Transcript 'Finally, brethren... - Schertz Church of Christ

Lesson 5
Key Questions for Chapter 4
 How did the Holy Spirit communicate
instructions?
 How does departure from the truth
occur?
 How does a person develop godliness?
 How does a person “take heed” to
himself and to doctrine?
Lesson 5--Slide 1
Outline of Chapter 4
 Church Digression (Ch. 4)


False Doctrines (4:1-10)
Admonition to Timothy: Be an Example
(4:11-16)
Lesson 5--Slide 2
How did the Holy Spirit
communicate instructions?
 How did Paul know that error was going
to be taught and accepted?
(1 Tim 4:1 NKJV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in
latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to
deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
 What was the medium through which the
Holy Spirit communicated instructions?
(1 Tim 4:1 NKJV) Now the Spirit expressly says [Greek
tense: “is saying”] that in latter times some will depart
from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and
doctrines of demons,
(1 Cor 2:12-13 NKJV) … that we might know the things
that have been freely given to us by God. These things we
also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but
which the Holy Spirit teaches, ….
Lesson 5--Slide 3
How did the Holy Spirit
communicate instructions?--Cont’d
 What was the medium through which the
Holy Spirit communicated instructions?-Cont’d
(1 Tim 4:1 NKJV) Now the Spirit expressly says that
in latter times some will depart from the faith....
(Acts 13:2 NKJV) … the Holy Spirit said, “Now
separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to
which I have called them.”
(Acts 8:29 NKJV) Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go
near and overtake this chariot.”
Seven times in chapters two and three of
Revelation we find the statement:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
to the churches.”
Lesson 5--Slide 4
How did the Holy Spirit
communicate instructions?--Cont’d
 To whom did the Holy Spirit give those
verbal (word-based) messages?

Paul wrote to the Ephesians about his...
(Eph 3:4-5 NKJV) … knowledge in the mystery of
Christ), which in other ages was not made known to
the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the
Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

Paul told the Corinthians that the
things God has prepared, God had …
(1 Cor 2:10 NKJV) ... revealed them to us through
His Spirit.…
[Revelation is linked to the miraculous gift of
prophecy.]
Lesson 5--Slide 5
How did the Holy Spirit
communicate instructions?--Cont’d
 God’s instructions to man through
the Holy Spirit were always in words
to prophets.
 If the Holy Spirit is still giving
instructions today in words, then:


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We still have prophecy.
Since prophecy is a miraculous gift,
then we still have miraculous gifts.
This is inconsistent with the
Scriptures.
Lesson 5--Slide 6
How does departure from the truth
occur?
 What is the process for spreading
doctrinal error?
(1 Tim 4:1 NKJV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in
latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to
deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
(1 Tim 4:2 NKJV) speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their
own conscience seared with a hot iron,
 There is false doctrine (ultimate source:
demons/deceiving spirits).
 It is believed by some (they give heed).
 Their conscience is deadened (seared/
“cauterized”).
 They then knowingly speak error (lie in
hypocrisy/insincerity).
Lesson 5--Slide 7
How does departure from the truth
occur?--Cont’d
 Give two examples of false doctrines
that were to appear?
(1 Tim 4:3 NKJV) forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from foods ….

Is it wrong to marry?
(Gen 2:22 NKJV) Then the rib which the LORD
God had taken from man He made into a woman,
and He brought her to the man.
(1 Cor 7:2 NKJV) Nevertheless, because of sexual
immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let
each woman have her own husband.
(1 Tim 5:14 NKJV) Therefore I desire that the
younger widows marry, …
Lesson 5--Slide 8
How does departure from the truth
occur?--Cont’d
 Give two examples of false doctrines
that were to appear?--Cont’d
(1 Tim 4:3 NKJV) forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from foods ….

