1 Timothy 4

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 26, 2025

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 4. This chapter covers the dangers facing God’s household, particularly false teachings and the twisting of truth by demons. Paul stresses that protecting the church is everyone's responsibility, calling believers to "train for godliness" and live with intentionality, using spiritual practices to build strength and resilience. The key to safeguarding God’s household is found in living out a godly life—teaching, setting an example, and devoting oneself to spiritual discipline—both for individual benefit and for the benefit of the community.

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In 1 Timothy 4, Paul warns Timothy about the false teachings and deceitful influences threatening the church in Ephesus, reminding him of the importance of staying rooted in sound doctrine. Just as Paul instructed Timothy to protect and lead the church like a well-ordered household, the same applies to us today. As members of God’s church, we each have a responsibility to stand firm in truth and guard against anything that could lead us or others away.

Just as we take steps to protect our physical home, we must also guard our spiritual home—the church and our personal walk with God. We are to be vigilant and intentional in guarding against false teachings and subtle deceptions from the enemy.  

False teaching often enters unnoticed, distorting the truth and sowing confusion. Deceitful spirits twist God’s Word, causing division and confusion and leading people astray. How can we combat this? By immersing ourselves in the truth of Scripture. When we are grounded in God’s Word, the lies become unmistakable. So then, we must train ourselves for godliness by feeding our mind and spirit with the things of God rather than the world's distractions.

Think about your daily life. What are you feeding your soul? Social media, endless entertainment, and worldly distractions can dull your spiritual senses. Just as you wouldn’t fill your body with unhealthy food, be mindful of what you feed your mind. Prioritize time in God’s Word, prayer, and acts of service. Train yourself to seek God and His righteousness above all else.

Paul emphasizes the importance of training oneself for godliness, setting an example in speech, love, conduct, faith, and purity. Paul’s call to “set an example” is not just for Timothy but for all believers. Your life—your words, actions, love, and purity—teaches others. Do the people you work with notice something different about you compared to everyone else?   Are you allowing your children, spouse, or peers to see you pursuing God with devotion?

Paul encourages Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, teaching, and exercising the spiritual gifts God has entrusted to him. We have the same call to exercise the spiritual gifts God has given us. He has entrusted us with gifts and opportunities to serve His Kingdom. These gifts are not only a blessing but a responsibility.

Paul teaches that we should constantly watch ourselves, examining our hearts and motives. Instead of focusing on others’ faults, we should reflect on our own need for Jesus to cleanse us and empower us to pursue godliness. Most of the time, our anger stems from selfishness. James reminds us that “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Paul urges Timothy to persist and remain vigilant.  The same calling is for us. We are to persist and not grow weary in pursuing godliness. Remember that nothing is wasted in God’s economy. Our struggles, suffering, and obedience all contribute to the eternal work He is accomplishing.  

Deception continues to increase in our world today, but God's Word never changes. We combat deception with truth.  Stand firm in God's truth! Let your children and others around you see you reading God’s Word, praying, and seeking His presence.

Reflection Questions:

1. Are you guarding your household against influences that contradict God’s truth? What safeguards have you put in place?

2. How can you better train yourself for godliness? Are there specific distractions or habits you need to let go of?

3. In what ways are you setting an example in speech, love, conduct, faith, and purity? Are there areas where you could grow?

4. Are you regularly exercising the spiritual gifts God has entrusted to you? How can you use these gifts to build up your family, church, or community?

5. How much time do you spend feeding your mind and spirit with God’s Word, prayer, and worship compared to worldly distractions? What changes could you make?

6. How are you protecting your family’s faith? Are your children and loved ones seeing you pursue God with devotion and passion?

1 Timothy 3

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 19, 2025

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 3. This chapter outlines the leadership structure and expectations for God's household, emphasizing the importance of strong, godly leaders who model the truth through their actions. The church, as the pillar of truth, must have leaders who exemplify Christlike behavior to protect and guide the congregation, setting an example for others to follow in a world full of deception.

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1 Timothy 2

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 12, 2025

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 2. This chapter emphasizes prayer for all people, including leaders, for peaceful conditions that support the gospel mission. Paul also provided guidance on roles in the church, highlighting modesty and self-control for women and reinforcing biblical household order with men leading as servant leaders. Women are not prohibited from using their gifts but should not usurp their husbands’ role, aligning their lives with God’s good household order.

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1. Where do you go first with your requests and or needs? Do you lean on your own understanding or the other people in your life before you talk with the Lord? If so, why? Do you trust in man more than God?

2. Do you regularly pray for the leaders in our country regardless of party affiliation? If not, would you make the commitment to pray for them and see what God does in our country/world.

3. Is there someone in your realm of influence that needs to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ? Pray and ask God to direct your steps and look for opportunities to share the love of Christ as you go about your day.

4. If raising hands in praise is not something you have grown up being exposed to or feeling comfortable doing in front of others, are you willing to try doing this in your private worship time with the Lord?

5. As a woman, do you find that you are conducting yourself in a Christ-like way? Do you care more about what you look like on the outside rather than the inside? If so, why?

6. As a woman, how do you feel God is leading you to serve in your church?

7. If you are married, what are the spiritual roles you play?

8. As a husband are you taking seriously being the spiritual head of your household? Are you willing to submit to the Lord and serve your wife and children as He instructs you in His Word?

9. As a wife, have you tried to take over and rule over your husband? Are you willing to submit to the Lord and your husband by serving him and your family as He instructs you in His word?

1 Timothy 1

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 5, 2025

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Timothy 1. This letter introduces the theme of God's household order. Paul writes to Timothy, urging him to combat false teachings and cultural influence, and to focus on God's household order that produces love. The message emphasizes that living according to this order attracts the lost to the Gospel and spreads God's Kingdom throughout the world.

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2 Kings 25

Pastor Marshall Ochs | December 22, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 25. This chapter concludes the tragic downfall of Judah. Despite Josiah's reforms, his sons returned to sin, and the nation’s abandonment of Yahweh resulted in destruction, exile, and suffering. The story emphasizes that worldliness leads to spiritual decay, but, while Judah faced destruction, the hope of restoration remained in the seed of David. God preserved Jeconiah in Babylon and hope springs forth in Matthew 1 where the lineage of David is traced to Joseph and Mary, fulfilling God's promise of a king that would take away the sin of the world.

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The final chapter of 2 Kings is devastating. Eight hundred years of history—people, the temple, and the promises of a land flowing with milk and honey—lay in ruins. Judah is gone. The city is decimated, its walls crumbled, and its people scattered. There is sorrow upon sorrow. The temple, once filled with God’s glory, is burned to the ground. The walls of Jerusalem, meant to protect and symbolize God’s presence among His people, are reduced to rubble. The king, a descendant of David, is blinded and dragged away in chains.

It’s hard to read 2 Kings 25 without a heavy heart. This chapter captures the consequences of generations of rebellion and disobedience. If the people of God are wholly devoted to Him, they are blessed. If they choose worldliness, they get more worldliness. Worldliness is alluring, but it is never neutral. It leads to complete destruction. It destroys families, homes, and places of worship. It crumbles the pillars of life and leaves nothing but exile in its wake.

The chapter begins with the final siege of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar’s army surrounds the city, cutting off supplies and slowly starving the people. The city falls, and Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, attempts to flee but is captured. His sons are killed before his eyes, and then he is blinded—his last vision is one of complete and utter loss.

Time and again, God sent prophets to call His people back to Him. Time and again, they refused to listen. This wasn’t just the natural consequence of rebellion; it was the active work of an enemy who thrives on leading us astray. Sin doesn’t just tempt us—it mocks us. It points to the consequences as proof that we are unworthy of love and incapable of redemption. Sin always leads to exile. It separates us from God, our purpose, and even ourselves. And yet, exile is not the end of the story.

At first glance, this chapter feels like the end of the story—a tragic conclusion to a once-great kingdom. But as we reflect, we see that even in judgment, God’s faithfulness shines through. God had promised David that his lineage would endure forever. Though Zedekiah is captured, the line of David isn’t extinguished. In fact, Jehoiachin, a descendant of David, is later shown favor by the king of Babylon. This small note at the end of the chapter reminds us that God’s promises never fail, even when His people are unfaithful.

The seed of David, preserved through exile, brings us to Jesus—the King who saves us from our sins and restores what was lost.

