Text: 1 Timothy 4:6
A preacher’s job is not to find some new thing to present to his audience every time he preaches. He is simply to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2) – informing, challenging, and reminding them; but there will be nothing new (Galatians 1:8-9). The verse of our text reminds us of the importance of preachers reminding the brethren. This can be applied broadly, but in this lesson we will consider the immediate context and see what Timothy was to remind the brethren about.
The Spirit’s Explicit Warning
- Revelation from above comes from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10,16)
- Jesus is the spokesman of the new covenant (Hebrews 1:1-2) – but He sent the Spirit to reveal His message to the apostles (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13)
- Paul wasn’t stating his opinion or making a prediction – he was relaying a message to Timothy from the Spirit; this is why Timothy & the brethren were to pay attention
Some Will Fall Away
- Calvinistic doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy (“once saved, always saved”) – the Spirit explicitly & unmistakably obliterates that theory in this passage
- So many denominational errors run directly opposed to clear statements of Scripture – ex: baptism (1 Peter 3:21)
- Fall away from the faith – hardened by sin (Hebrews 3:12-13)
- It doesn’t say they will fall away from the church (though this often goes together) – they may still attend out of habit, but their faith is dead (cf. Revelation 3:1)
Description of False Teachers
- Deceitful spirits & doctrines of demons – he is not talking about supernatural beings leading men astray; these are men (Acts 20:30)
- Deceitful spirits – they deceive the unsuspecting (Romans 16:17-18)
- Doctrines of demons – they are not actively promoting Satan; they are simply opposing God & His truth/wisdom (James 3:14-15)
Consciences Can Be Seared
- Our conscience is what causes us to feel guilt for sin (2 Corinthians 7:8-11)
- A good conscience indicates sincerity (Acts 23:1) – though this does not always mean one is right
- Therefore, our conscience must be trained by God’s word (Hebrews 5:14)
- One can have his conscience seared – no longer feels guilt for sin; we must never allow ourselves to reach this point
Some Will Bind Where God Has Not Bound
- As long as the gospel has been around, men have tried to add more rules to it (Acts 15:1-2,10)
- Some were forbidding marriage – we need to respect God’s limits (Matthew 19:3-9; Romans 7:2-3), then not forbid anyone within God’s limits of that blessing (Hebrews 13:4)
- Some were advocating abstaining from meats – fine for individuals to do on their own, but not a matter of faith (Romans 14:1-3)
- We need to be content with the rules God has given us (2 John 9) – adding to His word brings destruction (Revelation 22:18)
Everything Created by God is Good
- Every good thing is from God (James 1:17) – witness of His goodness (Acts 14:17)
- Of course, this does not mean that these things cannot be abused (Genesis 1:31; 9:20-21)
- We must receive God’s blessings with gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Conclusion
- The Spirit gave some explicit warnings – danger of falling away, false teachers, seared consciences, man’s additions to God’s laws
- We must remember that everything from God is good – including & especially the reward of heaven; we must remain faithful so we can obtain it
