Married to Pam my wife for 57 Years, we have 2 married daughters and six grandchildren. In 1983 we were called into Christian ministry at Crossroad Christian Fellowship. After serving as pastor for 28 years I handed over this responsibility to Pastor Jon Sibley and continued to serve as an elder until August 2020. We both remain active members of Crossroads.
How we relate to other Christians matters, our behaviour is a witness both within and without the local church family. Paul also stresses that if we have relatives who are in need our first responsibility is to help them, it is not the responsibility of the church. A person who meets the needs of their own family is pleasing to God 5:4.
Seeking to lead your husband, wife, or children to Christ? Then Love and care with prayer accomplishes much, let your life do the preaching!
Let’s never be hasty about choosing leaders, often a good test is delay “time will tell” 5:22, 3:1-7
Everyone’s character especially those of church leaders will be revealed sooner or later by their fruit. Jesus said a healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit Mathew 7:15-20
A verse to ponder
In the same way, everyone knows how much good some people do, but there are others whose good deeds won’t be known until later.
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One of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives is “discerning of spirits” please remember there is no gift of discernment. This is a very important gift for Christians today, for this gift helps us to know if the message taught is from the The Holy Spirit, or the teachers own spirit, or from an evil spirit sent to deliver a false doctrine to the church 4:1, 1 Corinthians 12:10.
We must not build our physical muscles at the expense of our spiritual muscles. We developed our spiritual muscles as we spend time in prayer and Bible study using our God given gifts in the church 4:8.
Our lives will reflect what we give ourselves to 4:12.
Those who preach and teach have a great responsibility to watch what they teach is true, and live out what they teach. Like Timothy if we stir up and use our gifts we will not only help those who listen to us , we will find our fulfilment in Gods call.
A verse to remember
Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next 4:8. N.L.T.
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In the first twelve verses of this chapter we are given a list of qualities every church leader should have, The requirements for a bishop or elder are similar for deacons. How a man cares for his wife and family is very important as it is a reflection of how he will care for the Church. There is a principle that those called into ministry should always try to follow, God first, spouse and family second, ministry third 3:2-5
How every Christian conducts themselves in the local church will testify to the world the validity of the truth God has revealed to us. We are the Church which is the pillar of truth to a fallen world 3:14-15
“The mystery” something once hidden and out of reach, is now revealed in the person of Jesus Christ 3:16
A verse to remember
so that if I can’t come for a while, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth.
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Paul urges us to pray not only for ourselves but for all people pleading to God for mercy and with thanksgiving. We are to include those in Government also, by the way this includes those we wouldn’t vote for! When Paul wrote this he had already suffered at the hands of those in authority, yet he was reminded as we must also remind ourselves that God desires that all men be saved coming to the Knowledge of the truth 2:1-4, James 5:16.
Although God desires that all men become Christian’s, this does not take away anyone’s freedom to choose. We reject “universalism” that is that everyone will be saved in the end as a lie of the devil.
Lifting Holy hands in worship reveals a heart of surrender to God. 2:8.
Surrender describes an action of laying aside anything that would raise itself against the object of our worship.. Paul describes some of the things that can hinder full surrender, Men. stop doubting and don’t let anger control you. Women, observe a proper sense of modesty avoiding drawing attention to oneself 2:8-10.
Chapter 2 verse 12 seems to imply that like Eve the Women of Ephesus were more likely to be deceived by the many false teachers who Paul warns about in 1:3-7, and being deceived attempt to take the leadership role away from their husbands? Paul acknowledges in other scriptures the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of women Acts 2:17, Philippians 4:3, Romans 16:3. The prohibition most likely refers to the office of Apostolic teacher in the church, which Paul said was solely from God 1:1.
