In his first recorded letter to Timothy, Paul urges Timothy, "first of all," that prayers would be made for all people. In today's message, Larry High studies the importance of prayer, the necessity of praying for all people--including being mindful to pray for the salvation of our nation's leaders--and how prayer should be our response to God's will.

In the book of Joshua, we read how two spies were sent into Jericho, and when men of the city came to find them, they were hidden by a prostitute named Rahab, and then given help in their escape. This account shows us Rahab's faith in the power of God, and it also shows us God's love for Rahab, whose household is saved when God delivers Jericho into the hands of the Israelites.

In today's message, as we finish our study of the women found in the genealogy of Jesus, Pastor Phil teaches that God can use anyone regardless of their background, their status, or their past; that God sees us; and that we can trust God.

The history of Ruth and Naomi is recorded in scripture in the book of Ruth. In summary, when Naomi lost her husband and her sons, she was left feeling empty, with none to provide for her and no one to carry on her family's legacy. But her daughter-in-law, Ruth, chose to stay with her--and God arranged for Ruth to encounter her kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, who showed Ruth and Naomi great kindness. And in time, Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son named Obed, who would be the grandfather of King David, and one of many in the genealogy of Jesus.

In today's message, Pastor John shares how this story reveals God's providence, and how God often shows kindness to us through the kindness of others.

In today's message, Pastor Phil studies the question of why Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, and shows how Mary responded to the news. Mary's response provides an example to us: we should also respond in faith to the good news of the gospel!

As we explore the histories of the women listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, as recorded in Matthew 1, we take note of the inclusion of Bathsheba. In today's message, Pastor Phil explores the story of David's sin of adultery and murder in taking Uriah's wife to be his own. Through God's mercy, we see that David's sin is forgiven, and that Bathsheba's dignity is restored.

The account of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38 is given the middle of the history of Joseph's trials in Egypt. So, too, the inclusion of Tamar in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus can read as a surprise to us. In today's message, Pastor Phil studies the story of Tamar and Judah, and offers reasons for Tamar's place in Genesis and in Matthew.

1 Timothy 1:15 says, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." In today's message, Pastor Andy examines how the apostle Paul serves as a model of God's mercy. If God can save Paul, then we shouldn't despair of his power to save anyone.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul takes time to discuss the value of the law. In today's message, Pastor Phil studies what the Bible says about the value of the law for us as believers. We know that we are saved by grace, through faith, and not through the works of the law. But the law convicts us of our sin, and reminds us of our need for Jesus Christ our Savior.

When Paul the apostle bid farewell to the church of Ephesus, he warned them that false teachers would come to them. In 1 Timothy, we read of Paul's command to Timothy to confront false teachers in Ephesus, so that believers would love "from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5). In today's message, Pastor Phil introduces us to 1 Timothy, and reminds us to watch our lives, watch our doctrine and fight the battle well.

In today's message, Pastor Phil teaches that we need to be generous with our time, our talents and our treasures. We need to have open hands, willing to use everything we have for God's purposes.