In this compelling finale to Paul's letter, he warns young Timothy not to fall in line with early prosperity preachers, men who proclaimed the truth only for their personal gain.

Everything rises and falls on leadership. Due to the precious nature of the Church being Christ's bride, trustworthy leaders should be joyfully supported, while immoral leaders must be strongly and immediately disciplined.

How we see people impacts how we treat people, and in this compelling chapter Paul reminds Timothy that the church is a "family", a large group of fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers, requiring each member to care for others accordingly.

In order to help Timothy respond to the alarming apostasy of Ephesus, Paul details the internal and external qualities of a minister who perseveres to protect the church of Christ.

Paul continues to lay out the marks of a healthy church, which includes a body of believers who recognize they're saved to serve, fulfilling special and important works which God prepared for them from before time.

Far too many evangelicals follow a pastor based on his popularity, magnetism, humor, business acumen, or political ties. But Paul says it is not these external characteristics that Christians should desire in a leader at all. Rather, as we will see in this sermon, they should follow leaders based on 15-traits of spiritual ministry set forth by God.

Encouraging his timid young protege, Paul reminds Timothy that the first sign of a healthy church will be the depth and breadth of people's prayer life; specifically, in how they share the desire of God to save people from all walks of life saved, ushering them into the family of God.

After leaving young Timothy to pastor in Ephesus, Paul heard of men teaching falsely and creating strife. In response, he sends a letter to his young son in the faith demanding he uphold the crystalline truths of the Gospel and protect the church from error.