In our series we are looking at Acts 2:42-47 as we consider the core and heart of the church. In Acts 2:41 we are told that the 3000 people received the message Peter proclaimed and they were baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). What will these people do next? Now that they have accepted the message about Jesus and responded in faith as seen in their repentance and baptism, what will these disciples do now?
Devoted
The first thing we need to see is that these 3000 disciples devote themselves to spiritual things. Acts 2:42 says that they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to breaking bread, to fellowship, and to prayers. These people now have a new devotion in their lives. They are not devoting themselves to hobbies, material interests, politics, sports, or some other interest. They are devoting themselves to spiritual things. But even in the spiritual things, it is important to consider what they did devote themselves to in their lives. As the people of God they did not devote themselves to music, entertainment, social programs, or social justice. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to break bread, to fellowship, and to prayers. The church must always have a spiritual focus. Here is something important for us to think about. If the people of God spend their time and resources involved in worldly concerns, then who is going to fill our spiritual concerns and needs? What is going to fill the spiritual void if the church goes about its time in cultural events, world affairs, and material concerns? The church must fill the role of handling spiritual concerns and spiritual needs. This is one of the reasons why you will not see here a physical focus. We are not going to have barbecues here, hand out coffees, blast rock bands, or other such things. We can get those things elsewhere. What we need is the spiritual when we come together. We immediately see a spiritual focus that these Christians have in Acts 2:42 and this must be our devotion also.
Before we move on, I want for us to consider the four areas these Christians devoted themselves to: the apostles’ teaching, breaking bread, fellowship, and prayers. It seems so simple. There is nothing extraordinary here. There is nothing radical in what they devote themselves to. But extraordinary things will happen if we devote ourselves to having this focused walk with God. What we are going to see is that this is a simple formula for devoting ourselves to God and growing our faith.
The Apostles’ Teaching
We are told that these disciples devoted their time to the apostles’ teaching. This immediately tells us that the teaching of the apostles was authoritative. They did not want to only read the red letters (the words of Jesus), but considered what the apostles taught and wrote as equally authoritative. By devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching, these disciples are devoting to hearing the word of God.
What a picture we are given in this listing! The disciples devoted themselves to knowing the word of God. They wanted to know God’s will. They wanted to know God’s teaching as given through the apostles. This is a key characteristic of God’s people: they desire God’s word. This is what Jesus said about the people of God.
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31–32 NRSV)
Think about what Jesus says. If you are living in his word and staying in it, then you are truly his disciples. You will know the truth and be made free. This is an important picture for our consideration. God’s people continue in God’s word. This is what we see the disciples in Acts 2:42 immediately doing. They are devoting themselves to the word. Peter says the same thing.
Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2–3 CSB)
Peter says that God’s people desire the word. They want the word so that they can grow into their salvation. They desire it like a baby desires milk. This is a powerful image because you cannot distract an infant from milk when they want it. They will continue to cry until they receive the milk they desire. Peter uses this image as a picture for our desire of God’s word.
In essence, we are not the people of God without having a commitment to God’s word. We are to have a hunger for hearing the word of God. We devote ourselves to the teaching and want to hear the proclamation of the scriptures. Does devoting ourselves to the word of the Lord sound like wanting to hear a short devotional or a spiritual pep talk? There is a growing call for less teaching or no teaching at all. There is a growing desire keep the teaching light and simple. But as the people of God we must want to hear what the word says. We should desire to hear all of what God says. We want to know what he says in the Prophets just as much as we want to hear what God says in the Gospels. We do not look at the teaching as a minimum requirement but desiring to hear God’s word as often as possible.
We must take a step back and see if this is an accurate description about our lives. Are we devoted to the word like we see these Christians in Acts 2 and like Jesus and Peter described? Do we long to get into the scriptures every day? Do we want more time in God’s word, not less? Do we want to hear all of God’s word, not just certain portions? Do we want to hear the complex teachings just as much as we want to hear the simple teachings from God’s word? What we desire says a lot about where we are in our relationship with God. Do we avoid reading God’s word during the week? Do we avoid opportunities to listen to God’s word taught? Do we want less teaching? Do we want only easy teaching? Do we only want certain books or certain topics? These are warning flags that must concern us if we said yes to any of them.
Why Devotion To The Word?
So why is this so important as the people of God? First, devoting ourselves to the word is the only way we will rid ourselves of wrong ideas about life and renew our thinking in the image of God. If we think about how much influence the world has on our thinking due to what we watch, read, and listen to, it is so easy for us to become molding into the thinking of the world. The only way to counteract the world’s impression on our hearts and minds is a constant diet of God’s word. Now sometimes we will excuse ourselves from devoting ourselves to the word of God because of our schedules. We say that we are too busy and there is so much going on. We are tired and there is too much to do. But please remember that we all do what we want to do. Did we have time to get on the internet? Did we have time to watch tv? Did we have time to be on social media? Did we have time for our other hobbies and relaxation activities? I am sure that we did, no matter how short it was. You see that we like to use the excuse of being busy for things that we did not want to do. If we did not read the word today, it is because we did not want to read it today. There is no other option. We need to let that idea hit into our hearts. The people of God devote themselves to the word which means that the word of God receives priority over our other interests and desires. Devotion to the word of God is the only way that we can be transformed by God and remove all the wrong thinking that is in our minds.
Second, devotion to the word of God is the only way we will grow in our faith toward salvation. Peter said this in 1 Peter 2:2 as we looked at earlier in the lesson. Growing in God is only going to happen by being devoted to the word of God. Knowing God’s word is going to help us make better decisions in this life and prepare us for eternity with the Lord. The less we know about God from his word, the greater the disaster that is ahead of us. Israel was destroyed because they lost their desire for God and to learn from him.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hosea 4:6 ESV)
We must be a learning church. So there is a responsibility in the leaders to teach God’s word and a desire for all people to desire to hear God’s word. It is the only way we will grow. If we are weak in the faith and struggling with God, we need to really closely consider if we can say that we are devoted to the word.
Devoting Ourselves
1. Never read just a Bible verse.
This might sound really strange but we need to never read a Bible verse. It is so easy to take a verse of the Bible out of its context when we only read one verse. Read the whole paragraph and get the whole context. God gave us books that stand alone. Think about in ancient times that none of these books were collected into one volume but remain separate scrolls for hundreds of years. They are letters to people and churches. The books are songs and poetry books. The books are prophecies. The books are theological narratives. The Bible is not a book of random sayings from God. Each book as literary structure and order.
2. Look for why the text was written.
Do not read only looking for what I am supposed to do or not do. Looking for these purpose statements and thesis statement will help you enjoy a book of the Bible so much more. Let me give you one example: The book of 1 John is considered a fairly complicated book. But turn to 1 John 5:13 and notice what it says.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 ESV)
Now we have a lens for reading this book. What John is teaching is to help us know that we have eternal life. So I can read each paragraph asking myself, “How does this help me know that I have eternal life?” Finding and knowing these purpose statements will help us be excited to read each book in God’s word.
3. Think about what the text just said.
We blow over words and sentences so quickly without thinking about the implications of what was read. I believe this is exactly what Jesus is telling the Pharisees and Sadducees when he asks them, “Have you not read?” Of course they had read it but they had not thought about it in a way to understand what it said. They knew what it said but did not think about the conclusions that should be drawn from it. I think this is why there are so many misunderstandings and disagreements over scriptures and teachings. We often do not carefully read what the scriptures say.
One of the best ways to slow down and think about what the scripture said is to have a wide margin Bible, a journaling Bible, or notebook that you can highlight and note your observations. This helps us stop reading to get done and allows us to start reading with our minds, so that we can contemplate what the text said. One thing that is exciting recently is that every translation now has a journaling Bible or a wide margin Bible. I would advise getting yourself a large print journaling Bible unless you are young because the print can be very small in those editions. But now you can read with colored pencils, highlighters, and pens so that you can really think about what the text said and record your thoughts devotionally toward God.
4. Apply the text.
Get a notebook or journaling Bible and write down what you are thinking and seeing. What does this passage teach you about God? How does this passage change you? How do these words hit your heart? But remember something very important: application to ourselves cannot be done properly unless we understand how the text was applied to the original audience. What did they hear? What did they learn? Now I can grasp what we are to learn.
5. Jump start your reading.
A great way to jumpstart your reading is to buy yourself a new Bible and try a new translation. Buying something new always generates an initial excitement to get you wanting to look at your new purchase. Get yourself a new Bible to start reading today. Also, try a new translation. You will see all new things because things can be worded differently that will give you a better understanding. I am not saying that you need to leave your favorite translation forever. But try reading a new translation and you will enjoy seeing new things. If you have always used a NKJV, trying the ESV, CSB, NET, or NIV. If you have always used a NIV, try using a NASB, NET, ESV, or CSB. If you always used a NASB, try using a CSB, NIV, NET, or ESV. The CSB, ESV, NASB, NET, NIV, NKJV, and NRSV are reliable, accurate translations that are written in currently English so that we can depend on what we are reading.
