Untitled Sermon

Sermon Series Introduction

We turn our attention to a new book this evening. We are beginning a study in 1 Timothy. One of the pastoral epistles written to Paul’s son in the faith. But as you will see in this study is that Paul uses this epistle, not only as a letter to his child in the faith, but he also uses this letter to Speak to the church of Ephesus. One commentator puts it like this:

Preaching the Word: 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus—To Guard the Deposit Chapter 1: Greetings to All

What do these three letters have to do with our present situation? Consider the agendas for Christian action and evangelical response being set in many quarters of the church today. At the forefront are a number of very pressing items: the church’s role in a changing society, the church’s responsibility to the poor and the disfranchised, the Christian message among competing messages, the secularization of Christianity, church and state. Consider some of the perennial issues: a Christian attitude to wealth and materialism, the church’s response to the cults, spiritual lifestyle, leadership and authority, the role of women, discipline in the church. Finally, consider some of the items on our personal agendas: the true meaning of godliness, faithfulness to the gospel, suffering and life in the Spirit, responsibility to those in authority, the importance of Christian witness. For the church that seeks to understand its role in a complex world and for the individual Christian “who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:12) today, the Pastoral epistles make very relevant reading.

Sermon Introduction

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Sermon Series Introduction