 Despite having the disciples of Jesus as pastors and the Holy Spirit doing miracles, the first church still had interpersonal issues. But instead of leaving the church or creating division, the people chose seven godly men to help, and fixed the issue (Acts 6:1-7). The presence of problems in a church is never the issue, the lack of unity always is. The apostles were probably surprised to be leading a church of thousands just months after Jesus’ resurrection. While the growth was exciting, it created organizational challenges. To allow the elders to continue in prayer and teaching, deacons (Gr. diakonos, ‘to serve, assist’) were chosen to help. A great future is always birthed from great challenges handled with great faith in God! 

OrchardChurch.Life: Sermons

We Endure, Pt. 6—Qualifications To Serve God’s Family

 After describing an orderly worship environment and prohibiting women from teaching men in an assembled gathering, Paul tells Timothy who should have that role. Like marriage—where a man takes the responsibility of leading, loving, and providing for a wife and children—a man must desire the responsibility not just the role. If any man aspires (Gr. oregomai, ‘to reach out to grasp’) to be an overseer/elder/pastor (Gr. episkopē, ‘to inspect, superintend’; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4), he desires a good task (Gr. ergon, ‘toil, labor’). Overseeing is the hard work of leading others. A man must be able to lead himself, lead others, and lead others to lead others. A man wanting to lead a church should have a history of being followed by men. If you think you are a leader, turn around, if no one is following you, you’re just out for a walk (Rom. 12:6-8)! 

We Endure, Pt. 5—Qualifications To Lead God’s Family

After instructing Timothy to focus on the supremacy of the Gospel and prayer—rather than social or political issues at church—he specifies how that should happen. Christian men should lead by praying and lifting holy (Gr. hosios, ‘undefiled, pure’) hands to God. Throughout scripture, lifting hands was a form of submission and appreciation and was to be done as an outward display of a right heart to God (Neh. 8:6; Ps. 63:4; 134:2; Lam. 3:41). They are to pray without anger (Gr. orgē, ‘violent emotion’) or quarreling (Gr. dialogismos, ‘debating, arguing’). Rather than creating chaos and dissention, men are to create an environment of stability and unity. A man’s prayer life can be hindered by his home life (1 Pet. 3:7).

We Endure, Pt. 4—God’s Will For The Genders At Church

 After comments encouraging Timothy to remain steadfast in pastoring the church at Ephesus, Paul begins with the most urgent thing on his mind—prayer. Believers are to pray at all times and connect with God, who dwells in them (1 Thess. 5:16-18; Rom. 8:26, 27). Biblical prayer isn’t random thoughts or wishful thinking but a focused, soul-conversation with God (Col. 4:2; Phil. 4:6). Often, God allows believers to be ruled by the ungodly. But Christians are to supplicate (Gr. deēsis, ‘to petition’) to God, pray for, and be thankful for their rulers—praying God will change their unbelief and use them. A Christian’s main weapon of political and social change is prayer! Prayer aligns the hearts of believers with God and moves the heart of God for believers. The purpose of prayer is to bring God glory; the power of prayer is the ability to change human history! 

We Endure, Pt. 3—The Power of Prayer

 Paul grew up in a strict Jewish home in Tarsus. He spoke multiple languages, had a genius-level IQ, was educated by the famous rabbi Gamaliel, and had a passion to serve God through Judaism (Phil. 3:4-6). Paul described himself as a former blasphemer of Christ (Gr. blasphēmos, ‘to speak evil about’), a persecutor, and being insolent (Gr. hubristēs, ‘prideful arrogance leading to evil action’). Believing Jesus as a failed Messiah, he persecuted Christians by arresting and approving of their murder until he was miraculously transformed by the risen Jesus (Acts 8:1-3; 22:3-8; Gal. 1:13). There is no past God can’t redeem for good (2 Cor. 5:17)! 

We Endure, Pt. 2—Jesus Came to Save Sinners

 I know that once people live their lives on the earth, they are made beautiful angels that are free to roam the universe. It makes me feel good to know that people I love are angels looking down on us on earth. God keeps filling heaven with more angels every day! 

