“Pursuing” “God wants all to be saved” “The Value of Women” “Character of a leader” “Godliness from Jesus” “Overcoming fear in faith” “Setting an example” “Scripture and gifting” “Care for other generations” “Dealing with Gossip” “Issues facing the Church” “Contentment” “Know who you are” “Pursuing” “Recognise and resist wrong ideas” “Guidance on homosexuality” “Encourage Prayer” “Fight the battle”

How do we find contentment in a discontent society? Contentment 1 Timothy 6 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Contentment

Leaving behind and running actively after Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith Leaving behind and running actively after Goal - not a starting point

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? What are we leaving behind? How do we pursue?

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Righteousness: living rightly - without sin loving God with all our heart Seeking God’s presence Desiring God’s happiness above all Willingly serving Controlled or inspired by nothing else Valuing the reputation of God

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Righteousness: living rightly - without sin loving God with all our heart loving neighbour as self Speaking kindly Sharing generously Forgiving graciously Caring proactively

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Righteousness: living rightly - without sin loving God with all our heart What are we leaving behind? God as an optional extra God as the one to please us Selective Christianity

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Righteousness: living rightly - without sin loving God with all our heart What are we leaving behind? God as an optional extra How do we pursue? Recognise Repent Commit

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Godliness: living the character of God Demonstrating God Mercy Compassion Strengthening Searching Binding up Setting free Healing

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Godliness: living the character of God Demonstrating God What are we leaving behind? Self-centredness Harshness for Mercy Coldness for Compassion Apathy for Strengthening Forgetting for Searching Ignoring for Binding up Convenience for Setting free Hurting for Healing

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Godliness: living the character of God Demonstrating God What are we leaving behind? Self-centredness How do we pursue? Prayer Meditation Study

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Faith: the action of trust Choosing ... Obedience Hope Thankfulness Sacrifice Despite ... Doubt Fear Feelings Opposition

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Faith: the action of trust What are we leaving behind? Captivity to moods Double-mindedness Inertia

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Faith: the action of trust What are we leaving behind? Captivity to moods How do we pursue? Choices Fellowship Worship

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Love: the well being of others Not a feeling but a choice Not based on liking but on God’s perspective Not friendship or attraction but care Not naive trust but wise reality Not appeasement but what’s best

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Love: the well being of others What are we leaving behind? Unkindness Judging Retaliating Ignoring

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Love: the well being of others What are we leaving behind? Unkindness How do we pursue? Commitment to pray and listen

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Endurance: not giving up ... trusting worshipping serving praying despite ... opposition difficulty disappointment doubt

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Endurance: not giving up What are we leaving behind? Believing when it suits us Comfortable lukewarm Christianity Meaningless faith

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Endurance: not giving up What are we leaving behind? Believing when it suits us How do we pursue? Commitment Commitment to small group

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Gentleness: Nurturing Treating kindly How we behave more important than what we achieve What are we leaving behind? Force Manipulation Impatience

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Gentleness: Nurturing Treating kindly How we behave more important than what we achieve What are we leaving behind? Force Manipulation Impatience

What are we running after? Pursuing 1 Timothy 6 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith What are we running after? Gentleness: Nurturing Treating kindly How we behave more important than what we achieve What are we leaving behind? Force How do we pursue? Make it our ambition Pray