Don't Let It Happen to You!

1 Timothy 4:1–5 NKJV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Introduction: (Times when people disregarded biblical warnings)

Joshua 6:18–19 NKJV

18 And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”

God has given instructions that need to be followed.

Hear the Spirit’s Message

1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

John 16:13 NKJV

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

A. The Holy Spirit Speaks through Pray

Acts 13:2 NKJV

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:3 NKJV

3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

B. The Holy Spirit Speaks through the People of God

Acts 20:23 NKJV

23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

Acts 21:4 NKJV

4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:10–11 NKJV

10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”

C. The Holy Spirit Speaks through the Word of God

Acts 1:15–16 NKJV

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;

In Revelation 2:7, Jesus told the church in Ephesus

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

In Revelation 2:11, Jesus told the church in Smyrna

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

In Revelation 2:17, Jesus told the church in Pergamos

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

In Revelation 2:29, Jesus told the church in Thyatira

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

In Revelation 3:6, Jesus told the church in Sardis

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

In Revelation 3:13, Jesus told the church in Philadelphia

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

In Revelation 3:22, Jesus told the church in Laodicea

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

Will you Listen to the Holy Spirit

Some will depart from the faith

Paul stated it

Acts 20:29–30 NKJV

29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

1 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

They will take heed (to mind, to apply one’s mind to) yield, believe, or embrace

obey

II. Heed the Spirit’s Message

A. Stay Calm

The Spirit of God informs believers.

1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

1 John 2:19 NKJV

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

B. Strive

Matthew 10:22 NKJV

22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

James 1:12 NKJV

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 Peter 2:19 NKJV

19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

C. Strengthen

Yourself

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Hebrews 5:11–14 NKJV

11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Others

1 Thessalonians 5:14 NKJV

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.