Timely Issues in I Timothy

• Is homosexuality against the Bible? The law is made “for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (I Tim. 1:10).

• Will God forgive blasphemy? “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief…This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (I Tim. 1:13,15).

• Can a child of God fall from grace? Paul said to hold to “faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander” (I Tim. 1:19-20).

• What should Christians pray about government? “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (I Tim. 2:1-2).

• Does God only want certain people to be saved? God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:4).

• How should women dress? Paul wrote “that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation” (I Tim. 2:9).

• Is it right for a woman to preach? “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence” (I Tim. 2:11-12).

• Can a woman be an elder or a deacon in the church? “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…Let deacons be the husbands of one wife” (I Tim. 3:2, 12).

• Can a person harden his conscience to the point that it feels no pain? “Some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (I Tim. 4:1-2).

• How important is exercise to a Christian? “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (I Tim. 4:8).

• Who has the first responsibility to care for widows? “If any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God” (I Tim. 5:3).

• How should Christians look at earthly things? “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content…For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows…Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (I Tim. 6:7-8, 10, 17).

Kerry

West End church of Christ, May 12, 2024