1 Timothy 2: What Happens When We Abandon God’s Design?

Class Outline:

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Sacred order in a shaken church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome To

BARAH MINISTRIES

 

Al Gleason

Guest Teacher

 

Good morning!

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…an intimate, local Christian Church with a worldwide impact.  My name is Al Gleason, and I will be teaching today.  I would like to thank Pastor Rory Clark for sharing the pulpit with me, as it is always a privilege and an honor to get the opportunity to do so. I would like to thank you for listening to this Bible lesson!

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

What Happens When We Abandon God’s Design?

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

 

Have you ever experienced having an important event, somewhere you were excited to go to, or somewhere you had to be? You plannedmonths in advance, prepared, maybe even prayed for it, but on your way, you were delayed. There was unexpected construction ortraffic that slowed you down. Did it frustrate you?

 

I had a situation like that happened when I was in high school. It was a Saturday morning, and I was headed to a Junior Achievement event. I left with just enough time to get there, but as soon as I got out of the subdivision I ran into traffic. Saturday morning traffic is unheard of in the city where I grew up. I got through the traffic, got on the highway, was headed to the event, and about ten minutes into the drive, Icame to a screeching stop on the highway. There was a car flipped over with a person laying outside of their car on the pavement. It was blocking two of the three lanes on the interstate. It shook me because I had never seen anything like that, and I almost ran into a person and his vehicle that was stopped on the highway.

 

I called the police, and they were already on the way. I was afraid to get out of the car because I didn't know what to do other than make the phone call, so I assessed the scene and then kept driving. I ended up arriving late for my event. When I got back to the house and told my mom what happened,and she pointed out that the delay may have prevented me from being involved in the accident.

 

This incident reminds me of what it can feel like when we are givencertain instructions in scripture, like those found in First Timothy, Chapter 2. Some things feel like detours. They push against what’s comfortablefor us, or against what people in a culture assert. Yet there is something we must consider as we seek to understand why God does what He does.

 

What if God's orderfor the church, prayer and worship, isn't about restriction, but about protection?What if the uncomfortable things are what’s keeping us aligned with His purpose?

 

Whenever God challenges me with things I don’t like or understand, one passage of scripture comes to mind…Isaiah, Chapter55, Verses 8 and 9…

 

ISAIAH 55:8

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.

 

ISAIAH 55:9

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

 

This scripture is a “mic drop” to me. What rebuttal can anyone give to an omniscient, eternal God who says His thoughts are so much higher it can’t even be calculated?How much higher are the heavens than the earth?!  His instructionsmust be considered higher as well.  If we want to live our best life, we must yield to what he is telling us.

 

Last message I talked about standing, which sparked some discussion with the wife and me. To stand, we must accept that God’s divine instruction is greater than human opinion, including our own opinion. Isaiah, Chapter 55 says so eloquently. Also, it’s important for us to recognize that submission requires trust. When you willingly submit to someone or something it is an acknowledgement of trust. The inverse is also true.  Ifchoosing not to submit, it is an acknowledgmentof no trust. As we study today’s passage, let’s remember that Godknows what’s best for us.

 

Wecontinue our study of First Timothy, a letter written by the apostle Paul to give Timothy guidance on how to handle the church at Ephesus.  It is guidance as relevant today as it was then.Today we study First Timothy, Chapter 2, verse-by-verse.

 

OPENING SONG INTRODUCTION

 

God’s direction always leads us to places we would never go on our own. He told Abrahamto start walking and He would show him where to go. He told Jonah specifically to go to Ninevahto minister to people he hated. At times we experience both situations, and it ultimately leads us somewhere God wants us, and somewhere that will ultimately be a blessing to us. Let’s worship together as we listen to Oceans by Southeast Worship& Rachel Morley.

