1. STAY, FIGHT, GUARD 1 Tim 1:1-7, 18-20 1 Tim 3:14-16 1 Tim 6:20-21

2. Does church matter?

3. PASTORAL LETTERS  1 Timothy, Titus and 2 Timothy. Teach us how to “BE CHURCH”  1 Timothy  Author: Paul  Timeline  A 4 th Missionary Journey?

4. 1 TIMOTHY  Timeline RomeActs 28 (released after 2 years of imprisonment) 62 AD Spain (?)Rom 15.24, 2862-63/64 AD CreteTitus 1.564 AD Miletus2 Tim 4.2065 AD Ephesus1 Tim 1.365 AD PhilippiPhil 2.23-24/1 Tim 1.3 65 AD Nicopolis Titus 3.1266 AD Troas2 Tim 4.13 (re- arrested) 66 AD Rome2 Tim (Executed)66AD

5. Map (Ephesus) Source: http://classic.net.bible.org/map.php?full=nt2

6. 1 TIMOTHY  1 Timothy most likely written in 65 AD from Macedonia  Who was Timothy?  Acts 16:1-5 First Encounter with Paul. Mother a Jewish Christian and Father a Greek. Becomes one of Paul’s companions.  Co-sponsor of 5 letters 2 Cor 1.1, Phil 1.1, Col 1.1, 1 Thess 1.1 and 2 Thess 1.1  Paul’s go-between with the Macedonian churches

7. 1 TIMOTHY  Who was Timothy?  Paul’s spiritual son, trusted delegate and a godly man.  1 Tim 1.3 Placed in Ephesus by Paul  Ephesus – difficult ministry location  Today’s sermon – Stay, Fight, Guard! Why?  Timothy ready to quit under pressure?

8. STAY  Paul to Timothy: Stay!  1 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that…  Ephesus  Acts 19: 13-31  Extraordinary miracles  Evil spirits cast out  People burn and destroy scrolls used for sorcery  Riot because of silversmiths losing income

9. STAY  Ephesus – Spiritual Disneyland  Large and prominent city in Asia Minor (Turkey)  Pop of 300,000 during Paul’s time  Theatre, baths, Gymnasiums, impressive building  Temple of Artemis

10. Temple and statue of Artemis

11. STAY  Ephesus – economy driven by religion  Artemis and role of priestesses  Important background information in order to understand 1 Timothy, especially certain prohibitions on women teachers.  New Testament affirms the role of women in ministry and Paul too had female co—workers whom he had high regard for (Rom 16).

12. STAY  Challenges faced by Timothy  Spiritual challenge of ministering in a dark place  Culture of Ephesus and the ancient world  His own lack of experience  False teachers: both men and women  His health – 1 Timothy 5:23 “stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and frequent illness.” (Paul’s practical care).

13. STAY  It is understandable that Timothy might be wanting to quit. He is under immense pressure and stress  It’s possible that he has written to Paul about his struggles and this letter is a response from Paul  Aren’t we all tempted to quit when the going gets tough…

14. When the going gets tough…

15. FIGHT  1 Timothy 1:3, 18-20, and 1 Tim 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith  Timothy – battle of truth versus error  Battle for the life of the community of God  Acts 20:28 Paul had warned the Ephesians' elders “savage wolves will come in…not spare the flock…distort the truth…be on your guard!”

16. FIGHT  False teachers: rejected faith and good conscience  Heterodidaskein –other doctrines  Suffered shipwreck  Handed over to satan – excommunication (?)  Mix of Mystery religions, early forms of gnosticism with Christianity

17. FIGHT  What are Timothy’s resources:  Faith  Prophecies - his being set aside for the ministry  Sound teaching and a godly lifestyle (1 Tim 4:16)  Fight the good fight by fleeing from the evil ways of the false teachers – 1 Tim 6: 11  “But you, man of God, flee from all this…”

18. GUARD  1 Tim 6:20-21  20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.  Also 1 Tim 4:12-16  Guard your call/gift  Guard the Faith – the Truth of the Gospel  Guard it with your life and doctrine  Guard the community entrusted to him

19. WHY? STAY, FIGHT, GUARD?  1 Tim 3:14-15 - 14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.  Two metaphors for the church: God’s household and pillar and foundation of Truth.

20. WHY? STAY, FIGHT, GUARD?  1 Tim 3:14-15 The Church:  God’s household (oikos-house)  the church of the living God, (ekklesia – called out people)  the pillar and foundation of the truth.

21. GOD’S HOUSEHOLD  Early Christians met in homes  Hosts and Guests  Church - people

22. GOD’S HOUSEHOLD  God is the Host we are His guests  He invites us/His terms  God’s Hospitality  We receive  We are transformed

23. PILLAR AND FOUNDATION OF TRUTH  In Ephesus – impressive building  Held together by strong foundations and pillars

24. PILLAR AND FOUNDATION OF TRUTH  The church cannot afford to turn away from the truth of the Gospel even under the most intense pressure

25. THE CHURCH AND TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIETY  A sick church cannot bring healing to a broken world  The Good News of Jesus Christ must be first experienced and lived out in the community of faith before that community can make a difference around them  CHURCH MATTERS because the GOSPEL MATTERS!

26. QS. FOR APPLICATION AND REFLECTION  Are you in a situation where you want to quit even though you know God has placed you there?  What are the battles before you?  What have you been entrusted by God? How does it feel to be trusted with something precious?  How do you see the Church in general? God’s household? Pillar of truth?  In a few moments we will be coming to receive God’s hospitality as we take part in communion where we are fed and made strong – resilient to stand up for the truth of the Gospel even in the face of difficulties and opposition.