A. God was more of a reality for the average 15th century Italian, than for the average 21st century American or Italian.
B. The schools have eliminated God. Teachers refuse to teach the foundation of wisdom and knowledge in public schools, defined clearly in God’s Word as “The Fear of God.”
C. The newspapers have eliminated God, and refuse to acknowledge God as the source.
D. We have also conveyed a wrong impression about God. 1. God is trivialized. 2. How can you depict the Wrath of God poured out upon His Son… because You and I broke his law, on some snappy comic on a t-shirt? 3. Post modernimsm takes nothing really seriously, because it’s looking at everything from the outside.
We need to start living life, as if we are a real part of a real world, where there’s a real God, who really throws people into a Real hell for breaking his real Law.
You must fear the God of the Law before you can love the God who killed His Son for You.
SERMON 1 Timothy 5:22-25 - Battling Sin I. Review A. Elders are responsible for ruling - vs. 17 B. Chief among the ruling duties are the “word and doctrine.” - vs. 17 C. Elders are also responsible for church discipline (rebuking before all) - vs. 20 D. Elders that put a lot of time and effort into ruling should be paid. Vs. 17 E. Accusations against elders are taken before 2-3 witnesses. - vs. 19 F. Elders discipline - each other. Vs. 20-21
II. Elders Fight Sin. Vs. 20, 22, 24 A. The fundamental enemy is sin. B. Sin defined. Sin is a fundamental motivation within. Sin is any thought, word, or action that break the Law of God. Sins of omission and sins of commission. C. Elders are in the business of dealing with the Sins of Others. But so are you. 1. Pray for your brother who is in sin. 1 John 5:16 2. There is a sin unto death. 1 John 5:16, Heb. 6
III. The Warriors. Be careful who you bring into the ranks. Vs. 22 A. Two mistakes. Two things ruin churches. 1. Laying hands on an elder too quickly. 2. No discipline for elders. Some Elders/pastors will not submit themselves to church discipline and accountability. There is no real rebuking of elders going on
B. A Solution. Don’t Lay Hands Too Quickly. Vs. 22 1. Laying on of hands is a dedication. 2. A measure of equipping - 1 Tim. 4:14 3. A recognition of his role by God and man 4. It takes time to test a man in the 1 Tim. 3 qualifications.
IV. A few instructions for doing battle with sin. A. When you wade into sin… don’t get caught in it yourself. Vs. 22b Gal. 6:1 1. You must healthy yourself. Gal. 6:1 2. Remember - the Enemy is Sin. The Enemy is not our brother. Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 3. Hating the garment 4. The Healthy will maintain even Shorter Accounts. The Healthy will take the battle seriously. The Healthy will be aware of his own weaknesses, and compensate for them. B. Take care of your body. Vs. 23 C. Whatever you do, don’t underestimate the trickiness of sin. Vs. 24-25 1. Sins tend to come nicely packaged. Nice little bow on top. 2. On the other hand - sometimes good works are hid. Some folks are more transparent, so they appear messier to you and everybody else around them. 3. What do you do with hidden sins? - Rely on the Holy Spirit of God. - Some sins are fleshed out with much counseling, connection, and relationship. 4. There is a temptation when you are shepherding children or adults to fall into cynicism. a. Charity hopeth all things. b. Direction not perfection. c. We can’t expect a perfect church, or a perfect family. d. Time is the great vindicator.
Older
Top
