Andy Talks

Today we tackle one of the difficult passages in 1 Timothy: Paul’s words about slavery in 1 Timothy 6:1–2. How do we understand a passage like this in its first-century Roman context, especially when we know the terrible history of slavery in America? More importantly, how do we read Scripture when a particular passage seems to conflict with the larger story of the Bible? Today we’ll talk about the importance of context, translation, and reading difficult verses through the greater story of S...

In today’s reflection, Andy looks at 1 Timothy 5:17–25 and Paul’s advice about church leadership, ordination, spiritual formation, and integrity. Andy reflects on why the church should not ordain people hastily and why the formation of a minister’s character is ultimately more important than the public skills of preaching, teaching, or leadership. He also shares personally about the sacredness of ministry, the generosity of God’s people, and the responsibility of receiving income that comes f...

In our sermon from October 4, Andy shares with us from Jeremiah 20: 9-11. We are catching fire here at FUMC Starkville. When we catch fire, we can set our community ablaze with the grace of Jesus Christ!

In today’s reflection from 1 Timothy 5:9–16, we continue Paul’s discussion of widows and the church’s responsibility to care for those in need. But the passage also raises a larger question about Christian vocation and service. Not every Christian is called to full-time professional ministry, but every Christian is called to serve. Our work, our families, our churches, and our communities can all become places where we live out that calling. The question isn’t whether God has called you to se...

In 1 Timothy 5:1–8, Paul moves into practical instructions for how Christians should live together. He talks about treating one another as family, speaking with respect and honesty, caring for widows, and balancing our responsibilities to our families with our responsibility to the wider community. Today we explore the idea that our theology should affect how we live together. What we believe about God should show up in how we speak, how we disagree, how we care for one another, and how we ca...