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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False Teachers According To Titus
For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumstances group. They must be silenced because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach – and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Titus 1: 10-12 Read Titus 1 “For . . . the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.” Paul preached and taught the faith – the gospel message. At the heart of our faith is the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. Knowledge of truth is not just for the head; instead, gospel truth changes life from ungodliness to godliness. “To Titus, my true…
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Finishing The Race: Part 3
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. Preach the Word with endurance – to the end of the race. Preach the Word, even when it is unpopular. We need to tell people the truth, even when they don’t like it. We need to be like Jeremiah, who prophesied that the Babylonians were coming to conquer Judah. The Jews called him a liar and threw him in the dungeon. He stood firm for 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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Relating To Self and The Rich
But godliness with contentment is a significant gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 What is the balance of contentment and wanting more? Read 1 Timothy 6 Isaiah said some people are like greedy dogs. Read Isaiah 56:11, Luke 12:15, Hebrews 13:5. We need to be content with what we have and what we honestly earn to have those things. Paul warns that the desire for riches is a temptation and a trap – an invitation to ruin and destruction. Paul warns us that we cannot serve God and money – we must choose one or the other. The love of money is the root of many evils,…
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Reflection Day
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 Today is Reflection Day! I love reflection day. It’s a time for me to go back and reflect on what God has spoken to me. It gives me time to pray and seek God about what he wants to change in my life. It gives me time to make a game plan of putting action to what God is telling me and asking of me. Reflection Day gives me a slower pace to grasp what God is telling me. It gives me more time to listen…
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Responsibilities To Others
Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching. 1 Timothy 4:13 We have been learning about Timothy is to be an example of sound discipline to the congregation. What is the instruction Paul gives Timothy in verse 13? The church service is to include the public reading of Scripture. Scripture is powerful. It changes people’s lives and brings them out of darkness into the light. Let’s look at an example of the power of the Scripture. Then we will know why not neglect the public reading of Scripture. Read Nehemiah 8:1-12. What are the events that are happening in…
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Faithful Leaders
Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if received with thanksgiving because the word of God and prayer consecrate it. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 What are some characteristics of false teachers? False teachers are “hypocritical liars.” What they teach doesn’t match what they practice. Believers must not believe every person that carries a bible. The Bible is true, but even Satan quotes the Bible. We must search and know scripture to be able to identify false teachers. False teachers have seared consciences. When one has a seared conscience, they have no feeling of right or wrong, just as scorched flesh has no…