A Portrait of the Traits of Tricky, Terrible, Troublemaking Teachers ( Part 1) by Dr. Rod Mattoon

About this sermon

1 Timothy 6:3-4... If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings... In the 1560s in England, when a person was blindfolded or made blind by covering the eyes, such action was known has hoodwinking that person. The hood was the covering and the wink referred to the eyes. The term in a figurative sense meant “to blind the mind, mislead, or deceive by disguise.” Beloved, Satan is the ultimate hoodwinker. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Multitudes of Satan’s false teachers have hoodwinked millions to a path to Hell because they were deceived and died without Christ. Surveys today reveal the plight of sinners in this nation who have been deceived by false teachers or have deceived themselves. In 2016, CT Magazine reported that LifeWay Research and Ligonier Ministries have once again examined the theological awareness or ignorance of Americans who claim to be Christians. Below are some areas where professing believers have gone astray in their theology. The survey reveals that there are many who PROFESS to be Christians but are not Christians at all. It also reveals the ignorance of a lot of Christians concerning the truths of Scripture. * Individuals must contribute to their own salvation. 74% Agree * The Holy Spirit is a force, not a personal being. 56% Agree * God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. 48% Agree * My good deeds help to earn my place in Heaven. 39% Agree Troublemaking, tricky, terrible teachers rebel, resist, and reject the life-giving, strengthening, and health-giving Scriptures. The strength that comes from God’s Word is an indication of the source. The Scriptures are the Word of God. They do not promote death. They promote life when they are obeyed. Paul paints a portrait here of the traits of trouble-making teachers that created a problem in the church. His portrait is not a forgery. It is an accurate description of fake, false teachers that continue to plague the world and the church today. The image identifies, illustrates, informs, and instructs believers on how to respond to these troublemakers. We will take a look at their traits in this message. Paul provides a checklist for us about their conduct, character, and corruption. This message was preached on Wednesday night, July 26, 2023, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.