The Truths of Our Faith

The Truths of Our Faith

Introduction:

Paul is about to summarize 6 foundational truths about Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 3:14-16 NLT
The Truths of Our Faith
14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith.
Christ was revealed in a human body
and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
and taken to heaven in glory.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Timothy 3:14-16 NLT
The Truths of Our Faith 

14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 

Paul is writing to Timothy who is serving the church in Ephesus. 

15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God.

Paul states the purpose of his letter and reveals its central purpose. Paul writes these instructions so that believers know how to conduct themselves within the church community.

  • The church is God’s household.

15 … in the household of God.

Galatians 6:10 NLT
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Ephesians 2:19 NLT
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

  • Described as those in the family of faith (Galatians 6:10), citizens along with all of God’s holy people, members of God’s family (Ephesians 2:19), and a part of God’s household (1 Timothy 3:15), believers need to act accordingly.

The church is the family of people who belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ, and they should treat one another with love, respect, patience, and concern.

 This is the church of the living God,

This is not a reference to any building, but to the people who make up the true church.

  • God is alive, active, and present among His people (unlike the lifeless idols of the Ephesian culture). The church belongs to Him.

1 Peter 2:9 NLT
9 …, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 

which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

A pillar supports a structure, while a foundation provides stability. The church is called to uphold, preserve, proclaim, and defend the truth God has revealed. (The church does not originate divine truth.)

  • The church (that’s us) has been given the task of sharing and protecting the gospel.

The church must be active rather than defensive in upholding the truth in the world.

One small phrase from:
Titus 1:9
… encourage others with wholesome teaching …

The church has been entrusted with God’s truth. It must not compromise that truth to satisfy the culture or its own preferences.

 

Verse 16 is a poetic expression of the gospel:

Verse 16 may have come from an early church hymn.

It is a concise summary of 6 foundational truths about Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:16 instructs us to “Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts”.

Colossians 3:16 NLT
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Verse 16 may have been a part of one of these hymns. 

16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith.

Colossians 1:26 NLT
26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 

Simply put: a truth that was previously hidden has now been revealed.

Paul is about to summarize 6 foundational truths about Jesus Christ.

Truths we need to be teaching our children. 

Christ was revealed in a human body

  • God the Son has been revealed in human flesh.

Colossians 1:15 NLT
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

Hebrews 1:3 NLT
3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 

John 1:14 NLT
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. 

Philippians 2:6-8 NLT
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 

Hebrews 2:14-17 NLT
14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 

 and vindicated by the Spirit. 

  • Christ’s righteousness was validated and affirmed by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:16-17 NLT
16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

The Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to drive out demons and perform miracles.

The Spirit raised Jesus from the dead.

Romans 1:4 NLT
4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Peter 3:18 NLT
18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

The Spirit showed that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. 

He was seen by angels 

  • Angels witnessed important events in Jesus’ earthly ministry and the events surrounding His resurrection. 

Luke 2:8-14 NLT
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Luke 24:4-7 NLT4 
As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

1 Peter 1:12 NLT
12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

Revelation 5:11-12 NLT
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.” 

and announced to the nations. 

  • The gospel is for people of every nation, tribe, and language.

Acts 1:8 NLT
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  

He was believed in throughout the world 

  • People throughout the world have responded to the gospel in faith. 

and taken to heaven in glory.

  • Jesus now reigns at the Father’s right hand and will return as promised.

Luke 24:51 NLT
51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.

Acts 1:9-11 NLT
9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” 

Hebrews 1:3 NLT
3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 

Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. … 

1 Peter 3:22 NLT
22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority. 

 

The Ark Brought to the Temple

The Ark Brought to the Temple

Introduction:

In 1 Kings 6–7, Solomon oversaw the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was to be the permanent place of worship for Israel and the place where God’s people would gather to offer sacrifices.

Now, in chapter 8, the Temple is completed, and Solomon brings the Ark of the Covenant into the Most Holy Place.

1 Kings 8:1-11 NLT
The Ark Brought to the Temple
8:1 Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes—the leaders of the ancestral families of the Israelites. They were to bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant to the Temple from its location in the City of David, also known as Zion. 2 So all the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the annual Festival of Shelters, which is held in early autumn in the month of Ethanim.
3 When all the elders of Israel arrived, the priests picked up the Ark. 4 The priests and Levites brought up the Ark of the Lord along with the special tent and all the sacred items that had been in it. 5 There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!
6 Then the priests carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant into the inner sanctuary of the Temple—the Most Holy Place—and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles. 8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place, which is in front of the Most Holy Place, but not from the outside. They are still there to this day. 9 Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Mount Sinai, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left the land of Egypt.
10 When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 11 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 8:1-11 NLT
The Ark Brought to the Temple

8:1 Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes—the leaders of the ancestral families of the Israelites.

  • This event was a spiritual milestone for the entire nation of Israel.

The Ark of the Lord’s Covenant would have a permanent home in the Temple.

They were to bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant to the Temple from its location in the City of David, also known as Zion.

  • The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of the Lord’s presence with His people and represented God’s covenant with Israel.

The ark only contained the tablets of the law.

The Ark’s journey before Jerusalem:

The Ark had been captured by the Philistines. (1 Samuel 4)
The Philistines returned it to the Israelite border town of Beth-shemesh. (1 Samuel 6)
From Beth-shemesh it was moved to Kiriath-jearim where it stayed for approximately20 years.      (1 Samuel 7)

When David initially attempted to move the Ark to Jerusalem from Kiriath-jearim, it was placed on a new cart rather than being carried on poles by the Levites.  When the oxen stumbled, a man named Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and was instantly struck dead by God.  (2 Samuel 6)

Fearing the anger of the Lord, David halted the procession and redirected the Ark to the nearby home of Obed-edom the Gittite. (Scripture does not identify the town or provide the exact location of Obed-edom’s house).  It remained there (3 months) until David saw that God was blessing Obed-edom’s household, prompting him to complete the journey to Jerusalem properly.

The Ark of the Covenant had remained for some time in a tent sanctuary in the old city of David.

2 Samuel 6:17 NLT
17 They brought the Ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord.

Solomon also went to the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant to make a sacrifice to the Lord.

1 Kings 3:15 NLT
15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet.

  • The Temple was now ready to receive the Ark of the Covenant. 

2 So all the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the annual Festival of Shelters, which is held in early autumn in the month of Ethanim.

  • Solomon chose to dedicate the temple during the annual Festival of Shelters.

Solomon apparently delayed the dedication of the temple until the following year so it could take place during the annual Festival of Shelters. (September or October)

The temple:

1 Kings 6:38 NLT
38 The entire building was completed in every detail by midautumn, in the month of Bul, during the eleventh year of his reign. So it took seven years to build the Temple. (October or November)

Israelites from throughout the nation were gathering in Jerusalem for a week long (7-8 days) time of celebration and worship.

Leviticus 23 – The Israelites lived in temporary shelters as a reminder of the exodus as well as a celebration for harvest that had been gathered.

  • The dedication of the Temple celebrated the establishment of a permanent place of worship in Jerusalem.

This was also a Jubilee year according to some Bible scholars. (This may or may not be true.) 

3 When all the elders of Israel arrived, the priests picked up the Ark. 4 The priests and Levites brought up the Ark of the Lord along with the special tent and all the sacred items that had been in it.

  • The Ark was not an ordinary piece of furniture. It was a sacred object associated with God’s covenant and His presence among Israel.

1 Chronicles 15:2 NLT (Deuteronomy 10:8)
2 Then he commanded, “No one except the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The Lord has chosen them to carry the Ark of the Lord and to serve him forever.” 

Numbers 4:15 explains that the Kohathites were to carry the holy furnishings after the priests had covered them. They were not to touch the sacred objects themselves.

All priests were Levites, but not all Levites were priests.

Only priests could have taken the Ark into the inner sanctuary of the Temple.

1 Chronicles 16:1 NLT
16:1 They brought the Ark of God and placed it inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. 

