Lessons in Leadership From Timothy
1 Timothy 1:1-7
1. Ministers must not only be charged to preach the true doctrine of the gospel, but charged to preach no other doctrine. If an angel from heaven preach any other doctrine, let him be anathema, Gal. 1:8.
2. In the times of the apostles there were attempts made to corrupt Christianity (we are not as many, who corrupt the word, 2 Co. 2:17), otherwise this charge to Timothy might have been spared.
3. He must not only see to it that he did not preach any other doctrine, but he must charge others that they might not add any thing of their own to the gospel, or take any thing from it, but that they preach it pure and uncorrupt. He must also take care to prevent their regarding fables, and endless genealogies, and strifes of words. This is often repeated in these two epistles (as ch. 4:7; 6:4; 2 Tim. 2:23), as well as in the epistle to Titus. As among the Jews there were some who brought Judaism into Christianity; so among the Gentiles there were some who brought paganism into Christianity.
The early days of Christianity were both exciting and dangerous. You had people from different religions all coming into Christianity. Everybody wanted to bring their old beliefs with them. Paul knew this wasn’t going to work.
Verse 4 “controversies” the only thing that can happen is people would argue about what they thought they should do.
Verse 7-If you are going to be a leader, know what you are talking about. You need to know what scripture says inside and out on the subject of your ministry.
1 Timothy 1:12-16
1. It is Christ’s work to put men into the ministry. Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it is Christ’s work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church.
2. Those whom he puts into the ministry he fits for it; whom he calls he qualifies. Those ministers who are no way fit for their work, nor have ability for it, are not of Christ’s putting into the ministry, though there are different qualifications as to gifts and graces.
3. Christ gives not only ability, but fidelity, to those whom he puts into the ministry: He counted me faithful; and none are counted faithful but those whom he makes so. Christ’s ministers are trusty servants, and they ought to be so, having so great a trust committed to them.
4. A call to the ministry is a great favor, for which those who are so called ought to give thanks to Jesus Christ
It doesn’t matter what a person did in the past (jail, drugs, alcohol) if God calls them it is for a purpose and it is not up to the Church to reject them as a leader or member based on their past offenses to God. What has God forgiven you of that should have prevented you from being a leader?
Verse 18
1. The ministry is a warfare, it is a good warfare against sin and Satan and against the world: and under the banner of the Lord Jesus, who is the Captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10), and in his cause, and against his enemies, ministers are in a particular manner engaged.
2. Ministers must war this good warfare, must execute their office diligently and courageously, notwithstanding oppositions and discouragements.
3. The prophecies which went before concerning Timothy are here mentioned as a motive to stir him up to a vigorous and conscientious discharge of his duty; so the good hopes that others have entertained concerning us should excite us to our duty: That thou by them mightest war a good warfare.
4. We must hold both faith and a good conscience:
Chapter 2
Verse 1-Nobody is ever too good or too bad to be prayed for or receive counsel from a minister. In our prayers we are to have a generous concern for others as well as for ourselves; we are to pray for all men, and to give thanks for all men; and must not confine our prayers nor thanksgiving to our own persons or families. Prayer consists of various parts, of supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings; for we must pray for the mercies we want, as well as be thankful for mercies already received; and we are to deprecate the judgments which our own sins or the sins of others have deserved.
Verse 5-We need no one to stand in the middle between us and God when it comes to prayer. We can go straight to him with all prayers and concerns.
Chapter 4
Verse 1-5 When it gets close to the end of days, there will be an increase in false religions, cults, false teachers, selfish leas, etc.....(Heavens Gate, Scientology, David Koresch)
Verse 6,7,11- It is the responsibility of the minister to combat against these false teachings and false hopes.
Verse 12-Just because you are young doesn’t mean that people should ignore what you have to say. The wisdom of youth sometimes surpasses the experience of age.
Verse 16-It is a good and wise shepherd that doesn’t lead his sheep into danger but keeps them far from it.
Chapter 5
Verse 18-Wages, don’t expect people to do things for you for free just because you are a pastor nor should any leader in the church.
Verse 22-Sometimes as a minister you may get caught up in wanting to practice your anointing that you forget a basic element of ministry-LOVE.
Sometimes the best thing you can do to minister to a person is to just listen to them or give them a shoulder to cry on. There will be time fro prayer and laying of hands later.
Chapter 6
Verse 7, 10-Some ministers/leaders fall into the power trap of money or selfish goals. Do not lose sight of what your purpose in ministry is-service. Do not use your power or influence over people to make gains for yourself or your desires. Look at Jim/Tammy Faye Baker. A successful ministry that was doomed by selfish desires. Jim Baker said he never lost his faith in Jesus, he lost his fear of God.
Verse 11-14 this is the answer to how to combat against Verse 7,10
Verse 17-19-do not preach the “Peace and Prosperity” Gospel but the “Sin and Salvation” Gospel. The end results are far more lasting.
2 Timothy
Chapter 1
Verse 6,7,8-If you are a leader you are going to have to be bold. You are going to face opposition in your mission (world, friends, family). Don’t let this stop you.
Chapter 2
Verse 9-13-Just as it was Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost, so also it is ours. That is why it doesn’t matter what we suffer and endure in the mission.
Verse 15-Know what you are talking about when you use and quote scripture. It is a sword and used incorrectly can harm someone.
Verse 25,26-Not everyone you try to reach or witness to will be receptive. Present the Gospel and rely on the Holy Spirit to do the work that you cannot in the persons life and heart. A seed planted may grow or it may not, but a seed never planted will never even have a chance to grow.
Chapter 3
Verse 1-9-This sounds a lot like the world and time we live in now. Disrespectful children, ungodly people. Verse 5 people who think they are following God but not fearing him. These are the type of people who we are to lead to the truth.
Verse 16,17-Know your Bible!
Chapter 4
Verse 2-5 As a leader you are to rescue people from false doctrine and set them free with the truth.
Verse 18-That says it all. Now go boldly into the mission field and be the leader that God calls you to be.
