100:00:00,960 –> 00:00:07,420This whole letter has been given by God to tell us what he is looking for in a local church.200:00:09,580 –> 00:00:13,120The real question that matters is not what you’re looking for in a church,300:00:13,200 –> 00:00:16,780not what I’m looking for in a church but what is God looking for in a church?400:00:16,900 –> 00:00:19,940That’s the question that ought to matter to us.500:00:20,559 –> 00:00:23,180Welcome to Open the Bible, with Pastor Colin Smith.600:00:23,200 –> 00:00:25,799I’m David Pick. Glad you could be with us today.700:00:25,860 –> 00:00:28,379Colin, we start with a fairly basic question here.800:00:28,379 –> 00:00:30,920What does matter to God in a local church?900:00:31,080 –> 00:00:33,200Well, that’s a really important question.1000:00:33,200 –> 00:00:37,259And of course, it’s very easy for us to come up with our own list of what1100:00:37,259 –> 00:00:39,320we think matters in a church.1200:00:39,340 –> 00:00:42,500And then of course, it’s very easy to say, well now once I’ve got my list,1300:00:42,500 –> 00:00:44,599I assume that that’s God’s list as well.1400:00:45,040 –> 00:00:47,180But here’s what’s been very striking to me.1500:00:47,200 –> 00:00:53,520In the first letter of Timothy, the Apostle Paul specifically speaking1600:00:53,520 –> 00:00:58,459about how people ought to behave in a local church.1700:00:58,480 –> 00:01:03,220He says I’m writing you these instructions so that if I am delayed,1800:01:03,220 –> 00:01:08,779you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household,1900:01:09,000 –> 00:01:11,580which is the church of the living God.2000:01:12,040 –> 00:01:17,459So here we have scripture in which the apostle is actually writing to us the2100:01:17,459 –> 00:01:21,779very word of God about what matters to God himself in a local church.2200:01:21,959 –> 00:01:25,639And I found that that has really opened up this first letter of Timothy2300:01:25,639 –> 00:01:27,720for me in a very special way.2400:01:27,900 –> 00:01:31,820Somehow, if you find what a letter in the New Testament is about,2500:01:32,300 –> 00:01:36,480then it begins to open up and this is about an issue that’s really important.2600:01:36,800 –> 00:01:40,959We all know what we would like to see in churches, but what is God want to see?2700:01:41,040 –> 00:01:44,440That’s what we’re going to be looking at in the first letter of Timothy.2800:01:44,680 –> 00:01:50,680Aright. Let’s do that. The first seven verses of 1 Timothy today as we begin the message2900:01:51,000 –> 00:01:54,000gospel faith. Here’s Pastor Colin.3000:01:54,000 –> 00:01:56,559Now, the idea for this series…3100:01:56,559 –> 00:02:02,559I began a year ago in the Outback Steak House on Lake Cook Road.3200:02:04,320 –> 00:02:08,479I was there because a very dear friend who comes to town from time to time3300:02:08,600 –> 00:02:11,720and is in many ways a political investigator,3400:02:11,720 –> 00:02:16,479who came to town from time to time, and is in many ways a mentor to me3500:02:16,479 –> 00:02:20,360was here, we took the opportunity of an evening together.3600:02:20,399 –> 00:02:22,320And as we got into the meal…3700:02:22,479 –> 00:02:24,039he said to me…3800:02:24,039 –> 00:02:26,279as a way of asking provocative questions, he said3900:02:26,279 –> 00:02:27,639well Colin,4000:02:28,160 –> 00:02:30,399what do you think is the single most important4100:02:30,399 –> 00:02:33,559thing that you need to do for the orchard right now?4200:02:33,880 –> 00:02:37,559so I sort of gave one or two thoughts that were in my mind4300:02:37,559 –> 00:02:40,600and did what I try to do when I’m in the company of wiser people4400:02:40,639 –> 00:02:41,399I said…4500:02:41,399 –> 00:02:44,520well what do you think?4600:02:44,559 –> 00:02:46,440And he said4700:02:46,440 –> 00:02:50,080you need to spell out4800:02:50,080 –> 00:02:54,399what it means to be a gospel-centered church4900:02:54,399 –> 00:02:58,320so I said well how do you think I would do that?5000:02:58,600 –> 00:03:00,639And he said5100:03:00,639 –> 00:03:02,360well5200:03:02,360 –> 00:03:06,080identify the distinctives of the orchard5300:03:06,080 –> 00:03:08,520and then find scripture that relates to each of them5400:03:08,520 –> 00:03:10,520and lay it out5500:03:10,800 –> 00:03:12,800and I said5600:03:12,800 –> 00:03:16,800you know I honestly don’t think that I could do that5700:03:17,199 –> 00:03:19,639Understand folks, there is a great difference5800:03:19,679 –> 00:03:24,240between starting with a pre-existing message5900:03:24,240 –> 00:03:27,880and finding scripture to support it6000:03:28,199 –> 00:03:30,440and starting with the scripture6100:03:30,440 –> 00:03:35,199and letting it give you its message6200:03:35,600 –> 00:03:39,039So we enjoyed this steak and moved on in the conversation6300:03:39,399 –> 00:03:42,440and touched many other wonderful and helpful things6400:03:42,440 –> 00:03:45,320Then