Category: 1 Timothy
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Be Disciplined: The Bible’s Instructions Directly to Pastor Search Teams
Paul has explicitly given Timothy the responsibility to protect the church in Ephesus from unsound doctrine. He implies that Timothy is responsible to appoint new pastors and deacons for the church in Ephesus. Paul even provided character qualifications for the two offices and reminded the congregation that, even as people are being appointed, the church…
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Redemption From Religious Burdens: Considering the Gospel of Freedom Against Strange Doctrine in 1 Timothy
We have seen the character qualities we should all strive for in life and ministry. If we are to summarize all the qualifications into one word, I think it should be selflessness. We don’t want to be the types of people who gain for ourselves, whether that be monetarily, positionally, or emotionally. That’s why we…
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The Congregation in View: Reflecting on 1 Timothy 3 for Transitional Churches
We tend to stop after we read the qualifications for pastors and deacons. We stop directly after reading the qualifications because we are reading with the intent to judge others. Doubtless we want pastors and deacons whose character is reflected in 1 Timothy 3. We want pastors and deacons who sincerely love the congregation, are…
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Deacons, Likewise: Considerations for Transitional Churches in 1 Timothy 3
After stating the character qualifications for pastoral candidates, Paul inserts qualifications for deacons. Not all ministry involves pastoral work, strictly speaking. There are also deacons. In some way, the deacon office is like that of an overseer or pastor—but not the same. Paul exhorts the church through Timothy, Deacons likewise must be men of dignity,…
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Considering the Qualifications for Pastors and What We Strive for as Mature Christians: 1 Timothy 3
In the seasons of appointing pastors, Paul has already reminded the church through Timothy that humility and patience are key. No one should be seeking self promotion. We should not neglect considering the needs of one another. We should continue caring more about others than ourselves. Be quiet. Be humble. Love one another. Only after…
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To the Men of the Church in Transition: Reflecting on 1 Timothy 2
In 1 Timothy, Paul is giving explicit instructions to Timothy—whom he left in Ephesus to instruct and appoint pastors for the churches there. Paul hasn’t really gotten to what to look for in pastors or how to promote them yet. He has emphasized the importance of humility, patience, and love. We can easily get caught…
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Fighting the Good Fight in Transitional Seasons: Notes from 1 Timothy 1:15-20
Love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith is the most important thing churches in transition should remember (1:3-7). Paul also warns about immoral men sneaking in and turning the churches toward fruitlessness and sin (1:8-11). At the end of his first chapter, Paul uses himself as an example—not because he is qualified…
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Getting Back to Our Roots: Before Appointing New Pastors in 1 Timothy 1
Pastoral ministry is unique in this world. Many men are called to pastoral ministry. Because of the season my church family is in, I want to spend some time looking with fresh eyes at the pastoral letters in their context. In the First Century, things didn’t work like they do now. While we can see…
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Dear Leader, part 12 (Depression, Where Does God Want Me To Be?)
This exercise is a continuation of a series we started at Grace with our leadership while I served as interim there. For those who are not pastors or deacons, but who lead in some capacity in any arena of life, these books are a tremendous resource in Scripture. I encourage all of those who would…










