THE BIBLICAL PRIORITUES OF A GODLY WOMAN
1 TIMOTHY 5:1-16 (P.164)
MODERN LIFE: RUSHED, BUSY, OVERWHELMED = A JUGGLER
CELL: BURNING CANDEL BOTH ENDS
WHAT DOES SOCIETY SAY A MODERN WOMAN IS TO DO AND BE?
1. BUSINESS AND CAREER?
2. AT HOME MOM?
3. TAXI DRIVER?
4. HOUSE KEEPER?
5. SPORTS CHEERLEADER?
6. GORMET CHIEF?
7. SEX GODDESS?
8. ATHLETIC? (GOT TO HAVE THE “UNHOLY-WOOD” BODY)
9. SCOUT LEADER?
10. SCHOOL PTA?
11. FUND RAISER?
12. HOUSE REPAIR PERSON? (CAR?)
13. YARD KEEPER?
14. MONEY MANAGER AND INVESTOR?
FAVORATE SAYINGS
“I CAN EARN THE BACON AND COOK IT TOO!”
“A WOMAN’S PLACE IS IN CHARGE”
“I CAN DO ANYTHING A MAN CAN DO ONLY BETTER”
“I DON’T NEED A MAN”
“I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR”
‘I AM A WOMAN, I HAVE PMS, AND I HAVE A 38 – ANY QUESTIONS?”
(SEE ATTACHED MARKED)
CELL: WONDER WOMAN
RESULT? CONFUSED, DISSATISFIED, AND STRESSED OUT!! (DISTRESSED)
KNOW THINGS ARE NOT RIGHT, BUT WHAT IS ONE TO DO?
SOME RESPOND TO THE STRESS BY:
· SHOPPING!
· CHANGING JOBS
· CHANGING HUSBANDS
· WORKING HARDER AND LONGER
· GET IN CHARGE AND STAND BACK!
· GET NEW HOUSE OR CAR
· ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
· LAZINESS
· WITHDRAWAL
· VICTIMIZATION
· PSYCHOTHERAPY
· BECOME FEMINISTS AND BLAMING IT ALL ON MEN
WHAT DOES THE CREATOR SAY? WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT? WHAT CAN YOU LET GO OF AND WHAT SHOULD YOU EMBRACE? CAN YOU REALLY FIND THE HAPPINESS AND SATISFACTION YOU SEEK? CAN LIFE REALLY GET SIMPLER INSTEAD OF BEING SO COMPLICATED?
QUESTION: DO WE REALLY BELIEVE WHAT THE CREATOR GOD SAYS?
CELL: THE AMEBA
1 TIMOTHY 5:3-16 (P. 164)
WE DISCOVER THESE LIFE-SIMPLIFYING, SATISFACTION-GIVING PRIORITIES IN AN UNUSUAL PLACE – IN A SECTION OF SCRIPTURE THAT DISCUSSES HOW WIDOWS ARE TO BE CARED FOR; IN A SECTION THAT FOCUSES ON FAMILY CARING FOR FAMILY; IN A SECTION THAT DISCUSSES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHURCH IN REGARD TO WIDOWS.
V.3 – WIDOWS (means “bereft” – suffering loss and being left alone)
SINCE IT DOES NOT SAY HOW A WOMAN CAME TO BE LEFT ALONE, IT GOES BEYOND THE IDEA OF DEATH OF THE HUSBAND. IT IS A WOMAN WHO HAS LOST HER HUSBAND THROUGH DEATH, DIVORCE (NOT GUILTY OF ADULTRY), OR ABANDONMENT.
“WIDOW INDEED” – SEE V. 5 “WHO HAS BEEN LEFT ALONE” = IT INDICATES THAT NO ONE IS THERE TO HELP HER EITHER BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CHILDREN (THEY REFUSE TO HELP HER), OR THERE IS NO OTHER FAMILY MEMBER WILLING TO HELP. ONE WHO IS TRULY ALONE.
“HONOR” = “TO REVERE””RESPECT” OR “HIGHLY VALUE” – IT MEANS TO BE WILLING TO NOT ONLY HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF RESPECT FOR WHO THEY ARE AND TO TREAT THEM APPROPRIATELY, BUT TO HAVE AN ACTION OF RESPECT THAT PROVIDES WHATEVER SUPPORT INCLUDING FINANCIAL THAT IS NECESSARY THE PERSON TO LIVE.
SOME HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND A HOME TO LIVE IN, SOME DO NOT. EVEN IF THEY DO THEY STILL NEED PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPPORT.
