What's A Preacher To Do? Series

Introduction:

A. Ministry can be a challenge for ministers and for members – How’s that for an understatement?

B. But imagine seeing this “want ad” for a preacher:

1. “Must have experience as a shepherd, CEO, office manager, educator, salesman, diplomat, referee, writer, theologian, politician, motivational speaker, Boy Scout leader, psychologist, social worker, funeral director, wedding consultant, master of ceremonies, church planter, and missionary.

2. Helpful, but not essential: landscape manager, interior decorator, building contractor, musician, minor league athlete, and stand-up comedian.

3. Should have answers to life’s tough questions about suffering, dying, and God’s sovereignty.

a. Must hold firm convictions on every topic, but not allowed to ruffle anyone’s feathers.

b. Must think as deeply as C. S. Lewis, preach as passionately as Charles Spurgeon, and listen as sensitively as James Dobson.

4. A sweet disposition is required at all times, even when being attacked or simply having a bad day.

a. Must have wisdom and experience of age but energy and glow of youth.

b. Must have no bad habits or hobbies.

c. Twenty-four-hour-a-day availability a must, but he must spend quality time with family.

5. Applicant’s wife must be both stunning and plain, quiet yet outgoing.

a. She should keep home ready for visitors at any moment, and be available to teach Sunday school, organize socials, and disciple women.

b. Applicant’s children must be exemplary in conduct and character, yet be no different from other kids.

6. We are an equal opportunity employer.

C. Okay, so maybe you’ve never seen a “want ad” quite like that, but ask around and you might be surprised at what some people think preachers are supposed to do and supposed to be.

1. That’s one reason that Paul wrote to Timothy - to clear up confusion about the duties, expectations, and priorities of ministry.

a. That, certainly, was instruction necessary in the emerging church of the first century, but it is also necessary in every century.

2. There were also false teachers and their doctrines abounding in the sphere of Timothy’s ministry.

a. That’s why this letter mandates the preaching of the truth.

3. Surely Timothy must have felt overwhelmed at times as he tried to extinguish the theological and administrative fires that flared up in the church at Ephesus.

a. The demands of ministry in our time, just as in Timothy’s, are greater than our wisdom or abilities, and so we need a guidebook, and a guide.

b. 1 Timothy is such a book, and Paul, inspired by the Spirit is our guide.

D. Today, I want us to take a look at the first eleven verses of the first chapter of this letter and understand and apply the message that Paul had for Timothy and for us.

E. Let’s briefly review the first two verses of the letter.

1. We looked at these verses in last week’s introductory sermon to this new series on 1 Timothy.

2. The letter begins: 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope: 2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (1 Tim. 1:1-2)

3. These are warm words from a commissioned apostle to a close friend.

4. From the very greeting of the letter, Paul affirmed his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

a. Those who were giving Timothy trouble needed to remember that Timothy was there because God had put him there, for Paul had sent him there, and Paul’s authority was given by God.

b. Paul was an apostle, one whom God sent with a special commission.

c. His apostleship came by commandment from Jesus Christ.

5. We note also, that Paul pointed out that Jesus was not only our Savior, but our hope.

a. To a discouraged Timothy, that was surely a real boost.

b. When Jesus is involved, there is always hope, for He can do anything and everything through us. Amen!

F. We also note, from the beginning of this letter that it was written from a close friend.

1. Last week we explored the two-decade relationship of Paul and Timothy, and surely their relationship resembled that of a father and son.

2. Paul calls him his true son in the faith (1:2).

3. What an encouragement this letter must have been to Timothy.

a. As he unrolled the parchment and began to read Paul’s words, memories of their years of ministry together surely swept across his mind.

b. Paul’s letter must have reassured Timothy that, though he may have felt overwhelmed, he was not alone.

c. His heavenly father, and his “spiritual” father were with him to provide comfort and strength.

4. By the way, the ministry can be a lonely profession.