Blueprints for a Healthy Church week 6

Overcoming False Teachings

As we continue in our series of a Blueprints for a healthy church, this morning we will be looking at how we can overcome false teachings.

Last week we see that Paul outlined some of the errors among the false teachers in Ephesus.

Now he turns his focus on how to overcome false teachings.

First we will see what we are to do as we face the ungodly ways of the false teachers.

Paul gave a command to develop godliness.

Second, Paul outlined specific actions we can take in providing a model for others to follow to overcome false teachings.

The command is to persevere in teaching and preaching the truths of Scripture.

Some of the people in Ephesus had began following the false faith of the heretics which cause them to abandon obedience and faith.

As we face false teachings we are to major on the development of godliness.

For that we are to persevere in what we have begun by obeying God’s commands.

Paul’s desire was that we continue on the path of obedience to provide an example for other believers.

Our text this morning is 1 Timothy 4:6-16

1 Timothy 4:6–16 NASB95

6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11 Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

Exposing False Teachings Vs. 6-7

Our strategy for living in a world inundated with False Teachings is:

We must expose the errors of the false teachers.

The way that we can expose the errors is to make a positive presentation of the truth.

1 Timothy 4:6 NASB95

6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

Point out the errors is to be done using gentle reminders of the truth, rather than ranting lecture.

The things were to be point out are the specific warnings that were mentioned in the first five verses of this chapter.

If we are obedient and faithful in pointing out the false teachings, we will be good servants of Christ Jesus.

The way that we are able to point out the false teachings and stick to the truth is to constantly nourish ourselves on God’s Word.

A lot of Christian teaching involves reminding ourselves and others of beliefs and practices we know but ignore or forget.

Paul commended Timothy’s obedience and implied that he was to continue more of the same.

1 Timothy 4:7 NASB95

7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

Here Paul appeals for us to reject the empty ideas of the false teachers.

Paul described the teachings of the Ephesian false teachers as worldly fables or godless myths that are fit for old women, or old wives tales.

Worldly fables suggest something that is religiously bankrupt.

Fit for old women or old wives tales describe an idea that is frivolous and not worthy of serious attention.

These myths are nothing but silly fiction that are only fit for those that sit around chattering about nonsense.

We should not even occupy our time with answering such profane talks of the worldly godless myths.

Some false teachings are better ignored rather than discussed.

Instead we are to seek after God.

We should concentrate our energy on dynamic training for genuine godliness.

For Paul genuine godliness involved both right belief and obedient action.

Godly habits would not appear without determined human purpose and effort.

We are to persist in Christian discipline which prepares us for God’s highest purpose.

Training in Godliness

1 Timothy 4:8–10 NASB95

8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Here we are told that bodily exercise is of little profit, as our time here on earth is short considering eternity.

Godly character and conduct are far more important than trophies we receive here on earth.

Paul told the Corinthian believers something similar in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NASB95

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

We should strive to be healthy, but the disfigurement or humiliation of the human body for religious purposes, as in the abstinence from marriage and food, is not striving to be healthy.

There is some benefits to controlling the body, as Paul did at times, when necessary, but it is more beneficial to practice godly discipline, and use spiritual weapons to control the body.

We are to submit to the Holy Spirit in controlling our body.

Following the false teachings to abstain from certain things to control the appetites of this life, is not beneficial.

Godliness though represents an effort to practice to submit to the Holy Spirit in an effort to control the appetites of this life, which will reap benefits in eternity.

Another words seeking God through submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit and studying the Word of God is more profitable than mere physical training.

In verse 9 Paul mentions the trustworthy saying, which is referring to the fact that practicing godliness holds a promise for both the present and eternity.

In verse 10, Paul provides a reason for this statement.

The practice of labor and striving shows that godliness is useful for all things.

A consciousness that we are in a harmonious personal relation with the living God lifts us into a sphere in which labor and striving have no power to distress us.

Paul’s statement that God is Savior of all people is not an endorsement for universal salvation but that salvation has been offered for all that will receive it.

The term especially introduces the explanation that assurance of salvation belongs to those who receive Jesus.

Overcome Personal Struggles.

1 Timothy 4:11–12 NASB95

11 Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Paul emphasizes that Timothy was to persevere or continue in what he had begun.

Timothy was possibly a shy young man.

His shyness could hinder a bold assertion of Christian truth.

Paul states, prescribe or command which was to indicate the authoritative transmission of the message.

That is Paul wanted Timothy to speak with authority.

We are to share our faith and the gospel message with boldness.

We are to live as a spiritual example of what a believer is truly to be.

Paul desired that the people in Ephesus develop godliness by modeling Timothy, we should desire the people here will develop godliness by modeling the way we live our lives.

We should strive to be known for wise spiritual speech, and love that demonstrates itself for both God and others.

Demonstrate Christian Behavior

1 Timothy 4:13–16 NASB95

13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

Paul states until he came back, we are to apply ourselves to reading, preaching, and teaching the Word of God until Jesus comes again.

As believers we need to devote ourselves to reading, studying, and applying the Word of God to our lives.

In verse 14 Paul instructs not to neglect the spiritual gifts that we have been given by the Holy Spirit.

Paul tells Timothy that he has these spiritual gifts that were confirmed through what we call an ordination service.

Every born again believer of Jesus Christ, has received at least one spiritual gift, and we are to use our spiritual gifts for the glory of God.

In verse 15 Paul states - take pain with these things, or be diligent in these matters.

These things or these matters are in reference to the studying of the Word of God, and the use of spiritual gifts, so that the believer may grow spiritually.

We must devote ourselves to Jesus Christ and His teachings.

As born again believers there should be evidence of spiritual growth in our lives.

We need to pay attention closely to our behavior and theology.

Holy living and sound teachings are the inevitable fruits of saving faith.

When we persevere in Holy living and sound teachings our salvation will be evident to not only ourselves but also to others as well.

It is not that evidence would achieve salvation but that a stamina that produces holiness and sound doctrine gives irrefutable evidence of salvation.

Closing

The point that Paul was making is the best antidote for error is a positive presentation of the truth.

The best method for dealing with false teachings is to give a positive presentation of the truth.