1:1-4 The origins & aims of his ministry
Originates from God/Jesus Christ
It is for the faith of God's elect and knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness
It rests on the hope of eternal life - promised by God
It is brought about through the preaching by people
Its aim is godliness
His assurance is based on the fact that God cannot lie
v6-9 Qualifications for a Christian minister
Blameless
Husband of one wife
Children believe, not open to charge of being wild/disobedient
Not over-bearing
Not quick-tempered
Not given to drunkeness
Not violent
Not pursuing dishonest gain
Hospitable
Loves what is good
Self-controlled
Upright
Holy
Disciplined
v10-14
Paul's criticism of others is that: they were rebellious, mere talkers, deceivers. They ruin whole households by teaching things they ought not to and for the sake of dishonest gain. Their minds and consciences are corrupted - they claim to know him, but deny him by their actions.
Sincerity & genuineness come out by one's actions.
2:1-10 Making the teaching about God our Saviour attractive:
Is about our behaviour
Older men should be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, love & endurance
Older women should be reverent in the way they live, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teaching what is good
Young men should be self-controlled
Slaves should be subject to their masters in everything
v11-14 God's grace has appeared to us and teaches us to say 'No'.
We should give up ungodliness and worldly passions.
We should say yes to self-controlled, upright and godly lives.
3:1-7
A Christian is subject to rulers and authorities - to be obedient & do whatever is good, slandering no-one, being peaceable and considerate, showing true humility towards all.
We were like that once.
v4-7
Our salvation comes from the kindness and love of God our Saviour because of His mercy.
We are saved, having had the generous out-pouring of the Holy Spirit through Jesus. We can and must devote ourselves to what is good.
v8-15
Avoid foolish controversies - genealogies, arguments & quarrels about the law. Trust in God and devote yourself to doing good.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Monday, 29 April 2013
1 Timothy 4:6-6:21 Set an example!
Be a good minister of Christ Jesus:
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales
Train yourself to be godly
Command and teach these things
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young
Set an example in speech, life, love, faith, purity
Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, preaching and teaching
Do not neglect your gift
Be diligent in these matters
Give yourself wholly to them
Watch your life and doctrine closely
Persevere in them
Public ministry and one's private life are intimately entwined.
Paul's desire in his treatment of other people is that they are treated as family.
The elderly, widows and those with needs should be cared for carefully. But, we need to be wise - we want to ensure people are encouraged to continue in their walk with Christ.
Timothy is made aware of the dangers of mistreatment or unfairness. Be careful and wise in the way you behave.
6:3-5,20-21 Characteristics of false teachers
They teach falsely
Don't agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching
They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words
Results in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, constant friction
They think godliness is a means to financial gain
They turn to godless chatter
They love the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge
6:6-10, 17-19 Perils of covetousness and wealth
We can fall into temptation and a trap
We have many foolish and harmful desires that plunge us into ruin and destruction
It is the root of all kinds of evil and can lead to us wandering away from the truth
It is an uncertain hope
It leads to a selfish way of life
They don't live the life that is truly life
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales
Train yourself to be godly
Command and teach these things
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young
Set an example in speech, life, love, faith, purity
Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, preaching and teaching
Do not neglect your gift
Be diligent in these matters
Give yourself wholly to them
Watch your life and doctrine closely
Persevere in them
Public ministry and one's private life are intimately entwined.
Paul's desire in his treatment of other people is that they are treated as family.
The elderly, widows and those with needs should be cared for carefully. But, we need to be wise - we want to ensure people are encouraged to continue in their walk with Christ.
Timothy is made aware of the dangers of mistreatment or unfairness. Be careful and wise in the way you behave.
