DOING GOD’S WORK GOD’S WAY

• There are two primary job descriptions for a pastor of a local church: for and over the sheep (the people) with a willing attitude, not serving for personal gain but with an eagerness to serve the living God.
• 1 Peter 5:2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
• Caring for the flock/people has a two-pronged approach in caring, which is to the sheep and the sheep.

• 1 Timothy 4:6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.
• Verse 6 – “Explain what things?” What was written previously. Explain to the brothers and sisters that there are teachers with a false message from demons.
• That could mean the denunciation of salvation by grace, the authority of Jesus’ deity (cults), the literal resurrection of Jesus, and the perfectly inspired Word of God.

“False teachers and cults use the Christian vocabulary, but they do not use the Christan dictionary.” Warren Wiersbe

• If pleasing people is the subtle purpose, then people will starve, remain theologically unprotected from ravenous wolves, lack what is true, and encounter an onslaught of confusion (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
• The of the shepherd is to explain the truth of God’s Word, and the of the shepherd’s work is also found at the end of 1 Timothy 4:6, “one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.“

1. yourself in truth. That’s the discipline of study for personal nourishment. Spend personal time alone long before being with others.
2. in truth. What kind of teaching influenced Timothy? Good teaching. And what did Timothy do with the good teaching? He followed it.

• Timothy could explain the truth because:

1. He nourished himself with the truth.
2. He was taught truth and applied it. (“You have followed”)

• 1 Timothy 4:7-10 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.

1. Do not your time (LIFE) on issues, arguments, controversies, and speculations that do not nourish you. Additionally, avoid spending time with people who elevate themselves through an argumentative perspective on everything.
2. Do yourself for godliness. What is godliness? Christlikeness. What did Jesus do? He manifested the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

• 1 Timothy 4:10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

3. Do that all advancement in spiritual maturity is demanding work. The meaning of this verse describes agony in the work.

• 1 Timothy 4:6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.  

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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