INTRODUCTION

1. Great care must be taken to maintain physical health

2. The same kind of care must be given to look after our spiritual health

 

THE PROBLEM OF FALSE TEACHING

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, 1 Timothy 4:1-2

1. This word of warning came from the Spirit of God

2. The latter times

a) It was the future for Timothy

b) It is the present for us

3. A warning concerning the false teachers

a) People departing from the faith

b) They will give heed to deceiving spirits

c) They will end up with doctrines of demons

d) Lies would be spoken in hypocrisy

e) Their conscience has been seared with a hot iron

 

WHAT MUST BE D0NE IN A SPIRITUALLY HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT?

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.

7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 1 Timothy 4:6-7

1. Instruction of the brethren

a) This must be done diligently

b) Faithfulness in teaching God’s word is a necessity

2. Being a good minister of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Carefully following the good doctrine that had been taught

b) Teaching words of faith

c) Being nourished in the faith through teaching

d) Rejecting profane fables

e) Exercising godliness

 

MAINTENANCE OF SPIRITUAL HEALTH

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word,

in conduct, in love, In spirit, in faith, in purity.

13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them,

for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:12-16

1. Being an example to the believers

a) In word

b) In conduct

c) In love

d) In spirit

e) In faith

f) In purity

2. Can a young pastor also be an example?

a) Yes!

b) He is not to be despised because of his youth

c) But the younger servant of God has to give even more attention to his spiritual life

3. Giving attention

a) To reading (the Scriptures)

b) To exhortation

c) To doctrine

4. Cultivating spiritual gifts

a) These must be determined

b) They are to be developed

5. Practising Biblical meditation

a) Giving oneself entirely

b) The benefits would be seen obviously

c) Spiritual progress would be visible

6. Taking heed

a) To self

b) To doctrine

c) To continue in them

7. Results

a) It will save the minister from disaster

b) It will save others too

 

OUR CHALLENGE

8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for 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 acceptance.

10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God,

who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

11 These things command and teach. 1 Timothy 4:8-11

1. Physical exercise is not unimportant

2. Spiritual exercise in comparison is of even greater significance

3. Let us be challenged to look at cultivating spiritual health