All posts by JT

Christian. Husband. Dad. Preacher. Baseball fan. Music nerd. Bookworm.

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

August 18, 2020 JT Leave a comment

Day 167/260: Read 1 Timothy 4

God created man as a free moral agent. That means he has the ability to make choices based on information, not merely instinct. You have the freedom to decide to follow Jesus, or to reject Him. God will not force you into submission.

Notice what Paul said to Timothy. “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.” Timothy had a choice to make. He could either use the gift to the glory of God, or he could neglect it. Refuse to work for the Lord. Ignore the truth.

While we may not be endowed with the miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit today, we all have different non-miraculous talents and abilities. We can either use those talents to God’s glory, according to His will, or we can neglect them. We have the freedom to decide.

With that freedom, however, comes consequences. We need to devote ourselves to working in the kingdom if we are to reap the rewards of a faithful servant. Those who refuse to work will be punished. Yes, even if you are not actively participating in evil things, if you are refusing to actively participate in the things of God, you will be punished. Consider the parable of the talents on this point (Matthew 25:14-30).

Are you using the talents and abilities with which you have been blessed?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

2 Timothy 1:13. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Pray

Pray for opportunities to glorify God through your talents.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

August 17, 2020 JT Leave a comment

Day 166/260: Read 1 Timothy 3

The Holy Spirit, through the pen of the apostle Paul, set forth certain qualities for those who would lead the church of Christ.

Qualifications are also set forth for those who would serve as deacons. Look closely at these qualifications, though. Is there anything listed that should not be true of any Christian?

“Blameless,…temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous.” These are things every Christian should want to be.

There are those qualifications related to the family that may not apply in every Christian’s case, but for the married Christian, shouldn’t he be faithful to his wife? For the Christian parent, shouldn’t he strive to raise believing children?

The church needs elders and deacons to serve in those roles faithfully. If you are a married man with children, what is preventing you from serving in such a role? If you are a young man, not yet married or not yet a parent, what traits do you need to work on in your own life to make you qualified to serve once those family qualifications are met?

In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul listed qualities of the fruit of the Spirit, then said, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Every Christian must live and walk in the Spirit and strive to serve God where He has placed him.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

2 Timothy 1:13. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Pray

Pray for maturity in spiritual matters and Christian behavior.

Sermon Outlines

A House Divided (Luke 11:14-23)

August 16, 2020 JT Leave a comment

A House Divided Luke 11:14-23 sermon

Luke 11:14-23

I. Reactions to the miracle

II. Christ responds to the slander

III. A parable showing superiority and strength

IV. In spiritual warfare, there can be no neutrality

Sermon Outlines

“And,” Not “Or”

August 16, 2020 JT Leave a comment

And Not Or

John 4:19-24

I. “In spirit”

II. “In truth”

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

August 14, 2020 JT Leave a comment

Day 165/260: Read 1 Timothy 2

Are you ever amazed by the restraint of the inspired writers when they speak of government? Christians were heavily persecuted in the first century, many even dying for the faith. Yet inspiration teaches that Christians should respect those in positions of authority and even submit to them, as long as they are not demanding disobedience to God.

Paul urged Timothy to pray for all men, including “kings and all who are in authority.” Rome’s opposition to Christianity was no secret; Caesar was not a friend of first century disciples. Despite the animosity, the apostle said that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for all kings and all who are in authority.” When is the last time you prayed for a politician that you did not like?

As followers of Jesus, we are to be peaceful and submissive to those that do not interfere with our religion, and pray for those who do oppose us. Pray “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Does your social media usage show quietness, peace, godliness, and reverence?

Let’s pray the way God wants us to pray, and live the way God wants us to live, looking toward our eternal citizenship and striving to bring our neighbors “to the knowledge of the truth.”

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Pray

Pray for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

August 13, 2020 JT Leave a comment

Day 164/260: Read 1 Timothy 1

What types of things are “contrary to sound doctrine”? Paul gives us quite a list in the first chapter of 1 Timothy, and it is not even all-inclusive. Lawless, insubordinate, ungodly, sinners, unholy, profane, murderers of parents, manslayers, fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers. Have you watched the news lately?

These acts of unrighteousness are usually the headlines on cable news, and many do not even flinch when they hear them. Many modern-day network programs are filled with profanity and fornication. Politicians are often criticized for their half-truths and flat-out lies. And more and more, kidnapping has been getting attention on social media as trafficking has been exposed.