 

MUSIC

OPENING SONG

Oceans

 

OCEANS

Southeast Worship & Rachel Morley

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

Let us pray…

 

Father thank you for anotheropportunity to commune with you and study your Word. I thank you for the gift of salvation, and the desire to want to be in fellowship with your creation.I ask You to give us understanding of Your wisdom andthat You give us Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

Help us reject any thinking that hinders what Your Word has been sent to accomplish, and any beliefs contrary to Your desire for us. I thank you for the humility and the strength to stand.

 

…we ask for these things through the power of God the Holy Spiritin Christ’s name… Amen.

 

 

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

What Happens When We Abandon God’s Design?

 

LESSON PART ONE

 

As Paul was writing First Timothy, Chapter 2 he was very concerned about the structural health of the churches he planted. In Ephesus, the church had been overrun with false teachers and Biblical distortion and was challenged with cultural standards negatively influencing church standards. Leadership was in disarray.

 

Ephesus was home to what is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, The Temple of Artemis (Diana). Think of what we know the pyramids of Giza are to the Egyptians and their culture. This is what The Temple of Artemis was to Ephesus.Artemis worship was the centerpiece of the Ephesian economy, identity, and daily life. As a result, it was one of the strongest cultural pressures on the early Ephesian church.

 

The Artemis Cult was prevalent. It featured female priestesses and overall female spiritual dominance. Women often served as oracles or spiritual authorities. Scholars believe this is why Paul writes what he does to Timothy as it relates to women’s place in the church.  It was a reminder of the divine order of things.

 

A key practice in Artemis worship included mysterious religious elements, secret knowledge, chants, and magical incantations. These practices are similar to what we understand to take place in secret societies inmodern-day cults. Sexually immoral acts were performed as worship, which brought confusion about morality and the expectations of church behavior.

 

The economy in Ephesus was tied to Artemis worship. This included religious tourism, idol making, and temple prostitution. People working in these professions were a part of those who had given their life to Jesus, and who were now part of the church. Imagine what it must have been like. Accepting Jesus not only meant being ridiculed in this society, but also it meant giving up your only means of making a living to follow God’s plan.

 

The more we study this letter, the more we can see how the challenges back then parallel to the challenges we face now. Following Jesus was frowned upon by society, cultural norms were drastically different from God’s intention, and idols were prevalent. Imagine the younger generation looking at their parentswho held godly views, thinking their parents are out of touch with what was relevant.The saying, “There is nothing new under the sun” is applicable here.

 

Let’s read First Timothy, Chapter 2verse-by-verse.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:1

First of all, then, I (Paul) urge that entreaties and prayers and petitions and thanksgivingsbe made on behalf of all men…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:2

…and for kings and for all who are in authority, so that we may leadtranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:3

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:4

…who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:6

…who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:7

For this I (Paul) was appointed a preacher and an apostle…(I am telling the truth, I am not lying )…and as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:8

Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:9

Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments…

 

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:10

…but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:11

A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:12

But I (Paul) do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:13

For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:14

And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:15

But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

 

We’ve just read Paul’s instructions to Timothyin Chapter 2.This Scripture requires contextual understanding.  So, when we return from the break, through the grace of God the Holy Spirit, we will get an understanding of what God is communicating through Paul in First Timothy Chapter 2.

 

Take a five-minutebreak.

 

FIVE-MINUTE BREAK

NOBODY

Casting Crowns

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

What Happens When We Abandon God’s Design?

 

 

 

 

OFFERING INTRODUCTION

 

When we give, we’re not just supporting a ministry—we’re responding to the

greatness of the One who gave everything for us. Let your offering today reflect your gratitude for the immeasurable gift of Jesus, who is worthy not only of our worship but also of our generosity.Let’s welcome upDeacon Denny Goodall with today’s offering message.

 

THE OFFERING

Denny Goodall

 

OFFERING VERSE

 

HEBREWS 11:1

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for…a conviction of things not seen.

 

OFFERING SONG

 

BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE

Bishop Paul S. Morton & Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Women’s Mass Choir

 

TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

What Happens When We Abandon God’s Design?

