LESSONS FOR LEADERS.
(Epistles of Timothy & Titus)
Mr K Gerner B.A.
AUDIO VISUAL MINISTRIES,
P.O.Box 1, NEWCASTLE, Co Down.BT33 0BF
(A) MASTERS AND SLAVES. 1 Tim 6:1-2, Titus 2:9-10
(1) Spreading Capitalism is a sign of the end times
(2) N.T.does NOT advocate social revolution.
(3) Answer to Exploitation lies in
(4) AIMING AT CHANGING THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE SYSTEM, not system itself
(a) Challenge to worst form of working condition in SLAVERY
(i) Slaves must obey their Masters. Eph 6:5
(ii) Accountability to God is for both Master and Slave. Coloss 3:22
(iii) Even unjustified punishment by bad masters, can lead nearer to Christ !1 Pet 2:18
(iv) Paul acted on this teaching in case of ONESIMUS. Philemon 1:10-14
(b) Comradeship with believing Masters. 1 Tim 6:2
(c) Credit is brought to Christ by changed lives of slaves. Titus 2:9.
(B) SATISFACTION V GREED & TEACHING ON RICHES 1 Tim 6: 6-19
(i) SPIRIT OF GREED FOR MONEY LIES BEHIND LABOUR & SOCIAL PROBLEMS
1. Contentment & Godliness go together. 1 Tim 6:6
2. Contentment based on earthly possessions limited to this life. 1 Tim 6:7
3. Contentment with basic needs being satisfied, NOT luxurious living. 1 Tim 6:8.Heb 13:5
(4) Considerable dangers of grasping after getting rich:
(i) Love of money is root of all kinds of evil. 1 Tim 6:10
(ii) Past examples are a warning in Achan (Jos 7:24) , Ananias & Sapphira(Acts 5:9)
(ii) GREED LEADS TO SORROW
(iii) LOVE OF CHARACTER, NOT JUST MONEY, BE AIM OF GOD'S MEN.v.11
(iv) LOOK ON YOUR TESTIMONY AS SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP CLEAN. 1 Tim 6:12
(v) CHALLENGE TO WEALTHY TO TRUST GOD AND USE THEIR MONEY
FOR HIS WORK
Lesson No.8. (G) SOCIAL QUESTIONS.
(A) MASTERS & SLAVES - Employees.
1 Timothy 6:1-2, Titus 2:9-10
1 Timothy 6:1-2
Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. NKJV
1TI 6:1 NIV All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered.
1.SPREADING CAPITALISM IS SIGNOF END TIMES
One of the signs of the "last days, is the emergence of labour and other troubles, associated with greed for money. SPREADING CAPITALISM IS A SIGN OF THE END TIMES.
\JAM 5:1 NIV Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.5 You have lived on earth in luxury nd self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
2. NO SOCIAL REVOLUTION is advocated in the New Testament as such,
3. what is the working man's answer to exploitation ?
4.Paul tackles the problem here (w SYSTEM hich is vital for every employer and employee today) by AIMING AT CHANGING THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE (rather than the system itself) BY A NEW SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO GOD in a new society in God's new world.
(a) CHALLENGE OF THE WORST FORM OF WORKING CONDITIONS IN SLAVERY
1TI 6:1 NIV All who are under the yoke of slavery (Greek = douloi)
The Slaves here mentioned are assumed to have UNSAVED Masters.
Slaves, who purchased their freedom, often remained under Roman Masters, as "clients" and the Masters allowed many to come out into freedom, using the money they thus gained, to purchase further slaves to add to their client labour force. These workers, under such bad conditions, were urged NOT TO REVOLT, but to respect their masters, for the sake of the Name of God and His teaching not being spoken against.
TIT 2:10 NIV and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
ADVICE THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT follows the same teaching :-
(i) Slaves must OBEY their masters.
EPH 6:5 NIV Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
EPH 6:6 NIV Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
EPH 6:7 NIV Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
EPH 6:8 NIV because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
THIS HEART ATTITUDE BY THE SLAVES is then balanced by CHRISTIAN MASTERS NOT THREATENING THEIR SLAVES.
EPH 6:9 NIV And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.
RESPONSIBILITY TO GOD IS THE KEYNOTE IN BOTH CASES, not changing the system.
(ii) Accountability to God was the teaching for both slaves and Masters
COL 3:22 NIV Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving
COL 4:1 NIV Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
(iii) Even unjustified punishment by bad Masters can lead you nearer to Christ
1PE 2:18 NIV Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
There is not credit in taking A JUSTIFIED PUNISHMENT, but bearing an unjustified one, brings you into identification with Christ.
1PE 2:21 NIV To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(iv) This TEACHING was backed by ACTION in Paul's dealing with ONESIMUS
PHM 1:10 NIV I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.12 I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.
Onesimus had run away and stolen from his master and been converted under Paul's ministry. He is now sent back to his master with a promise of full payment by Paul for all stolen goods, since Paul would do nothing WITHOUT HIS MASTER'S CONSENT.
PHM 1:14 NIV But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favour you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
PAUL assumed these responsibilities as brother in Christ to Onesimus and TAUGHT RESTITUTION FOR SINS as being a genuine part of repentance
PHM 1:16 NIV no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
PHM 1:18 NIV If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self.
(b) COMRADESHIP WITH BELIEVING MASTERS
1TI 6:2 NIV Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
Slaves should not take advantage of their Masters who are Christians. Membership in the same family of God is not to be used as a pretext for refusing respect and loyalty.
This advice to SERVE THEM EVEN BETTER, would apply today and to members of the armed forces (who are Christians) as a command from God.
The reason for this is that good C hristian masters benefit from heir service and so Christ's cause is helped forward by their Masters prosperity. Ultimately the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire led to an amelioration of the social atmosphere, so that slavery later began to disappear, as it did in England and USA..
(c) CREDIT IS BROUGHT TO CHRIST BY CHANGED LIVES AT WORK
TIT 2:9 NIV Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
Slaves, while sharing spiritual blessings, needed to manifest their cheerful subjection (rather than sullen grumbling or gainsaying) ands those entrusted with business or other jobs, must AVOID THEFT AND UNFAITHFULNESS.
A FAITH THAT COULD PRODUCE SUCH A CHANGE IN THE VILEST SLAVES, WOULD POWERFUL INFLUENCE THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVING CRITICS. St Chrysostom commented "Greeks form their estimate of doctrines, not from the doctrine itself, but from the ACTIONS AND LIVES OF THOSE PROFESSING THEM.
God gets the highest glory from the testimony of those despised by men as ignoble and illiterate, showing a meek and quiet spirit which reveals the power of the Gospel for good.
The GLORY OF GOD should be the MAIN AIM.
(B) SATISFACTION V GREED AND TEACHING ON RICHES 1 Timothy 6:6-19
Behind many of our social and labour problems, lies a SPIRIT OF GREED FOR MONEY, (which also causes many defects in Christian living) and Paul now proceeds to deal with this evil.
(1) CONTENTMENT AND GODLINESS should go together.,
1TI 6:6 NIV But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Paul had learnt some major lessons from his own experience of suffering and poverty.
2CO 9:8 NIV And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
PHI 4:11 NIV I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
It is important to LEARN TO BE CONTENT with one's circumstances, by becoming freedom from dependence on any other resources other than those of the Lord.
(2) CONTENTMENT BASED ON EARTHLY POSSESSIONS IS LIMITED TO THIS LIFE
1TI 6:7 NIV For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
This is clear BIBLE TEACHING;
JOB 1:21 NIV and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
PSA 49:17 NIV for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendour will not descend with him.
ECC 5:15 NIV Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labour that he can carry in his hand.
(3) CONTENTMENT SHOULD BE BASED ON BASIC NEEDS BEING SATISFIED, NOT LUXURIOUS LIVING
1TI 6:8 NIV But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Gk "skepasma"= shelter here and is equivalent to the English "board and lodging"
Even in these things, we should not be anxious for God has promised to meet our needs
MAT 6:25 NIV "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
HEB 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
(4) CONSIDERABLE DANGERS LIE IN GRASPING AFTER GETTING RICH
1TI 6:9 NIV People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
PRO 28:20 NIV A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
The dangerous snare here is that the desire for money, leads us into many shady ways of getting it, and worldly associations, behind which lies the Devil's power.
2TI 2:26 NIV and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
You CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON.
MAT 6:24 NIV "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
THE LUST FOR MONEY IS FOOLISH BECAUSE IT LEADS TO A CRAVING FOR UNDESIRABLE THINGS AND IT HURTS BECAUSE OF THE INJURIES IT BRINGS TO SOUL AND BODY.
The metaphor here is of drowning in a SUDDEN CALAMITY which falls on the self-willed aspirant to riches at the climax of his course in evil.
Various sins which follow from the desire to get rich are SUMMARISED;
(i) LOVE OF MONEY IS ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL
1TI 6:10 NIV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
The doctrine of SELFISH PROSPERITY leads AWAY FROM THE FAITH.
(ii) LET PAST EXAMPLES BE A WARNING
Apostasy following this kind of covetousness and others get involved in falling away.
ACHAN'S SIN involved the whole family. (Joshua chapter 7)
JOS 7:24 NIV Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor.
JOS 7:25 NIV Joshua said, "Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today." Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.
ANANIAS sin led his wife Sapphira into death (Acts 5:1-11)
ACT 5:9 NIV Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
(iii) LEADING INTO SORROW
Sorrow is the ultimate result of losing the joy of believing and our conscience begins to gnaw.
(iv) LOVE OF CHARACTER, NOT JUST MONEY, MUST BE THE AIM OF GOD'S MEN
1TI 6:11 NIV But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Gk"anthropos"- shows that a member of God's race of men must flee the love of money and follow after righteousness, pleasing God faith and love, which were all found in Christ, who showed the fruit of meekness, under many trials.
1TI 1:14 NIV The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
THIS KIND OF CHARACTER will inevitably bring us into conflict with the worldly priority on riches, but we MUST LEARN TO TRUST THE WORD OF GOD and fight in faith. This will prove a long process and (Greek Present tense) go on right through our life.
1TI 6:12 NIV Fight the good fight of the faith.
(v) LOOK ON YOUR TESTIMONY AS A SACRED RESPONSIBILITY & KEEP IT CLEAN
1TI 6:12 NIV Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Gk Aorist here suggests a DECISIVE LAYING HOLD NOW OF THE BENEFITS OF ETERNAL LIFE, as opposed to passing riches
We have a RESPONSIBILITY TO RESPOND TO GOD'S CALL AND TO HOLD ON TO WHAT WE CONFESSED BEFORE MEN TO WHOM WE WITNESSED.
PAUL ADDS TO THE GRAVITY OF HIS INSTRUCTION HERE by reminding us of the FACT THAT gOD WITNESSED to our salvation vows
1TI 6:13 NIV In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you
He also adds that GOD IS FAITHFUL TO ALL WHO TRUST HIM ("he gives life to everything - Gk zoogoneo = preserve alive) in preserving them through THE TRIALS OF THIS WORLD.
Paul adds that Jesus testified to Pilate HIS KINGDOM WAS NOT OF THIS WORLD.
JOH 18:36 NIV Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world , to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
This should be an incentive to us to keep our testimony CLEAN.
1TI 6:14 NIV to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
THIS PROCESS MUST CONTINUE UNTIL CHRIST COMES AGAIN, when God will show in His time, who is the TRUE KING of Kings and Lord of Lords. (A vital encouragement to those testifying before worldly Governments!)
THE LORD'S LIFE IS HERE SEEN AS IMMORTAL, though he became a man in order to die for our sins, based on eternal light.
1TI 6:16 NIV who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen.
HE HAS OPENED FOR US A WAY THROUGH HIS BLOOD INTO THE SAME LIFE, which we need to take, by walking in His light
PSA 104:2 NIV He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent
HEB 10:19 NIV Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body
1JO 1:5 NIV This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
CHRIST CAN ONLY BE SEEN HOWEVER, by those who are BORN AGAIN TO WALK THIS WAY, AND TO GLORIFY GOD BY THEIR BEHAVIOUR.
1JO 3:6 NIV No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
MAT 5:8 NIV Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
HEB 12:14 NIV Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
(5) CHALLENGE TO WEALTHY TO TRUST GOD & USE THEIR MONEY FOR HIS WORK
1TI 6:17 NIV Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
It is THE DESIRE FOR MONEY, rather than the possession of it WHICH pAUL ATTACKS, THOUGH ITS POSSESSION CAN QUICKLY lead to independent pride.
JER 9:23 NIV This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,
JER 9:24 NIV but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord.
ROM 12:16 NIV Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Instead of HOARDING OF RICHES, there should be a VITAL RELIANCE ON GOD AS THE REAL SOURCE OF SUPPLY, to whom we are Stewards.
Rich people should benefit others to get REAL RICHES and be ready to DISTRIBUTE THEIR MONEY generously (Gk. adjective from Koinonia=fellowship) with a view to the TREASURES OF ETERNAL LIFE.
INVEST FOR THE DAYS THAT LIE AHEAD BY GIVING IT TO THE LORD & HIS PEOPLE !
***
LESSON 8.
Give 5 perils associated with the desire for riches from (a) Deuteronomy 8:13 (b) Psalm 62:10 (c) Proverbs 28:20 (d) Mark 4:19 (e) James 5:1-7.
Send answers with s.a.e. to A.V.M. Post Office Box 1, NEWCASTLE, Co Down, BT33 0EP.NI
LESSONS FOR LEADERS.Keith Gerner
No.8. (C) SOCIAL QUESTIONS
(A) MASTERS AND SLAVES. 1 Tim 6:1-2, Titus 2:9-10
(1) Spreading Capitalism is a sign of the end times
(2) N.T.does NOT advocate social revolution.
(3) Answer to Exploitation lies in :
(a) Challenge to worst form of working condition in SLAVERY
(i) Slaves must obey their Masters
(ii) Accountability to God is for both Master and Slave
(iii) Even unjustified punishment by bad masters, can lead to being nearer to Christ !
(iv) Paul acted on this teaching in case of ONESIMUS.
(b) Comradeship with believing Masters. 1 Tim 6:2
(c) Credit is brought to Christ by changed lives of slaves
(d) SATISFACTION V GREED & TEACHING ON RICHES 1 Tim 6: 6-19
(i) SPIRIT OF GREED FOR MONEY LIES BEHIND LABOUR & SOCIAL PROBLEMS
(1) Contentment and Godliness should go together
(2) Contentment through earthly possessions limited to this life
(3) Contentment is basic needs satisfied, not luxury living.
(4) Considerable dangers of grasping after getting rich:
(i) Love of money is root of all kinds of evil
(ii) Past examples are a warning in Achan, Ananias & Sapphira
(ii) GREED LEADS TO SORROW
(iii) LOVE OF CHARACTER, NOT JUST MONEY, MUST BE AIM OF GOD'S MEN.
(iv) LOOK ON YOUR TESTIMONY AS SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP CLEAN.
(v) CHALLENGE TO WEALTHY TO TRUST GOD AND USE THEIR MONEY
FOR HIS WORK.