Early Church Practice, Today! (NTRF.org)

Elder Qualifications #4-11

How is an "overseer" (1Ti 3:1) different from an elder or pastor? In Scripture, the terms overseer (KJV "bishop"), elder, and arguably also pastor, are used interchangeably. Hierarchy: There was no hierarchy of authority within the local church leadership team. No bishop was over the pastors, no senior pastor, no lead pastor, no pastor over the elders, no difference between pastor and elder. Paid...

In recent years, more ink has been spilled on this passage than on any other part of this epistle, due largely to the rise of egalitarianism and feminism. I've read the arguments of evangelical feminists. However, I just can't explain away the plain teaching of Scripture that prohibits women from teaching men or exercising authority over men.

A homeless man entered our church building, then left. I didn't interact with him; I didn't even know he had been there. Yet, when I later entered the area, I immediately knew it. The area he had been in reeked. He was gone, but his "aroma" lingered. So too, Timothy stopped the false teaching, but the impact of their stinky doctrine remained. Paul prescribed prayer as the air freshener.

My goal in this lesson was not to squeeze every jot and tittle of truth out of the text. To do so might be to obscure the forest because of the trees. Instead, my purpose was to help believers ferret-out the big picture of the chapter. Aside from the introduction, there are four main paragraphs (ESV). We'll try to get the main point of each one, and how they fit together. So, here it is, in all it...

Preaching is not a casual task—it is a divine charge given in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will one day judge every soul. In this expositional message from 2 Timothy 4:1–2, we will discover the sacred responsibility, reverence, and urgency with which pastors are called to proclaim God's Word, and how we as a church must respond to it.

In a world filled with confusion and compromise, the Word of God remains our unshakable foundation. Hear this sermon to explore the transformative power of Scripture—how it shapes lives, strengthens leaders, and equips the church for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16–17). Discover why Scripture is not only inspired but also essential and life-giving for every aspect of Christian living.

A Christian author remarked, "We have become perhaps the most emotionally exhausted, psychologically overworked, and spiritually malnourished people in history." The remedy to survive in the busyness of life is to also get busy with God. This message provides insights into how believers and pastors can integrate God into their busy lives.

Helga Henry, wife of the renowned theologian Carl F. H. Henry, reminds us that "Christian hospitality is not a matter of choice; it is not a matter of money; it is not a matter of age, social standing, sex, or personality. Christian hospitality is a matter of obedience to God." This message explains the significance of hospitality.

New Covenant Theology, Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology explained and contrasted. .

Baptist theologian JL Dagg wrote: "they (the Apostles) have taught us by example how to organize and govern churches. We have no right to reject their instruction and captiously insist that nothing but positive command shall bind us. Instead of choosing to walk in a way of our own devising, we should take pleasure to walk in the footsteps of those holy men from whom we have received the word of li...

Jesus said church leaders have the same authority as children and slaves, two groups in Roman society with the least authority. Then, to drive the point home, Jesus washed the disciples' feet. What does this tell us about a church leader's management style, or about how decisions are to be made in the church? This lesson explores an ancient leadership style given by Jesus for building consensus.

How can we best foster fellowship, stir up love, strengthen unity, and format our meetings so members could encourage one another? The biblical answer is found in the Lord's Supper—as originally practiced. The bread and cup were taken in the context of an actual meal. When Luke described the Lord's Supper in Acts 2, the words he used were fellowship, food, gladness and praise. That's why Gateway s...

How can we best foster fellowship, stir up love, strengthen unity, and format our meetings so members could encourage one another? The biblical answer is found in the Lord's Supper—as originally practiced. The bread and cup were taken in the context of an actual meal. When Luke described the Lord's Supper in Acts 2, the words he used were fellowship, food, gladness and praise. That's why Gateway s...

Do your church meetings qualify as a spectator sport? Discover the biblical alternative in this message, an ideal approach for bi-vocational pastors and small churches.

Eternal Security, Limited Atonement, Five Points of Calvinism, Doctrines of Grace, Synod of Dort

In our passage from Hebrews 12, we encounter a startling description of our God as "a consuming fire." This is not a warm, comforting fire on a cold night. No, this is an image of God's terrible holiness and His fierce judgment. This sermon encourages Christians to have a balanced view of God - His comforting grace and consuming judgment. May God build His people through this expositional sermon.

Scripture clearly declares that God's choice, God's election, is based on God's foreknowledge. "Foreknowledge" has two possible meanings: 1. The mental apprehension of events beforehand; to know in advance 2. To love beforehand; to regard with favor beforehand, or to choose beforehand.