HERE'S A TRUSTWORTHY SAYING ...
MEN, WOMEN, LEADERS, AND SALVATION

further studies in I Timothy

Salvation

• Trustworthy Saying 1 – Christ came into the world to save sinners
• But some have shipwrecked their faith
• Exclusive, sectarian, legalist
  • Anti-Gentile
  • Anti-grace

The “Certain Ones”

• putting value on controversy: myths and endless genealogies which amount to speculation (1:4);
• engaging in empty discussion (1:6);
• responding to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (4:1);
• guided by the hypocrisy of liars (4:2);
• forbidding marriage and promoting abstinence from foods (4:3);
• emphasis on godless and silly myths (4:7);
• desire for controversy and disputes about words (6:4);
• believing godliness is a means for gain (6:5)

Conduct of the Saved

• Pray for everyone without exclusion (2:1)
• Peaceful lives, quiet, godly, holy (2:2)
  1. It pleases God who wants all to be saved
  2. The work of the one mediator (Christ) gave himself as a ransom for all
  3. Paul’s mission was to proclaim this to all, not a select few

Conduct in God’s Household

• I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household – I Timothy 3:14-15

Problems

• Disputes, controversies
• Hatred, gossip
• Immodesty, trouble-making
• Disruption of households
• Shame in families and community

Men, Women, Salvation

• Men: Lift hands in prayer, not anger
• Women: Dress modestly, not gaudy and extravagant
• Let women learn in quiet and submission [See I Timothy 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 1 Peter 3:4, Titus 2:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:12]
• Order of creation argument

Genesis and 1 Timothy

• Genesis 4 – Anger and violence
• Genesis 3 – Deception and shame
• Saved through (the) child-bearing
• Poetic Statement: Eve brought Adam down, but through Eve, Adam is ultimately saved

What’s Wrong With the Women?

• Artemis Cult
• Women influenced by disruptive teachers
• Self-indulgent (5:6)
• Gossiping (5:13)
• Some follow Satan (5:16)

Blameless Leaders

• Trustworthy Saying 2 - Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task (3:1)
• Family and Character
• Deacons: Worthy of Respect
• Deaconess or Wives?

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Evening Sermon, 21 February 2010

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