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. 

 

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)

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. 1. 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. 1. 2. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

  

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.

Share the Message

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.

 

 

Pray For All People

Introduction:

Consider the following quote:

“The ministry of prayer is the most important service that the Church of Christ can engage in.” (Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes)

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT
Pray For All People
^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.

Examine the Scriptures:

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT
Pray For All People

^2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.

“First of all” signals that a number of instructions follow. The fact that Paul mentioned prayer first indicates its priority in importance.

Prayer is an activity Paul regarded as of primary importance in the total ministry of the church.

Prayer is foundational to the life of the church.

• The ministry of prayer is the most important service that the Church of Christ can engage in.

Christians should pray all types of prayers for all people.

Even those we may disagree with.

“for all people” emphasizes no exclusion—prayer is not limited to believers or friends.

• Pray for all people. 

Read from the NIV:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. (NIV)

Paul calls for all sorts of prayers for all sorts of people.

Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf,

Just as Christ intercedes for us.

Romans 8:34 NLT
³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading (interceding is used in the NIV and ESV) for us.

There are many various needs within any body of believers.

Many times individuals do not even know they have these needs.

Pray on behalf of others.

Remember:

Psalm 121:1-2 NLT
¹ I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
² My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth! 

• Our help comes from the Lord. 

and give thanks for them. 

Thanks giving should be an important part of our prayers.

Philippians 4:6  NLT
⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Colossians 4:2 NLT
² Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

• Thanksgiving should be an important part of our prayers. 

² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority

The Ephesians church was to pray for everyone, but especially for the leaders of civil government.

According to the Scriptures, how should we feel about governing authorities?

Romans 13:1-7 NLT
Respect for Authority
^13:1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ² So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. ³ For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. ⁴ The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. ⁵ So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
⁶ Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. ⁷ Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

1 Peter 2:13-17 NLT
Respecting People in Authority
¹³ For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, ¹⁴ or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
¹⁵ It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. ¹⁶ For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. ¹⁷ Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king. 

• Scripture tells us to “give respect and honor to those who are in authority”.

*The Ephesians were even to pray for the salvation of the Roman emperor, Nero, who was in power at the time Paul wrote these words. Nero was a cruel and violent blasphemer and persecutor of the faith.

Suggestions:

Pray that our leaders come to faith in Christ. Pray that their decisions honor God and allow for the free spread of the gospel. Pray that God would reach into the souls of our local, state, national, and world leaders who don’t know Him. That He would save them, and incline their wills toward His.

Pray that government does not interfere with the activities of the church.

• The Ephesians church was to pray for everyone, but especially for the leaders of civil government. (This certainly applies to us also.) 

so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives

Ideally:

The absence of external disturbances.

Allow society to experience peace and order.

Not a life of civil disobedience.

Not a life that agitates or disrupts the national life.

Allow for a society that ensures that the best possible conditions for spreading the gospel exist.

Experience religious freedom.

Freedom to worship and share the Gospel.

• A stable society allows believers to live out and share their faith more freely.

James 4:2 NLT
… Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 

So that we can live lives 

marked by godliness and dignity. 

• Believers are called to live lives marked by godliness and dignity’

godly and dignified in every way.(ESV)

in all godliness and holiness. (NIV)

in all godliness and honesty. (KJV)

in all godliness and dignity. (NASB)

Living in a way that reflects well on the Gospel

Our purpose is to bring the message of reconciliation to all people and to glorify God in all of our relationships. 

³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, 

• What pleases God is  but intercession for others.

1 John 5:14 NLT
¹⁴ And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

• The Gospel is for all races and economic classes.

Share Christ with all people regardless of differences.

• We don’t know who God has chosen.

We are never told to figure out who is chosen—we are told to repent, believe, and proclaim the gospel to all.

The reality is that not everyone will be saved.

Matthew 25:41 NLT
⁴¹ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.

Ultimately, God’s choices are determined by His sovereign, eternal purpose.

 

 

Timothy’s Responsibility

Introduction

Returning from his brief personal digression (vv.12-17), Paul resumes his charge to Timothy that began in verse 3.

1 Timothy 1:18-20 NLT
Timothy’s Responsibility
¹⁸ Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. ¹⁹ Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. ²⁰ Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.

Examine the Scriptures:

1 Timothy 1:18-20 NLT
Timothy’s Responsibility

Paul restates his charge.

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, 

Again, “my son” is used here as a term of spiritual affection. 

here are my instructions for you, 

Paul continues to instruct Timothy. 

based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. 

• Prior to this time, affirmations or prophetic words confirmed Timothy’s calling.

When and by whom these prophecies were made can only be guessed.

We do know that prophetic words were spoken over Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:14 NLT
¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.

2 Timothy 1:6 NLT
⁶ This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

• Clearly, Timothy was called to ministry. 

May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.  (the prophetic words spoken about you earlier)

Timothy needs to deal with false teachers.

