Greetings,
Sorry- no audio today- I will update later this week – having to post from my phone today
The responsibility of leadership is a very practical one. It involves dealing with people in an everyday world in the practical realities of everyday life. Timothy’s responsibilities were not merely about activities within a church structure, but the testimony of the church in the communities of the world. The church is not a place we go, it is a culture we are part of that brings the influence of heaven into our everyday world. Timothy was to pray and teach those in his charge to pray for kings and all in authority. He was to teach them to live peaceable lives with godliness and reverence. These are not mere activities of the church but are targeted to the very character of the members of the church in their everyday lives in the communities of the world.
1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul’s own example was one of being a teacher of faith and truth. A teacher of faith is someone who demonstrates faith before others. Faith comes by hearing God, and it is demonstrated with actions of love that demonstrate a faith towards God. Truth is a testimony of the transformed reality of Christ within our lives. Paul was to be an example of truth so that others could also become truth in Christ. These same instructions were given from Paul to Timothy, and they are still true within the sphere of responsibility of leadership in the church today. Leaders are to be an example as teachers of faith and truth before the people so that everyone can be obedient to the words that God speaks to their hearts and be a true testimony to the life of Christ that is transforming them from within. It is not about church structure; it is about a way of life that demonstrates the lordship of Jesus in all things.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
The family of God is the community of God. They are a testimony of a culture of honor and love in the world. They are not seekers of self, fearful in their focus, or vain in their personal desires. They live as examples of the likeness and the image of God in their testimony as men and women before Him.
1 Timothy 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
Paul’s words to Timothy were not about rules or some order of some enforcement of law for believers in Christ. He was addressing an attitude and focus for believers to have in their everyday world. They were to live in the knowledge of an intimate relationship with God. Paul was not giving a dress code for believers. He was simply advocating for them to live their everyday lives as secure sons and daughters of God who didn’t need to get their identity in the same way that people in the world do. These instructions were not about what to wear or not wear, but the importance of living lives as children of God, not children of the world that pride themselves in fleshly appearances and the fulfillment of carnal desires.
Food For Thought,
Ted J. Hanson
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House of Bread Ministry
3210 Meridian St.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1728
