Oppose False Teachers

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Oppose False Teachers

Date: Aug. 17, 2023

Passage

1 Timothy 1:1-11 (ESV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1:5

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s command and with Christ’s hope. He called Timothy his true son in the faith. Paul entrusted to Timothy his ministry, as a father passes on his business to his son. Are we entrusting the next generation with our ministry?

Paul charges Timothy to oppose false teachers in Ephesus who were teaching wrong doctrine, emphasizing genealogies, and spreading myths. Their bad influence misdirected believers, who then devoted themselves to debates on doctrine rather than the advancement of God’s work. God’s kingdom grows when we have faith that anyone can be saved, not through arguments about the Bible.

Paul emphasizes that proper Bible teaching leads people to love God and others, to be pure-hearted, to have a clear conscience, and to act with sincere faith. The law is given to help us acknowledge our despicable sins and to repent. Paul wants Timothy to direct others to Bible study that leads us to believe in the gospel of salvation for anyone and to live a life of integrity, free from the strong grip of sin.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for calling us to live for Christ. Help us to teach the Bible properly to advance the ministry with a goal of love.

One Word: One Word: Teach the Word properly

God Judges Those Who Break His Covenant

Ezekiel 17:1-24

Key Verse: 17:24

And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

Today's Question

For what do we pray in the fourth request?

See answer and references