Bible Study Class 103 - I Timothy Chapter 4: Apostasy; Be A Good Minister of Jesus Christ; Doctrine of Demons; Departing From The Faith

Posted : 29 Apr, 2011 06:42 PM

Bible Study Class 103 - I Timothy Chapter 4: Apostasy; Be A Good Minister of Jesus Christ; Doctrine of Demons; Departing From The Faith by David Guzik

A. False doctrine in the end times.

1. (Verse 1) A warning from the Holy Spirit.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

a. Now the Spirit expressly says: Speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul knew the dangers of apostasy (some will depart), deception (deceiving spirits) and false teaching (doctrines of demons) would mark the latter times.

i. Was Paul wrong in calling his time the latter times, since the return of Jesus was at least some 1900 years away?

No; history is not, and has not, been rushing towards a distant brink that would end this current order; even in

apostolic times, history had reached that brink - and has run parallel to it since. As it turns out, the latter times describe a broad era, not a couple of years.

b. Some will depart from the faith: Because of the danger of the latter times, if Timothy is going to be a faithful minister to God's people, he must keep a dead reckoning on the truth - the faith. If this is lost, not much else really matters.

i. A June 1997 article in U.S. News and World Report describes a Virginia pastor who "would rather preach on 'Bosnia, justice, or world peace' than on Bible stories or personal salvation." This is a man who has departed from the faith, and is now doing his own thing.

c. The faith: This describes the essential teachings of the Christian faith; when some depart from the faith, they are abandoning the essential teachings of Christianity.

i. The Bible uses the phrase the faith in this way many places, among them: Acts 6:7 and 14:22, Colossians 1:23, 1 Timothy 1:19, and Jude 1:3.

d. Deceiving spirits refers to demonic spirits (angelic beings who have rebelled against God), who seek to deceive men and women, enticing them away from the truth.

i. We should not be surprised that some lies are so powerful, they have an evident spiritual dynamic behind them. These are lies crafted and "marketed" by deceiving spirits.

e. Doctrines of demons speaks of the specific teachings of these deceiving spirits. Demons are theology majors, and have elaborate systems of doctrine.

i. We find the first demonic doctrine in Genesis 3. There Satan, speaking through a serpent, taught Eve You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God (Genesis 3:4-5).

ii. Since then, every demonic doctrine has found its way back to this root - the idea that we can be gods, and operate independently from God - that we can call our own shots, run our own show, and justify our own souls before God.

f. These deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons have been around since man first walked the Garden of Eden. But we should expect that more and more people in the church would depart from the faith in the latter times and accept these hellish teachings.

i. It's hard to say if there is more false teaching today, or if it is merely a case of modern technology being able to spread the lie better. But the old saying is certainly true today: a lie travels express, the truth goes on foot - and more people within the church are following these doctrines of demons.

2. (Verses 2-3) The nature of their departure from the faith and embrace of the doctrines of demons.

Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

a. Those who depart from the faith may be found speaking lies in hypocrisy. This certainly means those who willingly embrace falsehood to justify their sin or pride; but it also refers to those who claim to be teaching the Bible, while just using it as a prop for their own swelling words.

b. Having their own conscience seared: Their conscience, which at one time would have convicted them of their departure from the truth, now doesn't reply at all - the "nerve endings" of their conscience have been burnt over and are dead to feeling.

i. This is how those departing from the faith deal with "cognitive dissonance," the conflict between what they know is right before God and their conduct. They reject the testimony of their conscience and embrace sin feeling "justified."

ii. Paul knew well what it was to have a dead conscience. Before he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he felt completely justified in his persecution of Christians and hatred of Jesus; he could feel justified because his conscience was seared and needed a wake-up call - which the Lord graciously provided!

c. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods: This describes the legalistic teaching of those who have departed from the faith. They taught that it was by following this list of man-made rules that one was justified in God's sight - that you would be more holy to God if you didn't marry, and if you did not eat certain foods.

