CHRISTIANITY AND SIN
November 3, 2020

A. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

B. Praying from: 1 Timothy 4

APOSTASY, HYPOCRISY AND ASCETICISM PREDICTED
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
DUTIES OF A GOOD MINISTER
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
COUNSELS TO YOUTH
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
CULTIVATE GIFTS
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. “
I. THE CARELESSNESS—vv. 1–5
APOSTASY, HYPOCRISY AND ASCETICISM PREDICTED
1. Sinfulness—v. 1. Following those with devilish ideas. A fourfold threat against Christianity is: a) Communism, b) Cults, c) Catholicism, d) Compromise. These are the greatest enemies of Christianity.
2. Sensual—v. 2. They will harden their consciences and do wrong without feeling convicted.
3. Selfish—v. 3. They will teach it is wrong to marry and to eat meat. They will twist the Bible to teach “their own” doctrine.
4. Sanctification—vv. 4–5. All things made by God are good to eat, if we are thankful for them.

II. THE CONSECRATION—vv. 6–11
DUTIES OF A GOOD MINISTER
1. Remembrance—v. 6. A good minister will explain the evils of vv. 1–5, and expose all sin.
2. Rejection—v. 7. Do not waste your time in arguing with people about spiritual matters. Let your life speak God’s truth to mankind.
3. Renewing—v. 8. Practice holy and godly living.
4. Reproach—vv. 9–11. Be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ.

III. THE CONCERN—vv. 12–16
COUNSELS TO YOUTH
1. Example—v. 12. More people are won to Christ through example than words. Example in our life, love, faith and our thoughts.
2. Exhort—v. 13. Read God’s Word. Encourage others to read it. Teach God’s Word to others.
CULTIVATE GIFTS
3. Enduement—v. 14. The presbytery laying hands upon those who would be preachers. This was after they had proven themselves.
4. Examination—vv. 15–16. Put your abilities to work for the Lord. Hold nothing back from Him.

IV. THE AMEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27
16:20 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
16:24 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
16:27 “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”