Apply Within

Bob Davis: Some people say, "I'm reading my Bible through in a year and I'm three months behind." You're not behind. You're reading your Bible. Don't you get it? You're not behind anything. There is no score in heaven. Three months behind? Soon she's probably going to be in purgatory.

Read your Bible is the key to this. And if it's at night, or if it's in the morning, or if it's at lunch, or I don't know when it is, read your Bible. You know what works for you and you know how you work and you know those things. Make the time that works for you. Don't try to be everybody else's. Every one of us needs to take heed to ourselves.

Guest (Male): Welcome to Apply Within, a verse-by-verse study of the Word of God with Pastor Bob Davis of North Country Chapel. We invite you to join with us as we, by the power of God's Holy Spirit, apply what is within our own hearts as we study line upon line, precept upon precept, verse by verse through the Bible. As our study of 1 Timothy chapter 4 continues on verse 6, Paul explains to Timothy how to be a good servant of Jesus Christ. Here's Pastor Bob.

Bob Davis: If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. Basically, the idea is this: Timothy, this is what you need to teach the church at Ephesus. This is what every minister needs to share with all people everywhere. When you get an opportunity, he says, if you put the brethren, the family, believers, in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ.

If you remind the brethren of the things we've just been talking about. The word minister doesn't mean pastor. The word minister—look it up—it means servant. Every one of us is called to be a servant of the Lord. So don't think this is only to Mr. Timothy and all of us can sit back and judge how he does it. He says this: Then you're a good minister of our Lord Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine.

This is how Timothy is nourished up: by remaining in the Word of God, in fellowship in the faith. This is how he's nourished, and this is how Timothy, or you, or me, this is how we are to nourish others up: by the words of faith and good doctrine, by reading and teaching God's Word. And as you've walked through your day and you've shared God's Word with others, you have found—and I don't like this term because it's starting to be used by the world all over the place—but you have found that when you share some things, it becomes a teachable moment, doesn't it?

You can say, "Here's what God's Word says and here's what He means by this." And you're actually not just giving them God's Word, but you are now teaching them from God's Word. That's what Timothy does. That's what nourishes me up, that's what nourishes you up, Timothy up. It's also what nourishes all true believers up. You're not going to grow just because you sit there and contemplate your navel. You're going to grow and be nourished up by the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

And here's what I like what he says to Timothy: "Timothy, you have attained to this. You have been studying. You've been studying the words since you were a young man." What he's saying is this: I know that you've been in the Word. I know that you have. I know you've attained to this. So here's what I want you to do: Remain in the Word. Now, don't say, "Well, I read my Bible today." Well, good, good. If you just read it and put it down and walked away and forgot, what does the Bible say?

If the Bible's like a mirror and you look into it and you see what you look like and you say, "Oh, I'm a mess," then you set it down and you walk away and you completely forget what you looked like. There's stuff hanging from your nose! And you saw that and you need to do something about it. You need to confess or you need to go before—whatever the Word of God is telling you to do. Remain in the Word, Timothy. You remain in the Word.

And what you do is, since you're put in the position of the overseer, see that others remain in their Word. When they're at church, you nourish them up with what? The words of faith and of good doctrine, good teaching. Why? Because we've been talking about those who wander from the fold, who wander from the path. Timothy should and Timothy will teach the Word of God so that others are less likely to wander off the path. We want to be careful. We just want to be careful. Why? Because we're the only right ones? No, no, no.

We want to be careful because we want to make sure it is God's Word, it is solid doctrine, so that people don't get taken away after other gospels. Paul will write to the Corinthians, "I'm afraid for you because if someone comes preaching another Jesus, you might follow after another Jesus or another spirit or even another gospel." He says, "You know better than that. Grow up and get back into the Word." But now, what you want to do: Put the brethren in remembrance of these things so that you're a good minister, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

That's what you're living, that's what you're doing. Help others to do that. But refuse profane and old wives' fables and exercise yourself rather unto godliness. Now there's a word that nobody gives a lot of thought to nowadays: godliness. Are you a godly man? Are you a godly woman? And people think, "What?" Paul says you need to refuse. Here's a word if you're looking for another word for it: You need to reject. You need to have absolutely nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' fables or old wives' tales.