i. There have always been those in the church who regard themselves as more spiritual than God Himself, and have a stricter set of rules for living than God does.

ii. In the early centuries of the church, there were monks who went out to desolate desert places to show how spiritual they were by torturing themselves. One never ate cooked food. Another stood all night, leading on a sharp rock so it was impossible for him to sleep. Another neglected his own body, and allowed it to become so dirty, that bugs dropped dead from his body. They did this because they thought it would score points with God, and show everyone just how spiritual they were.

iii. We often think that if we sacrifice something for God (such as the right to marry or to eat certain foods), then He owes us something. This is legalism at its worst; trying to twist God's arm into giving us something. This makes God indebted to us, makes Him our servant and we His master, and fulfills the original doctrine of demons - that we should be gods!

iv. Countless millions through the centuries have sought to sacrifice something, and make God owe them blessing, or forgiveness, or mercy, or whatever. That is the religion of self-flagellation; it is not the relationship with Jesus Christ described in the New Testament: being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24)

v. "The controversy is not about flesh or fish, or about black or ashen colours, or about Wednesday or Friday, but about the mad superstitions of men who wish to obtain God's favour by such trifles and by contriving a carnal worship, invent for themselves an idol in God's place." (Calvin)

3. (Verses 4-5) A refutation of the legalism that marks those who have departed from the faith.

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.

a. For every creature of God is good: Regarding what we eat, we can eat all things, and we receive things rightly when we receive them with thanksgiving; with an abiding sense of gratitude towards God. We receive the blessings of food, shelter, and comfort as gifts, not as rights.

b. Nothing is to be refused: We are not limited by any kind of diet; what we eat does not make us more righteous before God (though what we eat may affect our health).

i. This issue was settled once for all when God spoke to Peter in Acts 10:9-16.

c. It is sanctified by the word of God and prayer: Paul here speaks of prayer before a meal. Notice that the emphasis is not on asking God to bless the food; but on thanking God for the blessing of providing food to eat.

i. It is good and proper for us to pray before eating a meal; but it should not be done in a ritualistic, superstitious way, nor should it be done to show others how spiritual we are - which is imitating the prayer practices of the Pharisees (Matthew 6:5).

B. Instruction in ministry for Timothy.

1. (Verse 6) How to tell you are fulfilling your call.

If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.

a. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ: Notice that the pastor's job is primarily instruction of the brethren; but "instruction" should be understood in a broad sense, not only as classroom-style teaching.

i. Jesus instructed His disciples, but with life and practice as well as words.

b. Nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed: But, if Timothy will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, he must remain anchored in God's word, carefully following them.

2. (Verses 7-10) Keeping your priorities straight.

But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 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. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 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.

a. The priority must be on God's Word, not man's words. Paul cautions Timothy to keep focused on the Word, not on things that come from man (reject profane and old wives' fables); the greatest effort must be put into God's Word, not man's word.

b. The priority must be kept on eternal things, not temporal things.

i. The godly minister must have the right kind of exercise: exercise yourself toward godliness. The word godliness comes from the old English word Godlikeness; it means to have the character and attitude of God.

ii. Bodily exercise profits a little - it has some value; or, the idea can be translated bodily exercise is good for a while, while exercising unto godliness is good for all eternity.

iii. Spiritual development and physical development share some similarities; with each, growth only comes with exertion and proper feeding.

c. The priority must be kept on the message of Jesus Christ. This is what is meant by the phrase the Savior of all men. It isn't that all men are saved in an universalist sense; but that there is only one Savior for all men; it isn't as if Christians have one Savior and others might have another savior.

i. But notice Paul's point: especially of those who believe. Jesus' work is adequate to save all, but only effective in saving those who come to Him by faith.

3. (Verses 11-16) Personal instructions.

These things command and teach. 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. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 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. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 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.

a. Command has the note of authority. Timothy was not to be in the pulpit with speculations and opinions and theories of men. He was to fearlessly bring God's Word before God's people and let the chips fall where they may.

b. Let no one despise your youth: Because Timothy was young, he was liable to the errors of youth which bring (the often justified) criticism of those older; Paul called him to live a life so godly, no one could despise his youth.

i. The word youth in the original language was "used of grown-up military age, extending to the 40th year" (Lock, cited in Earle). Timothy was about thirty years old at this time - but Paul was around seventy, so youth is a relative thing.

c. The King James Version has be thou an example of the believers; the New King James has be an example to the believers. "The rendering of the King James, an example of believers is better." (Hiebert)

i. Be an example by what you say (word), what you do (conduct), in love, in attitude (spirit), in faith, and in purity.

ii. These are the criteria by which to assess a pastor. If he is smart, if he is funny, if he is cool, if he dresses sharp, if he is popular, or if he is any number of other things matter little. You must look for a pastor who is an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

iii. "Thus we learn how foolish and ridiculous it is for people to complain that they receive no honour, when in fact there is nothing about them that is worth honouring, but rather they expose themselves to contempt by their ignorance, the example of their impure lives, their lightmindedness and other faults. The only way to win respect is by outstanding virtues which will protect us against contempt." (Calvin)

d. Timothy must give attention to these things: reading, exhortation, and doctrine - all things centered on God's Word.

e. Timothy is warned to not neglect the gift that God has given; as with the parable of the talents, we should not "bury" what abilities God has given.

i. Gift is charismatos, and refers to the varying spiritual gifts given to Timothy and to all believers. Do not neglect the gift has the idea that Timothy has been given supernatural gifts by God, and should trust that God will do great things through him - learning to flow with the moving and leading of the Holy Spirit.

f. With the laying on of hands: Paul may have in mind Timothy's "ordination service"; when church leaders laid hands on him, recognizing God's call on his life to ministry - an event apparently accompanied by prophecy.

i. "It is evident that the elders of the church at Lystra and Derbe had met together with the apostle Paul when Timothy was about to launch out into full-time service and had laid their hands on him, commending him to God in prayer." (Ironside)

g. Paul calls Timothy to meditation on God's Word; this is not emptying our minds (the goal of Eastern meditation), but filling our minds with God's Word.

i. Meditation is a lost practice among Christians; we are willing to fill our minds with virtually anything but God's Word.

h. Give yourself entirely to them: Timothy is encouraged to give it his all, to put forth a maximum effort, and by doing so, his progress may be evident to all. Often, progress is not evident because we do not give ourselves entirely to the pursuit of God and His will.

i. Often, we fall short of all we can be for God because we are passive in our Christian life; we simply do not give ourselves entirely. Jesus warned against this passive attitude in the parable of the talents, where the servant who did nothing was severely rebuked.

ii. Paul could say, in 1 Corinthians 15:10: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Paul knew spiritual growth didn't just happen; it is the gift of God, but bestowed on those who actively pursue it.

iii. As Alan Redpath observed, you might have a saved soul but a wasted life - but no believer should ever be content with such a place.

i. Take heed: Timothy, and every pastor, must examine constantly the two great areas of concern: one's life and one's doctrine; failing to do this would mean peril for both Timothy himself, and those in his congregation.

i. Without giving heed to his life, Timothy might suffer shipwreck (as in 1 Timothy 1:19). Without giving heed to his doctrine, Timothy might lead others astray, or leave them short of God's salvation.

ii. Those who hear Timothy as a pastor should be hearing doctrine. Timothy's primary call was not to entertain, amuse, or even help with practical things - it was to present Biblical doctrine, and to give heed to that doctrine.

h. Save both yourself and those who hear you: "And just as the unfaithfulness or negligence of a pastor is fatal to the Church, so it is right for its salvation to be ascribed to his faithfulness and diligence. It is indeed true that it is God alone who saves and not even the smallest part of His glory can rightly be transferred to men. But God's glory is in no way diminished by His using the labour of men in bestowing salvation." (Calvin)

i. "For just as the salvation of his flock is a pastor's crown, so all that perish will be required at the hand of careless pastors." (Calvin)

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