Can we get away from these things? Sadly, as long as we live in a sinful world, we cannot. Jesus does not want us to leave this world, but He wants us to make it better in any way that we can. When He prayed to God, He said, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15).

Protect yourself by being aware of the sins of the world and guarding yourself against them. We should, like Timothy, “wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience.”

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying and _______________ of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am _______________.

Pray

Pray with thanksgiving that you have been taught the grace and mercy of God.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

August 12, 2020 JT Leave a comment

Day 163/260: Read Philemon

Broken homes, poverty, racism…all around, we see and experience difficulties and heartaches. How can we make the world a better place? Start by making the world better for one person. Then encourage them to make it better for someone else. One by one, we can change the world.

At times, some criticize the New Testament for its lack of condemnation of slavery. Yet, we see the deconstruction of the institution in the teachings of how people should treat people—regardless of color or class.

Paul writes to Philemon, a slave owner, on behalf of Onesimus, a slave. But Onesimus was more than just a slave. He had become Philemon’s brother in Christ. Paul appealed to the highest Christian principle of love, urging Philemon to receive this man back as “a beloved brother.”

Inspired writers generally did not get involved in political matters. In fact, it is written, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:1-2).

Rather than trying to change policy, the gospel seeks to change people. One by one. Love each other. Treat your fellow man with respect. Be like Jesus. That’s how we make the world a better place.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 Timothy 1:15. This is a _______________ saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to _______________ sinners, of whom I am chief.

Pray

Pray for the opportunity to make the world better for someone today.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

August 11, 2020 JT Leave a comment

Day 162/260: Read Jude

Some religious people teach that once a person is saved, it is impossible for him to fall away. This is sometimes called “the impossibility of apostasy.” This is a false doctrine refuted many times in the New Testament, including in the short epistle written by Jude.

The inspired writer talks about the salvation of Israel from Egypt, yet reminds the reader that God “afterward destroyed those who did not believe.” He mentions “the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode.”

He then shifts his attention to the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah, who had “given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh.” Time and time again, we see God’s perfect creation—both humankind and angelkind—leaving the safety of God.

Why did they leave? Several reasons: pride, greed, a rebellious spirit, sensuousness. A lack of trust in the promises and provisions of God. Selfishness. It didn’t have to be that way.

Jude writes, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” You have a choice to remain in the grace of God through faithful obedience, or to walk away. Choose Jesus.

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Pray

Pray for forgiveness for your shortcomings and commit yourself to following God’s instructions selflessly.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

August 10, 2020 JT Leave a comment

Day 161/260: Read 2 Peter 3

How important is Bible study? The apostle Paul reminds us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Seems pretty important, right?

James wrote, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). The Word is profitable, and it is soul-saving. That’s more than important. That’s essential.

Peter says that we must “be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,” but warns that the Scriptures can be misused if we are not careful. He says that within the writings of inspired men are “some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction.”

Consult trustworthy sources by sound men, such as Guy N. Woods, Gus Nichols, Robert Taylor Jr., and Wayne Jackson, understanding that even the most sound can be wrong. Study them, then search the Scriptures for verification of what they teach.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Pray

Pray for wisdom as you study God’s inspired Word.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

August 7, 2020 JT Leave a comment

Day 160/260: Read 2 Peter 2

In stark contrast to the precious promises of God, Peter warns against false prophets and false teachers “who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”

We can see the grace and mercy of God throughout the New Testament, but there are unscrupulous men and women who will blaspheme God and His revealed gospel. “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words.”

In this age of instant news through the avenues of television and the internet, and the especially rapid spread of false information via social media, it is no surprise that more are being deceived by false teachers.

Promoters of “health and wealth” prosperity gospel messages are exceedingly popular, but in truth “they speak great swelling words of emptiness.” They line their own pockets but fail to make followers of Jesus. Sure, the people who listen to these false teachers believe they are following Christ, but they have been duped by the false teachers, and in the end will hear the words, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23).

Friends, I urge you to investigate what you are being taught, and “search[] the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things [are] so” (Acts 17:11).

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

1 Peter 3:15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Pray

Pray for those who believe falsehoods, that they may turn from the lies and seek the truth.

But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12)