All Sunday teaching sermons

One of Paul's five utterly trustworthy sayings is the excellency of a longing to be a preacher of the Gospel. Here is the office of 'over-watcher' or elder, and we look particularly at the elder who labours in the Word, also called a pastor.

'Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.'

Here are God's reasons why women may not be teachers in the church. Here also is how saved women are to be mightily blessed in saving a new generation, and in similarly supportive roles. The key is faith, love, holiness and sobriety (or self restraint).

It is often assumed that Paul is speaking here of the conduct of public gatherings, but this topic does not truly begin until verse 11. Before then we have pastorally precious and profound exhortations to all believers praying wherever they are.

'I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.'

'Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.'

'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'

'Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.'

'Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.'

Don't be misled by the so-called sinner's prayer so often quoted today. It generates mainly deluded and nominal 'Christians'. The real thing is the prayer provided by Christ. If this is sincerely prayed, the seeker will surely find the Lord.