We are all in a spiritual warfare:

Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT
¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT
³ We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. ⁴ We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. ⁵ We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

1 Timothy 6:12 NLT (Paul’s words to Timothy)
¹² Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

James 4:7 NLT
⁷ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• We are in a spiritual warfare.

• Faithfulness requires effort, vigilance, and courage.

(repeat) fight well in the Lord’s battles. 

Later Paul says to Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:12 NLT
¹² Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. 

• Fight well in the Lord’s battles.

Now do your job Timothy:

• Do what you know you should be doing.

A reminder to us.

James 4:17 NLT
¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Luke 12:47 NLT<BR<>⁴⁷ “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.

John 13:17 NLT
¹⁷ Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

James 1:22 NLT
²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Knowing what is right is not enough.

God expects action, not just understanding.

Failure to act on known truth is spiritually serious.

• Ministry and faithful living require intentional effort and perseverance.

(repeat)  Fight well 

Be an effective warrior: 

¹⁹ Cling to your faith in Christ, 

• Cling to your faith in Christ.

Cling to sound doctrine.

and keep your conscience clear. 

• Keep your conscience clear.

*There a difference between being guided by the Holy Spirit and being guided by our conscience.

• Our conscience is an inner sense of right and wrong. It’s part of how God made us.

• Our conscience is human, and it can be wrong.

• The Holy Spirit is God Himself actively leading believers.

Believers are guided by the Holy Spirit and guided by their conscience.

Here Paul is talking about conscience,

Key verses about conscience

Romans 2:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. ¹⁵ They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

Our conscience can accuse or excuse our actions.

Acts 24:16 NLT (Paul speaking)
¹⁶ Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

But There’s a Big Caution

The Bible also teaches that our conscience is not perfect:

1 Timothy 4:2 NLT
² These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 

Our conscience can become “seared” (numb or distorted).

Our conscience is human, and it can be wrong.

Hebrews 9:14 NLT
¹⁴ Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Our conscience needs to be trained by Scripture. 

• Hold tightly to truth and integrity.

For some people have deliberately violated their consciences;

• Some people have deliberately violated their consciences

The false teachers are rejecting their consciences.

as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 

Violating our consciences can have serious consequences.

Not necessarily loss of salvation, but serious spiritual ruin. 

²⁰ Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples.

2 Timothy 2:17-18 NLT
¹⁷ This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. ¹⁸ They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. 

I threw them out and handed them over to Satan

Specific action.

Timothy, follow my example and throw out (excommunicate) the false teachers.

Excommunication

Thrown out of the sanctuary of the church.  Away from the fellowship and care of the church.  The church can be a place of refuge or safety.

1 Corinthians 5:5 NLT
⁵ Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.

so they might learn not to blaspheme God.

Punishment for the sake of restoration.

Recognize the need to repent.

Change their behavior.

• Paul’s goal for Hymenaeus and Alexander was repentance, correction, and restoration.

 

Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy

Introduction

Up to this point in the chapter, Paul had been directing his comments toward Timothy.

Here, Paul interrupts his charge to Timothy and shares some of his personal testimony.

Paul reflects on God’s mercy in his own life.

Paul was living proof that God could save any sinner, no matter how great a sinner he might be.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 NLT
Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy
¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, ¹³ even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. ¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Examine the Scriptures:

1 Timothy 1:12-17 NLT
Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy 

Up to this point in the chapter, Paul had been directing his comments toward Timothy.

Here Paul shares some of his personal testimony. 

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work.

• Paul begins his personal testimony by expressing his gratitude for God’s mercy.

A good reminder:

Psalm 121:1-2 NLT
¹ I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
² My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

Psalm 46:1 NLT
¹ God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble. 

Philippians 4:13 NLT
¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

• Paul understands that the strength he has to do the Lord’s work comes from Christ, not himself. 

He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 

• God chose and enabled Paul to serve Him.

Ministry is a calling.  (Teaching is a calling.)

Believers are chosen by God.

2 Timothy 1:9 NLT
⁹ For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT
⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 

¹³ even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ.

Acts 9:1 NLT
^9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.

Acts 22:4-5 NLT
⁴ And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding (persistently pursuing) some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. ⁵ The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.

Acts 26:10-11 NLT
¹⁰ Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. ¹¹ Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus.   I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

 In my insolence, I persecuted his people.

Paul opposed Christ.

Paul attacked the church.

Paul helped to imprison believers.

This is active rebellion against God.

• Paul had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man (or violent aggressor). 

But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 

Part of Paul’s background:

Philippians 3:4-7 NLT
⁴ though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
⁵ I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. ⁶ I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
⁷ I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

• Paul was trying to protect his religion and earn his salvation.

Acts 26:9 NLT
⁹ “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene.

Paul did not understand the truth of Christ’s gospel.

Paul was spiritually blind.

• God had mercy on Paul. 

¹⁴ Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was!

