AM Oct 15th 1 Tim 6

October 15^th 1 Timothy 6

1: Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2: And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Being healthy

3: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4: He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Being courageous

11: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13: I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14: That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 17: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18: That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19: Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20: O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Paul continues to give Timothy practical advice on how to instruct the various members of the Church. In this passage he turns his attention to slaves. Paul says that those who are slaves are to look on their masters as worthy of honour so the Gods name is not cursed by their behaviour. The Roman Empire never found rebellion against slavery in Christianity. And says Paul, those slaves that have masters that are believers are not to despise them. It’s interesting that Paul does not enter into the pros and cons of slavery but he deals with the practical implications of it. Paul is very emphatic to Timothy he says this is the truth regarding godliness, it is the teaching of Christ himself and if anyone teach anything else then he is proud and knows nothing. Those who teach contrary to this are sick in mind and full of pointless debate and arguments over words. From these things come all the difficulties of church life, jealousy, troubles, heated arguments, evil imaginations, weary irritating discussions by men of corrupted minds. They have thrown away the truth. They think that godliness is a source of income. From these types of men, Paul says, withdraw yourself. The truth is that godly living with contentment for what God provides is all the gain a man needs. Because we came into the world naked and it is certain that we will take nothing with us into the next world. So let us be content with food and clothing. Paul gives a solemn warning, he says, those that long to be rich fall into a trap of the devil and into senseless and hurtful lusts. These things cause men to drown in destruction and perdition. Because the love of money is a root of evil. (It’s not the only source of evil) Paul is careful to warn Timothy that there are some who have coveted after money and have been led astray from this teaching and have harmed themselves with many heart aches. Then Paul raises the tone to command him. Timothy – O man of God run away from these things as fast as you can and chase after righteousness, godly living, faith, love, patience and meekness. Fight the good fight of faith and take hold of the life of God. It is to this you have been called and have made a good profession in front of many witnesses. I order you before God who gives life to all men and before Jesus Christ who himself made a good profession before Pilate, That you keep the whole body of moral principles of Christianity unsullied, irreproachable unto the appearance of Christ in glory. At the right time he will be revealed, who is the blessed and the only Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Only he is incorruptible. He lives in unapproachable light. No man has seen him nor can they see him. To him be honour and power for ever. Amen. Then Paul turns his attention on Timothy’s ministry he says solemnly instruct them that are rich in this world not to take a high view of themselves, or to put their trust in insecure investments, but in the living God who gives to everyone all things to fully enjoy. They are to be rich in doing good things, says Paul, ready to share with the poor and willing to donate to Gods work. In this way they will lay up in heaven capitol for the future and in doing so they will take hold of their responsibilities as believers. Timothy – keep secure the treasure of truth that has been entrusted to you, avoiding empty talk and the opposing views of the (so called) scientists. Some believers have turned off the path of ‘the faith’. May Gods kindness be with you. Amen.

PM Oct 14th Isa 46

October 14^th

Isaiah, 46

1: Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. 2: They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. 3: Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: 4: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. 5: To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6: They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship. 7: They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. 8: Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. 9: Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10: Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. 12: Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: 13: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Isaiah, 47

1: Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. 2: Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. 3: Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man. 4: As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. 5: Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms. 6: I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. 7: And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. 8: Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: 9: But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. 10: For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. 11: Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. 12: Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. 13: Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. 14: Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. 15: Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.

Isaiah, 48

1: Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. 2: For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name. 3: I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. 4: Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; 5: I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. 6: Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. 7: They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them. 8: Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb. 9: For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. 10: Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 11: For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. 12: Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. 13: Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. 14: All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans. 15: I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous. 16: Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. 17: Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. 18: O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: 19: Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me. 20: Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. 21: And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. 22: There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

Today we are reading Isaiah 46, 47 & 48. In Ch 46 Isaiah brings a message from the Lord declaring his views on the Babylonian gods Bel and Nebo. (The word Bel is an abbreviation of the word Baal, which means Lord. The corresponding Zeus and Jupiter of the Greeks and Romans mythology. Nebo answers to the Egyptian god Anubis The Greek Hermes and the Roman Mercurius. Companion Bible) Being so superstitious they laden idols on their beasts thinking that the extra burden would be elevated by extra blessings. However the only thing that really happened is that the beasts were burdened to no profit. The LORD declares that these gods would be brought down. This happened in that they are hardly worshipped if at all today. The LORD says regarding this subject to Israel You don’t carry me, I carry you from the womb to the grave. They make idols and carry them around. They worship it and pray to it but the idol cannot answer nor save him in the day of trouble. Remember this and grow up, be mature. I am God and there is no other God. I know the end even at the beginning and even in ancient times I knew the future that has not yet happened. What I decide will stand and I will do my own will. I have spoken, I will also do it. I have decided and I will do it. Listen to me you that are thinking men who are far from righteous. I will bring righteousness near to you and I will bring salvation and will not delay and I will put my salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. In ch 47 The Lord says to Babylon come down and sit in the dust – humble yourselves. The Lord says to Babylon get ready to leave the city because I am coming in judgment. I was cross with my people and gave then over to you but you were cruel to them. You will loose your husbands and children in a day because of your drug induced religion. You say no-one sees what we do but your wisdom and knowledge has perverted your soul. You have said of yourself ‘I am and there is none beside us’. Evil will come on you which you have never known. You are weary of your own cleverness. Let your astrologers and stargazers and those who try to foretell the future by observing the monthly moon cycles – Let them stand up and save you from destruction. They will all be burnt up like stubble after harvest. In Isaiah 48 God outlines his controversy with Israel saying, Hear me O house of Jacob. You talk of God but you do not speak correctly of the truth or righteousness. You say you belong to Jerusalem and that you are trusting in the Lord God of Israel. I knew what you were like – stubborn and unyielding. And the Lord goes on explain all of his dealings with Israel. He says I have been very patient with you and I have applied the heat to purify you. So Listen to me Israel, I will deal with Babylon. Listen to me O Israel. I am the LORD your God who wants to teach you things that will be to your benefit. Keep my commandments and then you will have peace like a river and your righteousness will be like the waves of the sea. Your children will be as numerous as the sand and the gravel on the shore. But as for Babylon there will be no peace for the wicked.

AM Oct 14th 1 Tim 5

October 14^th 1 Timothy 5 F. The Duties of Officers in the Church Being gentle

1: Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2: The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3: Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4: But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5: Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6: But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7: And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9: Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10: Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11: But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12: Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13: And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14: I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15: For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16: If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 17: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18: For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 19: Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21: I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22: Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 23: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. 24: Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25: Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