 

LESSON PART TWO

 

Welcome back!

 

Let’s studyFirst Timothy, Chapter2 verse-by-verse. To really understand what Paul is saying to Timothy…and what God is saying to us through these words…we’ve got to keepGod’s viewpoint in mind.

 

In the first lesson, I talked about the importance of context when we are studying the Word. It is also important to ensure when reading the Word, to understand what is being said AND the implications of what is being said. Many know what the Bible says, but they don’t understand what the Bible is saying. By the enabling power of God the Holy Spirit, that will not be us, Amen?!

 

Part of the challenge modern day Christians have with these verses and with Scripture in general, is that we don’t understand the context or the actual meaning of the words being used when the Bible was written. A story illustrates how easily misunderstandings can happen because we assign different meanings to words.

 

Thirteen-year-old Malik was at his grandmother's house for Sunday dinner, sitting at the table with a plate full of collard greens, mac and cheese, and fried chicken. He was sharing stories from his first week back at school with his cousins when the conversation turned to his physical education class.

 

“Yo,” Malik said, waving his fork around. “This dude in my class said he could bench press 250 pounds…I was like, that’s cap!”

 

Grandma, who had been sipping her sweet tea quietly at the other end of the table, suddenly dropped her glass. Everyone turned to look.

 

“Excuse me?!” she said, wide-eyed. “Malik Jamal Thompson, we do not use that kind of language in this house!”

 

Malik blinked, confused. “Huh? What did I say?”

 

“You just accused that young man of being on drugs!” she snapped, standing up. “We don’t talk about people like that, especially not at this table!”

 

Now everyone was looking at Malik, trying not to laugh. His cousin Jasmine leaned over and whispered, “She thinks you meant taking cap, like pills.”

 

Malik’s face turned red. “No, Grandma! ‘Cap’ just means lying. Like, it’s not true. He was exaggerating. I wasn’t calling him a druggie!”

 

There was a pause. Grandma looked puzzled, then slowly sat back down.

 

“Oh…well, I didn’t know that,” she muttered, embarrassed. “In my day, a cap was something you put on your head, or what folks took when they had a headache.”

 

The table erupted in laughter. Grandma chuckled, too.

 

“Well, next time, maybe say he’s telling tales,” she said. “That’s how we used to say it.”

 

Malik grinned. “Okay, Grandma…but that’s kinda mid.”

 

Grandma’s eyes narrowed. “Now what in the world does mid mean?”

 

Malik quickly shoved a big bite of mac and cheese in his mouth.

 

Have any of you experienced something like this growing up? I know I have!

Cap in grandma’s day meant something completely different. Now think about this. In the 1920’s, Cap meant a capsule for heroin. In the 1960’s, in was a capsule for LSD. During the 1990s, it was a measure of marijuana in prison slang. During the 2000’s, it became a general term used for various drugs. When someone says cap, it could mean either one of those, or even none of those.  According to Malik, it means a lie!

 

As this story illustrates, the meaning of words can change over time, especially when we are dealing with slang or cultural meanings. This example is the difference of two generations within the same family. When we read the Bible, we are not only are translating words from different languages, we are dealing with the meanings of words changing,different cultures, different times, different Biblical translations, and slang that may have been used. This why it is important for us to study to show ourselves approved in the matter of Scripture, rightly dividing the Word of truth. The enemy would love for you to stay ignorant so he can take advantage of you like he has done to so many throughout history.

 

As we study First Timothy, Chapter 2 verse-by-verse,let’s keep three things in mind:

 

KEEP IN MIND THREE THINGS

 

1

What was happening in the church at Ephesus at the time

 

2

Why Paul wrote the letter the way he did

3

How the letter applies to us today

 

Let’s study First Timothy,Chapter 2, starting with Verses 1 and 2…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:1

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men…

 

Paul writes this verse right after addressing what happened to Hymenaeus and Alexander, who’s faith was shipwrecked as they had become false teachers that were looking to mislead members of the Ephesus flock. So Paul now says in this verse, the most important thing that we do in the church is to pray.