• God grants salvation apart from any merit on the part of those He saves.

He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

• God filled Paul with faith and love.

Paul’s life was transformed.

A powerful verse:

Romans 7:6 NLT
⁶ But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

• Until Paul was turned by the Holy Spirit from self-righteous works to faith alone in Christ, he could not be used by God. 

¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying,

Paul also uses this phrase in 1 Timothy 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:9, 2 Timothy 2:11 and Titus 3:8.

Sometimes we say “The bottom line”.

A clear summary of the Gospel. 

and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

Repeated throughout scripture:

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

• Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 

—and I am the worst of them all. 

Previously in this passage.

¹³ even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:9 NLT
⁹ For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.

¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners.

1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT
¹⁰ But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

• Paul was living proof that God could save any sinner, no matter how great a sinner he might be.

Paul’s testimony is repeated six other times in the New Testament.

Acts 9, 22, 26; Galatians 1,2; Philippians 3:1-14

The account of Paul’s conversion has been instrumental in the salvation of many people.

Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.  

If God can save Paul, He can save anyone. 

¹⁷ All honor and glory to God forever and ever!

God receives all the praise for saving Paul.

He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

 

Warnings against False Teachings

Introduction

This is the beginning of a study of 1 Timothy.
Paul instructs Timothy to confront false teachers and protect sound doctrine.

1 Timothy 1:1-11 NLT
Greetings from Paul
^1:1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.
² I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Warnings against False Teachings
³ When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. ⁴ Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
⁵ The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. ⁶ But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. ⁷ They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
⁸ We know that the law is good when used correctly. ⁹ For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. ¹⁰ The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching ¹¹ that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

Examine the Scriptures:

Warnings against False Teachings 

1 Timothy 1:1-11 NLT

Greetings from Paul 

^1:1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.

From Paul

Paul begins by asserting his authority. He is not self-appointed—his apostleship comes “by the command of God.” 

Paul’s message is grounded in God given authority. 

Paul is an apostle, commissioned by Christ

Paul is writing as an authorized messenger of Jesus Christ.

 

Paul reminds us that our hope is in the person of Jesus Christ.

• Paul begins by asserting his authority. He is not self-appointed—his apostleship comes “by the command of God.” 

² I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.

This letter is written to Timothy.

• 1 Timothy was a letter from Paul to Timothy (and to us). 

Clearly, Paul thought very highly of Timothy. 

Paul calls Timothy “my true son in the faith”.

Paul is known as Timothy’s spiritual father.

2 Timothy 1:2 NLT
² I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.

1 Corinthians 4:17 NLT
¹⁷ That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. 

Timothy is unique.

Philippians 2:20 NLT
²⁰ I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 

Timothy’s faith was genuine.

2 Timothy 1:5 NLT
⁵ I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 

• Paul thought very highly of Timothy. 

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Warnings against False Teachings
³ When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 

This incident is not recorded in the book of Acts.  Commentators believe it took place after Acts 28, between Paul’s first and second imprisonment.

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.

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. 

⁴ Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

• Don’t waste your time discussing fables, myths, and spiritual pedigrees.

Know that you are not saved by your genealogy.

It’s certainly o.k. to talk about genealogies or pedigrees.  It’s far more important to understand a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Avoid talking about hypothetical situations.

Avoid spending time with discussions empty of spiritual value that lead only to further speculation, questions, and arguments.

For us this means “stick to the teachings of the Bible”.

What does the Bible say?

• Sound teaching produces faith, spiritual growth, and transformed lives; false teaching produces confusion, distraction, and division in the church. 

⁵ The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 

Concentrate on sharing life changing Biblical principles.

• As teachers, you want your students (and yourself) to be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith.

Psalm 51:10 NLT
¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

⁶ But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 

• Don’t waste your time on meaningless discussions.

2 Timothy 2:16 NLT
¹⁶ Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.

Titus 3:9 NLT
⁹ Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.

Repeat: Avoid talking about hypothetical situations.

This distracts from teaching about faith.

⁷ They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.

It’s possible to sound authoritative and still be wrong. 

⁸ We know that the law is good when used correctly. 

• The law is good when used correctly.

Romans 7:7-12 NLT
God’s Law Reveals Our Sin
⁷ Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. … ¹² But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good. 

See Psalm 119

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

The law is good when used correctly—to expose sin and support the message of the gospel.

The false teacher have misused the law. 

⁹ For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders.  

¹⁰ The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 

The Law is designed to show people their sinfulness.  The Law is not for one who has already recognized his sin and turned to Christ. The Law is intended for those who remain unconvinced of their sin.

Believers do not need the law to restrain them.

• Believers need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 7:6 NLT
⁶ But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

Wholesome teaching is that which flows out of the Gospel.

¹¹ that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. 

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT
⁴ For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News.  The gospel that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

• Our focus needs to be on the gospel that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ.