Tuesday, October 15 - 2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2

New International Version (NIV)

The Appeal Renewed

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crownexcept by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am sufferingeven to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;
¹³ if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself.

Dealing With False Teachers

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
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GODLESS CHATTER
   The power of misspoken words cannot be underestimated.   It was words which deceived Eve into mistrusting the God she loved, words that Jacob used to deceive his brother, words that Israelites used to try and undermine Moses, and words that false prophets used to lead many astray during the days of Israel's divided kingdom. 
   Satan loves to get people "chattering" -- that is, spreading rumors and gossip and half-truths, and falsehoods.   He loves to destroy the unity and love that God creates by twisting the truth and encouraging miscommunication.
   This is why Gods people must be so careful about what they say.  As Luther says concerning the Eighth Commandment, "we should not belie, betray nor slander our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything."
   This is not always so easy to do -- especially when we get hurt or angry.
   I wonder if this is why Jesus was so quiet when He was being persecuted -- to help us learn from His patience and gentle silence that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak?
    In the end, though, He had the words of eternal life, and we are blessed as we listen and absorb His truths.
   May God bless you as you seek to honor Him always with your carefully spoken words!!
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²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lordout of a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 1 - Monday, October 14

2 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

² To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving

³ I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you,so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am 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.
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The Power of Family
   Lois and Eunice clearly were seen by St Paul as valuable examples of faith.  Having come to believe in Jesus, they considered it their responsibility to train up Timothy and help him grow in a relationship with Christ.  
   The power of family relationships cannot be overstated.  Parents and grandparents play a key role in influencing faith, morality, and the core values of their children/grandchildren.  This is why there is no more important time to create good habits than when our children/grandchildren are in our homes.  Regular worship, prayer and family devotions are valuable tools in encouraging our kids to embrace the truths of the Gospel.  In addition, Sunday School, youth group, and other congregational activities are intended to support you in your efforts as spiritual leaders in your homes.
   May God bless you as you honor Him in your homes and families, and may He lead your young ones to rejoice in the gift of their Savior!
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Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
¹³ What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty

¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. ¹⁷ On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Thursday, October 10 - 1Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4

New International Version (NIV)

4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. ³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.





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RESPECTING THE YOUNG
  Young love is a beautiful thing.  It is filled with passion and romance and special, memorable dates.  But, as young love matures sometimes these things fall by the wayside amid the clutter of ordinary living.
   The same can sometimes be true of faith.  A new faith is often filled with an enthusiastic desire to learn and grow.  But as time goes along, sometimes the ordinary and mundane nature of life robs a Christian of his passion.
   Young Timothy had been a good example for the believers in Ephesus.  But some, perhaps, felt he was too inexperienced to really understand life's challenges.  They may have judged his passion for ministry and his exemplary living to be just "young faith" and poured cold water on his enthusiasm. 
   May it never be among us, brothers and sisters!  May we, instead, seek to keep that passion of young faith through regular usage of God's Word, prayer, and fellowship among God's people.  And may we also encourage our younger Christians to continue seeking growth in their relationship with Christ.
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¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Wednesday, October 9 - 1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3

New International Version (NIV)

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

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ABOVE REPROACH

  In New Testament lingo, an "overseer" would translate to modern "pastor."  Here St. Paul requests that men who serve as pastors should have a good reputation -- that they should be known as men of integrity and faith.  

   Obviously, whenever a spiritual leader fails in this regard, the world views it as a "black eye" on the message they proclaim.   Satan is especially fond of exposing the sinful side of those who publicly represent the Gospel.  

   But every Christian is also called to holy living.  It is not just pastors who can undermine the message by inconsistent living.  Any one of us who bears the title "Christian" serves as an ambassador of the Savior.  The world looks to see how God impacts the lives of His followers, and the Tempter would love for them to dismiss the truth simply because it has been poorly represented by sinful humans.

   Thank God, though, that His truth is not based on our purity or perfection, but instead on Him who was truly perfect and holy.  Christians are not perfect, just forgiven by His precious blood, and we recognize that, as hard as we try, we will never be worthy ambassadors of His love.  

   Nevertheless, we humbly ask His Holy Spirit to move in us to live more consistently and faithfully.  It is our goal to be as "above reproach" as possible so that we do not damage the message with our lives.  

   May God make it so, and may His forgiving grace continue to cover over our failures, faults, and flaws.

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⁸ In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
¹¹ In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
    was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.

Tuesday, October 8 - 1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2

New International Version (NIV)

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. ⁷ And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. ⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
¹¹ A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹² I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. ¹⁵ But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

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INSTRUCTIONS ON WOMEN
    In Ephesus, where Timothy is the pastor, some uninstructed women seem to be subverting the official teaching of the church with their own opinions.  St. Paul, here, offers this general principle:  "I do not permit a woman to teach or assume authority over a man."   The LCMS has understood this passage not to speak of the general concept of "teaching," which clearly many women did both in biblical times and through the centuries.  Rather, the Greek word, didaskein, seems to refer to the official teaching office of the church, that is, the pastor.
  This passage, which Paul grounds in the order of creation, seems to generally limit the official teaching office to men, consequently the LCMS's understanding that women should not be pastors.
   This grounding is not a punishment for Eve's first sin, but rather seems to be based upon the fact that since God created man first, He wanted man to be the spiritual leader in the church and in the home. This is man's God-given responsibility, which he should embrace and not pass off.
   And to women God assigned the honorable role of giving birth -- a blessing which ultimately would lead to the saving birth of Jesus Christ, who would be the Savior of all.  And, while women are not assigned the official role of being the spiritual leader in the church nor in the home, they are able, in their position as wife and mother, to bring the gentle and life-changing influence of teaching support and loving nurture to those entrusted to their care.
   In short, as Paul said earlier in Ephesians, true love and great accomplishment is found when we become servants to one another.  Husbands love their wives and their family as they offer spiritual leadership and sound biblical teaching.  Wives love their husbands when they continue to support him in raising his family with love, nurture, and support.   
   Both are servants to one another -- and both are leaders as they work together to accomplish all that God desires. 

Monday, October 7 - 1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1

New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

² To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
⁸ We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

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THE ROLE OF THE LAW
   Christians rightly recognize that the law of God can never save us -- that is, since we have broken God's commands and have failed to perfectly keep the law, it only can condemn us.  Hence, the only way we can become "savable" is to be covered by the robe of Christ's righteousness won for us by His perfect keeping of the law and His willingness to give us His perfection.  His sacrifice on the cross is the means whereby God imputes Christ's righteousness to us.

   The law of God is still good, however, and Christians use it not only to come to a knowledge of their sin, but also as a guide for living.  In Christ, we can look at the law as a tutor to help us know how we should live, think, and act. 

   God's people, moved by the Spirit, recognize that the law can help curb outbursts of sin and can give us a standard of behavior to strive for.   It is good for us to dig deeply into God's commands so that we can know better the mind of Christ and try to live according to His plan.

   But in the end, it is not our obedience nor our good intentions that brings us His mercy.  It is His own perfect love which reached out without boundaries and enabled us to be washed, cleansed, and sanctified.

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The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Charge to Timothy Renewed

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, ¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. ²⁰ Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.