Trained in the Words of Faith

Introduction:

This past week, I was involved in a couple of different funerals where we were celebrating the life of different people. I was talking with someone about their family member and they were sharing about the person’s military service.

He was drafted into the military and it got me thinking about that time period.

Many of you know of people or were someone who was drafted during the Vietnam War.

When a soldier is drafted or is enlisted, they don’t get sent straight to the battle field. They are sent to train and get in shape and learn techniques that will help them succeed in the mission.

Well, this morning we are going to go to basic training and look at some strategies and techniques to train us in the words of faith in order that we might be successful in the Lord’s Army.

Let’s take a look!

1 Timothy 4:6–10 ESV

6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Pray

1. We Must Train Ourselves in God’s Word (v.6)

1 Timothy 4:6 ESV

6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

Timothy was to preach the word and put it before the people

Timothy was to be personally training himself in the Word

What does this look like?

Regular Bible Reading

Regular Bible Study

Scripture Memory

Following Godly Examples (2 Tim. 3:10)

2 Timothy 3:10 ESV

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,

2. Avoid Unfruitful Speculation (v.7)

1 Timothy 4:7 ESV

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

Jewish myths that were being taught and debated

1 Timothy 1:4 ESV

4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

In the ancient world, a lot of people appealed to a higher authority to validate their claims.

It’s like today when people say, “Well Scientists say...” They are trying to use the scientific community as a basis for appealing to to verify what they are saying.

False teachers would often write their teachings under a pseudonym. Famous examples of these would be the Gospel of Thomas or the Gospel of Judas, etc.

They would often use the genealogies to try to prove their pedigree. This is why Paul does what he does to “play along” with the false apostles in Philippians.

Philippians 3:4–7 ESV

4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Most of the Jewish myths were based off an element of truth, but veered off into speculation.

For example, the Book of Enoch was never accepted as orthodox by the early church, but it claims to be further inspiration from Enoch in Genesis, who walked with God and was no more.

In the Book of Enoch, there are names of other angels that are given, many of which have been used by the Roman Catholic church. Names like Raphael who is said to be over the spirits of men and Raguel of is one of the angels that takes vengeance on the luminaries or spirits in heaven.

None of this is in the Bible. It’s all made up by extra-biblical teaching.

Now, there are a lot of people out there that like to speculate about things that the Bible is silent on. They will base doctrine off unclear passages in the Bible.

We are told not to do this. Don’t spend your time on these side teachings that are not clear and not important. Focus on what has clearly been revealed in the Scripture.

3. Train Yourself for Godliness (v. 7-8)

1 Timothy 4:7–8 ESV

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

This is a process.

You have to have a determination to do it.

It is profitable for this life and the next.

Conclusion

Paul says that the reason we do this is because we love the Lord and have our hope set on Him.

1 Timothy 4:9–10 ESV

9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

It’s hard work living out the Christian life. It is a labor and a toil, but it is worth it in the end.

We are to look to Jesus who is the Savior of the world.

This is not Paul saying that everyone will be saved. He is saying that Jesus is the Savior of the World, namely, those who believe.

You have to believe on Jesus to be saved.

Do you? Have you trusted Christ? Are you training yourself in godliness?