Message Notes for October 18, 2020

Series: Trailblaze- navigating life with God at the center

Title: Useful Tools

Spiritual Trailblazing Success:

1) Live the Gospel and do not get sidetracked.

1 Timothy 1:3-6 3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion.

2) Let the law be useful.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

3) Live in the freedom of the Gospel.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

4) Christian friends make you “battle strong”.

1 Timothy 1:18-20 18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

5) Hold to faith and a good conscience. 

Family/Group Study Notes for Week of October 18, 2020

Series: Trailblaze- navigating life with God at the center

Title: Useful Tools

– Who has been a spiritual mentor in your life? What are the main things you have learned from him/her? If you don’t have a spiritual mentor, how would you go about getting one? How can the church help?  Follow through on your decisions.

– Read 1 Timothy chapter one from the perspective that you are Paul’s mentee. 

– What spiritual wisdom stood out most for you? Why?

– Paul speaks to Timothy about people arguing over whether they are saved through their geologies or other myths. Why does Paul encourage Timothy to simply steward the true words of the Gospel? What happens when we try to add to the Gospel by making up our own exceptions?

-How do you understand Paul’s use of the law? What value does it have for Timothy and all of us?

How does having a clear law (right and wrong) help us be humble and repentant? How does it lead us to salvation in Jesus? Read vs. 12-17 again.

– Timothy was probably feeling afraid, inadequate and unprepared to lead for Jesus in his world. How does this section that Paul shares with Timothy give him and us encouragement?

-Why does faith and a good conscience keep us from having shipwrecked lives? How can honest Christian friends give us a good defense to Satan’s temptations?

-Gather with each other and pray for our country, our church and your growing relationships with Jesus.