Until I Come

1 Timothy 4:11-14 - Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 - Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Luke 4:16 - He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.

Acts 6:6 - They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

2 Timothy 1:6 - For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Conclusions:

• In brief, in 1 Timothy 3:14, Paul states the purpose for writing 1 Timothy—to give instructions concerning church conduct
• Jesus went to Nazareth, not at the start of His ministry but perhaps almost a year later
• Jesus custom of regular worship sets an example for all His followers
• Jesus probably read from Isaiah in Hebrew, and then He or someone else paraphrased it in Aramaic, one of the other common languages of the day
• Laying on of hands was used in the Old Testament period to confer blessing, to transfer guilt from sinner to sacrifice and to commission a person for a new responsibility
• In the New Testament period, laying on of hands was observed in healing, blessing, ordaining or commissioning and imparting of spiritual gifts
• The seven men of Acts 6 were appointed to responsibilities turned over to them by the Twelve
• The Greek word used to describe the Seven’s responsibility is the verb from which the noun deacon comes
• The Greek noun for deacon can also be translated minister or servant
• The men appointed in Acts 6 were simply called the Seven, just as the apostles were called the Twelve
• It is disputed whether the Seven were the first deacons or were later replaced by deacons
• Gifts are not given in full bloom; they need to be developed through use
• Paul was God’s instrument, through whom the gift came from the Holy Spirit to Timothy

Application:

• How are you doing in your conduct?
• Do you have a custom of regular worship?
• Do you pray for your church deacons?
• Are you developing your gifts through use?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible