Introduction To 1 Timothy Series

• There’s an amazing trend happening in our day & age.

• External Charisma is winning out over Internal Holiness.

• Outside of the man has become more important than what’s inside. And when a man falls, many fall with him.

• God’s precious sheep are ripped off by a lot of hoopla & hype.

Sorry to say, in many churches it seems that the pastor just can’t do anything right. No matter how sincere he may be or how hard he tries, there are always some who stand ready to find fault and criticize. Someone has described it this way:

• If the pastor is young, he lacks experience; if his hair is gray, he’s too old for the young people.

• If he has five or six children, he has too many; if he has none, he’s setting a bad example.

• If he preaches from notes, he has canned sermons and is dry; if his messages are extemporaneous, he isn’t deep enough.

• If he caters to the poor in the church, he’s playing to the grandstand; if he pays attention to the wealthy, he’s trying to be an aristocrat.

• If he uses too many illustrations, he’s neglecting the Bible; if he doesn’t include stories, he isn’t clear.

• If he fails to please everybody, he’s hurting the church and should leave; if he does make them all happy, he has no convictions.

• If he drives an old car, he shames his congregation; if he buys a new one, he’s setting his affection on earthly things.

• If he preaches all the time, the congregation gets tired of hearing just one man; if he invites guest ministers, he’s shirking his responsibility.

• If he receives a large salary, he’s mercenary; if he gets a small one, they say it proves he isn’t worth much anyway.

• If he condemns wrong, he’s cranky; if he doesn’t preach against sin, the claim he’s a compromiser.

• If he preaches the truth, he’s too offensive; if he doesn’t present the "whole counsel of God," he’s a hypocrite.

NOW YOU KNOW Why I’M READY FOR A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN!

NO… not in this church. I love you guys and the relationship God is forming in and among us. Marie & I so love this fellowship and appreciate your prayers, your faithfulness, your love for Jesus!

• You guys are the BEST fellowship family we’ve known!

• But it’s true, if we’re not careful, the externals will reign.

• And the church will weaken. The leaders puffed up with pride.

• And the wolves will come. And the sheep will be destroyed!

Acts 20.29-30 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

• And WORSE THAN ALL, OUR world, OUR generation will not be touched and saved by the love of Jesus through His church!

PAYING TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO EXTERNALS…

• And that’s A problem addressed in 1 & 2 Timothy.

• In Paul’s time appearances & apparel were king.

• Outward show was all that was needed… doctrine

• Timothy, these are the guidelines & goals for the church.

• This is how it’s to be done, and I want you set them in order.

• Bring health & stability back into the church there.