Preparing for the “Iron Sharpens Iron” Conference (Emmaus May 25-28) Workshop #1 (con’t)

I have two workshops to prepare for the “Iron Sharpens Iron” conference at Emmaus Bible College.  This year’s theme is ‘Training for Godliness” and I will be presenting two workshops:  “Guarding and Discarding: The Keys to Sound Theology (1 Timothy 6:20-21)” and “Sanctified Hedonism: The Case for “Worldly Saints” (1 Timothy 4:1-5).”

Let’s conclude our focus on the first one this morning: “Guarding and Discarding: The Keys to Sound Theology (1 Timothy 6:20-21)”

We are to guard the gospel, the truth of God.  But we are to also turn away from certain things.  Good theology involves not just guarding but also DISCARDING.  We are to “turn away from” two categories of error: (1) “godless chatter” and (2) “the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.”

Let’s talk about “the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.”  There is a confidence in our anti-God culture that claims certainty on issues about which the Bible speaks, but wants no part of God or the Bible!  It refuses to acknowledge the logic of an infinite/personal God wanting to communicate His truth to us.  And that is sad.

And unwarranted.  As Francis Schaeffer put it in his book, He Is There and He Is Not Silent.  The certainties of our society which ignore or attempt to refute the special revelation of the Bible oppose its Author and bring spiritual shipwreck upon themselves. (to be continued)

 

 

Preparing for the “Iron Sharpens Iron” Conference (Emmaus May 25-28) Workshop #1 (con’t)

The “Iron Sharpens Iron” conference at Emmaus Bible College is fast approaching — and I have two workshops to prepare!  The theme this year is ‘Training for Godliness” and I will be presenting two workshops:  “Guarding and Discarding: The Keys to Sound Theology (1 Timothy 6:20-21)” and “Sanctified Hedonism: The Case for “Worldly Saints” (1 Timothy 4:1-5).”

Let’s continue to focus on the first one this morning: “Guarding and Discarding: The Keys to Sound Theology (1 Timothy 6:20-21)”

We are to guard the gospel, the truth of God.  We are not to hide it or keep it to ourselves.  We are to present it to others (clearly commanded in the great commission, Mt. 28:19-20) and be prepared to explain and defend it.

But we are to also turn away from certain things.  Good theology involves not just guarding but also DISCARDING.  We are to “turn away from” two categories of error: (1) “godless chatter” and (2) “the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.”

Let’s talk about “godless chatter” today.  The expression in Greek is βεβήλους κενοφωνίας.  The expression “godless chatter” here comes from three words: τὰς βεβήλους κενοφωνίας  The first word, a definite article, (τὰς) means “the feminine things.”  The second word (βεβήλους) is a noun meaning “what is open and accessible to all”, that which is profane, not religious, unholy.  It can be used to refer to people who are scorners and is used in I Timothy 1:9 (“knowing this, that the law is not valid for a righteous person but for the lawless but and rebellious, irreligious and sinners, unholy and profane [bebēlois], those who beat their fathers and mothers, murderers …).  This word βέβηλος is a favorite word of Paul’s.  He also uses it in I Timothy 4:7 where he says, “But reject the profane (bebēlous) and silly myths; rather train yourself for godliness.”  He uses the same term in 2 Timothy 2:16 where he says, “But shun the unholy (bebēlous) chatter, for they will advance into greater and greater ungodliness.”  This is the same expression (βεβήλους κενοφωνίας) that Paul uses in our text, I Timothy 6:20.  The writer to the Hebrews challenges his readers by saying, “that no one becomes immoral and profane (bebēlos | βέβηλος) like Esau, who gave up his inheritance rights in return for a single meal.” (Heb. 12:16).

The follower of Jesus is not to engage in “godless chatter.”  The truths of God are far too important to waste time on such theological trivialities!  (to be continued)

 

 

Time for a Great Cartoon: Getting and Having

What insight Watterson has on the human condition! In our consumeristic culture, we are constantly bombarded with the message of GETTING.

Jesus said that a man’s life does not consist in what he HAS. We are of far more value than our possessions or our assets. The God who has “richly given us all things to enjoy” warns us not to put our hope in uncertain riches, but in God (I Tim. 6).

How do you look at your possessions? In 2003 we lost virtually everything we owned when our house burned down. A few things survived (such as our wedding album), but a malfunctioning attic fan started the fire that could have killed my family of four and our daughter-in-law.

As Corrie Ten Boom once said, ““Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”

Your comments?

 

Time for a Great Cartoon! (pleasures of life)

Of course, there is more to life than its pleasures. There is the GOD who “gives us all things richly to enjoy”! (I Tim. 6). How sad to go through life enjoying His gifts, but ignoring the GIVER!

 

Time for a Great Cartoon! (possessions)

What an insightful cartoon! This strikes at the heart of Western materialism, doesn’t it? The biblical model which ought to govern our relationship to possessions is found in I Timothy 6 where we read, “17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

I see at least seven points from this text:
(1) It is okay that there is a category of THE RICH among Christians.
(2) But the rich need to be warned not to put their hope in their material wealth.
(3) One’s hope in God can be replaced by one’s over-focus on their possessions.
(4) God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
(5) Believers are to be RICH in good deeds.
(6) Believers are to be generous and willing to share.
(7) Using our material wealth carefully will lay up treasure for us in heaven.

That ought to be the elements of the Christian’s motto!