提摩太前书［第三章］
Book of 1 Timothy 3
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提摩太前书［第三章］|Book of 1 Timothy 3【永生神的教会】
23/05/2024
一、得监督职分的要求（V1-7）
若有人被圣灵感动而有投入善工，成为教会领袖的心志；只要他不是有野心和为了自己的利益，而是是单纯为着服事主而羡慕善工。就要成就神在这人生命中的美意。
教会领袖是群羊所当效法的榜样，也是带着整个教会往前走的人。所以当具备的生命条件：
1.行事为人无可指责（v2-3）
无可指责的人就是在言行举止，道德操守上达到完全的地步，没有留下被人控告、批评论断的把柄。
这不是说已经成为不会犯罪的完全人。这里要表达的是在每天的生活中愿意受教，在知道该做或要改进的事上，都尽力去做到。
a）合神心意的婚姻榜样：
只作一个妇人的丈夫，忠于配偶。坚守神所设定一夫一妻的婚姻家庭制度。
b）行事为人有美好见证：
在话语和行为上有分寸，不假冒伪善，管理好情绪。不止不酗酒闹事，当别人无理或遇到争辩的事时，
c）待教导活出神的爱
乐意开放自己的家来接待外来的信徒，给他们提供住宿和善於以真理的教训劝化人，使人走在神的心意里，彰显神爱的行动。
2.教养儿女管理己家（v4-5）
家是教会的缩影。是基督徒属灵的考场。人若不能管好自己微小的，物质的家，怎么可能把神那庞大的，属灵的家服事得好？
3.谦卑谨慎有好名声（v6-7）
魔鬼如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。对真道认识不深的初信者，不可成为监督。免得骄傲自大，落入魔鬼的圈套走向的灭亡。在教外非信徒中间，更是要活出美好的见证。
基督徒的生活是一个献给神的祭。不管在教会或是日常生活，我们都要活出一个谦卑、谨慎，有好名声的生命来。
二、作执事的生命要求（v8-13）
‘执事’ di a ko nos 原文被译为‘用人’。就是在长老的监督下管理教会的具体事务。
除了以上提到的对监督的生命要求，作执事的也要活出以外，作执事的还要：
1.不一口两舌（v8）
就是两面讨好，搬弄是非，不按诚实说话，只迎合人喜好的意思。
2.要固守真道（v9）
与得救的恩相称、与真理对齐、以清洁的心对神对人。
3.要凡事忠心（v11）
不计较自己的得失，只求完成神所托付的。
保罗说，当一位执事在口舌上有节制，生命和品格与得救的恩相称，有美好见证，忠心的完成职分上所当尽的责任，V13使徒保罗说，他的服事一定会有美好的果效，他的信心和灵命也必得着美好造就。
三、神教会存在的目的（v14-16）
1.作为真理的柱石和根基（v14-15）
教会是永生神的家，真理的柱石和根基。一栋建筑物的根基与柱石是维持建筑物不倒下来的必要条件。主说，“我就是道路、真理、生命。” 真理就是主耶稣自己，教会的根基就是主耶稣。
神家中的儿女不止要将真理显明出来并持守。还要让远近的人都能看见，成为引导罪人回家的器皿。
2.传扬基督的奥秘与救赎（v16）
神家中的儿女有责任去成就神所托付的大使命与呼召。成为传扬基督的奥秘与救赎美好的见证人。
总结：教会是长出来的
教会不是靠人的力量去经营、努力拼命去做出来的。教会是神用祂的生命、爱与真理培育出来的。
1 Timothy 3 The Church of the Living God
GK611 Morning Devotion
23 May 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah Tan
Introduction: The Home
1. Requirements for receiving the office of overseer (v1-7)
If anyone is moved by the Holy Spirit to have a desire to devote himself to good works and to become a leader in the church; provided he is not ambitious and working for his own gain, but is envying good works simply for the sake of serving the Lord. He will fulfil God’s good purpose in this man’s life.
The church leader is the example to be followed by the flock, and the one who carries the whole church forward. Therefore, they should have the following life conditions:
(1) Behave in a blameless manner (v2-3)
A person who is blameless is one who is perfect in word, deed and moral conduct, leaving no room for accusation, criticism or judgement.
This is not to say that one has become a perfect person who cannot sin. What is being expressed here is a willingness to be taught in daily life, and to do one's best in the things that one knows one should do or improve upon.
a) An example of a marriage after God's own heart:
Being faithful to your spouse by being the husband of only one woman. Hold fast to the God-ordained system of monogamous marriage and family.
b) Act as a good witness to others:
Being measured in word and deed, not being hypocritical, and managing emotions. Not only refraining from drunkenness and trouble, but also when others are unreasonable or encountering argumentative matters.
c) Hosting, teaching and living out God's Love
Be willing to open your home to receive foreign believers, provide them with lodging and be good at persuading people with the teaching of the truth, so that they may walk in the will of God and manifest the actions of God's love.
(2) Teach your children to manage their homes (v4-5)
The home is a miniature of the church. It is the Christian's spiritual examination room. If a man cannot manage his own tiny, material home, how can he serve God's huge, spiritual home well?
(3) A good reputation for humility and prudence (v6-7)
The devil is like a roaring lion, marching all over the earth, looking for someone to devour. The new believer who does not have a deep knowledge of the truth must not become an overseer. Lest they become proud and arrogant and fall into the devil's trap and perish. It is even more important to live as a good witness among unbelievers outside the church.
The Christian life is a sacrifice to God. Whether in the church or in our daily lives, we must live a life of humility, prudence, and a good reputation.
2. The life requirements of being a deacon (v8-13)
'Deacon' di a ko nos is originally translated as 'servant'. It is the administration of the specific affairs of the church under the supervision of the elders.
In addition to the life requirements for oversight mentioned above, which are also to be lived out by those who are deacons, those who are deacons are to:
(1) Not be double-tongued (v8)
This means to be two-faced, to be right or wrong, not to speak honestly, but only to cater for people's preferences.
(2) Hold fast to the truth (v9)
To be conformed to the grace of salvation, to be aligned with the truth, and to have a clean heart toward God and toward men.
(3) Be faithful in all things (v11)
Not counting your own gain or loss, but seeking to fulfil what God has entrusted to you.
Paul says that when a deacon is temperate in speech, has a life and character worthy of salvation, has a good testimony, and faithfully fulfils the duties of his office, v13 the apostle Paul says that his ministry will surely be fruitful, and that his faith and spiritual life will be well edified.
3. The purpose of the existence of the church of God (v14-16)
(1) As the pillar and ground of truth (v14-15)
The church is the house of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. The foundation and pillars of a building are necessary to keep the building from falling down. The Lord says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The truth is the Lord Jesus Himself, and the foundation of the church is the Lord Jesus.
Children in God's family are not only to reveal the truth and keep it. They must also make it visible to people near and far, and become vessels to guide sinners home.
(2) Preach the mystery and salvation of Christ (v16)
Children in God's family have a responsibility to fulfil the Great Commission and the calling that God has entrusted to them. They become witnesses to the mystery of Christ and wonderful witness of salvation.
Conclusion: The Church grows
The church is not run by human strength and hard work. The church is nurtured by God with His life, love and truth.
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