1 Timothy by Gary DeLashmutt (2017)

It is important to communicate effectively and clearly the main message of the Bible. There are two key elements: 1) Faith is the path to God, and 2) love for God, other believers, and for people who do not know God.

It is easy to develop a consumer mentality when it comes to church. The Bible prescribes a different way. Instead of taking, we can be part of contributing to a church community. This includes properly understanding the role of God's law and also to appreciate God's grace.

In Paul's letters to Timothy, God reveals the keys to fulfilling His purposes in your life; following God with your whole life is like a race or a fight. It won't be easy and you have to continue to remember it can only be done with God as your trainer. There are four keys laid out in these letters: 1) heed the gifting and calling that God gave you; 2) keep a good conscience; 3) cultivate an eternal perspective; and 4) learn endurance from the trials in your life.

Corporate prayer is one of the most important things believers can do to help contribute to the health of the church. Not only did Jesus emphasize praying together but it is the force behind the growth of the church. The church should pray for one another, but they should also pray for people who have not yet come into a relationship with Christ. In Paul's letter to Timothy, he lays out how the church can practically pray together.

\r\nFormer leaders of the Ephesian church had fallen into gnostic false teaching. They were actively seeking to deceive some of the women in the church and take advantage of their weaknesses. Paul writes Timothy to temporarily not allow women to teach, so that false teaching would not be spread and the women could be equipped not to fall into false teaching. This is an exceptional situation that must be interpreted based on the historical context in which the letter was written. False teaching and unedifying behavior is to be forbidden in the church.

Have you ever desired to be a potent spiritual influence in the lives of others? This teaching covers important aspects of how to be a spiritual influence for others!

How can we have healthy churches? This passage covers two important priorities that are part of a healthy church ethos.

The Bible discusses the temptation that money presents to the spiritual health of a church and believer. What is a healthy church's perspective on money? This teaching covers what the Bible says to both people who don't have a great deal of money and also those who have abundant resources.