CHIEF SINNER
Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Odeon (Bouleuterion) in Ephesus. This building has the shape of a small theatre. It had a double function in use. First, it was used as a Bouleuterion for the meetings of the Boulea or Senate. The second fuction was the Odeum – a concert hall for performances. It was constructed in the 2nd century A.D by the order of Publius Vedius Antonius and his wife Flavia Paiana, two wealthy citizens in Ephesus. Paul assigned Timothy to remain and minister in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3-4).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 1:15
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.
The first and second letters to Timothy and Titus are the last letters Paul wrote. He was in the dungeon now, not the rented house where he served time earlier under house arrest. No doubt he expected his execution any day. These are the only letters addressed specifically to individuals. History proves that all human development for good or evil can be traced to the decisions of one person.
Our key verse is the most concise statement of the mission of Jesus on earth! Yes, He did come to earth to teach and to set the highest moral example as to how we should live our lives, but first and foremost His number one reason for becoming human was to save sinners! Until we trust Jesus for our salvation, we can’t even begin to follow in His steps. If Jesus had only come to show us how to live, we would have been frustrated and doomed, wallowing in our own constant failure! In spite of Paul’s great success as the Apostle to the Gentiles, and having won many to Christ, he never lost sight of his desperate need for the Saviour.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
O Holy God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I confess with Paul that I am the chiefest of sinners, and that You, Lord Jesus, came into the world to save me and all sinners who will believe on and in You (not just about You). As Paul wrote, Lord God, “For this reason I obtained mercy…” (1:16a). “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honour and glory forever and ever! Amen!!!” (1:17).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I can’t let this reading go by without reference to Paul’s words concerning women in ministry. I’ve mentioned before about Mrs. Willows from Winnipeg, whose ministry had a profound impact on my life. She was a powerful preacher/teacher. In the light of this fact, how do I understand Paul writing that women are “to be in silence” (2:12)? The golden rule of Bible interpretation is “Let the Bible interpret the Bible.” Because of Paul’s experience in Corinth with the husband and wife team of Priscilla and Aquilla, both of whom were teachers of God’s Word, we must draw the conclusion that Paul was dealing through Timothy with a circumstance culturally specific to Ephesus. In the worship of Diana, in her great temple in Ephesus, the leadership was provided by women priestesses. Also, there is the Orthodox Jewish approach to women in the Temple and in the synagogues that we should consider. In traditional Judaism women were forbidden from public ministry. Timothy had to balance these factors. Therefore, I conclude that these were not instructions for the whole Church, but specifically for the one person to whom Paul was writing, Timothy, and just for this specific congregation. In Acts 21:8-9 we find the four daughters of Philip were prophetesses.
Yours for ministry, public and private, by all God’s children,
David
Another view of the Odeon described in the photo above.
One of the main roads of ancient Ephesus that is just in front of the Odeon.
Enjoyed the blog reading and David’ comments I agree with him about women in ministry There are so many wonderful woman who share the Gospel and are being used by God.
Blessed I also am so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing, may it comfort you to know, that we are praying for you and your family and that we truly care???????? Eleanor M.
Yes, praying for Blessed & the family after losing her brother. I lost a friend yesterday also which leaves a void in my life but joy knowing she is with the Lord. I guess the name “Odeon” was adopted by the movie industry! I didn’t know the origin of that name. Pray for ALL people the scripture says. Good advice in a needy world.
Thinking of you, Blessed and Doreen in the loss of your loved ones and praying God’s comfort and encouragement to fill your hearts.
So much to glean from today’s teaching. Yes, there is ONLY ONE Saviour of mankind , Christ Jesus! We, who hold this truth are blessed, indeed. May His precious Holy Spirit make it known to many more people and may they also believe and be saved! Amen!
May this day bring much joy to each of you, fellow bloggers!
Thank you Luisa, I am also sorry about your friend Doreen. I lost a very special friend and I have to speak at her Memorial Service at end of the month. I know that she is with the Lord at last. She suffered from alltimers (wrong spelling). For 13 years so is a blessing for her husband and family to know that she is in a wonderful place. God’s Blessings in everyone. Eleanor M.
Eleanor,I am sorry for your loss too.I wrote this for a friend who also was taken by Alzheimer’s (I have spell check,lol).You may use it if you wish to.God bless
Phil
I will remember for you,
For your soul slips slowly away
But your heart is still true
And I love you more today.
Thank you for all of the years
And all the memories we shared,
For though there were some tears,
Deepest love stays unimpaired.
All the memories we had
Are worth more than gold to me now,
For though some times now are sad,
My love for you I avow.
I still remember the bliss
When we first met long ago,
When we had love’s first kiss,
But now I must let you go.
You will always have my heart
And I know I will have yours too,
But what tears me apart
Is to say goodbye to you.
(G W) Bill Marshall/24 Dec, 2015
I only now realized what is missing from this poem.Like me,Phil was a deacon of a small rural church so I feel one last stanza is appropriate.God bless
Phil
I will remember for you,
For your soul slips slowly away
But your heart is still true
And I love you more today.
Thank you for all of the years
And all the memories we shared,
For though there were some tears,
Deepest love stays unimpaired.
All the memories we had
Are worth more than gold to me now,
For though some times now are sad,
My love for you I avow.
I still remember the bliss
When we first met long ago,
When we had love’s first kiss,
But now I must let you go.
You will always have my heart
And I know I will have yours too,
But what tears me apart
Is to say goodbye to you.
I know you will greet me there
As I come through the gates of love
And with Jesus we’ll share
The joys of heaven above.
(G W) Bill Marshall/24 Dec, 2015
Thank you Bill for sharing your poem. I do appreciate it.
..My ‘adopted sister’ preached at our (Baptist) church on Sunday filling in for our pastor as she often does in area churches.The week before one of our newest adherents,a Pentecostal pastor herself,filled in for him.(She was brought up in our church.)They both did great.
..Praying for His comfort and assurance to be upon you,Blessed and Doreen as you grieve.Right after I surrendered to the Lord (and just before I was baptized ) poems-of-comfort started coming off my fingertips as fast as I could type them for the most unfortunate members of Grieving Mothers,for about a year and a half.(Long story).Just know that I am only the earthly writer of these poems.(It was my pastor who told me I had a ‘ministry’)The members of that site seemed to know who the poems were intended for.This,however,was written after I left that site for an elderly friend who lost his sister,whom I had never met but did attend her funeral.Nuff said.I hope this brings some comfort.May God bless
“Attending a R.Catholic funeral,where
the priest went out of his way to make
us protestants feel comfortable,I was
inspired to write this. ”
(‘Let no man call anyone ”Father”……’)
=============================
Pastor
Pastor,please say goodbye for me,
For I will not know who’s there
When my eyes no longer see
And my heart has no more care.
Your service says what I could not,
Through Jesus’ words to borrow,
For I have won the battle fought
And have risen above sorrow.
Pastor,please wipe away their grief,
For the truth will set them free
From the one who is a thief
And has nowhere to flee.
Don’t let them believe what’s not true,
For sorrow’s the devil’s kin,
But He who lives within you
Will set them free of their sin.
So,Pastor,speak for me this day,
With His words that can not lie,
To say that I am home to stay
Where no one will ever die.
(G.W.)Bill Marshall/15Sept,2015
Yes, agreeing in prayer for you Blessed, your family and Doreen at your losses. May God give you comfort and peace at this time.
Dear Doreen my sincere condolences thoughts and prayers on the loss of your friend it’s comforting to know that she is now in heaven In the Arms of Jesus I just pray in the coming days that you would sense the presence of God to comfort you and take you through but we have that blessed hope that we will see our loved ones once again and I pray out to the rest of my bloggers have a blessed day amen
agreeing with David’s prayer! and his comments re women in ministry in Timothy’s letter; believe it applied to those times.
thank you Reynold for the great photos!
Be blessed this day saints