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Some
will depart from the faith
introduction: the theme of 1
Timothy is Christian conduct. The basis of that conduct is
the truth, the faith of the gospel. The text shows the
necessity of the truth and how destructive religious error
is. If one believes in error, he will practice error. These
verses show the necessity of vigilance, both by the
individual Christian as well as the entire congregation.
Text: 1
Timothy 4: 1-5
Body:
1.
The prophecy that some will
depart (verse one)
“Spirit expressly says” - the Holy Spirit
does not nudge. He does not communicate by hunches,
feelings, or urges. He communicates with words (1
Corinthians 2: 11- 13). And the Holy Spirit does so
expressly, plainly, and clearly. His words, the Bible, can
be understood!
“In the latter times” refers to Christian
dispensation, the gospel age. On Pentecost, when Peter and
the other apostles spoke in other tongues after being
baptized in the Holy Spirit, he used a similar expression
(Acts 2: 16, 17).
“Some would depart from the face”—the faith
or the gospel's truth. (Jude 3) This is the body of truth.
Some, not all, would leave the teachings of God's word and
fall away, and apostasy would occur. Timothy was in Ephesus,
and Paul had earlier described a departure from the faith
when he addressed the Ephesian elders (Acts 20: 29-31).
2.
The reason for the apostasy:
(versus 1-5)
There were two reasons: Some were telling
lies, and others were listening to them. This combination
will always cause a departure from the faith.
“Deceiving spirits"
are teachers who pervert the truth and lead people away from
the truth. (2 Corinthians 11: 13-15). Doctrines of demons
are any teachings which are not found in God's word. The
source of them is the devil. Those mentioned in verse three
are examples - forbidding to marry - several religious
groups even today forbid scriptural marriages (Roman
Catholics, Shakers...). Scriptural marriage is honorable,
Hebrews 13: 4. God is the author of marriage, Matthew 19:
1-9.
“Commanding to abstain from foods"
is still practiced today by Catholics, Jews, certain
holiness groups, and several cults. God created food,
including meat, for man to eat. Man will be blessed if he
uses it wisely according to its purpose. It is to be
received with Thanksgiving. It has been set apart for God's
purpose.
Another reason for this departure is in verse
2, “speaking lies in hypocrisy.” These teachers would tell
lies while claiming to speak the truth. A hypocrite lies
about what he is. He hides himself and camouflages himself
to accomplish his evil purpose (Matthew 7: 15).
(2 Peter 2: 1- 3) this should serve as a
warning to us. Just because someone appears to be very
loving and spiritual, he may be nothing more than a
hypocrite, a wolf in sheep's clothing. How can one willingly
deceive others? He cannot unless he goes against his
conscience. If he has done that often enough, his conscience
will become seared, as with a hot iron. When one applies a
hot iron to the skin repeatedly, it becomes hard and dead.
Similarly, once the conscious becomes dead, it
becomes insensitive to what is right. As long as there are
false teachers like this, some will listen to them and
depart from the faith.
3.
The solution to departing from
the faith (verse 3 )
We must believe and know the truth! Recall
the words in 1 Timothy 3:15, which says the church is to be
the pillar and ground of the truth. The truth makes us free-
John 8: 32. Our souls are purified when we obey the truth- 1
Peter 1: 22. We must walk in the truth: 3 John 3,4. The only
way to keep from departing from the faith is to believe and
know the faith, the truth. This will keep us from being
deceived and believing a lie. Remember that error condemns-
2 Thessalonians 2: 12. We are responsible for testing all
teachers- 1 John 4:1. The church, which is god's people,
must be alert to those who would lead us away. We must be
determined to hold fast to the truth at all costs.
Conclusion/ invitation:
The
gospel's truth can free you from the guilt and burden of
sin. Your soul can be purified and cleansed of that sin by
obeying it. Will you come to Jesus and allow his blood to
wash away your sins?
Sermon
prepared by Bobby Stafford
April 19,
2020
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford
The church
of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more
lessons and Sermons please visit
https://granbychurchofchrist.org/
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