just a few weeks later6500:03:45,320 –> 00:03:46,880Karen and I had three days off6600:03:46,880 –> 00:03:49,880and we decided we’d nip up to Dore county6700:03:49,880 –> 00:03:52,199We wanted to set aside some particular6800:03:52,199 –> 00:03:54,080time for reading and prayer6900:03:54,080 –> 00:03:56,479and I just said to Karen, the evening before7000:03:56,479 –> 00:03:58,679Hey let’s take a short Bible book7100:03:58,679 –> 00:04:00,039we’ve just got three days7200:04:00,240 –> 00:04:02,520and we’ll read it and use it as basis of prayer together7300:04:02,520 –> 00:04:04,839what book do you want to pick?7400:04:04,839 –> 00:04:07,559So she said, apparently randomly7500:04:07,839 –> 00:04:10,960Let’s do 1 Timothy, it’s nice and short7600:04:12,119 –> 00:04:13,800Well off we went to Dore county7700:04:13,800 –> 00:04:15,800armed with two copies of John Stott’s7800:04:15,800 –> 00:04:17,600excellent little commentary7900:04:18,000 –> 00:04:20,640and enjoyed three very wonderful days8000:04:20,640 –> 00:04:22,519About half way through as we were reading8100:04:22,519 –> 00:04:24,119this part of the scripture8200:04:24,119 –> 00:04:26,640I noticed that Paul tells us precisely8300:04:26,640 –> 00:04:28,040what 1 Timothy is about8400:04:28,040 –> 00:04:31,000You’ll see it in chapter three and verse fourteen8500:04:31,000 –> 00:04:33,640Paul said, although I hope to come to you soon8600:04:33,640 –> 00:04:36,839I am writing these instructions so that8700:04:37,040 –> 00:04:38,640here’s why this letter was written8800:04:38,640 –> 00:04:40,480I’m writing these instructions so that8900:04:40,480 –> 00:04:43,480if I’m delayed you will know how people9000:04:43,480 –> 00:04:45,720should conduct themselves in God’s household9100:04:45,720 –> 00:04:47,920which is the church of the living God9200:04:49,679 –> 00:04:51,320In other words this whole letter has been9300:04:51,320 –> 00:04:54,480given by God to tell us9400:04:54,480 –> 00:04:57,679what He is looking for in a local church9500:04:59,000 –> 00:05:01,679In other words, 1 Timothy does exactly9600:05:01,679 –> 00:05:03,679what my friend had been saying9700:05:03,679 –> 00:05:04,920I need to do9800:05:05,119 –> 00:05:10,920It spells out what a church is for9900:05:10,920 –> 00:05:12,920what we are to pursue10000:05:13,720 –> 00:05:14,920how we are to behave10100:05:14,920 –> 00:05:17,920what it is that we are to be about10200:05:18,920 –> 00:05:20,679And folks that got me going10300:05:20,679 –> 00:05:22,160that was in the fall of last year10400:05:23,920 –> 00:05:24,920because you know as I do10500:05:24,920 –> 00:05:26,920that there are folks all over the country10600:05:26,920 –> 00:05:28,920who talk incessantly about what10700:05:29,239 –> 00:05:30,920they are looking for in a church10800:05:30,920 –> 00:05:32,920What are you looking for in a church?10900:05:34,920 –> 00:05:36,920Well, whatever it is, good for you11000:05:37,920 –> 00:05:39,920The real question that matters11100:05:39,920 –> 00:05:41,920is not what you are looking for in a church11200:05:41,920 –> 00:05:42,920not what I’m looking for in a church11300:05:42,920 –> 00:05:45,160but what is God looking for in a church?11400:05:45,760 –> 00:05:48,920that’s the question that ought to matter to us11500:05:49,920 –> 00:05:51,880So I give you the background of this11600:05:51,920 –> 00:05:53,920because I want you to understand11700:05:54,920 –> 00:05:56,920and as we move through the scriptures11800:05:56,920 –> 00:05:58,920many more things that are important11900:05:58,920 –> 00:06:00,920or should become increasingly important12000:06:00,920 –> 00:06:02,920for us at the Orchard12100:06:02,920 –> 00:06:06,920It is not for us to decide what matters12200:06:06,920 –> 00:06:08,920and then look for a few texts12300:06:09,920 –> 00:06:12,920to support what we’ve already decided in advance12400:06:13,920 –> 00:06:16,920We want, as best we’re able, to start from the Bible12500:06:17,920 –> 00:06:20,920where God tells us what is important to Him12600:06:20,920 –> 00:06:23,920so that we can follow after His passion12700:06:24,920 –> 00:06:27,279In other words, we never come to the Bible12800:06:27,279 –> 00:06:29,920as masters of this Word12900:06:30,920 –> 00:06:35,920We come to the Bible in order to be mastered by it13000:06:35,920 –> 00:06:39,920We do not come as those who kind of pour over the Bible13100:06:39,920 –> 00:06:42,920We come as those who want to place ourselves under the Bible13200:06:42,920 –> 00:06:47,920to be challenged by the Bible, changed by the Bible13300:06:47,920 –> 00:06:50,920because it is the word of God13400:06:50,920 –> 00:06:54,920We want the Bible to be our critic13500:06:54,920 –> 00:06:58,920We want the Bible to tell us where we need to adjust course13600:06:58,920 –> 00:07:03,920We want to be living under the Bible on a constant and a continuing kind of basis13700:07:03,920 –> 00:07:08,920That is what it means, folks, to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ13800:07:08,920 –> 00:07:14,920It means that we come to Christ’s Word without preconditions13900:07:14,920 –> 00:07:17,920We come in the spirit, individually and together14000:07:17,920 –> 00:07:22,920of saying, Lord, whatever you say, we will follow14100:07:22,920 –> 00:07:26,920So help us, God14200:07:26,920 –> 00:07:29,920So please understand that when we talk about14300:07:29,920 –> 00:07:32,920ten distinctives of the Gospel-centered church14400:07:32,920 –> 00:07:35,920when we speak from the Scriptures14500:07:35,920 –> 00:07:38,920about those things that matter to God14600:07:38,920 –> 00:07:41,920that therefor must be defining for us14700:07:41,920 –> 00:07:45,920we’re not coming to the saying, hey, look who we are14800:07:45,920 –> 00:07:47,920and we’ve got it all worked out14900:07:47,920 –> 00:07:50,920No, nothing could be further from the truth15000:07:50,920 –> 00:07:52,920We are coming to the Scriptures15100:07:52,920 –> 00:07:55,920as a body of believers together15200:07:55,920 –> 00:07:58,920with open minds and open hearts15300:07:58,920 –> 00:08:01,920to find out what matters to God15400:08:01,920 –> 00:08:05,920so that we can pursue His passion15500:08:05,920 –> 00:08:07,920That’s what I want to be about15600:08:07,920 –> 00:08:08,920I think you’re here15700:08:08,920 –> 00:08:12,920because that’s what you want to be about as well15800:08:12,920 –> 00:08:14,920So let’s jump into this together, shall we?15900:08:14,920 –> 00:08:16,920And I hope you have your Bible open16000:08:16,920 –> 00:08:19,920at 1 Timothy and Chapter 116100:08:19,920 –> 00:08:21,920And do notice that it begins16200:08:21,920 –> 00:08:22,920with Paul introducing himself16300:08:22,920 –> 00:08:24,920as an apostle of Christ Jesus16400:08:24,920 –> 00:08:26,920by the command of God our Savior16500:08:26,920 –> 00:08:30,920and of Christ Jesus, Our Hope16600:08:30,920 –> 00:08:32,919I notice straight away that Paul16700:08:32,919 –> 00:08:33,919who is writing this letter16800:08:33,919 –> 00:08:35,919is an apostle16900:08:35,919 –> 00:08:39,919and an apostle of Jesus Christ17000:08:39,919 –> 00:08:42,919Apostle simply means One who is sent17100:08:42,919 –> 00:08:45,919And he is an apostle of Christ17200:08:45,919 –> 00:08:47,919which means he was sent by Christ17300:08:47,919 –> 00:08:50,919Therefore Paul is One who is17400:08:50,919 –> 00:08:53,919specially sent by Christ17500:08:53,919 –> 00:08:55,919to speak on Christ’s behalf17600:08:55,919 –> 00:08:57,919Rather like an ambassador17700:08:57,919 –> 00:08:59,919is officially sent by a government17800:08:59,919 –> 00:09:00,919to speak17900:09:00,919 –> 00:09:02,919the words that are given18000:09:02,919 –> 00:09:03,919by the government18100:09:03,919 –> 00:09:05,919and on their behalf18200:09:05,919 –> 00:09:07,919And then Paul tells us here18300:09:07,919 –> 00:09:09,919that he is an apostle18400:09:09,919 –> 00:09:13,919by the command of God18500:09:13,919 –> 00:09:15,919Now folks, that is an18600:09:15,919 –> 00:09:17,919extraordinary statement18700:09:17,919 –> 00:09:19,919An apostle18800:09:19,919 –> 00:09:21,919by the command18900:09:21,919 –> 00:09:23,919of God19000:09:23,919 –> 00:09:25,919Now folks I have had the privilege19100:09:25,919 –> 00:09:27,919and have the privilege and joy19200:09:27,919 –> 00:09:29,919of serving as the Senior Pastor19300:09:29,919 –> 00:09:31,919of the Orchard19400:09:31,919 –> 00:09:33,919So I could describe myself as19500:09:33,919 –> 00:09:36,919Colin a Senior Pastor19600:09:36,919 –> 00:09:38,919But I could never19700:09:38,919 –> 00:09:40,919Never say19800:09:40,919 –> 00:09:42,919Colin a Senior Pastor19900:09:42,919 –> 00:09:45,919by the command of God20000:09:45,919 –> 00:09:48,919The best I could say folks20100:09:48,919 –> 00:09:50,919would be20200:09:50,919 –> 00:09:53,919Colin, a Senior Pastor20300:09:53,919 –> 00:09:55,919cause you guys20400:09:55,919 –> 00:09:57,919invited me to come20500:09:57,919 –> 00:09:59,919I could say that20600:09:59,919 –> 00:10:01,919Of course I discerned20700:10:01,919 –> 00:10:03,919God’s hand in that20800:10:03,919 –> 00:10:05,919for my life20900:10:05,919 –> 00:10:07,919But it did not21000:10:07,919 –> 00:10:09,919come by direct revelation21100:10:11,919 –> 00:10:13,919Paul’s apostleship did21200:10:13,919 –> 00:10:15,919He was an apostle21300:10:15,919 –> 00:10:17,919not by the invitation of the churches21400:10:19,919 –> 00:10:21,919He was an apostle21500:10:21,919 –> 00:10:23,919by the command of God21600:10:23,919 –> 00:10:25,919No pastor could ever say that21700:10:25,919 –> 00:10:27,919Ever hear someone saying that?21800:10:27,919 –> 00:10:29,919You’re probably in a cult21900:10:29,919 –> 00:10:31,919No pastor could say22000:10:31,919 –> 00:10:33,919I’m here by the command of God22100:10:33,919 –> 00:10:35,919No missionary can arrive in a country22200:10:35,919 –> 