Accepted(Recognized) Christian Authority-3

ACCEPTED(Recognized) CHRISTIAN AUTHORITY-III—1Timothy 1:1-2

Attention:

Read names slowly.

What do the following names conjure up in your mind?

Adrian Rogers

Chuck Swindoll

Erwin Lutzer

John MacArthur

J. Vernon McGee

James Dobson

Charles Stanley

Rick Warren

Henry Blackaby

These may cause us to scratch our heads a bit:

David Koresch

Jim Jones

Mary Baker Eddy—Christian Science

Joseph Smith—Mormonism

Charles Taze Russell—Jehovah’s Witnesses

Sun Myung Moon—Moonies

Deepak Chopra

Oprah Winfrey

Peter Popoff

Robert Tilton

Benny Hinn

There are many people to whom we have access every day who attempt to 'show us' what ‘truth’ &/or ‘Christianity’ is really is all about.

But...

In order to fill the shoes of the faithful, one must first recognize his/her authority.

We must be able to recognize true Christian authority in order to learn from it.

Need:

Who can I trust regarding spiritual matters?

Paul approached Timothy thru accepted authority.

The faithful Christian accepts God’s authority.

How do the faithful recognize Christian authority?

10 qualifiers of acceptable Christian authority.

Previously we have found some...

Qualifiers of an accepted Christian authority are a Recognized......

1. FAMILIARITY(:1)

2. APOSTLESHIP(:1)

3. DETERMINATION(:1)

4. SALVATION(:1)

5. LORDSHIP(:1, 2)

6. HOPE(:1)

7—A qualifier of an accepted Christian authority is...

Recognized KINSHIP(:2)

Explanation:(:2)Relationship

:2—“To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, & peace from God our Father & Jesus Christ our Lord.”

This letter is written to a specific person named “Timothy.” Thereby Paul has purposes in mind, which pertain specifically to the recipient.

1Tim 3:14-15—“These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar & ground of the truth.”

Personal: “Timothy”—A friend. Someone who sticks by you thru thick & thin.

Intimate: “a true son”— There is a ‘blood-tie’ as it were. They have a father-son kindship which exists & is cemented by a spiritual bond. A son needs mentoring. A father willingly & lovingly shares his wisdom.

Timothy is considered by Paul, to be “a true son in the faith.” Thus Paul not only ‘begot’ Timothy thru the Gospel of Christ but Timothy is also called of God to pastoral evangelical ministry(2Tim. 4:2-5) according to that which pertains to “the faith.” Timothy is a legitimately sincere son in the faith of Jesus Christ, birthed & nurtured thru Paul’s outreaching ministry.

Working: “in the faith”—Their giftednesses coincide & are mutually beneficial as well as beneficial for the church. Paul mentors Timothy. Timothy refreshes Paul. The churches of all ages, including ours, are strengthened & built up in the faith.

1Cor. 4:14-17—“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved & faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”

“Timothy”—Timoyeov—‘Precious or dear to God’ OR‘Honoring God’

“True/Own”—gnhsiov—1) Legitimately born, not spurious; 2) True, genuine, sincere. Strong–Legitimate (of birth), i.e. Genuine. Used 4X.

“Son/Child”—teknon—Offspring, a child. Gives prominence to physical & outward aspects of parentage.

Argumentation:

1Tim. 4:1-16—“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits & doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, & commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe & know the truth. For every creature of God is good, & nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God & prayer. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith & of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane & old wives’ fables, & exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is & of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying & worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor & suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command & teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself & to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself & those who hear you.”