Category: 1 Timothy - Jethro TOOLS

The Disciple's Vision

1/26/2025

Luke 19:1-10
Have you lost something? We have all lost something at some point in time like keys, glasses, or that important paper. But what about the times when we realize that what we have is something we don’t really desire like an old shirt, a broken chair, or out of style shoes. Our focus shifts from the invaluable things of the present, to a desire for some other thing. All too often we assign too much value to power, positions, and possessions, that we miss what is truly valuable. That is the story of Zacchaeus. Luke 19 tells us that he had power, position, and wealth (2), yet above those things he was motivated to see Jesus (3), and nothing was going to stop him (4). He had everything that a man could possibly get in this world, and yet he was an outcast searching for answers to the deep longings of his heart. He desired to be known and accepted. Zacchaeus had come to the point where he knew his life was not right. Yet, regardless of his sin, Jesus sought him out. He knew exactly where Zaccheus was in the tree and noted the change that faith had brought to his life (9). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (10). His focused vision for coming into this world was to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Today, God works in us and through us to seek out the lost around us. We must believe and accept the salvation offered only through Jesus. It is His sacrifice on the cross that makes us right with God. As disciples of Jesus, we are to adopt His vision for the lost. Zacchaeus desired a new way to live with new values and a new vision for life. That drove him to search for answers and seek out Jesus. May we believe in Jesus as Savior, adopt His way of living, and help others do the same. Has Jesus found you and radically changed you?

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Closing Comments

11/17/2024

1 Timothy 6:17-21
How would you end a letter? What would be your closing comments to a dear friend? Today, we have lost the art of writing letters. So, let’s review the basic parts of a letter. First, there is the greeting and opening comments that draw the reader into what will be said. In our study through 1 Timothy we have seen this in the first two verses. Following the opening is the main body of the letter. This is the main content of the letter where the author addresses the important matters to the reader. Then there is the closing. This often gives the writer a chance to summarize what has been said and perhaps provide some encouraging and hope filled comments. That is exactly what Paul does as he ends this first letter to Timothy. In closing this letter he says, “Grace be with you.” (1 Tim. 6:21). Paul reflects on how he had trained Timothy (see 2 Tim. 1:13), and how Timothy had been taught the truth of God and His word since he was young (see 2 Tim. 1:5). Now Timothy needed to be encouraged to persevere in a difficult ministry in Ephesus. Grace is the undeserved favor of God that is poured out at the point of salvation through Jesus and His payment for sin. Timothy knows that but, he needs to rely on God’s unmerited favor in the present difficulties. God is working graciously in the present problems which gives hope for the future. Like Timothy, our hope as believers is based in Christ’s work of grace on the cross, plus His continued grace through all of life which extends to eternity which is all because of grace. We need God’s abundant enabling grace each day. Timothy was reminded of God’s grace; past, present and future. Grace be with you, is a really good closing comment for us to ponder today.

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Ministry Commitment

11/3/2024

1 Timothy 6:11-16
Every garden involves work, water and weeding, and over the years I have had plenty of experience in all three areas. However, the process repeats itself year after year. That process has made me consider what the garden strategically needs to be successful in the coming year. A garden reminds me of what is recorded in 1 Timothy 6 as Paul challenges Timothy to a life of godliness and a ministry that is marked by commitment to Jesus Christ. Paul refers to Timothy as a “man of God” (11) which is the key idea for the following verses. So what does it take to be known as one who is godly? The phrase “man of God” defines Timothy as being set apart from others who hold worldly values; it describes Timothy and his dedication to God; and it directs Timothy on the course he is to continue. If Godliness is something we all should strive for, then how do we become godly? What steps do we take? Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Often we turn that around by seeking to do what we think is right and then asking God’s approval. Proverbs challenges us to display our faith in the LORD through an absolute reliance on Him alone. The first step is a commitment that places and releases our plans into God’s hands. Secondly, through prayer we listen and obediently respond to His answers and watch Him work to make the plans work. Just like a garden will not grow without the sun that God provides, so our lives will not flourish without following God’s direction. We can be committed to growing a garden, but we need God’s work to bring the produce. We need to be personally committed to godly growth, but we also need God’s work to bring His produce in our life.

