fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on May 26, 2019 10:40:21 GMT -5
Oppsie
we are done with Acts
and I don't know which book you might like to study next.
Soooo I just chose 1 Timothy because its short, in case you have something else in mind.
I will start on it tomorrow...unless, I get here early and you have a different book you would like to study and I see it in time.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 27, 2019 13:14:27 GMT -5
I timothy: 1-11
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warning Against False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,
4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,
7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound[c] doctrine,
11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Paul greets Timothy ( his spiritual son) as an apostle by commandment ( not by a suggestion).
When he writes God as the Savior some might be a little confused because we tend to think of Jesus as the Savior, but as a trinity, all 3 were involved of course. God the Father planned the salvation so salvation came from Him as well as Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our only hope, this is not the world's wishful thinking: I 'hope' so.
Jesus as our only hope, is absolute assurance of a future good!
Paul then warns about false teachers, in this case, at Ephesus . They were there right from the start of the church, so its not a new problem and we can learn about how to handle this situation.
It seems one of the issues with these false teachers was their giving heed to fables and endless genealogies ( Jews in general were big on genealogies).
Instead what is needed is is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned.
However these false teachers seemed to want all the glory of being a 'teacher' ( of the Mosaic law), One of their things was to argue about pedigrees which was vain and useless.
When Paul says the law is good and useful, he does not mean it should be the means to work one's way to Heaven but rather it show just the opposite....it shows how sinful we are and how we need a Savior....and in that way is useful.
The law wasn't made for righteous but for sinners and the list that followed ( of sins and sinners), corresponded to the 10 commandments.
In contrast to these false teachers and their false damning teaching is the sound doctrine of the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which Paul had been entrusted.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 28, 2019 9:41:19 GMT -5
I Timothy: 12-20
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,
13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul thanks Jesus who gave him strength and judged him ( a great sinner) to be faithful, and even gave Paul a ministry.
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Post by Cindy on May 28, 2019 11:50:31 GMT -5
You are funny! LOL
Did I miss you...oh no nope can't say that I even noticed....were you gone for DAYS....never notice.
Yes, I actually DID miss you, but I knew you were doing something very necessary!
Our pastor has spent the last 4 weeks with sermons on prayer.  I missed you too! That's interesting that your sermons have been about prayer, because our pastor has also been teaching on prayer as well! Must be what God wants us to hear about!
Acts 28: 1-10
Paul on Malta
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
The island land all landed on safely was Malta and the people were kind to them, building a fire etc.
Thins were going nicely until Paul is bitten by a poisonous snake while carrying wood to the fire. The natives assume its because he is a bad evil man....
but then...
Paul shakes off the snake into the fire, but the native people wait for him to show the effects of such a snake bite, which would be to swell up and fall dead.
Neither of which happened, and then they quickly change their view of him, from being evil to being a god.
Kind of reminds me of how unconverted people are today, their idols ( be it entertainment, politics, business etc etc. are basically worshiped until the fall into some nefarious deeds, and then are kicked to the curb or visa versa. They are blown every which way by the wind.
This is a reminder to me, to be careful of this very thing.
Anyway, the leading official Publius extending amazing hospitality,
but became sick and Paul heals him.
Tho it does not say so in these verses,
from everything I have read about Paul,
I would not have been surprised,
if Paul did not take such an opportunity to preach the gospel,
and I would envision maybe many natives, as well as sailors, prisoners, and the centurion might have been converted.
In any case, they were given many supplies for their trip.
Paul Arrives at Rome
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.
12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.
13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Finally they do what they should have done from the beginning, wait until the winter storms were over, so they wait there 3 months before setting sail.
Luke mentions the figurehead was of the twin pagan deities which may have been a bit disheartening to Luke and Paul, since it seems the sailors must have honored such talismen
for perhaps some kind of magical protection or 'good luck'.
I am thinking that because Luke mentioned it so I doubt he was impressed with it as art or some other positive reason.
Anyway, the get to Syracuse and stayed for 3 days, and from there they went to Rhegium, and Puteoli. At Puteoli they found some believers and stayed with them 7 days.
Then near Rome, some more believers met with them, and Paul thank God and was encouraged.
Amazingly in Rome. he was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him. ( But some versions don't have this verse. Still, it did seem to gr in general how the Romans treated Paul.
Acts 28:17-31
Paul in Rome
17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”
21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Paul explains to the Jews in Rome that he had done nothing against the Jews or Jewish traditions, nor was he there to be appealing against the Jews but rather they against him.
The Romans would have let him go, but for the Jews protest.
Therefore he had to appeal to Caesar.
The hope of Israel ( the Messiah, Jesus was the fulfillment) was the real reason he was a prisoner.
But strangely those Jews did not come to Rome as the prosecution , so none of the Jews in Rome knew anything about it. Therefore
so some day later they came in greater numbers and Paul spent the whole day expounding to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
And as what always happens when the gospel is preached, some believed and others do not.
Then they left after one word ( was it gentiles or Jesus?).
to which Paul then quoted Isaiah and then for sure mentioned the gentiles saying:
"this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
It seems Paul was house imprisoned 2 years without any charges.
But he made good use of this time, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
This is a good lesson for me, in that, even if my situation were not ideal or I was chained ( perhaps to pain) etc., I can take a lesson from Paul, and focus on what is really important, spreading the gospel and/or praying.
Acts 28:17-29 is Paul’s 6th and final defense recorded in Acts. The others are: Acts 22:1–21; Acts 22:30–23:10; Acts 24:10–21; Acts 25:1–12; Acts 26:1–29; Acts 28:17-29.
I think it's important that we notice that when Paul quoted Isaiah, he didn't say that Isaiah was saying that to the people he was speaking to. Instead he told them that they needed to think about what had been said back then to their fathers. In other words, he didn't want them to make the same mistake their fathers had. We also need to notice that Paul names the Holy Spirit as though the Jews knew about Him already, which in fact they did. The Jews actually admitted what we know about the Holy Spirit even before Jesus came. It wasn't until after Jerusalem had been destroyed that they made up a new "law" that did away with their older knowledge of the Holy Spirit and said that it was wrong, and they did that because it taught much the same thing as we teach about the triune God! |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 28, 2019 15:06:22 GMT -5
I Timothy: 12-20
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,
13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul thanks Jesus who gave him strength and judged him ( a great sinner) to be faithful, and even gave Paul a ministry.
Tho Paul did not blaspheme God the Father, he did Jesus. And in a way, Paul also did so by persecuting believers ( kind of like....as you did it unto these you did it unto me....tho the verse says it as you did not do it, that is why I said kind of like).
But Paul received mercy ( I sort of think he is kind of saying if I could anyone 'could').
Paul goes on o say that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost"
Clearly only God could come into the world to save sinners and so Jesus was and is and shall ever be God.
I think Paul saw himself as a chief sinner because his intention was to end Christianity totally.
Also Paul had been given great gifts by God, a super intellect etc. and he was using them for satan, until Jesus stopped him and turned Paul on a totally different path.
And of course all Paul's hatred and murderous zeal was all really aimed at Jesus.
However, Jesus could use Paul to show His great mercy and power to change a person ( for them to be born again).
Then Paul give a beautiful doxology.
And tells Timothy to wage a good warfare.....something every Christian needs to do, tho I am not sure all thing of it.
And Paul goes on to say to Timothy some have made made shipwreck concerning the faith:
and tho one might survive a shipwreck ( Paul survived several) the sad truth is that is the exception not the general rule ( most do not survive).
two who had done so were Hymenaeus and Alexander whom Paul handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
I don't know if the ever did survive spiritually, but it is not a chance any sane person who gamble on.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 28, 2019 21:49:38 GMT -5
I Timothy 2:1-15
Pray for All People
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
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.
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
This starts off with how important prayers really are.
We are to pray for those in high positions, they have so many pressures, but we are to also pray for all people.
I think that we are not to be rebelling rabble rousing revolutionaries,
but rather to lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way .
Such a life is pleasing to God.
No matter how great the cause if we are not careful and peaceful, things can get out of hand and violence can ensue, which is not what the Lord would want.
He desires all might be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.
Jesus has not ceased being a man, anymore than when He came to earth, he did not cease being God. As there is only One God ( 3 persons within the Godhead) there is only ONE mediator, between God and men..... Jesus ( not the saints or Mary etc.
Jesus, willing gave Himself for a ransom for us, it was not a tragic accident, nor did anybody take His life away.
We need to be praying that people come to know the truth and be saved.
I could be wrong but it seems that in public ( in church) men should lead in prayer ( in our church sometimes the pastor may call a woman up for some project the church is doing and she will give a brief update and sometimes a quick prayer...so I am not sure that should be happening?
/anyway, Paul does go on to address woman.
He talks about how woman ought to dress....not to think the most expensive but immodest outfit is to be admired, however a woman could, in fact, become prideful in being in 'dirty rags' to show off how 'spiritual' they are.
Instead, woman ought to be mindful of how it reflects on Jesus, and having a clam and gentle spirit.
Woman are not to be in authority over men in the church. Obviously there are woman who will find this offensive but then, they probably don't want to take seriously:
"Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor."
Which suggests a serious flaw that woman can be easily deceived.
That is not to say men are never deceived or that even at times woman will see deception and the men do not....
but in general, as built into their DNA men are protectors ( or should be on some level) and woman, because they tend to be more emotional and therefore more easily deceived are disqualified to be the leaders ( especially in spiritual matters....even IF they know tons more about the Bible etc.)
I am thinking its bad enough that Adam himself seem to dodge his duty as protector and leader, and that tendency has been passed down to many men...
and woman like Eve, want to rule and make decisions
both of which , are not what God intended...
therefore...
it makes perfect sense not to condone woman in leadership positions in the church.
But I think we may be living in an age which fights the hardest of any age against what God says about this
and then there is the next verse!
Well, I am sure it does not mean salvation comes to woman by having children ( that would go against all the rest of scripture about how both men and woman are saved thru Jesus).
So what does it mean?
I am thinking it might refer to staying in her God given role of wife and mother.....to the degree that is possible ( not all woman marry or can even have children).
However, they can remain godly woman and not fight to be just like men.
But this is one of the many many issue that the world today is turning upside down....good is bad, evil is good and so on.
It is not a joy filled life the world is pushing and it is sad.
I have to remind myself, God is still on the throne...tho satan is champing at the bit for his time to come fully into power for 7 years.
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Post by Cindy on May 29, 2019 10:11:04 GMT -5
Oppsie
we are done with Acts
and I don't know which book you might like to study next.
Soooo I just chose 1 Timothy because its short, in case you have something else in mind.
I will start on it tomorrow...unless, I get here early and you have a different book you would like to study and I see it in time.
