Because God's Word is true and has divine power to change lives, we who lead God's people must proclaim it faithfully and live it exemplarily while keeping it ever before the eyes and ears of our hearers. I. Keep Proclaiming the Truth with Authority v 11 II. Be the Example of the Truth You Proclaim v 12 III. Devote Yourselves to Hearing, Believing and Obeying God's Word v 13

Jesus flips upside down the culture norms and traditions of the religious leaders of the day by dining with sinners. He came to seek and save the lost by preaching good news; often at a dinner table. In his calling of Levi the tax collector, Jesus puts on full display his mission to seek out sinners that they would leave everything and follow Him

Because a God-centered life is of such supreme value both now and for all eternity, we must set our sights and our hope on knowing and walking with God, letting nothing in this silly world distract us from that pursuit. I. For a Godly Life, You Must Keep Your focus on the Life-changing Gospel v 6 II. Get Rid of the Silly Distractions that Keep You from Pursuing a God-Centered Life! vv 7-8 III. We Run this Race with Joy Because Knowing and Following Him Is Worth the Cost! vv 9-10

Because there are demonic deceivers who pervert a living faith in Christ with a dead man-centered asceticism, we must consciously embrace a life of God-glorifying gratitude that keeps our joy focused on Him. I. Be Warned: There Are Deceivers and There Are People Who Fall Away from Christ v 1 II. Beware: There are Human Deceivers Working Hard to Separate You from Faith in Christ vv 2-3 III. Be Grateful! A Shared Gladness in God Defends Us Against the Deadening Power of Unbelief vv 4-5

Because the local church is central to God's plan to uphold and proclaim the truth of the gospel, we must hold fast to it's truth, celebrating the presence of Jesus among us week after week. I. The Vital Importance of the Church (the Local Church) in the Life of Christians vv 14-15a II. The Identity of the Church: Why is the Church Such a Big Deal? v 15b III. The Gospel of Christ is not only true, it is Great! It is Awesome! v 16

Because deacons are called to serve the church as assistance to the pastors, they must be well qualified and proven to be godly servants of Christ and His people. I. A Deacon's Character v 8 II. A Deacon's Faith v 9 III. A Deacon's Testing v 10 IV. A Deacon's Wife v 11 V. A Deacon's Family v 12 VI. A Deacon's Reward v 13

Justification is the fountain head of the hymn that justified people sing. I. We rejoice in hope! II. We rejoice in our trials because they purify that hope. III. We rejoice ultimately in God who is the consummation of our hope.

Because the call to lead Christ's church is a noble task undertaken for God's glory, the elder must be a qualified man who is above reproach with a proven character of maturity and faithfulness. I. An Elder's Character Must Be Above Reproach v 2 II. An Elder's Conduct Must Be Unswervingly Faithful v 3 III. An Elder Must Have a Proven Track Record of Faithfulness at Home vv 4-5 IV. An Elder Must Be a Mature Man with a Good Reputation Outside the Church vv 6-7

Because the church matters and must be led in a God-centered, healthy way, we need God-called, faithful men serving as pastor/elder/overseers in this noble calling. I. The Importance of Faithful, God-Called Leaders in the Church II. The Office and Calling of a Pastor/Elder/Overseer III. The Noble Task of Those Called to Shepherd Christ's Church

Paul told Timothy to command the women in the church at Ephesus that they must be learners, but not the authoritative teachers of the church since that is a role God has reserved for qualified men by Creation Ordinance.