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Ministry Measured

10/27/2024

1 Timothy 6:1-10
Everything is life is measured. Lumber is measured and cut to build a house. Flour and other ingredients are carefully measured to make a cake. What happens if the measurements are not followed? The house may end up being structurally unsafe to live in. The cake may be bland, dry or even inedible. But let's dig a little deeper into our own lives. How do we measure our life? As kids we complain loudly if someone gets more cookies or ice cream than us. Then, in our twisted human thinking, we carry the same ideas into adulthood. We often find ourselves discontent as we look at others, their life and the things they have. However, the temporary nature of things is not a permanent source of satisfaction. We need a renewed perspective of that which will not fade and tarnish. In 1 Timothy 6 Paul addresses how our lives and ministries are to be measured. First, he challenges us to view our work as a reflection of our faith and our relationship to Jesus Christ (1-2). We are to have an eternal focus, even in very difficult work environments, so as not to bring discredit to our Savior. Second, Paul challenges our motivations in life to reflect accurate beliefs about Jesus and our relationship with Him (3-5). The problem is that we like to measure our life by our standards, possessions and positions which proves that we are less interested in following God’s. Finally, we are challenged by the measurement of contentment (6-10). We need to find our contentment in a life devoted to God that is fully satisfied with His provision. Therein lies the problem with someone else getting a bigger piece of cake. We have a hard time believing that God missed giving us the same amount. God has provided all that we need in Jesus. Will He find that our life is measured by His standard or ours?

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Ministry of Character

10/13/2024

1 Timothy 5:17-25
I have a very quiet old dog. She can be a real character at times. For example when she wants a treat she walks over to me, puts her nose on my hand and just stares at me. Her funny little quirks just make me laugh. However, character goes beyond the external actions to the motivations of the heart. Our character is much like the foundation of a house. It is silently below the surface supporting all that is seen above ground. Character can be described as the individual qualities of a person that are formed deep within the moral fabric of ones life. Our character can be good or bad and that can lead to a good or bad reputation based on our actions. As we open the letter of 1 Timothy, again we hear the wise words of the spiritual elder Paul, instructing Timothy on how to form a ministry based on character. First, Paul notes that dedicated servants of God build dedicated people for God (17-18). Timothy is reminded that the teaching elder is dedicated to serving God and building people for God. Second, the reputation of Godly character is highly treasured otherwise it’s hastily tarnished (19-20). Godly leaders in the church are essential examples of faith and practice for the church. Third, Godly character formed by being faithful to God is a continual practice not an irregular event (21-25). Timothy needed to select and develop faithful Godly leaders who would provide stability for the church. We can be characters or live a life of God honoring character. Are we dedicated to God’s way, building a reputation for living God’s way, and continuing in God’s way? There is an old saying that says, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. However, God can reshape our character no matter how old we are using His Word, His Spirit and His church if we let Him.

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Ministry of Care

10/6/2024

1 Timothy 5:1-16
Care is an interesting word. For example, I have an old dog that was literally dumped in my neighborhood on a cold rainy day. I felt concern and care for her which led to catching her, feeding her and helping her overcome health and trust problems. I cared about the dog and stepped in to help her. However on the other hand, the phrase I could not care less means that I have no interest in the subject at hand and have no level of connection or concern that could influence my position. In other words, on the caring meter that measures how much one cares, I am at a zero. Simply put, the level of feeling concern could not go any lower. You see, on one hand we can be moved deeply to reach out and show care or we can be ambivalent and distant by not being involved with any care. In 1 Timothy 5 Paul instructs Timothy to be one that offers care, instructs in care and guides in care. Timothy is to offer correction with care by coming alongside to help reorient the individual to God’s way of living (1-2). Second, Timothy is to be one that instructs others how to care, particularly families as they care for their elder members (3-8). Finally, Paul provides Timothy with guidelines for the church in providing care to those within the church (9-16). All this involves the practice of grace because those in need of care may be truly unlovely. The church needs to correct problems with grace and caution, but also be a place where people find value belonging to a gracious family. Are we ones who willingly step toward the problems and the people with problems? As we think about the ministry of caring for people we need to be ones that display the grace of Christ within the body of Christ to bring honor to Christ and make a difference for Christ.

