John & Tom:

Last Wednesday I was allowed to lead a Bible study on 1 Tim 3. After the study I was sad because all the participants had differing views about church officers. Some did not know there were such officers in the Christian church - some did not think that members of a body would have the authority to discern (judge) whether a man had the qualities outlined in the chapter - some expressed the need for officers at all. Here is a quote from Sinclair Ferguson, "the fellowship where the Word of God is expounded and applied in the power of the Spirit, (the Church) becomes a hospital for the sick and a gymnasium to build up spiritual strength and stamina. This is the biblical understanding of the preaching of the Word of God. Its goal is not merely educational but transformational; it informs the mind in order to touch the conscience, mold the will, cleanse the affections and sanctify the whole life. The Word is thus allowed to do its own sanctifying work, as our Lord himself prayed: 'Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth' (Jn 17:17). This requires intensive treatment." I want our God to transform me on how to explain better the truth of Holy Scripture to others in love. I ask myself, is that not what God said through Paul to Timothy, "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." I want to be a man who practices Proverbs 17:27-28 and that is where I want to head - to teach the more mature truths of Holy Scripture (Rom 11:33-36) in a humble and loving manner even to a woman Teaching Elder and let the truth "do its own sanctifying work." Just as I am not up to loving my wife as Christ loves the Church, I am not up to showing up at every Bible study and sharing biblical insights to all members and displaying the glory of God in my speech, but I must continue to do so to the end of my life on this earth.