Lord’s Day Message
Bible Verses: 1 Tim. 6 (NLT)
1 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. 2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved. Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them.
3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. 6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 15 For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
20 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. May God’s grace be with you all.
Outlines
1. The principle of living: not to bring shame on the name of God and his teaching (1~2)
2. Teach the healthy words and teaching of godliness (3~5)
Any teaching which is contrary to the healthy words of the Lord Jesus Christ or the teaching of godliness will bring in corrupt situations such as arrogance or lust for wealthy gain etc.
3. The true gain: godliness and contentment (6~10)
Our gain is not earthly fame, financial interest, or power. The true gain should only be our growth and expression of God’s life and we should be content and be thankful for what God has given us.
4. The good fight: pursuing and hold to the eternal life (11~16)
Paul reminds Timothy to escape from these negative things and encourages him to pursue and hold onto the eternal life. Here the pursuing focuses on our living and character as well as the relationship between man and God.
We should have deep impression on these words to check that what do we really pursue and hold in our daily life?
5. Warning for the rich (17~19)
Do not trust their money which is unreliable, but trust in God and hold on the true life.
6. Final words: guard what has entrusted (20~21)
Next Topics: 1 Tim. 6
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Home Meeting: 3/3 Mon. 7:30pm, Richard & Flora’s
Young Professionals Meeting: 4/3 Tue. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall
Sister meeting: 5/3 Wed. 10:00am, Anne’s
Prayer Meeting: 5/3 Wed. 7:30pm，Meeting Hall
Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：8/3 Sat. 7:30pm, Thomas & Lena’s
Announcements:
- We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today and hope you can leave your information for us to contact you in the future.
- If the brothers and sisters see something need to be fixed in the meeting hall, please report to brothers Michael Lin or Richard Chen. If anyone has questions or suggestions for the cleaning service, please fellowship with brothers Richard Cui or Patrick Li.
- The church will have lessons for new believers on March 9, 16, 23, and 30. We hope many new believers as well as those who want to pursue and exercise can join these lessons.
- On April 18~21 (Friday night to Monday noon) the church plans to have a conference for both young people and adults at Collaroy. We hope many brothers and sisters can separate the time and participate together. The church will cover the cost for the young people. For details including the cost of the adults, please contact Brother Richard and Sister Lamee.
Intercession:
- Please pray for the gospel friends among us so that our Lord can open their hearts to see God’s salvation and be willing to receive the Lord and become the member in God’s family. Pray especially for those are just baptized (Brothers Leo and Jonathan, and Sister Shirley). May the Lord bless their whole life.
- Pray for the health of each family (especial for the older ones). Pray especially for Sister Da-Nan Lu who went back to China. May the Lord care her spirit, soul, and body.
Serving Next Week: (Mar. 9)
- Sharing: Patrick Li & Raymond Young
- Breaking the Bread: David Tan & Patrick Li
Serving Bread and Cup: Jack Lee, Sean Dong & Patrick Li
3. Pianist: Chin Tan
4. Cleaning: Bill & Christine Family, Sam & Hannah Family, Winnie, Tina & Flona Jiang, Patrick & Lily Family, Baolin Lei, Peter Pan
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