Aug 21, 2022. I Timothy 6:17-21

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FAITH and FALSEHOOD. I Timothy 6:17-21. Aug 21, 2022.  #22.

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.

1. Self-sufficiency and salvation

                a. Paul warns Timothy of 3 things as he closes

                                a1. Self-sufficiency brings independence from God and godliness

                                a2. Guard the truths that are entrusted to you, rejecting vain babblings

                                a3. Beware of false knowledge (science)

                b. The temptation to depend on self comes in many forms (ruin of Adam and Eve)

                                a1. Having enough $ and possessions that you feel no need to be grateful for your “daily bread”

                                a2. Having great authority and independence to be lifted up in pride (Saul, Nebuchadnezzar)

                                a3. Feeling absolutely secure in your situation – invincible (David on palace roof)

                c. Paul returns to the theme of riches – let the rich not be haughty in their wealth (need of nothing)

                                a1. You don’t have to be fabulously rich to feel self-sufficient and independent

                                a2. Independence leads to self-reliance

                d. Paul admonishes the rich to use wealth for God

                                a1. God grants wealth to be used for his glory as stewards of the gifts of God

                                a2. Luke 12 much responsibility and accountability before God when given much

                                a3. Store up treasures in heaven (great blessing when able to do great good)

2. Faith fortress

                a. Timothy again challenged to guard truth given him

                b. Just as Jesus invested much in the apostles, Paul had invested much in Timothy

                                a1. Timothy = hold onto great truth and teach it

                                a2. Timothy = pass on this truth to others

                c. Timothy was to resist and oppose deceptive rhetoric

                                a1. Evil and deceived men will use false statements and fancy philosophy

                                a2. Paul calls falsehood “profane” (“to cross a threshold”, go where forbidden or corrupt) and empty (vain, useless)

                d. Many profound sounding truth claims that are false, deceptive, and destructive

                                a1. Use “evidence” that is not true at all

                                a2. Use “logic” based on false premises

                e. Only solid truth can oppose falsehood

                                a1. TRUTH NEEDS NO DECEPTIVE CLAIMS

                                a2. Truth = not need to hide, hedge, or hit

3. False science

                a. Paul warns of false knowledge (gnoseos, our word “science” comes from this word)

                b. Prophetic – as if Paul saw in time the advent of naturalism, evolution, conceptual science…)

                c. Bible men caved into this “false science”

                d. Timothy is to hold onto the truths of creation, the Incarnation, atonement, resurrection,…

                e. II Peter 3:1-13 faith will be vindicated and all that opposes God’s truth will be exposed as folly

Key verse: 2 Peter 3:1-131 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Aug 14, 2022. I Timothy 6:11-16

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HOLY WARFARE. I Timothy 6:11-16. 8/14/2022. #21.

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

1. Flee lusts and greed

                a. The second time Paul has warned Timothy to avoid evil and embrace what is righteous

                                a1. Flee greed and covetousness

                                a2. 2 Timothy 2:22 flee youthful lusts

                b. Paul is well aware of temptations faced by young men (knew Timothy well)

                                a1. Timothy’s reserved and shy personality left him vulnerable to aggressive tempt.

                                a2. Paul was concerned move about Timothy’s lack of bold resolve, rather than intent

                c. Inner strength comes from three areas: strength of personality, strength of will, strength of conviction (lacking one, you must use the others)

                                a1. Paul had all three, but Timothy lacked the first

                                a2. Paul wanted Timothy to “stir up” the strength and will and conviction in him

                d. Paul’s address to Timothy, “O, man of God”, = a reminder of his calling and commitment

                                a1. Always keep in mind, we are servants

                                a2. To be saved is be set apart for the Lord

                e. Paul knew what battles were ahead of Timothy (concerned for his endurance and resolve)

2. The righteous battle

                a. Paul wants Timothy to embrace all that is righteous and good (similar list as fruit of Spirit in Gal. 5)

                b. Embrace (lay ahold of) eternal life (life everlasting) = live as one who has unending life

