Six instructions to the Church from the Apostle Paul
- Fight the RIGHT fight
“Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight,” 1 Timothy 1:18 CSB
- PRAY for everyone
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” 1 Timothy 2:1-8 CSB
- Stress HEALTHY Church leadership
“If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he’s talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7 MSG
- WATCH your life & teaching closely
“Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16 CSB
- Take care of the VULNERABLE in your church
“Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.” 1 Timothy 5:25 CSB
- Don’t LOVE money
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:10-11 CSB