Fallen Followers and False Teachers (Part One) 1 Timothy 4:1-5 by Dr. Rod Mattoon

Scripture

• 1 Timothy 4:1–5

About this sermon

1 Timothy 4:1-5 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. One of the great sources of sorrow that wounds the heart of any pastor is to see Christians backslide and drop out of church. Their drift from the Lord ends up hardening their hearts and cooling their closeness with Christ. This type of behavior is repeated every day all over the world like the rising of the sun each morning. What is worse, however, is to witness people who profess to be Christians turn their backs on Christ and renounce their faith in Him. I have not seen this often in my life, but I have witnessed this. Some say, "I just don't feel anything. It must not be real." Others, however, fall from the faith because they have been duped, distracted, or deceived by demonic doctrines and lies of false teachers and friends. Mark it down, in our day, deceivers are out there and there are a bunch of them. Paul addressed this issue in this passage. The Holy Spirit gives a warning people departing from the faith and why they do it. We address this in this message. God's warnings are specific so you had better heed what He says. The apostasy that was already taking root in Paul's day will be full blast and in its zenith in the end times before Jesus returns. Even now, we are seeing churches and professing Christians walk away from the truths of Scripture and are embracing the beliefs, philosophy, and lifestyles of this world. Most of you have a message printed on the side-view mirror of your car. Every time you look at it, it is preaching to you and giving you are warning. It says "Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear." It is there to make you aware and give you a proper perspective on what is going on around you as you move forward in your car. What SEEMS to be far away is MUCH CLOSER than what you think. Hello! For those of you who think that your death is far away, it may be closer than you think. Those who believe the Lord is not returning or His return is years from now need to realize that His return is closer than they think. Perhaps today He will come! Live for Christ and reach others who do not know Him. This message was preached on Sunday morning, March 12, 2023, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.

Topics

• Repentance
• Bible Study
• Discipleship