The matter of male headship is often one that can divide Christian’s! In creation Adam was made first, he was given the responsibility to rule Genesis 2:15-25, but it should be noted that while Eve was tempted by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit, it was Adam who listened to his wife and chose to sin. The result was the fall effecting all of Adams descendants who were given a life sentences of hard labour. For Eve because she believed the lie of Satan she and her female descendants would bear children in pain, ( and a desire to rule over her husband but he will rule over you) Genesis 3:16-17.There are several ways to understand 2:15 Both men and women are saved through trusting in Christ, and both men and women are blessed as they fulfil there God given roles by showing their commitment and surrender to Christ.
A verse to remember
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. 1Timothy 2:5 N.L.T.
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Please pray for Sugan and Emily Govener who have been given the vision for a carol service that includes a message about the true meaning of Christmas. The Guild Hall in Axminster has been booked for Sunday December 3rd for this Christian outreach service between 3:00 -5:00 PM. A Christian band from Axminster Waffle house will be supplying the music. Please support this event through prayer, and word of mouth, bring along your friends and family saved or unsaved all are very welcome.
Paul had visited Ephesus in about A.D. 63, following his release from his first imprisonment. When he left Ephesus he appointed Timothy as Pastor. This letter was written to Timothy about A.D.64. Pause for thought
False teaching was being sown in the church at Ephesus, and Timothy had to confront and correct it. These false teachers were teaching a mixture of law and grace. They were also spreading the legends that the Jews had added to the Old Testament, speculating about all sorts of myths and bringing erroneous teaching. This was not a problem confined to the early church, we must be on our guard against any new idea that comes on the scene that is contrary to God’s Word, for we all know how easy it is to get drawn into speculation about things that often prove to be false. Pray for wisdom! 1:4-6
Paul’s testimony is an example of Gods mercy and the abundance of Gods grace toward us who believe. Paul was not boasting about himself but pointing us again and again to Christ who had redeemed and changed him.
Paul called upon Timothy to face thes false teachers down (fight the good fight) Timothy had received prophetic words when the elders laid hands on him 4:14. The prophetic gift is alive today and like Timothy who was to encourage himself by remembering these words, so should we, and like Timothy we need reminding to stir up the gift within us. 3:20-21 The commissioning by the laying on of hands with prayer and words from the Lord by Godly people must never be underestimated 1:18
A verse to remember
Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences ; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 1 Timothy:19 N.L.T.
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Pause for thought The Church whose members are the body of Christ only functions as God intends when we its members work together for the common good 1 Corinthians 12:20-25. independently minded Christian, and I’ve met a few who really believe that they are so free that they have no need of fellowship, and therefore are excused from helping others. True freedom is not to satisfy our own selves but to let the Holy Spirit teach us how we can serve each other in love. The Holy Spirit instructs us how in 6:1-2. See also 5:13
When we have helped another Christian to get back on track we must remain alert to temptation. We must not become proud of the good we’ve done, or be tempted to compare the outcome of our ministry, with the ministry of others. We are always thankful that the Lord has used us 6:6.
Paul’s use of the spiritual Law of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6 is about money! and it’s proper use. Its our choice we can spend it on ourselves or use it in a way that pleases the Spirit 6:7-8. It seems to be a spiritual truth that as we contribute to the wages of those who minister we will gain much more from their ministry, than if we are simply passive listeners 6:9.
Paul says he wrote in very large letters, some have suggested he was referring to an eyesight problem! I believe he was simply emphasising the importance of his message “As for me , God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, because of that cross my interest in this world died long ago, and the world’s interest in me is also long dead” 6:14
Paul blessing of peace and mercy extends to all who are believers in Christ and know that they are the new creation 6:16. Please read Ephesians 2:14-18.
A verse to remember
It doesn’t make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been changed into new different people. May God’s mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. Galatians 6:15-16 N. L.T.
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In the Galatian churches there were two opposing views that were troubling the believers. There were the legalists who taught that to be certain of being right with God there were certain laws to obey in addition to faith in Christ, some Judaizers even said that to be a true Christian gentiles should submit to circumcision. Then there were those who went to the other extreme who saw their Liberty in Christ as an opportunity to sin. Neither group fully understood “grace” The scriptures are never outdated these two heresies are alive and well today. Paul shows us Gods way, we are to walk in the Spirit ( walk along the path the Spirit lays down ) not under compulsion to the Law, or a license to sin 5:16.
Legalism and license will always drag their victims into fleshly works, this is why most Christians experience a battle within between the flesh and the Holy Spirit. The sins of the flesh are the results of legalism and licence 5:17.
The fruit of the Spirit is a spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us reproducing the character traits of Christ in us. “Life application Bible”
Every Spirit led believer experiences true freedom in loving service to others 5:13. I see the fruit of the Spirit as a wonderful gem stone called love with facets each describing that love! 5:22-23.
Every Christian has made a decisive act of repentance when coming to faith in Christ and has been crucified with Him 5:24 see Romans 6:6.
verse 26 is a warning against pride which is certainly not walking in step with the Holy Spirit.
A verse to remember
If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives Galatians 5:25 N.L.T.
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The Liberty that Christ gives is freedom to love and serve not freedom to continue to sin 5:1 and Romans 6:1-2.
As Christians we can’t have it both ways, The power of Gods grace working in us becomes ineffective in the life of anyone who relies upon his own efforts to keep right with God 5:2-4.
If approached by a Christian who is struggling with their faith, always point them to Christ not to a list of do’s and don’ts.
The Holy Spirit will encourage and affirm every true believer of the righteousness that is theirs by faith 5:5.
We cannot say we truly believe in Jesus if loving deeds are not the result of our faith. “ Martin Luther”
What’s your faith like? A footnote in my Bible says “ Because faith expresses itself through love, we can check our love for others as a way to monitor our faith” ?
Memory verse
For you have been called to live in freedom, not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in Love. Galatians 5:13 N.L.T.
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People are saved by placing their faith in Jesus Christ, not because of what they do 4:21.
Paul uses an allegorical account of the story of Abraham’s two sons Isaac and Ishmael, to reinforce the point that the real descendants of Abraham are spiritual ( according to the promise) not physical ( that born according to the flesh) John 1:13.
The Law of Moses was given upon my Mount Sinai. Anyone who tries to keep the Law are simply exercising their flesh and find themselves still in bondage to sin 4:25. Please read Galatians 3:10-14.
The Jerusalem that is revered today by many is destined to pass away. But there is a New Jerusalem which is above it is free and has many children,.That is all those who are born again through faith in Jesus Christ and have had all their sins forgiven 4:26, See John 1:13. Also Revelation 21:9-27.
Paul opens a window upon why Christians are persecuted by those who are in bondage to sin, that is those who are living by the flesh (see Galatians 19-21). It is natural for fleshly people to make fun of God and His people. Jealousy and envy can often turn to bitter hatred towards the children of promise. ( this was the reason Ishmael and his mother Hagar were sent away) see Genesis 21:10, 4:30
Verses to remember
And you dear brothers and sisters, are children of promise, just like Isaac, And we who are born of the Holy Spirit are persecuted by those who want to keep the Law. Galatians 4:28-29 N.L.T.
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Through faith in Jesus Christ we have been adopted as sons into God’s family, because God has given us the Holy Spirit who enables us to cry out to God as ABBA Father 4:6.
Legalism is like going backwards into pagan worship. There is nothing the devil likes more than to see Christian’s taking part in Christian ritual and observing special days thinking that by doing so they are finding favour with God 4:8-11.
Paul didn’t bring some, superior Jewish teaching when he came to the Galatian churches. He didn’t teach them that to become Christians they had to keep the Law. He says he chose to identify as a Gentile like them. Now he urges them to continue living in the true freedom of the gospel of Christ that was preached to them and they first believed and received with joy 4:12-15 and 1 Corinthians 9:20-22.
The Gospel will bring joy to believers whatever they face, legalism has no power to lift the soul, because the one who seeks to get right with God this way (an impossibility) never knows when they’ve don’t enough. True Christians rest only in what Christ has done for them.
A verse to remember
Dear brothers and sisters I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles were — Free from the Law. Galatians 4:12
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End Times Bible Truth with Robert Spiller 