HOW TO BE A GOOD SERVANT OF CHRIST

1 Tim. 4:6-16

 

 

I.                    BE NOURISHED ON THE WORDS OF THE FAITH (vss. 6-7a)

A.                 “These things” (4:1-5)

B.                 “Brethren” (3:15)

C.                 Timothy must do more than instruct others. The message he preaches also provides:

1.                  Nourishment for himself (Rom. 10:17; Matt. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:14f; John 4:34)

2.                  Guidance (“following”) (2 Tim. 3:10)

D.                 “Have nothing to do with…”  He must not spend too much time and energy on false doctrines. Rather, teach the true doctrine. The best form of defense is attack. The best apologetic is the affirmation of truth.

 

II.                 DISCIPLINE YOURSELF IN GODLINESS (vss. 7b-10)

A.                 Discipline (exercise) – athletic metaphor

B.                 Growth in godliness requires effort. Prayer does not just happen. The Bible does not come to a person and ask to be read.

C.                 Bodily discipline is of (relatively) little profit. Discipline that promotes godliness benefits both body and soul, and holds promise both for the present life and for the future (1 Cor. 9:24-27; 6:19-20; Col. 3:5).

D.                 Trustworthy statement (1:15)

E.                  Discipline in godliness is appropriate for the goal for which we labor (toil to the point of weariness, 1 Thess. 1:3) and strive (fight, struggle, 6:12).

F.                  Our goal: heaven, both for ourselves and others.

 

III.               SET A GOOD EXAMPLE (vss.11-12)

A.                 Keep on prescribing (commanding) and teaching

B.                 Some would despise (look down on, underrate) Timothy because of his (relative) youthfulness. What can he do?

C.                 Be an example (pattern, tupos) of what a believer really is.

1.                  Speech

2.                  Conduct

3.                  Love

4.                  Faith

5.                  Purity

 

 

IV.              BE DEVOTED TO DUTIES (vss. 13-16)

A.                 Summary of his duties as a minister (vs. 13)

B.                 Don’t neglect your gift.

1.                  May have been miraculous (2 Tim. 1:6; Acts 8:14-17)

2.                  Some were not (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:27-31.

3.                  Do not neglect (take for granted).

4.                  Take pains (practice, actual doing) with duties

5.                  Be in them (absorbed); progress will be evident

6.                  Take heed to self and teaching

7.                  Persevere in these things

8.                  Salvation of self and others depends on it!