I timothy: 1-11
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warning Against False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,
4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,
7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound[c] doctrine,
11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Paul greets Timothy ( his spiritual son) as an apostle by commandment ( not by a suggestion).
When he writes God as the Savior some might be a little confused because we tend to think of Jesus as the Savior, but as a trinity, all 3 were involved of course. God the Father planned the salvation so salvation came from Him as well as Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our only hope, this is not the world's wishful thinking: I 'hope' so.
Jesus as our only hope, is absolute assurance of a future good!
Paul then warns about false teachers, in this case, at Ephesus . They were there right from the start of the church, so its not a new problem and we can learn about how to handle this situation.
It seems one of the issues with these false teachers was their giving heed to fables and endless genealogies ( Jews in general were big on genealogies).
Instead what is needed is is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned.
However these false teachers seemed to want all the glory of being a 'teacher' ( of the Mosaic law), One of their things was to argue about pedigrees which was vain and useless.
When Paul says the law is good and useful, he does not mean it should be the means to work one's way to Heaven but rather it show just the opposite....it shows how sinful we are and how we need a Savior....and in that way is useful.
The law wasn't made for righteous but for sinners and the list that followed ( of sins and sinners), corresponded to the 10 commandments.
In contrast to these false teachers and their false damning teaching is the sound doctrine of the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which Paul had been entrusted.
I Timothy: 12-20
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,
13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul thanks Jesus who gave him strength and judged him ( a great sinner) to be faithful, and even gave Paul a ministry.
I Timothy: 12-20
Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,
13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul thanks Jesus who gave him strength and judged him ( a great sinner) to be faithful, and even gave Paul a ministry.
Tho Paul did not blaspheme God the Father, he did Jesus. And in a way, Paul also did so by persecuting believers ( kind of like....as you did it unto these you did it unto me....tho the verse says it as you did not do it, that is why I said kind of like).
But Paul received mercy ( I sort of think he is kind of saying if I could anyone 'could').
Paul goes on o say that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost"
Clearly only God could come into the world to save sinners and so Jesus was and is and shall ever be God.
I think Paul saw himself as a chief sinner because his intention was to end Christianity totally.
Also Paul had been given great gifts by God, a super intellect etc. and he was using them for satan, until Jesus stopped him and turned Paul on a totally different path.
And of course all Paul's hatred and murderous zeal was all really aimed at Jesus.
However, Jesus could use Paul to show His great mercy and power to change a person ( for them to be born again).
Then Paul give a beautiful doxology.
And tells Timothy to wage a good warfare.....something every Christian needs to do, tho I am not sure all thing of it.
And Paul goes on to say to Timothy some have made made shipwreck concerning the faith:
and tho one might survive a shipwreck ( Paul survived several) the sad truth is that is the exception not the general rule ( most do not survive).
two who had done so were Hymenaeus and Alexander whom Paul handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
I don't know if the ever did survive spiritually, but it is not a chance any sane person who gamble on.
I Timothy 2:1-15
Pray for All People
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
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.
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
This starts off with how important prayers really are.
I was reading in Luke today and something impressed me that I thought you might like to, as I know you sometimes struggle with thinking you're not saved because you still sin. The Passage was Luke 13:22-30. I just want to share something about a little of it though. ““Strive to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Luke 13:24) The word ‘strive’ in the original Greek language lies at the root of our English word ‘agonize’—we are to do all we can to squeeze through that narrow gate of repentance and faith. The reason we have to "strive" is because of our sin nature. Once we're saved, we must constantly fight against our sin nature, and constantly take our thoughts captive because of our sin nature, etc. That's why Paul often refers to the Christian life as a difficult athletic contest like the Olympics or a soldier at war. MacArthur says the same thing but includes other things that stop or hinder us: entering the narrow gate is difficult because of its cost in terms of human pride, because of the sinner’s natural love for sin, and because of the world’s and Satan’s opposition to the truth. I also recently read an article where the person was wondering if they were saved, and the person who replied said the same thing I used to tell you all the time; that only a saved person has doubts about their salvation, because only a saved person wants to be saved. Someone who isn't saved, doesn't care whether they sin or not. They are concerned instead with enjoying their sin, not with doing away with it. A unsaved person doesn't love God and doesn't ever feel God's love for them, or God's peace or Joy. They don't see or notice God's blessings or care about them. They think of anything good as either something they did or as luck. An unsaved person doesn't understand God's Word, as a saved person does. (like you do!) Obviously our understanding grows as we continue to read and study it. But the unsaved often decide it's not really God's Word and decide it's just a bunch of myths and stories.
Here's a couple of passages that are linked to Luke 13:24:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24–27)
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12–13)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 29, 2019 11:37:10 GMT -5
Thank you again for the reminder about doubting salvation and non-believers not really caring at all.
I so appreciate that!!
Oh yeah...all done!!
ha ha
No you are right, I am not done.....
I have no idea why it was even showing up....I was mostly just getting it 'set up' to do now.
Computers seem to do strange things sometimes
or at least,
it seems strange to me,
I suppose if I were a computer expert, I would totally understand what happened or happens when it does 'stuff'.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 29, 2019 12:40:21 GMT -5
Today's post ended up soooo far above that I just copied it so you won't have to scroll so far up to find it......here it is:
I Timothy 2:1-15
Pray for All People
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
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.
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
This starts off with how important prayers really are.
We are to pray for those in high positions,( they have so many pressures), but we are to also pray for all people.
I think that we are not to be rebelling rabble rousing revolutionaries,
but rather to lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way .
Such a life is pleasing to God.
No matter how great the cause if we are not careful and peaceful, things can get out of hand and violence can ensue, which is not what the Lord would want.
He desires all might be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.
Jesus has not ceased being a man, anymore than when He came to earth, he did not cease being God.
As there is only One God ( 3 persons within the Godhead) there is only ONE mediator, between God and men..... Jesus ( not the saints or Mary etc).
Jesus, willing gave Himself for a ransom for us, it was not a tragic accident, nor did anybody take His life away.
We need to be praying that people come to know the truth and be saved.
I could be wrong but it seems that in public ( in church) men should lead in prayer ( in our church sometimes the pastor may call a woman up for some project the church is doing and she will give a brief update and sometimes a quick prayer...so I am not sure that should be happening)?
Anyway, Paul does go on to address woman.
He talks about how woman ought to dress....
not to think the most expensive but immodest outfit is to be admired...
however a woman could, in fact, become prideful in being in 'dirty rags' to show off how 'spiritual' they are.
Instead, woman ought to be mindful of how it reflects on Jesus, and having a calm and gentle spirit.
Woman are not to be in authority over men in the church. Obviously there are woman who will find this offensive but then, they probably don't want to take seriously:
"Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor."
Which suggests a serious flaw: that woman can be easily deceived.
That is not to say men are never deceived
or
that even at times woman will see deception and the men do not....
but in general, as built into their DNA men are protectors ( or should be on some level)
and woman,
because they tend to be more emotional and therefore are more easily deceived
and thus disqualified to be the leaders ( especially in spiritual matters....even IF they know tons more about the Bible etc.)
I am thinking its bad enough that Adam himself seem to dodge his duty as protector and leader, and that tendency has been passed down to many men...
and woman like Eve, want to rule and make decisions
both of which , are not what God intended...
therefore...
it makes perfect sense not to condone woman in leadership positions in the church.
But I think we may be living in an age which fights the hardest of any age, against what God says about this.
and then, there is the next verse!
Well, I am sure it does not mean salvation comes to woman by having children ( that would go against all the rest of scripture about how both men and woman are saved thru Jesus).
So what does it mean?
I am thinking it might refer to woman staying in her God given role of wife and mother.....to the degree that is possible ( not all woman marry or can even have children).
However, they can remain godly woman and not fight to be just like men.
But this is one of the many many issue that the world today is turning upside down....good is bad, evil is good and so on.
It is not a joy filled life the world is pushing and it is sad.
In fact, I have to remind myself, God is still on the throne...tho satan is champing at the bit for his time to come fully into power for 7 years.
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Post by Cindy on May 30, 2019 9:25:08 GMT -5
Thank you again for the reminder about doubting salvation and non-believers not really caring at all.
I so appreciate that!!
Oh yeah...all done!!
ha ha
No you are right, I am not done.....
I have no idea why it was even showing up....I was mostly just getting it 'set up' to do now.
Computers seem to do strange things sometimes
or at least,
it seems strange to me,
I suppose if I were a computer expert, I would totally understand what happened or happens when it does 'stuff'.  Today's post ended up soooo far above that I just copied it so you won't have to scroll so far up to find it......here it is:
I Timothy 2:1-15
Pray for All People
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
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.
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
This starts off with how important prayers really are.
We are to pray for those in high positions,( they have so many pressures), but we are to also pray for all people.
I think that we are not to be rebelling rabble rousing revolutionaries,
but rather to lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way .
Such a life is pleasing to God.
No matter how great the cause if we are not careful and peaceful, things can get out of hand and violence can ensue, which is not what the Lord would want.
He desires all might be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.
Jesus has not ceased being a man, anymore than when He came to earth, he did not cease being God.
As there is only One God ( 3 persons within the Godhead) there is only ONE mediator, between God and men..... Jesus ( not the saints or Mary etc).
Jesus, willing gave Himself for a ransom for us, it was not a tragic accident, nor did anybody take His life away.
We need to be praying that people come to know the truth and be saved.
I could be wrong but it seems that in public ( in church) men should lead in prayer ( in our church sometimes the pastor may call a woman up for some project the church is doing and she will give a brief update and sometimes a quick prayer...so I am not sure that should be happening)?
Anyway, Paul does go on to address woman.
He talks about how woman ought to dress....
not to think the most expensive but immodest outfit is to be admired...
however a woman could, in fact, become prideful in being in 'dirty rags' to show off how 'spiritual' they are.
Instead, woman ought to be mindful of how it reflects on Jesus, and having a calm and gentle spirit.
Woman are not to be in authority over men in the church. Obviously there are woman who will find this offensive but then, they probably don't want to take seriously:
"Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor."
Which suggests a serious flaw: that woman can be easily deceived.
That is not to say men are never deceived
or
that even at times woman will see deception and the men do not....
but in general, as built into their DNA men are protectors ( or should be on some level)
and woman,
because they tend to be more emotional and therefore are more easily deceived
and thus disqualified to be the leaders ( especially in spiritual matters....even IF they know tons more about the Bible etc.)
I am thinking its bad enough that Adam himself seem to dodge his duty as protector and leader, and that tendency has been passed down to many men...
and woman like Eve, want to rule and make decisions
both of which , are not what God intended...
therefore...
it makes perfect sense not to condone woman in leadership positions in the church.
But I think we may be living in an age which fights the hardest of any age, against what God says about this.
and then, there is the next verse!
