Grace powered living

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Titus 1:1-16

Today we are starting the book of Titus. It is a personal letter from Paul to Titus, most likely written around AD 62, after Paul’s first house arrest and acquittal in Rome. Paul has left Titus in Crete, and is now writing to him with some instruction on how to instruct and deal with the […]

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Pick up the baton

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2 Tim 4:1-22

These are Paul’s last words. He is within weeks, or even days, of being martyred. For roughly 30 years he has exercised apostolic ministry – evangelising new towns, villages and cities with the gospel, planting churches and then visiting to support and appoint elders. He has fought the good fight, finished the course and kept […]

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There will be times of difficulties

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2 Tim 3:1-17

  Understand this, there will be times of difficulty. Paul wants to emphasise to Timothy that the current difficulties he is facing are not a passing thing, but a characteristic of the age we are in. Perhaps Timothy thinks if he lies low for a while, the storm will pass. Paul wants him under no […]

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Strengthened by grace, work hard!

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2 Tim 2:1-26

We are strengthened by grace, v.1. The grace of God strengthens us; not only does it bring salvation but it trains us (Titus 2:11-13) to press into God and pursue holiness. It’s not a cheap grace that means we are free to sin and not worry about holiness. Grace strengthens us; it means we are […]

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Guard Duty

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2 Tim 1:1-18

When I look back to my time in the Royal Air Force at RAF Marham, the memories of doing guard duty come flooding back. In particular the times when I had to do duty as part of the armed response team for guarding the nuclear weapons compound. When your pager went off you responded rapidly, […]

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Truth and Contentment

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1 Tim 6:3-21

Paul continues to teach and encourage Timothy to adhere to the true confession of faith that Timothy made, just like Jesus did before Pontius Pilate (v.13). Any teaching that goes away from the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and godliness is false teaching (v.3). False teachers usually want to take the gospel and […]

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People are so different

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1 Tim 5:1-6:2

Paul continues his instruction and teaching of Timothy by giving him instructions for the leading of the church. We saw yesterday how Paul encouraged Timothy not to neglect his gift (4:14), he can see the potential in him and has invested much time in developing him. This passage shows that Paul is not only full […]

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Don’t be distracted

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1 Tim 4:1-16

“How can a young man keep his heart clean? By guarding it according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9 I wonder if Paul had these words in mind when instructing Timothy. I love how, throughout these two letters, we get a sense of Paul’s passion to see the next generation continue the work he has started. […]

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God’s household

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1 Tim 3:1-16

We see in Scripture that God displays love and divine jealousy for his people  (Deuteronomy 4:23-24). He is a God who is jealous for the honour of his name and the affections of his people. The picture we have here is akin to that of a husband who gets angry when another competes for his wife’s affection, […]

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