Note: The “special tent” David had prepared and the Tabernacle appear to be two different structures.

2 Chronicles 1:2-6 NLT (during the early years of Solomon’s reign.)
2 Solomon called together all the leaders of Israel—the generals and captains of the army, the judges, and all the political and clan leaders. 3 Then he led the entire assembly to the place of worship in Gibeon, for God’s Tabernacle was located there. (This was the Tabernacle that Moses, the Lord’s servant, had made in the wilderness.)
4 David had already moved the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the tent he had prepared for it in Jerusalem. 5 But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri and grandson of Hur was there at Gibeon in front of the Tabernacle of the Lord. So Solomon and the people gathered in front of it to consult the Lord. 6 There in front of the Tabernacle, Solomon went up to the bronze altar in the Lord’s presence and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings on it. 

5 There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!

  • Solomon and the assembly of Israel sacrificed so many sheep and cattle that they could not be counted.

The enormous number of sacrifices expressed the significance of this occasion.

Note: At the dedication of the Temple:

1 Kings 8:63 NLT
63 Solomon offered to the Lord a peace offering of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. And so the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the Temple of the Lord. 

6 Then the priests carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant into the inner sanctuary of the Temple—the Most Holy Place—and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim.

  • The Most Holy Place was the innermost and most sacred area of the Temple. It represented the special presence of God among His people.

The cherubim were large figures whose outstretched wings covered the area above the Ark.

The Ark itself was a chest associated with God’s covenant. Its cover, often called the mercy seat, was the place where blood was presented on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14–16).

Leviticus 16:14-16 NLT
14 Then he must take some of the blood of the bull, dip his finger in it, and sprinkle it on the east side of the atonement cover. He must sprinkle blood seven times with his finger in front of the atonement cover.
15 “Then Aaron must slaughter the first goat as a sin offering for the people and carry its blood behind the inner curtain. There he will sprinkle the goat’s blood over the atonement cover and in front of it, just as he did with the bull’s blood. 16 Through this process, he will purify the Most Holy Place, and he will do the same for the entire Tabernacle, because of the defiling sin and rebellion of the Israelites.

Review: Cherubim

1 Kings 6:23-28 NLT
23 He (Solomon) made two cherubim of wild olive wood, each 15 feet tall, and placed them in the inner sanctuary. 24 The wingspan of each of the cherubim was 15 feet, each wing being 7 1⁄2 feet long. 25 The two cherubim were identical in shape and size; 26 each was 15 feet tall. 27 He placed them side by side in the inner sanctuary of the Temple. Their outspread wings reached from wall to wall, while their inner wings touched at the center of the room. 28 He overlaid the two cherubim with gold.

7 The cherubim spread their wings over the Ark, forming a canopy over the Ark and its carrying poles. 

  • The cherubim symbolized the holiness and majesty of God’s heavenly presence.

 Similar to Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4

Isaiah 6:1-3 NLT
6:1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!” 

Also Revelation 4:8 

8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place, which is in front of the Most Holy Place, but not from the outside. They are still there to this day. 

Exodus 25:15 NLT
15 These carrying poles must stay inside the rings; never remove them. 

Remember:
There is a right way and a wrong way to transport the Ark.
(David should have known this.) 

 9 Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Mount Sinai, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left the land of Egypt.

The ark had once contained a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod.

Now the ark only contained the tablets of the law.

  • The tablets reminded Israel that its relationship with God was based on His covenant. 

10 When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.

  • The cloud was a visible sign of God’s glorious presence.

Exodus 40:33-35 NLT (The Lord’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle)

33 Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work.
34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 

11 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord.

  • God’s presence was so overwhelming that the priests could not carry on their duties.

Previous examples of God’s presence with the people:

Exodus 20:21 NLT
21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.

Deuteronomy 4:10-12 NLT
10 Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai, where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’
11 “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while flames from the mountain shot into the sky. The mountain was shrouded in black clouds and deep darkness. 12 And the Lord spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice. 

The Ark of the Covenant now has a home in the Temple.

 

Leaders in the Church

Leaders in the Church

Introduction

    • In the passage we are looking at today, Paul is addressing church leaders and deacons.

Church leaders

Some translations call church leaders:

Overseer
Bishop
Elder
Supervisor in the church
Congregation leader
Church official

These church leaders:

Shepherd (lead), oversee, teach, and serve the church.

The primary role of the church leader is spiritual leadership and oversight.

Deacons

Some translations call deacons:

(most translations use the term deacons in this verse.)

Servants
Servant leaders
Ministers
Church helpers

These individuals are those who serve the congregation and assist with its practical needs.

The primary role of the deacon is service and practical ministry, (not teaching).

1 Timothy 3:1-13 NLT
Leaders in the Church
3:1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

  • Can we apply the Biblical principles that we read about in this passage to those who work in a Christian school)

In many ways, I believe we can.

Let’s begin by defining “church”.

The church is the community of people who have been called by God, saved through faith in Jesus Christ, and united by the Holy Spirit to worship God, grow in faith, serve one another, and proclaim the gospel.

In the New Testament, the Greek word for church is ekklesia, meaning an assembly or gathering of people.

The church is God’s people, united in Christ, living under His authority, and working together to fulfill His purposes.

Many of the Biblical principles addressed in this passage do apply to a director, chaplain, board member, teacher, assistant, or support staff in a Christian school.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Timothy 3:1-13 NLT
Leaders in the Church 

3:1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”

  • “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”
  • If someone aspires to work in a Christian school, they desire an honorable position. 

2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. 

  • A church leader must be a man who does not have overt, flagrant sin marring his life. 
  • An employee in a Christian school must be a person who does not have overt, flagrant sin marring their life.

Paul mention some examples of flagrant sin in this passage.  They include:

Being unfaithful to a spouse.
Being a heavy drinker.
Being violent.
Being dishonest with money.

Remember:

1 John 1:9 NLT
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 

He must be faithful to his wife. 

A similar comment is made for women.

1 Timothy 5:9 NLT
9 A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. 

He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, 

and he must be able to teach.

Titus 1:9 NLT
9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong. 

  • Teachers in Christian schools need to have the skill and spiritual capacity to communicate sound biblical doctrine.

Remember:  We can always ask God for help.

James 1:5 NLT
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

More about this later in the lesson. 

3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 

 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 

6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 

Comment on this. 

7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. 

8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 

 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.

A clear conscience does not mean a person has never sinned. It means that the person seeks to live sincerely before God rather than knowingly embracing hypocrisy.

  • A teacher in a Christian school must be grounded in genuine faith and must have a desire to live a life that seeks to obey God’s truth. 

10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.

This suggests that the church should observe a person’s character and conduct before entrusting that person with significant responsibility.

The same applies to employees in a Christian school. 

11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. 

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 

13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others

Respected and appreciated.

and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. 

  • Faithful service can strengthen a person’s confidence in Christ. As believers serve others, they often see more clearly the practical reality of the gospel.

Leadership in the church is not primarily about talent, popularity, or position; it is about a life that reflects the character of Christ.

Paul focuses almost entirely on moral character, spiritual maturity, family life, and reputation.  Paul says very little about skills needed by the individuals who are being called to serve.

  • Paul emphasizes that church leadership requires more than the ability to teach or organize. The leader’s character, family life, reputation, and spiritual maturity matter deeply.
  • It takes more than being a gifted teacher, with lots of teaching experience to work in a Christian school. Godly character and integrity are far more essential to successful teaching than charisma or skill. A teacher’s character, family life, reputation, and spiritual maturity matter deeply.

Remember:

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 

A person with a godly character and integrity can be taught the skills necessary to be a good teacher. 

  • Those who lead or serve in a Christian school are entrusted with a responsibility to care for God’s people faithfully.

Adapt the following passage of scripture so that it applies to you and your current role.

