Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
July 12, 2020

A Good Minister of Jesus Christ
by Bryan Gibson
“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ…” (1 Timothy 4:6). Using the surrounding verses, specifically verses 1-16, let’s identify some characteristics of a good minister of Jesus Christ.
A good minister will NOT “depart from the faith” (4:1); he will not give heed to any teaching that is not according to Christ, including the things specifically mentioned in this text (4:1-3, 7).
And here’s why he will not depart from the faith. A good minister will be “entirely” or “wholly” dedicated to his studies (4:13, 15); he will be “nourished in the words of faith” (4:6); and he will “carefully” follow everything he has learned from the teaching of Christ (4:6).
A good minister will only teach “these things” (4:6, 11)—things he has learned from the “words of faith,” or the teachings of Christ. He says only those things which are “faithful…and worthy of all acceptance” (4:9).
A good minister will keep a tender conscience, not one that’s been “seared with a hot iron” (4:2). This tender conscience will keep him from ever “speaking lies in hypocrisy” (4:2), from ever teaching or practicing anything that would violate or trouble his conscience. If he has even the slightest doubt concerning what he’s about to teach, he won’t dare teach it, at least not until he determines for sure if it’s the truth or not.
A good minister will be careful, not just about his teaching, but also about his life.
“Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (4:7-8).
“Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (4:12).
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching…” (4:16, NAS).
A good minister doesn’t get lazy; he will continue to get better at everything he does, to the point that his “progress may be evident to all” (4:15).
A good minister has his “hope set on the living God” (ESV), and so he is willing to “both labor and suffer reproach” (4:10). He won’t ever change his message just to make things easier on himself.
A good minister is motivated by the hope of his own salvation and the salvation of others. “Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (4:16, ESV).
Note: All quotations from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
“Let no one seek his own, but each the other’s well-being” (1 Corinthians 10:24).
“Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33).
“Always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
God, please help me to do the least harm and the most good, for the most people. Help me to keep doors open as long as possible to save others. Help me to maximize my influence with the maximum amount of people. Specifically, help me in my general demeanor to be as approachable as possible (2 Timothy 2:24-26). To preserve my influence to save others, help me avoid activities with even an appearance of wrong (2 Corinthians 8:16-21). And please help me to not be so forceful in my opinions, political or otherwise, that I close a door to teaching others the gospel (Colossians 4:5-6; Romans 12:16).

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.