1 Timothy 4   Message 22

We are continuing to look at Paul’s –

B. Charges to Timothy           1 Timothy 1:3 – 6:21a

Thus far, we have been instructed in the importance of both –

1.  Doctrine                     1 Timothy 1:3-20

And –

2.  Conduct of the church                1 Timothy 2:1 – 3:16

Timothy was made aware that churches (which are to be the pillar and ground of the truth) were going to forsake the leadership of the Spirit in favour of the love of self.  He was instructed in how to prevent this turning away during his ministry in the church he pastored.

We have excused ourselves for centuries by pushing off “…in the latter times…” to those in the future.  If we believe the Word of God, the Bible, and hold to His truth believing in the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ, each generation could be “…the latter times.”!  We cannot excuse ourselves for our lack of faith in looking for His return and put it off on future generations to be in truth “…the latter times.” 

We are in our current situation because of our unbelief and lack of commitment to Biblical truth.  We must stand for the truth of God’s Word as we, as well as was Timothy – are warned along with him of the –

3.  Calamity in the church                        1 Timothy 4:1-5

      a.  The message of warning.  “…Now the Spirit speaketh expressly…”

        1).  The warning is from God –  with authority!

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Peter 1:19-21  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

        2).  The warning is for our understanding –  “…expressly…”   clear, plain, in direct terms.  Timothy, and every pastor since his time, was told of what to look for in their churches –

      b. The movement away from truth    “…that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith…”

        1).  The things we do not know –

          a).  The time

          b).  The people

We must be aware that the time will come and the people will reject –

        2).  The things that we do know.  “The Faith”

          a).  Jesus (God) was born of woman –

 Romans 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law

          b).  Jesus lived a sinless life –

Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

          c).  Jesus died for all, paying the sin debt, was buried, and rose again.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1 Timothy 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

We have seen churches destroyed through the lies taught that Jesus did not die for all men, but only for some that He chose to live.  All others, it is taught, he chose to be separated from Him forever in Hell. 

          d).  Jesus commanded His church to witness unto Him in all the world –

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

These are all basic truths, easy to understand which should be trusted and obeyed.  But there is a continuing lie being proclaimed by the world –

      c.  The method of deception  “…giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils…”

These take the truth, question it, twist it, add lies to it and present it as the answer to your needs in life, the things that you deserve –

      d.  The magnification of the cult of self  “…Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats…”

Take notice of how industrious they are –

        1).  The energy devoted to their cause

Matthew 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Those who were the deceived are now the deceivers, even more enthusiastic in their error than their teachers –

“…Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron…”

        2).  The examples are as old as time itself

          a).  The lying Serpent, Satan 

Genesis 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Genesis 3:4-5  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

        b).  The lying prophet of Samaria

1 Kings 13:18-19  He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.

Why did he lie – He was jealous of a righteous man and wanted him to submit to him and be disobedient like him!

Proverbs 6:16-17  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue….   one naturally follows the other!

The choices of all involved are very clear: believe God and submit to Him or believe a lie, disobeying God and promoting faith in Self over faith in God.  The cult of Self!  Believing the lie of the world “After all you are worth it and you deserve it”!  How often to you hear this statement?

Next week we will learn of Paul’s answer to the question Timothy would ask “How do I keep this from happening in this church”?

This morning we will end with this – we have been warned of the danger which is before us.  The danger is real and each one of us will face it.  God is giving us help through His presence, His Word, and His people.  Remember that movements, whether good or bad, begin with an individual who then influences others.  The church is the pillar and ground of the truth.  We need one another, encourage one another. Remember the command from God –

Hebrews 10:23-25  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

You might say that you are saved and safe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The question is “what about your unsaved family members that attend church with you”?  Will your actions draw them closer to the truth or will they allow them to be caught up in the lies of the world and be swept away from the truth to follow a lie?