LESSONS FOR LEADERS (Epistles of Timothy & Titus)

LESSONS FOR LEADERS (Epistles of Timothy & Titus)

Mr K Gerner BA

Audio Visual Ministries

P.O.Box.1. NEWCASTLE, Co.Down.BT33 0EP.Northern Ireland

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LESSONS FOR LEADERS K.Gerner BA

Lesson 7. SIGNS OF THE LAST DAYS.

1 TIM.4:1-5, 2 TIMOTHY 1:5-18, 2:1-13, TITUS 2:7-15

(A) SPIRIT'S PREDICTION OF SIGNS OF END TIMES. 1 Tim 4:1-14

(i) Apostasy through seducing spirits.

(ii) False Teaching marked by deliberate deception.v.2.

(1) Forbidding marriage. 1 Tim 4;3

(2) False asceticism v.4-5

(B) CHANGES AND FALLING AWAY. 2 Timothy 1:15-18.

(C) COUNSELS TO TIMOTHY AS SOLDIER, ATHLETE, FARMER & KING.2 Timothy 2:1-13

(1) Remain faithful as SOLDIER.v.1-4

(i) Commit what he larned to others.v.2

(ii) Comradeship in suffering.v.3.

(2) Train like an ATHLETE.v.5.

Rules included :

(i) Certificate of Birth

(ii) Undergoing training Course

(iii) Conforming to regulations in contests

(iv) Motive to gain a reward.

(3) Work hard like a FARMER.v.6

(i) Farmer reaps first

(ii) Show practical effects of Gospel in your life.v.11

(4) Prepare to reign with Christ as KING.v.8-13

Both Christ and Paul suffered and were imprisoned, (v.9) but

FAITHFUL SAYING is that we reign later when we suffer with Him.

(i) Identify with Him in death

(ii) Endure with Him to reign later

(iii) If we disown Him, He will disown us.

(D) COUNSELS TO TITUS IN VIEW OF CHRIST'S RETURN. Titus 2:7-15

(1) Titus must give personal example, seen in:

(i) Uncorrupt teaching.v.7

(ii) Dignified and solemn demeanour

(iii) Sound and not fanciful speech.

(2) In particular Paul urges him to (v 11-14):

(a) Deny ungodliness and worldliness now in our age. 1 Jn 2:16

(b) Look for blessed hope & appearing of His glory at 2nd Coming.v.13 9 (Matt 24:47)

(c) Remember His purpose in redeeming us.v.14

(i) Buy men back from all iniquity,lawlesness & self- assertion

(ii) Get a people for His own possession, separate & holy unto Himself

(iii) Zealous of good works & zeal in helping others.

Lesson.7.SIGNS OF THE LAST DAYS

1 Timothy 4:1-5. 2 Timothy 1:5-18, 2:1-13, Titus 2:7-15

(a) SPIRIT'S PREDICTION OF SIGNS OF END TIMES. 1 Tim 4:1-14

1 Timothy 4:1-5

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, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. NKJV

After giving positive instruction to LEADERS on the Faith, Paul now turns to instances of DEPARTURE FROM IT

1TI 4:1 NIV The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

("clearly"= Gk.Retes=in express words)

v.1.is an indication of a direct PROPHETIC MESSAGE through the Gifts, such as Paul seems also to have had at other times. cf

2CO 12:1 NIV I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows.3 And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows--4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.

1TH 4:15 NIV According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

This underlines the importance they should have in our thinking, when dealing with end times

(The very last period before Jesus comes again, characterised here by the height of sin)

This REVELATION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT showed :

(i) APOSTASY THROUGH SEDUCING SPIRITS

"some will abandon the faith.."v.1

ISRAEL,through unbelief, fell away in the Wilderness at the very border of CANAAN !

HEB 3:12 NIV See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

These SEDUCING SPIRITS appear as "angels of light" (cf "Latter Day Saints""Christian Scientists""Unity") to seduce the very Elect, rather than a direct opposition to the Faith

MAR 13:22 NIV For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible.

1JO 2:26 NIV I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.

In Christ's own temptations (Matthew chap 4) and in Ezekiel chap 13, we find some of the suggestions of these spirits at work.

"doctrines of devils" implies that this will lead rapidly to Black Magic and outright evil demonic forces

(Note the way women are seduced into these like Mary Baker Eddy, Emma Fox etc)

(ii) FALSE TEACHING MARKED BY DELIBERATE DECEPTION

1TI 4:2 NIV Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

These teachers will be void of MORAL SENSITIVITY. This will be shown by their:

(1) FORBIDDING MARRIAGE

1TI 4:3 NIV They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

JEWISH ESSENES were already doing this but Celibacy for the Clergy for Catholics was not introduced until the 4th Century and only later ENFORCED, where Christ had taught individual Gifting and choice.

MAT 19:12 NIV For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

SPIRITISM advocates abandonment of marriage and "sexual freedom" !!

(2) FALSE ASCETICISM

1TI 4:4 NIV For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

The whole system of Catholic imposed restrictions grew up in the 43th Century.

This must be refuted because it attacks God's purpose in that He created ALL THINGS GOOD. It questions His beneficence and benediction with blessings on all food and the CREATION OF ALL THINGS GOOD

GEN 1:31 NIV God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

SIN LIES IN THE WRONG USE of God's Creation.

MAR 7:15 NIV Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' "

ROM 14:14 NIV As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

FOOD NEEDS TO BE RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING if it is set apart through the Word of God and prayer (v 5)

1 Timothy 4:5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. NKJV

THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY GUIDE TO OUR DIET. NOT MAN-MADE RULES.

Genesis 9:3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. 4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. NKJV

(b) CHANGES AND FALLING AWAY .2 Timothy 1:15-18

2 Timothy 1:15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day — and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus. NKJV

Paul traces this as a prophecy already fulfilled

2TI 1:15 NIV You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me,

GREEK AORIST HERE SHOWS A crisis experience BY WHICH ALL CHRISTIANS, WHO HAD BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE APOSTLE, turned away from him !!

2TI 4:16 NIV At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

The HOUSEHOLD OF ONESIPHORUS alone is singled out for mercy from God in the general judgement, as they had not been ashamed to visit Paul in prison.

He had diligently sought for Paul at Rome (v.17) and remained steadfast to the end

"Finding mercy in the day of the Lord" is NOT A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD, but stressing the NEED TO GO FORWARD IN THE FAITH to avoid losing rewards for works done after being born again.

MAT 10:22 NIV All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

MAT 24:13 NIV but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

HEB 10:22 NIV let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

The Lord Himself had to remain steadfast unto the end, and Paul now enjoins Timothy to show a similar faithfulness in these last days,

LET US NOT LOSE OUR REWARDS BY A LACK OF CONTINUING TO GO ON WITH THE LORD in this last and difficult time. We need to GO ON TO THE CROSS, TO WIN THE CROWN !

How sad to lose it all by giving up at the last !

(c) COUNSELS TO TIMOTHY AS A SOLDIER. 2 Tim.2:1-13

2 Timothy 2:1-13.You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

12 If we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him,

He also will deny us.

13 If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.

NKJV

1.AS A SOLDIER Timothy is exhorted to REMAIN FAITHFUL

The character of his service in this situation is shown by aspects of Christian life, which are like military call-up in :

(i) COMMITTING WHAT HE HAD LEARNED FROM PAUL TO OTHERS who are faithful

2TI 2:2 NIV And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

This is NOT APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION but PASSING ON TEACHING FROM RECOGNISED TEACHERS.

(ii) COMRADESHIP IN SUFFERING

2TI 2:3 NIV Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

A soldier must be free from fear or reproach, and not ashamed to suffer hardship as a known Christian

(iii) GET OUT OF ALL ENTANGLEMENTS

2TI 2:4 NIV No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.

Do not get your service mixed with business or family ties

2PE 2:20 NIV If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

(iv) CHRIST as COMMANDER MUST BE HIS MAIN ALLEGIANCE

2TI 2:4 NIV No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.

He can earn his own living (as Paul did) but he must have a single aim to avoid anything contrary to God's will

2 HIS SERVICE AND LIFE MUST BE COMPARED TO THAT OF AN ATHLETE contending

2TI 2:5 NIV Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Rules for Greek athletes included:

(1) Producing a Certificate of GREEK BIRTH = NEW BIRTH

(2) Undergoing a course of training = self control

(3) CONFORMING TO PRECISE REGULATIONS IN WRESTLING AND OTHER CONTESTS =LIVING BY THE BOOK !

(4) THE MOTIVE OF GAINING A REWARD = REWARDS AT SECOND COMING

3. TIMOTHY MUST WORK HARD LIKE A FARMER

2TI 2:6 NIV The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

He will then be the first to reap a harvest !

4.HE MUST BE PREPARED TO REIGN AS A KING WITH CHRIST v.8-13

Remember that the resurrection of Christ means that He is now PRESENT WITH YOU, and He suffered misrepresentation then, just as Christians do now

2TI 2:9 NIV for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.

CHRIST SUFFERED LIKE THIS;

LUK 23:32 NIV Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left.

LUK 23:39 NIV One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

THOUGH PAUL HIMSELF WAS IMPRISONED, GOD'S WORD IS NOT RESTRICTED and we must be prepared to endure this sort of thing to see others saved

2TI 2:10 NIV Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

THERE WILL BE A REWARD HEREAFTER and this formula that we shall reign later with Christ is a FAITHFUL SAYING.

We must:

(1) IDENTIFY WITH HIM in His death

We do this also at WATER BAPTISM as a picture (Romans 6)

(2) ENDURE WITH HIM NOW TO REIGN LATER

We can be part of His Kingdom later without reigning !

(3) If we DISOWN HIM, HE ALSO WILL DISOWN US.

He is faithful to His character

The fact that He cannot deny Himself is a WARNING not to presume on God's goodness.

MAT 10:33 NIV But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

LUK 12:9 NIV But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.

(4) There IS NO REWARD LATER FOR LACK OF NOW

God is just

(d) COUNSELS TO TITUS IN VIEW OF CHRIST'S RETURN.Titus 2:7-15

Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

11 Trained by Saving Grace

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. NKJV

In view of the declensions of the Last Days and the nearness of Christ's return, Paul now GIVES ADVICE ON TEACHINGS AND BEHAVIOUR ;

1. TITUS MUST GIVE A PERSONAL EXAMPLE

TIT 1:7 NIV Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

This is seen in :

(i) UNCORRUPT TEACHING

He must be noted for lack of self-seeking, deceit or guile

2CO 4:2 NIV Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

(ii) DIGNIFIED AND SOLEMN DEMEANOUR

This must especially be seen when handling the Word of God

1TI 2:2 NIV for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

1TI 3:4 NIV He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

(iii) SOUND AND NOT FANCIFUL SPEECH

TIT 2:8 NIV and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Avoid fanciful interpretations that would bring justifiable criticism, contempt or ridicule on his teaching. His enemies will only be silenced by life and lips together matching.

TITUS is here an example for ALL BELIEVERS.

2.PAUL ADVISES ALL BELIEVERS TO SHOW THE PRACTICAL EFFECTS OF THE GOSPEL IN THEIR LIVES.

TIT 2:11 NIV For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

His salvation is FOR ALL, although His Grace may not yet have appeared to all, and so God is training us as his children to subdue our carnal inclinations for the WAY OF LIFE (Greek here is "paideuo as in

HEB 12:6 NIV because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

HEB 12:10 NIV Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

IN PARTICULAR WE MUST;

(a) DENY ungodliness and worldiness now in our age

1JO 2:16 NIV For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.

(b) LOOK FOR the blessed hope and appearing of His glory at the 2nd Coming

Christ will then be revealed as GOD AND SAVIOUR

TIT 2:13 NIV while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

MAT 24:47 NIV I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

CHRIST WILL BE SEEN AS GOD AT THIS TIME

(c) REMEMBER HIS PURPOSE IN REDEEMING US

TIT 2:14 NIV who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

His aim is to :

(i) BUY US BACK FROM ALL INIQUITY,LAWLESSNESS AND SELF-ASSERTION

2TH 2:7 NIV For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

1JO 3:4 NIV Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

(ii) Get a PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, SEPERATE AND HOLY UNTO HIMSELF

This people will be zealous of good works with an uncompromising zeal in helping others

ALL THESE TRUTHS MUST BE STRONGLY TAUGHT AND EMPHASISED

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EXERCISE No 7

What do these passages teach about the LAST DAYS ;

1.Daniel 12 v 9 (2) Micah 4 v 1 (3) Acts 2 v 17 (4) 2 Peter 3 v 3 (5) Isaiah 2 v 2

Send answers with s.a.e. to AUDIO VISUAL MINISTRIES, P.O>Box 1,NEWCASTLE, Co Down.BT33 0EP