The Charge of Love

Sermon 2: Guarding Sound Doctrine

Primary Text: 1 Timothy 1:3-7

Theme: A mentor's responsibility to preserve truth

The word “doctrine” can be a bit of a conversation stopper. People may ask me what makes me an Anabaptist, or what are the distinctives of the Mennonite tradition— I often must mention the words doctrine of theology— “Oh” they may state, with a hesitant pause.

Maybe they have a notion that theology or the study of doctrine is obscure, or even pretentious— or worse they have this idea that studying theology would cause a person to walk away from their faith, or perpetrate hatred or even violence against those who disagree with them. That is not at all what the discussion of doctrine or theology should be!

Today we will dive into a section of the 1st letter Timothy receives from his mentor, the Apostle Paul— can you imagine the gift that would have been to a young leader in a newly formed church— what a treasure it must have been to read— What wisdom and guidance would Paul share? We believe these words are inspired by God— and valuable for us today in the living of life today. The very first thing that Paul begins with after his greeting— Doctrine. The way we think.

Big Idea: Our doctrine leads us to our belief, ethics and behavior.

I prefer to define doctrine, therefore, not as theological propositions, but as an active process of teaching that leads to spiritual health: as Paul puts it, “sound (hygiainousē) doctrine”

John Frame

Let’s begin with a truth that I have observed in my life:

Ultimately, what we think affects what we see, and what we see affects how we feel, and how we feel compels what we do.

Doctrine----------> Understanding--------> Perception---------> Passion ------->Action.

Pyramid. Like a tree. The roots lead to the fruit.

Let’s just begin by reading the entire section of scripture I would like to dig into today:

It’s 1 Timothy 1:3–7 “3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

The charge of theological accuracy. (v. 3, 18)

1 Timothy 1:3 NIV

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer

1 Timothy 1:3 (ESV)

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,

It is the Greek word: parangalia- It means to order, to command, to charge, to instruct.

If Timothy is highly motivated and yet still inexperienced, he may have a high “will” for ministry, but a lack of “skill”— remember the skill/will grid? This is Paul mentoring Timothy with very specific instructions and guidance. Charge means to instruct or command with authority. Like a commanding officer giving orders to a subordinate. Not a suggestion, not a passive thought. Do it.

I want to clarify something. In these letters, there is a strong emphasis upon leadership in the church. Timothy is currently overseeing the church at Ephesus. These concepts may come across as harsh or overly directive— but remember what Timothy’s ministry responsibility is: To manage and guide the work of the church, and from that perspective— this is Paul commanding Timothy to take authority over the church and what is being taught.

These concepts won’t play out exactly the same in your mentorship relationships— only in that YOU as the mentor better be teaching sound doctrine— but as far as confronting someone whom you are mentoring, or dealing with a difficult conflict in the workplace or school environment. Where you have the authority clearly— you should demand sound doctrine. Where you may not have that position of responsibility— your strategy should be different. None the less:

Paul commands Timothy to stop the teaching of false doctrine.

The correct handling of the Word of God in the church and at large in Christian environments is vital to the proper growth of the Kingdom (and it’s people) .

When the Scripture and God’s teaching to us is handled incorrectly, we must not be slack in correcting false doctrine.

I have been in seminary classes at Ashland Seminary for about 3 years now. This has been a slow, methodical, consistent journey through various classes and aspects of ministry training. It’s been a life changing experience, and I count it a huge honor to be learning and growing in ministry— while we are doing it. Many times, I’ve told the guys that it’s kind of like working on an engine, while you’re still driving the car! That’s a unique and careful process. I’ve loved it— and I hope to be completed within this year. Then I can start reading all the books that I WANT to read...

Even within our preparation for teaching and preaching— going back to the “original” authentic sources is best. In historical and theological study, we often will consult what are termed “original sources”. Meaning the earliest manuscripts and writings or records of what was happening or what was said.We have access to the writings of Menno Simons— that is the namesake from which Mennonites began. Not that we only read Menno’s work, but Menno’s original inspiration was the beginnings of our faith tradition— and it is important to read him.

However,

I might be able to benefit from what someone else has concluded about a passage of scripture, or even about a particular issue in society. (like reading Menno Simons reflections, or any other wonderful men and women)

But what has God spoken to us directly in His word, or by several sources?

Several of our faith creeds are an example of this work. The Apostles Creed is one of the oldest confessions of our faith, and it was a compilation of the actual original apostles teaching.

Many of the tests of the works that make up our Holy Bible are related to the reliability that these are original sources. If something was a couple generations down the historical chain— meaning that someone who was NOT an eye witness, or was NOT clearly inspired by God— then their writing or thoughts may be very good— but they are NOT scripture. We hold scripture to be in that very special category:

This is from the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, Article #4: Scripture

“ We seek to understand and interpret Scripture in harmony with Jesus Christ as we are led by the Holy Spirit in the church. We believe that God was at work through the centuries in the process by which the books of the Old and New Testaments were inspired and written.” Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective (1995), Article #4: Scripture

If we are distracted or drift from the original thought— we can end up in a place where we didn’t intend to be. Which is just what Paul describes in verse 4:

1 Timothy 1:4 NIV

4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.

Scholars agree that Paul and Timothy are aware of this “drift” in Ephesus. That’s another strong theme in the letter that Paul wrote to the Ephesians. This does not mean that these teachers were blatant heretics. They most likely were motivated problem solvers. They probably were not straying on purpose and didn’t even know it. They were probably people from the congregation who, in many ways, were good teachers, but they were beginning to introduce ideas that were derived, basically, from human philosophy. This is the “controversial speculations” that Paul identifies. They are opposed to God’s work that Timothy is charged to execute. Is it possible that we may fall victim to controversial speculations? This sounds very familiar to today!

Here is a window into another section of these letters where Paul describes a culture that will not accept sound doctrine?

2 Timothy 4:3 NIV

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Paul is warning Timothy here that a time is coming where the philosophies and “thinking” of the world will displace good sound doctrine. There will be a loss of orthodoxy.

I want to teach you a little word definition:

Orthodoxy: refers to proper, sound, good belief

Orthopraxy: refers to proper, sound, good practice

There are ways that we can drift— if we move away from orthodoxy— it will affect our orthopraxy.

Here is a difficult example:

Hunger causes suffering.

My family is suffering due to a lack of food.

Giving my family food will decrease their suffering.

If I do not give my family food, their suffering will end in death.

My neighbor has food.

My neighbor refused to give me food.

I must take my neighbors food.

This train of statements is a general example of how we could end up doing something that we initially would never consider. But it is an example of situational ethics. Paul is charging Timothy to stop people from using anything other than sound, original doctrine— in this case, the Gospel teachings of Jesus himself and the Apostles— as the guide for our decision making.

How can we decide and discern the difference? Jesus himself taught us:

Matthew 7:17 NIV

17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Paul continues by balancing the confrontation— It’s not to be an aggressive or agitated action. Paul is encouraging Timothy to uphold love. That is the “original core motivation”. That is the source.

Another common test of orthodoxy is whether something glorifies God or Man?

Theology and Good Doctrine helps the church to pray, praise, preach and perform in ways that reflect the truth about God.

That’s how Sarah and others involved with our music and worship planning guide their decisions— we wish to glorify God alone with our worship services. Music, readings, video, preaching, giving, sharing—programs, services, care--- it all points to God’s glory— not our own.

The charge of love (v.5)

1 Timothy 1:5 NIV

5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

The goal is love. Timothy was to be motivated by love in correcting the false teaching. That should also be our motive and intent in mentoring or giving correction to anyone else. It is so easy for us to attack others who we believe are wrong out of an impure motive.

Our mentorship is based in:

A pure heart

Is there anything that is contaminating you?

A good conscience

Are you guilty, or have unresolved sin?

A sincere faith

Do you and God have integrity? Is there a “known” aspect to your walk with Jesus?

Pure, Good, and Sincere. That’s what I want my faith to be— how about you?

Paul states that love should stem from a “pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.” In other words, Timothy had to have his own ducks in a row before he went off correcting the errant teaching. Sometimes when someone else is in error, we want to let them have it with both barrels. We could easily say of someone in the church with an erroneous belief; “how dare they come in here and teach that or believe this or say that, what in the world are they doing here if they don’t believe the way we do.”

But once again, Jesus has very powerful imagery for us to consider:

Matthew 7:3–5 NIV

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

(You will notice that quite often I and other teachers will immediately bring the teaching of Jesus to the issue we are dealing with. That is why the Anabaptists historically have been passionately committed to living out the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew chapters 5-8).

The charge of a Godly mentor.

1 Timothy 1:6 NIV

6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.

Focus on scripture, not on opinion.

1 Timothy 1:7 NIV

7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Paul blasts away at someone who is claiming authority, but doesn’t have humility, patience or grace.

Attack the thinking, not the thinker.

Often when I am in a difficult conversation, I aim to ask more questions than try to give answers. One powerful tactic is to simply respond to a statement that you disagree with by saying” Well, that is a thought”. I don’t quite agree, but I could be wrong, so help me understand how you ended up there?” I’m not there yet— so show me.

My mother’s father— a wonderfully wise and patient person in my life— often used this relational strategy in mentoring me. He would seek to understand what I was thinking, then found a way to ask me some curious questions, and usually it led me to reconsider where I was on a topic. I would then feel compelled to ask him what he thought— “well, since you asked”...

He was masterful at doing the work to define himself, rather than define anyone else. “This is where I am on that”— or If it were me, this is what I would do.

As mentors, as Christian leaders, as representatives of Jesus in the world we occupy— we have a responsibility to ask the tough questions of our selves first:

Do I have a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith? I can control those things in conflict… I cannot control or define someone else.

And we often must seek to hold two opposing concepts in tension.

I am called by God to love this person— with the love of Jesus— but I do not agree with how they have concluded or decided on a particular situation. Can I hold these two realities in tension? Can I express myself and my convictions about both them and their position clearly?

Paul continues here in verse seven with an example of what NOT to be:

1 Timothy 1:7 NIV

7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

The way we interact with someone who we suspect is teaching a false or untrue unorthodox, unsound— unhealthy, doctrine is to ask more questions:

Do they know what they are talking about? Do they understand what they are so confidently affirming? Like my grandfather mentoring me— Did I know what I would do next?

Some of you would like to be teachers and mentors of God’s love and God’s ways! I love that. This verse simply reminds us to NOT be like this:

We need to know what we are talking about— and we need to absolutely KNOW what we so confidently affirm.

As a mentor— have the facts. Have the scripture— have the experience and the wisdom at hand. Always remembering we are not attacking or confronting a person— we are confronting the poor or unstable thinking— the UnSound doctrine that drive their thinking— seeing— feeling— and doing.

1 Timothy 6:3–4 (NIV)

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

What is the fruit of their leadership and teaching?

Not love. It’s anything but Love.

Another powerful statement is made by Paul as he writes to the church at Ephesus:

Ephesians 4:20–21 NIV

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

Ephesians 4:22 NIV

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Ephesians 4:23 NIV

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

Ephesians 4:24 NIV

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:25 NIV

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

WE all have this mandate. It is a charge of love. Through sound (healthy) doctrine—

Good thinking, leading to accurate perception, appropriate motivation, and Christlike action. Love.

This has challenged me to make sure I know what I claim to know. To only teach what I have thoroughly understood from God. To love people like Jesus— He loved me right where I was, and continues to mentor me through an intentional relationship of Questions and reflections in daily life. That’s the least I can do for someone else.

let’s end our time by reciting our memory verse for this section of our series:

2 Timothy 2:2 NIV

2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

May the Lord bless the hearing of His word today— and enable us to walk in Christlikeness this week.

Amen!

Heavenly Father,

We gather in this sanctuary with hearts full of gratitude for the countless moments of worship, reflection, and community that we have shared within these walls. For many years, this sacred space has been a beacon of your love and presence, a place where we've grown in faith, found solace, and experienced your grace. We thank you for the blessings and memories that have filled this place.

As we prepare for its renovation, we ask for your protection over everyone involved in the construction process. Grant them safety, skill, and wisdom as they work to renew this space for your glory. May your hand guide every step, ensuring that the project proceeds smoothly and efficiently.

Looking to the future, we pray that this renovated sanctuary will continue to be a place of inspiration and worship, where your Word is preached with sound doctrine, and where lives are touched and transformed by your love. May it stand as a testament to your enduring faithfulness, drawing many more souls into your light for generations to come.

In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.