A Gospel-Centered Life • 10.09.22

Nick Lees   -   October 9, 2022

A Gospel-Centered Life
1 Timothy 4

Living godly in the face of opposition

1. Understand that opposition will come
2. Believe and know the truth
3. Exert yourself in the pursuit of godliness

Good morning church family! Praise God for his glorious grace! Are you thankful for the love of your Redeemer? That he is not only your Redeemer but your Fortress in the battle? A mighty God against whom nothing and no one can stand. What great truths to rejoice in this morning!

I want to let you know that at the close of our sermon, we’ll have the opportunity to reflect on the reality of our Redeemer’s love through the Lord’s Table. How sweet it is to be able to worship our God through singing, study of His Word, and by celebrating Communion together. I am so thankful for the church. It is a privilege to be a part of this local gathering of Christ’s bride.

If you’re visiting with us this morning, we’re glad you’re here. I hope you have a permanent, biblical church home, but, if you don’t, we’d love to have you here. My name is Pastor Nick Lees and I have the privilege of studying God’s Word with you this morning. We’re picking back up in our verse-by-verse study of 1 + 2 Timothy.

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As we prepare to study God’s Word today, I wanted to give us a quick recap of what we’ve learned so far in 1 Timothy. You know we’ve got to start with the purpose for Paul’s letter. Can anyone tell me where that would be found?

1 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV)

¹⁴ I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, ¹⁵ if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

Paul is writing to Timothy, one of his disciples who is a pastor/teacher. And he wants Timothy and the church of Ephesus to know how they ought to behave in God’s church. They need to know how to behave because the church is meant to uphold, support, and protect/promote the truth of the Gospel! Now why was Paul emphasizing this in this letter?

Because, as we heard in chapter 1 and we’ll hear again today, there are false teachers in Ephesus leading the people astray! They are wrongly handling the Good News of salvation through faith in Christ and are leading people to shipwreck their faith. This is not accidental. These false teachers know what they’re doing. We’ll see that more clearly as we study in chapter 4 today.

Let’s think through a quick review of the letter. After addressing the false teaching in Ephesus and rejoicing in the true Gospel in chapter 1, Paul has spent the better part of chapters 2 and 3 discussing specific ways Christians ought to behave in church. He has addressed both men and women, with specific emphasis on godly church leadership. It’s been clear that Paul cares deeply about the truth of the Gospel – he wants people everywhere to experience the salvation he himself had received – and he cares deeply about God’s church – he desires to see the bride of Christ pursuing holiness and bringing the Gospel to many! These are twin convictions that every Christian ought to have! Do you personally value and care deeply about the Gospel and God’s church!?

Today, as we pick up in chapter 4, we’re going to hear Paul explain that these challenges are not unexpected, and that God has an answer for them. He is going to challenge Timothy and, subsequently, his hearers and all Christians who come after, to live a “gospel-centered” life.  To live in such a way that, even if you face opposition (which you certainly will) … even then the hope of God will be boldly declared and held onto, not only by yourself but by all you influence.

With that in mind, let’s read our text for today.

1 Timothy 4:1–16 (ESV)

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ² through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, ³ who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

⁶ If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶ Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

What confident statements from Paul to Timothy! He is not surprised by the presence of false teachers, nor is he shook up by their teachings. Because God has answers for it all! Paul has confidence that Timothy will serve Christ well as he makes wise decisions for how to live. Paul has set the example of giving his life for the Gospel and now he exhorts Timothy to do the same. Because eternity is at stake! Salvation from sin and eternal judgment is possible through faith in Christ and perseverance in that faith. Paul isn’t wasting time in his letter talking about inconsequential matters! He’s dealing with matters of the present life and the eternity to come! In this passage we hear of how we can live a purposeful, godly life that will bear fruit for ages to come!

I am so thankful that we get to spend our morning digging deeper into these verses. There is so much to learn from this text. Let’s spend the rest of our time discussing…

Living godly in the face of opposition

This is an active response to your circumstances. We’re talking about choosing to live in a godly manner, even when people are against you! This is exactly the kind of teaching and equipping we need to represent Christ well in our day and age. And it starts with Paul’s warning in verses 1-2.

1. Understand that opposition will come

Opposition WILL come. That is a given. It was a sure thing in Paul and Timothy’s day and age, and it is in ours as well. “The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith…” Paul is speaking with confidence that God the Holy Spirit has revealed that people will abandon or walk away from the faith. This is the consistent testimony of Scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments. People turn away from God to pursue all kinds of other desires. The biblical word for that is idolatry. Worship of anything or anyone other than the One, True God.

When Paul says, “in later times” he is not speaking of the far-off future. He is speaking of the present day and age that Timothy was living in! He goes on in verses 2-3 to explain specific things that were happening in Ephesus.

Let me show you another example of how we know this to be true. This comes from 2 Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:1–7 (ESV)

3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. ² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. ⁶ For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, ⁷ always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Notice how Paul says “in the last days” but then tells Timothy to avoid such people now? Then he references such people who are already in Ephesus leading people astray! This is not a far-off danger, it is an imminent danger. We are in the “last days” between Christ’s first and second coming.

Write this next to the bulletin point – “opposition HAS come.”  Opposition has come and Timothy needs to not only be aware of it, but also know that God has answers for it! Let’s make sure we understand what is happening here…

Paul says these people have “departed from the faith” or more literally “apostatized” (abandoned the faith). What does he mean by that? God’s Word clearly teaches that salvation is an act of grace and is eternal in nature. You’ve probably heard that explained in the terms “once-saved, always-saved” or “eternal security”. Meaning you can’t lose your salvation, because it is a gift of God, and he is the One who both gives you the gift and keeps it securely for you. Listen to Jesus speak about this in John’s gospel:

John 10:27–29 (ESV)

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Salvation is given by God and kept secure by Him. No one, not even you, can remove yourself from the Father’s hand. So, what does Paul mean when he says that some have departed from the faith?

What we need to understand is that “from the faith” here is speaking of the faith in a creedal, not confessional sense. Meaning intellectually, they know the truth, but they have not believed it for salvation. This is an incredibly common occurrence, not only back then, but even today in our nation. Many people grow up hearing about Jesus Christ and could perhaps articulate quite the understanding of who He is, what He has done, and even why they need to trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sins… Yet this does not mean they actually have trusted in Him! They have the knowledge or creed of the faith but without the commitment or confession of personal faith in Jesus! … Perhaps this is where YOU are this morning. I don’t want to assume that everyone here is a follower of Christ. Everyone who is here this morning needs to evaluate where your faith is being placed.

Knowledge does not save you. Put another way… sound doctrine does not save you. Faith in Christ alone saves.

John 14:6 (ESV)

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:11–12 (ESV)

¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 10:9–10 (ESV)

⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Authentic faith is an inward heart belief in Jesus’ saving work united to an outward confession of faith in Him. Is that true of you? Do you have this belief, and have you made this confession? If not, I’m thankful you’re here and I want you to know that today can be the day of salvation for you. Confess your need for a Savior & believe in Christ! *Pause*

Unfortunately, you can have head knowledge of the truth and still choose to turn from it. That’s what is happening in Ephesus. They have departed or abandoned the truth and exchanged it for the teachings of demons/lying spirits. NOT GOOD!

The handiwork of Satan is all over the false teachers and those they’ve deceived. In fact, Paul has even harsher words to say about them. They are insincere or hypocritical liars – meaning they know the truth yet willingly disregard it – and their consciences have been seared or better understood as “branded” by the devil. They have the Devil’s mark on them! He has claimed them, and they willingly go along with the deception to lead others astray.

This is serious. This is no light or laughing matter. We are talking about real men and women who have given themselves over to the Devil, even though they have heard and known the truth. They chose to promote lies on marriage, food, and a variety of other things to mislead the Ephesian people.