00:10:37,919and say I’m here by the command of God22300:10:37,919 –> 00:10:39,919We are called by the church22400:10:39,919 –> 00:10:41,919or sent by the church22500:10:41,919 –> 00:10:43,919and operate under their authority22600:10:45,919 –> 00:10:47,919But Paul said I’m an apostle22700:10:47,919 –> 00:10:49,919by the command of God22800:10:49,919 –> 00:10:51,919Christ appeared to him22900:10:51,919 –> 00:10:53,919on the Damascus road23000:10:53,919 –> 00:10:55,919God appointed him23100:10:55,919 –> 00:10:57,919As the apostle23200:10:57,919 –> 00:10:59,919to the Gentiles23300:11:01,919 –> 00:11:03,919See we, pastors and missionaries23400:11:03,919 –> 00:11:05,919serve under the authority of the word23500:11:05,919 –> 00:11:07,919and under the authority of others23600:11:07,919 –> 00:11:09,919who God places over us23700:11:09,919 –> 00:11:11,919But Paul was given authority23800:11:13,919 –> 00:11:15,919That is why he is able23900:11:15,919 –> 00:11:17,919to write the Word of God24000:11:17,919 –> 00:11:19,919with authority for the churches24100:11:19,919 –> 00:11:21,919Not just the church where Timothy was a pastor24200:11:21,919 –> 00:11:23,919But for all churches everywhere24300:11:23,919 –> 00:11:25,919Given authority24400:11:25,919 –> 00:11:27,919as an Apostle of Christ24500:11:27,919 –> 00:11:29,919by the command of God24600:11:29,919 –> 00:11:31,919Now folks it is very important24700:11:31,919 –> 00:11:33,919for us to understand24800:11:33,919 –> 00:11:35,919the uniqueness of the apostles24900:11:35,919 –> 00:11:37,919and of the prophets25000:11:37,919 –> 00:11:39,919God’s word does not25100:11:39,919 –> 00:11:41,919come to us directly25200:11:43,919 –> 00:11:45,919God’s word comes25300:11:45,919 –> 00:11:47,919to us, through them25400:11:49,919 –> 00:11:51,919Very important to remember that25500:11:53,919 –> 00:11:55,919So when we read this letter25600:11:57,919 –> 00:11:59,919We are not reading25700:11:59,919 –> 00:12:01,919the opinions of Paul25800:12:01,919 –> 00:12:03,919Can’t get halfway through25900:12:03,919 –> 00:12:05,919Timothy and say I don’t really like that26000:12:05,919 –> 00:12:07,919because it sounds like Paul’s opinion26100:12:07,919 –> 00:12:09,919No we are hearing26200:12:09,919 –> 00:12:11,919hearing the word of God26300:12:11,919 –> 00:12:13,919And the will of Christ26400:12:13,919 –> 00:12:15,919…as we do26500:12:15,919 –> 00:12:17,919every where in the Scriptures26600:12:19,919 –> 00:12:21,919You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith26700:12:21,919 –> 00:12:23,919A message called Gospel Faith26800:12:23,919 –> 00:12:25,919It’s part of a series called26900:12:25,919 –> 00:12:27,919Ten Distinctives of a Gospel Centered Church27000:12:27,919 –> 00:12:29,919If you ever miss one of the series27100:12:29,919 –> 00:12:31,919It’s easy to catch up or go back and27200:12:31,919 –> 00:12:33,919listen again by coming online to our27300:12:33,919 –> 00:12:35,919website www.openthebible.org.uk27400:12:35,919 –> 00:12:37,919Or of course27500:12:37,919 –> 00:12:39,919you can still find us as podcasts27600:12:39,919 –> 00:12:41,919and those are on all the main podcasts sites27700:12:41,919 –> 00:12:43,919You can find them by searching for27800:12:43,919 –> 00:12:45,919www.openthebible.co.uk27900:12:45,919 –> 00:12:47,919or follow the link from our website28000:12:47,919 –> 00:12:49,919Back to the message now. Here again is28100:12:49,919 –> 00:12:51,919Pastor Colin28200:12:51,919 –> 00:12:53,919I want you to notice right from the outset28300:12:53,919 –> 00:12:55,919that we’re gonna keep finding this whole letter is full of Christ28400:12:55,919 –> 00:12:57,919These are the words of28500:12:57,919 –> 00:12:59,919the Apostle to the Gentile28600:12:59,919 –> 00:13:01,919sent by… by the command28700:13:01,919 –> 00:13:03,919God our Saviour28800:13:03,919 –> 00:13:05,919Isn’t that a beautiful statement?28900:13:05,919 –> 00:13:07,919God our Saviour29000:13:07,919 –> 00:13:09,919Can you thank God that he is our saviour29100:13:09,919 –> 00:13:11,919and Jesus Christ our29200:13:11,919 –> 00:13:13,919Hope… our Hope29300:13:13,919 –> 00:13:15,919so whatever you’re facing29400:13:15,919 –> 00:13:17,919in your life right now you can take29500:13:17,919 –> 00:13:19,919even these words from the Lord29600:13:19,919 –> 00:13:21,919and you can say that there is hope29700:13:21,919 –> 00:13:23,919for me in Jesus Christ29800:13:23,919 –> 00:13:25,919There is hope for you in Jesus Christ29900:13:25,919 –> 00:13:27,919whatever you are facing30000:13:27,919 –> 00:13:29,919for we are looking at the words of God our30100:13:29,919 –> 00:13:31,919saviour and of Jesus30200:13:31,919 –> 00:13:33,919Christ our Hope30300:13:33,919 –> 00:13:35,919Now I hope that sets30400:13:35,919 –> 00:13:37,919the framework for us to open30500:13:37,919 –> 00:13:39,919this letter and over the next30600:13:39,919 –> 00:13:41,919weeks for us as a body of