Key Scriptures: 1 Timothy 3 NKJV
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly;
15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Text: 1 Timothy 4 NKJV
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 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.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 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.
Let’s begin tonight by taking a closer look at the Apostle Paul’s admonition to Timothy.
1 Timothy 4 NKJV
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
* the Spirit expressly says: Not a vagueness of speech or vision but clarity and specificity – clearly speaks with there being no mistake about what is to come.
* latter times: In this last dispensation if you will … during the last days before the end –
Hebrews 1 KJV
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son
In the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul reveals that we are already in these last days – this last dispensation of time if you will, so that these things are occurring from now until the very end. Now back to:
1 Timothy 4 NKJV
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
* depart from the faith: Greek word translated depart – apostesnotai – apostate – a verb = ‘to depart’ from the faith in this instance … this is the main thought of this scripture.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition
* falling away: speaking of the apostasy to come - the great defection, again from the faith
* 1 Timothy 4:1 … some will depart from the faith – some: according to Barnes, implies not merely a small number but rather a greater number which will depart from:
* the faith: the doctrines which constitute Christian faith.
> Those teachings, truths and principles held dear and once delivered by the inspiration of God to the Holy Apostles and Prophets, and especially by His Own Son, Jesus.
1 Timothy 4 NKJV
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
* giving heed: yielding credibility and giving place in the church
* deceiving spirits: literal demons which manifest their evil intentions through deception, eventually deceiving the very elect if it were possible … but it is not! That’s the greater message – some are given to know and know for sure without yielding to deception … the elect of God continue to see clearly and continue to reinforce the doctrines of Christ and not the doctrines of demons.
* doctrines of demons: false teachings which take the body of Christ off of the solid rock foundation and away from the purposes of God. This is why we are told:
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (KJV)
What are some of these doctrines of demons?
* Universalism
* Humanism
* Situation Ethics
* The Brotherhood of Man
* Ultimate Reconciliation
* Legalism
* Many other fads, trends and trivial pursuits
The gods of these religious and secular pursuits are no gods at all but are demons.
The Apostle continues speaking expressly concerning these seductive deceptions of his day which some accepted and taught in the church.
1 Timothy 4 NKJV
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 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.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 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.
In the end we must remember that we are in the soul harvest business. We are not in the business of teaching people how to become rich, successful, happy, powerful, educated, healthy or fulfilled with the exception that it stems from and leads to the harvest of souls as is God’s will.
We must reach, teach and keep people for the cause of Christ and with God’s word disciple every believer to make a living, make a life and make a difference.
However, the days are upon us that men do not endure sound doctrine and the church is under attack. Later in his life the elder Apostle, Paul, wrote to his young son in the faith, Timothy, again encouraging him how he ought to behave in the church …
2 Timothy 2 NKJV
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