The situation in Ephesus was serious. Real people were being led astray. Souls in need of salvation were being denied the truth and instead taught a lie that would lead them to hell.

The situation in our day and age is just as serious. Real people are being led astray. Souls in need of salvation are being denied the truth and instead taught a lie. I don’t know if you’ve seen this recent study, but let me share some key findings from it with you. The study is the “STATE OF THEOLOGY” and is conducted every 2 years by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research to get the theological temperature of our country.

Methodology

• A demographically balanced online panel was used for interviewing American adults.
• 3,011 surveys were completed January 5-January 23, 2022.

Here are some startling highlights of what they found:

I could keep going with the shocking results of this study. It is clear that so many are being led astray by false teachers/teaching! These are large percentages.

Evangelicals were defined by LifeWay Research as people who strongly agreed with the following four statements:

• The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.
• It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin.
• Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.

Respondents can also be identified as evangelical in the State of Theology data explorer based on their supplied church affiliation.

This is modern day evidence of why you must know God’s Word and hold firmly to it. The truth of the Gospel matters! It also underlines why we must understand that opposition will and has come. There is a very real spiritual battle going on all around us. A battle between light and dark. A battle for truth. Which is why living godly also requires you to…

2. Believe and know the truth

In vv3-5, Paul not only references some of the lies the false teachers are promoting, he also refutes them with the truth! He emphasizes that those who believe and know the truth ought to realize that God created the world and everything in it, therefore it is good and to be received with thanksgiving! If we went back to Genesis 1 and looked at the account of Creation, you’d hear repeatedly that God looked upon what he had made and saw that “it was good”. This includes the creation of man and woman and their subsequent marriage, which God declared was “very good”.

Timothy and the Ephesians needed to believe and know the truth so they could spot and refute the lie. There was no need to refrain from marriage or abstain from certain foods because these things were good in God’s sight! In fact, even though there had been food laws in the Old Testament, these laws were fulfilled through Christ. The coming of the Savior had set them free from these restrictions.

In fact, quite the opposite from abstaining, they should heartily embrace these good gifts with thanksgiving. Even eating and drinking can be an act of worship as we give thanks to God for His provision. This is a reminder to always give God thanks for providing you with your daily bread. Praying before meals does not need to be a brainless routine for you; it ought to be a sweet time of worship in response to the provision of your Creator!

It is good and important to know the truth of God’s Word that confronts the specific lies being taught. In Ephesus there was one set of lies, but in our day and age it may be a different set of lies. As we heard earlier from the State of Theology report, there are specific lies that need to be confronted with the truth today. As we’ve heard throughout this series, it is important to be well-versed in the truth, so you can spot and confront the lies!

How does one get to the place where you’re able to do this? Well, that really brings us to where Paul spends the rest of chapter 4 in verses 6-16. Paul transitions from the warning and admonition about false teachers to a call to Timothy to pursue godliness. He really gives us a great framework for living a gospel-centered life in this section. I’m going to read it again, and I want you to try to spot all of the imperatives (commands) that Paul gives to Timothy. I’ll give you a hint, there are 12 of them in total.

1 Timothy 4:6–16 (ESV)

⁶ If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶ Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Did you catch all 12 commands? Two were in verse 7, while the other 10 come in rapid succession in verses 11-16. What are we to take away from Paul’s instruction? Living godly in the face of opposition requires you to…

3. Exert yourself in the pursuit of godliness

Godliness being the faith and life that pleases God.