6. Read to see the glory and beauty of God.
Finally, read to see God. This is the most important instruction for enjoying reading God’s word. We have been called to know God. We are beholding the glory of the Lord when we look into God’s word. Read in that way. Read to see Jesus. Read to see the glory of the Lord. Read to understand the Lord. Do not read to read. Do not read without this very important lens: what am I going to learn about God? When Jesus spoke to the men on the road to Emmaus, he opened the scriptures and beginning with Moses and the Prophets showed them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (cf. Luke 24:27). Read in the light of the gospel and read to see the glory and the beauty of the Lord. Experience him. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship (Koinonia), to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
As we taught last Sunday morning, this verse is a snapshot of what was taking place in the early Church that we see in the book of Acts. The amazing events at Pentecost had just occurred; thousands came to faith there in the city of Jerusalem, and the Church (the Koinonia church) was coming together. And what did they do? What was a part of their daily activities?
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings…”
Don’t let this simple line slip by you. This is a crucial part of the core of a true church family.
As we Build His Church, we are taking some time to study about the second Wall —that is, the “Koinonia Wall,” which literally means the “Fellowship Wall.” When I look at this short passage in Acts 2, there are several really important points that jump out at me, that make me realize how indispensable these aspects are to a viable church. This Sunday, we are going to concentrate and illustrate and apply this fact: if you are ever going to have a Koinonia church—a REAL church fellowship—then it begins with our devotion to the Word of God.
As you prepare for this coming Sunday morning, November 28, I ask you to read these passages:
- Acts 2:42-47
- Take a look at the picture of the Koinonia (the fellowship) and examine the aspects of it.
- Acts 4
- Read the whole chapter, with special focus on 4:23-31
- Take a look how they dealt with the crisis of Peter and John being thrown into prison.
On Sunday morning, I am going to deal with the point that a true Koinonia (church fellowship) cannot be possible without the dedication of its members to the Word of God. I am going to help give some direction and advice on how the Word can become a regular part of your life.
See you Sunday morning at 10 a.m. Happy Thanksgiving weekend to you, all my church family!
Contact Billy Arnold
by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz
Recently, a small group of members from our church traveled to Tucuman, Argentina to minister to a church that we have been working with since 2005. Our goal for this trip was to be an encouragement and a source of support for the lead pastor, Jorge Ahualle, and his family. We were blessed with the opportunity to spend time with the church for a retreat weekend together. We were asked to cover topics related to the theme of consecration/devotion, and were directed to speak to different groups within the church. I had the privilege of speaking to the youth of the church, and knew exactly what I wanted to communicate to them.
No matter which youth group will listen, my emphasis will always be the same: devotion to the Word of God. If the youth do not have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, the primary source to discover it is found in the gospel revealed in the life and work of Jesus Christ in Holy Scripture. If a youth follows Jesus, the way of growth is a vibrant relationship with Him, which comes by way of listening to Him by exposure to His Word, and speaking to Him in prayer.
With the direction our culture is heading, there is no doubt that our youth will be tempted and pulled in all sorts of distractions. What is needed is a singular devotion to Christ, and He is most visible to us in the utterance of God’s words. This is my hope for the youth: that their hearts and minds will be a lifelong pursuit of the glory of Christ in every area of life.
Scripture has many examples of men and women who were devoted to loving the Word of God, but I have found a stellar example in the psalmist of Psalm 119. For 176 verses, this psalmist inarguably demonstrates his deep love for the words of our God, and models it for everyone, especially the youth, to see the wonders of knowing His Word.
“Actions speaks louder than words,” goes the common saying, but this time, these words seem to speak loudly of his heart of devotion. This is someone who will act in light of what God has said. In the psalmist’s mind, there is no expiration date when it comes to the relevance of God’s Word in the affairs of daily life. His Word will lead to action. As we see at the beginning of Psalm 119, we encounter four actions* of a devoted lover of the Word:
1. Walk as a believer of the Word with devotion
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! (Psalm 119:1-3)
The first thing to notice is that the psalmist starts with the word, “blessed.” The literal translation for this word is “happy.” We can read this verse, “Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!” The reason believers are happy is that they keep the Word of God! They obey it.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
David recognized where the most amount of joy could be found. It isn’t at the club, or among your friends. It is where the Lord is. It is where endless pleasure is found. If God is the source of full joy, then being in His will will lead to a deep life of joy and pleasure in Him.