Well, I am sure it does not mean salvation comes to woman by having children ( that would go against all the rest of scripture about how both men and woman are saved thru Jesus).
So what does it mean?
I am thinking it might refer to woman staying in her God given role of wife and mother.....to the degree that is possible ( not all woman marry or can even have children).
However, they can remain godly woman and not fight to be just like men.
But this is one of the many many issue that the world today is turning upside down....good is bad, evil is good and so on.
It is not a joy filled life the world is pushing and it is sad.
In fact, I have to remind myself, God is still on the throne...tho satan is champing at the bit for his time to come fully into power for 7 years.
I like how MacArthur explains this best: A woman’s subordinate role did not result after the Fall as a cultural, chauvinistic corruption of God’s perfect design; rather, God established her role as part of His original creation (v. 13). God made woman after man to be his suitable helper (see note on Ge 2:18; cf. 1Co 11:8, 9). The Fall actually corroborates God’s divine plan of creation (see notes on Ge 3:1–7). By nature Eve was not suited to assume the position of ultimate responsibility. By leaving Adam’s protection and usurping his headship, she was vulnerable and fell, thus confirming how important it was for her to stay under the protection and leadership of her husband (see notes on 5:11, 12; 2Ti 3:6, 7). Adam then violated his leadership role, followed Eve in her sin, and plunged the human race into sinfulness—all connected with violating God’s planned roles for the sexes. Ultimately, the responsibility for the Fall still rests with Adam, since he chose to disobey God apart from being deceived (Ro 5:12–21; 1Co 15:21, 22). The MacArthur study Bible He has a number of sermons about this that are very good.
yes, that last verse can be hard to understand. I wrote about it at in the post of "what God has to say to women" in the womens forum. It's the last post on that article i think. But here's what MacArthur says which makes it pretty clear:
NASB95 | 1 Ti 2:15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
women. That Paul does not have Eve in mind here is clear because the verb translated “will be preserved” is future, & he also uses the plural pronoun “they.” He is talking about women after Eve. will be preserved. The Gr. word can also mean “to rescue,” “to preserve safe and unharmed,” “to heal,” or “to deliver from.” It appears several times in the NT without reference to spiritual salvation (cf. Mt 8:25; 9:21, 22; 24:22; 27:40, 42, 49; 2Ti 4:18). Paul is not advocating that women are eternally saved from sin through childbearing or that they maintain their salvation by having babies, both of which would be clear contradictions of the NT teaching of salvation by grace alone through faith alone sustained forever. Paul is teaching that even though a woman bears the stigma of being the initial instrument who led the race into sin, it is women through childbearing who may be preserved or freed from that stigma by raising a generation of godly children (cf. 5:10). through the bearing of children. Because mothers have a unique bond & intimacy with their children, & spend far more time with them than do fathers, they have far greater influence in their lives & thus a unique responsibility & opportunity for rearing godly children. While a woman may have led the human race into sin, women have the privilege of leading many out of sin to godliness. Paul is speaking in general terms; God does not want all women to be married (1Co 7:25–40), let alone bear children. if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. The godly appearance, demeanor, & behavior commanded of believing women in the church (vv. 9–12) is motivated by the promise of deliverance from any inferior status & the joy of raising godly children. The MacArthur study Bible
Oh, I posted about a dream I had years ago that you might enjoy in chat today....
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 30, 2019 10:08:06 GMT -5
Thank you so much about the prayer and woman in church. I have really thought our pastor is very good, not veering off into far left liberalism....so even If that had been wrong, I was thinking, no one is 100 percent right......but it was great to hear that is not a problem. No the few prayers I have heard ( like from children's ministry or something) have seemed to be godly and heart felt.
But the pastor did call her up where he was because she was giving a report or information ( like about vacation bible school, or one was her trip to visit some missionaries etc.) and then gave a prayer.....so maybe like you said, it would have been better given from where she was, but our church tho not a mega church is not wee small and it might have been hard to hear her, plus some might have had to turn backwards, or look from one isle to the left or right etc etc.
I guess I was thinking if I was still working on a post, in reply, it would sort of be like "under construction" LOL
After the Bible study I will go see what you wrote today :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 30, 2019 10:36:16 GMT -5
I Timothy 3: 1-7
Qualifications for Overseers
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
This is about what the qualifications are for pastors.
Being a pastor is not holding the office to boast one's pride but rather will demand self-sacrifice, being a good example, care of the flock and ability to teach etc. all of which are noble.
Being above reproach does not mean he might never have any sin ever, that is impossible, but it would mean he would not have a habit of some or many sins that people could look to and be mislead etc.
The husband of one wife, does not mean he MUST be married, but that should he be married he is devoted to one woman, his wife. If his wife died however, he could marry again, but divorce ( maybe unless it was years in the past and he was now completely devoted to his present wife?) would generally not be a qualifier.
He needs to be able to think clearly and orderly, and not be flighty but self controlled.
He also needs to be hospitable willing to have people over to his home.
Being able to teach is probably a very important aspect of being a pastor to the flock, to help them grow in the knowledge of God's Word, the Bible.
It makes sense that being a drunkard would not make for a good pastor, ones thinking, behavior etc. would not be clear and would be a bad example to God's people.
Also being a violent brawler, willing to physically fight, would not qualify a man to be a pastor, rather he should be gentle, and not quarrelsome.
Likewise, wanting to be a pastor to get rich or to even be more focused on money, would be completely distracting from being focused on God and his people.
If one can't maintain order in his home, there is little chance he will be able to be a good leader in the church. If he cannot manage a small group, a large one won't be any easier.
Again an issue of pride....making a recent convert the pastor might foster pride...pride was what made the devil and those angels that followed him, fall. Pride is a serious snare to be avoided.
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Post by Cindy on May 31, 2019 9:14:29 GMT -5
Thank you so much about the prayer and woman in church. I have really thought our pastor is very good, not veering off into far left liberalism....so even If that had been wrong, I was thinking, no one is 100 percent right......but it was great to hear that is not a problem. No the few prayers I have heard ( like from children's ministry or something) have seemed to be godly and heart felt.
But the pastor did call her up where he was because she was giving a report or information ( like about vacation bible school, or one was her trip to visit some missionaries etc.) and then gave a prayer.....so maybe like you said, it would have been better given from where she was, but our church tho not a mega church is not wee small and it might have been hard to hear her, plus some might have had to turn backwards, or look from one isle to the left or right etc etc.
I guess I was thinking if I was still working on a post, in reply, it would sort of be like "under construction" LOL
After the Bible study I will go see what you wrote today :-)
I Timothy 3: 1-7
Qualifications for Overseers
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
This is about what the qualifications are for pastors.
Being a pastor is not holding the office to boast one's pride but rather will demand self-sacrifice, being a good example, care of the flock and ability to teach etc. all of which are noble.
Being above reproach does not mean he might never have any sin ever, that is impossible, but it would mean he would not have a habit of some or many sins that people could look to and be mislead etc.
The husband of one wife, does not mean he MUST be married, but that should he be married he is devoted to one woman, his wife. If his wife died however, he could marry again, but divorce ( maybe unless it was years in the past and he was now completely devoted to his present wife?) would generally not be a qualifier.
He needs to be able to think clearly and orderly, and not be flighty but self controlled.
He also needs to be hospitable willing to have people over to his home.
Being able to teach is probably a very important aspect of being a pastor to the flock, to help them grow in the knowledge of God's Word, the Bible.
It makes sense that being a drunkard would not make for a good pastor, ones thinking, behavior etc. would not be clear and would be a bad example to God's people.
Also being a violent brawler, willing to physically fight, would not qualify a man to be a pastor, rather he should be gentle, and not quarrelsome.
Likewise, wanting to be a pastor to get rich or to even be more focused on money, would be completely distracting from being focused on God and his people.
If one can't maintain order in his home, there is little chance he will be able to be a good leader in the church. If he cannot manage a small group, a large one won't be any easier.
Again an issue of pride....making a recent convert the pastor might foster pride...pride was what made the devil and those angels that followed him, fall. Pride is a serious snare to be avoided.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 31, 2019 10:59:30 GMT -5
I Timothy 2: 8-16
Qualifications for Deacons
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that,
15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
The qualifications for deacons are similar to that of pastors.
He should be dignified not silly ( that does not mean he can't have a sense of humor, but he also needs to do serious jobs in an honorable way), irreverent.
He must not say one thing to one person or group and the opposite to another, he needs to be honest and speak the same information etc. the same to all.
They should not be alcoholics
or
using the church family to gain as much money as they can in dishonest ways
( they should not have as their priority and main goal .....greed and to be wealthy, even in honest ways, as it, makes God second at best, and slowly on, God could fade altogether in their hearts and mind).
Rather they ought to make the mystery, ( hidden until Jesus came) the gospel their priority.
And their honesty etc should be proven first by a period of testing over some time.
Woman/wives also likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
Again, the same standard for deacons as pastors, to have only one wife, and be able to manage their household and children well ( again, not perfect, but unless they can be a good leader in the home, it's unlikely they can in a group of believers).
They as good servants of the Lord Jesus, gain a good standing for themselves
and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
It seems Paul's hope was to be able to visit Timothy soon, but he wrote this letter, in case he was delayed...so that Timothy might know how one ought to behave in the household of the living God.
The mystery ( again) of the revealed truth of salvation, and
Jesus, ( who was seen by all the angels ( good and fallen), preached among men ( nations) and believed and ascended into Heaven.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 31, 2019 14:21:02 GMT -5
I Timothy 4:1-16
Some Will Depart from the Faith
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,
3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Now Paul talks to Timothy about the apostate wolves in sheep's clothing who devote themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
What a sad thing!!
and it seems to be to be rampant in what is suppose to be many many Christian churches today.
insincere liars (they know they are no teaching the truth) whose consciences are seared.
They ( among other things) forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods.
We need food to live and marriage for procreation.
I think of the Catholic church when priests cannot be married.
It seems like today the idea to eliminate marriage is way greater than ever,
and it comes in so many forms, the big push to make the population gay ( no children) to even pushing people to be with AI robots for their 'marriage' etc.
As far as eating goes we must be thankful for God's provision for whatever food.
He encourages Timothy to teach sound doctrine and have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. He goes on to say that care of the soul is of far more benefit that care of the physical body that has only a little value.
We have a living God not a dead one of idols. Not only that but our God can save those who believe in Jesus for eternity.
What Paul was writing was and is Christian doctrine ( not just advise to Timothy) and should be taught.
He also tells Timothy he should not be despised because of his age. I am thinking a person could be very old and very foolish ( not just the young), so it would be a matter of being godly and moral in conduct and words, in faith and love.
Timothy needed to be diligent in all those things, and by doing so, God might save some people.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 1, 2019 15:22:27 GMT -5
1 Timothy 5: 1-25
1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry
12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
15 For some have already strayed after Satan.
16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
1 Timothy 5: 1-25
Now Paul goes on to give instructions on how to deal with various people.
Older men must be dealt with respectfully and encouraged like a father, older woman as you would a mother.
Younger woman as sisters in purity, because I think, the danger of sexual attraction is always possible.
True widows are to be honored and helped financially, but if they children that could help, then they should do so, so the church can help widows without any relatives to help them.
Such widows are to make prayer a consistent part of every day in their lives, with their hope set on God.
However, there is another type of widow that lives in pleasures ans is self-indulgent, sadly they are spiritually dead.
These are commands from God, not just good advice. As the old saying goes, Charity begins at home, to do less is to be worse than an unbeliever.
Then Paul give a more rounded definition of what exactly a widow who could qualify for Church aid is:
not less than sixty years of age
had only one husband at a time
having done all manner of service and good works.
But younger woman who have become widows most likely would want to marry again, so they should not get the same kind of monetary help as the older woman.
Also the commitment to serve the church all the rest of their lives might get broken if they marry again.
Plus there would be a real danger of their becoming idle, and gossipers, and busybodies.
Therefore it would be better they marry again and have children etc. and not give any adversary human or demon, any occasion for slander.
And then about the pastors who are to be the spiritual rulers of the church.
Some pastors work harder and should receive greater acknowledgement.
Any serious charges needs to be from more than just one grumbler, but if truly some sin is going on there must be 2 or 3 witnesses.
If they persist in sin then they should be rebuked presence of all as an example.
All discipline should be done fairly and without being partial. Which is a good reason not to be hasty in confirming someone to the position of pastor.
Timothy ( and any pastor really) needed to not get caught or entrapped by other people's sins.
Paul is concerned about Timothy's health and so allows a little wine as protection against diseases.
So in choosing pastors some men's sins will be clearly evident but in other men will not immediately show up. The same goes for good works.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 3, 2019 10:35:53 GMT -5
I Timothy 2: 8-16
Qualifications for Deacons
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.
11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.
13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that,
15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
The qualifications for deacons are similar to that of pastors.
He should be dignified not silly ( that does not mean he can't have a sense of humor, but he also needs to do serious jobs in an honorable way), irreverent.
He must not say one thing to one person or group and the opposite to another, he needs to be honest and speak the same information etc. the same to all.
They should not be alcoholics
or
using the church family to gain as much money as they can in dishonest ways
( they should not have as their priority and main goal .....greed and to be wealthy, even in honest ways, as it, makes God second at best, and slowly on, God could fade altogether in their hearts and mind).
Rather they ought to make the mystery, ( hidden until Jesus came) the gospel their priority.
And their honesty etc should be proven first by a period of testing over some time.
Woman/wives also likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.
Again, the same standard for deacons as pastors, to have only one wife, and be able to manage their household and children well ( again, not perfect, but unless they can be a good leader in the home, it's unlikely they can in a group of believers).
They as good servants of the Lord Jesus, gain a good standing for themselves
and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
It seems Paul's hope was to be able to visit Timothy soon, but he wrote this letter, in case he was delayed...so that Timothy might know how one ought to behave in the household of the living God.
The mystery ( again) of the revealed truth of salvation, and
Jesus, ( who was seen by all the angels ( good and fallen), preached among men ( nations) and believed and ascended into Heaven.
The word mystery actually covers more then the gospel. MacArthur explains it as: the word “mystery” describes truth previously hidden, but now revealed, including Christ’s incarnation (1 Tim 3:16), Christ’s indwelling of believers (Col 1:26, 27), the unity of Jews & Gentiles in the church (Eph 3:4–6), the gospel (Col 4:3), lawlessness (2Th 2:7), & the rapture of the church (1Cor 15:51, 52). Also in this verse the conscience is again mentioned. The conscience is important as it's one of the ways God has given all people to help guard them from sin and Satan.
You left out “Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:13) which is quite an encouragement, even for us. For them it gives them assurance that they're saved and can stand boldly before God, without shame, when Jesus presents them to the Father. For us, it lets us know too that if we do our part in whatever position the Lord has given us, we too will be assured of our salvation and be able to stand boldly and without shame before the Father when Jesus presents us to Him.
That last verse you did, is interesting. Let me share what MacArthur says about it. This verse contains part of an early church hymn, as its uniformity, rhythm, and parallelism indicate. Its 6 lines form a concise summary of the truth of the gospel. mystery of godliness. “Mystery” is that term used by Paul to indicate truth hidden in the OT age and revealed in the NT. “Godliness” refers to the truths of salvation and righteousness in Christ, which produce holiness in believers; namely, the manifestation of true and perfect righteousness in Jesus Christ. He who was revealed. This reference is clearly to Christ, who manifested the invisible God to mankind. in the flesh. Not sinful, fallen human nature here, but merely humanness. vindicated in the Spirit. “Vindicated” means “righteous,” so that “spirit” may be written with lower case “s” indicating a declaration of Christ’s sinless spiritual righteousness, or it could refer to His vindication by the Holy Spirit. Seen by angels. Both by fallen & elect angels. Proclaimed among the nations. Or, Gentiles. Taken up in glory. Christ’s ascension & exaltation showed that the Father was pleased with Him & accepted His work fully. The MacArthur study Bible
I Timothy 4:1-16
Some Will Depart from the Faith
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,
3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Now Paul talks to Timothy about the apostate wolves in sheep's clothing who devote themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
What a sad thing!!
and it seems to be to be rampant in what is suppose to be many many Christian churches today.
insincere liars (they know they are no teaching the truth) whose consciences are seared.
They ( among other things) forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods.
We need food to live and marriage for procreation.
I think of the Catholic church when priests cannot be married.
It seems like today the idea to eliminate marriage is way greater than ever,
and it comes in so many forms, the big push to make the population gay ( no children) to even pushing people to be with AI robots for their 'marriage' etc.
As far as eating goes we must be thankful for God's provision for whatever food.
He encourages Timothy to teach sound doctrine and have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. He goes on to say that care of the soul is of far more benefit that care of the physical body that has only a little value.
We have a living God not a dead one of idols. Not only that but our God can save those who believe in Jesus for eternity.
What Paul was writing was and is Christian doctrine ( not just advise to Timothy) and should be taught.
He also tells Timothy he should not be despised because of his age. I am thinking a person could be very old and very foolish ( not just the young), so it would be a matter of being godly and moral in conduct and words, in faith and love.
Timothy needed to be diligent in all those things, and by doing so, God might save some people.
James Buchanan wrote, “The conscience becomes weaker in proportion as sin grows stronger in the soul, till the sinner may arrive at a point of degeneracy at which he is wholly given over to a reprobate mind, & so far from being condemned by his conscience, he may dare to justify his wickedness by ‘calling good evil, & evil good.’ Instead of being ashamed of his guilt, he may even ‘glory in his shame.’ ” The more a person gives into his sin, the more the restraints of church, family, & the legal system, are ignored through corruption or apathy, the more that person’s conscience will be defiled. When this happens on a societal level, it can create a shameless, sin-infested environment very much like that in the days before the flood and in Sodom when men pursued every desire of their evil hearts. Tabletalk Magazine Which is exactly what's happening! Also where Sproul included our conscience, the church, family and legal system, you can also add government, as those are the things that God gave us to guard against sin.
Those last verses speak to us also: “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:15–16) When we live our faith, so that we're always growing, eventually others will notice. They especially notice when we have to persevere in our faith because of trials, instead of walking away from the Lord. It will make them curious about what we have that would cause us to hold on to the Lord so strongly and not let Him go. For example, when you refuse to allow depression or worry to get hold of you and instead hold tightly to Jesus and His Word, (taking your thoughts captive etc) it will eventually cause others to notice that and wonder what would be powerful enough to enable you to do that. At which point you can let them know that this all surpassing power is from God (2 Cor 4:7). After seeing that for awhile, you may well help bring them to salvation.
You're doing well!
1 Timothy 5: 1-25
1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,
2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry
12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
15 For some have already strayed after Satan.
16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.
25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
1 Timothy 5: 1-25
Now Paul goes on to give instructions on how to deal with various people.
Older men must be dealt with respectfully and encouraged like a father, older woman as you would a mother.
Younger woman as sisters in purity, because I think, the danger of sexual attraction is always possible.
True widows are to be honored and helped financially, but if they children that could help, then they should do so, so the church can help widows without any relatives to help them.
Such widows are to make prayer a consistent part of every day in their lives, with their hope set on God.
However, there is another type of widow that lives in pleasures ans is self-indulgent, sadly they are spiritually dead.
These are commands from God, not just good advice. As the old saying goes, Charity begins at home, to do less is to be worse than an unbeliever.
Then Paul give a more rounded definition of what exactly a widow who could qualify for Church aid is:
not less than sixty years of age
had only one husband at a time
having done all manner of service and good works.
But younger woman who have become widows most likely would want to marry again, so they should not get the same kind of monetary help as the older woman.
Also the commitment to serve the church all the rest of their lives might get broken if they marry again.
Plus there would be a real danger of their becoming idle, and gossipers, and busybodies.
Therefore it would be better they marry again and have children etc. and not give any adversary human or demon, any occasion for slander.
And then about the pastors who are to be the spiritual rulers of the church.
Some pastors work harder and should receive greater acknowledgement.
Any serious charges needs to be from more than just one grumbler, but if truly some sin is going on there must be 2 or 3 witnesses.
If they persist in sin then they should be rebuked presence of all as an example.
All discipline should be done fairly and without being partial. Which is a good reason not to be hasty in confirming someone to the position of pastor.
Timothy ( and any pastor really) needed to not get caught or entrapped by other people's sins.
Paul is concerned about Timothy's health and so allows a little wine as protection against diseases.
So in choosing pastors some men's sins will be clearly evident but in other men will not immediately show up. The same goes for good works.
About telling Timothy to drink wine, let me quote MacArthur again. I listened to a sermon of his about wine and alcoholic beverages in Bible times that was most enlightening. I'll have to look for that again and share it when I find it. (If I have time to search for it).
“Water” in the ancient world was often polluted and carried many diseases. Therefore Paul urged Timothy not to risk illness, not even for the sake of a commitment to abstinence from wine. Apparently Timothy avoided wine, so as not to place himself in harm’s way (see note on 3:3). use a little wine … ailments. Paul wanted Timothy to use wine which, because of fermentation, acted as a disinfectant to protect his health problems due to the harmful effects of impure water. With this advice, however, Paul was not advocating that Timothy lower the high standard of behavior for leaders (cf. Nu 6:1–4; Pr 31:4, 5). The MacArthur study Bible
You're doing well. What do you want to study when you're done with this one? I want to start a new thread for whatever it will be......