believers30700:13:41,919 –> 00:13:43,919place ourselves under the authority30800:13:43,919 –> 00:13:45,919of the word of God30900:13:45,919 –> 00:13:47,919the letter is of course for the whole31000:13:47,919 –> 00:13:49,919church it was read publicly31100:13:49,919 –> 00:13:51,919it’s for the entire congregation31200:13:51,919 –> 00:13:53,919but I want you to notice that it begins with a31300:13:53,919 –> 00:13:55,919personal word from the apostle Paul31400:13:55,919 –> 00:13:57,919to Timothy the pastor31500:13:57,919 –> 00:13:59,919and he says in verse three31600:13:59,919 –> 00:14:01,919as I urged you when I went31700:14:01,919 –> 00:14:03,919to Macedonia stay31800:14:03,919 –> 00:14:05,919there in Ephesus31900:14:07,919 –> 00:14:09,919Now the church of Ephesus had been planted32000:14:09,919 –> 00:14:11,919with great difficulty32100:14:11,919 –> 00:14:13,919you can read the story in Acts chapter32200:14:13,919 –> 00:14:15,91919 Paul took the gospel32300:14:15,919 –> 00:14:17,919there and there was a riot after32400:14:17,919 –> 00:14:19,919he preached32500:14:19,919 –> 00:14:21,919great difficulties and yet a church was born32600:14:21,919 –> 00:14:23,919Paul spent32700:14:23,919 –> 00:14:25,919three years in this city32800:14:25,919 –> 00:14:27,919he says in Acts chapter 2032900:14:27,919 –> 00:14:29,919when he says goodbye to the Ephesian33000:14:29,919 –> 00:14:31,919elders33100:14:31,919 –> 00:14:33,919he speaks about how day and night he had33200:14:33,919 –> 00:14:35,919taught them he taught them33300:14:35,919 –> 00:14:37,919even with tears he said so33400:14:37,919 –> 00:14:39,919Paul was emotionally33500:14:39,919 –> 00:14:41,919invested in this group33600:14:41,919 –> 00:14:43,919of believers because of his33700:14:43,919 –> 00:14:45,919personal ministry there33800:14:45,919 –> 00:14:47,919and he had appointed Timothy33900:14:47,919 –> 00:14:49,919as the pastor34000:14:49,919 –> 00:14:51,919to continue the work34100:14:51,919 –> 00:14:53,919in this wonderful church34200:14:53,919 –> 00:14:55,919and in acts chapter 2034300:14:55,919 –> 00:14:57,919when Paul’s saying goodbye to the leaders34400:14:57,919 –> 00:14:59,919he says I know that after34500:14:59,919 –> 00:15:01,919I leave savage wolves will come34600:15:01,919 –> 00:15:03,919in among you and will not spare the flock34700:15:03,919 –> 00:15:05,919in fact even from your own34800:15:05,919 –> 00:15:07,919number men will arise and distort34900:15:07,919 –> 00:15:09,919the truth in order to draw35000:15:09,919 –> 00:15:11,919disciples away after them so be35100:15:11,919 –> 00:15:13,919be on your guard35200:15:13,919 –> 00:15:15,919in other words Paul is telling35300:15:15,919 –> 00:15:17,919the elders there in acts chapter 2035400:15:17,919 –> 00:15:19,919the elders of the same church where Timothy35500:15:19,919 –> 00:15:21,919was the pastor35600:15:21,919 –> 00:15:23,919leaders need to protect the church35700:15:23,919 –> 00:15:25,919from people who35800:15:25,919 –> 00:15:27,919would make church more about themselves35900:15:27,919 –> 00:15:29,919than about Christ36000:15:29,919 –> 00:15:31,919that’s the point36100:15:31,919 –> 00:15:33,919that even from within a congregation36200:15:33,919 –> 00:15:35,919even within36300:15:35,919 –> 00:15:37,919a local body36400:15:37,919 –> 00:15:39,919the church needs to be36500:15:39,919 –> 00:15:41,919protected from folks who will rise up36600:15:41,919 –> 00:15:43,919in order to draw away disciples36700:15:43,919 –> 00:15:45,919after themselves that is what Paul is36800:15:45,919 –> 00:15:47,919saying36900:15:47,919 –> 00:15:49,919leaders, elders, pastors need to protect the church37000:15:49,919 –> 00:15:51,919from people who would make the church37100:15:51,919 –> 00:15:53,919more about themselves than about Christ37200:15:53,919 –> 00:15:55,919and that is what Timothy had to do37300:15:55,919 –> 00:15:57,919as the pastor37400:15:57,919 –> 00:15:59,919and that is why Paul says in verse three37500:15:59,919 –> 00:16:01,919back in one Timothy stay in Ephesus37600:16:01,919 –> 00:16:03,919you have got to stay there37700:16:03,919 –> 00:16:05,919because you have got to do this important work37800:16:05,919 –> 00:16:07,919Timothy in particular37900:16:07,919 –> 00:16:09,919you must command verse three38000:16:09,919 –> 00:16:11,919certain men, not to teach false38100:16:11,919 –> 00:16:13,919doctrines any longer38200:16:13,919 –> 00:16:15,919now folks38300:16:15,919 –> 00:16:17,919when Paul says stay38400:16:17,919 –> 00:16:19,919in Ephesus this raises a38500:16:19,919 –> 00:16:21,919practical question38600:16:21,919 –> 00:16:23,919when you are involved in a ministry38700:16:23,919 –> 00:16:25,919when should you stay38800:16:25,919 –> 00:16:27,919and when is it38900:16:27,919 –> 00:16:29,919time to move onto something new39000:16:29,919 –> 00:16:31,919a very real39100:16:31,919 –> 00:16:33,919question39200:16:33,919 –> 00:16:35,919when God has