We are to have nothing to do with that sort of stuff. It is the Word of God that we want to know. What does God say in His Word? Not just what does He say, but where can I find it so later on I can go and look again? Because I'd like to read that for myself. Bereans would do that. They weren't saying, "I don't believe you, Paul." They're saying, "I really believe you, but I want to see that. I want to write it down in my Bible. I want to take notes."

Paul says you've got to refuse, you've got to reject the godless and the old wives' tales. Instead, exercise yourself, he says, or train yourself in godliness. Now how many Christians actually think that through? Exercise yourself—me and you, Timothy too, and all the people he's going to teach—exercise yourself in godliness. He says instead of the foolish things, practice. Make your life a practice of godliness.

Now a lot of people think godliness is a bunch of do's and don'ts, but you know that's not true at all as you read God's Word. Godliness is simply living our lives in accordance with God's will and His Word. To know what He would—the way He would want me to live—I would have to read His Word to see that. And so all of us want to spend time in God's Word. He's already told Timothy that's what you want to do, Timothy.

This is how you want to do it. And then he comes to this verse that, oh, is there a fight over these verses: For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. Physical exercise only counts for right now. If you feel better right now, good, that's what you were after, that's what you got.

But godliness is a way of living and a heart, a way of thinking and a heart. And godliness is profitable in all things. Godliness, he says, is much more profitable than physical exercise. Physical exercise is good for the short time you're here. But godliness is much more profitable not only for here and now, but for all eternity as well. You are going to be glad—we are, Timothy is, all of us are—that we actually began to exercise the holiness here.

And then wait 'til we get out there, we're in a little bit better spiritual shape when we show up to boot camp in a world that is falling apart, in a world that mocks you when you do. Live a godly life. Be a godly man or godly woman. In verse 10 he goes: For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach. What, because we're physically exercising? No, no, no. Because we are practicing a godly lifestyle, godliness.

It's for that we both labor and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach. That's what I want you teaching right there. Paul is simply saying if you stand up for Jesus Christ, Christian, right now, in Paul's day it was the same, but we live in Bob's day and your day, our day.

This is the day God has chosen us to live in. And I want you to know, if you stand up for Jesus Christ today, if you honestly do it, it's going to cost you something. And he says, "Timothy, command and teach these things. People need to hear it. They need to hear the truth so they can make, well, what's the term I like? An informed decision." Let no man despise your youth, but instead be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

Let no man despise your youth. There's going to be a time in your life when you are young. Timothy's a young pastor. It won't last. Timothy will be an old pastor. But when he's young, he still needs to do what God's called him to do. You know what the Lord has called you to do, and in His power, Timothy, do it. You know what the Lord has called you and me to do. It doesn't matter how old we are this week.

That's going to change. What did the little kid say? He just turned six, it was his birthday and they said, "How old are you?" He said, "Six going on seven." Do what the Lord has called you to do. Paul knew there would always be those—listen closely, this is why he's telling this to Timothy, this is why it's in God's Word for you and me—Paul knew there would always be those in the church who felt that they knew better than Timothy did.

"He's probably too young, probably doesn't have enough experience." They'd think they had more experience, they'd think they'd have a better way, and that's what he's going to be up against. And it's not going to change when he turns 30 or 40. It just doesn't change, it just works a little differently. They felt they could do a better job than Timothy is doing, but Paul says you're the one called to do it, Timothy, so do it.

And don't let anybody despise your youth. Your age doesn't matter. Do what God wants you to do by the power of God's Holy Spirit. So, and if you want, he's saying this to Timothy: "Go for it, Timothy." And then he says, "You be an example." And one of the commentaries said it can be "of" or "to" this little word here. You be an example of the believer. Some translate it you be an example to the believer.