                                a1. Doesn’t mean Timothy was not saved

                                a2. Live as if you are saved (being saved is different from living the saved life)

                c. Fight the good fight of faith

                                a1. Fight (struggle) = agon (to gather)

                                a2. Idea = to gather for conflict

                d. 2 TM. 2:1-3 the Christian life is a battle against our flesh, the world, and spiritual darkness

                                a1. We’re commanded to engage in spiritual warfare (prayer, witness, and testimony)

                                a2. Not combative, but boldly testifying

                e. Not to shy away from spiritual battle (Ephesians 6)

                                a1. Fortified by calling, character, and faithful preparation

                                a2. Fortified against trials, temptation, and persecution

3. Jesus, king and Lord        

                a. Stand before Lord who created all things

                b. Description Lord Jesus

                                a1. Good testimony before Pontius Pilate

                                a2. Potentate (sovereign, authority)

                                a3. King of kings and Lord of lords

                                a4. In him is immortality

                                a5. Dwells in unapproachable light (same description as God the Father)

                                                b1. Jesus’s Incarnation covers glory

                                                b2. Same glory and holiness as Father

                                a6. All honor and power

                c. Keep commandments before all holy Lord    

                d. Keep his holiness and our position in mind  

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:1-31 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Aug 7, 2022. I Timothy 6:6-10

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GODLY CONTENTMENT. I Timothy 6:6-10. 8/07/2022. #20.

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1. The way of internal peace

                a. Paul summarizes how to avoid the striving which he had just condemned

                                a1. As in Gal. 5, Paul first describes the turmoil of men who desire fame and money

                                a2. Opposite of striving is contentment    

                b. Greek word for contentment here means “satisfaction within oneself”

                                a1. No desires or obsessions

                                a2. Discontent = desire for something more than what you have

                c. Paul prescribes 2 traits to eliminate greed:

                                a1. Godliness (lit., good devotion)

                                a2. Contentment (pleased within self)

                d. Godliness = devoted to holy living

                e. Godliness and contentment are major themes

                                a1. Matthew 6:24-34 – the Lord said that if we have food and shelter, be content

                                a2. Philippians 4:9-12 Paul learned to be content

                                a3. Job 1 Job the Lord took back what was his (Job owned nothing)

2. Divine perspective

                a. Paul provides the proper perspective:

                                a1. We enter and leave the world with nothing

                                                b1. What is accumulated is left

                                                b2. Life is temporary and fleeting

                                a2. Having the necessities of life is all we need (food and covering)

                                                b1. All the tools needed to be feed and sheltered are given by God

                                                b2. Beyond life’s necessities are bonuses and not entitlements

                b. Contentment with adequate provisions as we serve the Lord leads to peaceful satisfaction

3. Desire for more leads to misery

                a. Striving for greater power, pleasure, and possessions brings pain, dissatisfaction, and more desire

                                a1. Things cannot bring contentment and joy

                                a2. Pleasure yields desire for more pleasure

                b. Paul states that the desire to be rich is a snare

                                a1. A temptation that brings destruction

                                a2. Pursuing riches is an unworthy goal

                                a3. Foolish and harmful lusts = men will engage in sinful, deceptive, and self-destructive acts to gain pleasure and money

                                a4. Fleshliness and worldliness are gained by compromising faith and morals

                c. The love of $ is the root of all kinds of evil

                                a1. There are wealthy people who use their wealth to serve the Lord (rare)

                                a2. Some of the most miserable people are the rich (not bring happiness)

                d. Curbing desire for things and thrills is a battle, especially in an affluent society

                                a1. Can pull us away from the faith

                                a2. Godly focus takes constant diligence

Key Verse:   Matthew 6:24-34

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [d]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Jul 31, 2022. I Timothy 6:3-5

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THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN. I Timothy 6:3-5. 7/31/22. #19.