This passage is interesting because Paul says to Timothy rebuke not an elder. Elders in Israel and in the church were probably above the age of 50 and Timothy was probably just under that age. Sometimes an elder needs to be rebuked but it’s not the place of Timothy to do it. Paul is saying he might be wrong - but respect his office. And he says plead with the elder who is wrong as you would your own father and treat those younger men as brothers. Treat the older women as your own mother and the younger women as your sister in pure relationships. Give not only respect but as a church give finical assistance to those widows that are very poor indeed. However if they have family then they should provide for their needs. Godliness should be seen first in these practical matters at home giving sustenance to parents in need because this is good and God accepts this as godliness. Paul defines widows who need help, he says, the widow that has no help at all trusts in God for her daily food and is constantly in prayer night and day. But the younger widow who lives for pleasure is spiritually dead while she lives. Paul says teach these things so that they will not be charged with ungodliness by the world. And tell them says Paul that if a man does not provide by honest daily work for his own family then he has denied ‘the faith’ and he is worse than an unbeliever. Faith in Christ does not abolish our ordinary family duties but strengthens them. Godliness is not just what a man thinks but what he does. Do not let a widow be taken into the financial care of the congregation under 60 years of age and she must have lived an honourable life in marriage and godly christian living. This will be seen in the way she brought up her children, in acts of hospitality, in service to Gods people, in her kindness to those in distress and in her consistent life of good works. But do not allow financial help to the younger widows because when they begin to grow in sexual desire and desire after excess and luxury they will be in opposition to Christ and they are determined to marry and they will come into discipline because they have forsaken their pledge to serve Christ. And so they become curious about other people and they wander about from home to home not just in idleness but they talk about silly things and are very busy interfering in other people’s affairs and saying things that are inappropriate. These younger widows should marry again, have children, rule their own houses and give no opportunity to the Devil to speak accusations about them. Some have already turned away to do Satan’s work. If any believer has a mother that is a widow then they should provide for their needs so that the church is not responsible and this will enable the church to look after those widows who are very poor indeed. Let those elders who do their work well be given double the financial support, especially those who work very hard in teaching the scriptures. The Law said that, ‘the Ox that treads the corn is not to be prevented from eating the fruit of his labour’. All labourers are worthy of their hire. Do not listen to any accusation against an elder unless it is based on two or three reliable witnesses. Those elders that sin are to be rebuked before the whole congregation so that the fear of the Lord might come on all who hear it. I give you Timothy a solemn responsibility before God, Christ and his holy angels, that you do these things with complete impartiality. Do ordain a man in impulse because you must not join in ministry with those who are ungodly. You will be tainted by their reputation. Paul says on a personal note - Timothy, do not drink only water but take a small amount of wine for your digestion and general health. Lastly he says, things are not always what they appear. Take care because some men’s sins are obvious to all but others are hidden and in the same way some men’s good works are plain to see but others only come out later.

PM Oct 13th Isa 44

October 13^th

Isaiah, 44

1: Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: 2: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. 3: For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. 5: One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel. 6: Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 7: And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. 8: Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. 9: They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. 10: Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing? 11: Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together. 12: The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint. 13: The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house. 14: He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. 15: Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. 16: He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: 17: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god. 18: They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. 19: And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? 20: He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? 21: Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. 22: I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. 23: Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. 24: Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; 25: That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; 26: That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: 27: That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: 28: That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Isaiah, 45

1: Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 2: I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4: For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. 5: I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. 7: I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. 8: Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. 9: Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? 10: Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth? 11: Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 12: I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 13: I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts. 14: Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God. 15: Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. 16: They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. 17: But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. 18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. 19: I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. 20: Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. 21: Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22: Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23: I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24: Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. 25: In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Today we are reading Isaiah ch 44 & 45. Chapter 44 speaks of further prophesies of the Day of the LORD. The Lord calls on Israel whom the LORD has chosen to hear. To not be afraid and he then makes a famous promise, I will pour water on him that is thirsty and floods upon dry ground. The Lord will pour out his spirit on all Israel and blessings on all the children. They will call themselves the LORD’s people and they will call themselves by the name of Jacob. They will own the Lord as their God and they will change their surname to Jacob. The LORD the redeemer of Israel will say I am the first and the last and there is no other God. The Lord speaks of the foolishness of Idolatry. He describes a man who cuts down a tree, half of which he carves into an idol and the other half he makes a fire to warm himself and cook his food. The Idol he worships saying you are my Saviour. The Lord blots out the sins of his people. Then he calls on all creation to sing to the LORD. In Ch 45 Isaiah speaks of the restored Jerusalem. Then the LORD speaks to Cyrus calling him ‘his anointed’. The Lord raised him up to subdue nations. And he did this to show to Cyrus that The Lord is the God of Israel. The message to Cyrus was that the Lord is God and there is no other God. The Lord is the creator of light and darkness, peace and war. The Lord will bring righteousness on the earth and woe to those who oppose him. Will the clay say to the potter why did you make me like this? The Lord says I am the creator and I direct all the acts of men. He will cause Cyrus to release Israel from slavery. Even Egypt will acknowledge that the Lord is God. From v16 onward the Lord explains his controversy with the nations. The main objection of God is their idolatry. The Idolatrous nations will be thrown into confusion and shame but Israel will be saved with an everlasting salvation. They will never be ashamed, world without end. God who made the world made it to be inhabited. Then we have the famous passage – Look unto me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God and there is none else. (This is not the same message that the church preaches today because the church will be long gone to heaven when this message goes out to the nations. It’s not so much an invitation as a command and it’s not to individual men but to nations as whole political groups.) It is an ultimatum - to come to kneel before the Lord Jesus Christ and confess him as Lord. Those who refuse to bow will be ashamed and disciplined hard. All Israel will be vindicated and they will glory in the LORD.