 

Of the seven different Greek words for prayer, Paul uses four as he expresses its importance in this verse. Entreaties indicate a type of prayer with a sense of urgency about the prayer. Prayers here is the most common word used to describe praying, and it emphasizes the sacredness of prayer. It is something we do with reverence, and it’s an act of worship rather than just a way to ask for our needs and wants. Petitions suggests the act of drawing near to God and have a confident conversation with Him. Thanksgivings refers to expressing our gratitude for God being who He is, and for answering our prayers.

 

Paul ends this verse by saying to pray on behalf of all men. This instruction is important not only because we should pray for everyone, but also because traditionally the Pharisees would only pray for Israel.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:2

…for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

 

Paul gives the instruction to pray for those who are in authority. He didn’t say if you agree with them, or if they were godly. He just said pray. As he wrote these words, the godless Emperor Nero was on the throne, and he was getting more and more corrupt over time. Respect them whether you like them or not is Paul’s recommendation. Christians are to do the right thing.  Paul shares an incentive for doing so…we get a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

 

First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verse 3…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:3

This is good and acceptable in the sight of the God who is our Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ)…

 

Paul is expressing that prayer is not just good because it works, but it is intrinsically good. It is pleasing to the Lord.  First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 4 to 7…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:4

…(the Savior) who wants all to be saved and who wants all to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:6

…who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:7

For this I (Paul) was appointed a preacher and an apostle…(I am telling the truth, I am not lying )…as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth..

 

It is God’s will that all are saved and that none would perish. It was God’s motivation to send His only son Jesus to complete His work on the Cross. Because God the Father did this, we now have a mediator between us and God. Christ’s sacrifice paved the way for allto be saved and it is the basis of our prayer, perhaps the most important activity in the church.  First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verse 8:

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:8

Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

 

Men are specifically called on to pray here. To this day, it is not uncommon to find women praying, but often men are few at prayer meetings. Men who pray are important for effective leadership and order in the church.

 

The “b” part of this verse speaks to the requirements for men to have an effective prayer life. Holy hands or clean hands was symbolic of a blameless life. Without wrath or without anger infers that we are peacemakers instead of troublemakers. We must be the peace so that we can get answers from God. Without wrath and dissension means we pray without disputing. We settle disputes, we release the anger in our hearts so we can do things without murmuring and complaining. Effective prayers require right relationship with God and our fellow man.

 

First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verse 9:

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:9

Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:10

…rather, by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.…

 

In Ephesus, women in the church were influenced both by the culture and by their own experiences of worshiping Artemis. They were dressingprovocatively,seducing men as is called for in the Artemis cult. Appearance, sensuality, and dominance were glorified and were considered forms of spiritual power. This is the environment that Paul was addressing. He encouraged womennot to jockey for position among each other with outward adornment, but to demonstrate godlinessthrough good works that please God.

 

First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 11 and 12…

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:11

A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:12

But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

 

Women were in the church trying to “run things” by dominating conversations and teaching things in error, much of which was from their ArtemisCult roots. Some accounts say women would interrupt the service to interject. They were giving Timothy a hard time! Not addressing them could severely derail the church and cause harm to others in the congregation.

 

First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 13 to 15…

 

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:13

For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.

 

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:14

…and it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression..

 

FIRST TIMOTHY 2:15

But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

 

Paul is making it clear that God had structure and that there was a creation order that should be recognized over the cultural standards. It is not about superiority of men, but a pattern of leadership responsibility that God established from the beginning. This combatted false theology and gender confusion that was seeping into the church at the time.

 

The “Eve’s deception” reference exposed the danger of unqualified spiritual leadership, a serious issue in Ephesus. Many women taught Gnostic beliefs that mislead. Eve was tricked by the enemy to eat, but Adam sinned knowingly and was responsible for sin being passed to all mankind (Romans 5:12).