got you involved39300:16:35,919 –> 00:16:37,919in something, how do you39400:16:37,919 –> 00:16:39,919discern a time of transition39500:16:39,919 –> 00:16:41,919how do you discern that in your working39600:16:41,919 –> 00:16:43,919life39700:16:43,919 –> 00:16:45,919ofcourse it was very easy for Timothy39800:16:45,919 –> 00:16:47,919if an apostle tells you to39900:16:47,919 –> 00:16:49,919stay you stay, easy40000:16:49,919 –> 00:16:51,919but we don’t have40100:16:51,919 –> 00:16:53,919an apostle to tell us40200:16:53,919 –> 00:16:55,919our particular steps in that kind of a40300:16:55,919 –> 00:16:57,919way so I want you to40400:16:57,919 –> 00:16:59,919notice the reasoning, I had someone write to40500:16:59,919 –> 00:17:01,919me from another church just this week40600:17:01,919 –> 00:17:03,919as a brother in Christ and say I am really in the middle40700:17:03,919 –> 00:17:05,920of this question, how do I40800:17:05,920 –> 00:17:07,920evaluate whether I should stay, or whether it is time40900:17:07,920 –> 00:17:09,920for me to move on41000:17:09,920 –> 00:17:11,920and I found this very helpful41100:17:11,920 –> 00:17:13,920just meditating on this scripture this week41200:17:13,920 –> 00:17:15,920notice what is behind Paul’s41300:17:15,920 –> 00:17:17,920reasoning, number 1, you stay41400:17:17,920 –> 00:17:19,920when other people need to41500:17:19,920 –> 00:17:21,920be protected41600:17:21,920 –> 00:17:23,920see the one who runs away when the41700:17:23,920 –> 00:17:25,920wolf comes is a hired hand41800:17:25,920 –> 00:17:27,920Jesus says the shepherd41900:17:27,920 –> 00:17:29,920stays even42000:17:29,920 –> 00:17:31,920if it means giving his life42100:17:31,920 –> 00:17:33,920when the flock needs protecting42200:17:33,920 –> 00:17:35,920Number 242300:17:35,920 –> 00:17:37,920stay when you can bring help42400:17:37,920 –> 00:17:39,920to God’s people, when you42500:17:39,920 –> 00:17:41,920can help bring unity to42600:17:41,920 –> 00:17:43,920God’s people, Paul says42700:17:43,920 –> 00:17:45,920the goal of this command42800:17:45,920 –> 00:17:47,920is love, verse 542900:17:47,920 –> 00:17:49,920so as long as you can contribute43000:17:49,920 –> 00:17:51,920to the unity of the body43100:17:51,920 –> 00:17:53,920of Christ, you have reason to stay43200:17:55,920 –> 00:17:57,920number 3, stay as long as43300:17:57,920 –> 00:17:59,920you can have a redemptive influence in people’s43400:17:59,920 –> 00:18:01,920lives, Timothy’s aim43500:18:01,920 –> 00:18:03,920is to minister to these folks43600:18:03,920 –> 00:18:05,920who have got off track43700:18:05,920 –> 00:18:07,920with the purpose of bringing them back in the43800:18:07,920 –> 00:18:09,920right place, if God43900:18:09,920 –> 00:18:11,920has placed you in a position44000:18:11,920 –> 00:18:13,920where he is using you in a redemptive44100:18:13,920 –> 00:18:15,920way in the life of other people44200:18:15,920 –> 00:18:17,920don’t move away from that quickly44300:18:19,920 –> 00:18:21,920and stay as long as there is44400:18:21,920 –> 00:18:23,920a great work to be done44500:18:23,920 –> 00:18:25,920as long as there is a great44600:18:25,920 –> 00:18:27,920work to be done44700:18:27,920 –> 00:18:29,920Now I think Timothy needed this word44800:18:29,920 –> 00:18:31,920and this encouragement, there were some pretty difficult44900:18:31,920 –> 00:18:33,920people in the church at Ephesus45000:18:33,920 –> 00:18:35,920and there must have been times when Timothy45100:18:35,920 –> 00:18:37,920felt that he wanted to go somewhere else45200:18:37,920 –> 00:18:39,920and Paul says, stay45300:18:39,920 –> 00:18:41,920because there is a great work45400:18:41,920 –> 00:18:43,920for you Timothy45500:18:43,920 –> 00:18:45,920to do45600:18:45,920 –> 00:18:47,920now what is he to do as he stays45700:18:47,920 –> 00:18:49,920well the whole letter answers that45800:18:49,920 –> 00:18:51,920question, but it begins right here45900:18:53,920 –> 00:18:55,920so that46000:18:55,920 –> 00:18:57,920you may command certain men46100:18:57,920 –> 00:18:59,920not to teach false doctrines46200:19:01,920 –> 00:19:03,920now when Paul speaks about false doctrines46300:19:03,920 –> 00:19:05,920it immediately46400:19:05,920 –> 00:19:07,920tells you that even at this46500:19:07,920 –> 00:19:09,920earliest stage of the church46600:19:09,920 –> 00:19:11,920there were certain doctrines46700:19:11,920 –> 00:19:13,920taught by the apostles and received46800:19:13,920 –> 00:19:15,920by the churches as46900:19:15,920 –> 00:19:17,920true, and the Bible47000:19:17,920 –> 00:19:19,920speaks about this47100:19:19,920 –> 00:19:21,920it describes the body of47200:19:21,920 –> 00:19:23,920truth that was taught by the apostles47300:19:23,920 –> 00:19:25,920and received by the churches in different ways47400:19:25,920 –> 00:19:27,920it describes it as47500:19:27,920 –> 00:19:29,920THE faith once delivered to the47600:19:29,920 –> 00:19:31,920saints, Jude 