Be God's Family
Guard The Faith
September 11, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 6:20–21
This is the final word, the last charge of the apostle to young Timothy. This is the Word of God and through it He gives to us an important charge. The truth is under attack and we as “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” are to guard the truth so that it may be faithfully preserved and passed on. We need to know the truth for our own spiritual and eternal well-being, to share the truth with our generation, and to faithfully pass it on to the generations coming after us.
True Riches
September 4, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 6:17–19
Most of us are wealthier than we think and yet we can be rich and still be poor. We can have a full bank account and an impoverished spiritual life. This passage warns of the dangers of wealth and instructs us in the proper attitudes and use of wealth so that we can become truly rich in time and eternity.
A Charge To God's Servants
August 28, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 6:11–16
As this letter to young Timothy draws near its conclusion, there is strong charge to him as God’s servant to be faithful challenging times. Like Timothy, we who are called to serve God today live in challenging times and need to be encouraged to stay faithful and strong to the end. This Scripture gives us both the focus that should occupy us and the motivation that will keep us going as God’s servants in these times.
The True Gain of Godliness
August 21, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 6:3–10
If godliness is devotion to God that results in worship and obedience, what can we expect to get out of it? Our passage reveals that some following false teaching expect “material gain” from godliness but end up with “many griefs”? On the other hand those who follow sound teaching find the true gain of godliness is far greater and longer lasting than the things this world offers.
The Gospel and Slavery (Work)
August 14, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 6:1–2
Slavery was a fact of life in the first century Roman Empire and therefore the New Testament addresses slaves and masters about how to live the Christian faith in their situation. What is the New Testament stance on slavery? How should Christians react to slavery? While the New Testament does not contain an outright condemnation of slavery, the teachings of the New Testament lead to the abolition of slavery. We'll explore that truth and also how the words to slaves apply to us in our modern-day work situation. Thank God that the slavery that once marred this nation no longer exists but the principles of the New Testament continue to speak into our lives.
Choose Leaders Wisely
July 31, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 5:22–25
We’ll finish what we started last week when we saw how to honor church leaders and if need be to discipline them. This week our focus is on selecting church leaders. This is especially relevant for our church as we are in the process of searching for new Ministers to serve on our staff and we are selecting new deacons. But the principles here apply to any time we choose someone for an important position or relationship in our life.
Regarding Church Leaders
July 24, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 5:17–25
In God’s family some people are called to lead the family. It is important for the church family to relate faithfully to those whom God has called. In this passage the apostle Paul instructed young Timothy regarding the support, correction, and selection of leaders in the church. Because this is God’s inspired Scripture, these words are also our guide regarding our church leaders.
Taking Care of Our Own
July 18, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 5:3–16
This is a lengthy passage on the care of widows. It lays out the responsibilities of the church and of families to care for the elderly among us who are in “genuine” need. While there is a great difference in the situation of widows between the first century and twenty-first century, there are important principles for us to understand both the heart and way of God for widows, churches, and families. This passage speaks to an important aspect of our mission “to love one another.”
In God’s Family
July 10, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 5:1–2
In these verses of Scripture, Paul instructs Timothy how to relate to the old and young, men and women, in the church. He says speak and relate to them like family. The church is God’s family and we are to learn to love and relate to one another as a healthy family. By doing this we build one another up, glorify our Father, and give a powerful witness to the world.
A Faithful Minister
June 12, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 4:11–16
Paul sent Timothy to minister in a difficult situation. In this passage, the apostle reminded the young minister of the priorities that would enable him to be a faithful minister. Whether we are a minister or a church member, these words remind us of the priorities of a faithful ministry that honors God and is blessed by Him. These are the priorities we should support in our ministers and emulate in our own lives as God gives us opportunity to minister in His church.
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
June 5, 2022 • Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 4:6–10
The apostle Paul instructed Timothy how he could be a good servant of Christ Jesus in a challenging situation. Timothy had a unique calling from the Lord but the fact every Christian is a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, Paul's encouragement to Timothy applies to us also no matter where or in what way the Lord has called us to serve Him.
The Church's One Foundation
May 22, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 3:14–16
This passage gives the reason for the apostle’s writing this letter, the reason we have this part of God’s inspired word. It is so that “people will know how to conduct themselves in the household of God.” The letter is written so that we will know how to conduct ourselves as God’s family, His church. We will see that our conduct arises from who we are in Christ and what we believe about Christ. In this short passage we have a beautiful description of who we are as the church and a concise statement of the belief that shapes us.
A Few Good Men
May 15, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 3:8–13
This passage describes the character needed in men who serve the church as Deacons. The word deacon literally means servant or minister. The deacons are men who love God and serve His church in whatever way necessary to help it progress in His purpose. We will not only study about Deacons on Sunday but we will open the process to nominate new men to join our Deacon Ministry Team. Pray for the men who are now serving as Deacons and that God will add to their number a few more good men.
A Noble Work
May 1, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 3:1–7
As we continue our journey through 1 Timothy, our focus now turns toward those who are called to lead (overseers) and serve (deacons) the church. This week's passage is concerned with the overseer or pastor. While these verses give us some insight into the work of an overseer, the primary focus is on the character needed in a man who serves as an overseer of God's church. Whatever one's role of service may be, character matters with God and is essential for faithful service to Him and His church.
Worship that Exalts and Edifies
April 24, 2022 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Timothy 2:8–15
1 Timothy is instruction for how God's people should conduct themselves as His church (see 1 Timothy 3:15). Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the worship of the church. The verses we will focus on this Sunday have been the subject of some debate in the church over the last few years. However, if we correctly understand and practice the timeless truths they contain, they will help us to worship God in a way that exalts Him and edifies those who are present.