Now what does it look like to be a happy Christian? Is it someone who just says, “I love the Word of God?” over and over again? Maybe, but that isn’t enough. Some clear marks of a happy Christian are that they are blameless in reputation (1a), actively obedient (1b, 3), protective of Scripture (2a), and a first-class pursuer of God (2b).
2. Embrace the purpose of the Word with conviction
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! (Psalm 119:4-5)
The second action of a devoted lover of the Word of God is that they seek to understand what the purpose of the Bible is. What is the reason for why God gave us His Word? He has set up this world in such a way as to fix this purpose: God’s Word has been given to us so that we would keep them diligently. You may read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, but if you don’t keep it, if you don’t follow what it says, you are twisting the Scriptures.
All other religions that say they believe the Bible claim that it teaches all sorts of false doctrine, and it warps the purpose of the Bible, and most don’t even know they’re doing it! If I wrote you instructions on how to get to my mom’s house, and you start reading the instructions over and over again, go and talk to your friends about how great these instructions are, sing songs about how great my mom is, even memorize it, but you never follow my instructions, you completely ignored its purpose! Yet, this is what many people do with the Bible. They will spend time in the Bible, not to keep it in their hearts, but to make themselves look good in front of others. Or to convince their parents that they do believe in God. All the while, God’s instructions are being ignored. This can’t be!
Now after pointing to the purpose of the Bible, the psalmist turns to pray to God, knowing the purpose, and asking God for strength to be able to keep it. His focus goes from speaking of those who are happy in God to now taking responsibility to live out what he just described. This is the psalmist’s desire: to keep and obey the precious Word of God.
The Bible is not just some book to the psalmist, even a book that you occasionally show reverence for. This is a book that captures the psalmist to crave and hunger for more of. He desires to be strengthened by it because he knows he is weak without it. Your familiarity with the Word is a good indicator of whether you know you are weak or not. Exposure to the Word is what will make you aware of your weakness, and seeing it for what it is and what it’s for will strengthen you.
3. Receive the blessings of the Word with thanksgiving
Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. (Psalm 119:6-7)
When you are tempted, remember: every act of obedience will produce a blessing from God. What’s the blessing that we find here? No shame. If you walk as a believer of the Word and embrace the purpose of the Word, then you will not be ashamed!
Here is what the Bible does to your life: it exposes sin in every area of your life. At first, that sounds bad. But imagine this: if you have a disease, and need to know where it’s located, you would want to have the best equipment available to find it and then get rid of it, right? Every time you expose yourself to the Bible, you always have two options: you can either run away and ignore what it says, or you can turn from your sins and ask for forgiveness.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (James 1:23-24)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
The blessing not only removes shame, but it also provides thanksgiving in your heart. This isn’t the kind of thanksgiving that is fake, or shallow, but “upright.” It means to be smooth or straight. Receiving the Word with praise and thanks honors the One who gave the Word. God’s Word is identified as rules that are righteous. In other words, these are what the divine Judge has ruled to be right. To receive the Word in this way, demonstrating understanding of what the Word really is, will lead to a heart that praises God the way He should be praised.
When was the last time you gave thanks to God for the Scriptures? When did you last thank God for opening your eyes to see the true nature of Scripture?
4. Ask God to help you obey the Word with resolve
I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! (Psalm 119:8)
The final action of a lover of the Word of God is prayer. All prior actions have been a willingness on the part of the happy Christian to involve the Bible to play a primary role in one’s life. The psalmist returns to pray to God, first offering a big promise: “I will keep your statutes.” Statutes here means what the divine Lawgiver has laid down. The psalmist is determined to follow the Law of God.
Many people in the church are scared to make a concrete decision, either towards God or away from God. They don’t want to be seen as someone who rejects God, but they also fear what it will cost to fully follow God. To be entirely wicked or entirely righteous is facing two extremes that seems equally scary. Many choose to be right in the middle, and come to church, but not commit much else. In today’s day, this is what is called apathy. In Scripture, Jesus calls this being lukewarm:
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.’” (Revelation 3:15-16)
This is like the person who says they’re coming to your house, and then halfway there, turns around and then tells you, “Well, at least I got there some of the way!” This is like someone who says they will clean their room, and the moment they can see a little bit of the floor after picking up some clothes, says, “Ok, I’m done!” Keep your focus on the Word! Don’t even give your parents a chance to tell you to read your Bible. Get to reading! But see that God doesn’t want you to be half-hearted in your willingness to do so.
The last thing the psalmist writes is for God to not forsake or forget him. He knows his weakness in failing to fully obey God in everything, but he also knows that God is gracious to His people and will help him keep the Word. He also knows God is just and can rightly forsake him should He choose to.
Notice that the psalmist doesn’t turn to anyone else but God to strengthen him and also forgive him when he fails. If you do not truly desire to have a strong desire to obey God’s Word, it will show in your lack of prayer to Him.
Our plea
In the end, our prayer is that every youth will come to know the God of the Word by way of the Word of God. This year, as it is for every year before, is to pray and trust that God will draw each youth to Him to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and to grow in His grace and knowledge for the glory of the King. I hope this will be your prayer as well.
*I have been greatly helped by Seth Kniep’s helpful work, Loving God’s Word: 7 Strategies for Slaying Bible Apathy for these insights.
The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, actively living it out in genuine worship, prayer, fellowship, and benevolence toward others. The result? — They saw growth.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, . . . And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
We have God’s Word, which contains the Apostles’ teaching. Does the church today maintain such devotion to Truth? Or, has it been replaced by pragmatism, determined by our experiences, and based on our feelings? It’s hard to be devoted to truth that is seen as relative for it is constantly changing. Being steadfast in Truth, despite what is happening in society around us, isn’t always easy but it is essential to living out God’s purpose for the church and our individual lives.
What is required for such devotion?
- We need to view the Word as our primary source of truth and equipping (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We can learn from a variety of sources but when we are devoted to the teaching of God’s Word, we will filter everything through Scripture. We will use God’s Word as a grid.
- We need to take seriously Jesus’ Great Commission that not only says to go and make disciples but also to teach “everything” He commanded (Matt. 28:19-20). Being relevant in today’s world does not mean abandoning Truth.
- We need to do our best to deal with hindrances to a wholehearted devotion to it, in our own lives and in the lives of those to whom we minister (2 Cor. 10:5).
For teachers, it might mean doing our best to minimize distractions to the teaching of God’s Word.
For church leadership, it might mean working through programming and scheduling issues to maximize the time we can devote to God’s Word.
In discipleship relationships, it might mean helping people learn to process life through God’s Word and not according to feelings or circumstances.
In counseling or mentoring situations, it might mean helping people deal with fears and anxieties that could supplant time and attention that should go to sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to His Word.
What will it take for you to maintain devotion to God’s Word in your sphere of ministry?
For More About God’s Word & Help Studying it: Bible Study Resources Page
Date: Oct. 31, 2011
1 Timothy 4-6
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:13
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”
This message was originally the second part of a message at our Leadership workshop but I adapted it for us today. The original intent of the message was to encourage those who are seeking to grow as a spiritual leader. For someone who doesn’t just want to attend church but be a part of it and be active in it. For those who want to see the church do more and have an impact in their world. Since this was the second part of the message I can tell you that they first part covered the topics of dealing with false doctrine, making an environment of prayer, and installing godly leaders. But I will focus today on the 3 remaining parts of the study guide, carrying out the ministry of God’s word, managing relationships and helping people have a godly view of money. Through this passage I hope that all of us will be encouraged to devote ourselves to God and his Word.
As a young man Timothy was called to serve the work of God in Ephesus. In the early Christian church, he had to learn many things in order to be an effective leader of the Ephesian church. So throughout this book Paul urged Timothy to grow and serve as a good minister for God’s household. This was a daunting task even for the best of men. As one young man, how could Timothy lead a large ministry? How could he keep the ministry going in the right direction when it was continuously being attacked by false doctrines and superstitions? How could their humble church compete with the famous temple of Artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world? How could Timothy proclaim the gospel of Jesus in such a way that would turn the people, living in the second largest city of the Roman Empire, from all their distractions and really change their lives? In this way, Timothy’s world isn’t much different that our own. And Paul’s encouragement to him is valuable to us today.
Through the grace of God and help of the Holy Spirit, Paul planted the church at Ephesus. God worked powerfully there and the Ephesian church grew in number and spirit. Timothy was with Paul during this eventful period as they held daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. (Ac 19) For two years they met every day until all the Jews and Greeks in the province heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary work through miracles to the point where people publicly confessed their evil deeds and repented by burning their sorcery scrolls and leaving their idol worship of Artemis. This was like a shock wave to the community. The burnt scrolls were valued at 50,000 days wages and the silver smith union started a riot because they were losing money. It was an amazing time. Sometime later Paul left and he sent Timothy to lead that ministry. In order to do this, Timothy would have to learn how to grow to be a good minister of Christ Jesus and then to put what he learned into action by serving as a good minister of God’s household. Paul wanted Timothy to be a servant leader who led by example and not as one of the Pharisees who only ordered people around.
First, carrying out the ministry of God’s word.