6:3-5,20-21 Characteristics of false teachers
They teach falsely
Don't agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching
They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words
Results in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, constant friction
They think godliness is a means to financial gain
They turn to godless chatter
They love the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge
6:6-10, 17-19 Perils of covetousness and wealth
We can fall into temptation and a trap
We have many foolish and harmful desires that plunge us into ruin and destruction
It is the root of all kinds of evil and can lead to us wandering away from the truth
It is an uncertain hope
It leads to a selfish way of life
They don't live the life that is truly life
Sunday, 28 April 2013
1 Timothy 2-4:5 Behaviour in God's household
2:1-7 Theological truths that form the basis for confidence in prayer:
We should pray for everyone
Prayer is effective
Prayer pleases God our Saviour
God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth
There is one God & one mediator between God and people - the human Jesus
We have a response as a result of prayer
v1-4 We should pray (in all senses) for everyone - Kings & all those in authority
We ought to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
v9-15 We need to read these verses carefully and apply equally with care.
3:1-7
Qualities of those who exercise leadership within the church:
Above reproach
The husband of one wife
Temperate
Self-controlled
Respectable
Hospitable
Able to teach
Not given to drunkenness
Not violent but gentle
Not quarrelsome
Not a lover of money
Managing his own family well
Seeing that his children obey him with proper respect
Not a recent convert
Having a good reputation with outsiders
Worthy of respect
Sincere
Not indulging in much wine
Not pursuing dishonest gain
Keeping hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience
If they have a wife, they should be worthy of respect, not a malicious talker, temperate and trustworthy in everything
The personal life of the leader backs up their behaviour as an elder.
Self-discipline is vital in the way an overseer or deacon behaves.
3:15 The church:
God's household
The church of the Living God
The pillar and foundation of the truth
3:16
Jesus:
Appeared in a body
Vindicated by the Spirit
Seen by angels
Preached among the nations
Believed on in the world
Taken up in glory
He is globally Lord!
4:1-5 There will be those who depart from the truth -
Marriage is to be enjoyed
Foods are created to be received with thanksgiving
We should pray for everyone
Prayer is effective
Prayer pleases God our Saviour
God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth
There is one God & one mediator between God and people - the human Jesus
We have a response as a result of prayer
v1-4 We should pray (in all senses) for everyone - Kings & all those in authority
We ought to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
v9-15 We need to read these verses carefully and apply equally with care.
3:1-7
Qualities of those who exercise leadership within the church:
Above reproach
The husband of one wife
Temperate
Self-controlled
Respectable
Hospitable
Able to teach
Not given to drunkenness
Not violent but gentle
Not quarrelsome
Not a lover of money
Managing his own family well
Seeing that his children obey him with proper respect
Not a recent convert
Having a good reputation with outsiders
Worthy of respect
Sincere
Not indulging in much wine
Not pursuing dishonest gain
Keeping hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience
If they have a wife, they should be worthy of respect, not a malicious talker, temperate and trustworthy in everything
The personal life of the leader backs up their behaviour as an elder.
Self-discipline is vital in the way an overseer or deacon behaves.
3:15 The church:
God's household
The church of the Living God
The pillar and foundation of the truth
3:16
Jesus:
Appeared in a body
Vindicated by the Spirit
Seen by angels
Preached among the nations
Believed on in the world
Taken up in glory
He is globally Lord!
4:1-5 There will be those who depart from the truth -
Marriage is to be enjoyed
Foods are created to be received with thanksgiving
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Micah 6-7:20 The grace and forgiveness of God, 1 Timothy 1 God's work in Paul
6:1-8
God's case against His people - they had been brought up by God out of Egypt, redeemed from slavery, and yet, they had forgotten God.
Our basic tendency is to forget God - we need to do all we can to remember Him.
6:9-7:6 Sin brings desolation and social breakdown. We have to ask if we really believe this & do we live different lives amongst the sinful world we are in?
Ch 7
The penitent city will see God's goodness in spite of their great sin. Micah has a vision of a forgiving God - One who does show anger, but delights to show mercy and compassion.
1 Timothy 1
The false teaching Paul attacks is:
About myths and endless genealogies
Promotion of controversy, not God's work, which is by faith
Not conforming to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, entrusted to us.
The gospel is received from God and those who preach anything else will be eternally condemned. (Gal 1:8-9,12)
v8-15 Paul talks about how the law is for those who are sinful, not for those who are righteous. It is only through God's grace and mercy we are saved, not through our own righteousness in any shape or form.
v12-17 Paul's emphasis in the gospel:
Mercy from God
Grace poured out in abundance
Faith and love also from Christ
Shown mercy so Christ could display His unlimited patience
God's case against His people - they had been brought up by God out of Egypt, redeemed from slavery, and yet, they had forgotten God.
Our basic tendency is to forget God - we need to do all we can to remember Him.
6:9-7:6 Sin brings desolation and social breakdown. We have to ask if we really believe this & do we live different lives amongst the sinful world we are in?
Ch 7
The penitent city will see God's goodness in spite of their great sin. Micah has a vision of a forgiving God - One who does show anger, but delights to show mercy and compassion.
1 Timothy 1
The false teaching Paul attacks is:
About myths and endless genealogies
Promotion of controversy, not God's work, which is by faith
Not conforming to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, entrusted to us.
The gospel is received from God and those who preach anything else will be eternally condemned. (Gal 1:8-9,12)
v8-15 Paul talks about how the law is for those who are sinful, not for those who are righteous. It is only through God's grace and mercy we are saved, not through our own righteousness in any shape or form.
v12-17 Paul's emphasis in the gospel:
Mercy from God
Grace poured out in abundance
Faith and love also from Christ
Shown mercy so Christ could display His unlimited patience
Friday, 26 April 2013
Micah 1-5:15 Out of the smallest clans, comes the Ancient Ruler
Micah 1:5 & 13
Jacob has transgressed
The house of Israel has sinned
Therefore there is ruin in Samaria, consternation in Judah & grief in the prophet
Ch 2
Those who plot sins at night & carry it out at day
Abusing their power
Coveting fields & seizing them
Defrauding men of their homes and inheritances
Stripping the robes of others
Driving women out of their nice homes
Taking the blessing from their children
The penalty is that they will receive punishment
Promise follows banishment - God is described as the one who brings together a remnant - as a shepherd and a King.
Ch 3
The nation's rulers, prophets & priests have not acted justly, they hate good and love evil. So God has turned His back on them. The Priests have remembered God's promises, but not His stipulations - how often we do the same.
The true Prophet however is one who is filled with power, the Spirit of the Lord, with justice and might.
Ch 4
The Lord's remnant will be gathered - the lame, exiles, those driven away - they will have the Lord rule over them.
Keep your thoughts on the Lord - we do not know His ways/thoughts.
God's ways are not our ways - He will come from a small clan, but have grand designs - grand plans.
God will purify Israel before He can use them. This has not changed.
Jacob has transgressed
The house of Israel has sinned
Therefore there is ruin in Samaria, consternation in Judah & grief in the prophet
Ch 2
Those who plot sins at night & carry it out at day
Abusing their power
Coveting fields & seizing them
Defrauding men of their homes and inheritances
Stripping the robes of others
Driving women out of their nice homes
Taking the blessing from their children
The penalty is that they will receive punishment
Promise follows banishment - God is described as the one who brings together a remnant - as a shepherd and a King.
Ch 3
The nation's rulers, prophets & priests have not acted justly, they hate good and love evil. So God has turned His back on them. The Priests have remembered God's promises, but not His stipulations - how often we do the same.
The true Prophet however is one who is filled with power, the Spirit of the Lord, with justice and might.
Ch 4
The Lord's remnant will be gathered - the lame, exiles, those driven away - they will have the Lord rule over them.
Keep your thoughts on the Lord - we do not know His ways/thoughts.
God's ways are not our ways - He will come from a small clan, but have grand designs - grand plans.
God will purify Israel before He can use them. This has not changed.
