Sermon Title: The Servant's Relationship with Widows
Sermon Text: 1 Timothy 5:3-16
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to minister to the widows of God's household biblically and impartially.
Sermon Proposition: Paul gives 5 principles that guide the church in its ministry to widows.
3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and[a] acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or[b] woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows. 1 Timothy 5:3-16 (NKJV)
The obligation of the church to support true widows. v.3 (Mark 12:41-44; Matthew 15:1-6; Psalm 68:5; Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 27:19; Psalm 146:9)
The obligation of the church to survey true widows. v.4-8
The children of the widow are to make her a priority of care. v.4a
The children of the widow are to reflect godliness in care. v.4b (Genesis 4:5-9)
Care because she is alone. v.5a
Care because she trusts in God. v.5b
Care because she prays, praises, and worships God continually. v.5c (Luke 2:36-37)
Care because she does not reflect the life of unregeneration. v.6
Care because they want to be blameless before God and the world. v.7-8 (2 Timothy 3:5; James 1:27; Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 18:17)
The obligation of the church to standardize true widows. v.9-10 (Acts 9:36-41)
"The truth is illustrated in a story told by the Scottish preacher Ian MacClaren of a woman in his church. As they were talking, she began to wipe her eyes with the corner of her apron, so Dr. MacClaren said, "What's distrubing you?" "Oh," she said, "Sometimes I feel I have done so little and when I think about it - it makes my heart heavy, because really I've done so little for Jesus." "When I was a wee girl, the Lord spoke to my heart and I surrendered to Him. And I wanted to live for Him, oh so much. But I feel I haven't done anything." "What have you done with your life?" he asked. "Oh nothing," she said, "just nothing. I've washed dishes, cooked three meals a day, taken care of my children, mopped the floor, mended the clothes, you know, everything a mother does, that's all I've done." MacClaren sat back in his chair and asked, "Where are your boys?" "Oh," she spoke, "you know I named them all for the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. You know them all and you know where Mark is. You ordained him. He went to China. He's learned the language and now he is able to minister to the people in the name of the Lord." "Where's Luke?" MacClaren said. "You know well enough where he is because you sent him out and I had a letter from him the other day. He is in Africa and says a rvival has broken out at his mission station." "And Matthew?" he queried. "He's with his brother in China and they are working together. And John, who's nineteen, came to me last night to say God has laid Africa on his heart. He said, 'I'm going to Africa, but don't worry about it, Mother, because the Lord has shown me that I am to stay with you until you go home to glory, and then I'll go. Until then I have to take care of you." MacClaren looked at the elderly saint and said, "Your life has been wasted, you say?" "Yes, it has been wasted." "You have been cooking and mopping and washing - but I would like to see the reward when you are called home!" (MacArthur, John; The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 1 Timothy, Moody Press, Chicago, 1995, pp. 209-210)
The obligation of the church to slowdown young widows. v.11-15
The obligation of the church to shepherd the widows. v.16 (John 19:26-27)