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Take a breath, find your place, and read deeply. Discover the joy of reading God’s word with the Immerse New Living Translation (NLT) Bible.
This daily Bible podcast will take you through the Bible in a year following the Immerse Bible Reading Experience. So grab your family and small group and go through the Bible in a year together with Immerse. Each of the 6 volumes is available online or at your favorite Christian bookstore.
Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The
Daily Bible Reading Experience.
Day 38.
immersed in first Timothy.
Timothy was the young associate
Paul had counted on for years.
It was Timothy's visit and report
that prompted Paul's first letter to
the church, Hirsch and Thessalonica.
And when Paul wrote to the
Corinthian church, he sent Timothy
to deliver the letter affirming that
Timothy was doing the Lord's work.
Just as I am.
Timothy had traveled with Paul,
stayed with him during his
imprisonment and continued to fulfill
assignments for the apostle, like
visiting the believers in Philippi.
He was such a close and trusted
colleague that five of Paul's
letters in our New Testament are
written in Timothy's name as well.
But now Paul was writing to Timothy
himself with instructions and
encouragement for his most difficult
assignment yet as a missionary
leader in the early church.
Paul would travel, preach the
good news, start churches, and
then move on to new places.
Unfortunately, others often came in
behind him disrupting the churches He
had started while Paul was in prison.
The church he had started in the
strategic city of Ephesus was infiltrated
by certain self-appointed teachers,
like the false teachers in Corinth.
They were discouraging believers
from getting married and
from eating certain foods.
And like the false teachers in
Colossi, they were encouraging
speculation about myths and other
so-called spiritual practices.
Furthermore, these teachers were also
causing disruption in a number of other
areas, including leadership in the church.
Once Paul was released from prison,
he investigated the situation in
Ephesus, but he wasn't able to stay
long because there were matters to
attend to in other places as well.
So he continued on into Macedonia, but
left Timothy in Ephesus with a clear
and simple mandate, stop those whose
teaching is contrary to the truth.
Shortly afterward, Paul sent
Timothy a letter with more details,
now known as First Timothy.
This letter alternates between
giving instructions on how to address
specific situations in Ephesus and
giving charges words of personal
challenge to Timothy himself.
It's likely that Paul means for Timothy
to read the instructions out loud to the
church, but intends the personal charges
for Timothy's own private encouragement.
Timothy was probably no
older than his mid thirties.
Someone this young would not ordinarily
be promoted to a position of leadership,
but Paul tells him, don't let anyone
think less of you because you are young.
Paul clearly believes that Timothy
could help restore peace and
order to that troubled community.
As we prepare to read First Timothy,
we should remind ourselves that the
letters of the New Testament were written
to specific churches and situations.
They are meant first and
foremost to address the needs
of their original audiences.
Our responsibility as good readers is
to discover what these writings meant in
their original context, and then consider
their enduring message for us today.
The church in Ephesus
was troubled by disorder.
In addition to the leadership challenges
caused by the false teachers, they
struggled with disruptive worship,
how to care for widows and divisions
between wealthy and poor members.
Paul refers to the church as the
household of God and gives Timothy
clearance instructions on how to
appoint and organized leaders in the
community, which would have a positive
impact on other issues as well.
All of Paul's instructions are
closely tied to the nature of the
good news and its saving message.
Paul is confident that the
wayward believers can be restored
indeed as he summarizes Christ.
Jesus came into the world to save
sinners, and I am the worst of them all.
In closing, he reminds Timothy of his own
responsibility as a teacher of the truth.
Paul urges Timothy to make sure the
believers are constantly immersed
in the scriptures until I get there.
Focus on reading the scriptures
to the church, encouraging the
believers and teaching them.
The more the believers find their lives
taken up into the great story of God and
the salvation found in Jesus, the better
they will pursue their own roles in
that narrative of restoration and life.
The first letter to Timothy.
This letter is from Paul, an apostle
of Christ Jesus, appointed by the
command of God our savior, and
Christ Jesus who gives us hope.
I am writing to Timothy, my true
son, in the faith may God the
Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord,
give you grace, mercy, and peace.
When I left for Macedonia, I urged you
to stay there in Ephesus and stop those
whose teaching is contrary to the truth.
Don't let them waste their time.
An endless discussion of
myths and spiritual pedigrees.
These things only lead to meaningless
speculations, which don't help
people live a life of faith in God.
The purpose of my instruction is that
all believers would be filled with
love that comes from a pure heart.
A clear conscience and genuine faith, but
some people have missed this whole point.
They have turned away from these
things and spend their time
in meaningless discussions.
They want to be known as teachers
of the law of Moses, but they don't
know what they're talking about.
Even though they speak so confidently.
We know that the law is good when used
correctly for the law, was not intended
for people who do what is right.