1 Peter 5:1-4  NLT
5:1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

 

 

Paul’s Instructions Concerning Public Worship (Part 3)

Paul’s Instructions Concerning Public Worship (Part 3)

Introduction:

Review:

As it was in the two previous lessons, Paul is instructing Timothy concerning public worship and the conduct of believing men and women when they gather for worship.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 NLT
11 Women should learn quietly and submissively. 12 I do not let women teach men or have authority over them.   Let them listen quietly. 13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

  • 1 Timothy 2:11–15 is widely considered one of the most fiercely debated passages in the New Testament.

Disagreements over 1 Timothy 2:11–15 and related passages have contributed to church splits, denominational divisions, congregational departures, and the formation of new denominations.

  • Interpretations of this passage generally divide into two primary theological views: Complementarian and Egalitarian.
      1. The Complementarian View (Timeless Order)
        Complementarians view the passage as a permanent, universal structure for church leadership, restricting senior governing and teaching roles to qualified men.
      1. The Egalitarian View (Cultural and Local Context)
        Egalitarians view the instruction as a temporary directive addressing a specific crisis in first-century Ephesus.

 

Examine the Scriptures

1 Timothy 2:11-15 NLT 

11 Women should learn quietly and submissively.  

The verse begins with:

“Women should learn” 

  • “Women should learn”. Christian women are not spiritually inferior students. They are disciples of Christ who are to be instructed in God’s Word. 

God’s Word is for males and females alike.

2 Peter 3:18 NLT
18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Joshua 1:8 NLT
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Psalm 119:105 NLT
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:11 NLT
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.

Proverbs 3:1-2 NLT
3:1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 2:15 NLT
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

Matthew 4:4 NLT
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

  • All believers, men and women alike, need to have good Biblical teaching.

The verse goes on to say: Women should learn quietly and submissively. 

  • Here Paul is stressing the importance of Godly conduct for the Christian women.

Repeat a passage used in our last lesson:

1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT
3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 

The word translated “quietly” does not necessarily mean complete silence. It carries the idea of being peaceable, orderly, or not disruptive. 

Women should not attempt to usurp the authority of the pastors or elders.

1 Corinthians 14:40 NLT (referring to worship)
40 But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.

Women should not be disruptive in worship services.

  • Women should learn quietly and submissively.

A similar passage:

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 NLT
34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings. 

12 I do not let women teach men or have authority over them.   

The setting here is men and women gathering for public worship.

  • Men and women have equal worth before God, but God assigned different responsibilities concerning authoritative teaching and church governance.
  • Men and women have different roles in the church as well as different roles in a marriage. 

Here is where I will apply the: 

Complementarian interpretation:
Paul establishes a continuing distinction between men and women in the governing and authoritative teaching office of the church. Women may exercise many important teaching and ministry roles, but the office carrying authoritative teaching/governing responsibility over men is reserved for qualified men. 

Let them listen quietly. 

Note:

  • The New Testament gives clear evidence that women had significant ministry and leadership roles in the early church, but they should not usurp the authority of the pastors or elders. 

 13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result.  

Here is where theologians use the “creation order” argument.

How would you explain “creation order”?

  • Creation order is a theological term referring to the way God established relationships, responsibilities, and roles when He created humanity, particularly the relationship between man and woman.

When theologians talk about “creation order,” especially in discussions of 1 Timothy 2:11–15, they are referring to the fact that God created Adam first and Eve second, as described in Genesis 2.

Paul explicitly appeals to this order:

“For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” — 1 Timothy 2:13

Note:
The important point is that “first” does not automatically mean “better” or “more valuable.”
Genesis actually presents both Adam and Eve as created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
When complementarian theologians speak of creation order, they generally mean that God established a particular relationship or pattern of responsibility between the man and the woman from creation itself, before sin entered the world.

They therefore understand “creation order” as establishing a continuing distinction in responsibility and authority, particularly concerning the governing/authoritative teaching office of the church.

  • Complementarians argue that Paul’s restriction is not cultural. By citing the order of creation (Adam formed first, then Eve) and the dynamic of the “Fall” (Eve being deceived), Paul grounds his instruction in the enduring, overarching created order rather than temporary local customs.

 15 But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

This is one of the most difficult statements in the Pastoral Epistles.

  • The precise meaning of verse 15 is not clear.

Almost every source I used explained the first part of this verse differently.  I’m not about to pick one of these explanations.  I’ll let it up to you to figure out what this first part of the verse is saying

We know what the verse is not saying:

Paul is not saying that a woman earns salvation by having children, because that would conflict with Paul’s broader teaching about salvation by grace through faith.

We do know something it is saying: 

  • Women are to continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furnishings for the Temple (continued)

Furnishings for the Temple (continued)

Introduction:

 Review:

In our previous lesson we learned about Huram (HOO-ram) constructing:

Two bronze pillars, the capitals for the tops of the pillars, a great round basin, and twelve bronze oxen, all permanent structures made out of bronze.

In this lesson we will learn about Huram making:

Ten bronze water carts, ten bronze basins, washbasins, shovels, bowls, and a bronze altar.  All of these items were made of bronze and were made to be mobile.

We’ll also learn about Solomon making: 

a gold altar, gold table(s) for the Bread of the Presence, lampstands of solid gold, flower decorations, lamps, tongs, lamp snuffers, bowls, ladles, incense burners, and doors for the entrances to the Most Holy Place and the main room of the Temple, with their fronts overlaid with gold.

1 Kings 7:27-51 NLT
Furnishings for the Temple (continued)
27 Huram also made ten bronze water carts, each 6 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 1⁄2 feet tall. 28 They were constructed with side panels braced with crossbars. 29 Both the panels and the crossbars were decorated with carved lions, oxen, and cherubim. Above and below the lions and oxen were wreath decorations. 30 Each of these carts had four bronze wheels and bronze axles. There were supporting posts for the bronze basins at the corners of the carts; these supports were decorated on each side with carvings of wreaths. 31 The top of each cart had a rounded frame for the basin. It projected 1 1⁄2 feet above the cart’s top like a round pedestal, and its opening was 2 1⁄4 feet across; it was decorated on the outside with carvings of wreaths. The panels of the carts were square, not round. 32 Under the panels were four wheels that were connected to axles that had been cast as one unit with the cart. The wheels were 2 1⁄4 feet in diameter 33 and were similar to chariot wheels. The axles, spokes, rims, and hubs were all cast from molten bronze.
34 There were handles at each of the four corners of the carts, and these, too, were cast as one unit with the cart. 35 Around the top of each cart was a rim nine inches wide. The corner supports and side panels were cast as one unit with the cart. 36 Carvings of cherubim, lions, and palm trees decorated the panels and corner supports wherever there was room, and there were wreaths all around. 37 All ten water carts were the same size and were made alike, for each was cast from the same mold.
38 Huram also made ten smaller bronze basins, one for each cart. Each basin was six feet across and could hold 220 gallons of water. 39 He set five water carts on the south side of the Temple and five on the north side. The great bronze basin called the Sea was placed near the southeast corner of the Temple. 40 He also made the necessary washbasins, shovels, and bowls.
So at last Huram completed everything King Solomon had assigned him to make for the Temple of the Lord:
41 the two pillars;
the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars;
the two networks of interwoven chains that decorated the capitals;
42 the 400 pomegranates that hung from the chains on the capitals (two rows of pomegranates for each of the chain networks that decorated the capitals on top of the pillars);
43 the ten water carts holding the ten basins;
44 the Sea and the twelve oxen under it;
45 the ash buckets, the shovels, and the bowls.
Huram made all these things of burnished bronze for the Temple of the Lord, just as King Solomon had directed. 46 The king had them cast in clay molds in the Jordan Valley between Succoth and Zarethan. 47 Solomon did not weigh all these things because there were so many; the weight of the bronze could not be measured.
48 Solomon also made all the furnishings of the Temple of the Lord:
the gold altar;
the gold table for the Bread of the Presence;
49 the lampstands of solid gold, five on the south and five on the north, in front of the Most Holy Place;
the flower decorations, lamps, and tongs—all of gold;
50 the small bowls, lamp snuffers, bowls, ladles, and incense burners—all of solid gold;
the doors for the entrances to the Most Holy Place and the main room of the Temple, with their fronts overlaid with gold.
51 So King Solomon finished all his work on the Temple of the Lord. Then he brought all the gifts his father, David, had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the various articles—and he stored them in the treasuries of the Lord’s Temple.

