The Knew Kingdom: August 2008

1 Timothy 5:1-16

1 Timothy 5:1-16

This whole section is, I think, about proper treatment of various kinds of widows. It begins with the 'big picture' philosophy of treating our fellow Christians as family.

1. Treat fellow Christians as family
a) Treat older men as fathers
- Don’t rebuke them harshly
- Exhort them
b) Treat younger men as brothers
c) Treat older women as mothers
- In Regards to older widows in need
1. Left alone
2. Evidence of dependence on God (vs. pleasure seeking)
3. Has lived a life worthy of her calling
4. Over 60 years old
d) Treat younger women as sisters
- With absolute purity
- In Regards to younger widows
1. Leave them alone (so they are busy working, or marry)
2. Encourage them to marry & be productive

2. Take care of your biological family
a) Take care of older women
- Put your religion into practice by caring (vs. deny faith)
- Repay them for their investment
- This pleases God
- The alternative is to be worse than an unbeliever
- Don’t let the church be burdened by them

In summary, we have a moral obligation to take care of our biological family. Since we live in a fallen world, some slip through the cracks of this 'care.' In such cases, the church had a plan of action. In exchange for 'care' (shelter and food), the widows would minister full-time (most likely, in prayer).

Other passages about widows:
Ex. 22:22-24, Deut. 10:17-18, 14:28-29, Psalm 146:6-9, Isaiah 1:17, Mark 12:38-40, James 1:27

The Resurrection of the Dead

The Resurrection of the Dead

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. (Hebrews 6:1-3)

The Sadducee View
No immortality of the soul or bodily resurrection

The Platonic View
Immortality of the soul, but no bodily resurrection

The Pharisee View
Immortality of the soul as a gift to those awaiting bodily resurrection

The Christian View
Immortality of the soul as a gift to those awaiting bodily resurrection assured by the invasion of resurrection from the future into the present. Christ was the firstfruits of the resurrection.

Resurrection is the CORE of our Faith

Central doctrine of Christianity
(1 Corinthians 15:3, 14, 17)
Offers us a certain future
(1 Corinthians 15:19, 20, 22)
Redeems our fallen bodies
(1 Corinthians 15:42, 43, 44)
Empowers us for service today
(1 Corinthians 15:58)

The Laying on of Hands

The Laying on of Hands

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. (Hebrews 6:1-3)

How is this foundational to the Christian life?

Purpose: A physical act signifying the transfer of a spiritual reality

5 Biblical Examples of the Laying on of Hands

~ Blessing/Inheritance (Gen. 48:14-20, Mt. 19:13-15)

~ Transfer of Guilt (Lev. 16:21, 1 Peter 2:24)

~ Sending for Service (Num. 27:23, Acts 6:6, 13:3)

~ Healing (Mark 8:25, Luke 4:40, Acts 28:8)

~ Giving of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17, 19:6)

Why Faith?

Why Faith?

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. (Hebrews 6:1-3)

What is faith? (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith is a visible belief in an invisible reality
* Faith is only as good as its object

Why Faith?
Faith is accessible to everyone
Faith is our only access to the future
Faith is our only access to the invisible

Stages of Faith
Faith is foolish to a stable unbeliever
Faith is a friend to a needy unbeliever
Faith is fight for a growing believer
Faith is finished for a departed believer

Strange Methods

Mark 7:31-37

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!" ). 35 At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

1. Many miracles were done on this occasion (Matthew 15:29-31), but Mark chooses to tell 1 specific story.

2. Jesus went out of His way to meet with Gentiles

3. The people of the Decapolis had been pre-evangelized (Matthew 4:13-17, 25, Mark 5:19-20)

4. Theories abound regarding the motivation for the privacy of this miracle.

5. Theories abound regarding Jesus’ method in performing this miracle.

6. ‘Ephphatha’ is 1 of about a dozen Hebrew/Aramaic words in the NT

Examples of Aramaic / Hebrew in the New Testament
1. Talitha koum
2. Abba
3. Raca
4. Rabboni
5. Eli Eli Lema Sabachthani

7. The miracle was viewed as fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 35:4-6) and an act of new creation (Genesis 1:31)

Mark 8:22-26

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.

23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24 He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

26 Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."

1. Bethsaida had a previous record of unbelief (Matthew 11:20-30)

2. Healing the blind was a specific fulfillment of Jesus’ mission (Luke 4:18)

3. The privacy of this miracle was probably motivated by the unbelief of this town (23, 26)

4. Theories about regarding Jesus’ method in performing this miracle

a) Benefit the man?
b) 2 miracles?
c) Natural cure?
d) Out of the box?
e) 2nd work of grace?

Why is God Invisible?

-Invisible Insights-

Week 1: Why is God invisible?
Week 2: What are angels all about?
Week 3: Where did Satan come from?
Week 4: What are demons/evil-spirits?
Week 5: Are there ghosts & haunted houses?
Week 6: How can I win the spiritual battle?

Is God Invisible?
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. (1 Tim. 1:17)

Can we know about an invisible God?