Satan’s Greatest Hits—Pt. 8, Heaven Needed Another Angel

 As a believer in Jesus, I know that I am a child of God, and that He leads my life. Because of this reality, I have confidence when I encounter difficulty that God won’t allow anything in my life I can’t deal with. My situations will never be too much for me! 

Satan’s Greatest Hits—Pt. 7, God Won’t Give Too Much to Handle

 Knowledge can be understood from several aspects: simple knowledge (intellectual ascent), acceptance, application. So, is it good deeds, or is it faith? Yes! Faith is a lot like physical exercise. It’s something you do more than something you have. Understanding it intellectually is vastly different than understanding it behaviorally. When done right, it’s a lifestyle, not a series of isolated events. Faith is an action word: Abel “offered” a sacrifice, Noah “prepared” an ark, Abraham “obeyed” the Lord. (Hebrews 11:6) 

More Than Words

Ever since I can remember I had same or both-sex attractions. I know I was born this way and since I can’t choose how I feel, other people must approve of my lifestyle. My feelings and desires are my guiding principles in making decisions, including if I feel trapped in the wrong body and want to transition to the other sex. My gender is a different thing than my biological sex. And, as my sexual identity is nonbinary, I reject heteronormativity. I need to live my truth!

Satan’s Greatest Hits—Pt. 6, Love is Love

Over the course of my life, I have done things I regret and have caused me guilt. In the moment, I thought those things would make me happy. But the pleasure I gained was short-lived while the guilt I have has stayed with me. My culture tells me everything is fine, but I know I’m lost and broken. I feel overwhelmed with my sin.

Satan’s Greatest Hits—Pt. 5, God Can’t Forgive What I’ve Done

Believers aren’t ‘born-again’ to be orphaned but are born into a spiritual family to care for them. Being a Christian isn’t about your salvation, but about your sanctification. The goal of salvation isn’t to go be with Christ in heaven but to be like Christ on earth. Believers need to grow up under the discipleship of more mature believers for training, encouragement, and accountability (Matt. 28:19, 20; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 10:25; 13:17). There didn’t need to be a class or official acknowledgment in the first century as there was only one church in a town or region and baptism was the official membership. The church is described as members of a family and of a body—meaning believers aren’t saved for the sake of themselves, but for the sake of serving others! We are saved to ‘do life’ together!

Satan’s Greatest Hits—Pt. 4, I Don’t Need To Belong To a Church

 Christians are to proclaim that God wants to transform the culture through social good. God’s grace isn’t to save people from sin or punish rebellion against Him, but rather to express His love by believers doing positive things and helping others. This good work will eventually produce ‘heaven on earth’ from which Jesus will rule. Everyone will be changed by the grace of God! 

Satan’s Greatest Hits—Pt. 3, Love Wins

 When I encounter something I am not sure I should do or buy, I live by the motto of ‘You only live once’ and that guides my decision making. Since I may never get this opportunity again, I don’t think about the future or the repercussions or God’s wisdom, but choose ‘fun’, ‘adventure’, and ‘living a little’. This gives me an excuse to live in the moment. Live the most while you can! 

Satan’s Greatest Hits—Pt. 2, Y.O.L.O. & F.O.M.O.

Unlike all of us, Jesus the son of God always followed the will of His Father. While Jesus was dealing with his impending crucifixion, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane at the Mount of Olives where he often prayed. Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as you will” (Matthew 26:39 Luke 22:39-42). Jesus followed the will of His Father, so should we! The Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Rome, ‘For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Following God will give us freedom from the wages of sin which is death. (Romans 6:23)

Having Freedom in His Will - Matthew 7:1-29

My life is about my goals, my family, and the pursuit of things that make me happy and satisfied. I design my life around me, and I expect others to support my view of living. Those that don’t, I consider enemies of my happiness and fulfillment. The things that bring me happiness are a right of my humanity and no one can take it from me. The reason I live is for me (Eccl. 2:1-11)!

Satan’s Greatest Hits—Pt. 1, Life Is About My Happiness

Weekly sermon podcast of Orchard Church in Southern California: orchardchurch.life

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OrchardChurch.Life: Sermons

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