THEME: Timothy's duty is to warn the church about apostasy

               1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

                2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

            6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. (ESV)

INTRODUCTION: Fog Horn

            -> Lighthouses have always fascinated me   

                        - serve a valuable purpose

                        - light shine out to mark out danger in dark waters

                        - horn sounds forth to warn in the foggy air

                        - Goal: to protect the vulnerable crew & cargo

            -> Did you know that your Pastor is like a lighthouse?

                        - I sometimes pick on the TV preachers

                        - I don't do it for the fun or because I like it

                        - Goal: to protect you from dangerous doctrines of men

            -> Did you know that you also are to be lighthouses?

                        - well you are

                        - Goal: to protect one another, even your Pastor from                                     error

PROPOSITION: The Church of Jesus Christ must sound the alarm                            against doctrinal error.

 I. THE DIRE WARNING: APOSTASY (1)

            A. Apostasy Has Been Predicted

                        1. This is not news to the Ephesian church

                                    a. Paul had warned them several years before

Ephesian Elders.....Acts 20:29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.  30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. (NIV)

                                    b. In fact even Jesus warned of such things

                                                (Tares among the Wheat - Matt 13:24ff)

                        2. This warning has a source...."Spirit expessly says"

                                    a. this is not Paul's idea

                                    b. this warning comes from God Himself

                                         - may be a special revelation to Paul

                                         - or he may be referring to previous promises

                                    c. warning is not ambiguous, it is crystal clear

                                         - "expressly" = clearly, out-spokenly

                                         - Paul's message could not be misunderstood

                                    d. Christ is not surprised by this, he predicted it

Matthew 24:10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (ESV)

                        3. This warning concerns the future..."in later times"

                                    a. Paul has already pointed out some problems

3)   As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4) nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies....6) For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion.....18  This command I entrust to you...that by them you may fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

                                    b. yet he seems to promise yet even more

                                                trouble

                                    c. this is a continual threat throughout all                                                     generations

            B. Apostasy Has A Source

                        1. Paul's definition of Apostasy

                                    a. The subjects...."some"

                                                - not the teachers themselves

                                                - but those who listen to them

                                                - he refers to the teachers in verse 2

                                    b. The Result...."will depart from the faith"

                                           - "depart from" = to forsake, abandon,                                                           desert

                                           - they will remove themselves from the way                                                             (middle voice)

                                    c. ‘the faith” = body of truth just quoted

                                    d. there will always be those who stray away

                        2. The source of Apostasy

                                    a. " devoting themselves to deceitful spirits "

                                                - “devoting” = Hold firmly to

                                                - "deceitful" = to lead astray

                                                - “spirits” – not Spirit (singular)

                                                - Contrast to the confession just stated

                                    b. Referring to the mouth of the teachers

                                           -

                                           - these errors are voiced by human agents

                                    c. " teachings of demons"

                                                - a prophet speaks by the Spirit of God

                                                - a false teacher speaks by the spirit of

                                                            the evil one

                                                - “teachings” = doctrine, what is taught,                                                              a body of information or beliefs

“demons” = Evil spirits who disseminate errors among men, and seek to seduce believers (Vine)…just like Satan did in the Garden

                        3. Satan is himself is the source of all lies

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. (ESV)

Paul connects the opposing teaching with deceiving spirits and demons, and sets out in the clearest possible way the contrast between the Spirit mentioned in 3:16 and 4:1 and the Satanic activity described immediately afterwards. (NBC) SPIRIT vs.  spirits

                        4. You can depend on his presence in the church

ILLUS: Would you believe me if I said the sun will not rise                  tomorrow?.....Of course not!...Sun rises every                            day........it's dependable.

            C. YOU HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED....Be on your guard…be                    looking for false truths masquerading as words of                              truth!

 II. THE ROOT CAUSE OF APOSTASY: FALSE TEACHING (2-5)

            A. The Instruments of These False Teachings (2)

                        1. They are liars

                                    a. " insincerity of liars" (pretense, “stage-player”)

                                            - they pretend to speak the truth

                                            - they are insincere, they know their error

                                    b. their goal is to twist the truth

                                                - as was Satan's in the garden

                                    c. they do not speak the complete truth     

We are not talking about someone who is mistaken”, but one who is purposely deceptive

                        2. They are w/o conscience

                                    a. their "consciences are seared"

“seared” = to mark by branding, in a medical sense, to remove by burning.

                                           - when one burns flesh it is never the same

                                           - a branding iron permanently disfigures

                                    b. they have done it to themselves

                                                - argued against it, stifled its warnings

                                                - they no longer hear its voice

                        3. They have become callous

                                    a. they do not care for those they teach

                                    b. there is no concern for the souls they mislead

                                    c. only goal is to be heard

                        4. They are no longer able to hear God's warning

3 Features – 1) Hypocritical Agents, 2) Forbid Marriage, 3) Forbid certain food

            B. The Content of their message (3)

                        1. They forbid pleasure....marriage

                                    a. reference is primarily concerned w/ sexual                                                   relations

                                    b. they taught that sensual pleasure was evil

                                                - "no good Christian would participate"

                                    c. marriage is ordained by God Himself

                                                (Gen2:24)

                                    d. what God permits they forbid

                        2. They forbid comfort

                                    a. " abstinence from foods" - probably meat

                                    b. meat was looked upon with destine

                                                - "no good Christian would partake"

                                    c. God allows the eating of meat (Gen 9:3)

                                    d. what God permits they forbid        

                        3. In short, they teach Christianity is a set of outward

                                    do's and don'ts....a display of deeds

                                  - Abstinence = Salvation

                                  - marriage & food are but 2 samples of prohibition

                                  - sound familiar....remember the Pharisees?

