|
"REGARDING TIMOTHEOUS’
RECEPTION"
First Corinthians 16.10-11
INTRODUCTION:
1. Please turn in your Bible to First Corinthians 16.10-11 and stand
for the reading of God’s Word:
10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may
be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also
do.
11 Let no man therefore despise him: but
conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him
with the brethren.
2. This is a bit of an unusual passage of Scripture, as
sermon texts go, because it is Paul’s instructions to the believers in
the Corinthian Church, telling them how to treat a preacher.
3. To quickly review, First Corinthians chapter 9 also deals
with certain aspects of the relationship that exists between a
congregation and a man in the ministry, but focuses only on meeting his
material needs and actually paying him.
4. In Acts chapter 20, the thrust of the comments are about
feeding the flock and watching for ravening wolves. In Paul’s first
letter to Timothy and his letter to Titus, he also deals with the
treatment of the preacher, but in those cases it’s primarily the kind of
relationship that exists between an older and a younger preacher, or a
senior missionary’s relationship with those who are his co-laborers.
5. Even in the letter to the Hebrews, specifically 13.7 and
13.17, where believers and their spiritual leaders are in view, the focus
is on the question of obedience and submission, not how you are expected
to treat the preacher personally.
6. "Lord, is there a way I am to treat my pastor? Are
there guidelines given for the proper reception into my life of the
influence of God’s men? Is your Word so very complete in its
instructions to me that it even covers the personal rapport I am to have
with this preacher?"
7. The answer to those questions is, of course,
"Yes." Specific instruction is given in God’s Word to show the
believer how to relate, on a personal level, to the man of God in his
life.
8. And in our text for this evening, instruction is related
to the two dispositions that are involved in that special relationship,
the disposition of the preacher and the person, the disposition of the
missionary and the Church member, the disposition of the man in the
pulpit, whoever he may be, and the man or woman in the pew. We’re
dealing with both his disposition (my disposition) and yours.
1A. CONCERNING THE DISPOSITION OF THE PREACHER (16.10)
10 Now if Timotheus come, see
that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the
Lord, as I also do.
It is a well established principle of God’s Word that a
follower can dramatically affect and influence the leader in his or her
life. You gals who are married to spiritual men know how God has used
you to give you the kind of husband that you want. First Peter 3.1-6
attests to that.
I am quite sure that ladies who are not married to men who
are spiritual leaders in their homes will too often have grave doubts
about this, but it’s true.
But this verse that I have just read shows Church members
in Corinth how to affect the disposition of a preacher. Do you know what
that ought to tell you? It ought to tell you that you can greatly
influence how I, or how a missionary, or how an evangelist, behaves
toward you. First Corinthians 4.21 is a great example of this:
"What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in
the spirit of meekness?"
Three words to expand on in verse 10 of our text, regarding
your influence of my disposition, or any other preacher’s disposition.
1B. First, Formality
1C. Notice, if you will, the name of the minister, the
name of the man of God, that these Corinthians are to receive.
Timotheus.
2C. Folks, here, and whenever Paul refers to Timothy when
writing to other people, he refers to him as Timotheus. He never uses
a diminutive or informal version of this man’s name.
3C. And why does Paul do this? Paul does this because
it’s a measure of formality. Paul does this because it’s a token
of respect. Paul does this because it’s appropriate decorum.
4C. My friends, there is a tendency that is found in
Churches like ours which decry formalism and traditionalism. And
though we never want to be steeped in ritualism or formality, we must
still guard against that which can cause us harm. It’s called
familiarity, and it’s a step in the direction of disrespect.
5C. You see this creeps in whenever a leader and follower
relationship exists in which the leader genuinely loves and is
concerned for those who are in followship positions, and when that
love is reciprocated. This applies to parents with their children.
It’s a problem found in classrooms between teachers and students.
Supervisors and their workers deal with it all the time. And it’s a
classic problem in the military.
6C. Here’s how it manifests itself in a Church.
Oftentimes believers would like for the preacher to go off the clock,
to relax, and to be an ordinary guy. In other words, people want him
to set aside the authority that accompanies his calling and his
office.
7C. And, yes, it’s good for a preacher to relax, to
kick back, and to recreate with the people he ministers to . . . but
not if he has to pay the expensive price of familiarity to do it.
Ministers who do this with people are temporarily abandoning their
calling, something they should not even temporarily do.
8C. Folks, I know from painful experience what is
suggested here. You see, whenever you forget that God’s man is
God’s man, when you demand that I or another be your buddy or your
pal, there will be problems. And the problems will be the classic
problems that arise from familiarity.
9C. That is, when I am led of God to rebuke you or
instruct you or correct you you are likely to become offended and to
feel betrayed. Why? Because I, someone you regard as your familiar
friend, have done something that friends typically do not do. I have
done something that pastors do.
10C. Do I think I’m better than you are? Oh, no. I am
your servant and am humbled that God has called me to this position.
But for me to serve you effectively you must not deny who I am to you,
what I am to you. I am not your friend, though I like you very much
and try to be very friendly. I am your pastor. There is a difference.
Amen?
11C. I think my friend Pastor Johnston dealt with this
potential problem better than I’ve ever seen when he first arrived
in El Centro as their pastor, years ago. When asked by one of the men
what his first name was, he replied, "My first name is
Pastor." When the man asked him again, he replied again, "My
first name is Pastor."
12C. If it takes some measure of formality to avoid the
great danger of familiarity . . . so be it. You see, you can make
friends with anyone, but not just anyone has been assigned by God to
be your pastor.
13C. "But I know pastors who insist on being called
by their first names. They say that’s the way Paul did it." I
think they are making a mistake. Addressing a pastor by his first
name, when you live in an authoritarian society as Paul did in which
the rules of propriety are unlikely to be violated, is one thing. But
when you live in an anti-authoritarian society, where rebellion
against divinely instituted authority is the norm, then you are only
encouraging that terrible first step toward disrespect of the pastor
by addressing him by his first name.
2B. Second, Fear
"See that he may be with you without
fear."
1C. Why would Paul caution those Christians against
making Timotheus fearful? Because you Christians can be terribly
frightening people. And Timothy was a man prone to being fearful.
2C. When a woman smart-mouths her own child, or perhaps
screams at her husband, I think in my mind, "She might
conceivably do that to me some day." What would I do if she did
that to me?
3C. Or when a husband is so childish that you really
don’t know what to do or not to do with him, for fear of him pouting
and sulking and staying out of Church. How do you treat a terribly
immature man? Acts like a kid, dresses like a kid, sulks like a kid,
drives a car like a kid. I am afraid that I will damage him because he
is so very immature, so fragile.
4C. Folks, a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is
still a human being. And no matter what kind of personality you may
think he has he will still have a natural tendency to throw up
defenses if he begins to feel that he, personally, or his ministry is
threatened.
5C. He may appear to be proud and stand-offish, or he may
not like being around you. He might be obviously frightened, or he
might cover it with ferocity and aggressiveness. Should he behave in
such ways? No. Should he correct people who provoke fear in his heart?
Sure.
6C. Granted, such behavior by a pastor or an evangelist,
or anyone, is sinful. He ought to settle the matter with God. But he
may struggle with it. He may be a fearful Gideon or a timid Timothy.
If that happens to be the case, the Bible indicates that you can do
something about the man of God’s fears.
7C. Declare your intentions to serve God in your Church
no matter what happens. Let him know that you don’t have a chip on
your shoulder. Demonstrate to him that you are not easily offended,
and that it would take dynamite to dislodge you from your Church. That
way a pastor or a missionary can relax around you and not be fearful
of slipping up and offending you.
8C. And watch your mouth. Be very careful to not step
over the line of propriety when using humor. And don’t ever make a
cutting remark to a Gospel minister. Remember what happened to the
youths who said, "Go to thou bald head," to Elisha. Finally,
don’t tempt a preacher to sin against you and then hold it against
him for not being perfect.
9C. Preachers generally try very hard to unconditionally
love the people they minister to. Receiving that love in an
appropriate manner makes giving it a great deal easier.
3B. Third, Fellow
"For he worketh the work of the Lord,
as I also do."
1C. In Romans 16.21 Paul refers to Timotheus as his
workfellow. That description is made here, as well. It’s an
important comment made by Paul.
2C. Folks, Paul wanted the Christians at Corinth to
remember that although Timothy was no Paul, his calling was just as
sure. And I have been called to perfect the saints at this Church,
while greater men than I have not.