Examine the Scriptures
1 Kings 7:27-51 NLT
Furnishings for the Temple (continued)

First we’ll look at the water carts. 

27 Huram also made ten bronze water carts, each 6 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 1⁄2 feet tall.

Note:
Where did this bronze come from?

1 Chronicles 18:3, 7-8 NLT
3 David also destroyed the forces of Hadadezer, (Ha dad a zer) king of Zobah, …

7 David brought the gold shields of Hadadezer’s officers to Jerusalem, 8 along with a large amount of bronze from Hadadezer’s towns of Tebah and Cun. Later Solomon melted the bronze and molded it into the great bronze basin called the Sea, the pillars, and the various bronze articles used at the Temple.

28 They were constructed with side panels braced with crossbars. 29 Both the panels and the crossbars were decorated with carved lions, oxen, and cherubim. Above and below the lions and oxen were wreath decorations. 30 Each of these carts had four bronze wheels and bronze axles. There were supporting posts for the bronze basins at the corners of the carts; these supports were decorated on each side with carvings of wreaths. 

  • Huram made ten bronze water carts, each 6 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 1⁄2 feet tall. Each of these carts had four bronze wheels and bronze axles. 

2 Chronicles 4:6 NLT
6 He also made ten smaller basins for washing the utensils for the burnt offerings. He set five on the south side and five on the north. But the priests washed themselves in the Sea. 

31 The top of each cart had a rounded frame for the basin. It projected 1 1⁄2 feet above the cart’s top like a round pedestal, and its opening was 2 1⁄4 feet across; it was decorated on the outside with carvings of wreaths. The panels of the carts were square, not round. 32 Under the panels were four wheels that were connected to axles that had been cast as one unit with the cart. The wheels were 2 1⁄4 feet in diameter 33 and were similar to chariot wheels. The axles, spokes, rims, and hubs were all cast from molten bronze.

  • The carts were carefully engineered.
  • The carts were elaborately decorated.
  • The movable stands made it possible to position the water where it was needed. 

34 There were handles at each of the four corners of the carts, and these, too, were cast as one unit with the cart. 35 Around the top of each cart was a rim nine inches wide. The corner supports and side panels were cast as one unit with the cart. 36 Carvings of cherubim, lions, and palm trees decorated the panels and corner supports wherever there was room, and there were wreaths all around. 37 All ten water carts were the same size and were made alike, for each was cast from the same mold.

  • All 10 carts were identical, being cast from the same mold. 

38 Huram also made ten smaller bronze basins, one for each cart. Each basin was six feet across and could hold 220 gallons of water.

  • Huram made ten bronze basins, one for each cart. Each basin was six feet across and could hold 220 gallons of water.
  • The water carts made by Huram were not simply ornamental pieces of furniture. They were used to wash certain prescribed parts of the animals that were slaughtered for burnt offerings. 

Leviticus 1:13 NLT
13 But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

  • The temple worship involved an enormous amount of activity. Thousands of animals could be sacrificed, and there were numerous utensils and objects that needed washing.

39 He set five water carts on the south side of the Temple and five on the north side. The great bronze basin called the Sea was placed near the southeast corner of the Temple. 

40 He also made the necessary washbasins, shovels, and bowls.

  • Shovels were used to scoop up the ashes that were emptied into the bowls for disposal.

Note:
Exodus 27:3 NLT
3 Make ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans, all of bronze. 

The same tools served the same purpose in the Tabernacle. 

Review all that Huram had completed up to this point:

So at last Huram completed everything King Solomon had assigned him to make for the Temple of the Lord:
41 the two pillars;
the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars;
the two networks of interwoven chains that decorated the capitals;
42 the 400 pomegranates that hung from the chains on the capitals (two rows of pomegranates for each of the chain networks that decorated the capitals on top of the pillars);
43 the ten water carts holding the ten basins;
44 the Sea and the twelve oxen under it;
45 the ash buckets, the shovels, and the bowls. 

Plus:

2 Chronicles 4:1 NLT
Furnishings for the Temple
4:1 Solomon (Huram) also made a bronze altar 30 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 15 feet high. 

Huram made all these things of burnished bronze for the Temple of the Lord,

Burnished bronze is bronze polished to a high shine.

just as King Solomon had directed. 46 The king had them cast in clay molds in the Jordan Valley between Succoth and Zarethan.

About 35 miles north of the Dead Sea.

  • This location between Succoth and Zarethan abounded in clay suitable for molds and lay close to a source of charcoal for heat, namely, the forests across the Jordan River. 

47 Solomon did not weigh all these things because there were so many; the weight of the bronze could not be measured.

  • The amount of bronze used was simply enormous.
  • Recording the crafting of these furnishings in so much detail emphasizes the magnificent beauty, symmetry, and glory of the temple. 

48 Solomon also made all the furnishings of the Temple of the Lord:

  • Huram was responsible for all of the work in bronze. Solomon was in charge of the work in gold.
  • Bronze was used for the furnishings outside the temple but the furniture inside the temple was made of gold.

As we already know, Solomon was very wealthy.

1 Kings 10:14 (a later date)
1 Kings 10:14 NLT
Solomon’s Wealth and Splendor
14 Each year Solomon received about 25 tons of gold.

the gold altar;

Used for:

Exodus 30:1 NLT
Plans for the Incense Altar for the Tabernacle
30:1 “Then make another altar … for burning incense.

This was placed in front of The Most Holy Place. 

  • The gold alter was used for burning incense. 

the gold table for the Bread of the Presence; 

There may have been 10 tables.

2 Chronicles 4:8, 19 NLT
8 He also built ten tables and placed them in the Temple, five along the south wall and five along the north wall. Then he molded 100 gold basins. 

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings for the Temple of God:
the gold altar;
the tables for the Bread of the Presence;

Exodus 25:30 NLT
30 Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before me at all times.

What was the Bread of the Presence?

Leviticus 24:5-9 NLT
5 “You must bake twelve flat loaves of bread from choice flour, using four quarts of flour for each loaf. 6 Place the bread before the Lord on the pure gold table, and arrange the loaves in two stacks, with six loaves in each stack. 7 Put some pure frankincense near each stack to serve as a representative offering, a special gift presented to the Lord. 8 Every Sabbath day this bread must be laid out before the Lord as a gift from the Israelites; it is an ongoing expression of the eternal covenant. 9 The loaves of bread will belong to Aaron and his descendants, who must eat them in a sacred place, for they are most holy. It is the permanent right of the priests to claim this portion of the special gifts presented to the Lord.” 

49 the lampstands of solid gold, five on the south and five on the north, in front of the Most Holy Place;

Five on either side of the doors, providing a corridor of light.

Only one lampstand with seven arms had stood in the Tabernacle. 

the flower decorations, lamps, and tongs—all of gold;
50 the small bowls, lamp snuffers, bowls, ladles, and incense burners—all of solid gold;
the doors for the entrances to the Most Holy Place and the main room of the Temple, with their fronts overlaid with gold.

“all of solid gold”  Awesome!

  • King Solomon also made a gold altar, gold table(s) for the Bread of the Presence, lampstands of solid gold, flower decorations, lamps, tongs, lamp snuffers, bowls, ladles, incense burners, and doors for the entrances to the Most Holy Place and the main room of the Temple, with their fronts overlaid with gold.

51 So King Solomon finished all his work on the Temple of the Lord. Then he brought all the gifts his father, David, had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the various articles—and he stored them in the treasuries of the Lord’s Temple.

These items may have been “spoils of war” or items received as tribute from kings seeking David’s favor.

