1 Timothy (Program #8) – A Good Minister of Christ

The apostle Paul reached the highest peak in his letter to young Timothy when he wrote at the end of Chapter 3:16 ” And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.”

Surely godliness is a great mystery but in Christ this mystery become manifested. Following this marvelous revelation to Timothy, Paul goes on to warn him of the degradation that was about to befall the church. And then Paul gives Timothy a direct and personal exhortation with some very clear speaking that would equip Timothy to be a genuine minister of the New Testament Economy.

4:6 “If you lay these things before the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, being nourished with the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have closely followed.“

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Isaiah (Program #16) – Jehovah’s Word of Comfort to Israel

Isaiah chapter 40 marks the beginning of the second section of this divine prophecy.  Just as the New Testament begins with John the Baptist usher in the appearing of the glorious Christ, so does this incredible prophetic chapter.  Stay with us today as we see the experience of God’s full salvation in Christ unfolded from the pages of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah.

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1 Timothy (Program #7)- The Prediction of the Decline of the Church

In reading the Bible, sometimes it is the short, simple words that can provide the greatest insight into the richer meaning been conveyed. For example take the little word “but”.  In Chapter 4 of 1 Timothy, Paul begins with this three letter word, the clear implication been that what is about to be spoken is in start contrast to what’s been previously presented. And likely no way in scripture is the contrast between two adjoining verses any more start than these passage.  Listen as the apostle Paul turns from one of the highest revelation in the entire Bible to one of its’ darkest portions.

In Chapter 3:15-16 Paul says, “But if I delay, I write that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.  And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory. But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons.”

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Isaiah (Program #15) – An Example of Seeking after Jehovah and Trusting in Him

For the first 35 chapters of his book of poetry and prophecy, Isaiah focused on the nation of Israel and God’s dealing with them.  But then four entire chapters are devoted to the story of Hezekiah, King of Israel.  These chapters provide a striking portrait of a godly man, what most of us would love to emulate.  But if we look closely we will see signs in this man reveal a person occupied more with self than with God’s own interests.  Are we such a person?  Stay with us today and we may see much of our own life in the story of Hezekiah on today’s life study of the Bible.

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1 Timothy (Program #6)- The Function of the Church

After clearing away several important problems that were affecting the  churches under Paul’s ministry and then establishing the proper leadership the apostle comes to the crucial point and some of the highest speaking in all of scripture concerning the church, moving the reality of the church far away form the traditional and common thought that identifies the Church with a physical structure.

Listen to Paul’s word in 1 Timothy Chapter 3 : 14-16 “These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly.  But if I delay, I write that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.  And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.”  We’ve come to the critical and crucial point in our fellowship in the life study of 1 Timothy.

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Isaiah (Program #14) – Jehovah’s Destruction of the Nations to Bring in the Restoration for Israel

Isaiah is a book with many lovely passages revealing that Christ will come.  But it also is a book with chapter after chapter of God’s judgment in dealing with Israel’s fallen and low  condition.  To understand this book is to understand our own experience of Christ.  God’s dealing is what ushers in the wonderful experience of Christ.

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1 Timothy (Program #5) – Overseers and Deacons for the Church’s Administration

In Chapter 3 of the apostle Paul first epistle to Timothy, he comes to the crucial and the highest point in the whole letter. But before he does, he first gives Timothy the important requirements or prerequisites for proper leadership in the Church.  Listen, as Paul details these necessary attributes:

“Faithful is the word: If anyone aspires to the overseership, he desires a good work. The overseer then must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, of a sober mind, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach; Not an excessive drinker; not a striker, but gentle; not contentious; not fond of money; One who manages well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity (But if one does not know how to manage his own house, how will he care for the church of God?); Not a new convert, lest being blinded with pride he fall into the judgment suffered by the devil. And he also must have a good testimony from those outside, that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons must similarly be grave, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for base gain; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.“

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Isaiah (Program #13) – Jehovah’s Dealing with Israel’s Reliance on Egypt

God’s plan relies on man’s full cooperation and involvement, but a pattern that has been repeated throughout the history of God’s move with His people is that His people repeatedly turned away from Him and allow their hearts to be fully occupied with everything but Him.   This was the case in the Old Testament time of Isaiah, just as it is frequently described our own condition as believers and followers of Christ today.  What is God’s way to bring us back to Himself? Stay with us for a truly enlightening word on our life study of the Bible.

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1 Timothy (Program #4) – The Normal Life of the Brothers and Sisters in the Church

In his first letter to his young co-worker, Timothy, the apostle Paul after his first imprisonment encourages Timothy to war the good warfare for the faith against the situation of degradation that had set in among all the churches.

In his letter he firstly reconfirms the basic foundation of the truth, God’s economy and the teaching of the apostles. Then he points the Timothy and eventually all the brothers and sisters to prayer. The real solution for all the negative situations.  Next, he addresses the sisters and admonishes them in much detail on how they must bear the burden for the church to be healthy.

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Isaiah (Program #12) – Jehovah’s Punishment over Ephraims Drunkards

In the gospel of Matthew, the Lord Jesus quoted from Isaiah regarding the hypocritical worship that confronted Him in every turn.  He said “these people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts stay far away from Me.”  It seems the same can be spoken regarding today’s situation.  If we are honest we have to admit that it even describes our own situation from time to time.  How does God lead His people out of religious falseness into genuine experience and worship?

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