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The Pastor's Charge
1Timothy

1Timothy is one of three epistles written specifically to instruct the pastor. Those three are: 1Timothy, 2Timothy and Titus. The emphasis of this epistle is teaching correct doctrine and warring a good warfare against doctrinal error. to this end, God has Paul give Timothy seven charges within this epistle. These charges are actually given to all pastors since this is a pastoral epistle. The danger is that people will hear the word charge and not understand the full consequence of what is said and treat the charge lightly. That is what Satan wants because he hates all pastors. Satan wants all pastors to receive punishment at the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10; 2Corinthians 5:10-11) instead of receiving rewards. The wise pastor will consider the full consequence of God giving them a charge and will be sure that he does what is required to receive a crown and not be punished for failure to do the legal charge.

Basis: 1Timothy 1:1 says the commandment of God our Saviour , and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.

Notice that this verse says which is our hope not who is our hope. It is the command, and our obedience to it which is our hope. The disobedient have nothing to hope for.
Expected Results: Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm (1Timothy 1:5-7). If the result of your preaching does not cause your people to have a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned then you have failed as a pastor and will have to face the judgment of your Lord at the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10; 2Corinthians 5:10-11).

a pure heart: consider what each of these verses tell us about a pure heart.

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalms 24:4).
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (1Timothy 1:5).
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2Timothy 2:22).
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (1Peter 1:22).

good conscience

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. (Acts 23;1). Paul was able to face false accusations by religious people and answer that he had a good conscience before God.
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1Timothy 1:19). Never made shipwreck of our life.
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. (Hebrews 13:18).
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (1Peter 3:16). God can not use your life to condemn those people who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ unless you actually have a good conversation (godly lifestyle ) in Christ keep a good conscience.
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1Peter 3:21) The answer of a good conscience toward God is living the true Christian life and it saves us from God's wrath. The phrase not the putting away of the filth of the flesh lets us know that Peter is not talking about physically immersing a person in baptism but is speaking about the true spiritual baptism which the physical is to portray.

Faith unfeigned is 'faith that is not fake but produces godly works

By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, (2Corinthians 6:6).
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (1Timothy 1:5).
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. (2Timothy 1:5).
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (1Peter 1:22).

Charge is defined as: 'A superior authority gives a formal and legal command to a subordinate which includes the necessary rights and responsibilities to accomplish the assigned task'.

Legality: Since this is a 'a formal and legal command', the results will be judged by God in His courtroom. Specifically, at the Judgment seat of Christ. Hebrews 13:17 says they that must give account while speaking about the souls of people in their ministry. Therefore, preachers need to be prepared to answer in God's court for how well they do these charges.
Recipient: This is written to Timothy in a pastoral epistle. Therefore, the actual 'subordinate' that this is written to is every pastors.
Source: since this charge is in the word of God, we know that the true 'superior authority' is God. Therefore, we know that all preachers will face God for their level of fulfilling this charge.
Personal in nature: since most of these verses use the personal pronoun of thee, we know that God will judge each personally for how well they personally did.
The consequences of this definition, as pointed out in the prior points, need to be considered when trying to understand each place in 1Timothy where we find the word charge.

1Timothy 1:3-4 says As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do..

What the Charge is:

charge some that they teach no other doctrine
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith

Expected Results:

Avoid ALL speculation on things of the Bible which minister questions, rather than godly edifying. This includes things like speculation on unfulfilled prophecy where the speculation goes beyond what is literally said.
we are to avoid teaching popular religious traditions (doctrine) but are responsible before God to verify that doctrine matches the Bible.
Lift up all doctrine which increases faith. That is:

Find where the promise is literally given in the Bible.
Find what God requires us to do in order to prove to Satan that we have faith in God's promise.
Do what is required and continue to do it until you receive the promise, even if death comes first.
Teach that until there is action a person has a belief (things hoped for , things not seen) but until there is evidence that has substance they do NOT have faith (Hebrews 11:1).

1Timothy 1:18-20 says This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme..

What the Charge is:

according to the prophecies which went before on thee
thou by them (scriptures) mightest war a good warfare
deliver unto Satan those who have put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
Make sure that all war is aimed at that they may learn not to blaspheme

Expected Results:

Every doctrine taught must be based upon what the Bible actually teaches, not based upon religious traditions. The applications are based upon traditions, but only when they actually match the true interpretation.
Prophecies came from prophets. They added to what the word of God said but were killed if they taught error or if they did not live a righteous life. This is telling you that you don't just use the interpretation which comes only from the word of God but are to also use the applications taught by godly men who lived a righteous life.
Either you correct the Bible or the Bible corrects your doctrine (John 12:48) [interpretation of the Bible]. If someone shows you where the Bible literally says that what you believe is wrong, and says it in at least two places, then you must change your belief or show that brother how he is wrong in his interpretation of the Bible. In particular, be aware that some of the teaching of godly men was wrong. For example, Schofield has many good notes in his Bible but his teaching on the Gap Theory is doctrinal error. Therefore, use the teaching of godly men when it does not contradict what the Bible literally teaches.
In a war you do not ignore the enemy but you actively attack his position.

There are many doctrinal errors taught by many false religions but they are not all around you. You have a responsibility before God to find out about the doctrinal error taught by the false religions around your area of ministry.
You are to concentrate on them and leave other religions and disputes alone. Political problems are not your concern unless they directly affect your ministry. Then you are to get someone in your ministry to deal with those problems while you concentrate on spiritual matters.
You are to find where the Bible says that the doctrine of other religions is wrong and are to use the Bile to attack the doctrine while avoiding attacking the person.

deliver unto Satan those who have put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.

deliver unto Satan means that we do not just put people out of the church but are to actively and regularly pray that God will have Satan hurt them in the things of this world such as their health, money, relationships and more.
who have put away concerning faith have made shipwreck are not people who have stumbled but those people who have deliberately turned their back on the faith of the Bible and have changed to one of the lifestyle sins that are named in 1Corinthians 5.

1Timothy 5:7-8 says And these things (what was specified in 5:1-6) give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel..

What the Charge is: This Charge is a command to act as God's legal representative and give a charge to church members about proper treatment of elders.

rebuke not an elder
Treat younger men as brethren
Treat women with all purity
Take care off true Biblical widows
Require people to care for their own family
Continue to monitor the life of all who are supported by the church

Expected Results:

Make sure that church members understand that they will be judged by God for their obedience or disobedience. Satan is constantly accusing them of sin before the throne of God. They want to be blameless so that God does not have to correct them. The main prayer request in American churches is for sickness and death and the Bible teaches that many of these problems are because the saved refuse to remain blameless.
Keep demanding that church members obey these commands. This is part of the Doctrine of the Church that a pastor is to teach.
Make sure that people supported by the church remain blameless. When there is blame investigate and drop support of those who do wrong but defend those who are accused wrongly. Remember that those supported y the church are required to maintain a higher level lifestyle than people who are not supported by the church. Please see the last notes of the prior verse in this lesson and make the distinction between a stumble and having made shipwreck.
Your church is your spiritual family. Defend it like you defend your children.

1Timothy 5:21 says I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things (5:9-20) without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality..

What the Charge is:

There is to be no partiality in the enforcement of these commandments. It doesn't matter how much you like or dislike someone personally.
All of Heaven is watching how we obey this charge.
Any partiality will be brought up at the judgment seat of Christ

Expected Results:

Money is handled properly within the church.
Those in charge (elders) are protected from attacks by others that are made because people are upset or jealous or some other fleshly or worldly reason.
Avoid violence. I'll kill him is a wrong expression. I'll have the law prosecute him is right.
Understand and support the right use of medicine while condemning the perversion of Biblical truths. This little wine is no more than what is in 'flavored water' and only has enough alcohol to kill bacteria such as in Filipino public water.
Understand that some people will be rewarded and some will be punished at the judgment seat of God and that many people will be surprised at the judgment of God. God deliberately hides some things. Do not act on rumor but only on what is actually proven.

1Timothy 6:13-16 says I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment 6:11-12) without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen..

What the Charge is:

The actual charge was in the prior sentences and is: But thou, of man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Expected Results:

Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. This was before He went to the cross but He knew that God the Father would reward Him later. When we know we will suffer for doing right we are to go to our death still doing right with the knowledge that God will reward our faithfulness.
Don't look for acknowledgement by God until you return with Christ Jesus to reign on this world (Colossians 3:3).
We are to not just to not do certain sins but to flee them. We are to avoid being even near them so that we can not be blamed even for being is close position to these sins being done. As with the teaching about the weaker brother (1Corinthians 8), a pastor must avoid things which are OK to do but which others think are wrong to do.
A pastor must and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. If he truly does this people who watch him will see these things in his life.
Fight the good fight of faith means live faith before your people. Don't expect them to respond to an altar call when you sit in your seat. Don't expect them to work the ministry when you are lazy. Don't expect them to go on visitation when you are not faithful on a daily basis.
lay hold on eternal life means always keep your eternal life in mind and use it to help you deal with the problems in this life. When you suffer here for the Gospel, know that God promises proportional eternal rewards.
1Timothy 6:14 says That thou keep this commandment (6:11-12) without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no excuse for even the hint of failure.

1Timothy 6:17-19 says 1. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life..

What the Charge is:

Make sure that people in your church are completely convinced that the things of this world will be left behind at death. They are only useful for how much you use them to lay up treasure in Heaven.
Make sure that they keep their eye on the giver and not on the gift.
Make sure that they know why God gave them what they have and that they know what God wants them to do with what God gave them.

Expected Results:

The physically rich is treated no differently than the physically poor.
All judgment of value in the church is to be based upon spiritual results of a person's life.
All are to trust in the living God. Whatever circumstance that God allows them to be in they are to recognize that the living God is in charge and they are in those circumstances for His glory and their good. Therefore, they will not receive the good that God has for them unless they bring God glory in all circumstances, especially the hardest.
That they do good, that they be rich in good works this is actively participating in the local church ministry. Going to work and sending money is not the same as personal participation. Lack of personal participation will lead to stopping financial support. Therefore, personal participation in the local church ministries is more important than the financial support of the church.
ready to distribute, willing to communicate this is speaking of financially helping the less fortunate within the church. This is doing things like helping in a medical cost or helping a Bible School student.
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come means using the riches of this world to invest in eternity. This is supporting missions and is beyond delivering God's tithe to the church and even beyond giving to help the local church and church family. This is only possible by using money to support those ministries that are actually producing spiritual results. It is a waste of money, and even punishable by God, when we support the wrong things.

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