TEXT:  1 Tim. 4:1-5

INTRODUCTION:

A.      APOSTASY A FOREGONE CONCLUSION( Gal. 5:4 ).

          1.       The cause – false doctrine.

          2.       The false teacher has a conscience grown weary and seared over.

B.      PAUL HAS SOME SPECIFIC DEPARTURES IN MIND –

          FORBIDDING TO MARRY AND ABSTAINING FROM MEATS.

          1.       In spite of the clear warning, look what has happened!

          2.       Qualification of a bishop( 3:2 ).  Peter( Matt. 8:14 ).

          3.       All meat is good if appreciated – Abstinence voluntary, not religious.

C.      MEN OFTEN DO THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT GOD SAYS.

I.      PARADOXES OF THE FAITH.  SEDUCING SPIRITS.

A.      THE TRANSFIGURATION( Matt. 17:1-8 ).

B.      THE OLD LAW.

          1.       The purpose of the law( Gal. 3:24 ).

          2.       Christ is here, no need for a tutor( vs. 25 ).

          3.       There was fault with the Old Law( Heb. 8:6-8 ).

                   a.       The problem was sin.

                   b.       No provision for forgiveness( 10:1-4 ).

          4.       It had to be removed( 9:15;  10:9 ).

          5.       If we appeal to the Old Law, we are bound to keep all( Gal. 5:3 ).

          6.       And we fall from grace( Gal. 5:4 ).

C.      APOSTASY – “ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED.

          1.       Saved by faith( Rom. 5:1;  Heb. 11:6 ).

          2.       We can lose our faith( 1 Tim. 1:19-20;  2 Tim. 2:16-18 ).

          3.       Losing faith, we may fall( Heb. 3:12; 6:4-6;  2 Pet. 2:20-21 ).

          4.       We may fall from grace( Gal. 5:4 ).

D.      THE 10 COMMANDMENTS.

          1.       10 Commandments part of the Old Law( Deut. 4:13;  Ex. 34:27-28 ).

          2.       One of the 10 Commandments used to illustrate passing( Rom. 7:6-7).

E.      THE SABBATH.

          1.       Part of the Old Law( Ex. 20:8 ).  Never commanded before!( Deut 5:1-3 ).

          2.       Not to be imposed on anyone( Col. 2:16-17 ).

F.      THE CLERGY-LAITY DISTINCTION.

          1.       God’s attitude personified in Peter( Acts 10:25-26 ).

          2.       Man’s attitude exemplified in Peter’s statue and its big toe.

          3.       What did Jesus say?( Matt. 23:9 ).

G.      FAITH ONLY( James 2:24 ).

H.      BAPTISM AND SALVATION( Acts 2:38;  1 Pet. 3:21 ).

II.     HOW DOES GOD FEEL ABOUT THESE PARADOXES?

A.      WHAT DOES HE MOVE PAUL TO CALL THEM?( 1 Tim. 4:1 ).

B.      NOTICE THESE CURSES( Gal. 1:6-9;  Rev. 22:18-19 ).

C.      WHAT DOES GOD DEMAND OF US?

          1.       Obedience( Matt. 7:21-23 ).

          2.       The truth( 2 Tim. 4:2;  Jude 3;  Acts 20:26-27 ).

CONCLUSION:  THE PARADOX OF TIME.

A.      LIMITED SUPPLY( James 4:13-14 ).

B.      GOD WILL HOLD US RESPONSIBLE( vs. 17 ).

C.      WOULD YOU RECEIVE HIS GRACE IN VAIN?( 2 Cor. 6:1-2 ).

D.      Acts 22:16.