 

Scholars debate the meaning of Verse 15, but I want to look at some Scripture that provides clarity. Many interpret “saved through childbearing” to mean that women are saved by means of giving birth, but that interpretation leads to confusion. A more accurate understanding considers the Greek word for “through” (Dia) as used in First Corinthians, Chapter3, Verse 15, where someone is “saved through fire”—not by the fire, but in spite of it. Let’s read it:

 

FIRST CONRINTHIANS 3:15

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss…but he himself shall be saved…in spite of the fire.

 

Similarly, Paul is not saying women are saved by childbearing…rather,in the midst of, or despitethe suffering and danger associated with it—especially in a pre-modern world. Let’s read Genesis, Chapter 3, Verse 16:

 

 

GENESIS 3:16

Unto the woman the Lord said, I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

 

The pain of childbearing was part of the curse put on Eve for her sin in the garden. Remember, this is before modern procedures like epidurals and other anesthesia. Back then, women had to feel the pain of childbirth. It was a divine proclamation. Paul was saying that despite having to deal with that curse, it does not cut women off from God’s grace. You could say even though they must walk through the fire of childbirth, God’s mercy and salvation prevail over the curse.

 

The second half of this chapter is debated and rejected by many in the faith. I fully believe a lack of understanding is to blame. When you study the Word “submissiveness” in this passage, it literally means to rank under, like in the military. Rank relates to order and authority and has nothing to do with value or ability. Please don’t think that God expects women to be barefoot and pregnant, looking disheveled while being their husband’s servant. Submission is not subjugation.

 

Many only view church as an institution. The heart of God is that once we accept His salvation offer, we become members of His family. There are several scriptures that speak to this butlet’s look at two.  Hebrews, Chapter 13, Verse 1…

 

HEBREWS 13:1

Let the love of the brothers and sisters continue.

 

Ephesians, Chapter 2, Verse 19…

 

EPHESIANS 2:19

So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,

 

The church family is modeled after the nuclear family. Paul’s reference to Adam and Eve lends to this idea. He also speaks to it as he charges Timothy to protect the faith. In the coming chapters, we study men’s responsibility in the church in more detail. When there are discussions about men and women’s roles, one Scripture always hits me hard, especially when I get in my feelings. Let’s look at Ephesians, Chapter 5, Verses 25 and 28….

 

 

EPHESIANS 5:25

Husbands, love your wives unconditionally, even as Christ also loved the church unconditionally, and gave Himself up for it…

 

EPHESIANS 5:28

Even so ought the husbands also to love their own wives unconditionally just as their own bodies… unconditionally. He that loves his own wife unconditionally loves himself unconditionally…

 

The command that men have is a picture of what Christ did for the church. He pulls no punches here. Paul says, just like Jesus gave up his life for you, give your life up for you wife. What does that mean? It means leading in a sacrificial way, making great decisions, and being responsible. All the glamourous stuff. Love your wife like you love yourself and give yourself for her. Be patient, be kind, don’t boast, don’t be arrogant, don’t insist on your own way. Don’t be irritable or resentful. Be willing to die for her. It’s a weighty responsibility if a man takes it seriously. I must be honest, when I’m tired from a challenging day and I’m still trying to finish, I want to be irritable when my wife says, “Babe, can you stop what you are doing and take care of this?  It’s the most important thing in the world right now.” She doesn’t actually say the most important thing in the world part, but it feels like it sometimes. When I want to be aggravated, I hear God the Holy Spirit saying to me, “Al…don’t do that!”

 

As you all know, I like violins. Imagine a symphony orchestra. Every musician is equally valuable. The violin isn't more important than the drums, but if everyone plays whenever and howeverthey want, it’s not music.  It's just noise. God's design in the church works the same way. We have different roles, but for a unified purpose.

 

In the family, God has given men and women specific roles to fulfill. This is true for our church family as well. This does not mean women should not have leadership roles in the church or that they should not speak while in the congregation. Paul himself addresses this in his letter to the church at Corinth, in First Corinthians, Chapter 11, Verse 5.

 

 

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 11:5

But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head…for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven.

 

When he says prophesying here it means speaking publicly under the influence of God the Holy Spirit or declaring God’s truth, including encouragement, revelation, or exhortation. There is also more context that should be studied related to women and head covering but we will study that another time. Regardless, Paul is talking about women who are speaking publicly in the church.

 

Paul’s words are consistent with Acts, Chapter2, Verse 17:

 

ACTS 2:17

And it shall be in the last days, says God, that I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh…and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams…

 

Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 36 to 38…

 

LUKE 2:36

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity…

 

LUKE 2:37

…and she had been a widow fourscore and four years)…who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastingand supplications night and day.

 

LUKE 2:38

And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spoke of Him to all that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

 

And Philip’s daughters in Acts, Chapter 21, Verses 8 and 9:

 

ACTS 21:8

And tomorrow we departedand came unto Caesarea…and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.

 

 

ACTS 21:9

Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.

 

The point?  Neither God nor Paul was suppressing women.  Paul was calling for appropriate conduct that honored God.

 

Over the years these verses have stirred up a lot of discussion. Before we assume God's design is unfair or something that should be left in the past, let's remember my detour story. What seemed like a frustrating reroute for me ended up being the thing that saved my life. In the same way, God's structure for how the church should function is not to limit anyone, but to protect, guide, and bless the body as a whole. When you encounter biblical things that challenge your beliefs, I challenge you to examine where that belief came from. I have found that it can’t stand up against the Word of God. When we trust God's setup, we may not always understand it immediately, but the end result reflects God's glory and His purpose.

 

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

The Good News of Jesus Christ’s Salvation Offer to the Human Race

 

The closing moments of this lesson could be the ten most important minutes of your life.  You’ll be introduced to the good news concerning how you can spend all eternity in heaven when you close your eyes in this life.  We want you to know that…

 

GOD WANTS YOU!

He Wants You to Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life

 

…and what He wants for you is that you make the most important decision of your life.

 

God wants a RELATIONSHIP with you!  The Lord’s half-brother says in James, Chapter 4, Verse 8…

 

JAMES 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

 

The enemy of God, Satan wants you to be part of a RELIGION.  Religion is Satan’s strategy against the human race, and it is designed to make you indifferent or antagonistic to God.  It works!  The Bible describes religion in Second Timothy, Chapter 3, Verse 5 as…

 

SECOND TIMOTHY 3:5

…a superficial form of godliness (a counterfeit to Christianity)… that denies godliness’ divine power…

 

You have a choice…relationship or religion…what’s your choice?

 

Religion can’t get you to heaven!  Religions propose that if you don’t do everything their “god” expects, the god will be disappointed.  Regardless of your best efforts to follow religious rituals, the religion does not GUARANTEE you will get to heaven.

 

In Matthew, Chapter 23, Verse 27 and 28, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself expresses his disdain for religion…

 

MATTHEW 23:27

“Woe to you (religious) scribes and Pharisees…you hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs…which on the outside appear beautiful…but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

 

MATTHEW 23:28

“Outwardly youappear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (you are unrighteous unbelievers).”

 

The Bible is a gift from God that introduces you to the possibility of a relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Hebrews, Chapter 4, Verse 12 describes the power of Scripture…

 

HEBREWS 4:12

For the word of God is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword…and it’s piercing…even as far as the division of soul and spirit…of both joints and marrow…and it is a critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

God’s plan is to teach you the truth about how to have a relationship with Him through the Bible.  Satan’s plan is to teach you lies that obscure the truth of the Bible.

 

What happens when you close your eyes in this life?  If you have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, counting on Him to save you, good things happen.  If are counting on religion to save you, bad things happen.

 

The Bible makes it clear that salvation is a gift that we receive through faith. Let read a few scriptures that illustrate this…Ephesians, Chapter 2, Verses 8 and 9…

 

EPHESIANS 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…

 

EPHESIANS 2:9

…not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 

Titus, Chapter 3, Verse 5…

 

TITUS 3:5

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the HolySpirit,

 

Romans, Chapter 3, Verses 23 and 24…

 

ROMANS 3:23

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

 

ROMANS 3:24

…being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus…

 

No matter how much work you do, you can’t work your way into heaven and be able to brag.

 

In the lesson today, we were reminded of how evil Paul was. Regardless, he accepted Christ as his Savior, and through God’s grace and mercy, he was saved.  Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…

 

 

 

ACTS 16:31

They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved by God, you and everyone in your household who also believes."

 

Romans, Chapter 10, Verses 9 and 10…

 

ROMANS 10:9

…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…

 

ROMANS 10:10

…for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

 

It is as simple as making a decision and having faith that God will do the rest. We cannot do it on our own.

 

When you die it is heaven or the Lake of Fire for all eternity.  You get to make the choice where you spend eternity.  Relationship or religion?  What’s your choice?

 

God wants a relationship with you because He doesn’t want ANYONE to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.  Second Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 9 says…

 

SECOND PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise of salvationas some accuse Him of…instead, He is patient toward unbelievers…not wishing for any of you to perish (in the Lake of Fire) … but for all of you to come to repentance (a change of mind about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).

 

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

The Good News of Jesus Christ’s Salvation Offer to the Human Race

 

CLOSING SONG INTRODUCTION

 

God has shown us some things as we’ve studiedFirst Timothy, Chapter2. We’ve been reminded that even when God’s ways seem countercultural or hard to understand, His order, His design, and His timing are perfect. Just like prayer must come first, and our lives must reflect His glory, sometimes we must surrender without all the answers—trusting that God’s wisdom is higher than ours. We may not always see the fruit of obedience right away. There may be tears in the night, discomfort in submission, or questions in the silence, but God promises something greater. And this song reminds us of that unshakable hope: “There will be joy in the morning.” If you’ve been wrestling with doubt, waiting for clarity, or discouraged in your obedience, be encouragedbecause God sees, God knows, and joy is on the way. Let’s worship together as we listen to JOY IN THE MORNING.

 

 

MUSIC

CLOSING SONG

Let’s Sing the Lord’s Praises

 

JOY IN THE MORNING (REMIX)

Tauren Wells, DOE &Lacrae

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

Heavenly Father…

 

…thank You for the truth and clarity found in Your Word. As we reflect on First Timothy, Chapter 2we acknowledge that Your ways are higher than ours. Your order, Your wisdom, and Your timing are perfect. Even when it challenges us or stretches our understanding, help us to submit to Your will with humility, knowing that You are a God of peace, purpose, and promise.

 

Lord, stir in us a desire to prioritize prayer, to live holy and humble lives, and to walk boldly in the roles You’ve given us. We know that our obedience makes room for Your glory. Teach us to trust when we’ve resisted Your design or followed the world’s voice over Yours because Your commands are not burdens, they are blessings, even when we do not recognize it.

 

For everyone that feels unseen, misunderstood, or discouraged…remind them that You are the God who brings joy in the morning. You see our tears in the night, You walk with us through the fire, and You are faithful to reward those who diligently seek You. Let Your peace rule our hearts, and let Your joy rise within us even as we wait.

 

As we leave this place, give us the strength to carry the charge Paul gave Timothy, the same charge You are giving to us.  With faith, love, and self-control, let our lives preach the gospel better than any words could. We love You and trust You, and we give You the glory.

 

…we ask these things through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name...Amen.

 

 

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Please make it a habit to listen to the announcements.  They are posted separately.  Keep current on the things going on and coming up in Barah Ministries.

 

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KEEP ON STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD DAILY!

 

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www.barahministries.com