The Dynamic Church
4
We now turn our attention to chapter 4 of 1 Timothy. The dynamic church will be a healthy church. It will be healthy in doctrine and conduct. In this chapter Paul tells Timothy the signs of false doctrine. The chapter begins with a warning. We read in verse 1, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons”. It’s clear that all false teaching is from a demonic source. It is cleverly disguised and is expressed through human beings. Paul says in verse 2, “Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose conscience has been seared as with a hot iron”. This activity is referred to in 2 Corinthians 11. We read in verses 11 to 15, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.” Not everything that is taught as Christian doctrine is necessarily from the Lord. We need to be people of discernment in these days.
Paul provides us with some tests to see whether a person is really teaching the truth. The first is false asceticism. The heretic’s in Paul’s day said that material things are evil. They were known as the Gnostics. We read in verse 3, “They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods”. Forced celibacy and controlled diet are marks of false teachers. These things are natural and to be enjoyed. God instituted marriage. God gives food for us to eat and enjoy. Those who know the truth enjoy these blessings under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We read in verses 3 to 5, “foods ... which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving because it is consecrated by God and prayer”. The mark of false teaching is that it leads to bondage. False teachers seek to exercise control. They want to control your behaviour and habits. The truth leads to liberty.
Now no food is to be viewed as unclean. Do you say grace before your meal? That’s how to receive all food - with thankfulness. The scripture tells us in James chapter 1 verses 16 and 17, “Do not be deceived my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father”.
The second test is the test of godliness. The false teacher is more concerned with myths. Paul says in verse 7, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales”. The problem with these subjects is that they lead to meaningless speculation and debate. The purpose of our salvation is to grow in godliness. So we read in verse 7, “Train yourself to be godly”. How is this achieved? Paul tells us in verse 8. He says, “For physical exercise is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come”. Godliness is achieved through spiritual exercise. This includes reading scripture, applying it to your life, prayer, and fighting the good fight against the world the flesh and the devil. Any teaching that distracts you from this aim is false. When you do this you get the best out of this life as you develop your walk with God, and the blessing of a future life in glory. Then you will enter into your rewards. It’s a question of where your hope is placed. If you place it in the teachings of the heretics, and conform to their rules, you will miss salvation. Paul says in verse 10,”we have put our hope in the living God who is the saviour of all men and especially of those who believe”. Myths, fables, and rules are a distraction. The truth is always Christ centred, bringing hope and liberty to all who believe. Timothy is told to preach this. We read in verse 11, “Command and teach these things”. Where is the source for this Christ-centred ministry? The answer is in verse 13. Paul says, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, to preaching and teaching”. Clearly Bible based study and teaching is where to find liberating truth. He goes on to say in verse 16, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers”. There are three aspects to our salvation. We have been saved from the penalty of sin. We are being saved daily from the world, the flesh and the devil. This is the daily work of sanctification. We will be saved finally when we reach the new heavens and the new earth. It’s the second of these that Paul has in mind. Some people don’t value doctrine and avoid studying it. Some say doctrine is divisive. God says it`s a lifesaver! Sound doctrine will lead you on to maturity in Christ. It will save you from the allurements of the world, the demands of the flesh and the temptations of the devil.
Doctrine informs the mind about God’s will, and what he expects from you. It teaches you how to be an overcomer in Christ. All this is done in the power of the Holy Spirit who enables you to learn the doctrines and live them out. The other source of teaching is example. The Bible teacher should be an example to all, and a perfect illustration in his own life of what he teaches from the scripture. Paul says in verse 12, “set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity”. The false teacher will be inconsistent in his life. There will be flaws, even perversions. He will lack true godliness. Are you involved in church leadership? Can the congregation see Christ in you? Do they see any inconsistency between what you say and how you behave? God says persevere in doctrine and godliness. You will be blest. Others will grow in their faith.