63 AD
- Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.
 
The “Boomer” generation has a hard time filtering truth from false.

• We grew up trusting everything we read, saw and heard.
• Now are world is saturated with deception.

 
DEMONIC INFLUENCE
1 TIMOTHY 4
1 Now the Spirit explicitly says (a prophecy that Paul had previously received) that in later times (this was in reference to the “end times” but Paul and Timothy thought they were already living in the end times) some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.

• “Depart from the faith” – apostasy
• Let’s look at that section of people who “depart from the faith.”
• Based upon filtering all 66 books, I believe one cannot lose their salvation.
• If that is the case, a mere profession of faith does not guarantee the actual possession of eternal life.[1]
• If they are believers, then they have a season of walking by their flesh.
• Many times you will see believers going in and out living by the Spirit or walking by their flesh.
• Is there a line? Where is the line? I’m not the judge.
• Wiersbe says: “A true church seeks to win converts to Jesus Christ and to build them spiritually; conversely, a cult proselytizes, steals converts from others, and makes them servants (even slaves!) of the leaders of the cult. However, not all apostates are in cults; some of them are in churches and pulpits, teaching false doctrine and leading people astray.”[2]
• The evil ones scheme is to water down the church.
• The evil one loves when we “play church”.
• Because there is definitely no freedom in that.
• I absolutely believed people are getting “saved”
• But at a miniscule rate.
• Imagine if they heard the Good News… and that was it.
• Then we add on all the “ministry teams”, “meetings”, titles (don’t get caught up in titles).
• It’s not about titles or responsibilities. Paul just finished talking about that in Chapter 3.
• We’ve become professional church planters, with good intentions but the wrong purpose.
• The evil one loves this…
• Mediocrity…
• Let’s be honest here… Leavener is not getting much bigger than this group right here.
• I didn’t expect it to be this big.
• When crisis comes, you typically turn your head to me or others in the room with wisdom and trust.
• On Thursday, at 4:40 PM, Stacy Christiansen called me…
• “I didn’t come for your future… I cam for your salvation.”
• “Rescued”
• Video of rescue
• I appreciate the vote of confidence, but the truth is I am not going to meet your needs and I am going to point you back to Jesus every time.
• I get you need your hand held… I need my hand held.
• I have 2 hands… the body of Christ has many.
• You have the same Spirit that I have. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
• If we continue to “play church”, we consciously play into the devil’s hand.

3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.

• They were demanding celibacy and for young widows to not remarry.
• They were sticking to laws of food that were “clean” and “unclean”

4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
 
A GOOD SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.

• St. Patrick’s Day – Friday Night
• Michelle spent the evening trying to figure out what the Spirit is leading the women to study next.

7 But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. 8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

• We have to filter everything that is a resource because we are not looking for water-downed truth or false teaching that is weaved into truth.

9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

• He doesn’t say we are going to sit still and do nothing.
• He doesn’t say we are going to do programs either.

 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINISTRY
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love,, in faith, and in purity. 13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.[3]

• Every Thursday Night for the last 10 years, my friend Joe would greet every person for dinner at 6:30 PM
• We’d pray and eat together as a family (15-40 people)
• At 7:25 he began to pass out questions that had been e-mailed over specific passage of Scripture we were studying.
• At 7:30 we circled around “Father Joe” and he greeted us… “Greetings from the WalMart parking lot.”
• Then he would tell a joke.
• Then we would read the Bible.
• Then we would process what it said by using the questions he prepared in advance.
• Then we would pray for each other.
• My brother modeled 1 Timothy 4.
• I can’t wait to hear, “Greetings from heaven…”

[1] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 129). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 224). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 4:1–16). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

CARRY ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS
Galatians 6:1-10
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher. 7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. [1]
 
Galatians 6:6-10
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.
- Paul is talking about sharing material goods for those who are teaching the Gospel.
 - Not a tax like the Jews were required to pay to their rabbis.
 - Leavener is not interested in taxing you a percentage or pressuring you to buy a ticket to the show.
 - If the teacher is sharing “good news”, people will gladly share their good things.
7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
 - Goods… not just money… are given to “Leavener”.
 - Once they are given… there are no strings attached.
 - Even the government understands that principle. (designated gifts vs unrestricted gifts).
 - I have a pre-determined salary just like you do.
 - The goods that come into our ministry do not determine my take home pay.
 - The passage says to share goods with the teacher.
 - It doesn’t say the counselor, the crisis manager, the burden carrier.
 - My desire is to focus on the Word and teach the Word.
 
