Stay Strong
Opening Prayer
Jesus, let me see the look of love in Your eyes as You look upon Your beloved. Win my heart completely.
Read 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5
[14] Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, [15] if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. [16] Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. [1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. [2] Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. [3] They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. [4] For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [5] because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What would onlookers think about God by seeing your life?In addition to explaining exactly why Paul is writing to Timothy, verse 15 tells us that God is alive and present in the church. They are people “of the living God.” In times of worship together, we should recognize God at work among us, and hopefully non-Christians will too. The difference between an ordinary, boring meeting and thrilling, life-transforming worship is the presence of “the living God” (2 Cor. 6:16). Let’s pause to praise him for being a living, active presence in our congregations.The church holds tight to the truth of the Gospel (“the pillar and foundation of the truth,” 15) and shares it with the wider world. Its focus is Jesus (“the mystery,” 16). See how much of the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, mission, and return of Jesus you can find in the “hymn” of verse 16. “But the false teachers don’t hold to the truth,” says Paul (4:1,2). They twist the good things God has created (Gen. 1:31), turning them into something bad (1 Tim. 4:3). Just like the serpent in the Garden of Eden (“Did God really say…?” Gen. 3:1).
Apply
Be diligent to ensure that Jesus is at the center. Whether you are teaching or being taught, Jesus is the only hope.
Closing prayer
God of hope, thank You that You have brought Your church together as a family.
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