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1 Timothy Chapter Three

 
Chapter Three General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To examine the qualifications necessary for bishops and deacons
 
2) To appreciate the noble view that Paul has of the church
 
SUMMARY
 
In this chapter we find the qualifications necessary for those who 
would serve as bishops in the local congregation (1-7). A similar list
is included for those who would be deacons (8-13).
 
Paul then explains the purpose in writing this epistle. Though hoping
to come soon, he writes so that Timothy will be well-instructed on how
to conduct himself in the house of God, which is the church, the pillar
and ground of the truth (14-15). Mention of "the truth" prompts a 
summation of "the mystery of godliness" which pertains to the coming of
Christ into the world (16).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR BISHOPS (1-7)
 
 A. THE NATURE OF THE WORK (1)
  1. It is a position, or office (1a)
 2. It is a good work for a man to desire (1b)
 
 B. WHAT A BISHOP MUST BE (2-7)
 1. Positive qualifications
 a. Blameless (2a)
 b. The husband of one wife (2b)
 c. Temperate (2c)
  d. Sober-minded (2d)
 e. Of good behavior (2e)
 f. Hospitable (2f)
 g. Able to teach (2g)
 h. Gentle (3d) 
 i. One who rules his own house well (4a)
 1) Having his children in submission with all reverence
 (4b)
 2) For if he can't rule his own house, how will he take 
 care of the church? (5)
 j. A good testimony among those outside (7a)
 1) Lest he fall into reproach (7b)
 2) And into the snare of the devil (7c)
 2. Negative qualifications
 a. Not given to wine (3a)
 b. Not violent (3b)
 c. Not greedy for money (3c)
 d. Not quarrelsome (3e)
 e. Not covetous (3f)
 f. Not a novice (6a)
 1) Lest he be puffed up with pride (6b)
 2) And fall into the same condemnation as the devil (6c)
 
II. THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR DEACONS (8-13)
 
 A. WHAT A DEACON MUST BE (8-12)
 1. Positive qualifications
 a. Reverent (8a)
 b. Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience (9)
 c. Proven (10a)
 d. Found blameless (10b)
 e. The husband of one wife (12a)
 f. Ruling his children and house well (12b)
 2. Negative qualifications
 a. Not double-tongued (8b)
 b. Not given to much wine (8c)
 c. Not greedy for money (8d)
 3. Their wives
 a. Reverent (11a)
 b. Not slanderers (11b)
 c. Temperate (11c)
 d. Faithful in all things (11d)
 
 B. THE HONOR OF THEIR WORK (13)
 1. Those who serve well obtain a good standing (13a)
 2. Also great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus
 (13b)
 
III. PAUL'S PURPOSE IN WRITING (14-16)
 
 A. WHY PAUL IS WRITING THIS EPISTLE (14-15)
 1. He hopes to come shortly, but writes in case he is delayed 
 (14-15a)
 2. That Timothy might know how to conduct himself in the house of
 God (15b)
 a. Which is the church of the living God (15c)
 b. Which is the pillar and ground of the truth (15d)
 
 B. THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS (16)
 1. Without controversy, it is great (16a)
 2. In summation, it key elements are these: God was...
 a. Manifested in the flesh (16b)
 b. Justified in the Spirit (16c)
 c. Seen by angels (16d)
 d. Preached among the Gentiles (16e)
 e. Believed on in the world (16f)
 f. Received up in glory (16g)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - The qualifications for bishops (1-7)
 - The qualifications for deacons (8-13)
 - Paul's purpose in writing (14-16)
 
2) How does Paul describe the position of a bishop? (1)
 - As a good work
 
3) What are the positive qualifications required for a bishop? (2-7)
 - Blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good
 behavior, hospitable, able to teach, gentle, ruling his own house
 well, a good testimony among those outside
 
4) What are the negative qualifications required for a bishop? (2-7)
 - Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, not 
 quarrelsome, not covetous, not a novice
 
5) What are the positive qualifications required for a deacon? (8-12)
 - Reverent, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience,
 proven, found blameless, the husband of one wife, ruling his 
 children and house well
 
6) What are the negative qualifications required for a deacon? (8-12)
 - Not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money
 
7) What are the qualifications for the wives of deacons? (11)
 - Reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things
 
8) What is said of those deacons who have served well? (13)
 - They obtain a good standing and great boldness in the faith which
 is in Christ Jesus
 
9) Why did Paul write this epistle? (14-15)
 - So that in case his coming was delayed, Timothy would know how to
 conduct himself
 
10) What does Paul call the house of God? (15)
 - The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth
 
11) What are the basic facts of the mystery of godliness? (16)
 - God was manifested in the flesh - Preached among the Gentiles
 - Justified in the Spirit - Believed on in the world
 - Seen by angels - Received up in glory

The Work And Qualifications Of Bishops (3:1-7)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Instructing Timothy as to proper conduct in house of God (1 Ti 3:15),
 Paul discusses the work and qualifications of those who would serve
 as 'bishops' - 1 Ti 3:1-7
 
2. The word 'bishop' comes from the Greek word episkopos...
 a. Translated 'bishop' in four passages - Ph 1:1; 1 Ti 3:1,2; Ti 1:7
 b. Translated 'overseer' in three passages - Ac 20:28; 1 Pe 2:25; 5:2
 
3. Paul describes the position (office, KJV, ASV, NASB) as "a good work"
 - 1 Ti 3:1
 a. What exactly was the 'work' of a bishop in the New Testament
 church?
 b. How did the required 'qualifications' prepare them for this work?
 
[Consider first...]
 
I. THE WORK OF BISHOPS
 
 A. IN THE ORGANIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...
 1. A congregation that was completely and scripturally organized
 - e.g., Ph 1:1
 a. Contained a plurality of qualified men serving as bishops
 b. They were assisted by qualified men serving as deacons
 2. The bishops were also known as
 a. Elders (Grk., "presbuteros", presbyter) for they were older
 men - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1 Pe 5:1-2
 b. Pastors (Grk. "poimen", shepherd) for their task was to
 shepherd and feed the flock of God - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1 Pe
 5:1-2
 3. Bishop, elder, and pastor were not three distinct offices, but
 different ways to describe the men and their work - cf.
  Easton's Bible Dictionary, Moody Handbook of Theology
 
 B. IN THE SERVICE OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...
 1. Bishops were 'shepherds' (pastors) of the flock (congregation)
 a. Taking heed to themselves - Ac 20:28a
 b. Taking heed to the flock of God among them - Ac 20:28b; 1 Pe
 5:2
 c. Leading by example - 1 Pe 5:3
 c. Watching out for trouble - Ac 20:29-31
 d. Depending upon God and His Word - Ac 20:32
 2. Bishops were to be 'teachers' and 'rulers' of the flock
 a. Able to teach - 1 Ti 3:2
 b. Able to rule others well - 1 Ti 3:4-5; 5:17
 c. Holding fast what they were taught - Ti 1:9
 d. Able to use the word to exhort and convict - Ti 1:9
 
[The work of bishops (elders, pastors) was to oversee the flock, leading
and guarding the sheep. This helps us to understand why Paul calls it 'a
good work'. Such a work required qualified men. The qualifications are
found in two places (1 Ti 3:1-7; Ti 1:5-9)...]
 
II. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF BISHOPS
 
 A. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS...
 1. They describe what an bishop 'must be' - 1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:7
 2. A bishop must be 'a man' - 1 Ti 3:1-2; Ti 1:6; cf. 1 Ti
 2:11,12; 1 Co 14:34-37
 3. A bishop must be 'blameless'- 1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:6,7
 a. One against whom no evil charge can be sustained
 b. Free from accusations that can be rightly proven - cf. 1 Ti
 5:19-20
 
 B. FAMILIAL QUALIFICATIONS...
 1. The husband of one wife (i.e., married) - 1 Ti 3:1; Ti 1:6
 2. Ruling his own house well - 1 Ti 3:4-5
 3. Having faithful children, not accused of dissipation or
 insubordination - Ti 1:6
 
 C. SPECIFIC POSITIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
 1. Temperate (vigilant) - 1 Ti 3:2
  2. Sober-minded (prudent, sensible) - 1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:8
 3. Good behavior (orderly, respectable) - 1 Ti 3:2
 4. Hospitable (given to hospitality) - 1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:8
 5. Able to teach, exhort, convict - 1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:9
 6. Gentle (patient) - 1 Ti 3:3
 7. Good testimony from without (well thought of) - 1 Ti 3:7
 8. Lover of what is good (of good men, of goodness) - Ti 1:8
 9. Just (upright) - Ti 1:8
 10. Holy (devout) - Ti 1:8
 11. Self-controlled (temperate) - Ti 1:8
 
 D. SPECIFIC NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
 1. Not given to wine (not a brawler) - 1 Ti 3:3; Ti 1:7
 2. Not violent (no striker, not pugnacious) - 1 Ti 3:3; Ti 1:7
 3. Not greedy for money (not fond of sordid gain) - 1 Ti 3:3; Ti
  1:7
 4. Not quarrelsome (not contentious) - 1 Ti 3:3
 5. Not covetous (no lover of money) - 1 Ti 3:3
 6. Not a novice (not a new convert) - 1 Ti 3:6
 7. Not self-willed (must not be arrogant) - Ti 1:7
 8. Not quick-tempered (not soon angry) - Ti 1:7
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The list of qualifications can be revealing about the work of
 bishops...
 a. Their work involves teaching, patiently guiding and leading the
 family of God
 b. Their work try one's patience (when there is murmuring,
 discontent, or apathy among brethren)
 c. It can place one in volatile situations (e.g., that faced by the
 apostles, cf. Ac 6:1-2)
 d. It can be tempting for those attracted by money (e.g., Judas, the
 Pharisees)
 
2. For the flock of God to be well-fed and well-led, it requires men who
 meet both...
 a. The positive qualifications (what a bishop must be)
 b. The negative qualifications (what a bishop must not be)
 
It is certainly a 'good work' for one to desire (1 Ti 3:1). May the
Lord raise up men to serve His flock in this way; for the need is
certainly great...!
 
Note: For a detailed series of outlines on the work and qualifications
of bishops (elders, pastors), please see my series entitled "Shepherds
Of The Flock".

The Work And Qualifications Of Deacons (3:8-13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Having described the work and qualifications of those who serve as
 'bishops' (1 Ti 3:1-7), he does the same for 'deacons' - 1 Ti 3:8-13
 
2. The word 'deacon' comes from the Greek word diakonos...
 a. Lit., it means "one who executes the commands of another,
 especially of a master" - Thayer
 b. In the NT, it is variously translated as:
 1) 'minister' - e.g., Ro 13:4; 1 Ti 4:6
 2) 'servant' - e.g., Jn 12:26; Ro 16:1
  3) 'deacon' - e.g., 1 Ti 3:8,12; Ph 1:1
 c. It is evidently used in our text in a technical sense, a position
 or service performed by duly qualified individuals
 
3. Paul says those deacons who serve well "obtain for themselves a good
 standing and great boldness in the faith" - 1 Ti 3:13
 a. What exactly was the 'work' of a deacon in the New Testament
 church?
 b. How did the required 'qualifications' prepare them for this work?
 
[Consider first...]
 
I. THE WORK OF DEACONS
 
 A. IN THE ORGANIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...
 1. The actual reference to deacons in the New Testament is very
 limited
 a. Paul's salutation to the church in Philippi - Ph 1:1
 b. Their qualifications as found in our text - 1 Ti 3:8-13
 2. A congregation that was completely and scripturally organized
 - e.g., Ph 1:1
 a. Contained a plurality of qualified men serving as bishops
 (elders, pastors)
 b. They were assisted by qualified men serving as deacons
 
 B. IN THE SERVICE OF NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES...
 1. It is generally supposed they were servants to assist the
 elders in temporal matters
 a. "Their office seemed to have been to look after the temporal
 matters of the church, and especially to care for the poor
 and the widows." - B. W. Johnson
 b. "The word here evidently denotes those who had charge of the
 temporal affairs of the church, the poor, etc." - Barnes
 c. "...the character of their qualifications makes it clear
 that they were to be appointed as dispensers of alms, who
 should come into close personal relations with the poor."
 - ISBE
 2. Many believe the first mention of deacons or their prototype is
 found in Ac 6:1-6
 a. Though the seven selected are not so named
 b. Their service allowed the apostles to focus on spiritual
 matters
 3. It was not the work of deacons to preach per se
 a. "No qualifications are mentioned, implying that they were to
 be preachers of the gospel." - Barnes
 b. "It is not the work of deacons to preach, although some
 deacons may be preachers also. (cf. Ac 6:5; 8:4,5; 21:8)"
 - H. E. Phillips (Scriptural Elders And Deacons)
 
[The work of deacons "is to administer to the physical needs of the
church" (Phillips). It is an important work that requires qualified
servants...]
 
II. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS
 
 A. SPECIFIC POSITIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
 1. Reverent (grave, serious, men of dignity) - 1 Ti 3:8
 2. Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience - 1 Ti
 3:9
 a. 'Mystery' means that which had been concealed or hidden, but
 was now revealed - cf. Ro 16:25-26; Ep 3:3-5
 b. 'The faith' refers to that which is believed, i.e., the
 gospel - cf. Ju 3
 c. 'With a pure conscience' - without hypocrisy - cf. 1 Ti 1:19
 d. A deacon "should hold firmly the great doctrines of the
 Christian religion which had been so long concealed from
 people, but which were now revealed. The reason is obvious.
 Though not a preacher, yet his influence and example would
 be great, and a man who held material error ought not to be
 in office." - Barnes
 3. Tested (proved), being found blameless - 1 Ti 3:10
 a. Before being officially appointed as 'deacons' let them show
 themselves to be servants who are dependable, trustworthy
 b. Note the qualification "of good reputation" - cf. Ac 6:3
 4. Husband of one wife - 1 Ti 3:12
 5. Ruling children and house well - 1 Ti 3:12
 a. Must have children
 b. Must have them under control - cf. 1 Ti 3:4
 
 B. SPECIFIC NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS...
 1. Not double-tongued - 1 Ti 3:8
 a. "Speaking one thing to one person, and another thing to
 another, on the same subject." - Clarke
  b. "This is hypocrisy and deceit. This word might also be
 translated liars." - ibid.
 2. Not given to much wine (not addicted to much wine) - 1 Ti 3:8
 a. "It may be remarked here, that this qualification was
 everywhere regarded as necessary for a minister of
 religion." - Barnes
 b. "Even the pagan priests, on entering a temple, did not drink
 wine. Bloomfield." - ibid.
 c. The use of wine, and of strong drinks of all kinds, was
  absolutely prohibited to the Jewish ministers of every rank
 when they were about to engage in the service of God; Lev
 10:9." - ibid.
 d. "Why should it then be anymore proper for a Christian
 minister to drink wine than for a Jewish or a pagan priest?
 Shall a minister of the gospel be less holy than they?"
 - ibid.
 3. Not greedy for money (greedy of filthy lucre, fond of sordid
 gain) - 1 Ti 3:8
 a. "Men who are covetous and unscrupulous as to modes of
 getting money are not to be chosen." - B. W. Johnson
 b. "The special reason why this qualification was important in
 the deacon was, that he would be entrusted with the funds of
  the church, and might be tempted to appropriate them to his
 own use instead of the charitable purposes for which they
 were designed; see this illustrated in the case of Judas,
 Jn 12:6." - Barnes
 
 C. QUALIFICATIONS FOR WIVES (NKJV), OR WOMEN (ASV, NASB)...
 1. The Greek word gune can mean either:
 a. "a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a
 widow" - Thayer
 b. "a wife; of a betrothed woman" - ibid.
 2. There is a diversity of views as to what Paul has reference
 a. The wives of deacons (and perhaps also wives of elders)
 - e.g., Barnes, Gill
 b. Women who serve as 'deaconesses'- e.g., Chrysostom, JFB
 c. Women in general - e.g., Clarke
 3. Those who believe it refers to female deacons (deaconesses)
 note the following:
 a. Phoebe is called a 'servant' (the female form of diakonos)
 of the church - Ro 16:1-2
 b. The post-apostolic church makes reference to 'deaconesses',
 who ministered to other women at baptisms, the widows, etc.
 - Apostolic Constitutions, ca 390 A.D.
 4. My own observations:
 a. NT evidence is not sufficient to require deaconesses
  b. NT evidence is not sufficient to condemn deaconesses,
 provided their service does not violate limitations placed
 on women elsewhere - cf. 1 Ti 2:11-12; 1 Co 14:34-37
 c. Many churches have women who serve in unofficial capacities,
 just as they do men
 5. Whether the wives of deacons, deaconesses, or women in general,
 they should be:
 a. Reverent (grave, dignified, serious) - 1 Ti 3:11; cf. 3:8
 (of deacons)
 b. Not slanderers (not malicious gossips) - 1 Ti 3:11; cf. 5:13
 (of young widows)
 c. Temperate (sober) - 1 Ti 3:11; cf. 3:2 (of elders)
 d. Faithful in all things - 1 Ti 3:11; cf. 5:10 (of elderly
 widows)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Those who serve well as deacons will be greatly blessed, for they
 will obtain...
 a. 'a good standing' - highly regarded by the Lord, cf. Mt 20:25-28
 b. 'great boldness in the faith' - confidence or assurance, cf. 1 Jn
 4:17
 
2. Thus the work of deacons should not be lightly regarded...
 a. By those who would be asked to so serve
 b. By those who are served by them
 
In the words of Paul, we should "esteem them highly in love for the
work's sake" (1 Th 5:13), and if called to serve, to do so with
reverence and humility...

The Great Mystery Of Godliness (3:16)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Paul wrote to Timothy regarding proper conduct "in the house of God"
 - 1 Tim 3:15
 a. Which is "the church of the living God"
 b. Which is "the pillar and ground of the truth"
 -- I.e., the church supports the truth that has been revealed through
 the apostles
 
2. The truth supported by the church is described as "the mystery of
 godliness" - 1 Ti 3:16
 a. A mystery is described as "great"
 b. Its greatness is described as "without controversy"
 -- Evidently Paul sought to inspire proper conduct by reference to
 this "mystery"
 
[What is "The Great Mystery Of Godliness"? Perhaps by understanding it,
we too will be inspired to proper conduct as members of the family of
God. Toward that end, let's first examine...]
 
I. THE GREATNESS OF THE MYSTERY
 
 A. THE MEANING OF "MYSTERY"...
 1. The Grk. word is musterion, meaning "hidden thing, secret,
 mystery" - Thayer
 2. "In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the Eng.
 word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted
 natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine
 revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time
 appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His
 Spirit." - Vine
 3. "In the ordinary sense a 'mystery' implies knowledge withheld;
 its Scriptural significance is truth revealed." - ibid.
 -- In the NT, it refers to that which had been hidden, but is now
 made known by Divine revelation
 
 B. THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY...
 1. What was hidden has now been made known through the apostles
 and prophets
 a. It could not be discovered by human wisdom alone - 1 Co 2:
 7-10
 b. It required Spirit-filled men (apostles) to reveal them
 - 1 Co 2:-16
 c. Written that we might understand - Ep 3:1-5
 d. That Gentiles might also be fellow heirs of God's promises
 - Ep 3:6-9
 e. Made known for the benefit of all nations - Ro 16:25-26
 2. What has been revealed still defies description at times
 a. It was beyond man's ability to foresee - Ro 11:33-36
 b. Some elements may be beyond full comprehension (e.g., God in
 the flesh, see below)
 -- Thus there are spiritual truths that God has revealed that we
 might know, though some may challenge our understanding
 
[The "mystery" now revealed pertains to "godliness" (1 Ti 3:16). "The
word 'godliness' means, properly, piety, reverence, or religiousness. It
is used here, however, for the gospel scheme, to wit, that which the
apostle proceeds to state." (Barnes) As we continue, we note that it
centers around the coming of Jesus Christ...]
 
II. THE GREATNESS OF GODLINESS
 
 A. GOD IN THE FLESH...
 1. Jesus' coming was Deity in the flesh!
 a. Proclaimed in the prologues of John - Jn 1:1-5,14; 1 Jn 1:
 1-4
 b. Proclaimed in the epistles of Paul - Ph 2:5-6; Co 2:9
 2. Notice the name "Immanuel" (God with us)
 a. Foretold in Isaiah's prophecy - Isa 7:14; 9:6
 b. Explained in Matthew's gospel - Mt 1:22-23
 -- The coming of Jesus in the flesh was God working to reconcile
 man back to Himself; isn't that great? - 2 Co 5:18-19
 
 B. JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT...
 1. "Justified" - as used here, it means "to vindicate"
 a. Was Jesus vindicated in or by the Holy Spirit? (cf. NKJV,
 KJV, NIV, NASB)
 b. Or was He vindicated in His own spirit? (cf. ASV, NRSV)
 2. "in the Spirit" - shown to be the Son of God by the agency of
 the Holy Spirit (Barnes)
 a. E.g., the Spirit bore witness at Jesus' baptism - Mt 3:16;
 Jn 1:32-33
 b. E.g., Jesus cast out demons by the Spirit - Mt 12:28
 c. The Spirit continued to bear witness to Jesus through the
 signs and wonders given to the apostles - cf. Jn 15:26; 16:
 13-14; He 2:4; 1 Jn 5:6
 3. "in (the) spirit" - vindicated as divine 'in His Spirit,' that
 is, in His higher nature; in contrast to 'in the flesh,' His
 visible human nature (JFB)
 a. E.g., His words manifested His higher being - Mt 7:29; Jn
 7:46
 b. E.g., His works also - Jn 2:11; 3:2
 c. E.g., His Father's testimony as well - Mt 3:17; 17:5
 d. Ultimately, declared to be the Son of God by His
 resurrection - Ro 1:3-4
 -- Either way, Jesus was certainly vindicated as the Son of God!
 
 C. SEEN BY ANGELS...
 1. Angels who previously marveled at what was to come
 a. The suffering and glory of Christ foretold by OT prophets
 - 1 Pe 1:10-12
 b. Which the angels desired to look into - 1 Pe 1:12b
 2. When Jesus came, angels saw and ministered unto Him
 a. After His temptation by the devil in the wilderness of Judea
 - Mt 4:11
 b. During His agony in the garden of Gethsemane - Lk 22:43
 -- The angels also attended His ascension, and will accompany His
 return! - Ac 1:9-11; 2 Th 1:7
 
 D. PREACHED AMONG THE GENTILES...
 1. This was the purpose of the Great Commission - Mt 28:19; Mk
 16:15
 a. Fulfillment began with the conversion of Cornelius - Ac 11:
 15-18
 b. It was the ministry Jesus gave to Paul - 2 Ti 1:11
 2. This is an important element of the "mystery" now revealed
 a. That Gentiles should be fellow heirs, partakers of the
 promise - Ep 3:3-6; cf. 2:11-22
 b. Paul felt blessed to preach to the Gentiles - Ep 3:7-9
 -- The grace of preaching the riches of Christ to Gentiles
 continues to this day!
 
 E. BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD...
 1. Not all believed, but many did
 a. Some of His own people did not receive Him - Jn 1:11
 b. Many of His own people did - Ac 2:41-42; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7
 c. Where some did not, many Gentiles did - Ac 13:43-49
 2. Why is it so great that Jesus was believed on in the world?
 a. Because the gospel is foolishness to many people - 1 Co
 1:18
 b. Because to many, Christ crucified is a stumbling block
 - 1 Co 1:23
 -- Even today, countless multitudes believe in Jesus around the
 world - amazing!
 
 F. RECEIVED UP IN GLORY...
 1. His ascension foretold in prophecy
 a. Prophets spoke of the glories to follow His suffering - 1 Pe
 1:10-11; Lk 24:25-26
  b. One such prophesy is the vision of Daniel - Dan 7:13-14
 2. His ascension and glory that followed described in the NT
 a. Jesus ascended and was received up into heaven - Ac 1:9-11;
 Mk 16:19
 b. He sat down at the right hand of God, with all authority
 - Mk 16:19; Ep 1:20-23
 -- Thus Jesus received the answer to His prayer - cf. Jn 17:1,4-5
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. This mystery of godliness does not end with Jesus being received in
 glory...
 a. For He will one day come again in glory! - Mt 16:27
 b. Those raised with Christ will appear with Him in glory! - Co 3:
 1-4; 2 Th 1:9-10
 -- Have you been raised with Christ in baptism? - cf. Co 2:12
 
2. From beginning to end, the mystery of godliness is great...!
 a. The Divine intervention into the world of sinful men
 b. The Divine grace offered through such intervention
 -- Are you letting the revealed "mystery" motivate proper conduct?
 - cf. 1 Ti 3:15
 
Receive the grace of God in such a way as to conduct yourself properly
in the family of God while waiting for the Lord's coming in glory...!
- cf. Ti 2:11-14

－－《Executable Outlines》

Standard of ministers

A clear conscience

The deep truths of the faith

I. Qualifications for overseers

1. Respectable moral discipline

2. Testimony of household

3. good reputation

II.