TO HONOR (PRESENT IMPERATIVE) MEANS TO START DOING IT NOW AND KEEP ON DOING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN AS LONG AS THEY LIVE
NOTICE: NO QUALIFYER: “IF YOU FEEL THEY TREATED YOU RIGHT,” “IF YOU GET ALONG WITH THEM,” “IF THEY DID NOT ABUSE YOU IN ANY WAY,” “IF…IF…IF) = NOT THERE. IT IS A SIMPLE COMMAND TO WHICH A PERSON MUST BEND THEIR WILL IF THEY WANT TO BE PLEASING TO GOD.
LAST PART OF VERSE: “FOR THIS IS ACCEPTABLE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD” – WELCOME, PLEASING, ACCEPTABLE. SYN: APPROVED
V. 4 – CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN! (KJV: NEPHEWS) THE WORD LITERALLY MEANS A PHYSICAL DESCENDANT OF ANY KIND – SON, DAUGHTER, GRANDCHILD.
“LET THEM FIRST” = NLT: “THEIR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY” – A TOP PRIORITY OF THEIR LIFE
“LEARN” – (PRESENT IMPERATIVE): TO LEARN SOMETHING SO AS TO FULLY UNDERSTAND IT AND TO DEMONSTRATE YOU KNOW IT KEEPING ON DOING IT OVER AND OVER. IT MEANS TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTION CONCERNING THE REAL FACTS AND PRIORITIES OF LIFE; TO LEARN BIBLICAL RESPONSIBILITY, WHERE?
“IN REGARD TO THEIR OWN FAMILIY” – HOW THE FAMILY IS CHEAPENED AND FRACTURED IN TODAY’S WORLD!
“PRACTICE PIETY” - PUT INTO PRACTICE THE TRUTH OF THE WORD (BIBLE DOCTRINE) – YOU CLAIM TO BE A CHRISTIAN, NOT DEMONSTRATE IT BY RECOGNIZING THAT IT IS ONE’S BIBLICAL DUTY TO PROVIDE ALL THAT IS NEEDED FOR BOTH PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS – EVEN AT GREAT PERSONAL SACRIFICE.
IT’S TO BE THE FAMILY: NOT THE STATE – NOT THE CHURCH – NOT EVEN A NURSING HOME UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PARENT (NOT YOUR WELFARE!)
Deuteronomy 27:19 (NASB) 'Cursed (one who is going to suffer negative discipline form God) is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'
“MAKE SOME RETURN TO THEIR PARENTS” – A RETURN ON INVESTMENT: AT THE VERY LEAST THEY GAVE YOU LIFE, AND MOST DID MANY, MANY THINGS TO CARE FOR YOU – THEY MADE AN INVESTMENT IN YOU.
NOTE PLURAL: “PARENTS” – MOTHER AND FATHER (THOUGH THE FOCUS IN THIS PASSAGE IS WIDOWS, THE CONCEPT COVERS BOTH PARENTS)
LESSON #1 TO GETTING YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: START HONORING PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS IN THE BIBLICAL MANNER (INCLUDES YOUR IN-LAWS!)
V.5 – WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU FIRST TURN TO GOD!!
SHE MAINTAINS A LIFE COMMITTED TO GOD, A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE AND TRUST. HER PRAYER LIFE IS A REFLECTION OF HER STUDY OF BIBLE DOCTRINE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
NOT GO WORK MORE HOURS! NOT PANIC! NOT WORRY!
“NIGHT AND DAY” – IT IS A REGULAR, HABITUAL PRACTICE OF HER LIFE
Psalms 68:5 (NASB) A father of the fatherless and a judge (DEFENDER) for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.
Deuteronomy 10:18a (NASB) "He executes justice for the orphan and the widow…”
LESSON #2 TO GETTING YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: MAKE THE LEARNING OF BIBLE DOCTRINE AND THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER A REGULAR PART OF YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE.
v.6 – “GIVES HERSELF TO WANTON PLEASURE” = SELF-INDULGENT OR SELF-GRATIFICATION = DOING LIFE MY WAY, ON MY TERMS, ACCORDING TO MY PRIORITIES AND DEFINITIONS OF LIFE.
THE HVP OPTION!
IT ALSO SAYS THAT A WIDOW OR PARENT MUST NOT EXPECT THE CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN TO GIVE THEM THE “HIGH LIFE.” THE PROVISION WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MUST BE ONE THAT HONORS BUT NOT ONE THAT IS EXCESSIVE. IF BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN ARE TRAINED IN BIBLE DOCTRINE THERE WILL BE A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP.
“DEAD EVEN WHILE SHE LIVES” – A SPIRITUAL LIFE THAT IS NOT PRODUCTING THE RESULTS THAT GOD WANTS IN YOUR LIFE. A CHRISTIAN LIFE DEVOID OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, A LIFE WHERE YOUR FAITH IS NOT WORKING FOR YOU NOR IS IT WORKING IN YOU, A SPIRITUAL LIFE THAT IS STERILE, INEFFECTIVE, AND UNPRODUCTIVE – AND THERE WILL BE DEATH-DEALING CONSEQUENCES IN THE LIFE BECAUSE OF SIN.
