The Pastoral Epistles

1 Timothy

• Combating the Teaching of False Doctrine – 1 Timothy 1:3-4 (2/24/2021) - Paul warns Timothy to not allow the teaching of false doctrines. These cause controversy, rather than building up the body of Christ.
• The Importance of Sound Doctrine – 1 Timothy 1:5 (9/10/2018) - Guard against teachers who promote false doctrines. Never forget the importance of sound doctrine in promoting love and unity.
• I Thank Christ Jesus My Lord – 1 Timothy 1:12-14 (7/17/2022) - I give thanks to Christ Jesus for all that he has done in my life. He has richly blessed me beyond any reasonable expectation.
• The Worst of Sinners – 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (6/24/2023) - Who is the worst of sinners you know of? God's love reaches out, even to them. We should never assume that someone is a hopeless case.
• Faith and a Good Conscience – 1 Timothy 1:19 (4/2/2018) - As a believer, how important is it to hold onto faith and a good conscience? According to Paul, it is absolutely vital. Hold tightly to them.
• Pray for All People – 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (11/27/2023) - Never underestimate the power and effectiveness of prayer. God hears the righteous when we pray. And it makes a difference.
• God Wants All To Be Saved – 1 Timothy 2:3-6 (4/4/2018) - God wants all people to be saved. But only those who repent and believe will be saved and escape his judgment.
• Basic Expectations for All Believers – 1 Timothy 3:2-3 (9/12/2018) - Is it only pastors whose expectations are to be above reproach, faithful in their marriage, and self-controlled? Or true of all believers?
• A Good Reputation with Unbelievers – 1 Timothy 3:7 (4/5/2018) - Do you have a good reputation among unbelievers? Or is the cause of Christ brought into disrepute because of your life and actions?
• The Importance of a Good Reputation – 1 Timothy 3:7 (12/19/2023) - Be careful to maintain a good reputation with outsiders. Live such good lives that God will be glorified, even among unbelievers.
• The Deep Truths of the Faith – 1 Timothy 3:9 (8/29/2018) - Holding to the deep truths of the faith is a stated qualification for being a deacon. It really should also be a goal for all believers.
• Those Who Have Served Well – 1 Timothy 3:13 (1/27/2023) - As believers, all of us are called to serve the Lord. And those who serve well have great standing in the kingdom and assurance in the faith.
• Doctrines of Demons – 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (4/8/2024) - Guard against false teachers and doctrines contrary to God’s inspired word and those that promote a different gospel.
• Nourished on the Truths of the Faith – 1 Timothy 4:6 (1/28/2023) - How can you distinguish and confront false teaching? By daily finding nourishment in the truths of the faith. By spending time in God's word.
• Training in Godliness – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (9/17/2018) - Paul advised Timothy to avoid things in this life that distract, and to focus on training in godliness. Training with value for eternity.
• Showing Visible Progress in the Faith – 1 Timothy 4:12-16 (12/27/2013) - Am I growing in my faith? Do others see any growth in me? Should I not be demonstrating visible progress in the growth of my faith?
• Set an Example – 1 Timothy 4:12 (4/6/2018) - Do you set a good example of the Christian lifestyle to the believers around you? Strive to make your life one that others could safely copy.
• Don’t Neglect Your Gift – 1 Timothy 4:14 (3/30/2020) - How has God gifted you to serve within the church? However he has, don't neglect your gift and so hurt the body, as well as yourself.
• So Everyone May See Your Progress – 1 Timothy 4:15 (12/26/2023) - Our growth as believers should be evident to others around us. And our progress should encourage others to grow in their walk with our Lord.
• Watch Your Life and Doctrine Closely – 1 Timothy 4:16 (3/16/2020) - All believers, not just preachers and teachers, need to watch our lives and doctrine closely. Both for ourselves and those we influence.
• Handling an Accusation – 1 Timothy 5:19-20 (9/20/2018) - As members, or leaders, in a local church, how should we respond to an accusation of sin on the part of our leadership?
• Don’t Be a Lemming – 1 Timothy 5:22 (10/31/2023) - As a believer, don't be a lemming, following the tide of the culture. Dare, instead, to follow the way of the Lord. Be transformed.
• Character in Leadership – 1 Timothy 5:22 (4/7/2018) - How do we select our leaders, especially within the church? Based on their character in leadership? Or how appealing they sound to us?
• Avoid Quarreling About Words – 1 Timothy 6:3-5 (10/3/2022) - It is inevitable that we will disagree at times over what the Bible teaches. But we need to avoid quarreling about words and their meaning.
• Godliness with Contentment – 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (6/28/2023) - Being content with what we have can be challenging. But if we focus on godliness, we can learn to be content, and that is a great gain to us.
• Flee Ungodliness; Pursue Righteousness- 1 Timothy 6:11 (4/9/2018) - As a 'man of God,' I need to flee ungodliness in all its forms. Instead, I should pursue righteousness, godliness, and other godly virtues.
• The Good Fight of the Faith – 1 Timothy 6:12 (9/24/2018) - Paul calls on us to live a much more active life for Christ than we commonly do. Lace-up the gloves and fight the good fight of the faith.
• Laying Up Treasure for the Coming Age – 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (12/21/2023) - By doing good and being generous, we are laying up treasure as a firm foundation for the coming age. Invest now in your eternal future.
• Guard What Is Entrusted to You – 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (1/29/2023) - We are called to guard the truths of the gospel that have been entrusted to us. Hold tightly to them and pass them on to others.

