The Grands Letter

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

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 1:12-16, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;
14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”

Sometimes people see in us more than we see in ourselves. That’s why the boss for whom you’re working ties you with a responsibility of which you never thought yourself capable. Would you assign the responsibility of composing a commendatory letter for you to someone who had openly stated that he despised you and hated and persecuted those you called “friends”?

That’s exactly what the LORD assigned to Paul. It was an act of God’s love and grace. The LORD saw that Paul simply didn’t know that he was acting in unbelief. Still, it was more than perfect patience on the LORD’s part. He needed someone like Paul to be an example of someone faithful –someone who believed in Christ Jesus for eternal life.

That’s exactly what the LORD Jesus wants from our lives. Like Paul, we are far from deserving the honor of sharing Him. We’re guilty of those very things that Paul listed in his “guilty column.” But, look at the transformation that occurred in Paul’s life! Christ can do that for you as well.

A number of men have done work for me recently. I took the opportunity to share with them my faith in Jesus. Then I wrote the companies for whom they worked and commended their workmanship. It was what I would expect of the Apostle Paul. Moreover, it’s what the LORD expects of all who possess His love and grace. Trust Him yourself; then share Him with others! Be an example of one who knows and loves Him for all He is!

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 1:5-10, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching…”

Why do you do what you do? Is whatever you do simply the outcome of some thoughtless, spontaneous act? Or is there an guiding principle of purpose, behind it? Paul’s instruction possessed the goal of implanting in someone “love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.” He writes that his goal might be our goal as well.

Paul’s day wasn’t much different than our own. I dare say that there are men today who so relish the admiration of others that they seek the pulpit where they find esteem and where they can influence others. Yet, theologically, they don’t understand what they are saying or matters which they pretend to understand. How can uncalled, ungodly men teach others the principles of God’s Holy Word? Simply stated: they cannot!

Additionally, those without Christ often engage in unholy, profane, immoral acts of sin and wickedness – things that are “contrary to sound teaching.” Thus, sound, spiritual instruction requires spiritually-sensitive, God-called men. Those men and those of us who would be led by them, must become what our LORD intends. When we are what we ought to be, those outside of Christ will see the difference and desire to be like Him, as well. May God help us to want to be like Him ourselves!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Pray for your pastor! I pray for my pastors every day.

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