V.7 – WHY AM I PREACHING THIS ON MOTHER’S DAY? I AM COMMNADED AS A P-T TO COMMAND YOU IN THESE THINGS SO THAT YOU CHRISTIAN LIFE WILL BE ALIVE AND “ABOVE REPROACH” – THE DEVIL CANNOT ACCUSE YOU BEFORE GOD AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHY GOD’S WORD DOES NOT WORK IN REAL LIFE.
LESSON #3 TO GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: LEARN TO HAVE A LIVING, PRODUCTIVE BIBLICAL FAITH THAT DIRECTS YOUR LIFE. A BD FOCUSED PERSON!
V.8 – WHAT IF YOU REJECT THIS TEACHING AND FAIL TO PROVIDE THE COMMANDED SUPPORT?
“PROVIDE FOR HIS HOUSEHOLD” – MEN ESPECIALLY “HIS”
THE MAN IS TO BE THE PRIMARY PROVIDER OF THE HOME AND HIS OWN CHILDREN, BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES HELPING HIS PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS. (IF TIME NOTE VV. 17-18 – HOW P-T PROVIDES)
YOU CANNOT DO THIS WHEN YOU STAY IN DEBT OR ALWAYS SPEND ON YOURSELF SO MUCH YOU HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE IN SUPPORT!
“HE HAS DENIED (DISOWNED) THE FAITH AND IS WORSE THAN AN UNBELIEVER” – YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE AND YOU KNOW THE TRUTH OF THE WORD YET YOU ACT CONTRARY TO IT – THAT MAKES YOU WORSE THAN ONE WHO DO NOT K NOW THE TRUTH!
IT IS A SPECIAL DISGRACE WHEN AN UNBELIEVER HONORS AND PROVIDES FOR THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WHILE THE BELIEVER DOES NOT.
V.9 – THE EARLY CHURCH HAD A “LIST” OF “WIDOWS INDEED” AND TOOK CARE OF THEM WITH CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS. FIRST AT LEAST 60
V.14 – YOUNGER ARE TO RE-MARRY
IF A WOMAN’S FAMILY WILL NOT CARE FOR THEM THE CHURCH IS TO PROVIDE FOR THEM SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE AND SERVE THE CHURCH FULL-TIME! NOT “WELFARE” BUT “SERVE-FARE.” THEY WERE OFFICIAL CHURCH HELPERS WITH THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR HELPING YOUNGER WOMEN TO BE BIBLICALLY FOCUSED. THEY ALSO WORKED WITH THE CHILDREN. THEY EVEN WOULD FIND HOMES FOR ORPHANS. THEY HELPED TO PASS THE FAITH FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT!
THEY OBVIOUSLY WERE NOT SELF-FOCUSED WOMEN!
THE QUALIFIERS (AND THE PRIORITIES) FOR GODLY WOMEN – THESE THINGS ARE TO BE THE KEY LIFE PRIORITIES IN A WOMEN’S LIFE.
THESE WILL GET LIFE SIMPLIFIED AROUND GOD’S EXPECTATIONS AND NOT THE WORLD’S!
V.9b – “THE WIFE OF ONE MAN” = “A ONE-MAN WOMAN” = FAITHFUL TO HER HUSBAND, NOT A FLIRT, NOT ONE WHO COMPARED HER HUSBAND TO OTHERS AND WISHED SHE HAD ONE OF THEM AND NOT HERS! FAITHFUL IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED.
DOES NOT MEAN THEY HAD NEVER BEEN MARRRIED BEFORE – V.14
LESSON #4 TO GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: BE A ONE-MAN WOMAN WHO FINDS HER SATISFACTION IN HER HUSBAND AND DOES NOT LOOK AROUND AND LONG FOR OR COMPARE HER HUSBAND TO OTHER MEN.
V.10
“A REPUTATION FOR GOOD WORKS”
GOOD WORKS ARE THOSE THINGS DONE UNDER THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORD OF GOD (NOT YOUR OWN IDEAS). YOUR MOTIVATION MUST BE TO BRING GLORY AND ATTENTION TO THE LORD, NOT YOURSELF. A REPUTATION IS BUILT BY THIS BEING A CONSTANT AND CONSISTENT PURSUIT OF YOUR LIFE.
LESSON #5 TO GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: GET INVOLVED IN HELPING OTHER PEOPLE –ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN. HELP THEM FIRST SPIRITUALLY AND THEN ANY OTHER WAY YOU CAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCRIPTURE.
“IF SHE HAS BROUGHT UP CHILDREN” – SHE HAS BEEN A BIBLE-FOCUSED TEACHER OF THE WORD TO CHILDREN – BOTH HERS AND OTHERS. THEY HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY HER TO MAKE GOD AND HIS WORD THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THEIR LIVES. THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN MOTHERING IS TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN THE WORD OF GOD.
Ephesians 6:4 (NASB) Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
THIS INCLUDES MAKING SURE THEY ARE IN BIBLE CLASS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! NO ACTIVITY IN YOUR CHILD’S LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHURCH.
NOTE: THE CHILDREN IN THE CHURCH ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY WOMAN IN THE CHURCH – HELPING TO TRAIN (OR BRING UP) THE CHILDREN IS A COMMAND, A BIBLICAL EXPECTATION, NOT SOME SPECIAL “CALLING.”
LESSON #6 TO GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN GET FOCUSED ON RAISING THEM IN THE DISCIPLINE AND INSTRUCTION OF THE LORD AS A TOP PIORITY OF YOU LIFE – THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT IN THEIR LIFE THAN THIS (NOT SPORTS, NOT SECULAR EDUCATION, NOT ENTERTAINMENT, NOT BAND, NOT ANYTHING ELSE).
PLUS: GET INVOLVED WITH THE OTHER KIDS IN YOUR LIFE AND CHURCH. START TO HELP TO EVANGELIZE AND TRAIN THEM.
“SHOWN HOSPITALITY TO STRANGERS” – REFERS TO EVANGELISTS, MISSIONARIES, PREACHERS, AND OTHER CHRISTIANS WHO WERE TRAVELING FOR SOME REASON. IN OTHER WORDS, SHE OPENED HER HOME AND PROVIDED HOSPITALITY TO THOSE WHO SERVED THE LORD IN MINISTRY.
LESSON #7 TO GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: MAKE YOU HOME A PLACE OF OPEN HOSPITALITY TO THOSE WHO SERVE THE LORD – GIVE THEM A PLACE TO STAY, SERVE A MEAL, GIVE WHATEVER AID YOU CAN TO HELP THEM SERVE THE LORD.
“WASHED THE SAINTS FEET” – A MENIAL TASK GIVEN TO SLAVES. THE PHRASE DESCRIBES “WILLING HUMILITY.” THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN IS WILLING TO DO EVEN THE LOWLY TASKS IN HELP AND SERVICE TO OTHERS. IT REALLY SIGNIFIES PERSONAL INCONVENIENCE. IT ALSO MEANS IT IS NEVER DONE TO BRING ATTENTION TO ONE’S SELF.
GRATEFULLY HUMBLE NOT GRUMBULLY HATEFUL!
LESSON #8 TO GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: GET BUSY SERVING OTHERS EVEN IN THE NASTY DAY-TO-DAY TASKS OF LIFE WITH A HUMBLE, GRATFUL ATTITUDE!
“ASSISTED THOSE IN DISTRESS” – DISTRESS OR AFFLICTED = PEOPLE UNDER THE PRESSURES OF LIFE: PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, OR SPIRITUAL. THE WORD “ASSISTED” IS THE IDEA OF BRINGING RELIEF.
USED IN V.16
THIS MIGHT INCLUDE BRING THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE TO A PERSON, REMINDING THEM OF THE PROMISES AND CHARACTER OF GOD OR IT MIGHT INCLUDE MONEY, MEALS, HOUSING, OR WHATEVER BRINGS RELIEF ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE
James 2:15-17 (NASB) 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
LESSON #9 TO GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: GO OUT AND MAKE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING OR UNDER PRESSURE FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. PUT THEIR PROBLEMS ABOVE YOURS (AND DON’T PLAY THE “ONE-UP” GAME!)
USE YOUR PHONE – USE YOUR CAR – USE YOUR FEET= GO!
ALL OF THE LOST ARE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF A LIFE IN HELL – GO OUT WITH THE GOSPEL TO THEM!
“DEVOTED HERSELF TO EVERY GOOD WORK” – A SUMMARY STATEMENT THAT EMPHASISES THE CENTRAL PRIORITY OF HER LIFE = SERVING GOD!
LESSON #10 TO GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK TO LESS DISTRESS AND MORE SATISFACTION: MAKE THE SERVICE OF GOD THE DRIVING FORCE OF YOUR LIFE! LET THIS EXPRESS ITSELF IN EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE.
THAT ALONE WILL SIMPLIFY EVERYTHING!
QUESTION: WHAT WILL YOU DO IN RESPONSE? WILL THE “AMEBA” EAT UP THIS TEACHING? WILL YOU BEGIN TO RE-ORIENT YOUR LIFE TO TRUE BIBLICAL PRIORITIES? WILL YOU JUST KEEP ON DOING THE SAME THING AND ARRIVE AT THE END OF LIFE SAYING “IS THIS ALL THERE IS?”
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