Be Diligent

Introduction

Today we come to the 4th chapter of 1 Timothy.

What is the purpose of the Church. When we come to the 4th chapter, Paul gives a stern warning.

If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to , and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.

1 Timothy 4:1–5 NIV84

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 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. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:1-5

Abandoning the faith

aul warns that in the later times some will abandon the faith—what does Paul mean by later time?

Paul warns that in the later times some will abandon the faith—what does Paul mean by later time?

The truth is throughout the ages, many of abandoned the faith.

So many people follow after deceiving spirits, and accept the teaching of demons.

The demons use hypocritical liars—these are people whose consciences have been seared. These men and women do not care who they are used by.

Satan, uses people who he can lead astray, getting them to say all kinds of things that God never said.

Paul gives us two examples: They forbid people to marry. They order followers to abstain from certain foods.

Timothy is ministering in the city of Ephesus. It was in Ephesus that Gnosticism had it beginning.

There is no question that everything God has called “Good” Satan has perverted. Yet, everything God made—as He made it— is good and should not be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.

1 Timothy 4:6–10 NIV84

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 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. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

1 Timothy 4:6-10

The Good Minister

The good minister reminds people that God created all things and as God created them they are good. Pointing this out to those around us makes us a good minister of Christ Jesus.

Next Paul warns that each one of us should have NOTHING to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales. We have all heard these kind of tales. They promise some kind of magnificent change but the stories are only for the gullible.

Paul tells Timothy that physical training (the Greek word that we get Gymnasium from) has some value, godliness has value for ALL things. Not only that, but it holds promise for both the here and now (the present life) and in the life to come.

I love verse 9, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.”

God provides salvation for everyone. That’s the beauty of , Those who believe and will experience all that the Savior can do for them.

1 Timothy 4:11-

1 Timothy 4:11–16 NIV84

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Teach these Things

Here’s the great question: What is it Timothy is supposed to teach? That true hope—our hope can only be in the living God!

The next thing Paul tells Timothy is a series concerns—It begins with “Command and teach these things.”

Next Timothy is to make sure he doesn’t let anyone look down on him because of his age.

I don’t care whether you are young or old, God still wants to use you. But like Timothy we need to be concerned about how we live our lives.

Timothy was to set an example for the believes around him. He was to be an example to those around him:

Example in speech—not just the words, but also how he said those words.

Example in life—in his conduct.

Example in love—demonstrating his unconditional love.

Example in faith—in his conviction of the gospel.

Example in purity—in his moral purity.

Paul mentions a couple more issues. Until Paul comes he tells Timothy to devote himself:

To the public reading of Scripture.

To Preaching

And to Teaching

Not to neglect his gift (notice we’re not told what this “gift” was, but it was confirmed by the elders who ordained him by the laying on of hands).

Timothy is told to be diligent in these matters.

He was to give himself wholly to them.

Paul warns to watch his life and doctrine closely—because this is where falsehoods can come in.

When Timothy perseveres he brings salvation to himself and to those around him.

Conclusion

All of us should be sharing the good news of Jesus. We should each place our hope in the living God.

We should not allow our age (young or old) dictate who share with. And like Timothy, each of us should become an example how we speak, live, love, in faith and purity.

We too should devote ourselves to the scriptures, preaching, and teaching.

We should be diligent in these matters.