From the start of the book, Paul challenged Timothy to stay in Ephesus and to take command of and lead the church. This may have worked for Paul who was more experienced, well trained and had planted the church there in the first place. But Timothy wasn’t like Paul. He was young, weak and timid. And as a timid man, how could he command older, wealthier and more influential men? Timothy would have to grow in courage and faith and overcome his fear and limitations in order to be a effective leader. Because of this maybe Timothy wanted to leave, but Paul urged him to stay. Humanly he didn’t have the strength or qualifications to do it, so the only way that he would be able to, was if his strength and wisdom came from the Lord.
So Paul taught Timothy the secret, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (4:13) This is probably the most important task that a good minister can do. Good ministers have to be, without a doubt, whole heartedly devoted to reading, preaching and teaching God’s word. Devotion to God’s word requires our whole heart. Timothy had to be more devoted to God’s word than the false teachers were to their myths. He had to be more devoted than the business men were to their business or the gladiators who fought for life and death in the coliseum and certainly more devoted to God that those who served in the temple of Artemis. Most professional’s lives depend upon how devoted they are to their skill. To be successful there has to be devotion. They say that it takes about 10,000 hours of practice to truly master a skill. That’s the equivalent of working full time 8 hours a day for 5 years. However, Timothy’s devotion had to go beyond human strength or love of his craft, his devotion had to come from his hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men. (4:10) His devotion had to be whole hearted — not half way. The Bible says that we can’t serve two masters, (Mt 6:24) so we will be devoted to something. If we are not devoted to God’s word, then what will we be devoted to? This is why Paul found it crucial for Timothy to be diligent in giving himself wholly to reading God’s word. (v4:15) This would be his power source to carry on the work of God’s household and give Timothy the courage and faith to overcome his fear.
However, devotion to God’s word requires focus. We live in a time of unparalleled distractions. There are so many things that clamor for our attention. There are; movies, cable and Netflix, theater, sports, and restaurants, Facebook, Twitter and blogs, phone calls, emails and texts. And those are things we like to do in our free time. What about our responsibilities. There is; work, school and chores, our kids, parents and relatives, paying the bills, fixing things that breakdown and not to mention the items on our honeydo list. That’s the list where our wives ask, “Honey can you do this for me.” In our time, we are busy people.
If we’re so busy, how can we devote our selves to God’s word? Psalm 1:2-3 says, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” First we have to delight in God’s word. If we don’t truly like something we will never do it. It will always be forced, like eating our vegetables. We have to be drawn to God’s word and love it. I have four kids and that means we have a lot of spills in our house. Have you ever noticed when you take a paper towel to wipe up a puddle how the liquid is sucked into the material? Sometimes I would put the corner of the towel into the spill to see how far the juice can make it up. It seems the liquid is drawn to the towel. Just as the juice is drawn into this is how we should draw the word of God into us. We have to have a thirst for the word of God and delight in it. Secondly we have to meditate on it day and night. This requires persistence and commitment. This is where we have to train ourselves to be faithful. This is the hard part. We have to set aside our time, block it out for the specific purpose of meditating on God’s word. In the beginning it may be difficult but over time it will become our habit and blessing.
If Timothy delighted in God’s word and devoted himself to faithfully reading it he would be blessed and fruitful. Then his soul would be nourished and God would equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:17) and have the strength and conviction to teach what God was giving him to others. Therefore, Bible study had to be his first priority so that he could have one clear message to give to the people. Otherwise the people will not be built up but only confused and frustrated. In teaching God’s word, Timothy had to correct, rebuke and encourage those in the church with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:2) This teaching had to be done in season and out, which means continuously, because Satan doesn’t sleep. Just as an army guard must keep watch to protect the troops, God’s word must be continuously taught so that God’s people may be prepared because we don’t know when Satan will attack.
Not only did Timothy have to teach God’s word, he had to preach it. This required him to proclaim the gospel. In our times, it’s not welcomed to talk about Jesus in public. There is a strong push from the world to keep God out of public life under the separation of church and state. They want to keep prayer out of public schools, the Ten Commandments out of the courtrooms and remove “In God we trust” from our money. So being a preacher is not on any of the “Promising Career Lists.” But preaching the gospel is one of the duties of a good minister. This meant that he would have to understand those to whom he was speaking and present the gospel in a way that connected with them so that their hearts were moved. This takes time and sincere love for those whom Timothy was serving. He couldn’t hide from them during the week only to pop out on Sunday deliver the message and go back into hiding. He had to spend time with them and know them and do everything out in the open so that everyone could see his progress. (4:15) A good minister of Christ Jesus should set a good example for the believers through his own character, study of God’s word, lifestyle and spiritual growth. (4:12b,15)
Second, Managing relationships and church finances
To be a good minister of God’s household we have to have a much larger vision than what we are normally used to. We have to care for all of God’s house not just our own personal part. We have to manage relationships within the church and without. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that he had to not only pray for others but he had to practically care for them as well. Just like in our house where we have parents and children who need our care. If our child needs our care we don’t say, “I’ll pray for you,” and do nothing. No, we love our children and give them the care they need. Likewise, God is our Father and all of us are his children. We are a spiritual family and have to really care for those around us. So Paul taught Timothy to care for older men & women as if they were his father and mother and younger ones as his brothers and sisters. (5:1-2) However it’s easy for people in a church to have impersonal, business-like relationships. But a good minister of Christ Jesus creates a loving, family-like environment where everyone senses the grace of Jesus. To do this we have to be humble and see ourselves before Jesus and know that we’re not perfect and we have to accept people for who they are and accept them because Jesus accepts them. Then we can love and respect one another.
A minister of God’s house has many administrative duties. And a good one will carry out those duties in a fair and just manner. We can’t show favoritism. (v5:21) Favoritism creates jealousy, conflicts and causes divisions. In reality, showing favoritism is sin. (Jas2:9) To avoid showing favoritism we need clear public standards based on facts. (5:7) Ultimately, we need to live before God as if he sees all that we do, knowing that he doesn’t show favoritism. (5:21a; 6:13a; 2Ti4:1; Ro2:11) We must set clear standards and communicate them to everyone. For example in Ephesus they had the widow distribution list. The qualifications to who was put on that list had to be made known publicly. They couldn’t play favorites and only take care of those who were in tight with the pastor. They had to be completely different than Chicago politicians who only take care of their friends. There has to be clear standards that everyone knows and a good minister has to uphold those standards.
Part of managing relationships a good minister also needed to recognize and honor the elders who do a good job directing the affairs of the church and protecting them from being attacked. (5:17a,19) At the same time, elders who sin need to be rebuked before everyone, so that the others may not do the same thing. (5:20) Managing relationships is a difficult job but an import one for the health of church. To do it Timothy needed wisdom and discernment to know what he should and shouldn’t do. Paul taught Timothy that he had to not only be good steward of God’s people but also of God’s money. The church’s money should be used properly not randomly. It should be used to support truly needy people, especially those whose lives have been characterized by faithfulness, hospitality, service and many good deeds. (5:9–10) Dealing with church money is very sensitive so everything has to be done in the open for all to see, not in secret like back room deals. It is God’s money and if it’s used properly there is nothing to hide.
Third, Helping people have a godly view of money
Timothy had to be strong when it came to teaching. When deceiving spirits came into the fellowship he had to protect God’s house. To do this he had to rebuke their evil intentions, and correct their mistakes and then encourage them to go the proper way. This would apply to many sensitive topics, one of which is the proper use of money. No one likes to tell others how to use their money but that’s a duty of a good minister. Timothy had to help people have a godly view of money. Our world is crazy to get rich and many people fall into this trap. But Paul said, “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.” (v6:10) In reality God is the giver of all. “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (v6:7) Timothy had to teach people that godliness is great gain. (v6:6) And when we are godly we are content with food and clothes. So Paul challenged Timothy to command those who were rich, not to put their hope in wealth but in God and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they would store up treasure in heaven. (v6:17)
Through the book of 1 Timothy, my eyes have been opened to all the duties that a good minister must do. I’ve been stuck in a very narrow view of what I should be doing and realize that I have such a long way to do to be even a fair minister let alone a good one. Personally it has been difficult for me to be a minister of God’s household. I believe that I have been called to serve God’s house at IIT. In 1988 I was invited to Bible study by M. Paul Young Kim. During the course of our relationship we had good times and bad times. We laughed and we fought. At one point he yelled at me that he didn’t want to study with me any more and threatened to give me to P. Ron and I said, “good.” But he never did give up on me but faithfully stuck around and gave me God’s word. I thank him for his love and persistence. It’s only by the grace of God that I could meet Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Then in 1996, M. Paul died suddenly of a brain aneurism and I had to take over the fellowship. For the next 11 years I served as a fellowship leader and presider for the Chicago worship service. Then in 2007 God established IIT as an independent chapter and appointed me to serve it as the director. I was not prepared to teach and preach God’s word. For me, it has been a huge struggle to prepare messages every week. In the beginning I delivered 3 out of 4 messages while working full time with a demanding job and family of 4 kids. There have been times when it has felt like my bones were being crushed. Having to figure out which book we were going to study and dividing it for weekly studies. Then to prepare the message so that people may be properly nourished on God’s word is a daunting task. We meet for about two or more hours on Monday to study the passage, then meditate on it throughout the week. I have to dedicate my whole Saturday to write the message and then we meet at 9 pm for about another two or so hours going over the message and giving comments. Then I get up early Sunday morning to make all the edits. During the week there are so many things that I have to do. I have to take care of my kids, help them with homework or science projects. Take them to open houses for high school. Teach them to ride their bikes and give them baths. I have to do things around the house like fix the furnace, take out the garbage, fix the toilet, unclog the drain etc.
