LHC Midday Word

Thursday, 28 October 2021

The First Letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY - Chapter Three

Qualifications for overseers and deacons

1 Here is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.

5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s instructions

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing to you with these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,

was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

1st Timothy 3: “likewise” (v.8)

Paul writes about establishing local church leadership with “overseers” (alternatively translated as ‘bishops’ or ‘elders’ in other versions), and with “deacons likewise” (v.8). He stresses the importance of their home life as “the husband of but one wife” (vv.2 & 12) and capable father of their “children” (vv.4 & 12).

These “instructions” (v.14) are not about head knowledge qualifications, but character. It is not about rank or position, but about “a noble task” (v.1) that demands a noble spirit. They are appointed to behave like Jesus, who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20 v.28).

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READING

First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY

Chapter THREE

Read by David Suchet

https://youtu.be/IduiCC1vlZ8

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OVERVIEW

The First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY

Overview

(The Bible Project)

https://youtu.be/7RoqnGcEjcs

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STUDY

Letters of PAUL to Timothy

Study by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/0j0ovlLp4SU

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Wednesday, 27 October 2021

The First Letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY - Chapter Two

Instructions on worship

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle – I am telling the truth, I am not lying – and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

1st Timothy 2: “mediator” (v.5)

If ‘everything in the garden were lovely’ as far as humanity is concerned, there would be absolutely no need whatsoever for a “mediator between God and men” (v.5). But the stark unpalatable reality just stares us in the face, that “we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53 v.6).

That’s why we need “to be saved” (v.4).

And that’s why “Christ Jesus” became “the man ... who gave himself as a ransom [i.e. not merely a down-payment, but payment in full!] for all” (vv.5-6).

Does that include you and me? Of course it does! “All” means everyone! We’re sorted!

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READING

First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY

Chapter TWO

Read by David Suchet

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The First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY

Overview

(The Bible Project)

https://youtu.be/7RoqnGcEjcs

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Letters of PAUL to Timothy

Study by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/0j0ovlLp4SU

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Tuesday, 26 October 2021

The First Letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY - Chapter One

The First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY

Overview

(The Bible Project)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope,

2 To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy charged to oppose false teachers

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in

Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work – which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practising homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

The Lord’s grace to Paul

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The charge to Timothy renewed

18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,

19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

1st Timothy 1: “traders” (v.10)

Just as there are subjects of conversation which are troubling (see vv.3-7), so too there are businesses which are taboo. Trade is legitimate, but “slave traders” (v.10) are not in the right career, and need to ‘jump ship’ fast.

They are listed along with “perverts ... liars and perjurers”! If the occupation you are in is tainted, to the point where it is virtually impossible to conduct business in honourable or in honest fashion, your choice is to cut out or become corrupted. Hymn-writer Isaac Newton had been a captain of a slave-trading ship, came to Christ, and campaigned with Wilberforce to outlaw slavery. Get a job!

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READING

First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY

Chapter One

Read by David Suchet

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Letters of PAUL to Timothy

Study by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/0j0ovlLp4SU

Monday, 25 October 2021

The Gospel according to JOHN - Chapter Twenty One

Jesus and the miraculous catch of fish

1 Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 ‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’

‘No,’ they answered.

6 He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment round him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred metres. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’

‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’

Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’

16 Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’

He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’

Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’

17 The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’

Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is going to betray you?’) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’

22 Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’ 23 Because of this, the rumour spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?’

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

John 21: “rumour” (v.23)

Christian doctrine isn’t founded on half-truths or “rumour”, otherwise it would have foundered long ago. Our faith is built on rock-solid reliable reports. The writers who recorded what their eyes and ears had witnessed made short shrift of spurious versions.

Example – this cited distortion of what the Lord had actually said about Peter. John’s final comments reveal how selective he’d needed to be, whittling down to manageable proportions the vast amount of known material (“many other things” v.25) regarding Jesus’ ministry, reducing it all to a single volume. Incredibly … credible! Yes!

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READINGS

The Gospel according to JOHN

- Chapter 20 -

Read by David Suchet