2 Samuel 8:9-12 NLT
9 When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the entire army of Hadadezer, 10 he sent his son Joram to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of silver, gold, and bronze.
11 King David dedicated all these gifts to the Lord, as he did with the silver and gold from the other nations he had defeated— 12 from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek—and from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

1 Kings 7:27–51 shows that the temple was not simply a building. Every object had a purpose, the craftsmen used God-given abilities, and the furnishings continually reminded Israel of God’s holiness, presence, and relationship with His people.

 

Follow up to later events

2 Kings 12:17-18 NLT
The End of Joash’s Reign
17 About this time King Hazael of Aram went to war against Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem. 18 King Joash collected all the sacred objects that Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, the previous kings of Judah, had dedicated, along with what he himself had dedicated. He sent them all to Hazael, along with all the gold in the treasuries of the Lord’s Temple and the royal palace. So Hazael called off his attack on Jerusalem. 

2 Kings 25:8-15 NLT
The Temple Destroyed
8 On August 14 of that year which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard and an official of the Babylonian king, arrived in Jerusalem. 9 He burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in the city. 10 Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side. 11 Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took as exiles the rest of the people who remained in the city, the defectors who had declared their allegiance to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the population. 12 But the captain of the guard allowed some of the poorest people to stay behind to care for the vineyards and fields.
13 The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars in front of the Lord’s Temple, the bronze water carts, and the great bronze basin called the Sea, and they carried all the bronze away to Babylon. 14 They also took all the ash buckets, shovels, lamp snuffers, ladles, and all the other bronze articles used for making sacrifices at the Temple. 15 The captain of the guard also took the incense burners and basins, and all the other articles made of pure gold or silver.

 

 

Paul’s Instructions Concerning Public Worship (Part 2)

Paul’s Instructions Concerning Public Worship (Part 2)

Introduction:

Review:

Paul is instructing Timothy concerning public worship and the conduct of believing men and women when they gather for worship.

These principles would also apply outside of church gatherings.

What are the Biblical principles that apply to us today?

The passage in three translations:

1 Timothy 2:9-10 NLT
9 And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 10 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV
9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 NIV
9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Examine the Scriptures:

Paul’s Instructions Concerning Public Worship (Part 2)
1 Timothy 2:9-10 NLT

Verse 9 begins with:

9 And

Likewise (ESV) 

I also want (NIV)

Paul is not changing the subject completely. He is continuing to describe what should characterize believers when they gather as the church. His concern is that Christian worship and Christian conduct should reflect godliness. 

The subject is still community prayer (NLT commentary) 

I want women to be modest in their appearance. (NLT) 

 women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel,  (ESV)

I also want the women to dress modestly, (NIV)

Modesty involves an attitude that does not intentionally draw inappropriate attention to oneself.

Modesty recognizes that our bodies, appearance, and behavior should be treated with dignity rather than used to attract inappropriate attention.

They should wear decent and appropriate clothing NLT 

with modesty and self-control, (ESV)

with decency and propriety (NIV) 

  • Godly women are encouraged to dress modestly, with decency and propriety.

Propriety can be translated as “discretion,” “self-control,” or “sound judgment.” It emphasizes emotional and moral self-restraint—making choices governed by wisdom rather than cultural vanity. 

  • Paul isn’t saying that outward appearance is irrelevant. Rather, outward appearance should never become more important than inward character.

Paul does not condemn beauty or care for one’s appearance; rather, he contrasts external, temporal adornment with internal, spiritual character. 

and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.  (NLT) 

not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, (ESV) 

not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, (NIV)

This is not a ban on jewelry or braided hair.

  • Paul is expressing caution in a society where such things were signs of extravagant luxury and proud personal display.

Ephesus was a major Roman trade and religious hub (home to the Temple of Artemis). High-status, wealthy women often used intricate hairstyles braided with gold, extravagant jewelry, and expensive silk or dyed garments as public displays of wealth, social status, and civic influence.

  • In Ephesus, socio-economic status was frequently displayed through elaborate clothing and hair.

Two quotes from MacArthur’s Bible Commentary.

“Women in the church were living impure and self-centered lives, and that practice carried over into the worship service, where they be­came distractions. Because of the centrality if worship in the life of the church, Paul calls on Timothy to confront the problem.”  (MacArthur)

“Specific practices were causing distraction and discord in the church. Women in the first century often wove gold, pearls, or other jewelry into their hair styles to call attention to themselves and their wealth or beauty. The same was true of those women who wore costly clothing. By doing so they would draw attention to themselves and away from the Lord, likely causing the poorer women to be envious. Paul’s point was to forbid the preoccupation of certain women with flaunting their wealth and distracting people from worshiping the Lord.” (MacArthur)

Remember:

  • Worship gatherings are meant to exalt God, not display personal wealth or draw attention to oneself.

The focus for women who are gathered for worship should be praising God, rather than seeking attention from other people.

The latter appears to be happening in some cases at some of our current worship services.

Corporate worship should not be a venue for social competition or displaying economic superiority.

A Christian should not be governed by:

      • the desire to impress others
      • the desire for attention
      • fashion or status
      • material possessions
      • personal vanity 

10 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. (NLT)

10 (adorn themselves) with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. (ESV) 

10 (adorning themselves) with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (NIV)

Paul gives women a positive alternative.

  • Make yourself attractive by the good things you do.

Refer to 1 Peter 3:3-4
3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Romans 14:13 NLT
… Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. 

The emphasis should be the internal, not the external.

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

The heart is ultimately the issue.

What do you value most? Appearance or character.

  • Consider the question: “What am I communicating by the way I present myself?”

What does my appearance and behavior reveal about what I value?

Ask. “How can my life reflect Christ?”

Am I focused on praising God or am I seeking to be praised by people.

If we claim to be followers of Christ, our outward lives should reflect that profession.

Two verses to reflect on:

Philippians 2:3-4 NL
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

In conclusion.

Reject the world’s standards for measuring beauty.

Remember:

From Psalm 139:13-18 NLT
14 …
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
…
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!

It should be a women’s faithful service in the name of Christ that makes her attractive to others.

From Proverbs 31:10-31 NLT
A Wife of Noble Character

25 She (A wife of noble character) is clothed with strength and dignity, 

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

 

 

 

 

 

Furnishings for the Temple

Furnishings for the Temple

In our previous lesson we discussed Solomon’s palace complex.  In this lesson our focus returns to the Temple.

This passage introduces Huram (Hiram), a skilled craftsman whom Solomon brought in to make the bronze furnishings for the temple.

1 Kings 7:13-26 NLT
Furnishings for the Temple
13 King Solomon then asked for a man named Huram to come from Tyre. 14 He was half Israelite, since his mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father had been a craftsman in bronze from Tyre. Huram was extremely skillful and talented in any work in bronze, and he came to do all the metal work for King Solomon.
15 Huram cast two bronze pillars, each 27 feet tall and 18 feet in circumference. 16 For the tops of the pillars he cast bronze capitals, each 7 1⁄2 feet tall. 17 Each capital was decorated with seven sets of latticework and interwoven chains. 18 He also encircled the latticework with two rows of pomegranates to decorate the capitals over the pillars. 19 The capitals on the columns inside the entry room were shaped like water lilies, and they were six feet tall. 20 The capitals on the two pillars had 200 pomegranates in two rows around them, beside the rounded surface next to the latticework. 21 Huram set the pillars at the entrance of the Temple, one toward the south and one toward the north. He named the one on the south Jakin, and the one on the north Boaz. 22 The capitals on the pillars were shaped like water lilies. And so the work on the pillars was finished.
23 Then Huram cast a great round basin, 15 feet across from rim to rim, called the Sea. It was 7 1⁄2 feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference. 24 It was encircled just below its rim by two rows of decorative gourds. There were about six gourds per foot all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin.
25 The Sea was placed on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east, and the Sea rested on them. 26 The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water lily blossom. It could hold about 11,000 gallons of water.

Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 7:13-26 NLT
Furnishings for the Temple

13 King Solomon then asked for a man named Huram to come from Tyre. 

More detail about this request:

2 Chronicles 2 NLT
Preparations for Building the Temple
2:1 Solomon decided to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord, and also a royal palace for himself. … 3 Solomon also sent this message to King Hiram at Tyre: …
4 I am about to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God. …
7 “So send me a master craftsman who can work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as with purple, scarlet, and blue cloth. He must be a skilled engraver who can work with the craftsmen of Judah and Jerusalem who were selected by my father, David. …
11 King Hiram sent this letter of reply to Solomon:
…
13 “I am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented. 

Some translations spell his name Hiram. This is not the King Hiram mentioned in chapter 5 or in 2 Chronicles.

  • King Solomon asked for a man named Huram to come from Tyre. 

14 He (Huram) was half Israelite, since his mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father had been a craftsman in bronze from Tyre (a Phoenician).

Comments from two different commentaries:

Apparently his mother was born in the city of Dan in Northern Israel close to the tribe of Naphtali, from which came her first husband.  After he died, she married a man from Tyre. (NIV Study Bible)

Or

According to 2 Chronicles 2:14 (next page) Huram’s mother was from Dan. Perhaps Dan was the tribe into which she was born and Naphtali was her residence, or vice versa. (BKC)

Or

We may never know why 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles appear to differ.

  • Unlike the hostility toward mixed heritage seen later in Biblical history, it appeared that Huram faced no social stigma. 

Huram was extremely skillful and talented in any work in bronze, and he came to do all the metal work for King Solomon.

Same verse in different treanslations:

1 Kings 7:14 ESV
14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.

1 Kings 7:14 NIV
14 whose mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali and whose father was from Tyre and a skilled craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him.

2 Chronicles 2:13-14 NLT (re building the Temple)

13 “I (King Hiram) am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented. 14 His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father.

Hiram was described as being:

“full of wisdom”

“understanding”

“skill”

These three words are significant. His ability was not simply technical knowledge. He possessed the wisdom and understanding necessary to use his craftsmanship effectively.

  • Huram was extremely skillful and talented in any work in bronze
  • God gives people different abilities that can be used in His service.

Other skilled craftsman mentioned in the Bible:

Exodus 31 NLT
Craftsmen: Bezalel and Oholiab
31:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!
6 “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make: 

Exodus 36:1 NLT
36:1 “The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.” 

Exodus 28:3:NLT
3 Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service.

Proverbs 22:29 NLT
29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.

  • By describing a half-Gentile man (Huram) with the same terms used for a Spirit-filled Israelite hero (Bezalel), the text elevates Huram to a position of immense spiritual and cultural respect. 
  • The Lord gifted skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary.

Reflect on the following:

Philippians 4:19 NLT
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 

15 Huram cast two bronze pillars, each 27 feet tall and 18 feet in circumference. 

These two bronze pillars were massive. 

16 For the tops of the pillars he cast bronze capitals, each 7 1⁄2 feet tall. 

  • In Biblical terms, a capital is the ornate, uppermost head or crown placed on top of a pillar or column.

The original Hebrew text uses the word kothereth (meaning capital or crown) or rosh (meaning head).

A pillar was considered unfinished until its capital was placed on top. 

  • Capitals and pillars in the Bible are rich in symbolism, representing divine strength, beauty, and the enduring presence of God among His people. 

17 Each capital was decorated with seven sets of latticework and interwoven chains. 18 He also encircled the latticework with two rows of pomegranates to decorate the capitals over the pillars. 

Verses about pomegranates:

Numbers 13:23 NLT
23 When they came to the valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes so large that it took two of them to carry it on a pole between them! They also brought back samples of the pomegranates and figs.

Deuteronomy 8:8 NLT
8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey.

Exodus 28:33-34 NLT
Aaron’s Priestly Garment
33 Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all around the hem.

Pomegranates are often interpreted as symbols of abundance.

19 The capitals on the columns inside the entry room were shaped like water lilies, and they were six feet tall.

These appear to be different from the capitals on the pillars.

 20 The capitals on the two pillars had 200 pomegranates in two rows around them, beside the rounded surface next to the latticework. 

  • These designs featuring pomegranates and lilies, are often interpreted as symbols of abundance and beauty. 

21 Huram set the pillars at the entrance of the Temple, one toward the south and one toward the north. He named the one on the south Jakin, and the one on the north Boaz. 

  • These two massive pillars made of bronze, named Jakin and Boaz, were positioned at the entrance to the temple.

They may have been free standing, though some temples from the ancient world had pillars supporting the roof of the porch.

These were probably free standing since the narrator describes them here with the temple furnishing rather than in the earlier discussion in chapter 6 of the Temple structure.

In Solomon’s Temple, pillars were not only functional but also highly decorative. The two bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz stood at the entrance of the Temple, symbolizing God’s establishment and strength. (MacArthur has these pillars pictured freestanding outside of the temple.)

Jakin: The name means “he established” or “He establishes” or “He shall establish”

The work of God is established by God.

Boaz: The name means “in Him is strength” or “In it is strength”

The strength necessary to accomplish God’s work ultimately comes from God.

God’s security and strength is available to the nation living in obedience to Him.

  • The height and beauty of the capitals drew people’s eyes upward toward the glory of God in the sanctuary.

22 The capitals on the pillars were shaped like water lilies. And so the work on the pillars was finished. 

23 Then Huram cast a great round basin,

Remember:

The bronze washbasin in the tabernacle.

Plans for the Washbasin in the Tabernacle

Exodus 30:17-21 NLT
17 Then the Lord said to Moses, 18 “Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water. 19 Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there. 20 They must wash with water whenever they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the Lord and when they approach the altar to burn up their special gifts to the Lord—or they will die! 21 They must always wash their hands and feet, or they will die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be observed from generation to generation.” 

15 feet across from rim to rim, called the Sea. It was 7 1⁄2 feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference. 24 It was encircled just below its rim by two rows of decorative gourds. There were about six gourds per foot all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin.

This was a massive basin.

  • Huram made an enormous water reservoir for the ceremonial washing and purification of the priests before they performed their sacred duties in Solomon’s Temple.

Depending on the unit of measure (feet or cubit) it took between 500 -600 gourds to decorate the basin.

The Sea cast of metal was a large round metal basin designed to hold 11,000 gallons of water.

Used for ritual cleansing.

2 Chronicles 4:6 NLT
… the priests washed themselves in the Sea.

A reservoir for the temple courtyard. (BKC)

The priests needed water for ceremonial washing associated with their service.

The Sea therefore had a practical purpose: providing a large quantity of water for purification associated with temple worship. 

25 The Sea was placed on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward.

  • The number 12 is significant in scripture.

The number twelve in scripture frequently represents the twelve tribes:

The priests served God on behalf of all twelve tribes of Israel.

The number 12 appears in:

Exodus 24:4 NLT
4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Joshua 4:1-9
Two piles of 12 stones as memorials to the crossing of the Jordan by the 12 tribes.

12 also appears in:

Revelation 21:10-14 NLT
10 So he took me (John) in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

  • The oxen also represented strength and stability. The enormous basin rested upon them. 

Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east, and the Sea rested on them.  

26 The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water lily blossom. It could hold about 11,000 gallons of water. 

Summary:

  • God equips people, from any heritage, with wisdom, understanding, and skill, and He can use those gifts to accomplish His purposes.
  • Hiram’s work reminds us that faithfulness to God includes doing ordinary work with extraordinary care because we are ultimately serving Him.

More Temple furnishings in our next lesson

Solomon Builds His Palace

Solomon Builds His Palace

Review:

1st and 2nd Samuel

The story of Israel’s transition from the time of the judges to the rise of the Monarchy.

The story of:

Samuel

Israel demanding a king

Saul’s rise and fall

Ish-bosheth was King Saul’s fourth son who briefly reigned as king over Israel for two years following his father’s death.

David’s reign – his success, sins, family tragedies, and God’s covenant with him.

Civil wars and conflicts in Israel.

1st Kings

Solomon’s prosperity and wisdom.

Solomon builds the temple.

Introduction:

1 Kings 7:1–12 describes the construction of Solomon’s royal palace complex after the Temple was completed. The passage is important because it contrasts the house of God with the house of the king. 

  • 1 Kings 7:1–12 describes the construction of Solomon’s royal palace complex after the Temple was completed.

1 Kings 7:1-12 NLT
Solomon Builds His Palace
7:1 Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years to complete the construction.
2 One of Solomon’s buildings was called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. It was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. There were four rows of cedar pillars, and great cedar beams rested on the pillars. 3 The hall had a cedar roof. Above the beams on the pillars were forty-five side rooms  arranged in three tiers of fifteen each. 4 On each end of the long hall were three rows of windows facing each other. 5 All the doorways and doorposts had rectangular frames and were arranged in sets of three, facing each other.
6 Solomon also built the Hall of Pillars, which was 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. There was a porch in front, along with a canopy supported by pillars.
7 Solomon also built the throne room, known as the Hall of Justice, where he sat to hear legal matters. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling. 8 Solomon’s living quarters surrounded a courtyard behind this hall, and they were constructed the same way. He also built similar living quarters for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had married.
9 From foundation to eaves, all these buildings were built from huge blocks of high-quality stone, cut with saws and trimmed to exact measure on all sides. 10 Some of the huge foundation stones were 15 feet long, and some were 12 feet long. 11 The blocks of high-quality stone used in the walls were also cut to measure, and cedar beams were also used. 12 The walls of the great courtyard were built so that there was one layer of cedar beams between every three layers of finished stone, just like the walls of the inner courtyard of the Lord’s Temple with its entry room.

 Examine the Scriptures

1 Kings 7:1-12 NLT
Solomon Builds His Palace

Apply 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to this passage.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

  • All scripture has value.

How much do you know about Solomon’s palace and the building of Solomon’s palace?

What comes to your mind when something in scripture is repeated?
What comes to your mind when something in scripture is not repeated?

Scriptures related to the building of Solomon’s palace.

Building Solomon’s palace:

1Kings 7:1-12
Only 12 verses
A much greater focus is placed on the building of the temple.

Other passages briefly mentioning the palace.

2 Chronicles 8:1 NLT
Solomon’s Many Achievements
It took Solomon twenty years to build the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace. … 

1 Kings 9:10 NLT
10 It took Solomon twenty years to build the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace. …

There are other passages in the Bible that talk about Solomon’s wealth.

  • There are very few passages in the Bible related to the building of Solomon’s palace.

 

7:1 Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years to complete the construction.

The temple took 7 years to build.  Solomon’s palace took 13 years to build.

Reflect on the following passages of scripture:

Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

2 Kings 25:8-10 NLT
8 On August 14 of that year, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard and an official of the Babylonian king, arrived in Jerusalem. 9 He burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in the city. 10 Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side. 

Solomon likely lived in his completed palace for about 16 years before his death.

Approximately 350 years later it was completely destroyed.

  • “None of the remains of Solomon’s palace have been found by archeologists.”  (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)
  • The palace complex was considerably larger than that of the temple and appears to have included several buildings:

the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon
the Hall of Pillars
the throne room, known as the Hall of Justice
Solomon’s living quarters
a courtyard
living quarters for Pharaoh’s daughter

Many of the details of this construction project are missing. 

2 One of Solomon’s buildings 

Solomon’s “palace” was a complex of structures.

The complex contained “Several separate but interconnected buildings.”  (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

was called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.

Verses 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12 mention cedar.

  • One of Solomon’s buildings was made of so much cedar it was called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. 

It was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. 

One of several buildings in the palace complex.  150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. 

The temple was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high.

This was an enormous structure.

More than four times the square feet of the temple floor, for just this building. (11,250 vs. 2,700 square feet) 

There were four rows of cedar pillars, and great cedar beams rested on the pillars. 3 The hall had a cedar roof. 

The repeated mention of cedar emphasizes Solomon’s enormous resources. Cedar was expensive and had to be imported from Lebanon. 

Above the beams on the pillars were forty-five side rooms arranged in three tiers of fifteen each. (Three floors?) 4 On each end of the long hall were three rows of windows facing each other. 5 All the doorways and doorposts had rectangular frames and were arranged in sets of three, facing each other.

The building included storage area for weaponry.

1 Kings 10:16-17 NLT
16 King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold, each weighing more than fifteen pounds. 17 He also made 300 smaller shields of hammered gold, each weighing nearly four pounds. The king placed these shields in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. 

Isaiah 22:8 NIV
8 The Lord stripped away the defenses of Judah,
and you looked in that day
to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest.

Some believe this structure included both an armory and a treasury. (This makes sense.)  

6 Solomon also built the Hall of Pillars, which was 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. There was a porch in front, along with a canopy supported by pillars. 

3375 square feet.

The temple was 2700 square feet.

This may have been an entry hall or waiting area for the Hall of judgment. (MacArthur)

 

In the ancient world, architecture often communicated power:

Large buildings → wealth → authority → prestige.

Solomon possessed all of these in abundance. 

7 Solomon also built the throne room, known as the Hall of Justice, where he sat to hear legal matters. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling. 

This is where Solomon sat to hear legal matters.

1 Kings 3:9 NLT
9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 

 8 Solomon’s living quarters surrounded a courtyard behind this hall, and they were constructed the same way. 

Solomon had access to tremendous resources and highly skilled craftsmen.

Everything he had built was constructed with the same high level of craftsmanship reflecting his wealth and royal status. 

He also built similar living quarters for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had married.

Refer to 2 Chronicles 8:11

2 Chronicles 8:11 NLT
11 Solomon moved his wife, Pharaoh’s daughter, from the City of David to the new palace he had built for her. He said, “My wife must not live in King David’s palace, for the Ark of the Lord has been there, and it is holy ground.” 

9 From foundation to eaves, all these buildings were built from huge blocks of high-quality stone, cut with saws and trimmed to exact measure on all sides. 

Palestinian limestone can be cut with a saw when freshly quarried, but hardens when exposed to the elements.

10 Some of the huge foundation stones were 15 feet long, and some were 12 feet long. 11 The blocks of high-quality stone used in the walls were also cut to measure, and cedar beams were also used. 12 The walls of the great courtyard were built so that there was one layer of cedar beams between every three layers of finished stone, just like the walls of the inner courtyard of the Lord’s Temple with its entry room.

From our lesson on the construction of the temple.

* “Israeli archeologists have excavated stone structures and fortification walls in which horizontal courses of wood beams were laid intermittently between courses of stones. These would allow the buildings to absorb earthquake shocks without collapsing. (Many parts of Israel are in active earthquake zones.).”

The courtyard:

The great palace courtyard was protected by a wall similar in design to that built around the inner courtyard of the temple. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

  • There is nothing inherently wrong with Solomon’s beautiful buildings but as the story progresses, Solomon’s heart increasingly becomes divided.

There is an important contrast in 1 Kings:

The Temple represents worship and God’s presence.
The palace represents Solomon’s authority, wealth, and personal kingdom.

Remember:

Solomon likely lived in his completed palace for about 16 years before his death.

Approximately 350 years later it was completely destroyed.

“None of the remains of Solomon’s palace have been found by archeologists.”  (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Think about:

Matthew 6:19-21 NLT
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 

Matthew 6:24 NLT
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

 

 

Paul’s Instructions Concerning Public Worship

Paul’s Instructions Concerning Public Worship

Introduction:

Paul is instructing Timothy concerning public worship and the conduct of believing men and women when they gather for worship.

Some of Paul’s teachings reflect the social environment of the first century.  We need to use discernment to determine when that is happening.