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 3, 2019 11:04:47 GMT -5
You could choose :-)
I am not really sure but I think there are books in OT and NT we have not covered, but of course even if we did the same ones over and over again,
there will always be so much to learn and apply to our lives,
and give God the glory.
But maybe you would like to look at something particular?
I think I must have jumped around because I have been having the strangest sleep/non sleep pattern.
One night I sleep fairly well, and the next night....not one wink
( or sometimes maybe...an hour or even 2 hours of sleep),
then another good night of sleep,
and the next night....nada.
But here is an amazing thing....I had been sleeping in an old recliner a friend gave me years ago when she moved out.
But it was literally falling apart. Still, it was my bed, such as it was.
Well about 2 or 3 days ago when on the way to pick Hossanah up from work, Leonard spotted a recliner out near a street with a FREE sigh on it.
I was a little leery thinking maybe it had lots of stains, holes etc. etc.
But bringing her back home, it was still out ( no one else had picked it up yet)
I hopped out and looked
and I move the card boards on it ( that I thought might be hiding some problems)
and lo and behold...
it seemed in very very good condition.
Still.....we could not pick it up in our car
we would have to wait until Brian ( Hossanah's fiancee came home several hours later) so he could pick it up
I thought surely it would be gone by then....
But NO....it was there,
he got it ( dissembled the old rickety falling apart old one, and set up the new.....which is super comfy!! :-)
I really think that God provided it!!!
Actually any second hand store ( and we have lots of those) could have picked it up and resold it for a good price....it looks almost brand new!!
So I have had a couple of good nights sleep :-)
Of course, that does not guarantee I won't still jump from pillar to post... losing track of where I am etc. LOLOL
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 3, 2019 12:26:44 GMT -5
I Timothy 6: 1-10
1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
False Teachers and True Contentment
Teach and urge these things.
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
I read a commentary discussing criticism of Christianity because it did not attempt a revolution against slavery . Well to have attempted a revolution would have had all manner of horrible consequences.
However, by teaching the worth, value, and dignity of every man it actually did erode the institution of slavery.
Nevertheless, there is another side to slavery that because of the terrible degradation, cruelty etc. so often associated with slavery, it makes it close to impossible for many to understand.
For example to Bible says everyone is actually a 'slave' to something.
"Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness"? Romans 6:16
well the idea is we are called to a life of service ( even Jesus while on earth was a servant/slave to God the Father). When we are Christians we are no longer the captain of our of our lives, we our children of God, Jesus is a friend but we have also been 'bought' for a price and 'belong' to our Lord, to do His will.
In the human realm if we are a slave/worker or a master/boss we are to have mutual respect,
for we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we do our best so that we glorify God,
Then Paul moves onto false teachers...who are conceited and into endless disputing, and use their office for monetary gain ( not discerning that we come into this life with nothing material and will leave with none of it, ....so eternity matters way more,
Therefore we ought to be content with what God provides for us in this life.
Those who priority and main goal is to be rich, fall into a trap, which will in the end destroy them.
Even in this life, the more you have the more you become a slave to your things, they need to be cared for, and you worry about them being stolen etc.
it is not the possession of money, if God so grants you to have it, but the 'love' of it that is evil. Anything you put above God is evil, but people seem to especially fall into the sin of loving money ( to self indulge, for power etc.) so much so they become so corrupted they cause themselves all manner of pain on earth and often eternally .
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 4, 2019 8:58:04 GMT -5
Since I got here before you ha!
I will choose Titus, which can be a 3 day study....and wait to see what you might like to look at tomorrow. :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 4, 2019 9:20:04 GMT -5
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
12 One of the Cretans a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
This translation says Paul ,a 'servant',
but I 'think' the better translation is actually a 'slave'.
I am also thinking, a servant sounds better ( to some translators) maybe, because of the terrible atrocities that have truly happened with human slavery over the centuries.....
However, there is a different side of slavery and o/ slaves that people can't seem to even venture to understand.
Paul surrendered his life completely to doing God's will
( and not to be the master of his own fate).
He wanted to be completely bound to the Lord and realized he had been 'bought' and paid for, by Jesus dying on the cross ( so that he Paul could live forever in eternity with God).
It does not really matter if people choose to believe it or not, but everyone is in fact a slave....
some to their sins ( thinking they are 'free', but are actually, in a way, owned by satan in the end)
or
others to God who loves them
Not only that but Paul was an ambassador representing his Lord and Master Jesus Christ ( God who made him).
and this was for the sake of those elected by God to be saved and for the knowledge of absolute truth which leads to a godly life ( we have to know God's word in order to live a godly life). We devote our lives being obedient to His Word, to be pleasing to God.
In 'hope' of eternal life is not a: "I 'hope' so",
but a sure settled fact, kind of hope. We have absolute trust in God.
That sure hope is eternal life ( as opposed to those who refuse God and go their own way to eternal death in hell).
We also can stand on this hope because God cannot and does not lie. What God says, He will do!! It was not some last minute thought by God, He had planned eternal salvation before time began.
God has designated proper times, and also for His Word of salvation to be proclaimed,
and so Paul did so, not just as something he choose randomly to do, but rather at the command of his Lord. It's not like I can choose this job or profession or a different job etc. It is a 'calling', a command.
Paul was writing to Titus, a trusted honest man that Paul call his (spiritual) son in the saving faith. Grace is the unmerited favor of God bestowed on us because of Christ .
Paul then tells Titus, that he left Titus in Crete to put Church things in order that Paul set up.
He was to also to appoint spiritual leaders to the churches. These leaders must have good reputations, integrity, and godly character.
Also the must have only one wife, and children who are believers ( if he cannot lead his children and household to faith, how will he lead many more outside his family?).
Not given to reckless, rebellious behavior.
The pastors cannot just choose to be by self appointment, it must be a calling from God,
But to make sure there are not an endless amount of rebellious false teachers, some of the other qualifications are they must be above reproach ( not perfectly sinless, but neither perfectly reckless, rebellious, etc.)
Not overly fond of getting his own way, proud and arrogant.
Not soon or easily angry ( often using it to intimidate or control others), a volatile temperament.
Not a drunk or physically violent ( they often go together).
not greedy for money, not using his role as a way of accumulating unjust gain.
And some of the character traits he should have:
Being hospitable
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Post by Cindy on Jun 4, 2019 11:24:54 GMT -5
You could choose :-)
I am not really sure but I think there are books in OT and NT we have not covered, but of course even if we did the same ones over and over again,
there will always be so much to learn and apply to our lives,
and give God the glory.
But maybe you would like to look at something particular?
I think I must have jumped around because I have been having the strangest sleep/non sleep pattern.
One night I sleep fairly well, and the next night....not one wink
( or sometimes maybe...an hour or even 2 hours of sleep),
then another good night of sleep,
and the next night....nada.
But here is an amazing thing....I had been sleeping in an old recliner a friend gave me years ago when she moved out.
But it was literally falling apart. Still, it was my bed, such as it was.
Well about 2 or 3 days ago when on the way to pick Hossanah up from work, Leonard spotted a recliner out near a street with a FREE sigh on it.
I was a little leery thinking maybe it had lots of stains, holes etc. etc.
But bringing her back home, it was still out ( no one else had picked it up yet)
I hopped out and looked
and I move the card boards on it ( that I thought might be hiding some problems)
and lo and behold...
it seemed in very very good condition.
Still.....we could not pick it up in our car
we would have to wait until Brian ( Hossanah's fiancee came home several hours later) so he could pick it up
I thought surely it would be gone by then....
But NO....it was there,
he got it ( dissembled the old rickety falling apart old one, and set up the new.....which is super comfy!! :-)
I really think that God provided it!!!
Actually any second hand store ( and we have lots of those) could have picked it up and resold it for a good price....it looks almost brand new!!
So I have had a couple of good nights sleep :-)
Of course, that does not guarantee I won't still jump from pillar to post... losing track of where I am etc. LOLOL
I Timothy 6: 1-10
1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
False Teachers and True Contentment
Teach and urge these things.
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
I read a commentary discussing criticism of Christianity because it did not attempt a revolution against slavery . Well to have attempted a revolution would have had all manner of horrible consequences.
However, by teaching the worth, value, and dignity of every man it actually did erode the institution of slavery.
Nevertheless, there is another side to slavery that because of the terrible degradation, cruelty etc. so often associated with slavery, it makes it close to impossible for many to understand.
For example to Bible says everyone is actually a 'slave' to something.
"Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness"? Romans 6:16
well the idea is we are called to a life of service ( even Jesus while on earth was a servant/slave to God the Father). When we are Christians we are no longer the captain of our of our lives, we our children of God, Jesus is a friend but we have also been 'bought' for a price and 'belong' to our Lord, to do His will.
In the human realm if we are a slave/worker or a master/boss we are to have mutual respect,
for we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we do our best so that we glorify God,
Then Paul moves onto false teachers...who are conceited and into endless disputing, and use their office for monetary gain ( not discerning that we come into this life with nothing material and will leave with none of it, ....so eternity matters way more,
Therefore we ought to be content with what God provides for us in this life.
Those who priority and main goal is to be rich, fall into a trap, which will in the end destroy them.
Even in this life, the more you have the more you become a slave to your things, they need to be cared for, and you worry about them being stolen etc.
it is not the possession of money, if God so grants you to have it, but the 'love' of it that is evil. Anything you put above God is evil, but people seem to especially fall into the sin of loving money ( to self indulge, for power etc.) so much so they become so corrupted they cause themselves all manner of pain on earth and often eternally .
If a commentary told you that they should have attempted to reform the government by getting rid of slavery, then I'd never read that commentary again as it's not at all what God wants us to do! Instead, He tells us to obey the government. Jesus, John the baptist, and the Apostles all spoke to slaves and masters who owned slaves and not once did any of them tell the slaves to run away, or in any way try to get free. In fact, Paul made one of them who had run away, return to his master who could have legally put him to death for running away! (Philemon).
The only thing that was ever said to a slave about freedom was that "if they could get free" and he meant legally, as some could buy their freedom, that they should go ahead and do so. But Paul also made sure they knew that if they were a slave, that God Himself had called them to that position. 1 Corinthians 7:21–22) Masters were told to be kind to their slaves and treat them with respect. They were never ever told that slavery was a sin or that they should fight to get rid of it. Nor were they told to do that with any other institution that was evil, such as abortion, which was also going on during that time. When soldiers or others who owned slaves came to Jesus for healing, He never told them to give their slaves their freedom, He simply healed them and actually commended them for their faith.