Is it wrong to eat food?
(1 Tim 4:3 NKJV) ... commanding to abstain from
foods which God created to be received with
thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
(1 Tim 4:4-5 NKJV) For every creature of God is
good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with
thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God
and prayer.
[Note: “Creature of God” definitely includes “meat.”]
[Note: Prayer for meals is essential.]
Lesson 5--Slide 9
How does departure from the truth
occur?--Cont’d
 What three instructions did Paul give
Timothy that would help protect the
truth from error? (1 Tim 4:6-7 NKJV)
 “Instruct the brethren in these things”



“Reject profane and old wives’ fables”



Warnings about false teachers
Warnings about false doctrines
“Profane” is in contrast to “good doctrine”
and “words of faith” that nourish.
Fables are untrue embellishments (see 1:4,
6:20, and Titus 3:9).
“Exercise yourself toward godliness”
[1 Tim 4:11 These things command and teach.]
Lesson 5--Slide 10
How does a person develop
godliness?
 Note the “faithful saying”:
Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness
is profitable for all things--in this life and
the next life.
(1 Tim 4:8 NKJV) For bodily exercise profits a little,
but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise
of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
(1 Tim 4:9 NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy
of all acceptance.
Lesson 5--Slide 11
How does a person develop
godliness?--Cont’d
 What is godliness?
(Titus 2:12 KJV) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly, in this present world;
(1 Tim 2:2 NKJV) for kings and all who are in
authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in
all godliness and reverence.
 How is godliness profitable in this life?
 How is godliness profitable in the next
life?
(1 Tim 4:10 NKJV) For to this end we both labor and
suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who
is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
Lesson 5--Slide 12
How does a person develop
godliness?--Cont’d
 How is godliness developed?
(1 Tim 4:7 NKJV) But reject profane and old wives'
fables, and exercise [discipline, NASB; train, NIV] yourself
toward godliness.
 What happens when you manifest
godliness in you life?
(1 Tim 4:10 NKJV) For to this end we both labor and
suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is
the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
(2 Tim 3:12 NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Lesson 5--Slide 13
How does a person “take heed” to
himself and to doctrine?
 In what was Timothy to be an example?
(1 Tim 4:12 NKJV) Let no one despise your youth, but
be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in
love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
 How can a person be an example in:



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
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Word
Conduct
Love
Spirit
Faith
Purity
Lesson 5--Slide 14
How does a person “take heed” to
himself and to doctrine?--Cont’d
 To what was Timothy to give attention?
(1 Tim 4:13 NKJV) Till I come, give attention to
reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
 Why is a balance among reading (the
Scriptures), exhortation, and doctrine
important?
 What will be the result if Timothy
concentrates on (meditates on; gives
himself entirely to) these things?
(1 Tim 4:15 NKJV) Meditate on these things; give
yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be
evident to all.
Lesson 5--Slide 15
How does a person “take heed” to
himself and to doctrine?--Cont’d
 How did Timothy receive his special gift?
(1 Tim 4:14 NKJV) Do not neglect the gift that is in you,
which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of
the hands of the eldership.
(2 Tim 1:6 KJV) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that
thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by [through,
NKJV, NASB] the putting on of my hands.

“With” (Greek eta)--“... meta does not express
instrument or means, but merely accompaniment”
(Word Pictures in the New Testament--A.T. Robertson)

“By” (Greek dia)--“of the means or instrument
by which anything is effected” (The New Thayer’s
Greek-English Lexicon)

On the AMTRAK autotrain I can go to Florida
“with car”; that is different than going “by car.”
[Acts 8:18 … through the laying on of the apostles' hands
the Holy Spirit was given....]
Lesson 5--Slide 16
How does a person “take heed” to
himself and to doctrine?--Cont’d
 What will be the result if Timothy takes
heed to himself and the doctrine in the
ways discussed?
(1 Tim 4:16 NKJV) Take heed to yourself and to the
doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will
save both yourself and those who hear you.
Lesson 5--Slide 17
What to Remember.
From Chapter 4
 The Holy Spirit’s means of communicating
instructions was through words to prophets
who have the miraculous gift of prophecy.
 Departure from the truth occurs because
people believe and allow themselves to
teach error.
 Godliness (God-likeness) is a way of living
that is developed through exercise/training.
 A Christian must be an example in conduct
and give attention to reading, exhortation,
and doctrine.
Lesson 5--Slide 18