We are down to just about a week left in our listening program. This Sunday I’ll teach the last message in this series. I’ve had several people mention that they intend to listen through the NT again. That’s great! If you would like to listen to the weekend messages again, too, they are available on our website, or you can order a boxed set of the CDs through the church.
Saralynn wondered if the reference to giving thanks for our food had to do with Paul’s other discussions about food offered to idols. She didn’t remember that verse being there.
Dan’l:
- So many people get caught up on whether the Old Testament Law (or which parts of it) still apply to us. The fact is, it doesn’t matter unless you’re going to break it. “The law was given to control lawbreakers.“
- In yesterday’s listening, Paul said that God punishes unbelievers as an example so people will believe. In today’s listening he said that God shows mercy on believers, also as an example. The more I read and listen, the more I hear that God really does leave the choice up to us whether or not we will accept his offer of salvation.
- Three times I heard the phrase “married only once” in 1 Timothy (3:2; 3:12; 5:9). I cannot find that in any CEV that I have. So far the readers have done a pretty good job sticking with the exact CEV Bible text. However, they made an error in these three verses by reading their understanding into the text. Each CEV I searched (print and electronic) say “faithful in marriage” in all three spots. And frankly, that is the best translation as I discuss in my book. (I thought I was going to have to be bummed by the CEV; fortunately not!)
- Paul refers to God as “the Savior of everyone.” Let’s be sure to note two important points: 1) that Christ himself is not the Savior of everyone and 2) that God is the Savior “especially of those who have faith.” That this is not talking about eternal life is hard for many people to accept.
- I love the practical instructions for church life throughout chapter five – how to deal with certain widows, salary and payroll procedures, discipline, and thoughts on formal ordination.
- People occasionally mention to me that I should be more open to different views and not as black and white in my theological understanding and what I teach. I don’t know. I think Paul is a pretty good example of being confident in his teaching. Of course, this is why it’s so important to “Understand It” in the first place.
- Second Timothy 1 really got to me, as I was thinking this very thought earlier today and more frequently in recent days. Paul told Timothy to “make full use of the gift that God gave you.” I have to say that I don’t think I’m doing that. As Paul wrote a couple of verses later, “My work is to be a teacher.” I mentioned Sunday that I don’t get to teach enough. That’s really been getting me down lately, and I was reminded of that again earlier today and then in our listening this evening.
- How could I let chapter 2 go by without mentioning my life verse and the purpose of my life and this blog? “Tell these same things to followers who can be trusted to tell others.” It’s not supposed to stop with us, and we dare not let it!
- What a great reminder to keep being faithful to what we’ve been taught. It’s OK to ask questions; it’s not OK to walk away from the truth of God’s Word.
- I really enjoyed hearing Paul talk about the people he had preaching and ministering everywhere. It made me think of a general talking about his troops out in the field.