AM Oct 13th 1 Tim 4

October 13^th 1 Timothy 4

1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2: Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3: Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

E. The Problems of Church life Being an example

6: If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8: For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9: This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10: For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11: These things command and teach. 12: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14: Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15: Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16: Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Paul reminds Timothy that the Holy Spirit has been saying that some time in the future some men will leave the apostolic doctrine and start to listen to evil spirits who will deceive their hearers and who will teach the heresies of demons. They will speak lies behind a mask and their consciences will be made to be hard and unfeeling. They will also forbid believers to marry and insist they become vegetarian. Paul can see this coming. God he says has created all meat to be eaten with thanksgiving by believers. All animals are good for food and nothing is to be refused on religious grounds but it is to be received with thanksgiving to God because it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. When you remind the brethren about these things, says Paul, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ. And you will be well fed by obeying this teaching. Don’t feed yourself on common fiction (the equivalent today would be soaps and films and TV) but keep your mind spiritually fit. Ordinary physical exercise lastly only for a while but spiritual health is much more long lasting, because it promises health here and now and in eternity. This is a proverb that is trustworthy and everyone should accept it. Paul says that it is for this reason that we work so hard and struggle, suffering for Christ, because our hope is set in the living God and He is the Saviour of all men and especially of those who are believers. (Here Paul clearly states that Christ is the Saviour of all men – There is no limited atonement here!) Paul says, Timothy – insist that believers do these things. Timothy was probably between 38-40 years of age, so he says, don’t let anyone look down on you because of your age, but be an example in your teaching and in your ordinary conversations and in your giving to the poor and in faith and practical holiness. Paul reminds Timothy to give careful attention to the public exposition of the scriptures. Do not neglect this gift from the Lord, because it was confirmed by a word from the Lord and by the ordination of the leaders of the congregation. Think long about these things and concentrate on doing them so that your ministry will be seen by all to be beneficial. And look after yourself and your teaching and push on in serving the Lord because this will bless you and those who hear you.

PM Oct 12th Isa 41

October 12^th

Isaiah, 41

1: Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment. 2: Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow. 3: He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet. 4: Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. 5: The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came. 6: They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. 7: So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved. 8: But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. 9: Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. 10: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11: Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12: Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13: For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 14: Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. 15: Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. 16: Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel. 17: When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 18: I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. 19: I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: 20: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. 21: Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. 22: Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. 23: Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. 24: Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you. 25: I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay. 26: Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words. 27: The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings. 28: For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counseller, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word. 29: Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.

Isaiah, 42

1: Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2: He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3: A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4: He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7: To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8: I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9: Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. 10: Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. 11: Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12: Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. 13: The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. 14: I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. 15: I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. 16: And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 17: They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods. 18: Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. 19: Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant? 20: Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. 21: The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 22: But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. 23: Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? 24: Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. 25: Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

Isaiah, 43

1: But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2: When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3: For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4: Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5: Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; 6: I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 7: Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. 8: Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. 9: Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. 10: Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11: I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. 12: I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. 13: Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? 14: Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. 15: I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. 16: Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; 17: Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. 18: Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19: Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 20: The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. 21: This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. 22: But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. 23: Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. 24: Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. 25: I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 26: Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. 27: Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me. 28: Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.

Today we are reading Isaiah ch 41, 42 & 43. In ch 41v1 – 42v17 Isaiah describes Messiah’s mission. In ch 41v1-29 Messiah is seen in types and in ch 42v1-17 Messiah is seen in antitype. (A parable is a narrative in the past tense that is put alongside truth in order to illustrate it. A type is an object or person put alongside truth in order to illustrate it. An antitype is the real thing that the type illustrated. The furniture of the tabernacle are a type of Christ but he is the antitype - the real thing.) In ch 41 Isaiah gives us two types in v1-20, Abraham who was from the east and Israel who was from the west. The LORD says to the coastal Islands ‘be quite’ and let ‘the people’ renew their strength and come near to speak in the judgment. Then he speaks of Abraham who was raised up a righteous men from the east, the Lord made him ruler over kings. Who did all this? I the LORD – the first and the last, I am he. (Its interesting that this phrase is quoted in Revelation and applied to Christ) All the ends of the earth saw this and were afraid. Israel was chosen of the Lord. He said to Israel, Do not fear because I am with you. Do not be dismayed because I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you and I will hold you in my hand. All those who are incensed against you will be ashamed and confounded and brought to nothing. Those that strive against you will perish. You will look for them and not find them. You will be like a new threshing tool and you will thresh the mountains. You will winnow them and the wind will carry them away. You will rejoice in the LORD. When the poor and need seek for water I will hear them and I the God of Israel will not abandon them. I will open rivers in the high places and fountains in dry valleys, I will make the wilderness into a pool of water. I will plant the trees in the wilderness. Everyone will know and realise that I have done this. Then from v21-29 Isaiah speaks of the future and of Cyrus the King. The Lord will bring one from the north but he will be from the east. He will tread on the princes as a potter treading on clay. I will bring him on Israel because their will be no righteous man in Israel to discuss righteousness with. They have all become empty and idolatrous. In Isaiah 42 he changes to speak of the Messiah himself – the antitype. This opening passage v1-3 is quoted in Matt 12v17-21. It describes Christ’s earthly mission conducted in the days of his flesh. The LORD is speaking about Christ he says Look my servant the one that I have chosen and elect = appointed (Election is not about salvation but about appointment to office) He is the one whom God finds delight in his soul. Then he describes his baptism by John, he says I have put my Spirit upon him. And he says about his mission which is to bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He will be meek and not demonstrative. He will not destroy the ministry of the scribe or the priest. But he will bring forth judgment unto truth. Christ will bring the correct judgments of the Lord with regard to the true meaning of the law. This is the sermon on the mount. Where he corrected the faulty teaching of the scribes and gave Gods true judgments on the teaching of the Mosaic law. He will not fail or be discouraged inspite of the rejection of the religious leaders until he comes again bringing judgment and justice on the earth and the islands will wait patiently for his ruling. Christ’s rule is of course delayed today but Isaiah sees all this with an unbroken prophetic vision. He does not see the church age at all. It was a mystery hidden in God in his day. In v5-7 the Messiah is addressed by the Father God. He describes himself as creator of the heavens, the earth and the giver of breath to men and spirit to those who walk in the earth. (Is this referring to the Holy Spirit given to men to enable them to serve him?) Then the Lord says to Christ I the LORD have called you in righteousness and I will hold your hand and keep you and give you for a covenant to your people to be a light to the gentiles (Think of Simeon’s declaration) To open the eyes of the blind and to release the prisoners from their dark cells. Then the LORD says I am the LORD. That is my name and my glory I will not give to another (See John 17) Nor will I allow my praise to be given to images. Then the Lord declares new things, He says I will tell you about them before they happen. The New thing is a world revival or rather worldwide devotion to the LORD in which all men will sing to the Lord. Then he describes the Messiah saying The LORD will go forth to battle like a mighty warrior. He will cry against his enemies and he will conquer them. Then Christ speaks saying I have for a long time said nothing. But now I will cry out like woman in childbirth. I will destroy and devour all at once and then he describes his fierce anger in destroying mountains, vegetation, rivers, pools. He will bring the blind through strange paths. The darkness will become light to them. Idolaters will be greatly ashamed. Then from v18 – 45v15 he declares his controversy with Israel. He begins by remonstrating against their morality. The deaf will hear and the blind will see those that have spiritual blindness. He will greatly enlarge the law in the minds of men and make it an honour to keep it. They are a people that have forsaken the Lord. He says the Lord has delivered you to robbers and thieves because you did not walk in his ways or keep his law. So the Lord poured out his fury in anger against them and set them on fire. In Isaiah 43 the Lord gives encouragement to Israel saying, do not be afraid, because I have redeemed you, I have called you by my name and you are mine. When you walk through the waters I will be with you. You will never sink beneath the waves. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned nor shall a flame touch you. Because I am the LORD your God. The Holy One of Israel, Your Saviour. I have given all Egypt for your ransom, including Ethiopia and Seba. Because you were precious to me you are honourable and I have loved you and I will sacrifice all men to save your lives. Then the LORD describes a re-gathering from the east, west, north and south. (This is a greater gathering than the Babylonian return, when a few thousand returned from the east) They will return from the ends of the earth. Every single Israelite will return, the blind that have eyes, the deaf that have ears. These are the spiritually blind and deaf. Then from v8-13 The Lord challenges the whole earth to witness what he will do. The LORD will call on all nations to witness this. This will be proof that only God is God and only he is the Saviour. God alone will do this and non will stop him. Then from v14 to 28 he describes all the witnesses. The Lord will make a path in the sea for Israel to walk home. They will forget their deliverance from Egypt because this will be such a great deliverance that the crossing of the red sea (The gulf of Aqabar) will seem to be so little in comparison. The Lord will make a new road in the desert for those returning. He says I will blot out your sins and never bring them up again.