In Luke 3:12–14 tax collectors and soldiers asked John the baptist what they needed to do to be saved. Now these were the worst of the worst to the Jews especially. Tax collectors didn't just collect what Rome told them to, they were allowed to set their own amounts and could and did take whatever they wanted from the people. That's how they got so rich and the people got so poor! The soldiers would kill a Jew just for getting in their way or any time they felt like it. They also took bribes from the people telling them they wouldn't kill them if they were paid. They weren't told to get out of the army, or to stop collecting taxes from Rome, nor was anyone told to revolt against Rome. Here's what John told them: “Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”” (Luke 3:12–14)
There's a great deal of false teaching that's been called "the social gospel" which is trying hard to supplant the real gospel today. The social gospel teaches things like stopping abortion, and other social ills, instead of preaching the gospel. They've forgotten that God is in charge of History and that He is the one who has put the leaders of all the governments in place, and has put those in the supreme court and other justice systems in place, as well as those who act more like Rome did instead of more civilized. They want to change the world their way, instead of God's way. They don't realize that they're actually fighting against God Himself; saying that He's not doing a good job so they'll do it for Him. They also don't realize that no matter what they do or how successful they are at getting laws changed or passed, that it won't change a thing. Because the only thing that will change the way society lives is a changed heart. And that only happens when people are saved by Jesus. Here's a few other passages that deal with slavery as well:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.” (Ephesians 6:5–9)
“Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” (1 Peter 2:18)
“Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (Titus 2:9–10)
I'll tell you a secret that I don't think I've ever told anyone because I'm sure people would think I'm horrible for thinking this. But I actually think that people who were slaves, can have a better understanding of God and His Word then the rest of us. Why? Because they understand what it's like to have a master that can do anything they want to you, regardless of whether that master is kind or hateful toward you. I've often tried to understand what it would be like to be a slave, or even just to be a person who lived under the rule of a King or a dictator. I understand it in my head, but I really don't understand it in my heart. Yet that's what God is. He can do anything He wants to to us individually, as groups, or as a country or any other way, any time He wants to, any way He wants to. We have no real fear of God because we really don't understand that. But the people who were slaves did. They understood it very well, and therefore they understood God much better and loved Him all the more because He's good and loving and they knew He wanted what was best for them. If we look back in the time that slavery existed in the US, we see how the slaves truly loved and worshiped God back then. They quite literally loved Him with ALL their hearts, minds, and souls and strength; much more so then their masters who often only loved themselves. Blacks today have forgotten what their ancestors learned and have come up with a false gospel of their own, called the black liberation gospel, which is actually connected to the false social gospel. This is a very bare bones explanation of it:
Simply put, liberation theology is a movement that attempts to interpret Scripture through the plight of the poor. True followers of Jesus, according to liberation theology, must work toward a just society, bring about social and political change, and align themselves with the working class. Jesus, who was poor Himself, focused on the poor and downtrodden, and any legitimate church will give preference to those who have historically been marginalized or deprived of their rights. All church doctrine should grow out of the perspective of the poor. Defending the rights of the poor is seen as the central aspect of the gospel. ... In the United States, black liberation theology is preached in some churches such as Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ. A related theological movement is feminist liberation theology, which views women as the oppressed group that must be liberated. ...
The Bible certainly teaches followers of Christ to care for the poor (Galatians 2:10; James 2:15–16; 1 John 3:17), and we should speak out against injustice. And, yes, the Bible warns repeatedly against the deceitfulness of riches (Mark 4:19). However, liberation theology goes wrong in a couple of places. For one, it places social action on equal footing with the gospel message. As important as feeding the hungry is, it cannot take the place of the gospel of Christ (see Acts 3:6). Mankind’s primary need is spiritual, not social. Also, the gospel is for all people, including the rich (Luke 2:10). Visitors to the Christ Child included both shepherds and magi; both groups were welcome. To assign special status to any group as being preferred by God is to discriminate, something God does not do (Acts 10:34–35). Christ brings unity to His church, not division along socio-economic, racial, or gender lines (Ephesians 4:15).
www.gotquestions.org/liberation-theology.html
And about the social gospel:
Those who adhered to a social gospel sought to apply Christian ethics to social problems such as poverty, slums, poor nutrition and education, alcoholism, crime, and war. These things were emphasized while the doctrines of sin, salvation, heaven and hell, and the future kingdom of God were downplayed. Theologically, the social gospel leaders were overwhelmingly postmillennialist, asserting that Christ’s Second Coming could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort.
For a Christian perspective on the idea of a social gospel, we need to look to Jesus, who lived in one of history’s most corrupt societies. Jesus never issued any call for political change, not even by peaceful means. He did not come to earth to be a political or social reformer. The gospel Jesus preached did not have to do with social reform or social justice or political change. Rather than attempt to change governments and institutions, which are made up of people, Jesus came to change people's hearts and point them to God's kingdom. He preached the saving power of the gospel and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
more: www.gotquestions.org/social-gospel.html
1 Timothy 6:3–5 applies to those to adhere to these false gospels.
Since I got here before you ha!
I will choose Titus, which can be a 3 day study....and wait to see what you might like to look at tomorrow. :-)
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
12 One of the Cretans a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 4, 2019 11:32:43 GMT -5
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
12 One of the Cretans a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
This translation says Paul a servant but I think the better translation is actually a 'slave'.
I am thinking a servant sounds better because of the terrible atrocities that have truely happened with slavery over the centuries.....
However, there is a different side of that people can't seem to even venture to understand.
Paul surrendered his life completely to doing God's will ( and not to be the master of his own fate). He wanted to be completely bound to the Lord and realized he had been 'bought' and paid for, by Jesus dying on the cross ( so that he Paul could live forever in eternity with God).
It does not really matter if people choose to believe it or not, but everyone is a slave....some to their sins ( thinking they are 'free', but are actually, in a way, owned by satan in the end)
or to God who loves them
Not only that but Paul was an ambassador representing his Lord and Master Jesus Christ ( God who made him).
and this was for the sake of those elected by God to be saved and for the knowledge of absolute truth which leads to a godly life ( we have to know God's word in order to live a godly life). We devote our lives being obedient to His Word, to be pleasing to God.
In 'hope' of eternal life is not a: "I 'hope' so",
but a sure settled fact, kind of hope. We have absolute trust in God.
That sure hope is eternal life ( as opposed to those who refuse God and go their own way to eternal death in hell).
We also can stand on this hope because God cannot and does not lie. What God says, He will do!! It was not some last minute thought by God, He had planned eternal salvation before time began.
God has designated proper times and so for His Word of salvation to be proclaimed, and so Paul did so, not just as something he choose randomly to do, but rather at the command of his Lord.
It looks like you only did the first 3 verses of this, which is fine. I assume you plan to finish it later....
The verses you did though, you did very well!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 4, 2019 16:07:57 GMT -5
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
12 One of the Cretans a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
This translation says Paul ,a 'servant',
but I 'think' the better translation is actually a 'slave'.
I am also thinking, a servant sounds better ( to some translators) maybe, because of the terrible atrocities that have truly happened with human slavery over the centuries.....
However, there is a different side of slavery and o/ slaves that people can't seem to even venture to understand.
Paul surrendered his life completely to doing God's will
( and not to be the master of his own fate).
He wanted to be completely bound to the Lord and realized he had been 'bought' and paid for, by Jesus dying on the cross ( so that he Paul could live forever in eternity with God).
It does not really matter if people choose to believe it or not, but everyone is in fact a slave....
some to their sins ( thinking they are 'free', but are actually, in a way, owned by satan in the end)
or
others to God who loves them
Not only that but Paul was an ambassador representing his Lord and Master Jesus Christ ( God who made him).
and this was for the sake of those elected by God to be saved and for the knowledge of absolute truth which leads to a godly life ( we have to know God's word in order to live a godly life). We devote our lives being obedient to His Word, to be pleasing to God.
In 'hope' of eternal life is not a: "I 'hope' so",
but a sure settled fact, kind of hope. We have absolute trust in God.
That sure hope is eternal life ( as opposed to those who refuse God and go their own way to eternal death in hell).
We also can stand on this hope because God cannot and does not lie. What God says, He will do!! It was not some last minute thought by God, He had planned eternal salvation before time began.
God has designated proper times, and also for His Word of salvation to be proclaimed,
and so Paul did so, not just as something he choose randomly to do, but rather at the command of his Lord. It's not like I can choose this job or profession or a different job etc. It is a 'calling', a command.
Paul was writing to Titus, a trusted honest man that Paul call his (spiritual) son in the saving faith. Grace is the unmerited favor of God bestowed on us because of Christ .
Paul then tells Titus, that he left Titus in Crete to put Church things in order that Paul set up.
He was to also to appoint spiritual leaders to the churches. These leaders must have good reputations, integrity, and godly character.
Also the must have only one wife, and children who are believers ( if he cannot lead his children and household to faith, how will he lead many more outside his family?).
Not given to reckless, rebellious behavior.
The pastors cannot just choose to be by self appointment, it must be a calling from God,
But to make sure there are not an endless amount of rebellious false teachers, some of the other qualifications are they must be above reproach ( not perfectly sinless, but neither perfectly reckless, rebellious, etc.)
Not overly fond of getting his own way, proud and arrogant.
Not soon or easily angry ( often using it to intimidate or control others), a volatile temperament.
Not a drunk or physically violent ( they often go together).
not greedy for money, not using his role as a way of accumulating unjust gain.
And some of the character traits he should have:
Being hospitable ( having people in his home to help, showing them compassion, care and love.
He is to love good, and not violent, sensual or lust filled things etc.)
He is to use good judgement and not fly off the handle, he is disciplined with a cool head, not easily distracted by foolishness.
Fair and honest in his dealings with others
pleasing to God by being holy, living in obedience to God
self-controlled restraining (able to say no) to his sinful appetites, emotions, ( really he is controlled by God and His Word).
But not only must his character be exemplary,
he must hold fast to the inerrant Word of God
( even when every thing that can go wrong does, he is to know and stay in God's Word).
This is so he not only fills his own soul but can so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
A pastor cannot rebuke those who contradict God's Word if he does not know it very well.
He needs to be able to protect the flock from wolves in sheep's clothing.
There are many against authority ( I guess this has always been the case, but it seems like it is growing in leaps and bounds in our day) but even in the church.
In fact, being a 'rebel' is considered to be the ultimate of being cool ( rockers, rappers, movie stars etc etc.) and so much of that has seeped into the church.
People who talk about worthless things not leading anyone closer to God.
And those who cause others to believe something that is not true, liars, deceivers.
This cannot be allowed and they must be stopped, their lies effect whole families.
Apparently Cretans were know to have sunk to very low morals in general and lying was just part of it. Kind of reminds me of 'fake news' in our country today.
In any case, they needed to be rebuked. It might be they even just lied as a habit and no longer were even aware of it, so perhaps being called on it in a sharp manner would be the cause for some to repent.
I am thinking to the pure all things are pure if taken out of context could lead to people justifying serious sin, because no one is pure. However there are those who see evil in everything and everybody ( even godly men).
And there are pastors who claimed to know God while in the pulpit, but were and/or are into all types of terrible sin.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 5, 2019 10:32:12 GMT -5
Greeting
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Qualifications for Elders
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
12 One of the Cretans a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
This translation says Paul ,a 'servant',
but I 'think' the better translation is actually a 'slave'.
I am also thinking, a servant sounds better ( to some translators) maybe, because of the terrible atrocities that have truly happened with human slavery over the centuries.....
However, there is a different side of slavery and o/ slaves that people can't seem to even venture to understand.
Paul surrendered his life completely to doing God's will
( and not to be the master of his own fate).
He wanted to be completely bound to the Lord and realized he had been 'bought' and paid for, by Jesus dying on the cross ( so that he Paul could live forever in eternity with God).
It does not really matter if people choose to believe it or not, but everyone is in fact a slave....
some to their sins ( thinking they are 'free', but are actually, in a way, owned by satan in the end)
or
others to God who loves them
Not only that but Paul was an ambassador representing his Lord and Master Jesus Christ ( God who made him).
and this was for the sake of those elected by God to be saved and for the knowledge of absolute truth which leads to a godly life ( we have to know God's word in order to live a godly life). We devote our lives being obedient to His Word, to be pleasing to God.
In 'hope' of eternal life is not a: "I 'hope' so",
but a sure settled fact, kind of hope. We have absolute trust in God.
That sure hope is eternal life ( as opposed to those who refuse God and go their own way to eternal death in hell).
We also can stand on this hope because God cannot and does not lie. What God says, He will do!! It was not some last minute thought by God, He had planned eternal salvation before time began.
God has designated proper times, and also for His Word of salvation to be proclaimed,
and so Paul did so, not just as something he choose randomly to do, but rather at the command of his Lord. It's not like I can choose this job or profession or a different job etc. It is a 'calling', a command.
Paul was writing to Titus, a trusted honest man that Paul call his (spiritual) son in the saving faith. Grace is the unmerited favor of God bestowed on us because of Christ .
Paul then tells Titus, that he left Titus in Crete to put Church things in order that Paul set up.
He was to also to appoint spiritual leaders to the churches. These leaders must have good reputations, integrity, and godly character.
Also the must have only one wife, and children who are believers ( if he cannot lead his children and household to faith, how will he lead many more outside his family?).
Not given to reckless, rebellious behavior.
The pastors cannot just choose to be by self appointment, it must be a calling from God,
But to make sure there are not an endless amount of rebellious false teachers, some of the other qualifications are they must be above reproach ( not perfectly sinless, but neither perfectly reckless, rebellious, etc.)
Not overly fond of getting his own way, proud and arrogant.
Not soon or easily angry ( often using it to intimidate or control others), a volatile temperament.
Not a drunk or physically violent ( they often go together).
not greedy for money, not using his role as a way of accumulating unjust gain.
And some of the character traits he should have:
Being hospitable ( having people in his home to help, showing them compassion, care and love.
He is to love good, and not violent, sensual or lust filled things etc.)
He is to use good judgement and not fly off the handle, he is disciplined with a cool head, not easily distracted by foolishness.
Fair and honest in his dealings with others
pleasing to God by being holy, living in obedience to God
self-controlled restraining (able to say no) to his sinful appetites, emotions, ( really he is controlled by God and His Word).
But not only must his character be exemplary,
he must hold fast to the inerrant Word of God
( even when every thing that can go wrong does, he is to know and stay in God's Word).
This is so he not only fills his own soul but can so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
A pastor cannot rebuke those who contradict God's Word if he does not know it very well.
He needs to be able to protect the flock from wolves in sheep's clothing.
There are many against authority ( I guess this has always been the case, but it seems like it is growing in leaps and bounds in our day) but even in the church.
In fact, being a 'rebel' is considered to be the ultimate of being cool ( rockers, rappers, movie stars etc etc.) and so much of that has seeped into the church.
People who talk about worthless things not leading anyone closer to God.
And those who cause others to believe something that is not true, liars, deceivers.
This cannot be allowed and they must be stopped, their lies effect whole families.
Apparently Cretans were know to have sunk to very low morals in general and lying was just part of it. Kind of reminds me of 'fake news' in our country today.
In any case, they needed to be rebuked. It might be they even just lied as a habit and no longer were even aware of it, so perhaps being called on it in a sharp manner would be the cause for some to repent.
I am thinking to the pure all things are pure if taken out of context could lead to people justifying serious sin, because no one is pure. However there are those who see evil in everything and everybody ( even godly men).
And there are pastors who claimed to know God while in the pulpit, but were and/or are into all types of terrible sin.
Very good! 
But I would like to say more about the verse that "to the pure all things are pure" as it's quite important for us. First, let's look at it in context. I'll quote what MacArthur says here:
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” (Titus 1:15–16)
False teachers are corrupt on the inside (“mind” and “conscience”) and the outside (“actions” and “disobedient”). Corrupted. The outwardly despicable things that those men practiced (vv. 10–12) were simply reflections of their inner corruption. Mind … conscience. If the mind is defiled, it cannot accurately inform the conscience, so conscience cannot warn the person. When conscience is accurately and fully infused with God’s truth, it functions as the warning system God designed. The MacArthur study Bible
This is important to us because it tells us how our minds and consciences work. If we remember that first, our minds are already corrupted, and that the only way they can become renewed so that we can use the mind of Christ is by studying God's Word daily, and that everything we see or read or listen to, whether it's TV, movies, radio, you tube, facebook, the news, conspiracy theories, magazines, books, or what other people tell us, goes into our minds as programing. That programming determines whether or not we will see things God's way or Satan's way. If our minds have been programmed by something of Satan's, then the only way to overcome that is through God's Word. BUT, if we keep telling ourselves it's OK to read, listen to or see whatever Satan's programming is, our conscience will be defiled and will tell us it's ok to see things that way. It will tell us that piece of programming doesn't need to be "fixed". If we truly want to see things from a biblical worldview, we must ask the Lord to show us any way that our minds or conscience have been corrupted, or to show us anything that we shouldn't be listening to or watching or reading, etc. Then, when He shows us, we have to accept it. That's often the hard part because we tend to make up excuses (reasons) why it's OK.
We can see what Paul is talking about to Timothy when we see how others view things. For example, a person who's had a lot of bad things happen to them, and hasn't had the Word of God to guide them in understanding them, may well become paranoid, always thinking that everyone is out to get them in some way.
We've talked too about conspiracy theories before. Conspiracy theories are actually gossip and/or slander. They're also some truth mixed in with lies. Satan always uses truth to package His lies so that others won't realize that he's behind it. That's one of the reasons we're told he comes like an angel of light. People seem to think that Satan's tactics should be easily recognized, but they're not. If they were, we wouldn't have to be on guard all the time. People who get into conspiracy theories are led little by little down Satan's path of lies, mainly because they can see the truths he's mixed in with the lies. But ultimately those lies corrupt their minds even more, and they often go from one conspiracy theory to another, but they don't even realize what's happening. God tells us not to get involved with them because they aren't anything to fear. Conspiracy theories tend to make people fear, and they especially fear the people spoken about. But God reminds us that He put those people there. He knows what they're doing and it's not at all a conspiracy, because He's the one in control of History, not man, and not Satan. He reminds us too that ultimately He will avenge all that's wrong in this world, but in the meantime, those people who are doing evil are being allowed to do so by Him, for His purposes.
““Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread,” (Isaiah 8:12–13)
“Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler. For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon; her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her.” (Jeremiah 51:46–47)
If anyone would have believed in conspiracy theories it would have been David, for there were conspiracies galore trying to unthrone him! I love the way he dealt with it all though. He knew that his son who was trying to kill him, was part of the punishment for his sins. But on top of that, another man began cursing him as the King, which was treason. Later, it was determined that the whole thing was even planned! But David dealt with it God's way. “David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”” (2 Samuel 16:11–12) It always reminds me yet again that I shouldn't complain about anything that happens to me!
Anyway, sorry I got off topic, but I wanted to point out how important it is to guard our minds and be careful what we allow in them. And also that we need to pay special attention whenever the Bible mentions our minds, our hearts, or our conscience, as those verses can teach us a lot.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 5, 2019 11:37:32 GMT -5
Titus 2:1-15
Teach Sound Doctrine
1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,
4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,
8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Paul having dealt with false doctrine, now turns to what ought to be, which is to speak the truth and sound doctrine of the Bible.
From there he goes to old men and the character an older godly man should have:
clear judgement knowing what is eternally important.
Being dignified does not mean he is humorless but much of the degrading nonsense the world laughs at is sin....but being a man of dignity he is not vulgar, clownish in an ungodly way, etc.
He is self-controlled curbing sinful desires ( with God's help)
He remains steadfast in faith
In love towards God and mankind
He perseveres in faith in God even when circumstances are difficult, is able to accept disappointments trusting the Lord knowing God will work all things to the good in time.
Then to older women:
They are to show behavior exemplifying being holy, living faithfully for God
she should not be a hurtful gossip
nor a drunk
Rather, she is to teach what is good
and
to teach the younger woman to continually love their husbands ( and not to be 'in love with any man who is not their husband), it may not be automatic and may need continually work on,
and
to love their children ( who can try a mother's patience from time to time)
be self-controlled
pure ( sexually pure, in our day not having an affair, or watching porn etc etc.)
working at home ( it is true some woman have to work in the outside world) but their main goal is their home, and if possible if their husbands work, they might find ways of doing with less or without so they can perhaps only work part time or not at all.
kind and compassionate
submissive to their own husbands...is totally opposite of today's world. Woman think it means to be demeaned dismissed abused etc etc. but God would not have told us this if it were not ultimately true and for our good. That is not to say all husbands are kind, loving etc. ( a hint for why woman should choose godly men )....
but the way woman act today is truly not becoming ( of anyone) demanding their 'rights'. self-centered, loud, crude, ...acting like men, etc,
is not the inward beauty of a Christian, but rather behavior that reviles the Word of God.
Then about younger men:
Young men should be encouraged and exhorted to be sensible and self-controlled because a foolish action can ruin a reputation ( not just their's but if they are a Christian it can be a blot to God's name in the world) for a very long time.
Instead they are to be examples and models of good works ( things that are admirable, lovely,
commendable, noble) and godly living...Titus is to be their example.