And I believe they are both correct. That word can be both. So he says Timothy and every other Christian, every minister, you and me right now, you be an example of the Christian and you be an example to other Christians. That's what Timothy's called to do. That's what I'm called to do, you're called to do. How are we doing? That's another Bible study. But that's what we're called to do: Be an example.

And then he gives them some ideas of how: Well, be an example of a Christian and to the Christians in the things you say. Whether you're just sitting around having lunch or when you're just driving down the street and somebody doesn't use their blinker, just be an example of a Christian. Be an example of a Christian, be an example to Christians. He says in the things that you say, in the way that you simply basically live your life, be an example.

In love, that's real agape love, meaning be an example of how to love people. And we're talking about them showing how it's done. Now remember, this love is agape love. You'll find this in 1 Corinthians 13 and other places. But know this: Timothy can't produce that. I can't produce that. You can't produce that. That is a fruit of the Spirit of God. Show them how it's done.

He says be an example in faith, not just in faith having faith, but the word it means you and I would say in faithfulness. Timothy is there. You'll see him there at church every time there's church, unless he gets a vacation once every 10 years or so. Timothy's there, and as long as he is there and assigned there, Timothy's going to be there. Whether he likes Ephesus, whether it has snow or doesn't have snow, Timothy's there.

That's faithfulness. He is there serving and he's going to serve until the Lord takes him home or he's going to serve until the Lord moves him on. Paul's going to come back and get him, they're going to move him on, but he'll be there for a while. He doesn't know how long, but he'll be there for a while. It's the same with you and me. Be an example in faithfulness. Here's where we're planted, here's where we serve, here's where we grow: faithfulness.

He says be an example in purity. The idea is moral uprightness, living a life that's morally upright. Basically living a life in accordance with God's Word. Don't let anybody despise your youth but be an example of the believers in word, in lifestyle, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. And then he says, "Till I get there, 'til I come to get you, 'til I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine."

Okay, he's told him all these things you need to do. You need to do all these things, but there are three specific things you really give special attention to, Timothy. And this is for every Christian right now, not just Timothy. Till I get there—and then at that point we'll put someone else in charge, you'll come with me or whatever happens—till I get there, give specific attention to reading the Bible.

Now, Timothy's going to be reading it on his own. He's not saying that. That's already been said. We're going to spend time in the Word of God. But here he's talking about when the church gathers together, you need to read the Bible to the church. You know one of the things that you see us do here is we'll open our Bibles wherever we're at and we'll read it out loud. I'm reading the Bible to you, throwing in a couple of really funny jokes and then you remember them. Not the jokes, but the Bible.

And that's what Timothy is called to do: Read the Word of God to God's people. They're reading it on their own at home or wherever, but when you come together, specifically pay attention and read the Bible to them. It's kind of like mommies and daddies will with their little ones. They'll just before they go to bed, they'll read the Bible to their little ones. That's what you're doing at home, that's what you would do at church.

If we're not reading God's Word at church, according to God's Word here, then we're missing one of the main functions of the church. Give specific attention to reading the scriptures to the people that come to church. Not only reading God's Word, but this may surprise you: He says in verse 13, "Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine." Okay, let me say that in our language.

You need to read the Bible to God's people when they come to church. So we should be reading the Bible and then even exhorting one another from the Bible. And then the word doctrine—everybody knows what that word means—that means teaching. So Paul tells Timothy, "Give specific attention at church to reading God's Word, exhorting or preaching from God's Word, and teaching God's Word." Those three things, all to do with God's Word, need to be done.

See, we need all of that as we gather together and Paul says pay specific attention to that. In verse 14 it goes on to say this: Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Make sure, Christian, not just Timothy, but to Timothy too, but to you and me, make sure that you do not neglect the gift that is in you.

I know sometimes you feel a little awkward because people look down on you. Some of them you even think they don't like me. And so you're not quite sure you want to minister, you're not quite sure that you want to do this to step right out there. Hey, didn't we say there was a cost? He says, "Timothy, don't neglect the gift that you have. That's why you're there."