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Ministry of the Word

9/29/2024

1 Timothy 4
Do you remember the children’s story about The Little Engine That Could who had to work extra hard to keep up with the big trains? One day he had to pull a heavy load up a big mountain. The little train tried to remember all that he had learned from the old wise trains and then put it into practice. As he worked hard and strained to pull the load he kept saying to himself “I think I can, I think I can.” In 1 Timothy 4 Paul is challenging, Timothy, the young pastor, to remember what he has learned and continue practicing his faith in God by being a spiritual example for others by. Paul and Timothy realize that it is only faith in God and His salvation that will save them and the people of the church. Paul encourages Timothy to do three things. First, he is to preach God’s Word because spiritual life is found in Jesus Christ and the truth of Scripture (1-5). Others have wandered from the faith, but Timothy is to remain faithful. Second, lead in the practice of the Word because spiritual life is found in the truths of God’s Word (6-10). Timothy was given a check list in a way to keep the practice of his faith focused. Finally, Paul challenged Timothy to grow in the Word because the church needs a Godly example to follow (11-16). The young pastor was to be the example for all in the church to follow. How is your faith? Have you wandered from the truth or are you practicing the truth? What you believe about God and His Word, the Bible, will affect your life and the life of others. Unlike The Little Engine That Could, faith is not what we can do or think we can do on our own. The practice of our faith is God at work through us as we faithfully follow Him and His Word.

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The Song of the Church

9/22/2024

1 Timothy 3:14-16
In the days before internet there were mail order catalogs from companies like Sears or JC Penny. It was from these catalogs that you could order almost anything from jackets to jewelry or jeans, they had it all. On those long winter nights my father would pull out the catalog and tell us a story. He was a man of many talents, including an educated imagination. Dad would open the catalog to men’s section and pick a character, then flip through the catalog telling a story about this one man and his escapades. For example, the man would go to town to get a washing machine as a Christmas present for his wife. However, the story would have a problematic plot twist, like lots of snow that caused the man’s car to get stuck. So, he would buy snow boots and sled to pull the washing machine home and have Christmas with the family. Through the turning pages of the catalog, my father would point out different people and items that would visually make his story leap off the pages and into our imaginations. Catalog stories were a household activity that built the relational bonds within our family. In much the same way Paul tells Timothy that the church is to be a place of relationships in a household, and a pillar of strength and foundational support (14-15). Believers in Jesus, and the local church body that they form, need to be intentionally relational in their commitment to each other. Together their lives are built on the truth of scripture. Together they have a story to tell of Jesus who has saved them that will be remembered for generations. Just as my father made our relationship come alive through his stories, believers belonging to the local church also have a story of truth and songs of faith reminding them of their relationship with Jesus. Are you connected to a church family for support and strength?

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Leadership Priorities

9/15/2024

1 Timothy 3:1-13
Everything was going fine until the moving truck stopped, for no apparent reason, and my head hit the windshield. Two college friends and I were just trying to return the empty moving truck. We missed the entrance gate for the return lot, so we just went around the block. Being in the passenger seat, I volunteered to get out at the corner and open the gate into the lot. We simply did not make it that far. Between us and the gate was a bridge that was lower than the truck. We hit the bridge and pealed the top of the truck like a can opener. The sudden stop threw me forward into the windshield. The calm of a day helping someone move came to a screeching halt with a now crumpled moving truck. I ended up with two black eyes, multiple bruises, and a very sore neck. We assumed the bridge was tall enough and we did not have the wisdom or foresight to stop and check. In much the same way a church needs wise, godly men who will lead and serve by giving oversight to the ongoing ministry. In 1 Timothy 3 Paul helps Timothy by providing a framework for selecting leaders in the church. Paul looks back to the crumpled wreck that Hymenaeus and Alexander made of their lives and of the church through their false teaching (1:20). He now provides Timothy a check list of sorts, that will keep Timothy and the church in Ephesus from another disastrous wreck from false teaching. Like an accident, false teaching damages the church and hurts people. Paul wants to see elders who oversee the spiritual health and teaching in the church (1), and deacons who faithfully serve to meet the physical needs within the church (8). Today, the church still needs godly examples of faith and faithful service that bring health and healing not hurt. Will you be that?

