Commissioned

The Gospel has sown seeds of freedom that will eventually destroy slavery. Paul said it in Galatians: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28) Paul seemed to condone slavery in this passage because he is teaching obedience to authority. His motive here is obedience which pleases God.

Paul said, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands," because there's a possibility of ordaining a person that little is known about and later finding out that the person is not what they purport to be. The person, to be ordained, should be tested for service and then if there is nothing found against them, let them serve. The danger of ordaining one who is a false teacher or one who is not walking faithful to the apostolic teaching will be lessen when the candidate is mentored, trained and tested to fill the position.

It was necessary to make formal accusations and "try" the false teachers so that they would not continue sinning and holding the office as an elder. Also to make public that which is wrong and not covering up a wrong. The temptations to compromise and not go through with making public an elder's error lies in the position or influence the person holds. Today the same is still true, many rebukes are shunned because of the influence of a person or because those who should bring forth the charges are afraid of retribution.

In verses 17-18 Paul admonishes that the elders should be compensated, "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,' and 'The worker deserves his wages'" (1 Timothy 5:17-18). Jesus also taught that those who labor in the ministry should be compensated for the worker is worthy of his wages (Luke 10:7).

Our responsibility to the aged family member is to render any assistance needed. According to Paul this is our Christian duty because in doing so we obey the commandment to honor our parents and it pleases God when we do so. Honoring our parents and grandparents by taking care of them as they age shows gratitude for all they have done in bringing us up. Those who refuse this responsibility is considered worse than an unbeliever.

Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness because along with right doctrine the characteristics of godliness does not embrace rigidity and a sour disposition. A strong example of godliness in church leaders is essential to a healthy church because the followers are looking for leaders who lead by example.

Godliness is defined as good, clean-living enjoyment of life and of God -- healthy, balanced, God-oriented living. Godliness is produced by healthy doctrine. Godliness differs from embracing a strict morality in that godliness is of value both in this life and the next.

Performance of legalistic requirements is so attractive to people because it appeals to their self-righteousness, they feel that they must earn the grace of God. The fruit that is produced is self-righteousness. This emphasis differs from the true gospel in that it does not recognize the work of the cross; that we no longer have to abide by Jewish laws but under the freedom that grace purchase for us.

Paul reminds Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy because he wanted them to aware of what was to come so that they could be prepared for false prophets and depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide them as they test the spirit to see if it is of God. With is knowledge, Timothy and the church were in a position to use wisdom and to be guided by the Holy Spirit; Timothy in his preaching of the Gospel of truth and the church when sitting under one who is teaching.

According to our text, the differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons is distinct. Both deacon and elder must be a person who hold firmly to the faith not veering away from it. The Elder is one who is spiritually mature, must be one who is apt to teach the principles of the Word of God and holds the responsibility of overall leader.

The tendencies listed above are not suitable for a church officer because they are not the character of Christ whom they should be portraying. As church leaders these persons should possess the fruit of the Spirit and they should be evident in them as they interact with others. When officers are elected who possess the characteristics listed above they will lead the congregation away from the teachings of the Word of God.

Leaders should be observed carefully and tested before placing them in office to witness so that a novice is not put in a position that they are incapable of managing. You're looking for the candidate to be mature in both areas, spiritually and emotionally to judge whether they are capable of handling the position.

The thing that these Scripture verses have in common the fact that Jesus ministry was to the whole world regardless of race or status in life. The fact that Jesus came to the Jews, but had a mission beyond Israel to the Gentiles. As Christ followers we are to take the gospel to everyone, everywhere.

It appropriate for the Magi bring gifts to the Christ-child because as munificent gifts as distinguished personages appearing before a king, they would be considered quite appropriate, perhaps as specimens of the products of their country. The extravagance of their gifts reflect their heart attitude because they brought the very best. The kinds of gifts that are appropriate for us to bring is that which cost us "death to the flesh," being alive in Him.

From seeing the Magi prostrating themselves before the child Jesus we can learn to submit to authority no matter the age of the individual. They realized that the messianic expectation was present with them. When we turn our heart to God and in deep meditations thank Him for sending His only begotten Son to redeem mankind, we have much to give thanks and worship God.

The significance of the Star of Bethlehem that the Magi saw was that a star was spoken of in prophecy. The Magi came to find the Christ-child when they saw the star because this was an event that was prophesied and they were looking towards the fulfillment. The prophecy promised a Messiah who will save the Jews. This event brought renewed hope to the Jews that the king they had waited for was born.

Great joy, praise, curiosity, amazement, telling others, thoughtful meditation, are all responses to the Good News present in my life. Great joy of knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, an attitude of praise to a loving God, living daily curious as to what's on God's agenda for the day, telling others about the Good News and the "peace" which essentially amounts to salvation, living with hope for eternal life; meditating on the Word of God for Spiritual nourishment.

The three titles of Jesus given by the angels: Savior - "one who rescues,deliverer, preserver.", Christ the Lord - "owner, lord, master, a designation of any person of high position." Messiah - Anointed One, a Savior who can be regarded as the Messiah-Yahweh. The names of Jesus tells that He is Yahweh, exalted, eternally unmatchable in highest position.

The message of Jesus' birth came to shepherds because they were lowly people. And the fact that Jesus was born in a stable with a manger for a bed shows that God placed Him in position of serving. Jesus came to be a servant of all.

The journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary because she was a young teenager, pregnant with child and it was during the winter, Pleasure is no indication that we are in God's will. We can all agree that some sin is fun, fun and enjoyment for the flesh; but totally our of God's will.

Luke names the rulers in 2:1-2 to give the historical setting for the time of Jesus birth. History would verify the facts that these men were rulers at the time that Jesus was born.

The fact that Joseph accepted Mary as his wife says that he was a righteous man who obeyed the word of God. The significance for the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as a Son of David that Joseph "named" the child "Jesus" lie in the fact that in naming the child Joseph legally adopted Jesus as his son; the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus being a descendant of the linage of David was complete.

The initial fulfillment of the virgin birth presumably took place in the prophet Isaiah's time, while the ultimate fulfillment and completion of this word is found in Christ with Mary as the virgin mother. In both fulfillment the name "Immanuel" was God's reminder to His people that His presence will be with them.

The significance of the name Jesus is that it means "Yahweh saves." The name was given to both Mary and Joseph so neither would ever forget who he was -- Yahweh's salvation embodied in human form.

Mary's options for being pregnant and carrying a baby that was not her husband's were many; she may be rejected by her husband for carrying a child that was not his, she could be stoned, her pregnancy could embarrass her family, no other upstanding man would marry her; she had nowhere to go but to trust in God. Joseph exhibited the character of a righteous man by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently.