Series: Guard the Treasure

Title: How to fight the enemy within the church

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1: 1-20 NIV

Acts 16:1-3; 20:17-38

Bottom Line: We fight the enemy within the church by teaching the truth to liars, preaching the gospel personally, and defending the faith wisely.

1. SERMON OUTLINE

2. NOTES

3. OUTLINES

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

5. MAIN REFERENCES USED

SERMON OUTLINE

Introduction

“AS MENTIONED EARLIER, the most notable convert of the early English Reformer and martyr Thomas Bilney was Hugh Latimer, who like Bilney died at the stake. Latimer was easily the most popular of the reforming preach-ers—full of the Word, with a vivid preaching style. He preached justification by faith alone but also preached that a justified man will show it in the way he lives. He was unsparing of other preachers' shortcomings: "Since lording and loitering hath come up, preaching hath come down.... They hawk, they hunt, they card, they dice?" He accused his fellow preachers of "pampering of their paunches... munching in their mangers, and moiling in their gay manors and mansions."

On one occasion he was invited to preach at Hampton Court before Henry VIII, and he predictably offended the king. Henry commanded Latimer to preach again the following Sunday and to make an apology. Latimer addressed himself as he began to preach:

Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life if thou offendest; therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease; but then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest; upon whose message thou art sent? Even by the great and mighty God! who is all present, and who beholdest all thy ways, and who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully.

Then Hugh Latimer preached the same sermon he had preached the week of before-with even more energy! What a man of God! There can be no doubt that Hugh Latimer, like his mentor Thomas Bilney, fought the good fight.

Those sixteenth-century saints embodied apostolic steadfastness.“ -Hughes, p. 51

Paul hears about the infiltration of corrupt leaders in the church of Ephesus and, because he can’t go himself (it’s that bad), sends Timothy to shepherd the flock from lies to truth wisely. He exhorts Timothy to

1. Fight the false teachers by teaching the truth (word of God),

2. Preach the gospel personally, and

3. Defend the faith wisely.

In the process, Timothy will train up others to do the same.

Context

Written AD 62-64 by Paul (a couple of years before 1 Peter) in Ephesus? To Timothy on his way to Ephesus? To give him instructions on how to correct the church in his absence.

The church of Ephesus is actually a network of house churches (Oikos) that are elder-led Jesus-communities.

Acts 16:1-3 reminds us where Timothy came from.

Acts 20 written AD 57-58 reminds us that Paul said false teachers would come. They have.

Emphasis was a large diverse religiously complex commercial metropolitan area. Temple of Artemis was located in Ephesus, which was considered an influential imperial capital. The temple of Artemis was located in Ephesus and was considered well. The city was considered an influential imperial capital of the empire due to emperor worship.

What does this mean for us? It means that we must, as a church, teach the truth, preach the gospel and defend the faith in word and deed for all to see.

Titus: Good believing leads to good be-living.

So how do we fight the enemy of the church when that enemy is inside the church?

OUTLINE (Based on Willmington & ?)

I. Guard the Treasure. How?

A. Fight the enemy by teaching the God-breathed truth (1-11)

B. Preach the gospel personally (12-17)

C. Defend the faith wisely (18-20)

Conclusion

Bottom Line: We fight the enemy within by teaching the truth to liars, preaching the gospel personally, and defending the faith wisely.

Other stories/examples

Daniel is a great example of a disciple of Jesus Christ as described by Peter in 1 Peter. He is a literal exile living in a kingdom hostile to his beliefs. He stays faithful over and over even when it costs him.

He is thrown into the lion’s den when he defies the King’s edict and prays to God instead of to the king per the new law. He is maliciously setup to bring his downfall. This seemingly happens when he is thrown into the lion’s den until the next morning when we learn that God shut the lion’s mouths and he was fine.

We will be persecuted for following Jesus Christ.

We will be slandered and misunderstood too.

We will become targets of hate for our beliefs.

God is faithful. He will not abandon us.

He calls us to bless them.

He will bless us.

