Building Blocks of Ministry - Westminster Calvary

I Believe In You

September 16, 2021 • Jeff Cramer

In our time, “The pastor is expected to be a walking encyclopedia of Bible knowledge, an expert on all the latest theological trends, a flawless public speaker, an inspiring executive leader, a servant-hearted shepherd, a gifted counselor, an authority on children and youth, and a caretaker of the aged, sick, dying, and grieving – as well as a dedicated husband and a faithful family man!” (Charles Swindoll, Living Insights, 2014) First Timothy is an Epistle that strips away the cultural expectations and lays bare what the Lord expects from: - The pastor - Individual people in the church - And the congregation as a whole Please understand, that according to (Eph. 4:12) NKJV, the purpose of the church is to edify / equip / & build-up the saints FOR the work of ministry! It’s NOT to evangelize the world.

Clear Direction

September 23, 2021 • Jeff Cramer

Timothy was a young man at this point… (27 – 30) years old. He was a passive & non-confrontational guy and apparently… he had some type of a stomach problem. History tells us that Paul founded the church in Ephesus around (AD 52) and now Timothy was taking it over about 13-yrs later (AD 65). Timothy is right in the middle of a transition process of assuming leadership of the church. After Paul left to Macedonia (The northern region where Berea / Thessalonica / & Philippi are) he urged Timothy to hold the course in Ephesus. But he wanted to quit because of the pressure and Satanic opposition against him.

Marching Orders

October 6, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Timothy 1:12–20

Never forget this: your personal testimony of God’s grace! In (Col. 1:25) NKJV Paul said, “… I became a minister according to the stewardship from God...” & here in (v.13). Paul describes himself as a bad man: - Blasphemer – Spoke ill of Jesus - Persecutor – He put some of God’s people to death - Insolent man – Lit. rude and arrogant Take note of the lesson. He's teaching us that God’s Grace overcomes two major problems in our lives : -Our sinful past. -Our present shortcomings. Here's the reminder...

Don't Be A Renegade

November 4, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Timothy 2:2–6

Chapter 2 opened with a core message about prayer (2:1). We saw FOUR ways the Christian is to pray: 1) Supplications - Specific prayers that implore Gods aid in a particular matter. 2) Prayer - Calling upon God in a general way for others. 3) Intercession - A technical term for approaching a king (i.e.) make a formal request for another person’s salvation. 4) Giving thanks - Thanking God IN an act of worship. Tonight we put these instructions into action! In verses 2-6 we’re looking at using prayer for freeing people to respond to the Gospel message. It’s ongoing congregation-wide prayer for the salvation and well-being of others – including those opposed to the Church!

From Prayer To Church Order

November 11, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Timothy 2:8–15

We have one idea “Deeper Issues”, that is going to spill into two different arenas. Church unity is important to understand at the local fellowship-level. We know unity does NOT mean uniformity and we know equal does NOT mean identical. God created humanity, male & Female, to enhance the qualities of each other. Not to devalue (one or the other) into a subservient position! Now, the context of what we’re looking at in (1 Tim 2) is public worship service AND the subject is aimed at the topic of prayer.

Leadership Selection (Part 1)

November 18, 2021 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Timothy 3:1–7

This Epistle to young Timothy is a great tool for building up the local Church. We've seen encouragement from an older mentor (Paul) to a younger follower AND co-laborer (Timothy). Paul's practical encouragement for Timothy to press on even when it feels like everything is falling apart. *The real time lessons we can take away are two-fold: 1) The body of believers should regularly offer encouragement to their pastor and spiritual leaders. 2) The model extends to all believers as we speak words that edify others. Finally, prayer should be a massive part of what the Church does! (Both corporate and personal). This is the skinny file on some of what we’ve seen so far. But tonight we look at how to select an elder to oversee the church. This is the highest responsibility within the Church! Not to be lorded over others but as the basis for serving others.

Leadership Selection Pt. 2

January 27, 2022 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Timothy 3:8–16

On the first leg we learned about Elders in the local church and the role they play to build up the body of believers. They are Model Christian for others to follow.  Their inner life…  Their home life…  Their church life…  And their community life. Today on the second leg… we discover Deacons in the local church. Deacon = One by virtue of office assigned to him, cares for the poor; he has charge of & distributes money collected for their use; deacons are seen as the proverbial headwaiters, who supervise ministry and serve where the need is. Deacons have: - Authority – been commissioned. - Responsibility – to care for other & distribute funds to the needy. - Wisdom – skilled in the management of business affairs. - Good reputation – long standing good name.

The Pastor's Leadership

February 10, 2022 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Timothy 4

IN THE REMAINING CHAPTERS OF (1 Timothy) the focus is on the walk, work, & warnings for the pastor! Three helpful areas of instruction: The pastors walk of faith (chap #4) The pastors work in the ministry (chap #5) Warnings about things that can hinder the ministry (chap #6) These are truths for the whole Church to ensure we’re ALL moving in a God-Given direction. Do you want to be part of a health church? Then you have to know what is expected of you and what’s expected of the leaders your following.

Truth I Need To Know

February 24, 2022 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Timothy 5

Chapter 5 covers the Pastor’s work in the ministry. Timothy focuses on common courtesy toward the younger and older men, and younger and older women in the church. How to honor widows and some general principles for extending care. Finally he discusses how to lead with the elders in the church.

Final Lessons

March 17, 2022 • Jeff Cramer • 1 Timothy 6

The aim of the Christian is to keep a light touch on this world knowing that WE do not have to strive to get ahead. Unchecked desires leads to harmful living. The “love of money” is literally describing a person who gives an ungenerous amount. The Christian is to: - Pursue OR build his life on biblical truths. - Fight (v.12) NLT for eternal things - Command (v.17) NLT - Guard (v.20) The truths you’ve been taught