Sermon Central
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Church Matters - A Study Of 1 Timothy
Contributed by David Owens on Jun 13, 2022 (message contributor)
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1. Church Matters
Contributed on Jun 13, 2022
In this introductory sermon to a series on 1 Timothy, we explore the relationship between Paul and Timothy and the reason that Paul wrote him this letter. Paul wanted to remind him of the way people should conduct themselves in God's household.
Introduction: A. How many of you like to watch home improvement shows on television, like Fixer Upper, Property Brothers, or Home Town? 1. We like to watch those shows in our household. 2. It’s amazing to see the home renovation those folks are able do with $100,000! Right? 3. But you know, ...read more
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2. What's A Preacher To Do?
Contributed on Jun 20, 2022
After Paul's customary, brief introduction, he moved right into the challenges facing Timothy in his ministry in Ephesus. We can distill Paul's advice to Timothy down into four directives.
Introduction: A. Ministry can be a challenge for ministers and for members – How’s that for an understatement? B. But imagine seeing this “want ad” for a preacher: 1. “Must have experience as a shepherd, CEO, office manager, educator, salesman, diplomat, referee, writer, theologian, politician, ...read more
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3. Spiritual War Casualties
Contributed on Jul 11, 2022
At the end of chapter 1, Paul returned to addressing the task at hand for Timothy. He must fight the good fight, for many had abandoned faith and a good conscience and had shipwrecked their faith.
A. The story is told about a shipwrecked sailor who had spent several years on a deserted island, completely alone. 1. Then one morning, he was thrilled to see a ship offshore and a smaller vessel coming towards him. 2. When the boat arrived on the beach, the officer in charge handed the marooned ...read more
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4. Sinners Saved
Contributed on Jul 12, 2022
The good news of the Gospel is that sinners can be saved. The apostle Paul held himself up as the example of the worst of sinners who had been saved by the grace of God. If he could be saved, then anyone can be saved!
Introduction: A. Let me begin with an example of one of those commercials whose message seems too good to be true: “Picture a man…he has a bright smile, healthful glow…he is holding up a pair of gigantic blue jeans. 1. He says, ‘These are the jeans I used to wear before I lost 200 hundred pounds on ...read more
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5. The Priority Of Prayer
Contributed on Jul 18, 2022
Paul began chapter 2 with a command to all people to make prayer a priority and to do so by praying for everyone with all kinds of prayer. Then in verse 8, he gave a specific command to the men to lead the congregation by lifting up holy hands in prayer.
Introduction: A. I want to begin today with a wonderful story that the late Peter Marshall, who was the chaplain of the U.S. Senate, used to love to tell, called: “The Keeper of the Spring.” 1. Once there was a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes ...read more
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6. The Distinctive Role Of Women
Contributed on Jul 25, 2022
Men and women are created in God's image and have equal value and access to spiritual benefits, but are designed for and given different roles in the church and the home. 1 Timothy 2, Paul gave instructions for women and the explanation of the reasons for those instructions.
Introduction: A. In Psalm 119:103, David wrote: How sweet your word is to my taste - sweeter than honey in my mouth. 1. The Word of God is sweet indeed, and nourishing too, but scooping a hand full of honey from a bee’s nest can be dangerous and painful. 2. And whenever a preacher dips his hand ...read more
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7. Qualified For Special Service
Contributed on Aug 22, 2022
All disciples of Jesus are supposed to be servants, but some disciples will be qualified for special service as deacons. In this sermon, we learn about the qualifications of deacons and why they are important, and we all are challenged to be faithful servants.
Introduction: A. Once there was a rather grumpy deacon who was teaching a Bible class full of boys and was endeavoring to impress upon them the importance of living the Christian life. 1. The deacon asked the boys: “Why do people call me a Christian?” 2. After an awkward moment of silence, one ...read more
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8. Qualified For A Noble Task
Contributed on Aug 24, 2022
By God's design the church is supposed to be lead by elders who are older, spiritually mature men who meet important qualifications. In this sermon, we examine the qualifications for elders from 1 Timothy 3.
Introduction: A. How many of you have enjoyed the Disney film, “The Lion King?” 1. You remember, then, that Mufasa was the king of the Pride Lands. 2. He had a son named Simba, and an evil brother named Scar. 3. Scar usurped the throne by murdering his brother, and driving Simba, the king’s ...read more
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9. Why Behave In Church?
Contributed on Aug 29, 2022
The last three verses of 1 Timothy 3 are power-packed with incentive to conduct ourselves in a proper manner. Why should we behave? We should behave because of what the church is and who Christ is.
Introduction: A. One Sunday a young child was “acting up” during the morning worship service and the child’s parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew, but they were losing the battle. 1. Finally, the mother took the little fellow by the hand and walked sternly up the ...read more
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10. The Do's And Don'ts Of Ministry
Contributed on Sep 6, 2022
Just like there are many do's and don'ts in life, there are also many do's and don'ts in ministry. In 1 Timothy 4, Paul pointed out to Timothy a number of do's and don'ts of ministry.
Introduction: A. There are many “do’s and don’ts” in life. 1. When we buy a new product it often comes with important labels that give us do’s and don’ts. 2. Here are a few: a. Do Use Like Regular Soap – I wonder how a person uses irregular soap? b. Do Not Eat Toner – When was the last time you ...read more
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11. Respecting And Rebuking The Saints
Contributed on Sep 12, 2022
In 1 Timothy 5, Paul focused Timothy's attention on specific groups in the church and how to minister to them. In today's section, Paul shared with Timothy how to rebuke specific individuals, how to honor elders, and how to deal with elders who sin.
Introduction: A. One day a man passed by an enclosure at the zoo and noticed that in the enclosure was both a large lion and an active monkey. 1. The man said to the zoo keeper, “How well does that work having both a lion and a monkey in the same cage? The zoo keeper said, “It works ok for the ...read more
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12. Caring For Widows
Contributed on Sep 19, 2022
Widows have a special place in God's heart. When Paul was giving Timothy instructions about ministering to different groups in the church, he gave a lot of instructions about caring for widows.
Introduction: A. Once there was an elderly widow who had recently married a 4th husband. 1. A reporter saw the wedding announcement and was interested in her story, so she interviewed her. 2. The reporter asked her about the occupation of her newly acquired husband and she replied that he owned a ...read more
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13. Living Under Authority
Contributed on Sep 26, 2022
Having instructed Timothy on relationships with widows and elders, now Paul addressed relationships between slaves and masters. Paul emphasized the importance of submission and obedience so that God's Word will be held in high esteem.
Introduction: A. The relationship between bosses and employees can be fodder for many jokes and most of them are not too funny! (Especially if you are the boss) 1. I heard about a boss who put a sign on the company bulletin board that announced: “To err is human, to forgive is not a company ...read more
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14. Just A Little Bit More
Contributed on Oct 3, 2022
The love of money can lead to discontentment and many dangers. Paul gave Timothy instructions about how to keep money in the right perspective and how to use it for good.
Introduction: A. In Calvin Miller’s book Requiem for Love, he begins a chapter with the words: A beggar asked a millionaire, “How many more dollars would it take to make you truly happy?” 1. The millionaire, reaching his gnarled hands into the beggar’s cup replied, “Only one more!” 2. This is the ...read more
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15. Final Commands
Contributed on Oct 17, 2022
In this concluding section of Paul's letter to Timothy, Paul gives Timothy a series of final commands to guide Timothy through the turbulent waters of ministry that lay ahead of him.
Introduction: A. How many of you have ever done white-water rafting? 1. I want to use an illustration from white-water rafting as our launching point for today’s sermon, but before we get into the illustration, let’s start with a little humor. 2. White-water river guides get a lot of funny ...read more