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2025-11-16 Sunday Service
Sermon Notes: 1 Timothy 4
Guarding Against Apostasy - Becoming a “Good Minister” in the Last Days
•1 Tim 4:1-5: In the “latter times” many will abandon the faith, seduced by deceiving spirits and doctrines taught by demons.•Vehicles of deception
- Scripture References
- Introduction
- Key Points / Exposition
•1 Tim 4:1-5: In the “latter times” many will abandon the faith, seduced by deceiving spirits and doctrines taught by demons.•Vehicles of deception
• Hypocritical liars - outwardly Christian yet inwardly corrupt; “actors” wearing masks.
• Seared consciences - continual sin cauterizes the inner moral alarm until it no longer sounds.
•Apostasy then vs. now
• 1st-century issue: asceticism (forbidding marriage, rigid food laws).
• 21st-century issue: materialism/prosperity gospel (wealth & ease presented as God’s chief aim).
•Jesus’ parallel prophecy (Matt 24:10-14): Many will fall away, false prophets will abound, love will grow cold, yet the true gospel will still reach the nations.
•Conscience theology (Rom 2): God’s moral law is written on every heart; no one sins with true impunity.
2. Refuse Godless Myths; Train for Godliness
•1 Tim 4:6-9: Believers must “refuse, reject, avoid” mythos—fictional narratives posing as truth.
•Modern delivery system: the internet & social media (constant, worldly on-slaught).
•Spiritual disciplines = antidote. Physical exercise is profitable “for a little,” but godliness profits “for all things,” holding promise now and in eternity.
•Practical counsel to youth: greater exposure means greater vigilance; yet the indwelling Spirit is “greater than he that is in the world.”
3. Labor, Strive, Hope
•1 Tim 4:10-12: Paul and coworkers “labor” (kopiao - work to exhaustion) and “strive” (agonizomai - contend like athletes) because their hope is fixed on the living God, “Savior of all…especially of believers.”
•Call to wholehearted allegiance: God must outrank king, country, career, or comfort.
•Youthful believers: never adopt a sub-Christian standard; instead, “set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity.”
4. Devote Yourself to Word-Centered Ministry
•1 Tim 4:13-16
• Public reading of Scripture - letting the text speak.
• Preaching - proclaiming gospel good news.
• Teaching - explaining doctrine clearly.
•Steward your spiritual gift: Timothy ↗ received his through prophetic insight and the elders’ laying on of hands; he must not neglect it.
•Diligence & progress: believers should see ongoing growth; ministry requires visible advancement.
•Watch life and doctrine closely; persevering safeguards both preacher and hearers.
Major Lessons & Revelations
•Apostasy is a prophetic certainty; vigilance is the church’s defensive shield.
•Conscience, once seared, permits almost any evil—hence the need for immediate repentance.
•False teaching wears many masks; in our generation materialism is chief among them.
•Godliness, not comfort, is heaven’s metric for success—profitable now and forever.
•Every believer’s life & doctrine are interconnected; compromise in one will corrupt the other.
Practical Application
1.Examine teaching sources—TV, podcasts, social feeds—through the filter of Scripture.
2.Guard your conscience: confess sin quickly; refuse repeat offenses that “sear” sensitivity.
3.Establish daily disciplines: Scripture study, prayer, worship, accountability.
4.Limit idle screen time; employ filters or accountability software where needed.
5.Prioritize weekly corporate worship—reserve Sunday for God, not secondary pursuits.
6.Identify and exercise your spiritual gift; serve the body, not self-interest.
7.Model Christian maturity: clean speech, gracious conduct, self-sacrificing love, steadfast faith, moral purity.
Conclusion & Call to Response
The Spirit has spoken plainly—deception will intensify, but those who “watch their life and doctrine” will stand firm and even rescue others. Pastor Mike invited the church to full surrender, renewed holiness, and active ministry, urging every believer to give their best to Christ while time remains.
Prayer
•Thanksgiving for the clarifying power of God’s Word.
•Petition for tender consciences, deliverance from deception, and strength to train in godliness.
•Commitment to yield lives wholly back to Jesus, “who gave His all for us.”
References & Resources
•Film: “Chariots of Fire” (Eric Liddell’s Sabbath conviction)
•Navigators discipleship training materials (mentioned as forthcoming congregational study)
•Conscience theology (Rom 2): God’s moral law is written on every heart; no one sins with true impunity.
2. Refuse Godless Myths; Train for Godliness
•1 Tim 4:6-9: Believers must “refuse, reject, avoid” mythos—fictional narratives posing as truth.
•Modern delivery system: the internet & social media (constant, worldly on-slaught).
•Spiritual disciplines = antidote. Physical exercise is profitable “for a little,” but godliness profits “for all things,” holding promise now and in eternity.
•Practical counsel to youth: greater exposure means greater vigilance; yet the indwelling Spirit is “greater than he that is in the world.”
3. Labor, Strive, Hope
•1 Tim 4:10-12: Paul and coworkers “labor” (kopiao - work to exhaustion) and “strive” (agonizomai - contend like athletes) because their hope is fixed on the living God, “Savior of all…especially of believers.”
•Call to wholehearted allegiance: God must outrank king, country, career, or comfort.
•Youthful believers: never adopt a sub-Christian standard; instead, “set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity.”
4. Devote Yourself to Word-Centered Ministry
•1 Tim 4:13-16
• Public reading of Scripture - letting the text speak.
• Preaching - proclaiming gospel good news.
• Teaching - explaining doctrine clearly.
•Steward your spiritual gift: Timothy ↗ received his through prophetic insight and the elders’ laying on of hands; he must not neglect it.
•Diligence & progress: believers should see ongoing growth; ministry requires visible advancement.
•Watch life and doctrine closely; persevering safeguards both preacher and hearers.
Major Lessons & Revelations
•Apostasy is a prophetic certainty; vigilance is the church’s defensive shield.
•Conscience, once seared, permits almost any evil—hence the need for immediate repentance.
•False teaching wears many masks; in our generation materialism is chief among them.
•Godliness, not comfort, is heaven’s metric for success—profitable now and forever.
•Every believer’s life & doctrine are interconnected; compromise in one will corrupt the other.
Practical Application
1.Examine teaching sources—TV, podcasts, social feeds—through the filter of Scripture.
2.Guard your conscience: confess sin quickly; refuse repeat offenses that “sear” sensitivity.
3.Establish daily disciplines: Scripture study, prayer, worship, accountability.
4.Limit idle screen time; employ filters or accountability software where needed.
5.Prioritize weekly corporate worship—reserve Sunday for God, not secondary pursuits.
6.Identify and exercise your spiritual gift; serve the body, not self-interest.
7.Model Christian maturity: clean speech, gracious conduct, self-sacrificing love, steadfast faith, moral purity.
Conclusion & Call to Response
The Spirit has spoken plainly—deception will intensify, but those who “watch their life and doctrine” will stand firm and even rescue others. Pastor Mike invited the church to full surrender, renewed holiness, and active ministry, urging every believer to give their best to Christ while time remains.
Prayer
•Thanksgiving for the clarifying power of God’s Word.
•Petition for tender consciences, deliverance from deception, and strength to train in godliness.
•Commitment to yield lives wholly back to Jesus, “who gave His all for us.”
References & Resources
•Film: “Chariots of Fire” (Eric Liddell’s Sabbath conviction)
•Navigators discipleship training materials (mentioned as forthcoming congregational study)
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Sermon Detail
Date: Nov 16, 2025
Category: 1 Timothy
Speaker: Mike Holm
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