How can I devote myself to the word of God in the midst of all this? The fact is I didn’t. I became like a hamster running on his wheel in a cage, exerting a lot of effort but not going anywhere. Recently in our chapter I was approached by many of our members because they felt that the messages as of late were not building them up but only confusing, boring and frustrating them. When I heard this, my heart was struck and I to deliver this news to our message team. That was a difficult night and our hearts were heavy and we were convicted. I was especially guilty because no matter who delivers the message I am responsible. The truth was I had become complacent and wasn’t really devoted to God’s word. Sure I read it, but I neither remembered it, nor obeyed it. Sometimes I didn’t remember the previous passage and I was the messenger. As a result our hearts were not wholly on God’s word and it showed. Many students have come but not many came back and I wondered why. Recently I found out that one student who brought many of her friends to worship service was struggling because none of them wanted to return. When she asked them why, they told her that there was no grace of God and they couldn’t see Jesus in the message. So she didn’t know if she should bring any more. I was cut to the heart. What was I doing? Personally I repent for not giving my whole heart and devotion to God’s word. As a result I have not been deeply nourished by God’s word and could not feed others. I thank God for his grace and that each of our messengers took the rebuke to heart and we vowed to devote ourselves to God’s word. As we move forward, my eyes have been open to the huge task of taking care of God’s house. I’ve been praying to serve God full time. I’m not sure if this is what God wants me to do, so I am praying that he may reveal his will and direction for my life. However none of that will matter if I don’t devote myself to reading God’s word and really applying it to my life. Have you ever seen the movie “The Book of Eli?” It came out last year and stars Denzel Washington and its set in the future where the world had been ravaged by war and everything has been destroyed. And Denzel has the only Bible in existence and he keeps it wrapped up protected in his back pack. And every night he takes it out carefully un-wraps it and reads it as if it is the most important thing in his life. You can see that he treasures it and really enjoys reading it as he soaks up every word. He has been traveling west for 30 years on a mission to deliver it to a printing press so the world would have it again. But he is wounded along the way by a man who steals it. Yet he continues his mission and reaches the place with the printing press. But they won’t let him in unless he has a book so he tells them that he has a copy of the King James version of the Bible. They gladly let him in. But you’re left wondering because it was stolen from him. And then he sits down and begins to dictate the whole Bible from memory. And shortly after he finishes he dies from his wounds but he’s completed his mission. I wouldn’t call him a minister in the classical sense, but he was certainly devoted to God’s word and treasured it as a matter of life and death. That’s how I want my devotion to be toward God and his word. To value and treasure it and to be so committed to serving God and his household. May God give me this whole hearted devotion to his word so that I may grow to be a good minister of God’s household.
Enoch, Noah and Abraham all were men who were busy and had many distractions in their lives and yet they were still not too busy do devote themselves to the word of God. Enoch lived a devoted by walking with God and having daily conversations as he walked. We can do the same in our daily prayer. Noah lived a devoted life by obeying what told him to do. We can do the same by applying what we learn each week and really living according to God’s commands. And Abraham lived a devoted life by putting up reminders so that he would remember God’s word. We can do the same by memorizing Bible verses regularly.
All of us are running the race of faith together. However unlike sports we are not competing with each other. We are teammates working together so that we may cross the finish line and enter the kingdom of God together. Ministers are like coaches planting vision and training the team to work together to reach our goal. “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” May God train us and use us so that he raise up a generation of young men and women with this same devotion and a noble desire to be good ministers of God’s household so that we may impact the world we live in and change people’s lives to confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
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Will You Forgive My Sins?
Job 7:1-21
Key Verse: 7:21
Why do you not pardon my transgression
and take away my iniquity?
For now I shall lie in the earth;
you will seek me, but I shall not be.”
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Today’s Question
What does every sin deserve?
See answer and references