GracePointe Church of Christ in Elizabethtown, PA

2 Timothy 1:1-14 = At some point, we all face some sort of shame for being a follower of Christ or perhaps even a follower of Christ who is different from other followers.  As I read Paul’s words to Timothy, I wonder how it must be going at Ephesus…Did the false teachers leave and take some members of the church with them?  Did some members not like what Timothy was doing with the church there, and made sure others knew about it?  Does Timothy feel he has failed?  Paul reminds Timothy of the good work he has done in keeping the faith, the same good work Paul suffers for himself. In times of rebellion, We must be reminded that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” How does Timothy live this truth?  How might we live this truth? 

Titus 2 = Paul paints a picture of what the model Cretan Christian household looks like, so that the message of Christ is not taken as a joke. The Gospel should prove itself true by its transformative power in the lives of the Cretan believers.  

This is a passage about showing honor to church members who have been faithful to God, and diligent in their service to the church. This passage is also about helping those who really need help and the process of discerning the difference between those who need the church’s help and those who need to be more committed to their own contributions.  The church is more than a handout factory, but we are a “household” of God in which each member has responsibility to each other and receives care when needed. 

There are many ways we can be formed or molded. Usually this takes the form of some sort of training, the combination of education and experience.  Paul urges Timothy to “devote” himself and give himself “fully” to spiritual formation. Each Christian should know the areas in their life where they are vulnerable to Satan’s deception and should strive to grow in their walk with God.  We should all have a Spiritual Training Plan. 

We now come to the central thrust of Paul’s message to Timothy, the stark contrast between how the household of God ought to be and the reality of the Ephesian church.  I don’t think Paul is saying that “someday” church people will lose their faith, run after things that don’t matter, and get their priorities messed up.  I think Paul is clear that the Spirit is our guide to deciding what to hold onto and what to let go.  At the center is Jesus Christ and the gospel, if we don’t hold onto that, then we have forgotten why we exist in the first place. 

Deacons are a group of people who serve on behalf of the church. Like the elders, they are to be people of high moral character to carry out the work that God has called them to do, and that the church has appointed them to do. Paul continues to clean-up the false teaching of some former leaders by asking Timothy to pick deacons who are morally strong, tested in the faith, and dedicated to their families. Not much is said about what they do, but a lot is said about who they are to be. 

Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 

There are so many divisions in the church over how to and who should govern the church.  Paul, in stark contrast, is encouraging Timothy to select leaders who will bring the church together.  The main issue, strong moral character that speaks to the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of a potential leader and the false leadership that happens as a result of prioritizing other aspects of life over a strong connection with God.  In this passage, we don’t learn a lot about what overseers or elders do, but we do learn the type of person Paul wants them to be. 

 

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-15

So often the reader of the Bible will get to chapter 2 of 1 Timothy and forget that Paul is still cleaning up a mess perpetuated by a group of Christians who have incorporated elements of pagan Ephesian society into the church.  So, how can the church return to a peaceful and respectful gathering?  Paul provides a blueprint that involves prayer, submission, and focusing on learning.  Paul wants to set a clear distinction between the church and the larger society; using the anchors of peace, self-control, and holiness.  

Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-20

Synopsis: Wouldn’t it be nice if people who want to do damage to our faith and our trust in other people would just announce it at the beginning?  Of course it would.  Yet, what I find is that our most beloved leaders can be warped in their motivations and can suffer “shipwreck of the faith.”  Paul makes clear that those who want to do harm to the reputation and teachings of Jesus need to be stopped, and each of us who would consider ourselves leaders need to humbly submit to the authority of God in our lives and teachings. 

Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-11

Synopsis: A healthy diet is important to living a healthy life.  This is true when it comes to our spiritual walk as well. This sermon will look at what Paul means by “sound doctrine” and will contrast that notion with what Paul calls “false teachings” in the Pastoral epistles. Timothy, and Titus, are called upon to move the church towards healthy spiritual living and avoid the pitfalls of unhealthy, meaningless chatter.  I want us to consider our spiritual diets and what they are producing on our lives…we ultimately want our talk and walk to produce godliness and LOVE…