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

1. The dissenters

                a. Paul gives Timothy the measuring stick of true disciples

                                a1. Those who accept the teachings of Jesus Christ

                                a2. There are many who are professing believers who do not know or submit to biblical teaching

                b. Paul doesn’t make an evaluation as to whether these dissenters are saved or not

                                a1. I Corinthians 3 there are some saved who remain immature and grow very little

                                a2. There are false brethren (II Corinthians 11:26)

                c. The dissenters will not submit to “wholesome” words (healthy; English word, hygiene)

                                a1. Teachings leading to spiritual vitality

                                a2. They teach unhealthy things (false doctrine and ignorance in assembly)

                                a3. They reject godly teaching that leads to spiritual growth (rebellion)

                d. Can’t force someone else to grow

2. The doctrine

                a. Doctrine = teachings (true instructions)

                b. True doctrine has three qualities:

                                a1. From the Lord Jesus Christ (only authority for Church)

                                a2. Words that lead to spiritual growth (what to believe and how to live)

                                a3. Teaches how to be godly

                c. Biblical doctrine is the sole guide to faith

3. The disputers  

                a. The dissenters are motivated by the flesh

                                a1. I John 2:3-11 refuse to submit to any authority but their own

                                a2. Love arguing and self-promotion

                b. 1st trait = PRIDE (high-minded; lit., wrapped in smoke – conceited)

                                a1. Thinking highly of oneself over all

                                a2. Too arrogant to humble self

                                a3. Foundation of all sin

                c. Understanding nothing – thinking they already know spiritual truth

                d. Obsessed with disputes and arguments = “morbidly afflicted with striving and arguing over words (lit., word battles)      

                e. Due to pride, they compete for preeminence, having envy, jealousy, and strife

                                a1. They blaspheme God with errors

                                a2. They arouse evil suspicions (sow doubt about sound teaching)

                f. They are corrupt, loving disputes, having followed vain philosophies of tainted men

                g. Seeking gain in wealth and power by Gospel

Key Verse:  1 John 2:3-11

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Jul 24, 2022. I Timothy 6:1-2

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HONOR THE BOSS. I Timothy 6:1-2. 7/24/2022. #18.

1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

1. A world apart

                a. Odd to speak of Christian masters owning Christian slaves

                b. Paul does not command that masters release their slaves (seems surprising to us)

                c. The world that then was

                                a1. Slaves made up to one-third of the Roman Empire and were a major part of all societies in the ancient world

                                a2. Christianity changed the perspective on slavery in society

                d. Abraham owned slaves

                e. Forms of slavery:

                                a1. Forced bondage by capture, purchase, or punishment (indebtedness)

                                a2. Volunteer servitude (attach to a house)

                                a3. Temporary slavery to pay a debt

                f. Slavery was common and accepted

2. What now?

                a. After slave owners became believers, what were they to do with their slaves?

                                a1. Paul did not command that they free their slaves (a social reality)

                                a2. Concentration on behavior

                b. Christian masters are to treat their servants well

                c. Ephesians 6:5-9 a change of behavior comes with coming to Christ

                d. Christian slaves are to obey and honor masters

                                a1. 1 Corinthians 7:21-24 Paul emphasizes to honor the Lord as a servant and God will use this

                                a2. 2 Kings 5, Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, and others were used of God as servants

                e. If a slave can be free, they should use this, but not to be insisted upon

                                a1. God wants to use us where we are

                                a2. It took time for Christian principles to permeate society

                f. Due to man’s sinful nature, slavery was a reality

                g. Servants were to honor their masters

                                a1. Honor believing masters as brothers

                                a2. How we act in the position we are in reflects on our Christian testimony

                h. God allows us to be in difficult and less than ideal situations in order to use us

3. The boss

                a. Today we are more likely to be in an employer/employee relationship than master/slave

                                a1. Same deference and respect is owed your boss or superior as a servant owes his master

                                a2. Our testimony at the work place and to authorities over us reflects on the Lord

                b. How a believer responds in his work place is the same as how he is to respond in the family, neighborhood, church, public, and anywhere else

                c. Being in a place that you do not want to be is not an excuse to behave poorly

                d. The Christian testimony is mandatory in all situations

Key verse: Ephesians 6:5-9

5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.