1. From Creation
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

2. From Conscience
Since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. (Romans 2:15)

3. From Christ
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
(John 1:18)

He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)
Can we see an invisible God?

1. By Focusing on what He does
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isaiah 64:4)
2. By Faithfully doing what He says
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27)

What is Faith?
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Examples of Faith:
1. Understanding creation points to a Creator (11:3)
2. Offering the Creator our best (11:4)
3. Pleasing God during our earthly lives (11:5)
4. Obeying God even when it doesn’t make sense (11:7a)
5. Speaking the truth even when it’s risky (11:7b)
6. Going where God calls us to go despite ignorance (11:8)
7. Living with eternity in mind (11:10)
8. Believing God’s promises despite present situation (11:11)
9. Being willing to give up our earthly treasures (11:17)
10. Acting on a vision from God (11:23)
11. Trusting the King over the kings of this world (11:27)
12. Walking a road despite physical dangers (11:29)

Stages of Faith
1. Faith is foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
2. Faith is a friend (No atheists in foxholes)
3. Faith is a fight (1 Timothy 6:12)
4. Faith is finished (2 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 12:2)

Origin of Satan

-Invisible Insights-

The Origin of Satan

Theory #1 Satan originated as a good angel

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn… You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God… I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:12, kjv)

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you… Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. (Ezekiel 28:16)

For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)

I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven (Luke 10:18)

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil (1 Timothy 3:6)

The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Revelation 12:9)

Theory #2 Satan originated as an adversarial angel

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?” (Genesis 3:1)

He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44)

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning (1 John 3:8)

You must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deut. 13:3)

'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said. 'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.' (1 Kings 22:22)

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

All About Angels

-Invisible Insights-

All about Angels: Separating Fact from Fiction

1. Who created the angels?
You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host… You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. (Nehemiah 9:6) Praise him, all his angels… for he commanded and they were created (Psalm 148:2-5) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16)

2. When were angels created?
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array (Genesis 1:1-2:1)

3. How many angels are there?
He looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17) Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly (Hebrews 12:22)

4. What do angels look like?
Are not all angels ministering spirits… (Hebrews 1:14)

5. Do angels have free will?
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned… (2 Peter 2:4) And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home… (Jude 1:6)

6. For what purpose did God make them?
Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. (Psalm 148:2) Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)

7. Where do angels live?
Angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven… (Luke 2:15)

8. Who is ‘the angel of the Lord’?
But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven… “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Genesis 22:11-12) There the angel of the LORD appeared to him… Then he said, "I am the God of your father (Exodus 3:2-6)

9. Are they different from one another?
Types: Cherubim (Genesis 3:24), Serephs (Isaiah 6:2)
Individuals: Michael (Jude 1:9), Gabriel (Luke 1:19)

10. Are there really guardian angels?
At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise (Daniel 12:1) See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven (Matthew 18:10)

11. Do we become angels when we die?
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven (Matthew 22:30) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly…You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect (Hebrews 12:22-23)

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Going back to 3:16, we read of the 'mystery of godliness.' 1 Timothy 4 is very similar to 2 Thessalonians 2 which discusses the mystery of lawlessness. It seems that we have here a discussion of these 2 great mysteries. This is serious business, for the chapter begins by reminding us that some will abandon the faith. The chapter details how to avoid being part of that group.

How to spot the mystery of lawlessness
1. By the hypocrisy of its teachers, 2
2. By the seared consciences of its members, 2
3. Warning sign if they forbid marriage, 3
4. Warning sign if they command abstinence from certain foods, 3-5

How to avoid the mystery of lawlessness
1. Listen closely to discerning leaders (like Timothy), 6
2. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales, 7
3. Focus primarily on your spiritual condition, 8
4. Choose to learn from godly examples, 11

How to access godliness
1. Be devoted to the public reading of Scripture, 13
2. Be in preaching and teaching circles, 13
3. Stay accountable to other righteous people, 14
4. Be diligent, watch your life and doctrine closely, 15-16

Walking on Water

John 6:16-21

(setting)
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.

(miracle 1)
19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."

(miracle 2: inserted from matthew's account)
28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

(miracle 3)
21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Rough Notes of Observations

Setting
Immediately, evening, dark
Jesus made them go vs. disciples went
Capernaum vs. Bethsaida
Wind 3x

Miracle #1
This was after 3am (4th watch: 3-6am)
He was walking on water
Terrified (ghost), not a hallucination b/c all saw him
Jesus don't don't be afraid b/c I AM

Miracle #2
Why not in Mark/John?
Peter walks on water
Peter saw the wind
Peter's faith seemed great in some ways

Miracle #3
In John, it's still the disciples taking the lead
Wind died as soon as Jesus got in the boat
Matthew records worship
Mark reminds us of loaves (previous story connected)

9 devotional thoughts from this passage...
1. Make sure that your view of Jesus is not distorted by the views of the crowd (John 6:15, 66)
2. Make sure that you spend time alone with God (Jesus spent roughly 9pm - 3am)
3. Learn to appreciate that Jesus sometimes sends us into a storm (1 Cor. 10:13)
4. Find peace in the fact that Jesus has been through the storm Himself
5. Recognize that you can’t do anything by your own power, but that you can do awesome things with God’s power (1 John 2:6)
6. Don’t take your eyes off of Jesus during your mountain-top experiences
7. Offer rebuke with a friendly hand and a loving heart
8. Truly believe that the safest place to be is in close relationship with Jesus Christ
9. Allow your experiences with Christ to elevate your evaluation of Christ (Job 9:8, John 8:58, 18:6)

Overseeing the Organism

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Timothy was the appointed Apostolic worker in Ephesus (seemingly temporary role)

Another 'role' in the church was that of an overseer (like a board of elders)
In Scripture, the terms 'overseer' (kjv- bishop) 'pastor' & 'elder' seem to be synonymous (Acts 20:17+28)
The role included teaching, dealing with problems & setting a righteous example

Requirements for being an overseer:

He should have a desire for such a role
He should recognize that it is a task
He should be above reproach
He should be the husband of 1 wife
He should be temperate
He should be self-controlled
He should be respectable
He should be hospitable
He should be able to teach
He should not be given to drunkenness
He should not be violent, but gentle
He should not be quarrelsome
He should not be a lover of money
He should manage is own family well
He should not be a recent convert
He should have a good reputation with outsiders

The role of Deacons seems to be a continuation of the ministry begun in Acts 6:1-7. It was 'hands on' ministry directed at the needy. Today, in the Wesleyan Church, 'trustees' focus more on the literal church building instead of the spiritual building (the people of the church). There is some debate, here, regarding 3:11. Is it referring to the wives of the male deacons (making the point that women cannot be in this position either) or is it referring to female deacons (obliterating said point)? The Greek allows for either, but since Phoebe is referred to as a deacon in Romans 16:1, I'm not sure what would disqualify a female from this role. I, thus, take the position that women can be deacons and treat verse 11 as a parenthetical reminder that it must be a godly woman.

Requirements for being a deacon

A deacon must be...
1. Worthy of respect
2. Sincere
3. Not indulging in much wine
4. Not pursuing dishonest gain
5. Keeping hold of the deep truths of God with a clear conscience
6. First tested
7. Husband of one wife
8. Manage his children and household well

Both positions were honorable (3:1, 13) and carried a lot of responsibility (3:14+15). The chapter ends with an ancient oral 'hymn' (3:16) summarizing the means to godliness.

Feeding 5000 & 4000

The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle recorded in all 4 Gospels.

John 6:5-13

5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" 8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Notes on Setting- A whole bunch of hungry people
- It was late afternoon, early evening
- It was a remote place
- Disciples were focusing on the problem
- John's angle is different (Philip)

Notes on Problem- Not a lot of food
- Startling statement from Jesus
- Focus on extreme cost and lack of supply
- Disciples may be suggesting they had that much
- 1 boy brought something to the table

Notes on Miracle- Stomachs satisfied with lots of leftovers
- Orderly directions
- Jesus focus's on thanking God for what they DID have
- Jesus includes the disciples in the ministering (except in John)
- 1 basket of leftovers for each disciple

Past Connection

Moses
~ John 6:31-32
Elisha
~ 2 Kings 4:42-44

Present Connection

Messiah
~ Psalm 23
~ Ezekiel 34:23
~ Rabbinical teaching

Future Connection

Last Supper
~ John 6:53-56

Questions to Consider

1. Have we recognized Jesus as the true bread from heaven?

2. Are we focused on the problems or on the solutions in this life?

3. How large do we view our contribution to the Lord’s work?

4. Do we have enough faith to give the little that we have to offer for Jesus to multiply?

5. Are we willing to minister to people who may or may not respond as we hope?

6. Are we willing to trust that Jesus’ knows best when he leaves us with left-overs?

1 Timothy 2:9-15

Women's Wardrobe (9-10)

6 Issues to keep in mind...
1. Modesty- Dress should be well-ordered, arranged, neat
2. Decency- A woman should be bashful
3. Propriety- Serious, self-controlled
4. Braided- Don't spend too much time on external appearance
5. Expensive- Don't spend too much cash on external appearance
6. Worship- Make pleasing God your primary priority

Women in Ministry (11-14)

Sexist Mis-interpretations
1. Learning- Women aren't as smart as men
2. Silent- This is an absolute rule
3. Inferior- Women are inferior in value

Feminist Mis-interpretations
1. Paul was prejudice
2. Paul was compromising with culture
3. Paul didn't write this

So what does the passage teach?

1. Women in a public church gathering should focus on learning in quietness and full submission to the appointed authorities during teaching times.
2. Women should not teach over a man or have authority over a man in a public church meeting during teaching times.
3. Women should respond to God's lead which may include being an exception to the general/ideal rule.

Women's Salvation (15)

* Clearly doesn't mean spiritual conversion

Possible interpretations
1. They can be saved despite the curse
2. They can be saved in their God-given role
3. They can be saved b/c their role brought the Messiah