1 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 7

•Paul just finished making the statement to Timothy that, “If you do these things you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ,” and he somewhat seals the deal by saying something I love in the positive and something quite humorous to me in the negative. He says in the positive, “Stick to the Word of God!” If you are going to put strenuous whatever in…study, debate, thought equity, sermon preparation, the hard work goes towards the things of God.

•And he says in the negative, reject the profane (meaning unhallowed) and old wives’ fables. I’m not too sure what Paul had run into in the ministry but literally this means fables from old women…could be a shot at Diana, the reigning goddess of Ephesus. The goddess of the wilderness, the hunt, the wild and of fertility. Paul could be taking a shot at her here and warning Timothy to not spend too much time debating with the folks there in Ephesus but rather instruct them in the Word of God.

•He says rather exercise or train yourself towards godliness. Now remember the Greeks and the Grecian culture placed a high value on physical fitness and Paul will say in a moment that has its value, but spiritual fitness is far superior…and here’s the catch, our spiritual fitness is to fit with the Father. Godliness can also be translated “Godlikeness” and this is big…especially in the days that we live in where the line is clearly drawn between believer and nonbeliever…we may have Godly knowledge and understanding but are we displaying the character and attitude of God? May be time for some training…

1 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 8

•This is what I was scratching on a minute ago. Physical training is good and it is profitable, but it is also temporary. I’ve noticed that especially as I’ve gotten a little older…but training yourself towards Godliness will last a lifetime and even into the life that is to come. That amazes me…what you learn in times of Bible study and what you really learn in times of Bible processing and practicing, just trusting God and walking that out and finding that hidden truth and understanding…you’ll never lose it…it will be with you for this life and into the next…it is the aroma of the promise of God in Christ in your heart of hearts…

•You can have moments of doubt but once God’s truth gets into your core OS, you won’t and can’t unlearn it because you’re not the one that sewed that seed, God did…and so for the real exercise, the real goal, the real work…the real profit margin is in godliness and please please please don’t miss this…that doesn’t mean what you know, that ultimately means how you put Him on display…because you might think you know something but until it makes it’s way out, it’s not yet been extracted and installed into your OS.

1 Timothy Chapter 4 Verses 9 – 11

•Such a cool truth. Paul says reproach, suffering…won’t knock us off because we have found the words and truth and power of everlasting eternal life and so endurance, not a problem, what else is there to do? Deny the truth? Impossible. And so the aim…show the world. You might think we need to tell the world, but we don’t. Tell your kids how to drive a car. Tell them how to cook a meal. Tell them how to mow the lawn…all would be ineffective and lead to frustration and nothing being accomplished. But show them…and family happens.

•Such a cool truth. Not only that but this…that God is the Savior and the Savior is Jesus Christ and therefore Jesus is God…and He is the Savior of all men…especially of those who believe. Jesus dies for the sins of the world, but only those who choose Him will receive forgiveness of sin. Jesus died to redeem the world, but out of the world He will only take what is His…His treasure. And yet salvation has come to all men…see why it’s so important that we show them? It’s theirs, it’s waiting for them, it’s grace man…I’m in training…

1 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 12

•Timothy was probably only about 30 years old at this time and so relative to the culture and to Paul and to the people he would be pastoring, he’s very young. And I love this because Paul isn’t saying assert yourself! Don’t let anyone disrespect and dishonor you…NO! He’s saying rather than demand from them give to them a reason…rather than assert entitlement to honor, earn honor.

•In word…be wise in what you say, guard your tongue…in conduct…in how you act…in love, in spirit…in other words, check your attitude constantly! In faith or a sense of faithfulness and in purity. I love what Calvin said, “Thus we learn how foolish and ridiculous it is for people to complain that they receive no honor, when in fact there is nothing about them that is worth honoring…”

1 Timothy Chapter 4 Verses 13 – 15

•I love the fact that Paul says to Timothy, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you…” and I love it for a few reasons. Number one, this proves that you can. God has given gifts to men, and each person has a uniqueness about them that does, can or could do something entirely different and new and wonderful for the Lord…yet those same abilities could be entirely wasted. But second, the gift is in Timothy…he’s not the gift. And I love that. It’s a good reminder to Timothy that no matter how well he does whatever, that ability is a privilege…it is a gift from God and therefore requires and even excites a demand in my heart for worship.

•Meditate on these things, Paul says. Now meditation has gotten twisted in the world’s application. The world says to clear your mind…hummmmm or chant or something and just go blank but biblical mediation is not to empty yourself but rather to be filled with the things of God! Paul says meditate on these things and then do them…plan, be intentional, if you plan for nothing then you will achieve nothing…

1 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 16

•That’s twice now that Paul has directed Timothy to pay attention to, to take heed to doctrine…and now he couples it with Timothy’s life…take heed man, that your doctrine, what you believe is what you are living out because #1, you believe what you do…not the other way around, open your eyes…and #2, if you’d be the real deal, then folks will hear you…

•Unfaithfulness, maligned spiritedness, laziness and/or negligence on the side of the minister is fatal to the ministry. Yet, take heed and you will soar while others are saved…