Sermon Notes & Slides 11.8.2015
Sermon Notes
Training Days
1 Timothy 4:6-10
Pastor John Sloan
Introduction: We all know people who have professed Jesus as Savior, prayed the so-called sinner’s prayer, and then ultimately turned from the faith. In fact, some of the earliest Christians at Ephesus, who had determined to follow Jesus at great cost, even “departed from the faith” (4:1) after being duped into believing false things about God and His salvation. When we hear those stories and read such accounts, we’re often stunned, and left with the question: “What can I do to avoid a similar fate?”
Faith-Strengthening Rhythms
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Questions for Discussion & Discovery
o1. What are “these things” that Timothy is to “put … before the brothers” in verse 6?
2. What is the danger of moralistic, Christless teaching?
3. Name some disciplines of grace that you have incorporated into your own life? How have you seen God work through these?
4. The great 19th century Oxford theologian, J.C. Ryle, once said: “The child of God has two great marks about him: he is known by his inward warfare, as well as by his inward peace.” What do you think Ryle meant? Which of these inward dispositions best characterizes you?
5. Why is total dependence on God (even in sanctification) perhaps the most essential Christian virtue?
6. How could Paul say that “God … is the Savior of all people” in verse 10? Does this mean that everyone will go to heaven?
Sermon Slides
n1. “When I finally shook free of Christianity, I began to see all of life differently. The things that had once seemed important now seemed trivial. And things I’d never seen the meaning of or the essence of I began to appreciate for the first time.” – Charles Templeton
2. Read passage: “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.” – 1 Timothy 4:6
3. “Paul is differentiating between the basic gospel message (“the words of the faith”) and the doctrinal teaching that comes out of it.” – William Mounce
4. 01. The persevering enjoy a steady diet of Christ-centered teaching.
5. “Persist in this,” Paul says, at the end of this chapter, “for by doing so, you will save yourself and your hearers.” – 1 Timothy 4:16
6. Read Passage: “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; – 1 Timothy 4:7
7. 02. The persevering engage in the spiritual disciplines.
8. Silence, Worship, Solitude, Celebration, Prayer, Confession, Study, Fellowship, Service, Fasting, Self-denial, & Generosity
9. “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14 NIV
10. Read Passage: “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8
11. “The child of God has two great marks about him: he is known by his inward warfare, as well as by his inward peace.” – J.C. Ryle
12. 03. The persevering participate in the sufferings of Christ.
13. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13