Chapter 3 Verses 1-13
In these verses Paul described qualities Timothy should look for and promote in men that look to hold two specific positions in the church. The first position is overseer or bishop. Paul described the qualities a bishop should have in verses two through seven. They are practical as well as spiritual. People that have those qualities should be considered for positions of leadership in the church today. God has shown us the qualities he desires leaders to have. It’s up to us to follow those types of leaders and be those types of leaders when God calls us to do so. Paul described the qualities a deacon and deaconess should have in verses eight through thirteen. There is some overlap with the qualities a bishop should have. These qualities for bishop and deacon/deaconess go along with what Paul told the Ephesians earlier in his letter to them (Ephesians 5). Chapter 3 Verses 14-16 In these verses Paul told Timothy why he was writing him and a little about the mystery of godliness. There is a standard that children of God must follow. It sets us apart from the world and enables us to do the acts of love that bring God glory. In verse sixteen Paul described what Jesus did, which was and is a great mystery. Are we following leaders that have the qualities Paul told Timothy about? Chapter 4 Verses 1-11 Paul warned Timothy about things we are seeing today in verses one through three. What are we supposed to do when people follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons? We point it out like Paul described in verse six, but we also live like he described in verses seven and eight. The way we live our lives should help people see the error in how they are living better than our words alone. Today we should strive to practice what Paul told Timothy in verse ten. Place our hope in the living God. Chapter 4 Verses 12-16 These verses are encouraging and challenging for those of us in leadership positions at a younger age. We have things we have to do diligently so that we can mature and become better as we age. These things Paul described aren’t just for those that are younger. Leaders of all ages should diligently practice these things so they can set a good example for those that watch and follow them. Are we following leaders that practice what Paul told Timothy to practice?
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Chapter 1 Verses 1-11
1 Timothy was a letter from the apostle Paul to his companion Timothy. Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to lead the local church there. Paul told Timothy to command certain men to stop teaching the wrong things. There were men focusing on the wrong things and teaching others to focus on those things; false doctrine, myths, and genealogies. We need to focus on things that will help us do the work of God, not start mess. Too many people refuse to live by faith in God but will jump to follow false doctrine or a myth just because a certain person told them they heard it from a person that used to be married to a distant relative of theirs. People today need to be more concerned with becoming part of God’s family and less concerned with keeping up with or staying ahead of the family from across town. Paul shared with Timothy that love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. People today that care more about the law than love have missed the goal. The law is to convict people doing wrong that they are in fact wrong. The law isn’t going to convict people doing the right thing. People that love follow and conform to the gospel that God has given us. Paul listed the type of people the law convicts in verses nine and ten. Chapter 1 verses 12-20 Paul gave Timothy a great saying that we should share with others that need hope for forgiveness; “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” People that aren’t sick don’t need a doctor; sick people do. Sinners need a savior. Since all people have sinned and fell short of God’s glory, all people need Jesus as their savior. Paul testified that he was a horrible sinner, but he was shown mercy by Christ Jesus. We have the same message to share with people today. We may used to do the wrong things, but Jesus showed us mercy. If Jesus has shown Paul and us mercy, he will show others mercy. What have you been focusing on this week? How has Jesus shown you mercy this week? Chapter 2 verses 1-15 Paul instructed Timothy on how he and others should make requests, pray, intercede, and give thanks. We should include everyone in our requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings. Right now, we must follow this so we can live peaceful and quiet lives. There has been and is still a lot of noise and confusion in our country. The time is right for us to remember that God wants all people to be saved and know the truth; there is one God and one mediator between God and people, Christ Jesus. In verse eight Paul told Timothy his desire for how men would behave everywhere. In verses nine through fifteen, Paul told him his desire for how he wanted women to behave. Paul’s desires were to promote the health of the church at Ephesus. He may have written those verses to Timothy because the members of the church at Ephesus weren’t following what he wrote to them earlier in Ephesians 5:22-33. Who have you included in your requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings this week? Micah 6
In this chapter we read about the charge God had against his people. God saw all the sins and wickedness that was going on in Israel. The kingdom was already split into the northern and southern kingdoms at this time. The sins of the northern kingdom had spread down into the south. Micah prophesized to the southern kingdom, so they knew where God stood and where they stood with God. The same God that punished the northern and southern kingdoms, is the same God that punishes wickedness today. God doesn’t punish without first teaching how to live obediently to his standard. In verse eight, Micah reminds the people in Judah what God’s standard is. God wanted them and he wants us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. God wants a relationship with us as individuals. We can have one through faith in his only son Jesus the Christ. We can live a life bringing God glory through the Holy Spirit that lives with all the children of God that have accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior. God still watches to see how we treat each other. Nations rise and fall based on how they treat each other. People are still punished for their sins. Some people repent and are forgiven. Others refuse to repent, and their sins aren’t forgiven. Each day we have a choice. Do we live in a way pleasing to God or do we live however we want? Have you been living in a way pleasing to God this week? Ruth 2
Injustice happens to everyone at some level. If you go back and read chapter one of Ruth, you will see that the death of their husbands caused Naomi and Ruth to become poor. It took away their security and caused them to have an uncertain future. In the chapter for this week’s message, we see Ruth working in the fields belonging to Boaz. Ruth already made her pledge to Naomi in chapter one and was actively keeping it by working in the fields during harvest to provide for Naomi and herself. In verse twelve Boaz said this to Ruth, “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Having good characteristics is important. Having good characteristics can help us find favor in the middle of uncertain times. Having good characteristics can help us find favor in the middle of hard times. Having good characteristics can help us find favor from people we don’t know personally. Ruth was an honest, hard working woman who kept her word. The Lord repaid her pledge to Naomi and faith in him with favor from Boaz. Ruth was blessed in her relationship and later marriage with Boaz. Ruth would become the great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. We must look to God as our refuge when we face injustice and hard times. We must also accept God’s only son Jesus the Christ as our Lord and savior. Jesus will provide for us regardless what is going on in the country we live in. Jesus will create and is creating a better future for us. When injustice happens, there will be things we can’t control. However, we can control how we respond and who we place our faith in. When life is hard, and injustice happens respond with good character. Working hard, being honest and humble will help us through those times. Placing our faith in God and Jesus will allow us to overcome any injustice we face. Can people list more good characteristics or bad characteristics that you have? Who do you place your faith in when you face injustice and hard times? |
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May 2024
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