An Ordered Church Pleases God | 1 Timothy 3:8-16
“There are many, many people today who are saying, ‘Anything that doesn’t directly affect your salvation is not an important doctrine. So that their saying, in effect, providing that someone can believe that and still be saved, it doesn’t matter a twig. I think that’s hugely mistaken. What’s that looking for is really the lowest common denominator theology. It’s constantly asking the question, ‘What’s the least I can believe from the Bible and get away with it?’”
-- D.A. Carson
Ch. 3 is a direct instruction by God in how His church should function and how it should be governed. What is interesting that in 1 Timothy 3, Paul, is less concerned about the function of the organizational systems and more concerned about the character of those who are leading. God is creating a stable church that will function as a place for his faithful to grow closer to Him, to become more like Him, and to share His good news in this dark world.
“I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you soon, but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
--1 Timothy 3:14-15
The church in Ephesus is
a). Teaching and learning false doctrines of Christ from Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Tim. 1:20 and 1 Tim. 1:3).
b). Allowing the teachings and influence of the Artemis worshipers and cult into their lives and into the church leading to woman abstaining from marriage and not having children (1 Tim. 2:10-15).
c). Allowing women to waste their time by wearing jewels, expensive clothing, which is attracting people to them, in God’s house of worship, instead of wearing modest clothing (1 Tim. 2:9).
d). Allowing gossip to fester in the church, using the law improperly to teach salvation by law and works instead of faith alone in Christ alone (1 Tim. 1:4-6).
d). The church is disordered, they have lost the fear of God when entering HIS place of worship rather turning God’s place of worship into a place that worships them, their needs, their preferences, their false teaching and their gossip.
A church which is properly ordered according to what God has commanded the church to do is pleasing to God and will bear His fruit, His blessing and spread His word to those around them and within their church communities.
“Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty with your mouth or impulsive in your heart to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven but you are on the earth; therefore, let your words be few…Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and wreak destruction on the work of your hands? For in many dreams and vanities are many words. Rather, fear God.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
- The church in Ephesus, and Shellbrook Pentecostal Assembly, belongs to God. We must follow His instruction—we must obey His word.
The church is God’s household. He is the head. He is the authority. If a place calls themselves a church yet they disobey God’s church order, or they twist the clear doctrines of God so they may fit their culture or the world’s culture OR they appeal to their emotions / preferences over God’s and they are no longer a church—it is a social gathering. A cool club. (Little Rascals 1994 movie ‘He-Man woman haters club.’).
“And by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.”
--1 Timothy 3:16
“The Mystery”
μυστήριον mystḗrion, moos-tay'-ree-on; hidden thing, secret, mystery
generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals
“Godliness”
εὐσέβεια eusébeia, yoo-seb'-i-ah; from G2152; piety towards God; reverence, respect
Paul is saying: We confess in the truth of Jesus, God, and it is a religious secret which we are made reverent to God, pious to God—we are made this way by God, who manifested in the flesh as Jesus Christ to make us more like Him.
And what is godliness in the church? How is Paul commanding the church to conduct themselves? By securing themselves on their rock who is Jesus Christ—by obeying His commands (John 14:15) and working through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit of truth to bring them comfort as they live by Christ’s Truth and not their own man-derived truths.
- Men-Elders and Men/ Women –Deacons or Deaconesses are to take responsibility to lead the Church and support the church.
Security is important. God has created a sound church, a truthful church, a secure church.
“The main thing women are looking for in a marriage is security. The husband is to protect, to keep her secure—not to find her happiness for her rather to allow her to find happiness in a stable, provided for and secure home.”
--Lorraine Sheppard (Paraphrase).
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew and fell against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. And everyone hearing these words of Mine and not doing them, may be compared to a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” Now it happened that when Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were astonished at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”
--Matthew 7:24-29
“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And these men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”
--1 Timothy 3:8-10
The New Testament uses three primary words that refer to deacons: diakonos, which means "servant"; diakonia, which means "service"; and diakoneõ, which means "to serve." The original use of this group of words might have been specific, meaning the service of waiting on tables or serving people food. But it broadened beyond that and came to mean any kind of service. While all believers are to be characterized by service, some have been specially gifted by the Spirit of God to serve.
The First Deacons of the New Testament Church:
“So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.’”
--Acts 6:2-7
“Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.”
--1 Timothy 3:11
“Gossip”
διάβολος diábolos, dee-ab'-ol-os; from G1225; a traducer; specially, Satan (compare H7854):—false accuser, devil, slanderer.
“Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, leading their children and their own households well.13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”
--1 Timothy 3:12-13
“Now I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a benefactor of many, and of myself as well.”
--Romans 16:1-2
The God appointed leadership of the church is not in place to keep the elders/ pastors from accountability—rather it is in place to make sure accountability happens. The church should be run democratically—where the congregation has a voice and vote in her serves as Deacons making sure it doesn’t become top heavy with power, maliciousness, greed and ‘brand-control.’ This is why the disciples cast lots to choose Matthius (Acts 1:26).
“The last time we see lots being cast in Scripture is prior to the writing of the New Testament and before the day of Pentecost. Now that we have the completed Word of God and the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us, there is probably no reason to be casting lots to make decisions. The New Testament nowhere instructs Christians to use a method similar to casting lots. The Word, the Spirit, and prayer should be sufficient for discerning God’s will today—not casting lots, rolling dice, or flipping a coin.”
--GotQuestions.org
- The Obedience of God’s Church will Bring Fruitful Ministry. God works through His faithful people.
“I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you soon, but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
--1 Timothy 3:14-15
“And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.’”
--Acts 6:7
What is Paul’s main instruction for Timothy in order to have a fruitful-God pleasing Church? Is it Revival Weekends of soft-feel good preaching with hours of music? Is JUST community service and getting outside of the church walls? –No. It is the preaching, exhorting and reading out loud of God’s Holy Word.
“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but show yourself as a model to those who believe in word, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the gift within you, which was given to you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.”
--1 Timothy 4:12-14
“The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of Yahweh blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Raise up your voice powerfully, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Raise it up, do not fear.”
--Isaiah 40:7-9
The only main difference between the office of Elder and Deacon is found in 1 Timothy 3:2:
“An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospital, able to teach…”
--1 Timothy 3:2
The teaching of God’s word is vital to the health and security of the church and the home—Men, this is the responsibility God has given us through the instruction of His word. This will bring clarity, security and order to God’s church.