Being a better follower

 

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