You won’t believe and know the truth without strenuous effort! You can’t live godly and be lazy. Spiritual or physical apathy has no place in the life of a committed follower of Jesus Christ! It should be clear from the way Paul speaks to Timothy that there is an expectation of intense effort given in the Christian life. Listen to what he will say later in this letter:

1 Timothy 6:11–12 (ESV)

¹¹ But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Flee! Pursue! Fight! Take hold of! Even Paul’s own example was one of toiling and striving! We heard it in verse 10 today, and listen to how he puts it in his last letter to Timothy, near the end of his life:

2 Timothy 4:6–7 (ESV)

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Paul described his life as the “good fight” and “finishing the race” – both analogies that emphasize the strenuous effort involved and the endurance that is required. He expresses the same in his challenge to Timothy! What are we to make of this?

You must exert yourself – put forth intense effort – in the pursuit of godliness! A life that has been radically changed by the Gospel will orient itself around the Gospel. Meaning you will prioritize what God prioritizes and live as God calls you to live, so that the Gospel might go forth and more be saved!

When we observe Paul’s instructions to Timothy, I noticed there were really two spheres of how the Gospel ought to transform his life. First, there was an internal exertion that was needed. Paul told Timothy to not waste his time with myths. This is in reference to the myths that the false teachers were fixated on and allowing to influence their teachings. We first heard about this back in 1 Timothy 1:4.

“Timothy don’t waste your time on these myths. They’re a dead-end. A time-waster. The opposite of godliness.”

This is a “put-off” type of exertion. Don’t waste your time on things that have no value for godliness. For us, it may not be 1^st century myths, but the latest celebrity news, or an encyclopedic knowledge of sports facts, or endless scrolling of social media/Youtube, or dogmatic political arguments, … I could keep going. Hopefully you get the point!

Instead, train yourself for godliness! Put time and effort into godliness because it has value for both this life and the life to come. What does Paul mean by this?

In essence, allow sound doctrine to produce sound living. As you know more of God and His truth it should change the way you live. Your life must become increasingly conformed to the will of God, as laid out in the Scriptures. Internally, you are exerting effort to value the things God values and allowing it to transform your life! How does this happen?

• As you intentionally set aside time to study God’s Word
• As you protect time in prayer to respond to what you’ve learned
• As you live out specific applications of God’s Word to your life

These are all internal exertions – intense effort – that you can put forth in the pursuit of godliness.

Why would you live this way? Because godliness is of value in every way – it not only changes your life for the better and glory of God here and now, but it also prepares you for eternity. The hope of heaven should weigh heavily in your motives. Exerting yourself to pursue godliness prepares you to be with your Creator. You were made for godliness. It is worth all of the toil and striving and discomfort that comes as you die to the old self and live to Christ!

You should also be motivated by the Gospel. As Paul testifies in v10, his hope in the living God who saves all people (or more specifically both Jews and Gentiles – in refutation of the Ephesian lies) drives his gospel-living or gospel-exertion. His hope is set on the God who saves and that drives him to pursue godliness and the advancement of the Gospel. And he is calling Timothy and the believers in Ephesus (and us today) to do the same!

Now we’re talking about an external exertion. Paul calls Timothy to:

• Put the truth before others (v6)
• Command and teach the truth (v11)

Stated plainly, Timothy is to boldly teach and talk about the truth of God’s Word and ways to others. If you want to be a bright light in a dark world, especially as false teaching is present, then you need to be opening your mouth to proclaim the truth. Teach others the way of life. Help them to know and believe truth! A gospel-centered life is most certainly one where the gospel is verbally proclaimed.

Paul says as much in Romans 10:

Romans 10:14 (ESV)

¹⁴ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

The answer is “They won’t!” Christians must take the Gospel to the world. Which means they must know and believe the truth deeply themselves. *Pause*

This inevitably spills over into the other areas of your life… Remember Paul is teaching the believers how to “behave” in the household of God. So, he charges Timothy to:

• Set the believers an example (v12)
  • In speech
  • In conduct
  • In love
  • In faith
  • In purity

As a younger man, perhaps in his 30s or 40s, Timothy needed to avoid bringing reproach upon himself by unwise living as often comes with youth and immaturity. Instead, he needed to be intentional to set an example! To live with wisdom beyond his years, which comes as you obey God’s Word. This ties into where Paul goes next. Making the Word central to his life and ministry. He calls Timothy to:

• Be devoted to public reading/exhortation/teaching (v13)
  • Use your gifts! (v14)
  • Practice, immerse yourself in these (v15)

The Word is our source of truth, just as it was for Timothy! We must allow our lives to be centered around it. Timothy specifically was called to be a pastor/teacher. Paul reminds him of this calling and gifting and encourages him to be actively living in it. So that all may see his progress/growth. He would set a godly example for others!

