Paul begins this chapter of I Timothy with Things We Must Know.

Living in a culture that was hostile to Christianity, Timothy needed to know the basics, and Paul lays it out succinctly.

The practicality of this epistle shines in the very first few words.

Also, we will discover the primary source of all false doctrine, and how to combat it.

We begin a study series on the first book of the Pastorals, I Timothy. We are in the process of identifying and recognizing new shepherds for our church family.

I Timothy not only addresses this process, but also address many of the challenges of doing church in a unchurched culture.

Timothy would fit right into our present situation. He was raised by a single mother. He was eager to serve the Lord, but was timid in many respects.

With Paul’s mentoring, Timothy became a major player in this Asian Minor location. I Timothy deals with leadership, church discipline, the women’s issue, apostasy, relationships between the older and the younger, and general advice on how to live in a religiously confused culture.

Matthew 15:24 says that Jesus was sent only to “the lost sheep of Israel,” but He was constantly having encounters with Gentiles.

This Sunday we will examine one of the most remarkable encounters in my message, Faith, Authority, & The Centurion.

There are some neat principles in this encounter that hit dead center of where we need to be in our faith development.

Jeremiah 29:11 is an all-time popular verse: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares Yahweh, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We love these encouraging words, but few are familiar with the context in which they are given.

To understand the context does not take away the encouragement, but there must be an attitude change to fully embrace the words.

This Sunday I will speak on: A Letter From God (Jeremiah 29).

There are some key principles that brace the popular passage.

This week, while Jim is out of town, Leon Willis will be speaking on John 6:68, "To Whom Shall We Go?"

Everyone is invited.