Sermon Series
1 Timothy 3:4-7
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- October 18, 2015
Character in Leadership Ensures the Presence of the Gospel in Any City.
As we study the final three qualifications for pastor-teachers, remember that all of the qualities in this list (except skill in teaching) are ones that all believers are told to emulate elsewhere in Scripture. Pastors are to set the example for everyone in the church.
1 Timothy 3:2-3
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- October 11, 2015
Character in Leadership Ensures the Presence of the Gospel in Any City.
As a poet said, the things that matter most must never be put at the mercy of things that matter least. When Paul writes the qualifications for pastors, a leader's character is what matters most. If local churches are to perpetuate Gospel influence, character must always be held above any gimmicky attempts to make the church popular or the Bible "relevant."
1 Timothy 3:1, part 2
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- October 4, 2015
Character in Leadership is Essential to Gospel Influence.
In 1 Timothy 3, Paul writes Timothy about the qualifications for leadership in the church. His comments raise two questions: Do you aspire to be a leader? Do you qualify? This particular section is addressed to men, but all people in the church should aspire to have character that mirrors their leaders.
1 Timothy 3:1
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- September 27, 2015
Character in Leadership is Essential to Gospel Influence.
Three Greek words are used interchangeably to describe one position of leadership in the church. In English, these are translated as pastor, teacher, overseer or elder. 1 Timothy 3 describes the character that should exist among leadership families.
1 Timothy 2:8-15
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- September 20, 2015
Balanced, Spirit-filled Order in the Church Provides Stability and Growth.
Women have God-ordained value in the local church. The church does not function well with just men. God designed this institution to work with members of both genders.
1 Timothy 2:3-7
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- September 13, 2015
Prayer for the Lost in Authority.
The best way to develop a burden for the lost is to pray for them. Christ himself gave us an example of this in John 17:20-26. Evangelism is a key part of disciple-making living, which governs every part of our lives as Christians. Without this eternal purpose, life would be pretty mundane!
Sometimes, Bible verses like Proverbs 1:14-19, James 4:4, and 1 Peter 3:15 are mistakenly used to deter Christians from forming friendships with unsaved people. But we must have friendships of integrity in order to be a testimony in a dark world. A burden for the lost helps keep the church pure.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- September 6, 2015
Prayer for the Lost in Authority.
In 1 Timothy 2, Paul moves from philosophy to practical instruction for Timothy and the Ephesian churches. What would you say is the most important thing for a new church? Paul says the number-one priority for the church is prayer, with a primarily evangelistic focus. Our responsibility to the state is to pray for the salvation of our leaders.
1 Timothy 1:18-20
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- August 23, 2015
Your Personal Role in the Spiritual Protection of Our Church Family.
1 Timothy 1 is all about ministry balance. Paul emphasizes three things necessary for Timothy's ministry and every local church:
- teaching sound doctrine,
- maintaining an evangelistic heart, and
- defending the faith.
Every member must take responsibility for all three. A congregation that only teaches sound doctrine or only evangelizes will know success for a while, but a flock where each saint embraces the challenge of learning to defend the body of faith entrusted to them will know the eternal blessing of God.
1 Timothy 1:12-17, Part 2
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- August 16, 2015
The Protective Value of a Genuine Testimony.
New birth is the best defense against unbelief. A simple salvation testimony and evidence of a changed life shows that Jesus is enough. No rule or creative idea can change a person's life. Legalism and pragmatism simply do not agree with the Gospel.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
- Category: The Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy
- August 9, 2015
The Protective Value of a Genuine Testimony.
Every believer has been born again of a supernatural cause. Paul gives his testimony in the first chapter of his letter to Timothy to remind him that spiritual new birth is what keeps the church revived, refreshed, and protected. A healthy church is one that sees people being saved, discipled, and serving. This is the natural progression that God uses to build His church. One person who walks with the Lord can have a spiritual influence so great that only the Lord knows its true extent.
