July 26, 2026

BUILT TO LAST: THE WALK OF THE WISE

July 26, 2026

Senior Pastor Jonathan Falwell

We are finishing the Book of First Timothy today, finding advice from Paul on how to follow Christ in this world. Do not think God ‘breathed’ His instructions for first-century believers only, for His word provides what we in the third millennium need each day. With the advent of artificial intelligence and the global reach we have through technology, we may have an even greater need for God’s Word and Truth than perhaps any who have lived before us, when there was little knowledge or connection to life all over planet Earth. As we dig into Chapters Four, Five and Six, let us take seriously those injunctions Paul gave us, that we be armed with the weapon of truth.

Focal Passage: 1 Timothy 4, 5, and 6.

Watch out for the distortion of God’s Word:

  • Read 1 Tim. 4:1-5. What are the ‘latter times’ that Paul said the Holy Spirit warned of? Read 2 Tim. 3: 2,5, and Matt. 24:3b-5. What do you know when the same message is in different parts of Scripture? Do you know grown children of godly fathers who are already leaving the faith? What do you give hours of time to, potentially deceiving you?
  • Satan is engaged in activities to take you down. How does he promote systems of false doctrines? How does he destroy men’s bodies and souls? How does he deceive men and nations? What is the only way you can be prepared for the deceit when you hear it?
  • How can you discipline yourself to not be distracted from the things of God, instead of giving time and energy to things of this world? How do they compete for your mind?

Instead, focus on remaining faithful:

  • Read 1 Tim. 4:6-16. Paul was concerned about the culture in which this church was living. Today, what are some of the worldly things that vie for your attention constantly, until you’re too tired or busy to serve your community with a godly ministry? Other than your job or cleaning your home, what do you spend your greatest number of hours doing?
  • Why did Paul remind Timothy to keep encouraging the brethren often? Why is it important to give attention to doctrine? Can you lead someone to Christ unless you know doctrine?

Caring for those in need:

  • Read 1 Tim. 5:1-2. Paul moves from advising Timothy personally as he leads the church to interacting with people within his church. Who does he mention first, and how can you sum up verses 1-2? Why does he say to keep all relationships pure? How can both males and females do this?
  • Read verses 3-16. As Paul speaks of the widows, how can you categorize those who are in your church in this section? Dysfunctional families exist, and often the elderly are ignored; what does the church do for these ladies? However, possibly the grown children who are not in the parents’ lives are in the church; what can the church do to help restore broken relationships? How can you help?

Leading in Integrity:

  • Read vv. 17-25. In these verses, Paul is exhorting the members to deal in a godly manner with spreading rumors, gossip, and conflict. What advice does he give for restoring people who are at odds with others? Why does he use Matthew 18:15-17, 21-22? How can you best control the desire to spread gossip or rumors? Are those things sin?
  • Last week we looked at the freedom found in not imbibing in alcohol; why does Paul mention it to Timothy in the context of medicinal use? Is there plenty of non-alcohol choices for sickness today, that one does not need alcohol? Paul ends with one’s testimony; how important is it?

Finding contentment in Him:

  • Read 1 Tim. 6:1-10. In these verses, Paul admonishes Timothy to teach good principles of the employer/employee relationship, or any similar relationship that requires submission to someone in authority. Can you paraphrase a simple sentence of how a believer is to act in the workplace, and how he carries out duties given him?
  • Why is it so important for a Christian to work harder than a person who does not know Christ? Read Col. 3:17. Why? What benefit does contentment have? What does the love of money bring to your life?

Living a life of faith:

  • Read verses 11-21. As Paul writes this section, what “things” in vs. 11 is he referring to? List some of those from the first ten verses. What are you to pursue?
  • As you read these verses, can you make a list of them, and commit them to memory, so that, as you troll on your phone, you can see how what you are doing lines up with what you should be doing? Why would you not do that? Is your answer an acknowledgment that the trolling is not good?

CLOSE:

Everyone is full of questions regarding the latter days and where apostasy will come from. Many of those ways are known by everyone: the movies, videos, reels, and shorts where profanity, drugs, alcohol, and sex are so common that it has now become difficult to find ‘clean’ entertainment. Few are free of Satan’s evils, and we have to remind ourselves, ‘garbage in, garbage out.’ Another way, however, is one that can be recognized only by daily walking with and praying to God. If Bible translations and online material distort God’s truth, and leave out or manipulate any of the words or meanings of the Word of God, who will know? Those who have not spent time each day in studying God’s Word will not know the truth has been distorted. Take heed, Christian, and be in the Bible until you know it well. We are in the latter times; you will eventually need it!

Sandy Day

July 26, 2026

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