False Teachers and Fit Pastors
In the first part of this - vs 1-4 Paul warns Timothy about false teachers who to come in the church to destroy the flock of God. Interesting how he says they follow deceptive spirits and what they teach is legalism. Jesus told the legalists of his day "you are of your father the devil." It is so easy for legalism to creep into the church because we have the goal wrong. We want to change behavior - not save people from sin.
But then Paul goes on tell Timothy to explain these things and then model for the church how they are to live. In order to tell them how - he has to know how - so Paul tells him:
7..train yourself to be godly. 8 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
I have been starting some physical training for my body recently. Its hard work. 45 minutes on the treadmill. 30 with the weights. Yesterday I was so sore I had to take a day off (sabbath) but I realize to be in physical shape will help me for the duration of my ministry. But training for godliness is much better. We have to train. As pastors we think we get training by going to conferences, reading blogs and books, and then we preach sermons we saw another church do and call it good. But Paul says this training is hard work:
10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
In acts the leaders told the church - its not reasonable we should leave the word of God to serve tables. Find someone to do this and we will focus on prayer and the word. As a pastor of a church that is our number one goal. Prayer and the word - and we preach, teach, and live by example out of that. Yes books, conferences, blogs, etc help - but we grow and get strong spiritually through discipline. For me I think I've let myself get lazy in this area. Just like my flabby body reflects a lack of discipline in the gym and eating the wrong things - we get spiritually flabby when we eat a diet of church growth fast track magazines, conferences and the musings of the latest greatest rising church star and don't do the hard work of prayer and reading. In 2 Timothy 2:15 he tells Timothy:
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
The KJV says "Study to show yourself approved" - In other words the hard work of pastoring isnt done in the meeting rooms, and on the platform. Its done in the study room and the prayer closet - discerning God's will from his Word. Only then are we strong enough to carry it out!
Created over 2 years ago
