Philippians 4 - Outline

v1-3

stand fast, be of the same mind, and help the fellow-laborers

v4-5

rejoice and show moderation

v6-9

don't worry, pray about everything, give thanks, think on good things, and follow Paul's example-- and the Lord will guard your thoughts with His peace

v10-13

through Christ we can be content in any situation

v14-18

it is good to give to the needs of those who live for the gospel

v19

a great promise that God will supply all of our needs, through Christ

v20-23

glory, greetings, and grace

truly Christ came to save sinners

1 Timothy 1

v15

This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

It said this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation. Does that sound like he was exaggerating or being sarcastic to you? It sounds to me like it is good wholesome words, and that he meant what he said.

Of course, it doesn't mean anything like that it would be just fine and inconsequential to continue on being sinners. The wages of sin is death. What it does mean is that is what Christ came and died on the cross for. Those of us who know this, now that we have received it by faith, it ought to change our lives.

But what it does mean, is that we shouldn't say, I can't talk to you about God now, because I have been sinning. I can't come to God now. No, that is what Christ came for! The Lord knows that we have been sinning, He loves each one of us anyway, and He gave His life to lift us up from our lost state, and save us, and give us everlasting life.

Even this writer in the Bible had sinned. He said it was a faithful saying that he was the biggest sinner of all--but Christ came to save sinners, and Christ saved Him. So, next time you feel like saying you don't want to hear about God or pray because you have been a sinner, even a big sinner, know that Christ is there for you. That's what He came for. He will save you for your sins if you just come to Him.

the problem of wasting time in Bible times

2 Thessalonians 3

v11

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

According to Thayers, busybodies means, to bustle about uselessly, to busy one's self about trifling, needless, useless matters. Wow, how that hits the nail on the head, describing our problem with laziness today.

I don't know about you, but with the pervasion of modern entertainment media (videos, online news, Facebook, surfing the web, etc.) wasting inordinate amounts of time with these inconsequential vanities can definitely be a sin that so easily besets me. I group my wasting of time into the following categories:

waste

entirely vain or counterproductive activities

haste

fine things to do, but mis-prioritized and at the wrong time (too early, too late, etc.)

excess

fine thing to spend a little time on, but a vain or counterproductive amount of time to spend on it at this time

As a practical application from this passage, I'll generate a report of how I've used my time, from my time-tracking system, and give the report to the accountability partner I've gotten to help me with my problem with wasting time.

established in every good word

2 Thessalonians 2

v16a,17

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God...

Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

This teaches us that we should be established in every good word and work.

It is interesting that it says every good word. That reminds me of how we should be bold to speak the things we should.

Titus 2 - Key

v12

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

It doesn't just say, denying some ungodliness, so, instead of being satisfied with repenting from most sins and doing most things right, this points toward a new way of zeal for victory over our sins and to live righteously.

Application

v14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

This says that he might redeem us from all iniquity, so, I'll be zealous to go after a couple particular hard and big issues in my life.

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Titus 2 - Outline

v1

speak wholesome teaching

v2-10

how certain groups of people should behave:

v2

older men should be sound in faith

v3

older women should be holy

v4-5

young women should take care of their families

v6

young men should be sober minded

v7-8

you yourself should be a good example and speak good teachings

v9-10

servants should show fidelity

v11-14

grace teaches us to live righteously

v15

speak these things with authority

grow in faith and love

2 Thessalonians 1

v3

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

This is the way we should be. We should grow abundantly in faith, and in love toward every one of each other.

v4

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

We should also be patient and have faith when we suffer for His kingdom. When we are patient and have faith through suffering, that is evidence that God is righteous to count us worthy of His kingdom.

Even when we suffer and have a hard time, let's be patient and grow in faith and love. Especially work on showing the love of the Lord, abundantly, to all of the other believers.