Teach These Things

Overview

1 Tim 4 1-5, Paul warns Timothy of Christians abandoning the faith for the deception of demons. So, there is a demonic push away from God toward other things.

1 Timothy 4:1–5 NIV

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

“Put Your Mask on First”

Paul tells Timothy to teach about these things

1 Timothy 4:7–8 NIV

7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

How can you teach what you do not practice?

Our faith is a muscle that is exercised

We must practice Godliness

Faith should overflow from experience (Military Gas Chamber)

Exercising your faith can be hard...

1 Timothy 4:9–10 NIV

9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Teach as your Grow

The most effective way to teach, is in the area your are currently in. (Laughlin FAIP program)

We are all in different places, experiencing God in these different areas.

Share with others what God is teaching you right now.

In the same way, Timothy relied on Paul, rely on your church family to ensure you teaching in line with God’s Word, but don’t stop.

3. No excuses.

1 Timothy 4:11–12 NIV

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Be All In

JESUS IS COMING SOON!!! There are so many who would die in their sin if Jesus came back today.

There is an urgency to declare the good news of Jesus!

This is not done by some formula or gimmick

1 Timothy 4:13–16 NIV

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

The way that we help the world around us, is by using your gift for God and committing yourself to learning and growing in your relationship with God

We learn and grow here in this place

This is the place where we can be real and vulnerable and needy

You will not receive judgement here. Jesus came to save us.

This is where we grow in faith together

This is not enough by itself, you must grow in your relationship with God on your own. Many of you do.

Wednesday nights are for further growth

We live our faith everyday and grow in experiential faith everyday.

Paul tells Timothy to be “diligent” - “that everyone may see your progress” - The world should see you different. Not because of something fake, but because you are committing yourself to grow closer to Jesus.

Consider vs 16 - watching and preserving your life and doctrine will save you and your hearers.

Application

If Paul was writing this to you, what would he focus on?

Rejecting false teachings?

Embracing Godliness?

Speaking up about what is right?

Removing excuses like being too young?

Using your gifts for God?

Holy Spirit Speak

We want to pray with you. If there is something God is speaking to you, let’s pray together about it.