1 Timothy 4: Be A Good Minister to Christ (Take heed to yourself and teaching) by Ho King Swee dated 29.11.15

 Be a good minister of Christ Jesus

1. Warn about danger of false teaching (v1-6a)

2. Train yourself in godliness and be good example (v6b-12)

3. Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching (v13-16)

1. Warn about danger of false teaching (v1-6a)

-Forbid marriage

-Abstain from meats or certain food

-Are they Biblical?

How to know false prophets and teachers?

By their fruit you will know them – Matt 7:15

Ask and check :

Do these preachers & teachers have the qualifications stated in 1 Tim.3 (Titus 1)?

1Tim. 4:7  Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

Don’t waste time on the false teaching but spend time on the truth, the word of God

2. Train yourself in godliness and be good example (v6b-12)

If we are true disciples and followers of Jesus Christ,

 We should grow to be more and more like Christ, otherwise we deceive ourselves.

Are we discipline in training ourselves in godliness?

Have a goal or mission not for this earthly life only but for eternity - 1Tim. 4:8  , 1 Tim 4:12

Share your life and not just your word – 1 Thessalonians 2:8-10, James 3:1-2, Ephesian 4:29.

3. Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching (v13-16)

We can’t stop or prevent false teachings but we can and must preach and teach sound Biblical teaching

What must we do to be good minister of the Word?

3 (a) Preach and teach the Word of God at all times- 2 Timothy 4:1-3

3 (b) Preach and teach the whole counsel of God – not your favourites – Matt 28:18-20, John 14:26, John 16:13, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:16,

Examples:  Ezra (Neh. 8:1-12)

Examples:  Jesus (Luke 4:14-22)

3 (c) Preach and teach under the authority of God’s word- Not make use of God’s word

Isaiah 66:1-2, 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 4:2,

3 (d). Preach and teach to please God and not men

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4,

3(e). Preach and teach Not for ulterior motives –e.g. dishonest gain, deceive,..

1 Thessalonians 2:3, 2:5

3(f). Preach and teach Christ as supreme to lead people to follow Him

Acts 2):29-30, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Colossian 1:28,

Application: What must we do?

      1.       Watch and pray

      2.       Train in godliness & be good example

      3.       Devote yourself to obey ALL teaching of the LORD Jesus Christ (read, listen, study, meditate, preach, teach the scripture)