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1 Timothy 1:3-7
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. In Matt. 16:read 13-20, there are two truths for every NT local church, that must be learned, remembered, and held fast if the church is to continue to be a true NT local church that is in truth and practice, conservative, fundamental, Bible-believing. As important as it is to be all those things; it is even more important to be a Bible practicing NT local church. One can say they believe the Bible all day long, but until a person’s daily life shows the truths and principles of Scripture, belief is inconsequential! The 1st truth that must be seen and understood from this passage is in v. 16. Jesus is The Christ! If any local assembly does not center their theology in the truth that Jesus is the Christ, they are not a Bible-believing church. They are heretics! When Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through me” He was telling them what Peter would later tell the leadership at the Church at Jerusalem when he told them, “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved.” And that is the only gospel! The 2nd truth is found in v. 18, Jesus Christ builds His church! The emphasis cannot be place on the word “MY” to heavily! Jesus is the only One Who died for His Church, and He is the only One Who is the head. No pastor, elder, deacon, person with money, position, title or any other human title owns, runs, or has any claim to a real NT local church! See that part, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it?” Jesus was not unaware of what Satan had in mind in trying to destroy the Church. He was warning the Apostles, and every Christian until the last Christian, that to choose to war with His church is to go to war with Christ Himself! Think about that! Paul’s main theme in his first letter to Timothy is, “sound Biblical doctrine always leads to godliness in the lives of those who accept and practice it.” Anyone can say “I believe/accept what the Bible says!” But just accepting or believing doesn’t make one a Christian, nor does it make one Christ-like in character and behavior! For that to happen a person must actually put the truths of Scripture into use in their daily lives. Watch as Paul teaches us how important it is to know what you believe, and then to put that belief into practice every day in your daily life.
Notice 1st – THE DANGER OF DIFFERENT DOCTRINES! (1-11). Here he comes right to the point telling Timothy to charge or warn those in Ephesus who were teaching “a different doctrine” to stop such ungodliness. Simply stated different doctrines or heresy is any teaching or information that is different than or contrary to Scripture. The concern here is not so much what was being said or taught, the concern was the effect or result! Look at 2 serious consequences of listening to heresy.
DEPARTURE FROM THE TRUTH. V. 3, 4 are the results of the false teachings or misinformation being given. What is misinformation? It is me telling you what I want you to hear and think about a particular teaching or information. Anyone who says or teaches any kind of information that is contrary to anything taught anywhere in Scripture is guilty of heresy and has departed from the truth. What causes the departure? 1. Deviation from inspiration (v.5, 6). Paul says such heretics swerve, or deviate from Biblical doctrine. They are the people who add their own ideas or desires to Scripture, proving they neither love God nor others. Departure is also caused by a desire to instruct. These false teachers were just that, false! A true Biblical teacher has the “John the Baptist philosophy – I must decrease, He must increase.” Notice a 3rd cause of departure from the truth in v. 7. These heretics have a darkened interpretation. We would say today, one without understanding is one who ignores the truth in favor of error. Why is all this so dangerous? There is never a time when departure from the truth does not lead to a:
DECLINE IN TESTIMONY! One of satan’s greatest victories and causes of rejoicing throughout the halls of hell is when a Christian, and especially a local Church loses its reputation as a true Bible believing, Bible teaching, fundamental, local church! Here is the message! The law, to the man and woman of God is a blessing because it leads them in living a life in harmony with Scripture. Following or obeying all God’s Word is the heart’s desire for all true Christians. The goal is agape! The only way to reach agape is through the Cross – salvation. Regeneration and sanctification are the only channels to a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Keeping that sincere faith, and good conscience happens only through good warfare that is deeply rooted, and permanently grounded in sound biblical doctrine. Departure from the truth and the inevitable decline is testimony is so serious because it ends in “shipwreck of one’s faith, which is to fail, to be put to shame. The result of a life void of such commitment to Christ can be declared only as failure, shameful. Whether attacks come from within or without, recognize them and squelch them immediately. Don’t let Satan get a foothold! This charge is not just for now, but until Christ returns to gather His Church to be with Him forever in heaven. Stand fast!
If we can help you with your spiritual questions, call us at 574-643-9419.
