Sunday’s main service is NOT held on Sunday due to rigorously held dogma so much, but it IS in respect to the holiness of the Sabbath day as declared by God BEFORE mankind fell. Quite literally the Sabboth was declared holy FROM THE BEGINNING. We know that Sabboth was most likely our modern day “Saturday”, but our Lord was risen on what we call Sunday, so it seems appropriate.
In addition to this, we worship on “Sunday” out of convenience because we believe Jesus’ words which teach us, “Man was not made for the Sabbath but the Sabbath for man.” As such, Sunday is the day MOST OFTEN recognized as the day to worship within Christian circles so that is when we have our main service of the week.
We use this day as the day we press forward as a community of believers into Biblical teachings which our leaders believe God is immediately guiding us into for our maturity and Spiritual growth. We do not have Sunday night services in part due to the fact that we do not want time constraints to dictate our worship.
As a community of grace we are interested in ministering to others, outside our immediate assembly and encourage others to participate in our lessons and grow with us.
This week we wrap up Paul’s second letter of encouragement and instruction to Timothy, his son in the faith.
As we examine Paul’s closing statements we are moved to take a fresh look at the Great Commission our Lord spoke to those first disciples, who in turn charged all future believers to obey as well.
Continue reading
From encouragements to stand strong, to strong warnings and even stronger commands – Paul instructs Timothy about the sobering nature of life in Christ.
The world is on a path leading to destruction and they will grow worse afflicting and infecting the church with their deceptions.
Paul reminds Timothy of the personal nature of the grass roots of his faith and that of the believers in Ephesus. He then commissions him to disciple them with the view of those too going out and making more disciples by the message they live and teach.
Continue reading
Paul knew of the difficulties in Ephesus because the church was structured so that the pastors (elders) and Timothy had hands on exposure to every believer.
Due to Paul & Timothy these believers became solid in doctrine.
Year later the Lord praised them for their doctrinal stability, but warned them of their lack of passion in His letters to the churches in Revelation.
This is always a danger – people either over emphasis scripture or overemphasize encounters wth God – when what makes for long term stability and growth is BOTH!
Continue reading
Knowing & Living Sound Doctrine
Series: Lessons from Paul to Timothy
Paul’s encouragement to Timothy was also to be Timothy’s instruction for the saints in Ephesus.
These are very practical truths but they are also foundational – meaning, without them the entire structure of our faith cannot stand!
According to Paul, our ability to present ourselves before God as approved and bear no shame directly springs out of embodying these truths. First among which inclides being established in, living out and able to share with others SOUND DOCTRINE!
Paul clearly states (as does Jesus Himself) that anything we do, think or converse about which is not in some way connected to sound doctrine – the living or spreading of it is empty talk for which we will be judged.
Blessings!
Continue reading
Paul gives Timothy a hymnic creed – a sort of foundational doctrinal statement in an easily recalled and recited format.
This was often done in the church in order to solidify and fortify believers in the truth and as a type of confession of belief.
The 4 points of the creed include:
– If you died with Christ you must raise to a new way of living with Him as well.
– If you endure or overcome to the end you will be saved and reign with Him.
– If you deny Him, He WILL deny you
– If you are unfaithful to Him, He remain’s faithful to His Own character. He cannot deny Who He is!
This is a sort of Christianity 101 short course which is affirmed and repeated throughout the New Testament which we spend some time exploring in this message.
Continue reading