Be assured that, even though the specific cultural behaviors of the time differ from ours, the Biblical principle Paul is teaching transcends culture.  The principle that Paul is teaching applies to us here today.

How do we apply those principles to our lives?

1 Timothy 2:8 NLT
8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

Examine the Scriptures:

Paul’s Instructions Concerning Public Worship

  • Paul is now giving instructions about how to pray.

Public prayer had evidently deteriorated among the Ephesians due to false teachers’ influence.

Review from a previous lesson:

Most likely, 1 Timothy was written around A.D. 62–66 (after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment).

The Ephesian church was well established by this time.

False teachers had come into the church in Ephesus.

1 Timothy 6:2-5 NLT
 2…Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

False teachers were a reality in the early Christian church (and still are today).

Acts 20:29-30 NLT
29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

False teachers are always a possibility in the Christian church.

After Paul established the church in Ephesus, Paul’s younger coworker stayed there to strengthen the church against false teaching.  It’s not clear what this false teaching was.

Paul instructed Timothy to confront false teachers and promote sound doctrine.

1 Timothy 2:8 NLT
8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God,

Paul moves from his teaching about prayer for all people in verses 1–7 to the manner in which believers should pray when the church gathers.

This resumes the call to prayer beginning at verse 1.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT
Instructions about Worship
2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

Paul specifically addresses the men here in the context of public prayer and church worship.

This does not mean that women are forbidden from praying.

In 1 Corinthians 11:5, Paul discusses women praying and prophesying.

1 Corinthians 11:5 NLT
5 But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head.

Also:

Acts 1:14 NLT
14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

Acts 12:12 NLT
12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.

  • Lifting one’s hands is a biblical posture of prayer and worship.

Lifted hands:

An expression of praise and worship

An attitude of reverence before God.

Dependence upon God

Surrender to God

A plea for God’s help

Reverence before God

Longing for God’s presence

Holy hands lifted up was an ancient posture of praise and supplication.

Exodus 9:29 NLT
29 “All right,” Moses replied. “As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my hands and pray to the Lord.  …

1 Kings 8:22 NLT
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven,

Psalm 28:2 NLT (David)
2 Listen to my prayer for mercy
as I cry out to you for help,
as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. 

Psalm 63:4 NLT (David)
4 I will praise you as long as I live,  lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 

Psalm 134:2 NLT (A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.)
2 Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the Lord. 

Luke 24:50 NLT
The Ascension
50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 

Note:

Prayer offered with lifted hands was also common in the pagan religions of the first century. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

There are many other biblical examples of positions for prayer:

Nehemiah 8:6 NLT
6 Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Luke 22:41 NLT (referring to Jesus on the Mount of Olives)
41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,

Exodus 4:31 NLT
31 Then the people of Israel were convinced that the Lord had sent Moses and Aaron. When they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

Matthew 26:39 NLT (Jesus Prays in Gethsemane)
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

2 Samuel 7:18 NLT (David’s Prayer of Thanks)
18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,
“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

John 17:1 NLT (The Prayer of Jesus)
17:1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.

  • The Bible gives us many examples of postures for prayer. These examples include standing, kneeling, sitting, bowing, lying face down, looking up, or praying with hands raised.

Notice.

1 Timothy 2:8 NLT says
8 … pray with holy hands …, free from anger and controversy.

“Holy hands”

Who has holy hands?

James 5:16 NLT
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James is speaking in the context of praying for one another. The emphasis is on living rightly before God and then praying for others.

The idea is similar to Psalm 24:3–4:

Psalm 24:3-4 NLT
3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
who do not worship idols
and never tell lies. 

1 John 3:21-22 NLT
21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

Paul’s point is that prayer should come from people who are seeking to live in holiness before God.  (Living a life that is pleasing to God.)

Reflect on:

Isaiah 1:15-16 NLT
15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.
Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.
16 Wash yourselves and be clean!
Get your sins out of my sight.
Give up your evil ways.

  • We should not knowingly hold onto sin while approaching God in prayer.

Psalm 66:18 NLT
18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened. 

  • Before interceding for others, examine your own heart, confess known sin, seek reconciliation where necessary, and come before God humbly.

free from anger and controversy.

  • A person cannot sincerely pray to God while deliberately holding onto anger and hostility toward others.

James 1:20 NLT
20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.’

A person may appear very spiritual while praying publicly, yet harbor anger, resentment, bitterness, or hostility toward another person.

Paul says that harboring anger, resentment, bitterness, or hostility toward another person is inconsistent with the character of Christian prayer.

Jesus taught something similar in Matthew 5:23–24: if a person remembers that another has something against him, he should first seek reconciliation with his brother.

Matthew 5:22-24 NLT
22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 

1 Peter 3:7 NLT
7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. 

  • Broken human relationships affect one’s ability to pray.

Matthew 6:12 NLT
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

An important biblical principle:

What matters most is approaching God with faith, humility, sincerity, and reverence.

Psalm 19:14 NLT
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

  • God’s people should pray with a heart that is free from anger and controversy. 

There is a direct connection between our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with other people.

  

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Share the Message

Introduction:

Proverbs 14:12 NLT
12 There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.

Proverbs 21:2 NLT
2 People may be right in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their heart.

Isaiah 5:21 NLT
21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes
and think themselves so clever.

Proverbs 3:7 NLT
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Judges 21:25 NLT
25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

What is scripture telling us?

  • A person can be sincere and convinced that he is right while being completely wrong according to God’s Word.

Test taking as an example: We think we are putting down the correct answers.

Introduction part two:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 

Psalm 19:7-8 NLT
7The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 

John 17:17 NLT
Jesus praying for the disciples
17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT
10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it. 

What did you hear? 

Scripture provides an objective standard by which we can know what is actually right in God’s eyes.

  • God’s Word is truth.
  • God gave us scripture to transform us.

Introduction part three:

Proverbs 27:17 NLT
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend. 

“Iron sharpens iron” 

Equals working together.

A piece of iron does not become sharp simply by sitting beside another piece of iron. There must be contact and friction. The process may be uncomfortable, but it produces a useful result.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Likewise, good friends help us become better people. They may challenge our thinking, correct us when we are wrong, encourage us when we are discouraged, and point us back toward God.

A true friend cares enough to tell us what we need to hear, not merely what we want to hear.

Proverbs 25:11-12 NLT
11 Timely advice is lovely,
like golden apples in a silver basket.
12 To one who listens, valid criticism
is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. 

  • Timely advice and valid criticism are both precious. (Precious/valuable)

Introduction part four:

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

What did you hear?

  • We were created to do good works.

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1 Timothy 2:5-7 NLT
Share the Message
5 For,
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.  6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.
This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

Examine the Scriptures:

1 Timothy 2:5-7 NLT
Share the Message

5 For,
There is one God

There is only one God.

Romans 3:29-30 NLT
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 

1 Corinthians 8:6 NLT
6 But for us,
There is one God, the Father,
by whom all things were created,
and for whom we live.
And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom all things were created,
and through whom we live. 

Isaiah 43:10 NLT
10 “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be. 

Humanity is separated from God by sin, and we cannot bridge that separation through our own efforts. 

  • There is only one God. 

and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

A mediator is one who stands between two parties to bring reconciliation.

Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Cornerstone

John 14:6 NLT
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 

Luke 19:10 NLT
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” 

Acts 4:11-12 NLT
11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 

  • There is only one mediator. 

 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. 

Galatians 1:4 NLT
4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 

Matthew 20:28 NLT
28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

John 3:16-18 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.  

  • No one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ. 

7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth. 

Consider the following:

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Psalm 139:13-16 NLT (A Psalm of David)
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. 

Proverbs 16:9 NLT
9 We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps. 

Proverbs 19:21 NLT
21 You can make many plans,
but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. 

Romans 12:2 NLT
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

James 1:5 NLT
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

 

How would you complete the following:

  • I have been chosen  ______________________________________________________________________.

 

Share the message:

One God → One Mediator → One sufficient sacrifice → A message for all people.