15)
3. Qualified pastors – (3:1-7)
4. Qualified deacons – (3:8-13)
5. Behaving believers – (3:14-16)
C. The Church and its Minister – Ch. 4
1. A good minister, preaching the Word – (vv. 1-6)
2. A godly minister, practicing the Word – (vv. 7-12)
3. A growing minister, progressing in the Word – (vv. 13-16)
D. The Church and its Ministry – Ch. 5-6
1. To older members – (5:1-2)
2. To older widows – (5:3-10)
3. To younger widows – (5:11-16)
4. To church officers – (5:17-25)
5. To servants (slaves) – (6:1-2)
6. To false teachers – (6:3-10)
7. To the pastor – (6:11-16, 20-21)
8. To the rich – (6:17-19)
This is where we are headed over the next few months these Sunday evenings. I invite you to read 1 Timothy with me on Sunday afternoons each week. If you want to read a commentary alongside your Bible, I recommend John Stott’s in the IVP Bible Speaks Today series. On Monday, December 29, 1913, an article appeared on page 6 of the Times newspaper.
Sir,–It has been an open secret for some time past that I have been desirous of leading another expedition to the South Polar regions.
I am glad now to be able to state that, through the generosity of a friend, I can announce that an expedition will start next year with the object of crossing the South Polar continent from sea to sea.
I have taken the liberty of calling the expedition “The Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition,” because I feel that not only the people of these islands, but our kinsmen in all the lands under the Union Jack will be willing to assist towards the carrying out of the full programme of exploration to which my comrades and myself are pledged.
Yours faithfully,
ERNEST H. SHACKLETON.
4, New Burlington-street, Regent-street, W., Dec. 27.
The story ran again a week later on January 5th, 1914 indicating that Shackleton was already swamped with applications. The often quoted advert which Shackleton allegedly wrote has never been corroborated.
“Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.”
Unlike Paul’s letter to Timothy, this advert is most probably apocryphal. But it causes me to wonder what kind of ad Jesus would place today. “Men and women wanted for the task of helping to build my church. Even those working with you will often misunderstand you. You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy. You may not see the results of your labour, and your full reward will not come until all your work is completed. It may cost you your home, your family, your friends, even your life.” As we have begun to see, Timothy was willing to answer the ad. Have you? Will you?
Lets pray.
With thanks to John Stott, Warren Wersbie, Thomas Cash, Dennis Selfridge and Travis Moore (Sermon Central), the Nelson Study Bible and English Standard Version Study Bible.
“…the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.” (Daniel 1:3-4)
Picture Daniel. He is from a family of high social status. He is physically fit and strikingly handsome. If Joanna were giving this message, she might tell you to picture Daniel Craig who many think is strikingly handsome. Apparently Daniel is actually much shorter than he appears on screen. So picture someone who looks like Daniel Craig only more handsome and less dumpy. Daniel is bright. He is quick to understand. Aged 17, he would have achieved ‘A’ stars in all of his subjects at AS level last week and be heading for Oxford or Harvard next Summer. Daniel also scores high in ‘emotional intelligence’. His future would be predictable. After university he would go to medical school or law school or Sandhurst. He would work in Harley Street, the Diplomatic Service, the City or MI5. He might become a stock broker, a barrister, an officer, an ambassador, a corporate CEO. He would be successful in whatever field he chose. He would marry a beautiful wife, live in an enviable home with the right postcode, raise a wonderful family who would go to private schools and he would occupy a prominent place in the community. He would also do great things for God and God’s people. But life did not turn out the way Daniel planned.
Its fairly safe to say that half of us know from first experience what a mid-life crisis is all about. The other half knows from second-hand experience and can only anticipate this joyful state. The further I get beyond mid-life the more resolute I’ve become about daily exercise. I’m becoming more diligent about what I eat and drink, more intentional about work outs in the gym. I’ve tried my hand at extreme sport (once and never again), and I confess that I would like my next car to have only two seats…. Apparently all signs of someone well and truly in mid-life.
Yesterday I completed a detailed health survey provided by my insurer in the hope that it might reduce my premiums. They compared me with hundreds of other 57 year olds and worked out when I am likely to need medication or surgery based on my diet, weight and fitness regime. Its designed to motivate me to lose the extra pounds by walking the extra miles and avoiding the extra calories.
According to a recent survey by Virgin, half of all 35-64 year olds resort to a personal trainer at some stage. One in four takes a sabbatical from their career to contemplate their future, and up to a third will turn to Botox or plastic surgery in an attempt to turn back the clock. Last year British men in their forties spent £2 billion on cosmetics and fitness products – from moisturisers and hair colouring to exercise bikes and weights – why? to put off the inevitable and retain their youth. And that’s just the men…. These are some ways we cope with a midlife crisis.
There’s another way to handle growing old. We discover it in the story of Caleb and there’s a very good reason for doing so. The Apostle Paul indirectly refers to Caleb when he says,
“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-6)
So what lessons can we learn from the story of Caleb? Here are three from Joshua 14 (please turn to it with me).
1. You are never too young to develop convictions about the purposes of God.
2. You are never foolish to exercise trust in the promises of God.
3. You are never too old to demonstrate courage in the power of God.
“As followers of Jesus called to be peacemakers, we need to understand the context in which Jesus lived, as well as the current tragic conflict in the Holy Land. This tour offers both as we follow the Jesus story, and meet with indigenous Christians committed to incarnating the spirit of Jesus today.” Lynne Hybels (Advocate for Global Engagement, Willow Creek Community Church)
This encounter will stretch and provide you with insights on how to lead your church more effectively. It will also provide a life-line to those of our Christian family that remain in this turbulent region of the world.” Steve Haas (VP & Chief Catalyst, World Vision)
“If you want to make a difference to the ‘peace-process’ stalemate, this tour is for you. You’ll get to see the main biblical sites but more importantly you will meet fellow church leaders working for justice, peace and reconciliation and discover how you can partner with them.” Stephen Sizer (Senior Pastor, Christ Church, Virginia Water)
Tour objectives in collaboration with the Willow Creek Association, Holy Land Trust and World Vision:
Renew our appreciation for the ministry of Jesus the Servant as the model for our personal commitment to God’s purposes.
Experience the land and its culture to broaden our understanding of Scripture and renew our spiritual commitment.
Deepen our understanding of current events in Israel/Palestine and of their global impact.
Meet with local leaders to learn of their work for peace and justice in the Middle-East.
Create opportunities for North American churches to partner with Middle Eastern churches and agencies.
