THEME:
Repentance, Faith, Truth, Darkness, The Apostle Paul and his letter to Timothy
What is Repentance?
What is Faith?
What is Truth?
What is Darkness?
Who was Paul?
Who was Timothy?
Where is the Church, today?
Characters of Focus:
Paul the Apostle
Timothy
Stephen the Martyr
Verses Cited:
SECOND TIMOTHY 2:24-26
SECOND TIMOTHY 2:26
PSALM 36:7-9
FIRST JOHN 5:19
MATTHEW 10:22
FIRST CORINTHIANS 13:13
SECOND TIMOTHY 2:4
EPHESIANS 6:12
MATTHEW 18:20
ROMANS 12:1-21
SECOND TIMOTHY 2:24-26
ACTS 7:58
PROVERBS 17:17
SECOND TIMOTHY 2:7
ACTS 8:3
(Prayer, Invoking God into the congregation:)
(Opening:)
“We all know that we are of God and the world is under the sway of the wicked one.” (FIRST JOHN 5:19)
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly governors, the princes of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, which are in the high places.”
“…To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life.”
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(ROMANS 12:1-21)
“For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” MATTHEW 18:20
“Now, these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these is Love.” (1 CORINTNHIANS 13:13,)
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”