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Sermon Notes + 6.29.2025

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Sermon Notes

Set the Believers an Example
1 Timothy 4:12
Tyler Van Horssen, Director of Student Ministry

Overview: In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul is writing to his protégé, Timothy, challenging him to be faithful in rebuking the false teachers in Ephesus and shepherding the flock he had been entrusted with. Culturally, this would have been a difficult thing for Timothy to do because of how age was viewed in the culture. Timothy would have experienced difficulty garnering the respect needed to shepherd the flock well and to rebuke with authority since he was a pastor younger than many of his church’s members. To counteract this difficulty, Paul urges Timothy to set the believers in his church an example that would have prevented him from being looked down upon because of his age. The example Timothy was called to set can serve as a model of Christlikeness that we, too, ought to strive for, regardless of age.

Outline:

Set an example in speech

Set an example in conduct

Set an example in love

Set an example in faith

Set an example in purity

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY

1. When you think of youth or youthfulness, what typically comes to mind? Is it generally positive or negative?

2. How would others describe your speech? What are some characteristics of “live-giving” (godly) speech?

3. When you look at your conduct (the fruit of your life), what does it reveal about where your heart is rooted? What are some ways you can set an example in conduct this week?

4. In your life, why are certain people easier to love than others? How does this reveal a tendency within you to treat love as an emotion rather than an affection?

5. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Which characteristic of love is the most difficult for you to embody and why?

6. When have been some of the times in your life that God has challenged you to cling to him in faith? Looking back on those times, how did God reveal himself to be holding tightly to you as well?

7. What desires lie beneath the impurities of your heart? When you have impure motives, what are you hoping to gain? When you have impure thoughts, what are you ultimately seeking?

Sermon Notes + 6.22.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF Sermon Notes You Shall Drink from the Brook 1 Kings 17:1-16 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: The sudden appearance of Elijah the Tishbite represents a change in the narrative of 1 Kings as it moves from a succession of evil kings in Israel to a faithful prophet who summons all to turn… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 6.15.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF He Walked in the Way of His Father 1 Kings 15:25-16:34 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: For the remainder of chapter 15 and the entirety of chapter 16, the author of 1 Kings focuses solely upon kings of the northern kingdom (Israel). Beginning with Nadab, the author notes that he did what… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 6.8.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF Uriah the Hittite and High Places 1 Kings 15:5, 14 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: Each king in 1-2 Kings is evaluated according to the moral standard depicted in the life of David, who is described as a man after God’s own heart. According to this standard, kings in the north (Israel)… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 6.1.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF A Lamp in Jerusalem 1 Kings 15:1-24 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: The brief reign of Abijam is characterized by disobedience to the Lord as he walks in the sins that his father did before him. Nevertheless, God’s grace shines through as He provides a lamp in Jerusalem through Asa, a descendant… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 5.25.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF There Was War Continually 1 Kings 14:30 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: As the author of 1 Kings closes out the life of Rehoboam, he notes that there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually. It is a passing reference that intentionally omits key details normally associated with reports of nations at… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 5.18.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF The Burden for the Lost Romans 10:1-15 Semeon Mulatu (PhD), General Secretary of Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church Overview: The Apostle Paul felt a strong spiritual duty to reach the lost by preaching the gospel. He believed this message holds God’s power for salvation to all who believe, both Gentiles and Jews. In his… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 5.11.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES His Mother’s Name Was Naamah 1 Kings 14:21-31 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: The account of Rehoboam’s reign begins with what will become a standard formula for the author of 1-2 Kings. The formula includes the age of the king when he began to reign, the country in which he… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 5.4.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES Unbearable News 1 Kings 14:1-20 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: Jeroboam’s reign over Israel is characterized by the establishment of a false religion in order to promote his own self-preservation, yet it leads to his demise and the nation’s destruction. When his son Abijah becomes ill, Jeroboam instructs his wife… Continue Reading

Sermon Notes + 4.20.2025

DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES Behold Your gods 1 Kings 12:25-33 Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor Overview: Rehoboam’s refusal to listen to the advice of his people leads to division in Israel, resulting in two countries with two kings. Jeroboam became king of the northern kingdom and immediately established Shechem as the new capital while fortifying… Continue Reading