1. Are there areas in our lives where we’ve ignored God’s warnings and chosen our own way?

2. Are we building walls of pride and self-reliance?

3. Are we willing to trust God’s promises, even when it feels like everything is falling apart?

God specializes in restoration. He takes what is broken and makes it beautiful. He turns ashes into beauty, mourning into joy, and despair into praise

2 Kings 23-24

Pastor Marshall Ochs | December 15, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 23-24. These chapters focus on how King Josiah's reform brought radical changes, purging idolatry, sinful practices, and corrupt worship, reflecting the transformative power of God’s Word. Despite Josiah’s efforts, Manasseh’s wickedness led to God’s judgment through foreign nations, culminating in Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem. The contrast of Josiah’s reforms and the judgment of Judah encourage us to reflect on the parallels with Jesus’ advent. The Advent of Jesus offers joy and life to those who obey and change, but sorrow and death to those who reject it, urging each person to choose how they will respond to His arrival.

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2 Kings 23

Everything changes for a nation when a new king steps onto the throne. With each reign comes a ripple—either toward compromise and sin or toward reform and righteousness. The reign of King Josiah in 2 Kings 23 stands as a defining moment of revival and restoration, one that swept through Judah with deep reform.

Josiah’s reforms were not surface-level adjustments; they were sweeping and radical. They touched every corner of life. Even the sins of Solomon’s legacy and Jeroboam’s idolatrous worship in Bethel were obliterated. Nothing was left untouched. Josiah’s actions remind us that it is thorough and relentless when God calls us to reform. It was not merely a return to ritual but a renewal of covenant. The people recommitted to the Lord, but sadly, their devotion was often rooted more in their admiration of Josiah than in their own personal understanding of guilt and responsibility before God.

As we reflect on Josiah’s reforms, we are reminded of the coming of Jesus. Advent—His arrival—is not a passive event. It is a call for radical change in our lives, just as Josiah’s reforms called for the same in Judah.

Reading God’s Word Like Josiah: Josiah was deeply humbled by God’s Word. He tore his robes in grief, realizing the vast gap between his life and the life God desired for His people. Have we allowed God’s Word to penetrate that deeply? Have we let it humble us and bring about real change?

Removing Pagan Symbols from Our Lives: Just as Josiah purified the temple, Christ calls us to purify our hearts. What “pagan symbols” have we allowed to linger—old habits, comforts, or sins that defile God’s temple, our bodies?

Melting the Golden Calves of Tradition and Comfort: Josiah destroyed the high places—symbols of convenient, half-hearted worship. Are we willing to let go of the things that make faith convenient but rob it of power?

One commentary I read this week posed a question that stopped me in my tracks:

“Are your efforts at holiness based on a desire to ‘go along’ with a well-liked leader, or are you deeply humbled by God’s Word, realizing the gap between your life and God’s expectations?”

Josiah’s reforms were born out of a heart devoted to the Lord. His obedience wasn’t a strategy to change outcomes but simply the proper response to God. This truth pierces through our modern lens: Would we obey God even if it changed nothing? If obedience didn’t bring about the outcome we longed for, would we obey?

In 2 Kings 23:21-27, we see the areas Josiah’s reform touched: worship, household idols, and even how people viewed death and eternal hope. Yet, God’s plan to destroy Jerusalem remained unchanged. The sins of Manasseh had already sealed the nation’s fate. Why, then, does Josiah’s story matter? Because Josiah shows us that obedience isn’t about results—it’s about devotion. True holiness isn’t transactional. We don’t follow God to manipulate outcomes; we follow Him because He is worthy. Our obedience to God does not guarantee our safety here on earth. This earth is not our home.  

Josiah’s death marks the beginning of a rapid decline. His sons, Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim, lead Judah back into sin. How could such wickedness grow from a righteous father? Perhaps the influence of their mothers or the fragmented dynamics of a household with multiple wives played a role. Whatever the cause, it reminds us that the baton of faith is not passed down through proximity or good intentions—it requires personal repentance and surrender.

