Sermons – Eastside church of Christ

Paul warned Timothy that apostasy was certain (1 Timothy 4:1). Yet Timothy was to hold fast the pattern (2 Timothy 1:13), teach this to others (2 Timothy 2:2), and continue teaching without compromise, even if others departed (2 Timothy 4:2-5). There was hope that those who would listen would be saved (1 Timothy 4:16). So how was Timothy to approach his work as a preacher to help prevent apostasy? And how would the brethren need to respond in order to keep from falling away?

Paul warned Timothy that apostasy was certain (1 Timothy 4:1). Yet Timothy was to hold fast the pattern (2 Timothy 1:13), teach this to others (2 Timothy 2:2), and continue teaching without compromise, even if others departed (2 Timothy 4:2-5). There was hope that those who would listen would be saved (1 Timothy 4:16). So how was Timothy to approach his work as a preacher to help prevent apostasy? And how would the brethren need to respond in order to keep from falling away?

Being “under the influence” typically refers to the use of alcohol. In our text, Paul mentioned alcohol, but he also mentioned another influence that can affect our behavior – the Spirit. Paul contrasted them because they both affect our behavior, but in different ways. Alcohol influences us toward the direction of “debauchery” (NIV, ESV). What is this? And what behavior is classified as this?

Many in the world see ambition as a desirable trait. It is the attitude that drives one to continue progressing, advancing, and improving. Generally, it is necessary if one is to enjoy any degree of success or prosperity. Christians are to be ambitious, but the focus of our ambition will differ from the world. Paul told the Thessalonians what their ambition was to be, and it should be ours as well.

In this passage, Paul talked about God giving the Holy Spirit to us “as a pledge.” We might wonder what this means. What is a pledge? Why did God do this? How is the Spirit given? It is helpful to understand what Paul meant here. This was said to provide us with assurance of our hope.

In this passage, Paul talked about God giving the Holy Spirit to us “as a pledge.” We might wonder what this means. What is a pledge? Why did God do this? How is the Spirit given? It is helpful to understand what Paul meant here. This was said to provide us with assurance of our hope.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described the character of those who would be His disciples. In our text, He made it clear that His disciples would have an impact on the world around them. He used three analogies – the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city set on a hill. Each one emphasizes a different aspect of the influence we are to have upon others and, in some ways, how the world will react to us.

In a recent lesson, we talked about what would destroy a congregation. One of the things we discussed was a lack of unity. When a congregation is divided, it cannot stand. Yet it is possible to “overcorrect” on the problem of division and go beyond God’s will for our unity. That is what we are discussing in this lesson – unity that is not “of the Spirit” and not based on the “seven ones” in our text. This is very popular today. Yet we need to know what the Bible teaches regarding unity and follow it.

Paul began this section by reminding the brethren of parallels between them and the Israelites (v. 1-4). Yet “with most of them God was not well-pleased,” and they died in the wilderness (v. 5). “Now these things happened as examples for us…” (v. 6). Let us consider what their example teaches us.

Paul began this section by reminding the brethren of parallels between them and the Israelites (v. 1-4). Yet “with most of them God was not well-pleased,” and they died in the wilderness (v. 5). “Now these things happened as examples for us…” (v. 6). Let us consider what their example teaches us.