2 Timothy

• Fan into Flame the Gift of God – 2 Timothy 1:6 (12/22/2023) - Don't be content to let your gifts lie dormant and unused. Instead, discover, use, and develop those gifts to build up Christ's body.
• The Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-discipline – 2 Timothy 1:7 (4/10/2018) - This verse is meaningful to those of us who are timid. God has given us his Spirit, the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.
• What I have Entrusted to Christ- 2 Timothy 1:12 (9/26/2018) - In what do you trust? Much of what we might trust in will fail. Only what is entrusted into God's hands is secure. Trust him with your life.
• The Pattern of Sound Teaching – 2 Timothy 1:13 (11/27/2022) - As believers, we need to hold firmly to the pattern of sound teaching that is based solidly on the Scripture. This will keep us from error.
• Passing On Our Faith To the Next Generation – 2 Timothy 2:2 (3/23/2020) - As Paul encouraged Timothy to instruct the next generation of teachers, so we should be conscious of passing on our faith to others.
• Pleasing Our Commanding Officer – 2 Timothy 2:4 (6/30/2023) - God is not satisfied with anything less than our all. To please God, our commanding officer, requires wholehearted devotion.
• Reflecting on the Scriptures – 2 Timothy 2:7 (1/6/2023) - It is good the read the Bible. But it is even better to spend time reflecting on the Scriptures and what they have to say to us.
• Quarreling About Words – 2 Timothy 2:14 (3/9/2020) - Quarreling about words seems to be a favorite pastime for some. But Paul warns us against it. It accomplishes little other than division.
• An Approved and Unashamed Worker – 2 Timothy 2:15 (4/11/2018) - I need to seek to faithfully serve God in such a way that, when I stand before him at the end of this life, I will be approved and unashamed.
• Useful to the Master – 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (10/10/2018) - Do you want to be useful to the Master; to God who has redeemed you? Then you need to do a dump run, getting rid of the garbage in your life.
• Pursue Righteousness, Faith, Love, and Peace – 2 Tim. 2:22 (7/27/2022) - Whether you are young or old, a new believer or old saint, Paul's word are just as applicable. Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
• Avoid Foolish and Stupid Arguments – 2 Timothy 2:23-24 (7/28/2022) - Be careful about getting caught up in foolish and stupid arguments that produce quarrels. Instead, be kind and respectful in your discussions
• Having a Form of Godliness – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (4/12/2018) - Don't be a Sunday Christian, having a form of godliness on Sunday morning, and then being like the world the rest of the week.
• Jesus Is the Ultimate Truth – 2 Timothy 3:7 (1/31/2023) - People can look for truth in many different places. And there is some in many of them. But the ultimate truth is only found in Jesus.
• The Promise of Suffering – 2 Timothy 3:12 (9/16/2019) - Persecution is the common experience of all who would live godly lives in Christ. Don't be discouraged by this. Rejoice in your suffering.
• But As for You – 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (2/10/2023) - Many today are turning away from the truth of God's word, So Paul's words are appropriate, "but as for you, hold firmly to the Scriptures."
• Scripture: Inspired by God to Train and Equip – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (4/13/2018) - The Scripture is given to us by God to train us in the Christian life and to equip us for service in the kingdom. It's up to us to use it.
• Hold on to Sound Doctrine – 2 Timothy 4:3 (5/20/2021) - Hold on to sound doctrine. Don't fall into the trap of believing what is most appealing. Hold firmly to the truth of Scripture.
• Discharge the Duties of Your Ministry – 2 Timothy 4:5 (3/17/2021) - Paul's charge to Timothy included discharging the duties of his ministry. This speaks to me as well. Do all that the Lord has given me to do.
• Finishing With No Regrets – 2 Timothy 4:7 (4/16/2018) - Will you stand before the Lord with no regrets, having fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith?
• The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8 (7/31/2022) - As Paul approached the end of a faithful and fruitful life, he expressed confidence that a crown of righteousness awaited him.
• Demas: He Loved This World – 2 Timothy 4:10 (10/5/2020) - The story of Demas is a sad one. A traveling companion of Paul who, in the end, turned his back on Paul. Why? Because he loved this world.
• Our Past Does Not Define Us – 2 Timothy 4:11 (7/2/2023) - Don't let your past define you. As a young man, Mark failed, deserting Paul and Barnabas. But he was given a second chance and became useful.
• Rescued from Every Evil Attack – 2 Timothy 4:18 (12/29/2021) - Rather than be overly concerned about the hardships of your physical life, trust the Lord to safely rescue you from every evil attack.
• Saved and Called to a Holy Life by God’s Grace – 2 Timothy 1:9 (10/18/2021) - God saved us, and called us to live a holy life. And it is by his grace and purpose. The call to holiness is a privilege he gives us.