Galatians 6:1-5
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.
- “caught” – 2 points of view
 - Either caught by someone else doing something wrong.
 - Or caught by the sin itself… Like a cheetah on a gazelle.
 - Either way, the “brother” is surprised or overtaken.
 - “spiritual” – Those who are walking with and by the Spirit vs those who are acting “religious”.
 - James 3:13 - Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.[2]
 - “gentleness” – A product of the Holy Spirit. (5:23)
 - “tempted” – 2 points of views
 - Either that the person restoring falls into the same temptation.
 - Or that person becomes completely judgmental and places their self above the wrong doer.
 

• They have to have ears to hear.
• Like a teenager wearing headphones.
• Proverbs 25:11-12 - A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.
• A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold. [3]

 
2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load.

 - Not the Law given to Moses but Jesus’ interpretation of the Law of Moses.
 - “Love the Lord… Love your neighbor as yourself.”
 - “burden” – Heavy load

• The legalist adds to the burden by adding more rules and restrictions.
• Matthew 23:4 – “They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them.”[4]​
• It is all about perspective…
• Line up – From the most positive person in the room to the most negative person in the room.

 
When you are struggling and you are seeking advice, you will do 1 of 3 things:
1) You will find someone (it may take you a few 
people) to sympathize with you and They will say 
what you want to hear. Someone that agrees with 
you no matter if you are right or wrong.
2) You will go to someone for wisdom in a situation and you will receive good advice but you come up with every excuse not to pursue that advice. You 
continue down the same path of destruction. 
3) You will go to someone for wisdom, understanding and comfort and they will walk with you through the situation.

 - Wisdom – See life from God’s perspective.
 - Therefore it would make sense to know God.

 - Advice for a successful marriage…
 - Magic trick – Advice - “Walk by the Spirit”
 - You either walk by the flesh or walk by the Spirit.
 - Galatians 5

 - So when people contact me it usually because of unwise behavior… otherwise known as foolishness… otherwise known as chasing selfish desires.
 - So if they contact me, they are confessing their foolish pursuit.
 - And I am going to point out to you that you are acting foolish by it being about yourself.
 - I will encourage you to pursue God and walk by the Spirit in you.
 - I will do this for a season…

 - Some falsely believe freedom is for the flesh rather than the spirit

 - I expect to go through ups and downs with you… I get that we still have a flesh suit and bad habit patterns.
 - My prayer is that you will see others around you that can do the same.

“The First Time” - MercyMe

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 6:1–10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 3:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 25:11–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 23:4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Ezra 3
Ezra 4

God Gave
·      John 3:16 For God So Loved He gave
·      2 Corinthians 1:22 Sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
·      1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God
·      James 1:17  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.
·      2 Corinthians 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
·      2 Peter 1:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness

Preference to the Saints
·      1 Thes. 3:12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you
·      1 Thes. 4:9  Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
·      1 Thes. 5:15 See to it that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
·      1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.
·      1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
·      Philemon 4, 5 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints

Preference to the Poor
·      Matt. 25:35, 36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you visited me…to the extent that you did to one of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me!
·      Proverbs 19:17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord; and He will repay him for his good deed.
·      Proverbs 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed; for he gives some of his food to the poor.
·      God loves the poor, Jesus called them His brothers.
·      Proverbs 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to make [a]more for himself
Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
·      Proverbs 22:22,23 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate; For the Lord will plead their case and take the life of those who rob them.
·      Proverbs 28:8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

God’s Currency is Love
·      John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
·      1 Thes. 2:8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
·      1 Thes. 2:19,20 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?  For you are our glory and joy.
·      1 Timothy 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

What is your Ambition?
·      1 Thes. 4:11 make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands.
·      1 Timothy 2:2 Pray for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
·      1 Timothy 6:6-8  But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.