Scripture: I Timothy 3:14-15

C.I.: The Family and Its Ministry

In our series on I Timothy – we have seen…. – Today we will see how we are to treat each other.

•  How God's Family is to Behave Towards Its Own Members, (I Timothy 5)

A. Promoting Love and Respect, (vs. 1-2)

1. When people get away from the original design – errors will begin to creep in…
a. We've already seen that the church in Ephesus had some:
1) Some had followed after the doctrines of the false teachers, ( quote 1:3 ), “As I urged you….”
2) Men weren't spiritual leaders ( 2:1 ) – women were more concerned about appearances, ( 2:9 ).
3) Some of the men who were leading - were not qualified, ( 3:1-2a ).
4) Now we see the way they treated each other – also needed to be addressed.

b. “Do not sharply rebuke an older man. But appeal to him as a father, to younger men as brothers, the older women
as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity,” ( vs. 1-2 ).
1) Correction was needed – but it needed to be carried out with love and respect.
2) “Do not sharply rebuke ” = harsh or violent scolding.
3) Older men and women were to be treated with the same kind of respect one would show to his
father and mother – “Honor your father and mother,” ( Eph. 6:2 ).
4) Younger men and women were to be treated as brothers & sisters – no superiority, but purity.


B. Providing for Those in Need, (vs. 3-16)

1. Understanding the situation of 1 st Century Widows…
a. There was no safety net (welfare, Social Security, life insurance, etc.)
1) Why Mk. 12:42-44 ), “A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
– And calling is disciples to Him, He said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than
all the contributors to the treasury; - for they put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put
in all she owned, all she had to live on.'” - Look not only at her faith – but also her wealth!
2) The “original design” is seen in how the early church dealt with widows, ( quote Acts 6:1-3 ).
3) Even though today there is government assistance – we are not absolved of our responsibility!

b. This is why God tells us how to behave towards those who are in direst need.
1) ( Jms. 1:27 ), “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit the
orphans and widows in their distress.”
2) The measure of an individual is seen – in how they give to those who cannot repay!

2. There are three types of widows…
a. #1. – Widows indeed, ( v. 3 ), “Honor widows who are widows indeed .”- No family, but what she has…!
1) Faith: “…has fixed her hope on God, and continues in entreaties & prayers day & night,” ( v. 5 ).
2) Character: “...reputation for good works… shown hospitality…washed the saints feet [served], assisted
those in distress … devoted herself every good work,” ( v. 10 ).

b. #2. – Older widows who have family
1) ( v. 4 ), “ but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice piety in regards
to their own family & to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.”
2) God takes a very dim view – of Christians who will not meet their parents' need!
3) ( v. 8 ), “If anyone does not provide for his own, especially those of his own household, he has denied the
faith and is worse than an unbeliever!”

4) Some may have excuses, “No $$$, kids need me, etc.” - Jesus example on cross , ( Jn. 19:26f ),
“When Jesus saw His mother & the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother,
‘Woman, behold your son!' Then to the disciple He said, ‘Behold your mother.' From that hour he took…

c. #3. – Younger widows
1) ( vs. 11-12 ), “Refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in
disregard to Christ, they want to get married, incurring condemnation because they have in
disregard to Christ set aside their previous pledge.”
a) The “list” was how they kept track of those in need, ( cf., Acts 6:1-2 ).
2) Their responsibility for themselves…
a) Things NOT to do, ( v. 13 ), “…learn to be idle, as they go from house to house; not merely
idle, but also gossips, talking about things not proper to mention.”
b) Things TO DO, ( v. 14 ), “I want the younger widows to get married, bear children, keep
house & give the enemy no occasion for reproach; for some have turned aside to follow Satan”

c) ( v. 16 ), “If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, let her assist them, and let
not the church be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.”
3) God's people help their own families – and do what they can for others, ( Gal. 6:10 ), “Let us…


C. Protecting and Honoring the Leadership, (vs. 17-19)

1. God's family is to honor and protect its leaders who serve the church well.
a. ( v. 17 ), “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard
at preaching and teaching.” – God is clear, He wants leaders honored!!!
1) ( I Thess. 5:12-13 ), “We request of your brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor
among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them
very highly in love because of their work.”
2) ( Heb. 13:7 ), “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and consider the result
of their conduct, imitate their faith.”
3) ( Heb. 13:17 ), “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls.”

2. Satan wants to destroy God's family – and what better way to do it than to destroy the reputation of His leaders.
a. ( v. 19 ), “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”
1) It's an old trick. – We've seen it before…
2) Jesus - ( Lk. 23:2 ), “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar.”
3) Therefore, all accusations need to be investigated – before any actions are taken.


D. Purifying the Family, (vs. 20-25)

1. Three steps to take when leaders/others sin…
a. Don't cover it up – ( v. 20 ), “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest may….”
1) Sin is like an infection – if it isn't dealt with (promptly) it will spread!

2) Sin gains power when it is hidden. - Its defeated when it's out in the open, ( I Jn. 1:9 ).

b. Apply correction fairly – ( vs. 21-22 ), “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and
His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, do nothing in a spirit of partiality.”
1) “Playing favorites” in church (cliques, etc.) – is the quickest way to destroy our unity!
2) We must apply God's word fairly & EQUALLY – ( Rom. 2:11-13 ), “For there is no partiality...”

c. Recognize that every sin will be judged – ( vs. 24 ), “The sins of some men are quite evident, going before
them into judgment; for others their sins follow after”
1) Some folks are good at hiding their sins from others – BUT NOT FROM GOD!
2) As God's family – we know that we all have struggles – but we need to create a non-
judgmental environment where all of us know that we are here for each other.
3) This doesn't mean excusing sin – but struggle with/for each other to overcome it, ( Gal. 6:1f)
4) For no one “gets away with sin” – if they are not “caught” now – they will be later!!!

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Review four main points (God's “original design”)…

2. Since all will be judged we had better be on good terms with the one who will be doing the judging… (Mk. 16:16)!