A Good Servant Of Christ Jesus Series

Scripture

In his First Letter to Timothy, Paul opened chapter 4 with a discussion about false teachers. Paul wanted Timothy to combat the errors of these false teachers. Paul set down several features regarding the false teachers in verses 1-5. Then Paul went on to tell Timothy that the way to deal with false teachers was by being a good servant of Christ Jesus.

Let us read about being a good servant of Christ Jesus in 1 Timothy 4:6-10:

6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:6-10)

Introduction

Charles Hodge was one of the leading theologians in the mid-nineteenth century. He also served as the President of Princeton Theological Seminary from 1851 until his death in 1878. His funeral in Princeton was a momentous occasion. The professor of systematic theology at Princeton Seminary was not only a learned scholar and a champion of Reformation orthodoxy, but he was also a beloved teacher and friend. On the day of his funeral, all the shops in Princeton were closed. After the worship service ended at the First Presbyterian Church, a great procession formed at the seminary and moved slowly to the cemetery. (I have visited that cemetery, and many notable men and women in the nineteenth century are buried there.) Of all the tributes given to Dr. Charles Hodge on that solemn day, perhaps the most fitting was given by Professor William Paxton: “When due allowance is made for his intellect and his learning, after all his chief power was in his goodness. Christ enshrined in his heart was the center of his theology and his life. The world will write upon his monument GREAT; but we, his students, will write upon it GOOD.”

“A minister of the gospel,” writes Philip Ryken, in whose commentary is the previous illustration, “can receive no higher praise.” The tribute that Professor Paxton gave to Dr. Charles Hodge is the same epitaph the apostle Paul want Timothy to be given when he came to the end of his ministry. Paul did not urge Timothy to greatness; he urged him instead to be “a good servant of Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 4:6).

As we begin today’s study, it is important to keep in mind what commentator Philip Towner wrote:

Just as a skillful coach will often return to the basics of the sport to pull the team or a player out of a slump, Paul returns to the basics to keep this church on track. As he seeks to counteract the influences of the false teaching here, he emphasizes one of the most important practical lessons of the Pastoral Epistles: the soundness of a church depends on ministers and leaders who are sound in their faith and practice.

But wait! This teaching applies to all Christians. Yes, in this section Paul focuses on Timothy, the paradigm of the good minister or Christian leader, who must pursue spiritual priorities and pay attention to his lifestyle and calling. But we shouldn’t be fooled by the term minister [“servant” in the ESV]—the principles apply to all believers, just as all believers are to be vitally involved in ministry. The leader or minister [or servant] is to be a model. In the leader’s ministry and life God’s Word and its application must be central. Attention to these basics will make a critical difference. As we saw in chapter 1 of this letter, the minister and ministry that accord with God’s will are exact opposites of the “enthusiasts” and their version of the faith.

Lesson

1 Timothy 4:6-10 shows us the priorities of a good servant of Christ Jesus.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. A Good Servant of Christ Jesus Nourishes Himself on God’s Word (4:6-7a)

2. A Good Servant of Christ Jesus Trains Himself for Godliness (4:7b-9)

3. A Good Servant of Christ Jesus Commits Himself to Gospel Proclamation (4:10)

I. A Good Servant of Christ Jesus Nourishes Himself on God’s Word (4:6-7a)

First, a good servant of Christ Jesus nourishes himself on God’s word.

Paul wrote in verse 6, “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.” Paul had just told Timothy to refute those who forbid marriage and require abstinence from certain foods. “Words of the faith” is a general reference to Scripture and “good doctrine” refers to the theology that Scripture teaches. Thus, Paul urged Timothy to nourish himself on God’s word. By doing so, he would grow in his understanding of Biblical truth.