It is for people who are lawless and
rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful,
who consider nothing sacred and defile
what is holy who kill their father
or mother, or commit other murders.
The law is for people who are sexually
immoral or who practice homosexuality
or are slave traders, liars, promise
breakers, or who do anything else that
contradicts the wholesome teaching
that comes from the glorious good news
entrusted to me by our blessed God.
I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who
has given me strength to do his work.
He considered me trustworthy and
appointed me to serve him, even
though I used to blaspheme the
name of Christ in my insolence.
I persecuted his people, but God
had mercy on me because I did
it in ignorance and unbelief.
Oh, how generous and
gracious our Lord was.
He filled me with the faith and
love that come from Christ Jesus.
This is a trustworthy saying
and everyone should accept it.
Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners, and I am the worst
of them all, but God had mercy on
me so that Christ Jesus could use
me as a prime example of his great
patience with even the worst sinners.
Then others will realize that
they too can believe in him and
receive eternal life, all honor
and glory to God forever and ever.
He is the eternal king, the
unseen one who never dies.
He alone is God.
Amen.
Timothy, my son, here are
my instructions for you.
Based on the prophetic words spoken
about you earlier, may they help you
fight well in the Lord's battles.
Clinging to your faith in Christ
and keep your conscience clear.
For some people have deliberately
violated their consciences.
As a result, their faith
has been shipwrecked.
Hamans and Alexander are two examples.
I threw them out and handed
them over to Satan so they
might learn not to blaspheme.
God,
I urge you, first of all
to pray for all people.
Ask God to help them intercede on
their behalf and give thanks for them.
Pray this way for kings and all
who are in authority so that we
can live peaceful and quiet lives
marked by godliness and dignity.
This is good and pleases God, our
Savior, who wants everyone to be
saved and to understand the truth.
For there is one God and one mediator
who can reconcile God and humanity.
The man Christ Jesus, he gave his
life to purchase freedom for everyone.
This is the message God gave to
the world at just the right time.
And I have been chosen as a preacher
and apostle to teach the Gentiles
this message about faith and truth.
I'm not exaggerating just telling
the truth in every place of worship.
I want men to pray with holy hands
lifted up to God free from anger
and controversy, and I want women
to be modest in their appearance.
They should wear decent and
appropriate clothing and not draw
attention to themselves by the way
they fix their hair or by wearing
gold or pearls or expensive clothes.
For women who claim to be devoted
to God should make themselves
attractive by the good things they do.
Women should learn
quietly and submissively.
I do not let women teach men
nor have authority over them.
Let them listen quietly.
For God made Adam first
and afterward he made Eve.
And it was not Adam who
was deceived by Satan.
The woman was deceived
and sin was the result.
But women will be saved through
childbearing, assuming they
continue to live in faith,
love, holiness, and modesty.
This is a trustworthy saying.
If someone aspires to be a church
leader, he desires an honorable position.
So a church leader must be a man
whose life is above reproach.
He must be faithful to his wife.
He must exercise self-control, live
wisely and have a good reputation.
He must enjoy having guests in his
home and he must be able to teach.
He must not be a heavy
drinker or be violent.
He must be gentle, not
quarrelsome and not love money.
He must manage his own family well,
having children who respect and obey him.
For if a man cannot manage
his own household, how can
he take care of God's church?
A church leader must not be a new
believer because he might become proud
and the devil would cause him to fall.
Also, people outside the church must
speak well of him so that he will not be
disgraced and fall into the devil's trap.
In the same way, deacons must be
well respected and have integrity,
and they must not be heavy
drinkers or dishonest with money.
They must be committed to the mystery
of the faith now revealed and must
live with a clear conscience before
they are appointed as deacons.
Let them be closely examined.
If they pass the test, then let them
serve as deacons in the same way.
Their wives must be respected
and must not slander others.
They must exercise self-control and
be faithful in everything they do.
A deacon must be faithful to
his wife and he must manage his
children and household well.
Those who do well as deacons will
be rewarded with respect from others
and will have increased confidence
in their faith in Christ Jesus.
I am writing these things to you now,
even though I hope to be with you
soon, so that if I am delayed, you
will know how people must conduct
themselves in the household of God.
This is the Church of the
Living God, which is the pillar
and foundation of the truth.
Without question.
This is the great mystery of our faith.
Christ was revealed in a human
body and vindicated by the spirit.
He was seen by angels and announced to
the nations he was believed in throughout
the world and taken to heaven in glory.
Now, the Holy Spirit tells us
clearly that in the last times some
will turn away from the true faith.
They will follow deceptive spirits
and teachings that come from demons.
These people are hypocrites and
liars and their consciences are dead.
They will say it is wrong to be
married and wrong to eat certain
foods, but God created those
foods to be eaten with thanks by
faithful people who know the truth.
