In a city like Ephesus, the third largest city in the Roman Empire, and the primary port of the rich province of Asia, there was much wealth. The magnificent Temple of Artemis/Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was a symbol of the city’s prosperity. The reason that Paul talked about being content and not letting the desire to be rich become the end in life is because this was especially relevant in Ephesus. But Timothy had an even more valuable deposit entrusted to him. Timothy was entrusted with the gospel. The gospel that Timothy was entrusted with is all about grace and all by grace.
Until His Appearing
May 19, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 6:11–16
When Paul talks about the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, he is pointing to the glorious moment when Jesus returns to take us to be with Him. This moment is what Timothy, as well as we, move forward toward. This is what we pursue. This appearing is what we fight for. This hope is what we take hold of. This promise is what have confidence in. Our confidence is not in our ability to flee from what is evil and pursue what is good. Nor is our confidence in our ability to fight the good fight. Our confidence is in the good confession: that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the King, the Son of the Living God who is seated at the right hand of God the Father. We rest in this confession until His appearing.
Godliness is Gain
May 12, 2024 • Jason Hilgeman • 1 Timothy 6:3–10
Slaves and Masters
May 5, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 6:1–2
Slavery was a divisive relationship and a polarizing issue. Paul is speaking to slaves who associate the yoke of slavery with pain. Most Christians were in the lower class, which means that many early followers of Jesus were slaves themselves. The chief concern for Paul was the glory of God and the salvation of people, not freedom of the slaves or an increase in privilege for the owners. This doesn’t mean that Paul doesn’t want slaves to be free. He encourages slaves to be free if given the opportunity. This doesn’t mean that Paul is endorsing slavery. Paul “aimed to destroy slavery without waging a war to do so!” The relationship between slaves and masters should be symbiotic because all followers of Jesus are witnesses to the world of the saving, transforming power of the gospel of Jesus.
Be Generous with Honor and Grace
April 28, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 5:17–25
Those who lead, serve, and teach well should receive double honor. There are two levels of honor. (1) Honor in the sense that one who leads well is respected and appreciated, and (2) Honor in the sense that one who leads well is provided for financially. At the same time, leaders must be given grace. Grace is unnecessary favor poured out on the undeserving. Leaders will fail. Leaders will fall. As followers of Jesus, we should be generous with honor when they deserve it and we should be generous with grace when they don’t.
Life Together
April 21, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 5:3–16
God designed us to live life together. Nuclear families live life together. Extended families live life together. And church families live life together. We want to be more than a collective of people who live according to common traditions and conforming values, but who barely know or like each other. Each one of us is created in the image of God. Each one of us can make a difference by using our gifts from God. Each one of us can find a place to belong in this church family. We aspire to be a church family who loves one another in mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationships.
What Difference Can I Make?
April 7, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 4:11–16
As a young leader, in a season of transition and a difficult situation, Timothy found himself comparing himself to Paul. He was less experienced, less knowledgeable, and less mature. Timothy was timid. He felt insecure. And yet, his credibility was rooted in his character, not his charisma or age. Timothy was gifted by God to help people know God through Scripture, which was affirmed by those who knew him. Timothy's authority, credibility, responsibility, ability, and dependability were not to bolster his resume or pad his stats. He was to be and to do for the sake of others.
Where Do I Belong?
April 14, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 5:1–2, Mark 10:28–30
When someone followed Jesus, they risked their family disowning them. Following Jesus does not exempt us from disappointments, pain, and problems. Following Jesus does not protect us from persecution. But following Jesus should never leave us alone. Followers of Jesus are family members. Family is meant to be a place of belonging, trust, and safety. There’s no place like home because there’s no people like family. Paul wants Timothy to help this church become the kind of family that says to people whose families have disowned them, “You belong with us.”
Train to be Godly
March 24, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 4:1–10
Paul’s first letter to Timothy was written while Timothy was a young man. He was living in a godless place, the city of Ephesus. One of the seven wonders of the world was built in Ephesus to honor the goddess Artemis/Diana, who was known as a mighty hunter and a fierce warrior. Music and art celebrated violence. Paganism was superstitious and plagued by myths and meaningless debates. Virtues like forgiveness, grace, and kindness were taken as signs of weakness. Christians were even facing increased persecution, which the apostle Paul knew from personal experience. Timothy’s responsibility was to train himself to be godly in a godless place. Godliness matters because God’s mission matters. The challenge is to train ourselves to be like Jesus, to be godly. The encouragement is that godlessness is an opportunity for the gospel to take root and grow.
True Godliness
March 17, 2024 • Jason Hilgeman • 1 Timothy 3:14–16
Godliness is not a list, but a Person. To be godly is to be like Jesus.
As Each Part Does its Work
March 10, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • Ephesians 4:11–16, 1 Timothy 3
The church in Ephesus did not need Timothy. They had spiritually mature elders (Acts 20). They were living life together. They were following the teachings of Jesus. Timothy’s purpose was to help the church become healthy so that it was no longer necessary for him to be there. In the same way, pastors equip disciples of Jesus to make disciples of Jesus. Pastors do ministry, but in the same way that every disciple of Jesus is a servant (diakonos). We are all ministers (diakonoi) of Jesus in that sense. But pastors possess unique qualifications to perform a unique function. Paul defines that function as equipping the church for ministry.
Serve Well
March 3, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 3:8–13
The early church began to feel the effects of the apostles being stretched too thin. They had too much to do and not enough time. They had too many people to lead and not enough leaders. The apostles could not be involved in every decision, respond to every problem, and serve in every ministry. And so, the apostles delegated responsibility to qualified individuals so that they could prioritize what only they could do. In the same way, elders of a church can delegate responsibility to qualified individuals so they can prioritize what only they can do. These individuals as called deacons. Deacons lighten the load of the elders. Because deacons report to the elders, work alongside the elders, and are delegated responsibilities by the elders, deacons must demonstrate similar qualities as elders.
Counter-Cultural Worship
February 18, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 2:8–15
Timothy was responsible for bringing order to their Sunday morning gatherings, which had become somewhat chaotic, unhealthy, and self-centered. Worship had become a barrier to growth rather than a means of growth. Paul's use of “everywhere” flows from his emphasis on all people in vv.1-7. If the gospel is for all people, then what all churches “everywhere” do on Sunday when they gather should not become a barrier for people to see and know Jesus. There may be specific applications for Timothy and for Christians in Ephesus, but there are general principles for all people in every church.
Lead Well
February 25, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 3:1–7
A church cannot be healthy without healthy leaders. This is why God designed each church to be led by a team of spiritually qualified men. The qualities that Paul lists are not a litmus test for who can lead. Nor do they make an exhaustive list. They are examples of the kind of person who ought to be in a position of authority and responsibility. He does not draw lines of “do this” or “don’t do this.” He draws circles of principles that say “be the kind of person who...” is healthy.
For All People
February 11, 2024 • Andrew Cullen • 1 Timothy 2:1–7
When Paul believed that Jesus was the Messiah, his life changed. He was a blasphemer, but now he is a herald. He was a persecutor, but now he is an apostle. He was a violent man, but now he is a faithful teacher. And so, after looking back at his own testimony, Paul told Timothy to pray all kinds of prayers for all kinds of people… because God wants all people to be in relationship with Him… and God wants all people to grow in holiness like Him… which is made possible by Jesus serving as the mediator of and ransom for a new covenant for all people.
