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20220731_Morning
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.