THE PASTOR AND THE APOSTASY--I TIMOTHY--LESSON 4

THE PASTOR AND THE APOSTASY
I TIMOTHY--LESSON 4

By E. L. Bynum
Lesson: I Timothy 4:1-16

Memory Verse: I Timothy 4:1

Introduction:

Considerable space is given to the apostasy in the Pastoral Epistles, as well as elsewhere in the New Testament. Because of the apostasy, a great responsibility rests upon the Pastor to properly instruct the members of the Church.

I. THE APOSTASY PREDICTED. vs. 1-5

A. Demonism and Doctrinal Error. vs. 1-2

1. The Holy Spirit speaks expressly of this error. v. 1

2. The time of the apostasy. "The latter times. " v. 1

3. The nature of the apostasy - a departure from the faith. v. 1; Jude 3

4. The source of their doctrine - seducing spirits. v. 1; II Thessalonians 2:7, For the mystery of iniquity cloth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. II Corinthians 11:13-15, For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. "Satan is a theologian and makes use of demons in the last days to lead many away into apostasy. "Keith L. Brooks. He works in churches as well as in cults.

5. The apostate doctrine - "doctrines of devils." v. 1. II Corinthians 11:3, But If ear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. I John 4:1-6, 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of Cod heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

6. The nature of their doctrine - "speaking lies in hypocrisy." v. 2 Beware of spiritism, and all cults. "Ye shall know them by their fruits." See Matthew 7:15-23

7. The condition of the apostates - "their conscience seared with a hot iron." v. 2. Seared means "cauterized." Their conscience has no feeling or ability to recognize the truth. Ephesians 4:19, Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

B. Illustration Of Doctrinal Error. vs. 3-5

1. Forbidding to marry. v. 3. Roman Catholic priests and nuns fit here. This form of asceticism was accepted by the Gnostics and then passed on to others. Genesis 2:18, And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

2. Abstaining from meats. v. 3. See Colossians 2:16; Hebrews 9:10; 1 Corinthians 8:8; Acts 9:9-16. (Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists, and others make diet a part of their religion.

3. Truth possessors may eat with thanksgiving. v. 3

4. What God has created is good. v. 4. Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25; Mark 7:18-23; Acts 10:10-15

5. Those who abstain from certain foods for health reasons are on solid ground, but if they try to impose this upon others by the use of religion they are wrong.

6. Food to be sanctified by the word of God and prayer. v. 5

II. THE APOSTASY AND THE PASTOR'S SELF-DISCIPLINE. vs. 6-16

A. Self-Discipline In Public Ministry. vs. 6-11

1. This involves faithfully teaching. This includes warning of false doctrine. He must nourish himself as well as others. v. 6

2. This involves the rejection of error. v. 7; Titus 3: 10; II Timothy 2:23

3. This involves spiritual exercise unto godliness. vs. 7-8. Hebrews 5: 14, But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

a. Refuse false doctrine. v. 7a. Titus 1:14; II Timothy 4:4

b. This exercise is superior to physical exercise.

c. This gives us the best of both worlds.

4. This involves the truth of God's word. v. 9

5. This involves trust in the living God. v. 10. Ephesians 2:8-10; I Timothy 2:4, 6, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

6. This involves steadfastness in teaching. v. 11

B. Self-Discipline In Private Ministry. vs. 12-16

1. He is to be an example. v. 12; Philippians 3:17, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. II Thessalonians 3:9, Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

a. An example in maturity. "Let no man despise thy youth."

b. An example in word, conversation, and in walk.

c. An example in love and in spirit.

d. An example in faith and purity. I Timothy 1 :14; 2:15; 6: 11; II Timothy 1 :13; 2:22

2. He has a three-fold task to perform. v. 13

a. Give attendance to reading, both public & private.

b. Give attendance to exhortation. This means to comfort, console and help the listeners. (Preaching)

c. Give attendance to doctrine. (Teaching). I Timothy 3:2

3. He is not to neglect the internal gift. v. 14. This look back to his ordination by the Elders. II Timothy 1:6

4. He is to meditate upon these things. v. 15. His spiritual life and ministry was to be first.

a. This will result in his surrender to them. Philippians 3:13, Brethren, I count riot myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, arid reaching forth unto those things which are before. James 1:8, A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

b. This will be a blessing to others.

5. Two things he is to give heed unto. v. 16. This is a spiritual inventory.

a. He is to give heed to himself, in a spiritual sense. Acts 20:28, Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost bath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. I Corinthians 10:12, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

b. He is to give heed to doctrine.

6. The two-fold result of continuing in them. v. 16

a. It will result in the saving of self. Not his salvation but his life and ministry.

b. It will also save the hearers.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What will characterize the latter days?

2. What is the source of false doctrine?

3. What about the condition of the apostate's conscience?

4. What two things do some of the apostates forbid?

5. Is it wrong to abstain from meats?

6. What should we do when eating anything?

7. What will a good minister of Christ do?

8. What does this chapter say about bodily exercise?

9. In what was Timothy to be an example?

10. What was Timothy to do until Paul arrived?