God’s appointed leaders must lead and the church must follow if the church is to be healthy and growing. Don’t follow the wrong leaders. 1 Timothy 1:1-11
The book of 1 Timothy was written to a pastor whose church was in trouble. As such it is a manual for church revitalization. Much of the book outlines the proper theology, practice, structure and benevolences of the church. It was written to Timothy, but his church was expected to read it over his shoulder—as should we.
The letter opens with Paul asserting his authority. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Jesus Christ. Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. An apostle is one who is sent with the authority of the sender. Paul is a planter and restorer of churches because he is an apostle. He speaks with authority. His apostleship is not his own idea, but comes by the command of God. This is important to understand for all that comes later. Paul does not think his words are important because he is better than other people—further in the chapter he says that he is the worst of sinners. He is to be heard and followed because of the command of God.
Leadership is key for the success of any organization. Without a leader, the ship goes in circles. John Maxwell, who leads a ministry to help leaders, says that everything rises and falls on leadership. And yet we see leadership and authority often questioned and ignored. Leaders get more tentative in leading because they are tired of being shot in the back by their own troops. Those gifted and even called to leadership hesitate and decline it because they are tired of being in the center of strife. Leaders don’t lead and followers don’t follow. And we wonder why there is no team.
Hebrews 13:17 says this to you concerning your leaders in the Church: Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy and not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Twice it says to obey. Obedience requires following even when you do not fully agree. Why should you obey and submit? Because the elders keep watch over you. They pray for you. When difficulties arise in your life, they pray harder, both for you and for themselves that they would say and do the things that God directs. Their desire for you as for themselves, is that you grow to be more like Jesus.
The central problem at Ephesus was that false teachers came to lead the people astray. People were not following the leaders appointed by God and his apostle and they were following others who were not. This brought division and confusion. Paul’s first words to Timothy was to call these leaders out and stop them. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines and longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies (v 3). Note that Timothy was to command the false teachers to cease and desist.
There are many false teachers that clamor for our attention today. They promise special power from hidden knowledge. There is a popularized form of the ancient Jewish mysticism of the Kabala that promises blessing for looking at Hebrew words (even if you don’t understand them) and healing if you drink their special water. Celebrities popularize Scientology with its power for living, but like other cults, it is just sophisticated sounding words of claptrap nonsense. These and other secret teachings have nothing to do with the simple gospel of Christ.
Why are those in leadership supposed to speak against such teaching? Because it is the loving thing to do (v 5). It is loving for the church because it stops the confusion and restores health to the body. It is loving to even the false teachers because they are also creatures of God and need to hear the life-giving words of the Gospel of Jesus. We are not saved by learning an intricate philosophy or a new hidden technique. We are not saved by adhering to a special diet or wearing special clothes. We are not saved by making a pilgrimage or making a fast. We are saved by the gift of God through Jesus Christ. We are called to trust in Christ completely for our standing with God and the sanctifying of our souls. We are called to hear the words of Jesus and follow him as a sheep follows her shepherd. We are saved by Christ alone. Listen for his sweet life-giving voice and follow.
God has prepared all sorts of good things to happen through those who trust in Christ. He will supply what you need. He will make you into the person that you were meant to be. Just as surely as he saves your life to be his, he works in your life to make you more like Jesus. Listen to Jesus’ voice. You are hearing it right now to leave those teachers who would draw you away from simple faith in the Savior and to follow him alone.
Pastor John Howard Dawson 07-31-05