347700:19:31,920 –> 00:19:33,920the pattern of sound teaching47800:19:33,920 –> 00:19:35,920the good deposit47900:19:35,920 –> 00:19:37,920that was entrusted to you48000:19:37,920 –> 00:19:39,920if you want this48100:19:39,920 –> 00:19:41,920in one word or maybe48200:19:41,920 –> 00:19:43,920it’s two words it would be48300:19:43,920 –> 00:19:45,920the gospel48400:19:45,920 –> 00:19:47,920That’s what it is when you talk about the gospel48500:19:47,920 –> 00:19:49,920the deposit48600:19:49,920 –> 00:19:51,920the faith, the apostolic doctrine48700:19:51,920 –> 00:19:53,920the pattern of sound teaching48800:19:53,920 –> 00:19:55,920that which has been entrusted48900:19:55,920 –> 00:19:57,920and Timothy here’s what you need to49000:19:57,920 –> 00:19:59,920do as the pastor of this church49100:19:59,920 –> 00:20:01,920Guard the gospel49200:20:01,920 –> 00:20:03,920keep it front49300:20:03,920 –> 00:20:05,920and center of the church49400:20:05,920 –> 00:20:07,920Preach the gospel, live the gospel49500:20:07,920 –> 00:20:09,920advance the gospel if necessary49600:20:09,920 –> 00:20:11,920die for the gospel Timothy49700:20:11,920 –> 00:20:13,920because that is the trust that is given to you49800:20:13,920 –> 00:20:15,920and to the elders of the church49900:20:15,920 –> 00:20:17,920and to everyone who bears the name of Jesus Christ50000:20:17,920 –> 00:20:21,920and notice what Timothy is to protect the church from50100:20:21,920 –> 00:20:23,920Not only those who will50200:20:23,920 –> 00:20:25,920deny the truth but secondly50300:20:25,920 –> 00:20:27,920those who will distract from50400:20:27,920 –> 00:20:29,920the truth50500:20:29,920 –> 00:20:31,920Certain men, verse 350600:20:31,920 –> 00:20:33,920Devote themselves to50700:20:33,920 –> 00:20:35,920myths and50800:20:35,920 –> 00:20:37,920endless genealogies50900:20:39,920 –> 00:20:41,920Now the word51000:20:41,920 –> 00:20:43,920myths simply means51100:20:43,920 –> 00:20:45,920stories51200:20:45,920 –> 00:20:47,920and51300:20:47,920 –> 00:20:49,920Paul is describing here51400:20:49,920 –> 00:20:51,920men within the church51500:20:51,920 –> 00:20:53,920who just love to tell51600:20:53,920 –> 00:20:55,920stories51700:20:55,920 –> 00:20:57,920They’re devoted to it51800:20:57,920 –> 00:20:59,920Notice that word, in other words51900:20:59,920 –> 00:21:01,920they have an affection for this52000:21:01,920 –> 00:21:03,920They want to tell stories that52100:21:03,920 –> 00:21:05,920will make people cry,52200:21:05,920 –> 00:21:07,920the want to tell stories that will make people laugh52300:21:07,920 –> 00:21:09,920they want to give the congregation52400:21:09,920 –> 00:21:11,920chicken soup for the soul52500:21:11,920 –> 00:21:13,920and you know52600:21:13,920 –> 00:21:15,920that that’s still52700:21:15,920 –> 00:21:17,920widely the case52800:21:17,920 –> 00:21:19,920Tell them stories52900:21:19,920 –> 00:21:21,920and there are whole congregations that are saying53000:21:21,920 –> 00:21:23,920to their pastors, if you get up on the platform53100:21:23,920 –> 00:21:25,920just tell us some stories53200:21:25,920 –> 00:21:27,920make us laugh, make us cry, tell us stories53300:21:29,920 –> 00:21:31,920and, Paul says53400:21:31,920 –> 00:21:33,920there will always53500:21:33,920 –> 00:21:35,920be folks within the church, and that is53600:21:35,920 –> 00:21:37,920what they’ve been brought up on53700:21:37,920 –> 00:21:39,920that’s what they have an appetite for53800:21:39,920 –> 00:21:41,920that’s what they think is the best thing in all the world53900:21:41,920 –> 00:21:43,920that’s what they love54000:21:45,920 –> 00:21:47,920and Timothy don’t let the church go there54100:21:47,920 –> 00:21:49,920no one will become deeply rooted54200:21:49,920 –> 00:21:51,920in Christ that way54300:21:53,920 –> 00:21:55,920and then there will be others, who have a different54400:21:55,920 –> 00:21:57,920turn of mind54500:21:57,920 –> 00:21:59,920notice the phrase endless genealogies54600:22:03,920 –> 00:22:05,920by the way, the new testament begins with54700:22:05,920 –> 00:22:07,920a genealogy54800:22:07,920 –> 00:22:09,920Matthew chapter one54900:22:09,920 –> 00:22:11,920and the genealogy brings us55000:22:11,920 –> 00:22:13,920to55100:22:13,920 –> 00:22:15,920Jesus55200:22:15,920 –> 00:22:17,920what’s being talked about here55300:22:17,920 –> 00:22:19,920is endless genealogies55400:22:19,920 –> 00:22:21,920and an endless genealogy55500:22:21,920 –> 00:22:23,920never gets you to Jesus55600:22:23,920 –> 00:22:25,920and Paul says55700:22:25,920 –> 00:22:27,920Timothy you have got to protect the church55800:22:27,920 –> 00:22:29,920from that kind of stuff55900:22:29,920 –> 00:22:31,920because they will always be56000:22:31,920 –> 00:22:33,920people and some will rise up even from within the church56100:22:33,920 –> 00:22:35,920who will want to56200:22:35,920 –> 00:22:37,920get involved in all kinds56300:22:37,920 –> 00:22:39,920of stuff