As we sit with Josiah’s story, consider these questions:

1. Are there areas in your life that need to be cleansed?

2. Have you allowed God’s Word to humble you and expose your deep need for His cleansing?

3. Is your obedience rooted in devotion or desired outcomes?

4. What clutter do you need to remove from your life to make room for God to do a new work in you?

The advent of Josiah brought sweeping reform, but the advent of Jesus brought an even deeper call. His arrival isn’t about small adjustments but total transformation. May we, like Josiah, respond with humble obedience, no matter the cost, and may our devotion reflect the depth of His love for us.

2 Kings 24

The story in 2 Kings 24 takes us from Josiah's sweeping reforms to the devastating consequences of his sons' rebellion. Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah—all descendants of the righteous Josiah—chose to abandon God's ways and led Judah away from God. Their reigns were marked by wickedness, idolatry, and betrayal of God's covenant, and the Lord brought judgment against them through Egypt, Moab, Ammon, and ultimately Babylon.

The first siege of Jerusalem by Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar is recorded with chilling detail. A descendant of David, intended to rule under God, is reduced to a mere puppet of a foreign empire. The treasures of God's temple are carried away as a stark visual symbol of the nation's spiritual emptiness. Thousands of God's chosen people are taken into captivity as slaves. Among the deported are Daniel, his three friends, and Ezekiel—men who would later become voices of hope and truth in exile.

It wasn't just political tragedy—it was spiritual devastation. The temple, once the center of God's presence and the nation's worship, was now plundered and desecrated. The people who were meant to carry God's light to the nations were now scattered, enslaved, and humiliated.

It is striking that this chapter of horror directly follows Josiah's revival and reform. Why does the author set these two narratives side by side? The same reason Jesus sets blessings and woes side by side in Luke 6.

Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God!

Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort!

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh!

Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep!

Scripture consistently ties themes of joy and sorrow, obedience and rebellion, blessing and judgment. The advent of a king—whether Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, or Christ Himself—brings both hope and reckoning. The king's arrival brings life and joy to those who humble themselves. For those who rebel, it brings sorrow and death.

Advent is no different. It's a season of celebration but also a time of reflection and repentance. Josiah's reforms remind us of the joy and peace in surrendering our lives to God, letting His Spirit change us, and putting the things of the flesh to death. But the reign of his sons and the judgment that followed remind us of the cost of disobedience and the sorrow of resisting God's call.

Advent isn't just a historical event or a seasonal tradition; it is deeply personal. Everyone will experience the advent of Christ, but how you experience it depends on your response.

Will you embrace the joy and life of humble obedience? Or will you resist, clinging to the things of the flesh and experiencing sorrow?

Reflect on the areas of your life where you are resisting God's call. Surrender those areas to Him, knowing that true peace and joy are found in obedience.

2 Kings 21-22

Pastor Marshall Ochs | December 8, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 21-22. These chapters focus on the decline of Israel and Judah, including the reign of King Manasseh, whose sinful actions led to God’s judgment. Despite the wickedness of his son Amnon, God's promise remained, and a new king, Josiah, brought a brief period of restoration through repentance, reform, and a return to God's Word. Josiah's reign highlights the importance of hearing and obeying God's Word, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of these principles in Jesus Christ. Jesus' Advent offers a far greater hope, bringing heart transformation, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of a new covenant that brings salvation, adoption, and eternal restoration.

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1. How does the story of Manasseh's reign challenge you to examine the influences in your own life that may be pulling you away from God?

2. In what ways can we actively respond to God's Word like Josiah did, especially during the Advent season?

3. Reflecting on the theme of repentance, how can you cultivate a spirit of humility in your life this Christmas?

4. As we celebrate Advent, what practical actions can you commit to that demonstrate your desire to hear and obey God's Word?

5. How can you create a deeper expectation for Christ's return in your daily routine as you observe Advent this year?

2 Kings 19-20

Pastor Marshall Ochs | November 24, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 2 Kings 19-20. These chapters focus on the power of prayer and the importance of maintaining humility before God. King Hezekiah, facing the threat of Assyria and a terminal illness, prays earnestly, appealing to God's power and sovereignty, and God responds by miraculously saving Judah and extending Hezekiah’s life. These stories teach us to cultivate a robust prayer life, grounded in Scripture, as prayer connects us to the God who can change circumstances. However, they also serve as a warning not to become prideful in the blessings or answers to prayer, reminding us to acknowledge God's role in our success and to remain humble.

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