Titus

• The Hope of Eternal Life – Titus 1:2-3 (2/2/2023) - As believers in the Lord Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life. Not a wishful hope, but a confident assurance in our ultimate salvation.
• Hold Firmly to Sound Doctrine – Titus 1:9 (8/1/2022) - It is important for all believers to hold firmly to sound doctrine. It will keep us from error and will enable us to pass our faith on.
• By Their Actions, They Deny Him – Titus 1:16 (4/17/2018) - Can the world around me recognize the truth of my relationship with Christ by the life I live? Or by my actions and words do I deny him?
• Sound Doctrine and Ethics – Titus 2:1 (2/3/2023) - It is important that we teach ethics alongside of sound doctrine. It is not enough for us to have right beliefs. We need to live holy lives.
• Demonstrating Integrity in Action and Teaching – Titus 2:7-8 (9/28/2020) - Paul's instruction here to Titus is applicable to all believers. Be an example. Show integrity in your actions as well as in your teaching.
• Salvation Offered to All People – Titus 2:11 (8/2/2022) - God's grace offers salvation to all people. None of us are worthy of his salvation. But he graciously offers it to all.
• Say No to Ungodliness – Titus 2:12 (4/18/2018) - Dare to be different, to say no to the ungodliness that is so rampant in our society. Instead, live an upright and godly life.
• While We Wait for the Blessed Hope – Titus 2:13 (12/18/2022) - We have a blessed hope in Christ. That he will return for us and be with us for eternity. And that hope should impact our lives now.
• Who Gave Himself for Us – Titus 2:14 (12/28/2023) - Jesus took on our humanity and died for us. To redeem us from wickedness. And to purify for himself a people of his own.
• Instructions for Relating to People – Titus 3:1 (4/19/2018) - Rules for life! Paul gives us in this short passage some instructions for relating to various groups that we come into contact with.
• Because of His Mercy – Titus 3:3-5 (5/5/2014) - God did not call me because I was anyway worthy of it. I was far from worthy. He saved me because of his great mercy toward me.
• Saved, Because of His Mercy – Titus 3:4-5a (5/13/2021) - God will save us, not because of anything we do, but because of his mercy. He will save all who call to him with faith in the Lord Jesus.
• The Working of the Triune God – Titus 3:5-7 (8/3/2022) - Each person of the triune God works in our salvation. The Father sends the Son to save. And he send the Spirit to wash and renew.
• Avoid Foolish Controversies and Arguments – Titus 3:9-10 (12/29/2023) - Avoid getting caught up in foolish controversies, arguments, and theological debates that are unprofitable and cause division.

Philemon

• The Church that Meets in Your Home – Philemon 1:2 (4/20/2018) - The church is wherever believers are. It is good to gather together in our homes and be united in heart, mind, and spirit.
• Partnership in the Faith – Philemon 1:6 (7/6/2023) - We share a partnership in the faith with other believers. And that partnership, or koinonia, should enable each of us to grow in our faith.
• Onesimus: from Useless to Useful – Philemon 1:11 (2/5/2023) - Onesimus story is the story of every believer. At one time we were useless, sold to sin. But now we have been freed and have become useful.