Everyone Gets a Front Row Seat
Sermon Notes
This Sunday, David Marvin walks us through 1 Timothy 5:21–6:2, where Paul underscores the importance of impartiality and warns how favoritism can fracture the church. He also emphasizes the need for patient evaluation when appointing church leaders. We are reminded that when we walk into the church body as slaves, we should look around and see our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. To help you reflect and apply this truth, we've provided a weekly reading plan with discussion questions. You can find it on the CityBridge App to follow along. Worship Set List →
Key Points
Guard Against Favoritism
Gospel Transformed Relationships
Transcript
Everyone Gets a Front Row Seat
We’ve been talking about what it means to live as a spiritual family—and today, Paul gets really specific. In 1 Timothy 5:21–6:2, he gives a powerful, practical challenge to how we lead, how we choose leaders, and how we treat one another—especially those we might be tempted to overlook.
Let’s start here: there are no outsiders in the family of God. No back rows. Everyone gets a front-row seat because everyone belongs.
Favoritism Has No Place in God’s Family
Paul begins with a bold charge: “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality and to do nothing out of favoritism.” Translation? God takes this seriously. We should too.
Favoritism is anti-gospel. It’s tempting to give honor to people based on wealth, platform, appearance, or convenience. But Paul—and Jesus—say no. In God’s kingdom, honor isn’t earned by status. It’s given because of our shared identity in Christ.
At CityBridge, our elders and staff leadership don’t know who gives or how much they give. Why? Because we believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, not based on a number but based on who they are in Christ.
Don’t Rush Leadership Decisions
Paul continues by warning Timothy not to rush leadership decisions. Don’t be hasty in laying on hands. Slow down. Watch the fruit. Invite community into the process.
And this applies beyond church leadership—it’s about how we date, how we make friends, how we build teams. Anyone can promise change. God calls us to look for patterns.
Spirituality Includes Taking Care of Your Health
Later, Paul drops a line that feels strangely practical: “Use a little wine because of your stomach.” And you’re like, “Wait—what?”
Here’s the point: Paul isn’t trying to be overly spiritual. He’s reminding Timothy—and us—that caring for your health is spiritual. You are a whole person—body, soul, and spirit—and God cares about every part.
God Sees What’s Hidden
Then Paul ends with this wisdom: “The sins of some are obvious... others trail behind. But good deeds can’t stay hidden either.”
God sees everything. The hidden hurt. The behind-the-scenes faithfulness. The quiet sacrifice. Nothing is wasted.
Your Work is Your Witness
And then in chapter 6, Paul speaks to how we relate in our workplaces. He calls believers to respect those in authority, especially if they’re fellow believers. Because your work can either draw people to Jesus—or distract from Him.
Let the Gospel Shape Everything
Bottom line: when the gospel takes root in our lives, it changes how we lead, how we relate, and how we work. It kills favoritism, it elevates honor, and it calls us to be people of consistency, character, and compassion.
Let’s lead like Jesus.
Let’s serve like Jesus.
Let’s love like Jesus.
Because He’s not just watching—He’s cheering us on.
