This morning, Dad Cobb preached out of 1 Timothy 5:17 through 6:2.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

This text is telling us to pay our pastor(s). Dad Cobb explained how "double honour" really means double pay. So whatever we are paying the pastor now needs to be doubled. Of course, he was joking. But that's just cool. It might seem that big to you, but I've been quick to think that a pastor should almost be forced to take a vow of poverty. That's not what the scripture says.

The other thing he pointed out is how the latter half of that section quotes both the Old Testament and the New. That is phenomenal! Do you realize that Paul just called the Old AND New Testament "scripture"?

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Phenomenal! Do you see how practical this stuff is?

If you don't have two or three witnesses for an accusation, discard it. That's crazy! Can you even imagine? And Paul felt it so important that he charged us before God, Jesus, and the elect angels that we should let our biases and opinions affect that at all. Isn't that phenomenal?!?!

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Dad Cobb explained how this whole section is really a bunch of little proverbs. So isn't it cool when Paul tells us to slow down before "laying hands" on someone. I kinda agree with Dad Cobb and almost wish this was talking about beating the snot out of someone, but it's not. We need to slow down before we "endorse" someone for ministry. That's phenomenal! Think about it. Seriously!

Next, do I partake in other men's sins? Do I drive the get away car? Seriously, think about this stuff people! This stuff is really phenomenal!

And wow: keep thyself pure. Could he have been any more direct? I don't care what you think, I'm nowhere near pure. But I need to be filtered. I can so quickly see those floaties in my glass. It's really quite disgusting. Are you with me? This stuff is phenomenal!

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Take your meds! Wow. Are you getting this? Phenomenal!

Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Ok, I gotta admit this one kinda confuses me. So sometimes the sin is obvious before it happens. Sometimes it only comes to light much later. And sometimes the things we do right are obvious before they happen and even if they never seem to come to light, they aren't really hid. Ok, now that it makes sense. Phenomenal! Hello?

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Ok, so Dad Cobb says that the masters here are the bad kind. They are evil bad mean. And the scripture tells even though these evil bad men are our boss, we should do everything righteously so that God and his truth are not disgraced. Seriously. I don't know how else to say it. Phenomenal!

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Now we've got the good bosses. Supposedly. These are the Christian bosses: the guy who should act like our brother, but is really our boss. God reminds us that we still have to do our job. Phenomenal! Is this sinking in yet?

If we would just slow down for a minute, maybe we'd notice how phenomenally our Gods Word truly applies to us. Think about this. No, really. Phenomenal.