In chapter 4 of his first letter to his young friend Timothy, Paul is counseling on maintenance of a solid, God-fearing, Christ-centered walk.  In verse 12, five desirable characteristics are listed.  Timothy is to set an example for the believers

-in speech

-in conduct

-in love

-in faith

-in purity

As Timothy does these things, he should look for assistance from God, who has provided gifts for the completion of tasks (verse 14).

Hebrews starts out telling the communications God has sent to us: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…”  This Son, Jesus, has these amazing characteristics:

– He was appointed the heir of all things

– The world was created through him

– He is the radiance of the glory of God

– He is the exact imprint of God’s nature

– He upholds the universe by the word of his power

– He made purification for sins

– He is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high

– He has become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs

No wonder the section title in the ESV says “The Supremacy of God’s Son.”

Deacons are expected to meet some rigorous qualifications.  For, says 1 Timothy 3.13, “those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”  The qualifications:

-Dignified

-Not double-tongued

-Not addicted to much wine

-Not greedy for dishonest gain

-Hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience

-Let them be tested first

-Husband of one wife who must be dignified, not a slanderer, sober-minded, faithful in all things

-Manage children well

-Manage their household well

Paul was quick to point out his failings and need for a savior, but there is at least one time (Philippians 3.5-6) when he makes a point by telling his accomplishments.  He had reasons for confidence ‘in the flesh’:

-Circumcised on the eighth day (satisfying Old Testament law)

-Of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin (he knew his heritage)

-As to the law – a Pharisee (strictest Jewish sect)

-As to zeal – a persecutor of the church (that’s why he was on the road to Damascus)

-As to righteousness under the law – blameless (best the Pharisees could offer)

These are all impressive. But, Paul says, he considered them ‘rubbish’ when compared to “the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ” and “the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” Paul understood that the first Great Commandment to love the LORD with all your heart and soul and mind and strength will necessarily diminish love of self and personal success.

On Monday we saw God’s metaphorical list of ways the leaders / shepherds of Israel had neglected their responsibilities and abused their power.  God’s solution is to take over and be the shepherd himself.  In Ezekiel 34.11-16, God says He will:

-Seek out his sheep

-Rescue them from where they have been scattered

-Bring them out from the peoples

-Gather them from the countries

-Bring them into their own land

-Feed them on the mountains, ravines, and all the inhabited places of their country

-Feed them with good pasture( echoed in Psalm 23)

-Make them lie down (also echoed in Psalm 23)

-Seek the lost

-Bring back the strayed

-Bind up the injured

-Strengthen the weak

-Destroy the fat and the strong

-Feed them in justice

These are all the things that the bad leader/shepherds of Israel had not been doing.

Understand that when Jesus said “I am the Good Shepherd,” he was not only telling WHAT he would be doing, he was proclaiming WHO he was – God!

God tells Ezekiel how angry he is with the leaders, the priests, the shepherds of Israel in Chapter 34:2-4.

Why is He angry?  These are the ways the leaders used their power for their own gain, rather than for the good of the people:

-They have been feeding themselves, and not the sheep

– They eat the fat

– They clothe themselves with wool

– They slaughter the fat ones, but do not feed the sheep

– They do not strengthen the weak

– They do not heal the sick

– They do not bind up the injured

– They do not bring back the strays

– They do not seek the lost

– They rule with force and harshness.

What has happened?   The sheep have been scattered; the Babylonians came; and the Israelites were exiled. (Verses 5-6)

Is there any hope?  Yes! God is going to search for the sheep and rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered (Vs 11-12.  And God himself will be the good shepherd (Verses 13-16).

In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul lets the church know that one of the reasons he wrote the letter was the hope that it would give them grief!  He then gives blessings that came from this godly grief:

-It produced repentance in some

-It leads to salvation without regret (as opposed to worldly grief that produces death)

-it produced earnestness

-it produced eagerness to clear oneself

-it produced indignation, fear, longing, and an earnestness for Paul and Timothy that provided comfort to them.

This has an echo of Paul’s first letter (1 Corinthians 11.18-19)  “I hear that there are divisions among you.  And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.”  Paul seems to be saying that the way people act when handling controversy tells a lot about their character.

Several years ago Spartan Christian Fellowship at MSU distributed a green t-shirt With A Jesus-looking silhouette on the front and the seven I AM statements Jesus made in the book of John. The front asks “Who Is He?” and the back lists what “He said of himself”:

-I am the bread of life (John 6.35)

-I am the light of the world (8.12)

-I am the Gate for the sheep (10.9)

-I am the good shepherd (10.11)

-I am the resurrection and the life (11.25)

-I am the way, the truth, and the life (14.6)

-I am the one true vine (15.1)

All of these claims are references to Old Testament images for God, and all would be well-understood by His Jewish audience.  Jesus knew Himself to be God, and it is no wonder that any non-believing Jewish leader would be chagrined, outraged and  homicidal at hearing  these statements.

Exodus 7.14-12.32 contains descriptions of the ten plagues God visited on the Egyptians to show His power and convince Pharaoh to let His people go. 

-Nile turned to blood

-Frogs come up from the Nile

-Dust turns to gnats

-Flies

-Egyptian livestock die

-Boils

-Hail

-Locusts

-Darkness

-Death of firstborn

At the end, Pharaoh exclaims, “Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!”

Paul encouraged his friends to be generous givers in 2 Corinthians 8.  He called it an act of God’s grace that they would be allowed to participate in a relief effort for fellow believers in Jerusalem.  In verse 7, He proclaimed them to be excellent

-In faith

-In speech

-In knowledge

-In all earnestness

And he asked that they also excel in this “act of grace” – giving.