King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
Chapters: Book of I Timothy
Message: Stand United
Hello My Friend,
Since this pandemic hit the church has been pretty blessed to not have been hit too hard with it, that was until now. These past few weeks have been terrible, even my brother and sister-in-law were struck with Covid. Whatever hedge God had around the churches He took down because it is hitting pastors and members alike. And these are not churches where sin is condoned and even encouraged, these are God fearing, King James Bible preaching churches. We can go on and on trying to figure out what is going on that God is so angry, but the more you think about it, this is not God, this is Satan, and he is attacking the church like there is no tomorrow for him. So, it is time that we come together, united in prayer, preaching the Gospel, and put the devil in his place. [1 Timothy 1:15-16 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.]
[of whom I am chief.] Since none of us are without sin, most of us do practice some form of discipline once we discover that we have sinned and it is God that we sinned against. And let me tell you, the Holy Spirit in us is quick to make sure we know we have sinned against God. We will never be perfect, but God is not looking for perfection here because He no longer sees us through our flesh, He is looking for faithfulness. You see, God only sees us through the blood of His Son, so, while we may be the chiefest of sinners, He is incredibly merciful and longsuffering. The Book of I Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy. The timeline is about 63 AD. The purpose of the letter was to address some doctrinal issues that crept into the church. What we are to learn from the book is that not every church is a genuine church of Christ, which can only be revealed as we live our lives by the example of the true Church, Jesus Christ, both in and out of the church walls. Paul sent Timothy to put some order in the church at Ephesus. He encourages the church to pray for one another and places the importance of authority and roles within not only in the Church, but in their lives as well.
[1 Timothy 1:3-4,7-11 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.]
[rather than godly edifying which is in faith:] Unfortunately, there are going to be some conflicts every now and then because there are some people who are very good at deceiving the congregation into believing they are doing everything in good faith. It does not matter if it is a Pastor, teacher, or some other person in the congregation, what we are being taught all needs to be the same. Yes, there are different ways of reaching people with the same message, but it must never contradict what the Bible says.
[which was committed to my trust.] Jesus entrusts His faithful with the Gospel, which is why He sends us out into the world to preach it. We may be the chiefest of sinners, but Jesus already knew that, He knows what we are capable of. We are not setting the example of Christ by attempting to be perfect, people actually see Christ in us through our imperfections. So, the time is not to tear each other apart, the time is to pray for one another.
[1 Timothy 2:1-5,8-12 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.]
[nor to usurp authority over the man,] Usurp; To seize and hold in possession by force or without right. There are way too many women running churches, and dragging them into the ground. You see, women have a lot of influence over men, look at what happened with Adam, Abraham, Samson, even Ahab. Godly women are a great help in the Church because they have that nurturing, disciplinary character within them, that enables them to be a great help in the Church. However, ungodly women can be a great threat to the Church because they have that, controlling, power driven character that enables them to destroy the Church. And this is why the pastors and deacons need to have some authority in their own families.
[1 Timothy 3:1-7,16 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.]
[lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.] It is important that the church teach the right doctrine and set the right example for the church, whether we are a preacher, teacher, or janitor, we are representing Christ, and need to always present ourselves as such. There is only one doctrine to follow, and that is Christ. You may not realize this, but churches have bylaws to follow and if you want to join the church you must agree to the bylaws. While everyone ought be welcome to come to church and grow in Christ, every member ought to be likeminded, and likewise every church ought be under the same authority, Christ. Paul warns of the false doctrines that will take over the church, and this was before Catholics and Mormons got their hands on it.
[1 Timothy 4:1-3,6-8,16 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.]
[Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats,] Catholics forbid anyone serving in their church to be married, and yet allow gay priests (go figure). Mormons and Muslims are not allowed to eat pork or shellfish. Some Baptist and Jehovah’s Witness forbid observing holidays. These are religions that have departed from the faith, coming up with their own doctrine, but all lead to hell. How? Any doctrine other than salvation by grace, not of works, is a lie and will send people who believe them to hell, [Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.]
Okay, as you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you He tells you what you ought to be doing and what is forbidden for you. God deals with each and every one of us individually, sometimes what He allows He forbids another, this has nothing to do with doctrine, but our own conscious, we are to never alter sound doctrine. Paul reminds Timothy that we are all sinners, and while some sins are more noticeable, we are to never be partial to others.
[1 Timothy 5:21-25 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.]
[and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.] In other words, we are our own fruit. We produce what fruit we grow. If we produce fruit of the Spirit then we will become fruitful and prosperous, but if we produce fruit of the flesh, then we become corrupt and impoverish, [Galatians 5:19-23 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.]
Regardless of whether or not we work in the church, we have this flesh, we are going to mess up, the great thing is that we can learn from our mistakes. God wants willing souls who believe in His Son, and love Him to get out there and teach His truths to the lost and dying world. Paul stresses the importance of having godliness with contentment.
[1 Timothy 6:6-12,17 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;]
[who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;] We may not like our present circumstances, but we can learn to be content no matter what we are going through. Contentment comes first by knowing you are saved, not every person who professes Christ knows Christ, only God knows who are His. Second, contentment is realizing that we cannot control everything, things are not always going to go as we plan, but they do not have to because God has a greater plan. And contentment is standing by your faith, and not wavering under any circumstances. While we certainly have our own faults, only we can show the true Christ in us by standing by our faith. Discontentment comes because we allow a little bit of the world to creep in and before you know it we are wavering, but we can turn things around by repenting daily, [Revelation 3:2-3 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.]
Today’s Prayer: God, It is still amazing to get up every morning knowing that it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. He has turned my life completely around as I learn the truth from Your Word and live in obedience to it. I confess that I am not content, even obedience to You does not bring contentment because I allowed part of the world to creep in and am now trying to get rid of it, but I know I can do all things through You, who is my strength. Lord, I know I am going to mess up, but I am trusting You to lead me and guide me in whatever will that You have for me. Show me the way, help me understand, never let me waver in my faith or cease from developing that personal relationship with Christ that shows me that I can do all things through Him. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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