3C. So, though Scripture forbids any preacher to think
more highly of himself than he ought to, sometimes a Church member can
behave toward a preacher in such a way that he is sometimes tempted to
think much less of himself than he ought to.
4C. If you will do what you can to alleviate whatever
human nature fears a preacher might not yet have dealt with in his own
life, and if you will acknowledge the man to be one of Paul’s
fellows, a man of God, then you will have done those things which
mightily affect my disposition toward you, and the disposition of any
other preacher who may stand on this platform.
5C. And, may I say, you generally do very well as a
Church in this regard. I commend you.
2A. HAVING SHOWN YOU HOW TO AFFECT THE DISPOSITION OF THE
PREACHER, PAUL NOW TURNS TO INSTRUCTION CONCERNING YOUR OWN DISPOSITION
(16.11)
11 Let no man therefore despise
him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I
look for him with the brethren.
Again, three words to expand on.
1B. First, Attitude
"Let no man therefore despise
him."
1C. The word "despise" translates a Greek word
for "no account." The man of God is not to be thought of as
no account.
2C. But notice! Paul doesn’t tell the Corinthians not
to despise the preacher who’s coming. He tells the Corinthians that
they weren’t to allow anyone else to despise the preacher.
3C. Do you realize what the implications of this
directive are? You folks are put into a position whereby you are
directed to speak for me should someone try to tear me down. It is
your job to make sure that others are not allowed to despise me. And
you cannot do that by always remaining silent.
4C. "Why should I say anything? I don’t even like
you." Hey, if Proverbs 16.3 is to be believed, you will begin to
like me if you do what Paul instructs you to do and make sure other
people don’t despise me: "Commit thy works unto the LORD,
and thy thoughts shall be established."
5C. Restated, Paul’s direction is for you to actively
influence the attitude other people have about your preacher. You are
to do what you can to make sure another’s attitude toward me is
good.
6C. What are the benefits from Paul’s direction? There
are two obvious benefits. First, your attitude toward me will improve,
Proverbs 16.3. Second, the willingness of others to respond to my
message and my ministry will be greatly enhanced.
2B. Next, Action
"but conduct him forth in peace"
1C. The word "conduct" means to send someone
forth on a journey. A great many Churches like doing this to pastors,
by firing them. As a matter of fact, I used to pastor a Church which
had sent pastors forth on journeys about every 18 months for 45 years.
2C. But the Church that I used to pastor didn’t fully
realize what Paul meant by this. What he is encouraging the
Corinthians to do, and what each of you ought to do, is not fire the
preacher, but help the man of God do what he needs to do.
3C. What Timotheus needed was help on his journey. But
listen to Paul now. What I need is help in another way. I need your
help in reaching the San Gabriel Valley for Christ. Will you help me
on Saturday nights to reach out? I’ll bet it’s more important than
what you are currently doing on Saturday nights.
4C. Someday I will need your help raising enough money to
either build new facilities here or buy somewhere else. And next
Saturday I need your help in performing the routine maintenance jobs
that a property of this age necessarily requires.
5C. And don’t forget the various ministries of this
Church. Perhaps you would like to help in Sunday School classes, in
nursery work, or by participating in our music ministry.
6C. Folks, don’t fight me by doing nothing or by just
sitting there like dead wood and waiting until someone asks for your
help. Step up and help me in this great struggle to reach the lost.
3B. Finally, Appraisal
11 Let no man therefore despise
him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I
look for him with the brethren.
1C. The last portion of this verse reveals that Paul
thought highly enough of Timotheus to want him with him. He valued the
young man of God, and was showing the Corinthians the value of
Timotheus to him, in an effort I think to lead them to so value him.
Your prompting to value me is Paul’s example to the Corinthians.
2C. "Pastor, don’t you think it’s a bit
egotistical to ask that of a person?" Folks, if it were me asking
this of you, yes, it would be egotistical. But it’s not me asking
these things of you. It’s the great apostle Paul.
3C. Let me illustrate what I mean by appraisal. I have
been asked by two different couples to consider their choice of a
couple to assume guardianship of their own children in the event of a
casualty. I was not asked to make the decision, and I would not make
such a decision. But being asked about such a thing shows me their
appraisal of me, just as not being asked about such a thing shows me
what people’s appraisal of me is.
4C. You see, when your appraisal of the pastor is high he
becomes your counselor of first resort, not your counselor of last
resort. And if your appraisal of your pastor is not high you need to
ask God to do one of two things: Either correct your attitude, or move
your pastor and bring to you the man of God He really wants you to sit
under, because it obviously isn’t me.
5C. "What if we just move to another church,
pastor?" That would not be God’s will, because it would show
the likelihood of you being unconverted, First John 2.19: "They
went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us,
they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went
out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of
us."
CONCLUSION:
1. Folks, I honestly, before the Lord, love each and every
one of you. I am absolutely crazy about you people. But I want you to know
that I stand before you making no personal claims, whatsoever.
2. I do stand before you as Gospel preacher, however, and
I’m going to declare to you your responsibility before God. Some of you
are out of line in your treatment of me. You call me "Pastor,"
but I am not really your pastor.
3. You may honestly think nothing is out of line, but I’m
here to tell you that your appraisal of both my calling and the ministry
that I’m supposed to have in your life is not what I understand the
Bible to call for.
4. So far as your disposition is concerned, there are some of
you who treat me as if I am no account. In point of fact, you remain
unmoved and unmovable when I urge you to step up and serve God. You either
won’t do what you know you ought to do or you won’t step forward to
lighten the load that I carry.
5. I promise you that I am not angry, and I am not seeking to
condemn you. Things are going entirely too well here at Calvary Road for
me to be angry with anyone. And had this text not presented itself in
God’s Word I would never have publicly shared the things I’ve talked
about with you this evening. But because these two verses are in the Bible
I’ve done my best to preach the Word straight and apply it to our
situation as best I am able.
6. Do you have a problem with me? Whether you think you have
or not, does God’s Word indicate the presence of a problem with some of
you. Now, it’s your choice whether you want to have a pastor or not, but
your choice will reflect on whether or not spouse feels free to have a
pastor, and whether or not your children will ever truly have a pastor.
7. Concerning my personal disposition. Is my relationship
with you less than it ought to be? Then I suggest you examine these
issues:
#1 Formality. Have you strayed from the relationship that
ought to exist between a pastor and a member of the flock? Have you been
so intent on friendship with this one who has watchcare over your soul
that you’ve allowed familiarity to creep in, or you resent the fact
that familiarity has not crept in?
#2 Fear. Are you the kind of person whose level of
commitment is a mystery? Or are you a fierce person to deal with about
personal sin? Or maybe it’s something else that might cause fear in my
heart and mind when dealing with you. Something which hinders my ability
to pastor you without fear of retaliation or resignation on your part if
I make a mistake or do something you do not like.
#3 Fellow. Are you willing to realize my calling? Are you
willing to realize that I am your pastor, your spiritual leader and
guide and teacher? I am not your fellow, but Paul’s fellow worker.
8. Those three areas of attention will greatly affect and
influence my disposition toward you.
9. Or how about your own personal disposition? What can you
do about your disposition?
#1 Attitude. Will you seek to influence the attitude of
others toward me? You see, when Paul said, "Let no man therefore
despise him," he knew that your attempts to influence the attitudes
of others’ opinions about me would transform your own. If you allow
others to despise me without comment from you your attitude toward your
pastor will not for long remain healthy.
#2 Action. Are you willing to "conduct" me? That
is, are you willing to go beyond the peanut gallery fan who enjoys
watching me perform? Are you willing to roll up your sleeves and jump in
and help? Some of you run around involving yourself in all sorts of nice
fun stuff, but it doesn’t advance the cause of Christ. Help me do
stuff. There is always a place here at Calvary Road Baptist Church for
someone with a servant’s heart.
#3 Appraisal. What do you think of me? Realize that I may
not be much personally, but according to Ephesians 4.8 and 4.11, I am a
spiritual gift given to this Church by the Lord Jesus Christ for the
purpose of numerical and qualitative spiritual growth and maturity. I am
valuable only because of the position and the role Christ has determined
that I am to have in your lives.
10. Will you allow me to occupy the role and place in your
life that the Bible declares is proper? I make no claim of superiority,
but I am your pastor. Will you, therefore, treat me with the respect, with
the deference, and with the honor called for by Paul?
11. For the most part, most of you do treat me properly. I
both appreciate and thank God for you. But some of you, for your own
spiritual well being, need to make some real progress in this area of your
lives. |
or Mail/Phone