For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Titus 2:11 Read Titus 2: 11-14 Grace is the free, kind, and generous way God relates to people. Paul speaks of grace as if it was a human – a teacher from God. The foundation of Titus 2 is found in verses 11-14. The behavior Paul encourages the five groups is to respond to the grace of God that has appeared and taught us. What were we like when grace found us? Grace alone brings God’s offer of salvation to all. God’s grace is for all people. The powerful grace that took…
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Solutions to False Teachers
Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless – not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Titus 1:7 Read Titus 1: 5-16 There are two solutions to overcome false teachings. First, you appoint godly elders to lead the house churches. Titus’ main task was to appoint godly elders (pastors) to the churches. These leaders needed to be people that know God. Their lives show it. Putting godly leaders in churches still needs to be applied to today’s churches. How does Titus recognize a godly leader? Paul reveals three keys to recognizing those who can help lead the church. First, godly leaders…
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Warning To Heed!
I am all about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and keep His statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord May establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons pay close attention to their way to walk before me in faithfulness with all of their heart and with all their soul, you shall lack a man on the…
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Finishing The Race: Part 2
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4: 1-2 Are you willing to finish the race well? Finishing the race well, We, as God’s servants, must emphasize the Word. Paul commands Timothy to Preach the Word. This powerful statement has echoed through the centuries and is one that should not be taken lightly. Preach the Word, no…
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Finishing The Race: Part 1
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of because you know those from whom you learned it” 2 Timothy 3:14 In Paul’s day, people like to watch athletes run races. Athletes would train for nine months. Thousands of people would watch the runners. Paul compares our life o earth to a race. The prize at the end of the long race is the race. We don’t have to be the fastest, the quickest, or the first to complete the race. We must please God and remain faithful to the end of the race. If we finish…
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To Be A Vessel: Part 2
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2 19 Some false teachers today claim that the grace of God covers those who continue to practice sin day after day. Paul makes it clear, “everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” 2 Timothy 2:19. To be a vessel of honor, we must turn away from wickedness and cleanse ourselves from choosing dishonorable, sinful purposes. Read 2 Timothy 2:19-22. Grace does not hide the sin we practice. Grace teaches us to say “NO” to sin and “yes” to…
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In Hard Times: Part 3
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:3-10 What are the ways we enable the Spirit to minister encouragement to us? Read 2 Timothy 2: 1-13 Do not try to do everything by yourself. Don’t take yourself too seriously. God’s plan is not for the pastor to do all the ministry. His plan is for believers to share the work of teaching others. The harvest is outstanding; the laborers are few. Recruit more laborers. Entrust reliable, qualified men and women to teach others. Recruit…
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Relating To Slaves And False Teachers
All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who believe masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they serve them even better because those who benefit from their service are believers and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them. One timothy 6:1-2 Read 1 Timothy 6 Slaves: Why did God want slaves to show respect to their masters? Outsiders evaluate God and the gospel based on Christian behavior. To understand…
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Relating To Widows
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 1 Timothy 5:3-4 Read 1 Timothy 5:3-10. Pastors should be kind to older women as with mothers. In God’s household, we are all part of the same family. The word recognition means “care for.” Taking care of the widows is a vital concern in the old and new Testament. Look at Exodus 22:22; Deut.…
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Relating To People In The Family Of God
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 1 Timothy 5:3-4 We have been studying the book of First Timothy now for a few weeks. We have learned about the need for the correct doctrine, proper attitudes, and a good reputation. In Chapters 5 and 6, we will learn about the right relationships. Paul refers to the church body as a family in…