We are so glad that you joined us today at North Main Street Church of God. At North Main, we exist to develop completely committed followers of Christ who...

Know Christ intimately,

Grow in Christ continually, and

Go for Christ daily

BAPTISM
December 7th will be our next Baptism service.If you are ready to take this important step in your walk with Christ we’d be honored to come alongside you in this journey. There is a mandatory baptism class the week before. RSVP online at NORTHMAINCOG.ORG/EVENTS or at the Welcome Center.


POINSETTIAS
Poinsettias may be ordered anytime through Sunday, December 7th. These flowers purchased will be used to decorate the stage for Christmas Eve services and will be dedicated in gratitude to God, or in honor or memory of someone of your choosing. You can order with a paper order form, available at the Welcome Center or on our website at northmaincog.org/events. Your poinsettias can be taken home after either Christmas Eve service.


TOY SHOPPE
Toy and food donations for The Lighthouse Foundation can be dropped off any time between now and Wednesday, December 10th. Donation suggestions are available at the Community Partnerships table across from the coffee area.

www.northmaincog.org/online
For the Bible Tells Me So
2025 Theme: Faithfulness
Series Title: A Return to Disciple-Making
Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Something to think about:

“Every day, a man used to walk by a jewelry store and stop to set his watch by the big clock in the window. One day, the jeweler happened to be standing in his doorway.

“He greeted the man in a friendly way and said, ‘I see you set your watch by my clock. What kind of work do you do that demands such correct time each day?’

“‘I'm the watchman at the plant down the street,’ said the man. ‘My job is to blow the five o'clock whistle.’

“The jeweler was startled. ‘But...you can't do that,’ he blurted out. ‘I set my clock by your whistle!’[1]

Just like this, we all set our lives to a standard. But are we setting them to the right standard?

As we continue our series today on 2 Timothy, we come to chapter 3 where Paul continues to instruct Timothy on the importance of maintaining a life of integrity, rooted in the truth of the Gospel of Christ and the Word of GOD.

In this passage, Paul warns Timothy that there are those, not only outside of the body of Christ but also within it, who do not follow the standard of truth set forth by Christ. Instead, they continue to live their lives in ways that either completely distort the truth of GOD’s Word or cast it aside altogether. Paul warns Timothy to stay away from people like that and stay the course for Christ. Let’s take a closer look:


[1] Source Unknown.

Key Point: “Scripture is the gold standard in distinguishing what is true from what is false.”

In chapter three, Paul instructs Timothy on the importance of Scripture as the basis and standard for what is true and profitable and good. And he reminds Timothy to remain cognizant of the difference between what is false and what is true by measuring everything by the standard of Scripture. What are the particulars of this passage that flesh this out? Let’s take a closer look at Paul’s warnings and instructions:

1. There will be _________ _____ in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1 (NLT), You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

3. _________ gives us _______ to live and grow in Christ.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT), 14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Something to take home:

“A painter of landscape scenes always kept in front of him on his easel several precious stones-emerald, sapphire, ruby Asked why, he replied, ‘To help me keep my colors true In course of time, without some constant reference, my eye might lose its perception of color tones, and the colors I choose may not be right, may not be what they once were.’

“So it is with all of us, in the requirements of our ongoing life. To keep us from wandering astray, we need occasional exposure to some unchanging and unfading standard. Unless we are in touch with some constant reference, we can deviate and scarcely know it. We need some touchstone to test ourselves by, one that is worthy of what life is, one by which our life tones can be safely set.”[1]

The truth of the Gospel of Christ and GOD’s unchanging Word are the standard by which we must set our lives and everything in them. Otherwise, we remain adrift to the whims and whimsy of shifting beliefs and a sea of popular opinions.

Key Point: “Scripture is the gold standard in distinguishing what is true from what is false.”


[1] Source Unknown.

Key Point: Scripture is the gold standard in distinguishing what is true from what is false.


There will be difficult times in the last days.

The translation for “difficult times” also means “hard to bear, dangerous, or troublesome.” Needless to say, we are living in the last days, and times are getting troublesome and dangerous. How is a follower of Christ supposed to deal with things that are hard to bear (Read James 1:2-4)?

What are some things that you have found to be troublesome?How are you dealing with them?



Stay away from wicked people.

Wicked people, according to Paul, only love themselves and their money.They are boastful, proud, and they scoff at GOD.What does this look like in today’s society?

Wicked people are also disobedient to their parents and are ungrateful. Though these are bad, because they happen so often, we don’t usually see them as bad as other behaviors. How does disobedience within the home equate to wicked behavior in the culture? What about ungratefulness?

Consider the other characteristics of wicked people in 2 Timothy 3:3-9. What stands out to you? Are these things happening in our culture today?Explain...



Scripture gives us wisdom to live and grow in Christ.

How do we remain faithful in the face of such wickedness in the world?

How does the Bible give wisdom and help us discern what is good and right from what is corrupt and evil (See verses 16-17)?

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm