Thrive Ministries International

If a person thinks that their sin is hidden it is not. It will be evident either in this life or the one to come. Goods works are always evident.

Ordination is important and powerful. We should never lay hands on a person for ordination without examining them closely. We share the responsibility of their sin if they continue in sin.

We need to teach and do what Paul told Timothy to do. Elders who continue in sin must be dealt with for the sake of the church.

When a person comes with 2 or 3 witnesses to the immorality of an elder and that elder refuses to stop his sin, then it should be announced to the whole church. This will cause a fear of sin.

The elders or leaders of a church should be paid. Especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. This is a command.

There were wealthy women in the church of Ephesus. Paul is telling these women to care for the widows, both young and old. His would help the church.

Paul is not against young widows. He is standing against laziness. Laziness was harming the church. The young widows were gossips, busybodies and talkers. This was harming the church.

Young widows should not be put on the list of those receiving regular support. They will want to marry again and will then break their agreement with the church.

Here is list of requirements for a widow to receive support form the church. Basically Paul tells us that she needs to be 60 or older and she needs to be active in the church.

We need to teach these things in our churches. How we treat and provide for our families speaks to the communities about our faith.

Widows who have children or grandchildren should be cared for by them. If not, the church should care of the widow if their eyes are set on God and she is involved in the prayer life of the church.

The widow was considered to be the lowest type of person in the society that Timothy was in. Paul told Timothy to give value to the widows, the lowest of society.

We need to know how to speak to other types of people. We should speak to them or appeal to the older men, younger men, older women and younger women.

We must examine ourselves and our teaching. The word examine means to be held close to your eyes. We must do this over and over. It will bring salvation to us and others.

Is progress being made in your spiritual life? Paul tells us to care and be absorbed with the things that he mentioned in verse 1-14. If we do this progress will be seen in our lives.

Every believer has a spiritual gift that they need to use in the church. Some, like Timothy, have a gifting in leadership. This must be confirmed by prophetic utterance and the leadership of the church.

We need to give our attention to reading the scripture and to the encouragement of others in the Body of Christ and to the teaching that is done in our churches.

Our example in our communities should be one of faith and purity. People are looking for our example and not just our words.

We need to be a example of godliness in our conduct and love.

We need to speak to other believers about godliness. We also need to be an example of godliness in our speech.