The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 4:1-5, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Did Paul ever laugh? Solomon, who is acknowledged to be the world,s wisest man, said there was “a time to weep and a time to laugh” (Eccl. 3:4). But there’s no indication in Scripture that Paul ever laughed. I love to laugh! Is my laughter an indication of how unlike Paul I am? Well, there are multiple things that would reveal that! Please don’t take away my laughter!

At the same time, we must all adopt some serious sobriety in our lives. What we were saved and called to do is to be serious about Jesus and the Scriptures. When Paul says we are to “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction,” he leaves no room for laughter or silliness.

We are to reprove (convict, expose) sin. We are to rebuke (show strong disapproval) of wrong doing, and at the same time exhort (encourage) others –and we’re to do it all “with great patience and instruction.” No laughter here. Those to whom we are to minister “will not endure (put up with) sound doctrine.” They just want to laugh and hear non-convicting little stories. What they don’t want is sound, solid teaching from the Scriptures!

We’re instructed to be sober (serious) and endure hardship (suffer evil), and “do the work of an evangelist (one who brings good news).” This is what fulfills the ministry to which we are called. And you are called if you have been “born again” in Jesus Christ. Are you fulfilling the call that Christ has placed upon your life?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 2:11-15, “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.
14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”

These words from the heart and pen of the Apostle Paul are possibly the most difficult of his writings to be absorbed, as far as women are concerned. Some of my readers might well assess that I am taking my own literary life in my hands by even citing these verses. Yet, I can assure you that no one ever admired and lived by them more than my late wife. And they are doubtlessly still properly understood by sincere Christian women.

The prohibition of women is not to teach, but not “to teach or exercise authority over a man.” Certainly, women are the primary instructors of their children; yet, if they adhere to the apostle’s full instruction, they will teach their children that their father is the primary authority in the home. The preservation of women and their glory and authority lies in the bearing of children “if they continue in faith and love… with self-restraint.”

Each situation in life requires levels of authority. The General develops the plans of action, but the troops under their sergeant carry them out. Both are needed, and both are authoritative; yet each has his own responsibility and level of authority. So it is with the home and the church. We must remember that the LORD is the ultimate Authority; and if the children are to become what He desires, they must see their parents as submissive to the LORD Jesus Christ.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 3:1-10, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,
9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”

It’s clearly evident that Paul is speaking about pastors and deacons in our verses above. An “overseer” is a pastor; a “deacon” is a servant. Deacons came into being in Acts 6. Thus, both pastors and deacons are valid offices within the church.

Pastors must possess 12 attributes. See if you can identify them in (v. 2). He must also be able to manage (control) his own household, including his children (v. 3). If today’s Christian newspapers are to be believed, quite a number of “pastors” either have never been called of God or have drifted into the ways of the enemy Satan. Pastors need to be possessed of a good reputation. We need to pray for our pastors. They carry heavy responsibilities that often are known only to them and their families.

Deacons are virtually the second officers of the Church. They may be preachers, serving in a different sphere of church service, or they may be laymen serving under the auspices of the pastor, much as the Levites served under the priests in the Old Testament. Deacons must have good reputations, too, and be honest and dignified in the course of their lives.

Paul argues for a testing of men before they enter into the office of deacon. They need to know the Word of God and be witnesses both silently and verbally to the love and grace of God. Pray for the deacons of your church. Honor them as you honor your pastor. For when we obey the Word of the LORD, we honor Him! And that is ever and always our calling.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 2:7-10, “For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,
10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.”

Any true pastor, who is ever challenged with regard to his teaching, would do well to take to heart Paul’s initial statement above; namely, “I was appointed a preacher…” Saul (later called Paul) was called to preach at the time of his conversion back in Acts 9. Ananias was appointed to reveal the LORD’s message to Saul. The LORD said, “…he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles…and the sons of Israel.”

The Gentiles being mentioned first, indicates that Paul’s ministry was primarily to them. Still, the Jews (Paul’s own people) were included, too. Most of Paul’s writings, therefore, were to Gentile believers. His message, however, was to Gentiles and Jews, and always emphasized prayer and holy living. God’s children were those who believed in Him for salvation; and they were to be holy and “without wrath and dissension.”

Godly women were to adorn themselves with good works and godliness, not with immodest dress and physical attractiveness. One has little to wonder what Paul’s message would be today, were he here. There is a decided difference between “good taste” in clothing and that which is “attention-revealing.” What is to be attractive is our life-style is prayerfulness, purity and holiness. These are what attract the LORD.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 2:1-6, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”

I loved the operettas we produced when I was in school. The director urged us to learn our parts, which required quite a bit of memorization. It wasn’t easy; it required practice; but, looking back, it was exceedingly worthwhile. That gives me encouragement to pray as Paul urges in this passage. It’s not always easy to pray for some people. Yet, it’s to our advantage because it leads us to “a tranquil and quiet life,” saturated with “godliness and dignity.”

What’s more, it is “good and acceptable” in God’s sight. He wants us to be on the right side –the good side—of everything! Isn’t that what all good parents want of their children? The first parents on this Earth were created without sin. Then they sinned by disobeying God. And from that point onward we’ve all been born in sin and stand in need of the Savior.

The LORD God wants all of us to trust His Son, Jesus, for salvation. When we do, we “come into the knowledge of the truth.” The truth is that Jesus willingly became the Father’s sacrifice for our sins. We simply have to be sorry that we are sinners, and ask His forgiveness. When we ask, He promises to answer with forgiveness. Jesus “gave Himself as the ransom –the payback—for our sin.” It all occurs in God’s timeframe; but it doesn’t occur without our acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Have you accepted Him? If not, why not do it right now? Just pray a simple prayer; ask Him to forgive your sin and take charge of your life. Then, believe what He says. Trust Him as much as you trust anyone for anything. He’s more trustworthy than your closest friend. Then, get into the Bible and start living the glorious Christian Life! You can pray for your friends to accept Him. I’m praying for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom