Watch the sermon here: SERMON VIDEO
This passage is primarily about:
The Kind of Men we are to NOT Follow!! (2-9)
This will be an ongoing thing until Jesus comes back. Paul is talking about people inside the church who claim to be followers of Jesus.
In Ephesus, some of them were certainly elders.
Today, it refers to many of the popular TV preachers (anyone on TBN), even some SBC pastors fall into this category.
No church is immune to this danger.
These are things to NOT be.
This is the “anti-elder” list. The opposite of the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
For men will be lovers of self
They’re winsome
You’ll like them
They communicate well.
They’ll make compelling arguments.
But they’re self-centered, and it spreads deep and reaches to every corner of a person.
A. Lovers of Self
The summary characteristic.
his whole thing has invaded so much of our
lovers of money - having money or things isn’t wrong, but do you love things? Or do you love God?
Boastful - Look what I have done!
Arrogant - I’m just a little better - a notch above
Revilers - insulting, slanderous,
disobedient to parents - always a bad thing
ungrateful - a lack of thankfulness
unholy - not consecrated to God
unloving - a hardhearted person.
irreconcilable - unwilling to be at peace with others
malicious gossips - greek: diabolos. Slander with evil intent
without self-control - Self controls is a fruit of the spirit.
without gentleness - again, it’s a fruit of the spirit rather than, not gentle.
without love for good - no interest in the good of those around you
treacherous - someone who will turn on you reckless - impulsive, rash, The opposite of wise, measured carefulness.
conceited - You’ll never convince them they’re being prideful about anything
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
A mindset. Their pursuits are all self oriented.
While we all struggle with these things to some degree, when you see them consistently, or they begin to be a pattern, there’s cause for concern.
Ultimately, these people are
B. Charlatan Christians
holding to a form of godliness, but having denied its power.
They can wear the mask quite well. They have the form, but no substance
The Command is crystal clear
Keep away form such men as these
They’re dangerous because they
C. Prey & Draw Away
They prey on the spiritually weak
John MacArthur says it very well:
Just as wrong doctrine leads to wrong living, so can wrong living easily lead to embracing wrong doctrine.
When you get stuck in this trap, whether you’re leading or following, you’re always learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.
Spinning your wheels and never getting anywhere
Someone who’s goal is not your sanctification cannot lead you where you need to go. (Repeat)
But don’t despair…
Verse 9 – But they will not make further progress, for their folly will be obvious to all, just as theirs was also.
God ultimately will protect His church
He will hold on to His people.
When we’re focused on Him, passionately pursuing knowing Him and making Him known…
false teachers will become obvious.
The solution?
God’s plan for discipleship.
The Family - the foundation
The Church - God’s plan for every believer
A Mentor - you need to be discipled.
you are Timothy
Who’s your Paul?
BUT you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings…
How to Be a Better Follower
Physical Presence
You have to be in physical proximity. You can do some things at a distance when necessary, but only because the foundation has been laid with physical presence.
Mental Presence
You need to intellectually engage. Listen, think, and learn.
Spiritual Engagement
Your heart must be involved
The Holy Spirit is what enables/causes this
How can you be a better follower?
A. Theologically
Teaching - those worthy of following are teaching you. Are you following what they teach?
2. Practically
Conduct
What routines do you need to put in place?
Purpose (focus, motivating passion)
Can you clearly articulate your purpose?
A fired up follower of Jesus Christ. Radically obedient to a passionate pursuit of knowing God and making Him known.
Faith - Faithfully serving the Lord
If you only follow when it’s convenient
You’re not following Jesus, you’re following self.
Patience - Are you a patient person?
Staying calm when provoked or when misfortune comes your way.
Not complaining - not getting irritated
It’s more than an attitude. It’s a determined way of life
Love - Do you genuinely deeply love people?
Is it obvious?
Perseverance - expanding on patience to include suffering
We can have a settled confidence in the Lord because:
What persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
We can trust in Him.
So follow Him more closely every day. Find a mentor to help you follow Him better. Do all you can to help others follow Him as well.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob