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God's Priorities

9/8/2024

1 Timothy 2:1-15
Priorities, we all have them and live by them. This summer I have had a front row seat to priorities being played out in my garden. This is the first year for the garden and the plants were off to a late start because of cool rainy weather and not getting seeds in the ground sooner. Well, all that has turned around with a little fertilizer, water and lots of sunshine. We now have terrific tomatoes, lovely lettuce, bountiful beans, perfect peas and supersize sunflowers. Yes, I said that correctly… SUPERSIZE! To be exact they are all over ten feet tall and one is sixteen and a half feet tall with over 24 decorative blooms reaching toward the sky. That sunflower has had one priority, growing as large as it could in order to display God’s grand design and order. In 1 Timothy 2 Paul guides Timothy to give specific instructions that will challenge and change the church. First, Timothy is to challenge the men to be holy and prayerful not argumentative (1-8). Secondly, Timothy is to challenge the women to a life of holy service that honors God (9-15). In this chapter, Paul makes general observations about humanity that are still true today. Men seek to draw attention to themselves through their arguments & conquest. Women seek to draw attention to themselves through their adornment & clothing. As believers in Jesus Christ we are to pursue Christ and by His strength model our lives after His perfect example. Today, it is so easy to seek out opportunities to promote ourselves and supersize our lives. Men and women, we have all been called to live holy lives turning away from our self centered tendencies, desires and self promotion. By faith we are called to lives that display our Savior’s grace, sacrifice, love and service. May God transform us and grant us the strength to graciously prioritize being winsome and holy imitators of Him.

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Preserve Solid Faith

9/1/2024

1 Timothy 1:18-20
Broken windows, holes in the hull, plus a tilting deck. That is a simple description of various boats I have seen abandoned on the beach. I often wonder what they were like before they were left to rot in the sun and surf. What did they do or not do that led to their undesirable defeated demise? I can recall one boat that is a faded green and a dirty white laying unmoved, at an angle, in the tidal mud for years. A boat that was once valuable and useful is now nothing but wasted junk that clutters the beach. Lighthouses, maps and guides are all available to prevent shipwrecks. The same is true in our spiritual life. We need direction and guidance to navigate the often treacherous waters in our daily life. In 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Paul addresses Timothy regarding the issue of spiritual shipwrecks. He closes out this chapter by naming two men who wrecked their faith because they focused on other things rather than the Biblical truth of the gospel message (20). They rejected personal faith in God and thus blasphemed God through their life. These men were removed from positions of teaching and influence to be taught a lesson. The spiritual shipwreck was public and a visible warning for all. The collapse of faith is evident still today. What do we need to do to combat it? First, we need to be servants, like Timothy, who are committed to serving only God’s agenda in our personal life and church life. Second, we need to be like soldiers who fight for the truth of the gospel not personal preferences and legalistic concepts (19). Finally, we need to be like sailors and use the word of God to navigate life correctly, living as helpful examples of faith not harmful misdirectors. Only by faithfully following Jesus can we find purpose, power and direction to combat the treacherous waters of life.

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Proclaim the Gospel

8/25/2024

1 Timothy 1:12-17
My Grandma was one who made sure that we stayed warm by making various winter garments. I recall one Christmas my brothers and I opened our gifts to find our own matching pair of mittens plus a hat. These were not just any normal hat and gloves, these were double thick. Grandma made them with two layers of yarn that doubled the thickness and the warmth. In fact, that hat was so warm I remember sweating while wearing it in the middle of winter. Different people commented on the hat and asked where I got it. That was my cue to tell them that it was my Christmas gift from Grandma. In much the same way Paul is saying the same thing to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 1:12-14, Paul proclaims the gospel message because God has given him the gift of salvation and enabled him to serve (12), even though his past sin was great (13). He then turns and challenges Timothy to proclaim the gospel message of salvation (15-17). This is opposite of the false teachers, who had a message that was without substance and value because they did not hold to the truth of the gospel message (1:6). Paul’s exhortation to the young pastor, Timothy, is to keep Christ and His work on the cross central in his beliefs, teaching and practice. The same is true for us today. When we understand the greatness of our sin, and the greatness of God’s work, we will naturally proclaim the greatness of God and worship Him (17). In ministry, our past is to be an opportunity to display God’s grace in the present. Our guilt and shame of past sin do not limit God’s power in transforming the worst of sinners into His greatest servants. True ministers will view sin in light of grace and be an example pointing others to Christ and the gift of salvation He has given.