In successive weeks at [HTB](https://www.htb.org/), I (Nicky Gumbel) interviewed two people of courage and faith.

One, Ben Freeth, inspired by his faith in Jesus Christ, had taken a courageous stance against the unjust regime in Zimbabwe. As a result, he was beaten, tortured and forced to watch his elderly mother-in-law and father-in-law undergo torture, from which the latter eventually died. Yet in the midst of his suffering, he chose to love and bless the torturers.

The second was a pastor from one of the sixty countries around the world where physical persecution of Christians still takes place. He had been imprisoned and, at one stage, sentenced to death for no other reason than his faith in Jesus Christ. Yet in the face of extreme suffering he refused to deny his faith.

Pray

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. How to lead their family and church well.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because this is God’s plan for parenting the family and the family of God.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. 1. Elders, lead the church like Jesus Christ led his disciples.

1. People, lead one another like Jesus Christ led his disciples.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. This leads to healthy, reproducing families of faith that impact our broken world for good.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. 1. At home, for those under our roof, we lead, feed and protect the flock through the teaching and applying God’s word to our lives and each other.

1. At church, for those in our local fellowship, we lead, feed and protect the flock by choosing qualified men to lead like Jesus Christ.

NOTES

“Suffering Christians who look to the Lord also gain comfort by remembering the family of believers (2:17). Samuel Bénétreau points out four advantages to be gained from knowing that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings (9).

First, there is encouragement in knowing that you are not alone and isolated, suffering in a unique way.

Second, you are reminded that the bond that unites you to Jesus Christ also joins you to the family of God throughout the world. Suffering Christians have a caring fellowship with those similarly afflicted.

Third, Christians are reminded that suffering is inherent in the Christian faith. Through suffering they have fellowship with Christ and their faith is purified. Peter speaks of the suffering that must be 'accomplished' or 'brought to its end' by the 'family of believers'. Suffering has its place in God's plan for a world destined for justice, peace and glory.

Christians know that the 'family of believers' does not suffer in vain; their experience of suffering is being brought to the victorious conclusion that God has designed.

Fourth, knowing of these sufferings stimulates hope.

The spread of persecution and trials points to the nearness of the consummation: the promised land is in view.50” -Clowney, p. 176

“In southern France, overlooking the Mediterranean, stands the Tower of Constance. There, in the eighteenth century, Huguenot women were imprisoned for decades because they refused to surrender their Reformed faith. In the tower room where they were held captive, a stone coping surrounds a round opening in the floor. Inscribed in the stone is the word

'Résistez! Marie Durand entered that room in 1729, when she was fifteen years old. Three years later her brother Pierre was hanged at Montpellier.

In 1745 she was offered her freedom if she would agree to renounce Protestant worship. She refused all such offers and remained captive for thirty-eight years, resisting the temptations to despair, to suicide, to betrayal. From her imprisonment she began a ministry of encouragement by correspondence. Some of her letters are kept today in the Museum of the Wilderness in the mountains of the Cévennes.” Clowney, p. 175

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV): 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1. Complete/restore

2. Establish - strengthen and protect

3. Strengthen

4. Place on firm foundation

-Clowney, p. 178

Elders in the New Testament are tasked with several key duties, including:

1. **Spiritual Oversight:** Providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the church community.

2. **Teaching and Doctrine:** Instructing and ensuring adherence to sound biblical doctrine.

3. **Shepherding the Flock:** Caring for the well-being of the congregation, like a shepherd caring for a flock.

4. **Modeling Character:** Demonstrating a godly and mature character for others to follow.

5. **Prayer:** Engaging in prayer for the church and its members.

6. **Protecting from False Teaching:** Guarding the congregation against false doctrines or teachings.

These duties are often outlined in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 in the New Testament.

