Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5 how to deal with the church, people. He said don’t recieve any accusations against an elder. Except that 2 or 3 witnesses come to you. Paul talked about the church taking care of widows indeed. He says they must be 60 years old, know for their piety, and have no family left. These widows are taken care of by the church. We are to treat elders are as fathers, older women as our mothers, young men as brothers and young women as sisters. This is where Paul talked about not laying hands on any man suddenly. He said be careful that you don’t partake in any man’s sin. Paul was telling Timothy to be careful, pray and let the Holy Spirit guide you through.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul talks to Timothy about the perils of Christianity. He begins, in chapter 4, talking about seducing spirits, devils. He said some will fall away from the faith and listen and follow doctrines of devils. When Jesus was tempted, the devil spoke 1/2 truths to Him. It sounded good, but it wasn’t true. The doctrines of devils will led you to hell. God created all things for good. He wanted us to recieve all the good things with thanksgiving in our hearts. The only way we will know the truth is by the word of God. Paul said bodily excercise profits little. But godliness is the goal. He exhorted Timothy that he walked in faith and godliness and don’t let anyone despise his youth. Paul said do all these things to the saving of yourself and all that hear you.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul wrote to Timothy about who can be in the role of leadership in the church. God will always have people in the church that will rise to occasion as leaders. Paul set down requirements for a bishop and deacon. Basically the requirements are the same. Paul said they couldn’t be a novice in the faith, avoiding pitfalls that most Christians go through. Huband and wife are called together into leadership in the church. Leadership in the church is a calling of God. You can’t fake it. It becomes apparent to the church who God called. In 1 Timothy 3, Paul list the things a church leader can and can’t do. Then he tells Timothy to behave himself in church. Leading a church will test your faith and resolve to do God’s will. There is a scripture that says to lay hands on no man suddenly. I will tell you for a fact, there have been people in the church I would have layed hands on suddenly and repeatedly. So, Paul says knowing that God called you to lead this church, do it with all godliness and faith.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul wrote to Timothy about many things. The church, the people, are individuals but must walk in the same direction if they want to be effective in their community. People outside the church watch and listen to see if what the church is saying or doing is true. So Paul writes about certain behavior in the church. It don’t know what prompted Paul to talk about modesty. But it is important that we as believers dress modestly. God never said we couldn’t be fashionable. He said modest. Apparently the women fashions were showing more body parts than God said was modest. Paul also addresses authority in the church and that no one is to usurp that authority. Today is an age of rebellion. I wonder if they went through the same thing. So Paul writes to Timothy to put the church back in order.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul writing to Timothy to encourage him as bishop of Ephesus. Just because a person has a position of authority, doesn’t mean that they don’t struggle with their own salvation. We try to be constant in the faith, but we gather in church to be inspired, encouraged and have our faith emboldened to live in this world. Paul tells Timothy with all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks to be made for all men, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. God wanting all men to come unto the knowledge of the truth and be saved. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man Christ Jesus. So, Paul writes to Timothy and the church on how to live a godly life in that century and ours.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul, Timothy and Silas journeyed through Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece, preaching the gospel. When he went to Athens, he left Timothy and Silas at Berea and Thessalonica, to teach the church. They joined him again at Corinth. As happens in most churches, trouble erupted in the church at Ephesus. Ephesus was the crossroad of the world. Everyone traded there. And the brought their own religion with them. With they became Christians, some of their old religious beliefs became to creep into Christianity. Paul sent Timothy to correct the church. Timothy became the first bishop of Ephesus. Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in the faith, knowing how hard it is to convince people of the error of their ways. Paul prayed for Timothy to keep the faith.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul had written to the Thessalonians because of the tribulation. He wrote how to deal with it and to wait patiently from the return of Jesus. Also, he wrote about people he called disorderly. They aren’t working and have become busybodies. Paul said to exhort them. And if they will not hear you, have no company with them, that they will be ashamed. Paul said to deal with them as brothers. The Thessalonians were only a few months in the Lord, but Paul was saying it is time to be busy about the gospel. And that is what the word of God is saying to us. It is time to be busy about the gospel in our lives. To reach out to a lost and dying world, right next door to us. The Word of God is to be read, prayed about, then to go do it. Jesus is the example for all mankind.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul writing to the Thessalonians a second time about the coming of Jesus Christ. The Thessalonians were bring persecuted and needed to be reminded of the hope of His coming. Several things has to happen before Jesus returns. The first thing is the falling away, then the man of sin is revealed, who sits in the temple as God. Jesus will return and consume him with the spirit of His month, the word of God. Believers will not be decieved by the strong delusion that God will send that people will believe the lie. Paul said you believe the truth and are loved by God. The Holy Spirit is sanctifying you through the word of God. This was written 2000 years ago, but it is true today as it was then. Just because you are persecuted for your faith and hope, take comfort that it has happened before and they walked through it with the Holy Spirit as our guide. And no one can take us out of the hand of God. Jesus is coming soon. So, be ready for His return because no one knows the day or time.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians a 2nd time, because of the persecution they were recieving. He prayed for them to stand fast in the faith and hope in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Paul had heard how the church came together as one. They were loving and protecting each other. Paul said that he prayed for them always. This kind of prayer is important to God for Him to move and heal and provide for these people. Today is the National Day of Prayer. We are to prayer for our country, president, government and the people of our nation. So God will move and heal and provide for our neighbors. And who are our neighbors? God says to love others as we love ourselves. This is a call to prayer. Ask God to intervene. Remember this is the National Day of Prayer.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

When anyone preaches the gospel it’s the story of Jesus. He was born of a virgin, lived on this earth for 30 years and began His ministry. For 3 1/2 years Jesus preached the gospel and went about doing good. He died on the cross for our sins. God raised Him from the dead and made Jesus King of kings and Lord of lords. And as He rose into heaven, Jesus will return to reign and rule on this earth. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about Jesus’s return. No one knows the time or day except the Father. But we are to be ready for His return at any time. Paul wrote several things that we are to be doing in mean time. There are, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, always give thanks to God, quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesying, prove all things, hold fast to good, abstain from the appearance of evil, and God will sanctify you. He that has an ear let him hear.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com