Thursday, 25 April 2013
2 Cor 11:21b-13:14 My grace is sufficient for you
Paul is determined to show that his weaknesses and sufferings are all part of God's plan and strategy:
Hard work
Prison
Floggings
Exposure to death repeatedly
5 x 39 lashes from the Jews
3 x beatings with rods
1 x stoned
3 x ship-wrecked
Night & day in open sea
Constantly on the move
Danger:
From rivers
From bandits
From his own countrymen
From Gentiles
In the city
In the country
At sea
From false brothers
Laboured & toiled
Often gone without sleep
Know hunger
Thirst
Gone without food
Cold
Naked
Daily pressure of his own concern for all the churches
Paul believes he is given a thorn the flesh to return him to God and to realise that God's grace is sufficient for Him - His power is made perfect in weakness. He will therefore boast about His weaknesses so Christ's power may rest on Him.
12:11-21 Paul is facing accusations that He is not a 'super-apostle'
He answers by saying he has sought not to be a burden to them, but rather give generously to them. He has been committed to speaking in the sight of God, rather than in the sight of others - He is doing things to strengthen the Corinthians
Paul is concerned in v20-21 that he may not find the believers as he wants them to be and vice versa. He longs that those who have been sinning will have repented and turned from them.
Paul's attitude in ch 13 is gracious and loving, demanding more than one witness, but asking them to examine themselves. He wants to see the believers built up, not torn down.
Do I see myself as there to build the church up, or to tear it down?
v 14 sums up our Christian heritage - it comes from the grace of the Lord Jesus, is show in the love of God and demonstrated by the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Together, working together, they demonstrate Christian love, unity and witness.
Hard work
Prison
Floggings
Exposure to death repeatedly
5 x 39 lashes from the Jews
3 x beatings with rods
1 x stoned
3 x ship-wrecked
Night & day in open sea
Constantly on the move
Danger:
From rivers
From bandits
From his own countrymen
From Gentiles
In the city
In the country
At sea
From false brothers
Laboured & toiled
Often gone without sleep
Know hunger
Thirst
Gone without food
Cold
Naked
Daily pressure of his own concern for all the churches
Paul believes he is given a thorn the flesh to return him to God and to realise that God's grace is sufficient for Him - His power is made perfect in weakness. He will therefore boast about His weaknesses so Christ's power may rest on Him.
12:11-21 Paul is facing accusations that He is not a 'super-apostle'
He answers by saying he has sought not to be a burden to them, but rather give generously to them. He has been committed to speaking in the sight of God, rather than in the sight of others - He is doing things to strengthen the Corinthians
Paul is concerned in v20-21 that he may not find the believers as he wants them to be and vice versa. He longs that those who have been sinning will have repented and turned from them.
Paul's attitude in ch 13 is gracious and loving, demanding more than one witness, but asking them to examine themselves. He wants to see the believers built up, not torn down.
Do I see myself as there to build the church up, or to tear it down?
v 14 sums up our Christian heritage - it comes from the grace of the Lord Jesus, is show in the love of God and demonstrated by the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Together, working together, they demonstrate Christian love, unity and witness.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
2 Cor 8:16-11:21a True and false apostles
Paul sees praise as an essential part of Christian living - he holds nothing back from Titus, knowing he deserves praise.
Christians should be generous with their money - sow generously, giving willingly and knowing God will provide for your every need.
God LOVES a cheerful giver.
Paul says the way we fight is different to the world - we fight with weapons that are not those the world fights with.
He urges the Corinthians to look beneath the surface. He ultimately is only bothered about boasting in the Lord.
In ch 11, Paul is concerned they have been deceived by false apostles preaching a different Jesus/gospel/spirit to that which he brought. Watch out for those who come bearing good things - check underneath!
Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Christians should be generous with their money - sow generously, giving willingly and knowing God will provide for your every need.
God LOVES a cheerful giver.
Paul says the way we fight is different to the world - we fight with weapons that are not those the world fights with.
He urges the Corinthians to look beneath the surface. He ultimately is only bothered about boasting in the Lord.
In ch 11, Paul is concerned they have been deceived by false apostles preaching a different Jesus/gospel/spirit to that which he brought. Watch out for those who come bearing good things - check underneath!
Their end will be what their actions deserve.
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