The world often makes the distinction between “the truth” and “my truth.” The world today has “judgement free zones” and “safe spaces.” In Paul and Timothy’s day, there was also a desire to make “safe spaces” where people would turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myth. As Paul reminds Timothy, so we are reminded this…
The hymns and psalms we sing this morning call us to stand firm in the face of persecution, clinging to the Scriptures as our anchor in the storm. Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken declares that God’s Word cannot be broken and that we are surrounded with “salvation’s walls,” while The Lord Ever Hear You—Psalm 20 cries out to the…
Paul’s description of the “times of difficulty” that Timothy is likely to face in his leadership of the church is rather distressing. He will face people who are “arrogant,” “abusive,” “brutal,” and “treacherous” (just to list a few of the adjectives used), who oppose the truth and attempt to deceive the faithful with false teachings. But Paul ends this passage…
This morning’s sermon text once again finds the Apostle Paul dispensing fatherly wisdom to Timothy. He warns the young pastor not to become embroiled in foolish controversies (vss. 16-17, 23), but instead to ground himself in God’s Word (vs. 15). If he were dispensing his advice in the present day, I can imagine him using some of the language in…
At the beginning of 2 Timothy 2, Paul urges his disciple to find the strength he needs in the person and work of Christ Jesus. While this is certainly an important reminder for a young pastor, it applies equally to each of us—something that the elements in this morning’s service point to. As one of the hymns we sing puts…
If last week’s sermon text presented Paul reminiscing about the past, this week’s passage finds the Apostle looking to the future, confident that Christ will lead him in the way he should go. He urges Timothy to follow in the path set before him (vs. 13), the “holy calling” that the Lord has placed on his life (vs. 9). As…
Second Timothy, which Pastor Grant will be preaching through all this month, is traditionally regarded as Paul’s last letter. The opening passage finds the apostle reminiscing about his own spiritual heritage (vs. 3) as well as his young disciple’s (vs. 5). Like Paul reminding Timothy of the faith of his mother and grandmother, the Scripture readings and hymns chosen for…
I know that my redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives.—Samuel Medley This year’s two sermon series have been a study in contrasts. After spending three months studying Exodus 20, and finding ourselves coming up woefully short of the law of God, these last two months in 1 John have provided such comfort and security. John writes to his…
Frank Wonder is a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Tullahoma and was ordained as a Ruling Elder in 2006. In that capacity, he recently served as Chairman of their Pastor Search Committee, which conclude its work last year. Frank became Gideon in 2008 and has served in various leadership positions at the Camp, Area, and State level. In April…
There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood and these three agree. —1 John 5:7-8 Today’s sermon text contains this striking poetic passage about “the Spirit and the water and the blood”—one that has caused no shortage of debates throughout church history. Are these “witnesses” to Christ’s incarnation? Is John referencing Jesus’ birth and death,…
