Stay in church any time at all and you'll notice something - people come and go. Sometimes they move to another location, we all understand that. Somethimes they 'get out of the habit' of coming to church (which really means they allow other things to take priority over fellowship with other believers and worshipping God) and before they realize it, they haven't worshipped in some time. Sometimes they become discouraged by someone or something and they stay away nursing a wound or a grudge. But sometimes they leave and take others with them because they have abandoned the faith. It is this last reason that Paul discusses in 1 Timothy 4:1-5. They are those who have come into to the church to draw away disciples after them. They are like sleeper cells of spiritual terrorists who come into the church to confuse the people of God and frustrate the work of God.

Big Idea: If in your religion, politics, and labor you find contentment - it is a true gift of God. To find joy in the midst of oppression, religious one-upmanship, and your toilsome work is a gift from God.

For many people, there is the feeling that church has failed them. They view it as an archaic institution that was created by man and is so irrelevant it ought to be disbanded. Still others view church as a place of hurt. At one time they were really involved – plugged in to everything, but then they got hurt. Church is a place of pain. And then there are those who view church as merely social - a place that we come, do our Sunday thing, and then forget about it the rest of the week.Even the churches in the first century had division, hurt feelings, false teaching, bad leaders, uninvolved congregants, and a host of problems that are addressed in the Scripture. In fact, the bulk of the NT is written to the church to tell us who we are and what we’re to do.How should we view church? We’re going to see this morning that the church is something that God has an extremely high view of. If we’re followers of God we should take the same high view and recognize that the church is of God and should be supported through our prayers and involvement. This morning we’re going to look at two important considerations concerning the church. We’re going to see that: We should pursue God’s will for the church andProclaim God’s message – the message of Christ.

Last week we saw the important qualification for elders. God is definitely interested in the character of those who lead the church through setting its direction and who manage the overall ministry.However, the ministry of the church is carried out by those who implement the direction of the elders. God wants pastor teachers who equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. Doing the work of the ministry is carried out by those who serve the church body through serving and ministering on the front lines and behind the scenes. Without them, no church could survive.The Bible calls people who lead in a specific area of ministry deacons and deaconesses. This morning we want to see the qualifications for Deacons and Deaconesses and understand once again the importance of having good character whenever we serve the Lord or His church body.

Last week we saw that God has elected to have men serve as the head teachers and leaders of the church. But do all men qualify solely by gender? The answer to that question is absolutely not. Leaders are to serve as examples to the church body. If they don't have the character outlined in 1 Timothy 3, they need to mature until they reach a point where they do. But more than just being an outline for leadership characteristics, we need to see this as something all of us are to strive toward - no matter what gender. The characteristics of an elder are characteristics of maturity.

As we come to 1 Timothy 2:11-15, we find what many consider to be a somewhat controversial part of the passage. What makes a passage controversial? When the passage says what we don’t expect it to say or what we don’t want it to say we consider it controversial. In this passage the Bible gives very clear teaching concerning the role of women in the overall worship of the church. It flows from the context of what they are to wear in worship, now it progresses to what roles they may fulfill in the worship of the church.

When it comes to worship, we often think we’ve experienced good worship when it produces the kind of feelings in us that we seek. But real worship, whether private of public isn’t about us, it’s about God. Beginning in the 8th verse of 1 Timothy 2, God’s Word gives instruction concerning Worship that is as appropriate for us today as it was for the church at Ephesus in Paul’s day.The key we need to understand in the passage this morning is this – real worship comes from hearts that are directed toward God. While words convey worship toward God, our actions can negate that worship if they don’t back up the words. In verses 8 through 10 the Word of God charges men and women to consider some truths as they come to worship. While each is directed toward real life issues at the church of Ephesus, these are issues today. No matter what the time, or the culture, people have the same struggles

Big Idea: The Teacher now focuses back to the activivies that take place under the sun. Oppression, acheivement, and advancement are the result of envy of our neighbor. Envy causes us to toil for our wants, pursue what we don't have, and oppress those around us to make sure they can't obtain "it".

God wants everyone to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.