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BEING A GOOD MINISTER, Part 1
1 Timothy 4:6

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

How familiar are you with the books 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus? Those in ministry should be EXTREMELY familiar with these epistles as they are different from the other epistles. First Timothy, Second Timothy and Titus are known as "pastoral epistles". They are dedicated to ministerial guidance and development.

Most notably, for today's message, 1 Timothy 4:1-6 shows Paul providing qualifications of a "good minister". People in ministry are like people that have a business. Many rejoice that they're in the position, but few actually fulfill the call in accordance with preset standards. In other words, it's not enough to be in ministry or to acknowledge a call to ministry. We must strive to be good ministers of Jesus Christ!!!

Paul provides lots of instruction and many guidelines regarding this matter. The first thing that Paul mentions in 1 Timothy 4:6 is "putting the brethren of remembrance". While he speaks of putting the brethren in remembrance of "specific things", let's deal first with what "remembrance" really is from a vocabulary perspective, just to make sure that we're on the same page and so that we can "prove all things":

Remembrance Definitions
Strong's
To place underneath, i.e. (fig.) to hazard, (refl.) to suggest: - lay down, put in remembrance.

Louw-Nida Greek English Lexicon (Semantic Domains)
33.230 To provide instruction as to what should be done -'to instruct, to give instructions (i.e., if you give these instructions to the fellow believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus' 1 Tm 4.6).

Dictionary of Biblical Languages w/Semantic Domains (Swanson)
To instruct, teach; point out , (1Ti 4:6+).

Considering these instructions . . . isn't this what ministry is all about?!?! Let's take a quick look at the elements of 1 Timothy 4:6:

The way that Paul has written this verse is interesting. Even though "putting the brethren in remembrance" is listed first, if you read it properly and hear properly, you'll notice that the things that follow the "putting in remembrance" portion actually precede it from the standpoint of occurrence. If you didn't see it, read it again and see if you can pick it up. The word "putting" denotes a constant. The words "nourished" and "attained" are past tense . Hence, the only way you can put the brethren in remembrance of the right things is to first be nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, having attained unto such in your own walk with Christ.

NOTE: The word "nourished" in the Greek means "to educate" and "form the mind". Only the "educated" concerning ministerial matters can be good ministers. It is, then, no wonder why there are so many bad ministers "on the loose" in Christendom. Many ministers have not been "nourished" and they're providing people with their "bad diet". God's word is like a high fiber diet. It reduces (or eliminates) the risk of cancer and cleans out any and all garbage in your system.

How well-nourished are you when it comes to the "words of faith" (the words that encourage you to believe God's words)? How well-nourished are you when it comes to the "words of good doctrine" (proper and accurate teaching)? How well have you attained unto attained unto these things? Are you replete with good doctrine and the words of faith or are there some profane and vain babblings or wives tales (see verse 7) in your "arsenal"? That which is "in your cupboard" is critical to your success AND the success of those that hear you.

This is another reason why embracing 1 Timothy 4:16 is so critical. If we take heed to ourselves (knowing ourselves -- our tendencies, progress and areas that need attention) and unto the doctrine (knowing what God's will is and what He requires of us) and continue in this practice, we'll save ourselves AND those that hear us. We'll be good ministers AND we won't be castaways. Remember 1 Corinthians 9:27? It says, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway..

Again, you are only a good minister of Jesus Christ IF you put the brethren in remembrance of certain things. If the things you're putting people in remembrance of do not reflect the call of God in accordance with the scriptures, someone else might be pleased, but you're not being a good minister (of Jesus Christ) .

Next time, we'll look at the things that Timothy was being indirectly instructed to put the people in remembrance of. In the meantime, for your convenience and so you can have a headstart, here's how First Timothy 4:1-5 reads:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

I suggest that you spend some time looking at this passage and let the Lord minister to you before you about this matter. Some are putting people in remembrance of things that make ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD . . . and they think that they're good ministers, even though the scriptures are clear on this matter.

Are you putting people in remembrance of things? What kinds of things are you putting people in remembrance of? Remember, don't just be a minister. Don't just hold a position. Don't just occupy space in the pulpit or carry a title. Be a GOOD MINISTER of Jesus Christ!

Derived and Reprinted from Minister's Moment
Volume 1, Issue 1 -- Being a Good Minister, Part 1
Copyright © 2003, Remnant Christian Assembly