On October 7, 1974, Brother Stephen Kaung delivered a ministry in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on the teachings of Paul in 1 Timothy. He emphasized the importance of church governance, highlighting that the church is not merely an organization but an organism, driven by the life of Christ. Stephen explained that the church serves as God's house, the assembly of the living God, and the pillar and base of truth. He stressed the need for believers to understand how to conduct themselves within this divine structure, as it reflects their identity as members of God's family.
Stephen outlined the key themes of 1 Timothy, including the maintenance of faith, sound teaching, church government, and discipline. He warned against false teachings that had infiltrated the church, urging Timothy to combat these by promoting sound doctrine centered on the glory of God. He described sound teaching as being aligned with God's dispensation of grace, emphasizing the significance of Christ's life and the church's role in manifesting God's truth. Ultimately, Stephen called for a commitment to sound teaching that fosters love and unity among believers.
Introduction to the ministry and context
Understanding the church as an organism, not an organization
Key themes in 1 Timothy
Maintenance of faith
Sound teaching
Church government and discipline
Warning against false teachings
Importance of sound doctrine centered on Christ
Call for unity and love among believers
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.