E-pistle for October 4, 2013
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation October 4, 2013
Habakkuk's questions to god
(Habakkuk 1:1-17)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the prophet's conversation with God
1. Habakkuk ("Embrace") wrote during the period between the fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C.
and the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., while Judah was being threatened by a possible
Babylonian invasion, v. 1.
2. Habakkuk asked God: "How long" will You allow plundering, violence, iniquity, strife,
and contention to continue? vv. 2-4.
3. God replied: "I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though
it were told you," . . . I am going to use the Chaldeans, vv. 5-11.
4. Habakkuk then asked: You are the Holy One . . . How then can You use a cruel invading
army to deal with Your own chosen people? vv. 12-17.
II. Meditation: on the spiritual truths seen in this chapter
1. The seriousness and weight of Habakkuk's concern for his people was a spiritual "burden"
to him, v. 1.
2. God's timing is one of life's most unfathomable mysteries, as we observe, with little
understanding, His controlling hand in the vents of history . . . "How long?" v. 2.
3. God wants to reveal His will to His people, but usually He is hindered from doing so by
their skepticism and unbelief, v. 5.
4. The holiness of God does not prevent Him from involving Himself with sinful mankind,
vv. 12-13.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications of these truths
1. Every believer should have a "burden" ( a deep compassionate concern) for the souls of
lost persons around him, Psalm 126:5-6.
2. God's delays in sending swift judgment and severe punishment upon wickedness is an
indication of His patience and long-suffering, of His love and mercy, II Peter 3:8-9.
3. God reveals His will and purpose to persons who ask and who receive His revelation of
faith, James 1:5-6.
4. God loved us . . . while we were sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. With spiritual eyes, see the white fields of lost souls awaiting harvest; witness personally
while praying for the Lord to send more laborers, Luke 10:2; John 4:35-36.
2. Thank the Lord for His love, mercy, and grace, Ephesians 2:4-10.
3. Be open to receive the Lord's revelations, knowing that: "Surely the Lord God does nothing
unless He reveals His secret to his servants the prophets," Amos 3:7.
4. Walk daily in the confidence of God's love for me . . . "For He Himself has said, 'I will
never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I
will not fear.'" Hebrews 13:5-6.
Let's get practical !
(I Timothy 5:1-25)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught Timothy how to relate to church members generally, vv. 1-2.
2. Paul taught Timothy how to care for widows in the church, vv. 3-16.
3. Paul taught Timothy how to treat elders (pastors), vv. 17-20.
4. Paul gave Timothy some other "personal & practical" advice, vv. 21-25.
II. Meditation: on relating to church members and widows
1. Older men – treat as fathers, with respect.
2. Younger men – treat as brothers.
3. Older women – treat as mothers.
4. Younger women – treat as sisters, with purity.
5. Honor the widows, v. 3.
6. The primary responsibility for a widow's care lies with her family members,
not with the church, vv. 4, 8, 16.
7. The church should take care only of those widows who live godly lives in
the community, vv. 5-6.
8. The church should care only for those widows who are age 60 and above,
vv. 9-10; younger widows should remarry and live righteous lives, vv. 11-15.
III. Revelation: on treatment of fellow pastors and other practical matters
1. Honor pastors, especially those who lead and teach the congregation, v. 17.
2. Pay your church's pastoral staff members adequately, v. 18.
3. Do not receive accusations against a minister, except from two or three reliable
witnesses, v. 19.
4. If an elder (pastor) sins, rebuke him publicly, v. 20.
5. Serve all people without prejudice or partiality, v. 21.
6. Do not participate in ordaining an untested novice as an elder, v. 22.
(See I Timothy 3:6)
7. Do not participate in (or sanction) another's sins; rather, keep yourself pure,
vv. 22, 24-25.
8. Take good care of your physical body; guard your health, v. 23.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Treat all church members with love, dignity, and purity.
2. Be a good steward of the charitable resources which are under my supervision
within the church.
3. Treat all other ministers with love and respect, administering any necessary discipline
according to the principles of the Scripture; be careful to investigate thoroughly
before participating in another person's ordination.
4. Faithfully serve all persons without prejudice, giving due attention to my own health
(and family).
"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day."
--Alexander Woollcott – Long, Long Ago
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