Since everything God created is good, we
should not reject any of it, but receive
it with thanks for we know it is made
acceptable by the word of God and prayer.
If you explain these things to the
brothers and sisters Timothy, you will
be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus.
One who is nourished by the
message of faith and the good
teaching you have followed.
Do not waste time arguing over
godless ideas and old wives tales.
Instead, train yourself to be godly.
Physical training is good, but
training for godliness is much
better promising benefits in this
life and in the life to come.
This is a trustworthy saying
and everyone should accept it.
This is why we work hard and continue
to struggle, for our hope is in
the living God who is the savior of
all people, and particularly of all
believers, teach these things and
insist that everyone learn them.
Don't let anyone think less
of you because you are young.
Be an example to all believers in what
you say and the way you live in your
love, your faith, and your purity.
Until I get there, focus on reading the
scriptures to the church, encouraging
the believers and teaching them.
Do not neglect the spiritual gift
you received through the prophecy
spoken over you when the elders of
the church laid their hands on you.
Give your complete
attention to these matters.
Throw yourself into your tasks so
that everyone will see your progress.
Keep a close watch on how you
live and on your teaching.
Stay true to what is right for the
sake of your own salvation, and the
salvation of those who hear you.
Never speak harshly to an older
man, but appeal to him respectfully,
as you would to your own father.
Talk to younger men as you
would to your own brothers.
Treat older women as
you would your mother.
And treat younger women with all purity.
As you would your own sisters
take care of any widow who has
no one else to care for her.
But if she has children or grandchildren,
their first responsibility is to
show godliness at home and repay
their parents by taking care of them.
This is something that pleases God.
Now, a true widow, a woman who
is truly alone in this world,
has placed her hope in God.
She prays night and day asking God
for his help, but the widow who lives
only for pleasure is spiritually
dead, even while she lives.
Give these instructions to the church so
that no one will be open to criticism,
but those who won't care for their
relatives, especially those in their own
household have denied the true faith.
Such people are worse than unbelievers.
A widow who was put on the list for
support must be a woman who is at least 60
years old and was faithful to her husband.
She must be well respected by everyone
because of the good she has done.
Has she brought up her children well?
Has she been kind to strangers
and served other believers humbly?
Has she helped those who are in trouble?
Has she always been ready to do good?
The younger widows should
not be on the list.
Because their physical desires
will overpower their devotion
to Christ and they will want to
remarry, then they would be guilty
of breaking their previous pledge.
And if they are on the list, they will
learn to be lazy and will spend their
time gossiping from house to house
meddling and other people's business
and talking about things they shouldn't.
So I advise these younger widows
to marry again, have children
and take care of their own homes.
Then the enemy will not be able to
say anything against them for, I am
afraid that some of them have already
gone astray and now follow Satan.
If a woman who is a believer has relatives
who are widows, she must take care of
them and not put the responsibility on
the church, then the church can care
for the widows who are truly alone.
Elders who do their work well
should be respected and paid well,
especially those who work hard
at both preaching and teaching.
For the scripture says, you must not
muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it
treads out the grain and in another place.
Those who work deserve their pay.
Do not listen to an accusation
against an elder unless it is
confirmed by two or three witnesses.
Those who sin should be reprimanded
in front of the whole church.
This will serve as a
strong warning to others.
I solemnly command you in the
presence of God and Christ Jesus,
and the highest angels to obey these
instructions without taking sides
or showing favoritism to anyone.
Never be in a hurry about
appointing a church leader.
Do not share in this sins of others.
Keep yourself pure.
Don't drink only water.
You ought to drink a little wine
for the sake of your stomach
because you are sick so often.
Remember the sins of some people are
obvious leading them to certain judgment,
but there are others whose sins will
not be revealed until later in the
same way, the good deeds of some people
are obvious and the good deeds done
in secret will someday come to light.
All slaves should show full respect for
their masters, so they will not bring
shame on the name of God and his teaching.
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.
Some people may contradict our
teaching, but these are the wholesome
teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
These teachings promote a godly life.
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.
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.
Yet true godliness with
contentment is itself great wealth.
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.
So if we have enough food and
clothing, let us be content.
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.
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.
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.
Fight the good fight for the true faith.
Hold tightly to the eternal life to
which God has called you, which you
have declared so well before many
witnesses, and I charge you before
God, who gives life to all and before
Christ Jesus who gave a good testimony
before Pontius Pilate, that you obey
this command without wavering, then no
one can find fault with you from now
until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
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.
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.
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.
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.
By doing this, they will be
storing up their treasure as a
good foundation for the future so
that they may experience true life.
Timothy Guard what God
has entrusted to you.
Avoid godless foolish discussions
with those who oppose you with
their so-called knowledge.
Some people have wandered from the
faith by following such foolishness.
May God's grace be with you all.
This concludes today's
Immer Reading experience.
Thank you for joining us.