“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather trainyourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:6–16, ESV)

Dee Bowman often said, “preaching can be a lazy man’s paradise.” However, Paul’s wisdom to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:6–16 reminds us that true ministry is far from lazy. It’s a calling that demands our utmost diligence and dedication. Let’s break down Paul’s instructions and embrace our responsibilities with enthusiasm and commitment.

Nourish Yourself in the Faith

Paul begins by urging Timothy to nourish himself in the faith: “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed” (v. 6). Feeding ourselves with Scripture and sound teaching is our spiritual fuel, essential for growing and leading others effectively.

Why This Matters: Staying rooted in Scripture ensures our teachings align with God’s truth, providing a solid foundation for our ministry. This nourishment equips us to guide others faithfully and avoid the pitfalls of false doctrine.

Reject Irreverent Myths and Train for Godliness

Paul also emphasizes the importance of rejecting irreverent myths and focusing on training for godliness: “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (vv. 7-8). Think of it like spiritual workouts – focusing on godliness brings benefits both now and forever.

Why This Matters: Godliness shapes our character and actions, making us effective witnesses for Christ. Rejecting falsehoods and dedicating ourselves to spiritual growth helps us lead lives that reflect the Gospel’s transformative power.

Keep Hope Alive in Our Toil

Our efforts are powered by hope: “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (v. 10). This hope in the living God drives us forward, no matter the challenges.

Why This Matters: Hope sustains us through the trials of ministry, reminding us that our work has eternal significance. It encourages perseverance, knowing that our labor is not in vain but rooted in the promise of salvation.

Teach with Confidence and Authority

We’re called to teach with confidence and authority: “Command and teach these things” (v. 11). Ensuring our community is rooted in truth helps them spot and reject false teachings. Moreover, Paul reminds Timothy to be an inspiring example: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (v. 12). Our lives should be a living sermon, aligning our words and actions with love, faith, and purity to inspire respect and trust.

Why This Matters: Confidence and authority in teaching foster trust and respect within the community. By living as examples, we demonstrate the practical application of our teachings, encouraging others to follow Christ more closely.

Dedicate Yourself to Scripture

Dedication to Scripture is vital: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (v. 13). Public reading and teaching of Scripture build up the community and lay a strong foundation for spiritual growth. Additionally, we must embrace our gifts: “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you” (v. 14). Let’s develop and use our unique gifts to their fullest potential.

Why This Matters: Scriptural dedication ensures that our ministry is continually guided by divine truth, and embracing and utilizing our spiritual gifts allows us to serve the church more effectively and foster a community that grows in faith and knowledge.

Immerse Yourself Fully in Ministry

Paul encourages complete immersion in ministry: “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (v. 15). Our commitment should be visible to all, with continuous growth and dedication being essential. Lastly, vigilance in life and doctrine is crucial: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (v. 16). Staying vigilant ensures we and our listeners stay on the right path.

Why This Matters: Visible commitment and growth in ministry inspire and encourage the congregation. Vigilance in life and doctrine protects the preacher and the community from drifting away from the truth, ensuring that our collective journey remains aligned with God’s will.

How Disciples Can Support Their Ministers

Your support makes a huge difference. Here’s how you can help your ministers thrive:

• Encourage Them: Your words of encouragement and prayers are like lifelines. Let your ministers know you appreciate them, and pray for their strength and wisdom.
• Support Them Financially: Ministers often make financial sacrifices to serve. Your generous contributions can help ease their burdens and let them focus more on their ministry.
• Respect Their Calling: Don’t push your responsibilities onto your ministers. Recognize and respect their unique calling and duties. Please support them by not overwhelming them with extra tasks.

By working together in this way, we can build a vibrant, faithful, and godly community that honors Christ in everything we do.

‌‌‌‌~PW 🌮🛶