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Present The Truth

8/18/2024

1 Timothy 1:1-11
In the winter of 1924 - 1925, the growing diphtheria epidemic descended on the city of Nome, Alaska. Isolation and quarantines became the standard operating procedure as officials desperately tried to figure out how to combat the growing problem that infected one and then another and another. Finally, by the end of January plans were finalized and a life saving serum was carefully placed in a dogsled to be carried to Nome. Over the course of five and a half days, a series of dog sled teams were entrusted with transporting the life saving diphtheria antitoxin to the isolated community. Racing through terrible cold and treacherous conditions 20 mushers and about 150 dogs relayed the special package of serum safely to Nome on February 2, 1925. The delivery saved lives. In 1 Timothy, Paul writes his young ministry partner, Timothy, who is now in the city of Ephesus (3). His instruction to Timothy was to deal with the false teachers that were infecting the church (4-5). The apostle Paul was one who had been commissioned to carry the life saving message of the gospel to those who did not know Jesus (1). His concern was that the message of salvation through Jesus alone be clearly communicated to transform lives (9-10) and build the church (5). He had been entrusted with this life giving message and he did not want to see it distorted in any way (11). Paul challenged the young pastor, Timothy, to be faithful and discerning in his ministry. Even today, false teachers and their ideas will seek to distort the gospel message. Like Paul, those who have trusted Christ for salvation, are entrusted with the truth that Jesus alone saves. Do we truly understand that we have a life saving message that others are dying to receive? Are we delivering it faithfully and accurately? May God guide us as we depend on Him and carry His life saving message of Jesus to others.

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Dispute Resolution

9/21/2020

What do you do if a misunderstanding escalates into a full blown dispute? Something was said or done quite innocently or even unknowingly and it seems like gasoline was just thrown on a fire. There was a huge explosion and now nothing is the same with pieces of a relationship blown up and scattered all over the place. Where do you begin as you try and patch these broken relationship pieces back together? There are a number of helpful tips that we find in the pages of Scripture. The following are offered as tools to use in the midst of a dispute.

First, try using a mediator. Some cultures find this to be very valuable in avoiding the shame of face to face conflict. A mediator is a wise person that is called in an attempt to reconcile two parties who are in the midst of a conflict. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and sinful humankind (1 Timothy 2:5). We need to model our lives after Christ and be that peace making party. If we are personally involved in an unresolved conflict it is always a good idea to call in a wise elder for counsel and help. They can speak with the wisdom of age and the wisdom of an outside perspective. Ultimately we need to use Christ as our mediator and pray about the situation, our involvement, the other party and ask God to help bring a resolution that would honor Him.

Next, we need to watch out for words of gossip and attitudes that seek to destroy the other person. Gossip is simply uncontrolled conversation that is not true. By using gossip we ultimately seek to tear the other person down and make ourselves look better. Gossip pridefully betrays a confidence (Proverbs 11:3 & 20:19). When we gossip it makes the problem worse (Proverbs 26:20) by spreading it to the larger community and involving others. Gossip in many ways is like a mold that grows on a piece of food. It will continue to destroy what is good unless it is cut off and removed. We need to correct our attitudes of pride that lead to gossip because others and God will see it for the sinful contamination that it truly is.

The third tool is to pray. We often think that prayer is just our conversation with God about us, but God desires that it be so much more. Have you prayed for your enemy, the one you are in conflict with? Romans 12:12 challenges us to be persistent in prayer even for our enemies. Jesus said that we are to love our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:44-45). In some ways, this is the easiest solution and yet it is the most difficult. Why? Well, there is part of us that thinks we are better than the enemy and we portray that to God when we pray. We want God to destroy the enemy rather than see them restored. We need God’s perspective and that can be gained through prayer.

Fourth, we need to act righteously toward our enemy. In Romans 12, Paul challenges his audience and even us today with three practical steps. The first thing he says highlights our sense of justice for being wronged. Paul says that we should not try and correct the injustice by turning around and acting unjustly (Romans 12:17). Our attitude and consistent desire should be one that constantly seeks to live in peace with others (Romans 12:18). Finally, Paul emphasizes the value of acting in a way that is contrary to conflict (Romans 12:20). When we can show grace and give to an enemy what is not deserved that is when we have truly understood God’s grace that He has shown to us.

May God give us the courage and the grace to be problem solvers not problem creators.

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