March 16th 2025 1Timothy ch 4
Paul now gives Prophetic Warning about False Doctrine..
Gnosticism, one of whose characteristics was the self-discipline described here, it flooded the church in the second century, and no doubt was in evidence at the time Paul wrote this to Timothy.
V 1 The faith. The true doctrine of Christ as against the Satanic teaching.
More details about the character and methods of the false teachers are found in II Pet 2 and in Jude.
V 2,3 a. The characteristics of false teachers are seen in hypocrisy and seared conscience, and false attitudes toward the supports and blessings of this life: forbidding marriage and abstaining from certainfoods.
V 3 b-5. The principles governing the right use of the supports of this life are:
(a) God is the Creator and his creation is good;
(b) He created food for men, and those who believe and know the truth about eternal salvation will have the right attitude toward the necessities of this life, and will neither deify the created thing nor degrade and despise it, but will accept it thankfully as the Father's wise provision ( Mt 6 v 31-33).
Sanctified. The things God has provided by his creative word are set apart by his directions for their use (Gen 1 v 29-31; 2 v 4,5), and are further sanctified as a testimony of our heavenly Father's faithfulness and care when received with prayer, thankfulness, and understanding (I Tim 6 v 17).
Paul now turns to the Witnessing Individual.
Paul urges Timothy to be a Good Minister.. words that can be applied to each of us
V 6. Put the brethren in remembrance.
It includes ordering and teaching or demonstrating: it includes what is more fully stated in
verse 11, command and teach.
Throughout this section the effect of the Gospel on both Timothy and his people is in view.
Timothy himself is to be nourished by the words of the faith and good doctrine.
The faith is the whole body of truth and knowledge of God.
V 7. We all know of contrast to the revelation from God which have foundation in the old wives' fables (lit., myths) which dominate and confuse the minds and conduct of men.
Refuse. The old tales and concentrate on what God has given you.
Exercise. This is making all sense of all efforts advancing the Gospel.The people need correct leadership.
It applies to bodily exercise in the next verse, and to all effort in verse 10.
V 8. Bodily exercise profiteth little. the reference to the present life and to the life to come suggests that we need to concentrate on the things to come and exercise ourselves in reading and learning the scriptures
Godliness. This word is used only by Paul and Peter in the NT, and is the word for obedience to the Gospel in all areas of life.
It implies a basis of sound doctrine (Tit 1 v 1). See I Tim 3 v 16.
The life . . . to come. This and similar expressions are basic in Paul's theology and eschatology.
The most important thing, is the life to come. We need to have Salvation from Jesus.
Things of the world pass away, eternity is forever
News from the Church New dates
19th March….. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
2nd April …..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
18th April …..Good Friday 10am An hour at the cross
20th April ….Easter Sunday 10-45 am and 6-30pm
ANSWERS TO 9th march QUESTIONS
1) Abraham 2) Pharaoh 3) Joseph’s brothers 4) Samson 5) Solomon 6)Isaac 7) Elisha 8) Samuel
9) Jacob 10) Jacob 11) Kish 12) Isaiah 13) Joshua 14) Jonah 15) Potiphar’s 16) Jesse
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is OLD TESTAMENT MEN
1 Who named the animals?
2 Who was the first murderer?
3 Who was Jezebels husband?
4 Which prophet was feed by ravens?
5 What was the new name God gave to Jacob?
6 Who was the first King of Israel?
7 Who was Abraham’s nephew?
8 Who was the strongest man in the Bible?
9 Who told Naaman to dip 7 times in the Jordan?
10 Whose long hair got caught in an oak tree?
11 Who tried to kill his sons best friend?
12 Who pleaded with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah?
13 Who suffered with boils?
14 Who was Esther’s cousin?
15 Wo was the wisest King?
16 Who went to heaven in a whirlwind?
From Ivan Biancardi
Bible Scripture and Warfare Prayers.
YOUR FATHER WILL HOLD YOU
In one of Henri Nouwen's books, he recounts the lesson in confidence he learned from a trapeze artist.
The acrobat said, “The flyer does nothing and the one who grabs he does everything.
I just have to reach out with my arms and hands and wait for him to grab me and pull me into the safety area.
The flyer needs to trust, with outstretched arms, that what will grab him will be there for him.”
In the great act of the trapeze of salvation, God is the one who grabs us and we are the flyers.
We trust.
End.
We trust only in God's ability to hold us back.
As we trust him, a wonderful thing happens – we fly!
Your Father never let anyone fall.
He won't let you down.
His claw is secure and his hands are open.
Put yourself fully in his care.
As you do this, you will find that it is possible, yes possible, not to be anxious about anything.
God Bless