We would all benefit from the same kind of obedience to the calling of God in our lives. You may not be called to be a pastor, but, if you are a Christian, he has given you gifts to use to advance the Gospel and make disciples! How might you be devoted to His Word and giftings to accomplish the mission!? That is a question worth “devoting” some time to this week.

Finally, Paul closes with a command that bridges both the internal and external types of exertions. It reminds us of how interconnected they really are:

• Keep a close watch on yourself and the teaching (v16)
  • Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

It is necessary to persist in the faith. To endure to the end. We do this by watching our lives and doctrine closely. It’s a reminder that we are able to be influenced by lies and false teachers/teaching. Though God protects and preserves us, we see throughout Scripture that we are called to partner with God in the spiritual growth process.

Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV)

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

It’s a tension of Scripture. God is at work in Christians, but we are to cooperate with His work rather than resist it. Paul says that as we do this, it will produce the fruit of our own salvation and that of our hearers. There is tremendous fruit from a gospel-centered life. As you understand that opposition has come and believe and know the truth and exert yourself in the pursuit of godliness it will have a tremendous impact not only on your own life but on many others. This will be for their good and God’s glory. What an incredible reality to consider! Your life has meaning and purpose. Your words and actions will have an eternal impact on others. How you live matters. So, choose to live a gospel-centered life through faith in Jesus!

*Pause*

Communion

As I mentioned earlier, we’re going to close out our service with a celebration of the Lord’s Table. How appropriate for us to rejoice in the truth of the Gospel in this manner! This is an opportunity for Christians to remember all that the Lord has done for us through Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

We will celebrate by partaking of both the bread and the cup as a symbol and reminder of Jesus’ body broken in our place and his blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Communion is an opportunity to remember how great a price was paid so that we could be saved from our sin. It is a sobering, yet joyful celebration for Christians. Sobering that the Son of God would give himself for us as a ransom. Joyful that he did, and the result was a living hope that cannot be taken from us! Jesus is victorious; therefore, we have the hope of heaven with Him!

At this time, I’d like to invite the ushers forward with the elements.

Before we pass them, I want to share the biblical requirements for joining in this celebration.

This celebration was given by Jesus to his followers. It is an opportunity to remember all that he has done for us. We invite anyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation to join us in this celebration today. If your faith is not in Jesus Christ alone, then we would encourage you to let the elements pass by you and simply consider what you’ve heard so far during the service this morning and reflect on what is keeping you from trusting him.

The second requirement we see in Scripture is a call to examine ourselves. This is the idea of making sure that you’ve confessed any known sins and sought to turn away from it. It would not be wise to partake of the table if you have sin in your life for which you are not repentant. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11 that taking the table while living in sin is eating and drinking judgment on yourself. I would ask you not to do that, for your sake and the sake of God’s glory. Instead, I would encourage you to use this time to confess that sin and make a plan to address it right away. If you know you need to be reconciled to someone else in this church, please take care of that during this time. The table is time to protect the unity of the church.

The ushers are going to pass the elements now as we have a time of silent reflection and prayer to prepare for the table. Please use this time to reflect on all that we’ve talked about today and to prepare yourself to take communion by confessing and repenting of any known sin. After the elements have been passed, I’ll lead us in prayer and taking communion together.

Ushers pass elements

Silent prayer. Corporate prayer.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (ESV)

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Take bread.

²⁵ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Take cup

Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus!