1 timothy 4

In this episode, Pastors Rick Henderson and Svea Merry discuss 1 Timothy 4 and the issues of church leadership, reliance on the Spirit vs our conscience, understanding spiritual growth, and primary and second issues of Christianity. 

• 00:27 Intro - Recap of the series, intro to 1 Timothy 4, and transitioning from 1 Timothy 3
• 01:28 If people watch us progress in our faith, relationships, or leadership, they will see us changing from one way to another. 
• 03:26 1 Timothy 3 has qualifications for church leaders, but how do we handle growth while balancing minimum requirements for leadership? 
• 08:31 If no one is perfect and every leader is still progressing, like Timothy, then how can we determine when someone is ready to lead? 
• 10:57 Some studies show that, statistically, men apply for jobs that they expect to grow into, while women often don't apply if they don't meet every single qualifications. 
• 17:26 Timothy was called to leadership and empowered by the Spirit, not his own qualifications. Similarly, we should rely on God to support us in all we do as we invest ourselves.
• 21:50 Discussion of the difference between our conscience and the Spirit, and the role of Scripture, prayer, and community in these things.
• 25:20 We have some older code in us that doesn't check out. Ref. Start Wars: Return of the Jedi scene. How do we recognize and deal with old code in us?
• 29:36 Q&A time: answering listeners' questions: 1 Corinthians 11, female head coverings, avoiding instruments, etc. 
• 30:44 What are the differences between Orthodoxy and salvation? What about primary issues or secondary issues? And, Rick refers to a clip from Alistair Begg on "The Man on the Middle Cross"
• 35:57 Discussion of the desire for certainty instead of clarity and the problems it can cause. 
• 40:54 Ending with prayer that God will make us more like Jesus as our church addresses these topics in 1 Timothy. 

Today we are jumping into one of the Pastoral Epistles, 1 Timothy 4:13-16. Paul is instructing young Timothy on some points of being a pastor and leading the church. Take a listen to the episode today. 

The music on the podcast is from John Nugent. John is a Chicagoland area musician who has been a real blessing to Tabor Church. 

Outline:

Sojourners Become Dwellers

The Son of Seven-Ten

The Young Prophets

The Prophet and the Dream

Dreams and Timelines

Interpretation Difficulties 

Dream Fulfillment 

Saint Athanasius Church

Contra Mundum Swagger

Video Version 

Outline:

Introduction 

End of the Ages in Corinth

Last Days for the Hebrews

Timothy and the Last Days

Jannes and Jambres and Perilous Times

Last Days According to James

Saint Athanasius Church

Contra Mundum Swagger

Video Version 

Listen as Pastor Steve McCullough preaches from 1 Timothy 4:6-16.

Listen as Pastor Steve McCullough shares a sermon called An Unfaithful Departure from 1 Timothy 4:1-5.

Scripture Used: 2 Timothy 2:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:12, Philippians 1:6

QUOTE: "Ordinary friendships are generally characterized by intimacy, trust, and mutual enjoyment of one another.  Spiritual friends share those qualities, of course, but are also characterized by another element: spiritual friends actively help us pay attention to God."  (Caliguire, Spiritual Friendships, p.17)

Notes:

1. Primacy of being a disciple
2. Mentors are growing --- not perfect
3. Entrust others
4. Growth needs time

1 Timothy 4:1-16. At the heart of the Christain’s, pursuit of christlikeness is sound doctrine. Sometimes people pursue holiness without doctrine, and others pursue doctrine without holiness. Both extremes cause problems in the Christian’s life and witness. In this message, Pastor Richard explores the relationship between doctrine and devotion and offers helpful instruction on how to use doctrine to become more like Jesus.