                        4. Christ is not interested in your empty works, He                                              requires your thankful hearts

                        5. The truth about such prohibitions

                                    a. God created food for man to receive

                                           - focus is on "certain foods" but applies to                                                     marriage

                                    b. qualification for properly receiving things

                                         - "with thanksgiving" = praise for provision

                                         - "who believe" = trust that God has provided

                                         - "know the truth" = acknowledge source

By the way…this is where the thought comes from for praying before a meal. Goes back to Jewish tradition of a benediction before a meal.

                                    c. Point: God has given these to them the

                                                joyfully receive them from His hands

            C. The Proper Perspective (4,5)

                        1. Everything God created is good (4a)

                                    a. He made no mistakes

                                    b. Nothing is to be thrown away as evil

                                    c. nothing is evil in & of itself

                                                - a rock isn't evil, but the man who kills                                                                with it is

                                    d. the Old Covenant has passed away

                3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly, holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated, under the new testament.

                4. To them also, as a body politic, He gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people; not obliging any other now, further than the general equity thereof may require.

                5. The moral law doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof; and that, not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it. Neither doth Christ, in the Gospel, any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.  (WCF, Chapter XIX, 3)

                        2. Nothing is to be rejected (4b)

                                    a. all of His works are good

                                    b. man is not the judge of good & evil

                                                - we weren't created w/ that ability

                                                            (Adam & Eve's desire)

                                                - if God approves it, there is no question

                                    c. Qualification: thanksgiving

                        3. His provision is “made holy” – “to consecrated,                                                             separate, set apart as holy” (5)

                                    a. "by the word of God" - God has spoken

                                                - He has sanctioned food

Gen 9:3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. 4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. (ESV)

                                                - He has ordained marriage

Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (ESV)

                                    b. "by...prayer" - Man responds in faith

                                                - we must acknowledge His provision

                        4. Your God has given you good gifts, pleasure &                                             comfort are acceptable

            D. A Sure Sign of a Cult is the Twisting of and Additions to                                 the Word of God.

ILLUS: Jim Jones...Bible -> Bible + his word -> his word - Bible

            E. YOU MUST BE PREPARED...Examine every thing you                                 hear!               

 III. THE CHURCH'S DUTY CONCERNING APOSTASY: SPEAK UP (6) 

Note: This verse is in the next paragraph, I included it because it seems to serve as a bridge or transition to the next segment…”Staying on Course” (4:7-16)

            A. Raise Your Voice (6a)…Remember the subject…Timothy

                        1. His duty is to speak up

                                    a. "put these things before" = “to point out or to                                                    place under, instruct” è place under                                                   their nose (middle voice = themselves)                                           b. make them see the issues

                                    c. you are to voice your opposition to error

                        2. His audience is the church

                                    a. "the brothers" - the body of believers

                                    b. you must warn those in your church

                                    c. the world can not...will not hear you

                        3. His call

                                    a. "good servant" = diakonos = minister, servant

                                    b. If Timothy was faithful, his service would                                                     benefit the church

                                    c. if you are faithful, the church will be slower                                                   to stray

                        4. Note: Remember that this applies to us…ministry is                                     passed down to all believers.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (ESV)

            B. Stick To The Word (6b)

                        1. “being trained” = “to nourish, to rear up”

                                    a. middle voice = for yourself

                                    b. we are responsible for ourselves

                        2. “Words of the faith”

                                    a. refers to the scriptures which are God's Word

                                                (“faith è content of what is beleived)

                                    b. our faith is based upon His revelation

                                    c. the Bible is the truth & the only truth

                                    d. men's words are empty and useless

                        3. "good doctrine"

                                    a. refers to the Apostolic teaching

                                                - remember they had no NT

                                                - only the OT & Apostles teachings

                                                - Today we enjoy the full Word of God

                                    b. note the contrast between vs 1 and vs 6

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,…6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. (ESV) è Same word è Bad teaching vs. good teaching!

                                    c. our knowledge is shaped by His Word

                                                - Bible addresses all areas of life

                        3. "that you have followed"

                                    a. “followed” = to follow closely, to investigate

…figurative meaning is that of “not letting a matter slip,” of “concentrating” (either abs. or on something), of “following a teaching which has been grasped,” as in 1 Tm. 4:6; 2 Tm. 3:10: In both figurative meanings a strong emphasis is laid on the exactness or constancy of agreement indicated by the prefix. (Kittel)

                                    b. you have been diligently faithful

                                    c. now continue to be so!                               

                       4. Point: Timothy is to keep on doing his job…as are you!

            C. The Duty of Every Christian is to hold the church                                                 accountable...even the Pastor...to God's Word

            D. YOU MUST RESPOND TO ERROR...by defending the truth                 with your lips

CONCLUSION:

            -> San Francisco Earthquake.......Golden Gate Bridge

                        - hole in the bridge

                        - video footage of hole was being taken

                        - a car rapidly approached unaware of the danger

                        - all of America watched that car crash

                        - a man died in that crash

            -> Wouldn't you warn them if you were there?

                        - would you not scream at the top of your lungs?

            -> Paul has issued such a warning

                        Error will come.........Be on your guard!

                        Error is a reality......Examine every thing you hear!

                        Error is dangerous......Defend the truth!

            -> Then you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ!

Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (ESV)