In teaching the Word of God he should handle it with integrity ( no false doctrine is a given) , dignity ( tho a few jokes here and there is not wrong or bad I don't think, God's word is not for comedy hour an hour long stand of comedian with non stop jokes),
and sound speech...never words that might cause others to stumble....not in the pulpit or in general life)
so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us....we can be sure we will have opponents and they will look for ways to call us hypocrites etc.
Will he be right or will it be clear to all, he is lying.
If a enemy of God attacks our conduct, words etc. he ought not to have evidence he can point to.
Rebels will attack Christians saying we are trying to shove our morals down their throats, that is a given,
but we ought not give them munitions by our we going to bars and getting drunk, or to porn shows, or get in brawls, or curse when things don't go our way, or are in adultery, or gossip evil things about others etc etc. etc,
so they can truthfully point out what hypocrites we are,
and they think they then have the right to debase our Lord.
next to bondslaves
Again we come to slaves something abhorrent to us today, which makes this verse so hard to understand.
Slaves had no protection from a master who considered him less than the master's favorite pet. They had no recourse against the masters rage, cruelty, or lust or anything else ( they could also legally kill them at a whim).
So it seems beyond the pale more than hard to believe that Paul would say:
Slaves were to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering..."
How could Paul say such a thing?? Is he giving slavery a pass, condoning it, as his enemies would say.
Well if they were Christians they were not to return evil for evil.
A slave was to do do his or her service with grumbling and being argumentative
( but that even translates to jobs today and your mean unreasonable cruel abusive boss, or even to work in the home etc.)
Tho slavery was a mainstay in Roman civilization Christianity tho it did not start a war with it, did change the whole relationship between Christian 'masters' and slaves,
by making them true brothers in Christ
( which began the process of eliminating it altogether centuries later).
We live in a culture where everyone today is a 'victim' but in that day slaves really were true victims and yet, Paul encourages the Christian slaves to give cheerful service to do their best, and not to steal from their masters.
Tho the system was one of the most corrupt cruel systems ever, not all 'masters' were evil hardhearted people, some truly considered their slaves as genuine family and of course provided for them housing, food, clothing etc. So much so that if given the chance at freedom, some slaves chose NOT to be free ( and not just because they wouldn't have much of a chance in that world, but because they did not wish to leave their family).
All Christians need to be loyal ( to God first) and trustworthy so these Christian slaves should do so for Christ sake ( as should every Christian).
Jesus unmerited favor of salvation was available for slave and master ( all people).
All Christians need to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.....
because we are all waiting for Jesus to rapture us or to be reunited with Him in Heaven.
One of the things Jesus came to redeem us from all lawlessness ...
Our country used to be Christian and mostly the law was thus held to
but we are now basically a rebellious people, who have little regard to any law ( be it of a country or God's law). So we need this more than ever in a crooked and perverse generation.
He tells Titus not to let anyone disregard him.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 6, 2019 9:16:20 GMT -5
Titus 2:1-15
Teach Sound Doctrine
1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,
4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,
5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,
8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Paul having dealt with false doctrine, now turns to what ought to be, which is to speak the truth and sound doctrine of the Bible.
From there he goes to old men and the character an older godly man should have:
clear judgement knowing what is eternally important.
Being dignified does not mean he is humorless but much of the degrading nonsense the world laughs at is sin....but being a man of dignity he is not vulgar, clownish in an ungodly way, etc.
He is self-controlled curbing sinful desires ( with God's help)
He remains steadfast in faith
In love towards God and mankind
He perseveres in faith in God even when circumstances are difficult, is able to accept disappointments trusting the Lord knowing God will work all things to the good in time.
Then to older women:
They are to show behavior exemplifying being holy, living faithfully for God
she should not be a hurtful gossip
nor a drunk
Rather, she is to teach what is good
and
to teach the younger woman to continually love their husbands ( and not to be 'in love with any man who is not their husband), it may not be automatic and may need continually work on,
and
to love their children ( who can try a mother's patience from time to time)
be self-controlled
pure ( sexually pure, in our day not having an affair, or watching porn etc etc.)
working at home ( it is true some woman have to work in the outside world) but their main goal is their home, and if possible if their husbands work, they might find ways of doing with less or without so they can perhaps only work part time or not at all.
kind and compassionate
submissive to their own husbands...is totally opposite of today's world. Woman think it means to be demeaned dismissed abused etc etc. but God would not have told us this if it were not ultimately true and for our good. That is not to say all husbands are kind, loving etc. ( a hint for why woman should choose godly men )....
but the way woman act today is truly not becoming ( of anyone) demanding their 'rights'. self-centered, loud, crude, ...acting like men, etc,
is not the inward beauty of a Christian, but rather behavior that reviles the Word of God.
Then about younger men:
Young men should be encouraged and exhorted to be sensible and self-controlled because a foolish action can ruin a reputation ( not just their's but if they are a Christian it can be a blot to God's name in the world) for a very long time.
Instead they are to be examples and models of good works ( things that are admirable, lovely,
commendable, noble) and godly living...Titus is to be their example.
In teaching the Word of God he should handle it with integrity ( no false doctrine is a given) , dignity ( tho a few jokes here and there is not wrong or bad I don't think, God's word is not for comedy hour an hour long stand of comedian with non stop jokes),
and sound speech...never words that might cause others to stumble....not in the pulpit or in general life)
so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us....we can be sure we will have opponents and they will look for ways to call us hypocrites etc.
Will he be right or will it be clear to all, he is lying.
If a enemy of God attacks our conduct, words etc. he ought not to have evidence he can point to.
Rebels will attack Christians saying we are trying to shove our morals down their throats, that is a given,
but we ought not give them munitions by our we going to bars and getting drunk, or to porn shows, or get in brawls, or curse when things don't go our way, or are in adultery, or gossip evil things about others etc etc. etc,
so they can truthfully point out what hypocrites we are,
and they think they then have the right to debase our Lord.
next to bondslaves
Again we come to slaves something abhorrent to us today, which makes this verse so hard to understand.
Slaves had no protection from a master who considered him less than the master's favorite pet. They had no recourse against the masters rage, cruelty, or lust or anything else ( they could also legally kill them at a whim).
So it seems beyond the pale more than hard to believe that Paul would say:
Slaves were to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering..."
How could Paul say such a thing?? Is he giving slavery a pass, condoning it, as his enemies would say.
Well if they were Christians they were not to return evil for evil.
A slave was to do do his or her service with grumbling and being argumentative
( but that even translates to jobs today and your mean unreasonable cruel abusive boss, or even to work in the home etc.)
Tho slavery was a mainstay in Roman civilization Christianity tho it did not start a war with it, did change the whole relationship between Christian 'masters' and slaves,
by making them true brothers in Christ
( which began the process of eliminating it altogether centuries later).
We live in a culture where everyone today is a 'victim' but in that day slaves really were true victims and yet, Paul encourages the Christian slaves to give cheerful service to do their best, and not to steal from their masters.
Tho the system was one of the most corrupt cruel systems ever, not all 'masters' were evil hardhearted people, some truly considered their slaves as genuine family and of course provided for them housing, food, clothing etc. So much so that if given the chance at freedom, some slaves chose NOT to be free ( and not just because they wouldn't have much of a chance in that world, but because they did not wish to leave their family).
All Christians need to be loyal ( to God first) and trustworthy so these Christian slaves should do so for Christ sake ( as should every Christian).
Jesus unmerited favor of salvation was available for slave and master ( all people).
All Christians need to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.....
because we are all waiting for Jesus to rapture us or to be reunited with Him in Heaven.
One of the things Jesus came to redeem us from all lawlessness ...
Our country used to be Christian and mostly the law was thus held to
but we are now basically a rebellious people, who have little regard to any law ( be it of a country or God's law). So we need this more than ever in a crooked and perverse generation.
He tells Titus not to let anyone disregard him.
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Post by Cindy on Jun 6, 2019 9:35:49 GMT -5
My suggestions to study next would be Amos and Obadiah.But if you'd rather study something else, that's fine too.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 6, 2019 11:20:15 GMT -5
Titus 3: 1-15
Be Ready for Every Good Work
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Final Instructions and Greetings
12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.
14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Paul tells Titus to remind the believers to obey authorities. I think because we are always fighting the 'old man or woman in us, the way we were before being born again'.
Sin in us, wants to rebel, it seems to whisper in our ear:
why should I have to listen and obey that person that is not nearly as nice or smart etc etc as I am?
Or we grumble about a corrupt government and thus excuse ourselves,
but no....
we are to obey...... unless it goes against God.
Gossip is to be included in 'not to speak evil of anyone'.
It's often best to say nothing, and certainly we are never to take pleasure in it ( as some do when telling a juicy bit of gossip).
We are to avoid being a quarrelsome person, as quarreling generally arouses hostility especially of unbelievers.
Rather we are to be gentle and courteous.....
Because we were once
foolish ( not truly knowing or caring how sinful and evil we were)
and thus we were disobedient and rebellious ( even thinking we were special, unique, etc as a 'rebel' ) and our hearts were hard
as children of the devil we were lead astray by lies and deception
and we were 'slaves' to all manner of sins
hateful and hating ( self centered, envy and pride as ruling us)
Without Jesus we all would have gone to Hell, but Jesus in His kindness, left His throne in Heaven and came to earth, and saved us.
He did not do this because we were such good and deserving people, because we were not, we were ( and still are sinners) wretched sinners.
He did so because of His great mercy and love.
Our guilt was removed ( Christ took my/our place) so that we/I might become God's children and heirs ( to receive what we did not merit)....eternal life.
That Jesus saves is absolute truth, a trustworthy statement and therefore Christians should devote themselves to service and good works.
A godly, sacrificial life is excellent and profitable.
We are to also avoid foolish controversies
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I had finished and was copying ( so I would not lose it when posting...
when I saw that I had not put in the verse numbers in the beginning sooooo
and while blue copied
I put in the verses in
but..
lost everything from this point on arrgghhhh)
Anyway a quick recap of what I wrote...
more
or...
less...
because I am tired now
and that was disappointing as it usually is when that happens....
at least it was not the whole thing this time!!!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless
The have no spiritual value and or any good for eternity.
Then about false teachers or those who stir up strife and dissension in the church, they are to be warned, corrected etc. 2 times but if they continue after that they are to be put out of the church...
because they are sinful, warped and self condemned.
Then it was some personal matters like sending Artemas or Tychicus to Titus so he could spend the winter with Paul.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Jun 6, 2019 12:00:34 GMT -5
Good suggestions!! :-)
I will start with Amos
and then go onto Obadiah
I don't think I have thanked you recently, for hanging in with me all these years do Bible Studies....
so If I haven't I do now or do so again!!
Thank you sooooooooooooooooo much!!! :-)
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I missed you too! That's interesting that your sermons have been about prayer, because our pastor has also been teaching on prayer as well! Must be what God wants us to hear about!
!!
