Sermon Tone Analysis

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 *S*pirit (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.