And every part of the body, every true Christian, has a gift or gifts, and we should use them for the building up of the body of Jesus Christ. This is where He has us now, but if He moves us way to the other side of the planet and we start to attend a fellowship there, then that's where we would make sure we use our gifts and we don't neglect them. Some say, "Hey, no one ever laid their hands on me."

How come they laid hands on Timothy and he had gifts? We're talking Holy Spirit gifts. Nobody ever laid their hands on me. Well, then come on up after the service. The elders will be right here. They'll pray with you, lay their hands on you, and ask. 1 Corinthians 12 says ask for the best gifts, the most needful. Ask for them. Why not? So we can use our gifts for the whole body.

God didn't give me a gift of teaching so I can sit around talk to myself. He gave me that gift so that I could use it for His glory somewhere. What did He give you? Whatever He's given you, don't let anybody intimidate you into not using it. Use it. And then verses 15 and 16, we'll be done here: Meditate upon these things. Think about it, Timothy, and Christian, me and you. Meditate upon these things, give yourself completely to them.

Throw yourself into this. Like they used to tell us in the military: Just jump in the deep end and let's see if you can make it to the other side. Jump in, get all wet. Throw yourself wholly into this. Give yourself wholly to it so that your profiting may appear to all. So when you grow, others will see there is growth. That's encouraging when you look at others and you say, "Man, I remember her when she was so immature and now she's serving the Lord this way," and you think, "Man, I could grow too. She did, he did, they did. I could do that too."

It's an encouragement when you see believers grow. And I'm not talking about when they're young and they grow old. I'm talking about they belong to the Lord and they begin to serve and they actually grow, no matter what age they are spiritually. And that's what he's talking about. And he says take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you shall both save yourself and them that listen to you or hear you.

Meditate on these things. Give yourself completely to them. Sooner or later, you're going to give yourself to something. You're going to just throw yourself all the way into something. Let it be the things of God. If you're going to throw your life behind something, let it be behind the Lord and His Word. And that's what Paul's telling Timothy. As you grow, others will see it and of course they'll want to grow as well. It's encouraging.

Then he says, "Take heed to yourself." If you want, you can write this down: Watch yourself. Watch your life. Keep your eye on you. Now that's a great way to say it: Keep your eye on you. But we need to be honest. It is more often, more common, that we keep our eye on everybody else. And that's easier to do. Look, he's struggling, you can see it. Look, she's drifting, you can watch it happening.

He's too proud, she's so humble. It's easy to keep your eyes on everybody else. But he didn't say that. He says, "Timothy, look at you. Keep your eyes on you. Take heed to yourself and allow the Lord to work in you." And if your friends start calling you Goody Two-Shoes or holier than thou, let them talk. Still love them. Don't back off. Throw yourself in this for keeps is what he's saying.

Look at your own life and your own doctrine. Make sure you are in God's Word. I can't make sure you are, I can only make sure I am. I can encourage you to, but I need to be in God's Word. You can make sure you're in God's Word, you can encourage others, but you can't make them do it.

Guest (Male): Thank you for listening to Apply Within with Pastor Bob Davis. Apply Within is a radio outreach ministry of North Country Chapel. Our Sunday morning Bible studies are at 9:00 and 11:00 AM. We also have a Friday evening Bible study at 7:00 PM and a Monday evening Bible study at 7:00 PM. You can download today's message in its entirety at NorthCountryChapel.com/studies. That's NorthCountryChapel.com/studies.

If you would like a copy of today's message, write to us and ask for the message with today's date. The address is Apply Within, 2281 West Seltice, Post Falls, Idaho 83854. Or call us at 1-800-572-8851. That number again: 1-800-572-8851. Our mobile app is available for iPhone and Android. Download it to listen to full-length studies, watch the live stream of our services, or to find out more about church events.

If you have been blessed by the teaching or have prayer requests that you would like to share with us, write, email, or call us as well. Please join with us every Monday through Friday as we study together verse by verse on Apply Within, sponsored by North Country Chapel. God bless you.