Posts Tagged ‘christian faith’


Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.      

Besieged by false teachers and the inevitable pressures of a growing ministry, Timothy could easily have abandoned his faith or modified his doctrine.  Once again Paul counseled Timothy to look to his past, and to hold to the basic teachings about Jesus that are eternally true.

Timothy was one of the first second-generation Christians: he became a Christian not because an evangelist preached a powerful sermon, but because his mother and grandmother had taught him the Scriptures when he was a small child (1-5).  A parent’s work is vitally important.  At home and in Church, we should realize that teaching small children is both an opportunity and a responsibility.  Jesus wanted little children to come to him (Mathew 19:13-15).  Like Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, do you part in leading children to Christ.

For Timothy, the “holy Scriptures” was the Old Testament.  The Old Testament is important because it points to Jesus Christ.  At the same time, faith in Christ makes the whole Bible intelligible.

Lets Bring it Home: Like Timothy, we are surrounded by false teachings.  But we must not allow our society to distort or crowed out God’s eternal truth.  Spend time every day reflecting on the foundation of your Christian faith found in God’s Word, the great truths that build up your life.


Under Gods Command

2nd Timothy 1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 

Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois, were early Christian converts, possibly through Paul’s ministry in their home city, Lustra (Acts 16:1).  They had communicated their strong Christian faith to Timothy, even though his father was probably not a believer.

Lets Bring it Home:  Don’t hide your light at home; our families are fertile fields for planting gospel seeds.  Let your parents, children, spouse, brothers, and sisters know of your faith in Jesus, and be sure they see Christ’s love, helpfulness, and joy in you.


Under Gods Command 

1st Timothy: Timothy is a prime example of one who was influenced by godly relatives.  His mother, Enice, and grandmother, Lois, were Jewish believers who helped shape his life and promote his spiritual growth (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15)

MEGATHEMES

Sound Doctrine

 EXPLANATION: Paul instructed Timothy to preserve the Christian faith by teaching sound doctrine and modeling right living. Timothy had to oppose false teachers, who were leading church members away from belief in salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

IMPORTANCE: We must know the truth in order to defend it. We must cling to the belief that Christ came to save us. We should stay away from those who twist the words of the Bible for their own purposes.

Public Worship

EXPLANATION: Prayer in public worship must be done with a proper attitude toward God and fellow believers.

IMPORTANCE: Christian character must be evident in every aspect of worship. We must rid ourselves of any anger, resentment, or offensive behavior that might disrupt worship or damage church unity.

Personal Discipline

EXPLANATION: It takes discipline to be a leader in the church. Timothy, like all pastors, had to guard his motives, minister faithfully, and live above reproach. Any pastor must keep morally and spiritually fit.

IMPORTANCE: To stay in good spiritual shape, you must discipline yourself to study God’s Word and to obey it. Put your spiritual abilities to work!

Caring Church

EXPLANATION: The church has a responsibility to care for the needs of all its members, especially the sick, the poor, and the widowed. Caring must go beyond good intentions.

IMPORTANCE: Caring for the family of believers demonstrates our Christ like attitude and exhibits genuine love to nonbelievers.

 


Under Gods Command
Disobedience and defeat

One generation died, and the next did not follow God. Each generation failed to teach the next generation to love and follow God. Yet this was at the very center of God’s law (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). It is tempting to leave the job of teaching the Christian faith to the church or Christian school. Yet God says that the responsibility for this task belongs primarily to the family. Because children learn so much by our example, the home offers the most effective place to pass on the faith to the next generation.

Judges 2:10 After the whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.