Setting the Tone! - 1 Timothy 4
Notes
Transcript
Intro: How Do Cults Begin?
Intro: How Do Cults Begin?
“If anyone tells you then, ‘See, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note: I have told you in advance. So if they tell you, ‘See, he’s in the wilderness!’ don’t go out; or, ‘See, he’s in the storerooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.
“Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn; and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Leaders make themselves equal to God and begin to control and manipulate people...
Notable Cults
Jim Jones - The People’s Temple
Charles Manson - The Family
David Koresh - Branch Dividians
Marshal Applewhite & Bonnie Lu Nettles - Heaven’s Gate
1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.
3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
Point #1: Everything Created by God is Good!
Point #1: Everything Created by God is Good!
Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith,
Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin—in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.
They told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers living according to their own ungodly desires.” These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit.
2. They pay attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. 3
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.
They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.
Spiritual error is seldom due to innocent mistakes. It is more often due to the conscious strategies of God’s spiritual enemies (cf. Eph. 6:12). The teachings (didaskaliais) of demons are false doctrines taught by errorists whose views are instigated by demons.4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
3. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day.
4. 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 4:5 (BKC): All the seemingly “ordinary” things of life can then become extraordinary as they are consecrated by the Word of God and prayer.
CONTINUING IN 1 TIMOTHY4:6
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.
7 But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness.
8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.
10 For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things.
Point #2: We Follow Good Teaching, We Share the Good Teaching That We Have Learned!
Point #2: We Follow Good Teaching, We Share the Good Teaching That We Have Learned!
Paul starts with an admonition for Timothy...
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus,
How?
Nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.
7 But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness.
8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.
10 For this reason we labor and strive,[a] because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:10 (BKC): To this end, said Paul, we labor and strive—that is, to develop the godliness of verse 8. The word “strive” translates agōnizometha (“I agonize”), another athletic term.
4. 11 Command and teach these things.
CONTINUING IN 1 TIMOTHY 4:12
12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.
14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.
16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Point #3: Paul Calls Timothy to Set the Tone as a Leader!
Point #3: Paul Calls Timothy to Set the Tone as a Leader!
Paul gives Timothy direction for his life and ministry...
12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth,
but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love,[b] in faith, and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (BKC): Timothy must not be intimidated by his relative youthfulness or what others might think of it. Instead he was to demonstrate his maturity by living such a godly life that he would become a pattern for other Christians in every area of his life: speech … life (i.e., “behavior or conduct,” anastrophē; cf. “conduct” in 3:15), love … faith, and … purity.
13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.
14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.
15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.
16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
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