Something Greater

Politics and Prayer Paul has warned Timothy to expect opposition from two specific leaders in the church of Ephesus: Hymenaeus and Alexander. Far beyond giving Timothy a simple heads-up, Paul handed the two men "over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1 Timothy 1:7) Paul's spiritual battle with these two men was not vindictive, at least not on Paul's part. Paul remembered that he was, not long ago, a worse sinner than even Hymenaeus and Alexander. He called himself a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent of Christ . For his transformation from sinner to saint, Paul credited God alone. "I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:16-17 (ESV) Closely following Paul's giving over,

Stranded and Forsaken Timothy was made a leader of a war, a good war, a war based on the love of God and the lordship of Jesus Christ . His ministry was a part of God's plan, a component of the overall strategy that envisions thousands of churches, millions of Christians filled with the knowledge of God's love, controlled by God's Spirit, displaying the power and mercy of God in Jesus Christ. Spiritual warfare fights for something positive. The battle is not ultimately to defeat evil, but to uphold good, thereby defeating evil. Paul's charge to Timothy began with a call to love , expressed with a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. Now, at the end of this first chapter, Paul again recalls this over-reaching goal, exhorting Timothy, to hold to faith and a good conscience. Paul had two men specifically in mind when he entrusted this charge to Timothy: "By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and A

Good Warfare Paul called himself the foremost of sinners , the most important...not the most important sinner, but the one with the most important sin. His blasphemy, persecution and insolence, above all other sins, deserved punishment from God. But God, through Jesus Christ, displayed perfect patience and mercy. In that moment, Paul saw Jesus as King of his life, his sovereign Ruler , deserving honor and glory forever. Paul now returns to the primary reason for writing this letter: "This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience." 1 Timothy 1:18-19 (ESV) "This charge" refers to three specific errors that were undermining the faith and love of Christians in the Ephesian church: Different doctrine (using heresy to control others) Myths (using fantasy to control others) Endless genealogies (using lineage to

On Display Jesus had broken through the sin-hardened ignorance of Paul. "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (ESV) FOREMOST: protos (foremost in time, place, order or importance); from pro ("fore", in front of, prior or superior to) "Foremost" occurs many times in the Bible. Simon was described as foremost of the apostles, not in order of time, but in importance (Matthew 10:2). The command to love the Lord our God is the first commandment, because of time , being the first command given by God. (Matthew 22:38). Paul was certainly not the first person in the world to sin. Paul is saying that as a sinner, he was most important . Really? M

Reaching Out Christians in Jerusalem have been ravaged. Jewish religious enforcer , Saul, has entered house after house, dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. The Christian church in Jerusalem is scattered to far corners of the Roman Empire. Except the apostles. "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ." Acts 8:5 (ESV) PHILIP: Philippos (fond of horses); from philos (dear, a friend, fond, friendly; an associate or neighbor) and hippos (a horse) Evidently, Philip's parents loved horses, or they wanted Philip to love horses. More likely, the name is a reference to the power of horses . Most of the biblical references to horses are connected to armies, conquest and power. Philip was the name of one of the twelve apostles called by Jesus (Matthew 10:3). Philip was the brother of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3). He was from Bethsaida, a town in the region of Galilee, the same birthplace as Andrew and Peter (Jo