Bridging The Gap

Many people today are running the wrong way spiritually.  And the result is much more costly than landing at the wrong airport.  Today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley will provide guidance from Second Timothy chapter four, to not only run in the right direction but to also finish well.

Today pastor Lloyd Pulley continues his series through Second Timothy. As we near the end of this series, Paul ends this great letter with some powerful and poigniant words for his protege, Timothy, to run the race of life and win.

Today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley returns to his study of Second Timothy and attracts our attention to chapter four where we see the priority of the Word of God. 

Many churches today are gradually departing from the teaching of the Word and integrating other things that they believe will be more appealing to the people. And then there are actually some churches that never even crack open a Bible or perhaps give mention of it on rare occasion. Today on Bridging the Gap, pastor Lloyd Pulley opens the fourth chapter of Second Timothy and highlights for us Paul’s charge to Timothy and us... “Preach The Word!”

Today, Pastor Lloyd will encourage us to be students of scripture, realizing that the words contained in the Bible are not from men, but from Almighty God. There are an increasing number of churches in America that no longer even bother to use the bible as a basis fore what they believe, and that’s sad. It’s also foolish. The wonderful word of God is transformational for anyone who reads it.

So, what is the bible? Is it a book of fairy tales, or is it the inspired Word of God?  See what you think as you join us for this edition of Bridging the Gap, as pastor Lloyd Pulley revisits the book of Second Timothy. Today we are going to gain a greater appreciation for the Bible as a whole, realizing that it is authored by Almighty God, and it’s His message to you and me

In the middle of Second Timothy chapter three, we read of the apostle Paul’s testimony.  His life served as a great example for others to follow.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our lives were able to do the same?  To point back to the life you’ve lived and encourage others to follow Christ by following in our footsteps. 

Today on Bridging the Gap, Lloyd Pulley has us consider the example Paul left for Timothy -  and for us as well.  He outlines nine qualities for us in chapter three of Second Timothy. 

As we continue our study of Second Timothy three today, we find the apostle Paul detailing the conditions that will exist during the Last Days. One of the very first things Paul talks about is the increase in self love and selfishness. As pastor Lloyd points out, it’s a vivid picture of our world today. 

Here on this edition of Bridging the Gap, Lloyd Pulley opens the third chapter of Second Timothy.  It is here that we observe what it will be like in the last days.  One of the characteristics is that people will be lovers of self.  That’s true of our day isn’t it? 

 Last time, the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to be fit for the Master’s use by keeping himself pure and fleeing youthful lusts. Today, we’ll see Paul offer a little more encouragement in that direction. Let’s open our Bibles now to Second Timothy two, beginning with verse twenty.

Today we return to the marvelous epistle of Second Timothy.  In the latter portion of chapter two, we encounter three metaphors.  One dealing with a workman, the other centers around a vessel, and the third is a servant.  It’s important for us to absorb the great truths we find here - they all center around being a vessel of honor. Honor is a sometimes forgotten commodity in the year 2023, even within the walls of the Christian church. Let’s see what Paul has to say on the subject! 

Did you know that it’s possible to have an extensive knowledge of the Bible and still not believe it? There are countless professors of Religion or Theology that know the Bible better than most Christians, but have chosen to turn their hearts away from the truth.They’ve been blinded by the lies of the world. It’s been said that a small amount of heart knowledge is much more valuable than a large amount of brain knowledge.

 In Second Timothy Chapter two, we run across a challenge not only for Timothy but for each of us who are under the banner of Christ.  Be diligent to present yourself approved by God, as a workman who does not need to be ashamed. Hard work and real commitment seem to be on the endangered list these days, but it must not be so or the Christian. There’s a great deal for us to take away from this Scripture, and Pastor Lloyd Pulley is here to point that out to us.

Today, we’ll receive a refresher course, if you will, on some of the basics and essentials of our faith in Christ.  In doing so, this will serve as a wonderful protection for our lives to help us detect false teachings that come our way. 

 Hard times are on the horizon for each of us. That makes me sound like a pessimist, but difficulties are really a part of life.  Maybe for you’re going through such a stretch right now.  What’s going to keep us strong and help us endure?  We’re about to find out as we turn together to Second Timothy two.

The apostle Paul used a metaphor of a hard working farmer to show us what Christian life and ministry is to be like.  Today on Bridging the Gap, Lloyd Pulley continues his study of Second Timothy by having us consider the first seven verses of chapter two. It is here that we observe what an effective minister has in common with a farmer, an athlete and a soldier.

Paul in writing to Timothy encouraged him to look to the soldier, athlete and farmer for characteristics to apply to his life and ministry.  And these are words we really need to hear today as well.

I think we can all agree that there’s been an increase in hostility toward Christians in the last couple of decades. The media has been especially obvious in their contempt for anything that has to do with the worship of Jesus Christ. Do you sometimes feel like you’re fighting a losing battle? Well, pastor Lloyd is going to encourage us to hold fast in our faith today as we finish up our look at Second Timothy chapter one. 

Pastor Lloyd has an encouraging study in store for us today from the first chapter of Second Timothy.  Maybe you’re going through a really hard time right now, and could use a good dose of encouragement?  Well Second Timothy certainly has that for suffering saints. Whatever you’re going through, allow the Lord to speak to you from His Word, and bring you the encouragement you need today.