I. Living in the Suffering Church of God 5:1-11

1. The humble role/rule (leadership) of Christs’ elders (1-4)

1. Their fellowship with Christs’ sufferings and glory (1)

2. Their charge as shepherds of God’s flock (2-4)

1. The calling of the shepherd/elder/pastor

2. The manner of the shepherd/elder/pastor

3. The reward of shepherd/elder/pastor

2. The humble service of Christs’ people (5-11)

1. In mutual service (5)

2. In confident devotion: humble service to God (5c-7)

3. In triumphant suffering (5:8-11)

1. The Christian resistance movement (8-9)

2. The assurance of God’s saving purpose (10-11)

II: Final Greetings 5:12-14 (Clowney)

1. Silas: Messenger or editor? (12)

2. Peter’s purpose in writing (12)

OUTLINES

Shreiners outline

Elders—3 exhortations:

1. Shepherd and oversee God’s flock

2. Be eager in fulfilling their task and should not serve for financial gain

3. Live as examples of the flock instead of using their authority to domineer the church

Helms Outline

I. An exhortation to elders (1-5)

A. The elders role (1-2a)

1. To shepherd the flock of God

2. Elders must not lack character

3. Elders must not misunderstand their calling

4. Elders must emulate their Chief Shepherd

B. The elders readiness (2b-3)

1. Not under compulsion, but willingly

2. Not for shameful gain, but eagerly

3. Not domineering, but as examples

C. The elders reward (4)

D. Everyone else’s responsibility (5)

II. True Grace and eternal Glory (6-14)

Divine Logic of True Grace

A. Divine commands & encouragement (6-9)

1. Humble yourselves/God cares for you (6-7)

2. Be sober-minded and watchful and resist (8-9)

B. Divine Principle Repeated (10a) - True grace looks like this: present sufferings are intimately connected to eternal glory

C. Divine Actions Followed by Our Adoration (10b-11)

1. Restore, Confirm, Strengthen, Establish

2. Our adoration

D. Finishing in True Grace (12-14)

NIV Study Bible brief outline

After the opening (1:1-2), the letter has three main sections:

1: Peter first tells his readers to be holy in all you do. As Gentiles they once lived in ignorance (they did not know the ways of God). But they are now a holy nation, part of God's own people, and are called to a new way of life.

2: Peter then explains how this way of life will impress those who might accuse and persecute them without just cause.

3: Peter acknowledges that his readers are suffering for their faith, but he explains that this is only to be expected. The Messiah himself suffered, and believers all over the world are facing the same challenge. The followers of Jesus are waiting for the day God will visit them, and even in their suffering they can show they belong to God.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

P Schreiner Commentary

“Their ultimate enemy, that roaring lion, stands ready to devour them, but they have the conquering, suffering Shepherd at their side.” - P Schreiner

     0.       Elect exiles (1:1-2)

1. Hope as Exiles - The church has hope amidst trials because of their new future and new family. (1-2)

1. New future - Their new birth grants them an inheritance that can never be taken away. (1:3-12)

2. New family (and new calling) - Their new birth grants them the rights and responsibilities of God’s people. (1:13-2:10)

2. Exile Identity - In the midst of the world, they are to live as chosen exiles. (2-4)

1. Submit - They are to submit to authority figures because this is how Christ acted. (2:11-3:7)

2. Suffer well - Like Christ, they are to suffer for good because suffering leads to life. (3:8-4:11)

3. Stand Firm - To keep their exile identity, they must stand firm to the end. (4-5)

1. Suffer joyfully - They are to entrust themselves to God while doing good. (4:12-4:19)

2. Resist the devil - The elders should shepherd the people, recognizing the danger they are in. (5:1-11)

1. In Babylon (5:12-24)

Relying on Willmington’s Outline Bible

1 Peter 5

-Chronological life application, study Bible notes

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

1. Retell the story in your own words.

2. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

3. Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

Final Questions (index cards optional)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Peter and Jude,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Peter ” by RC Sproul

“1 & 2 Peter and Jude” by Thomas Schreiner

“The Message of 1 Peter” by Edmund Clowney

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“1 Peter: A living hope in Christ”, Jen Wilkin Bible study

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

AnswerThePublic.com

Wikipedia.com