AM Oct 12th 1 Tim 3

October 12^th 1 Timothy 3 D. The Offices of the Church Being an Overseer

1: This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3: Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5: (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7: Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Being a Deacon

8: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9: Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10: And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11: Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12: Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Being a church member

14: These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Next Paul gives very specific teaching to Timothy to remind him what is involved in looking after Gods people. He says, If is a faithful saying that if a man wants to be recognised as an overseer, then he is wanting to do a very great work. Paul lists the various types of qualifications for the overseer. There must be no public questions about his character. He is to be married in a way that is honourable. He is to be aware of the affairs of the world and the church. He is to be a man of level headed thinking. He is to be a man of careful godliness. He is to be a man who always gives aid to the lonely and needy taking them into his home. He is able to teach the word of God effectively. He is not a man who is addicted to alcohol. He is not a brawler. He is not greedy for filthy gold. But he is forbearing. He is not argumentative. Nor money-loving. He manages his own household well having his children under proper control. (After-all if a man cannot manage his own house then how will be manage the church of God?) He is not a new christian, so that he will not become full of pride and fall into a trap set by the Devil. And more than this, says Paul, he must have a good testimony to those outside the church. Because if he doesn’t unbelievers will despise him and he will be trapped in a snare of the Devil. Next Paul turns his attention to the deacons – servants who work on behalf of the church. (These men serve the church in a non-teaching role) First a deacon must be a serious person, he is not be a person who says one thing to one person but another thing to another person. He is to be free of Alcoholic abuse, not greedy for money and possessions but understanding and possessing a clear understanding of the truth of the Apostles doctrine (both in theory and practical christian living) with a clear conscience. And he who wishes this office must be tested first over a period of time and be found to be blameless. And the deacon’s wife is to be of the same godly christian character. The man is to have one wife and he must run his own home well. Those that perform well in this office will have earned a good reward and they will be confident at the judgement seat of Christ. I am hoping to see you soon Timothy but because it might be a long while before l see you, l thought l might write this letter so that you will know how to behave yourself in the church of God. The church comes from the living God. It is the pillar and the ground of truth. The place of devotion and the place where the foundation is found which is the Apostles doctrine. There is no dispute that the Apostles doctrine is ‘The mystery of Godliness’. Which is that - God was manifested in flesh. He (Christ) was declared to be righteous by the Spirit, He revealed himself to angels, He was preached among the nations, He was believed on in the world and He was received up into glory.