Emmaus

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows!” (1 Tim. 6:10 NKJV). Regardless of one’s material possessions, this verse is needed lest the passion for money leads to ruin. Thus, we want to note the clarification of the passion for money, and the corruption from the passion for money. Clarification - “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Th

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity!” (1 Tim. 4:12 NKJV). This advice given by the apostle Paul to Timothy, a young pastor. It is good advice for all Christians, not just for young people. Just as Timothy was to behave wisely lest his ministry for the Lord Jesus be hindered, so should the Christian behave wisely so that their testimony for the Lord Jesus will not be hindered. The apost

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief!” (1 Tim. 1:15 NKJV). This verse is very instructive as it contains some important truths about the Gospel message. It speak about the authenticity of the Gospel, the appeal of the Gospel, the Advocate in the Gospel, the aim of the Gospel, and the accomplishment of the Gospel. Authenticity of the Gospel - “This is a faithful saying.” The Gospel

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5 NKJV). In context, the “purpose of the commandment” or end results of the Word of God, are threefold: a love that is pure, a conscience that is righteous, and a faith that is genuine. Love that is pure – “Love from a pure heart.” There is a lot of talk about love today, but it is not pure love. Immoral acts are called love when they are lust not love. T

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ” (2 Thess. 3:5 NKJV). Two important thoughts are in this verse. The first one is about passion; the second one is about perseverance. Passion – “The Lord direct your hearts into the love God.” This is an exhortation about our affections. Here the apostle Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to have their love for God and what He represents. So many things are competing for our affections tod

“In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8 NKJV). Judgment is the theme of this verse. It is the judgment which shall come when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth. This verse speaks of the crowd and character of judgment. Crowd for judgment – “Those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Two things are said about the crowd

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thess. 4:3 NKJV). The subject of our verse is the will of God. From it we want to note the awareness of the will of God and the abstinence in the will of God. Awareness of the will of God – “This is the will of God.” Note two things here about the will of God. First, the place of learning the will of God: We learn about the will of God from the Word of God. We will not lear

“For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything” (1 Thess. 1:8 NKJV). Here in his introduction to the first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, the apostle Paul speaks very highly of the believers in this church. One of the things he commends is their witness. Thus, we want to note the conspicuousness of their witness, the continuousne

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1 NKJV). The liberty (freedom) mentioned here by the apostle Paul is freedom from Jewish rites and ceremonies, properly called the “yoke of bondage;” and also liberty from the power and guilt of sin, which nothing but the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ can take away. So, he gave them two commands – be faithful and be free Be faithful – “Stand

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Col. 2:8 NKJV). Here the apostle Paul gives a strong warning about a deadly peril that is quite common in our day. We need to pay attention to this verse. It tells us about the nature of the peril, the naming of the peril, and the negating of the peril. Nature of the peril - “Cheat.” The word mean