that does not have56400:22:39,920 –> 00:22:41,920Jesus Christ at the center of that56500:22:41,920 –> 00:22:43,920you have got to protect the church from that56600:22:43,920 –> 00:22:45,920we have to pause the message there but56700:22:45,920 –> 00:22:47,920we will be back with the second part of this message56800:22:47,920 –> 00:22:49,920tomorrow you have been listening to56900:22:49,920 –> 00:22:51,920Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith57000:22:51,920 –> 00:22:53,920Open the Bible is supported by our listeners57100:22:53,920 –> 00:22:55,920its people just like you57200:22:55,920 –> 00:22:57,920who enable us to stay on the radio57300:22:57,920 –> 00:22:59,920and on the internet57400:22:59,920 –> 00:23:01,920and we are extremely grateful for the support we receive57500:23:01,920 –> 00:23:03,920from you so if you already give57600:23:03,920 –> 00:23:05,920to Open the Bible57700:23:05,920 –> 00:23:07,920thank you so much57800:23:07,920 –> 00:23:09,920if you are considering beginning to support Open the Bible57900:23:09,920 –> 00:23:11,920financially this month we have a58000:23:11,920 –> 00:23:13,920great offer for you58100:23:13,920 –> 00:23:15,920if you are able to begin a direct debit58200:23:15,920 –> 00:23:17,920of five pounds per month.58300:23:17,920 –> 00:23:19,920or a one off gift of sixty pounds58400:23:19,920 –> 00:23:21,920or more. we’d love to say58500:23:21,920 –> 00:23:23,920thank you by sending you a58600:23:23,920 –> 00:23:25,920copy of John Stott’s book58700:23:25,920 –> 00:23:27,920The Incomparable Christ58800:23:27,920 –> 00:23:29,920Colin what is the one thing you58900:23:29,920 –> 00:23:31,920want people to take away from this book59000:23:31,920 –> 00:23:33,920Oh well Jesus once59100:23:33,920 –> 00:23:35,920asked his disciples,59200:23:35,920 –> 00:23:37,920who do you say that I am59300:23:37,920 –> 00:23:39,920and that is the most59400:23:39,920 –> 00:23:41,920important question I think that any of59500:23:41,920 –> 00:23:43,920us could ever answer59600:23:43,920 –> 00:23:45,920when you settle in your mind59700:23:45,920 –> 00:23:47,920and your heart who Jesus is59800:23:47,920 –> 00:23:49,920you really laid a foundation for your59900:23:49,920 –> 00:23:51,920life and for everything else60000:23:51,920 –> 00:23:53,920you can rest the weight of your life60100:23:53,920 –> 00:23:55,920your death and your eternity60200:23:55,920 –> 00:23:57,920on him and Peter’s answer60300:23:57,920 –> 00:23:59,920to that question when Jesus said60400:23:59,920 –> 00:24:01,920who do you say that I am60500:24:01,920 –> 00:24:03,920Peter said you are the Christ60600:24:03,920 –> 00:24:05,920Now this book60700:24:05,920 –> 00:24:07,920The Incomparable Christ60800:24:07,920 –> 00:24:09,920really lift’s up who Jesus60900:24:09,920 –> 00:24:11,920is how he’s presented to us61000:24:11,920 –> 00:24:13,920in the New Testament61100:24:13,920 –> 00:24:15,920has been understood throughout the history61200:24:15,920 –> 00:24:17,920of the church how he inspired61300:24:17,920 –> 00:24:19,920people through the centuries61400:24:19,920 –> 00:24:21,920and how he will be when we see him61500:24:21,920 –> 00:24:23,920in his power in his glory when he returns61600:24:23,920 –> 00:24:25,920it’s a marvelous book61700:24:25,920 –> 00:24:27,920I think it’s the best book you can read about Jesus61800:24:27,920 –> 00:24:29,920the Incomparable Christ61900:24:29,920 –> 00:24:31,920and I think that people62000:24:31,920 –> 00:24:33,920will be greatly blessed by this book62100:24:33,920 –> 00:24:35,920Well this book by John Stott62200:24:35,920 –> 00:24:37,920The Incomparable Christ is our gift62300:24:37,920 –> 00:24:39,920to you when you begin a new62400:24:39,920 –> 00:24:41,920direct debit to The Work of Hope in the Bible62500:24:41,920 –> 00:24:43,920In the amount of £5 per month62600:24:43,920 –> 00:24:45,920or more62700:24:45,920 –> 00:24:47,920or a one off gift of £60 or more62800:24:47,920 –> 00:24:49,920this month62900:24:49,920 –> 00:24:51,920full terms and conditions are on our website63000:24:51,920 –> 00:24:53,920that site is openthebible.org.uk63100:24:53,920 –> 00:24:55,920and you can63200:24:55,920 –> 00:24:57,920give online63300:24:57,920 –> 00:24:59,920don’t forget to leave your full name and address63400:24:59,920 –> 00:25:01,920so we can send you your free gift63500:25:01,920 –> 00:25:03,920For Open The Bible63600:25:03,920 –> 00:25:05,920and Pastor Colin Smith63700:25:05,920 –> 00:25:07,920I’m David Pick and I look forward to you joining us63800:25:07,920 –> 00:25:09,920again for our next program63900:25:11,920 –> 00:25:13,920Open The Bible64000:25:15,920 –> 00:25:17,920Many people who believe in64100:25:17,920 –> 00:25:19,920Jesus have never been gripped64200:25:19,920 –> 00:25:21,920by the Gospel64300:25:21,920 –> 00:25:23,920Find out what effect that has on the church64400:25:23,920 –> 00:25:25,920next time on Open The Bible