TWO KINDS OF TEACHING

1 Timothy 1:3-7

INTRODUCTION

Paul wrote 1 Timothy to guide one’s conduct in the house of God… 1 Timothy 3:14-15

1. Note that the church serves as “the pillar and ground of the truth”
2. It is imperative our teaching reflects that responsibility

1 Timothy 1:3-7

1. Paul reminded Timothy of the charge given him
2. Concerning some who evidently were not teaching as they should!

In our text we note “Two Kinds of Teaching”

1. There is that which causes dispute
2. There is that which produces godly edification
3. What makes the difference? This question should concern…
4. All those who teach or preach God’s Word
5. All Christians, who as students by their personal study or comments in classes:
   • Can contribute to the rise of disputes
   • Or develop thoughts which result in godly edification

Let’s note the difference between the two, beginning with…

DISCUSSION

TEACHING THAT CAUSES DISPUTES

1. Disputes occur when we are driven by the desire for novelty…
   • Not content with the simple gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ – cf. Galatians 1:8-9
   • Ignoring the charge that we are not to “teach a different doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:3)
   • Delving into that which is “new”
     • New in the sense of new revelation, not supported by the Scriptures
     • For old truth may be often be new to us who are still learning
2. Disputes occur when we stress the “talk” at the expense of the “walk” …
   • It is easy to become interested only in intellectual arguments
     • Focusing more on argument rather than action
     • Failing to make application of what we teach or study
   • In such case our teaching and study become “vain talking” [idle talk – NKJ] (1 Tim. 1:6)
     • Against which Paul also warned Titus – Titus 1:10; 3:9
     • Which James described as “vain or useless religion” – James 1:22-27
       • Teaching that is not accompanied with action is of little value
       • Mathew 23:1-3 … we do not want to be like the Pharisees
3. Disputes occur when we are moved by pride rather than humility…
   • Disputes are easily caused by those who:
     • “desiring to be teachers of the law” (1 Tim. 1:7)
     • Seek to impress others with their “knowledge” of the Word – contrast James 3:13-18
   • Knowledge is not without its dangers
     • We can be motivated more by pride than a sincere desire to serve God
     • Without love, knowledge simply puffs up rather than truly builds up – 1 Corinthians 8:1-2
4. Disputes occur when we display dogmatism without knowledge…
   • Often the most dogmatic are the most misinformed!
     • Like those “understanding neither what they say nor whereof they confidently affirm”
     • 1 Timothy 3:7
   • Yes, we must stand fast in the defense of the truth…
     • But “a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing”
     • Let’s be sure that we truly know and understand what is truth!

Such are the attitudes and motives that contribute to disputes among brethren. Now let’s consider…

TEACHING THAT PRODUCES GODLY EDIFICATION

1. Edification occurs when it is based on faith…
   • Godly edification is that “which is in faith” (1 Tim. 1:4)
   • Of course, faith comes from the Word of God… Romans 10:17
   • Godly teaching that edifies (builds up) comes from God’s Word
     • We must let the Word of God be the basis of our thoughts and comments
     • 1 Peter 4:11
2. Edification occurs when it seeks to produce love…
   • Paul wrote “the end of the charge is love” [the purpose of the command – NKJ] (1 Tim. 1:5)
     • A love for truth certainly
     • But also, a love for God and man! … cf. 1 John 4:20-21
   • The desire should not be to just win arguments
     • Our approach will therefore be different… 2 Timothy 2:24-25
     • Because we are trying to win souls from the snare of Satan! … 2 Timothy 2:26
3. Edification occurs when it seeks to create a pure heart…
   • Paul wrote that our goal should be love “out of a pure heart” (1 Tim. 1:5)
   • The goals of our teaching and study must be pure and not defiled by:
     • Trying to show how clever we are
     • Seeking to show what great debaters we are
     • Wanting to embarrass the ignorance of our opponents
   • Our desire must be pure, seeking to lead people closer to God
4. Edification occurs when it seeks to develop a good conscience…
   • Our goal should be love out of “a good conscience” (1 Tim. 1:5)
     • Which comes from first applying the Word of God to ourselves
     • Like Ezra the priest sought to do – cf. Ezra 7:10
   • Yet one can easily stray
     • 1 Timothy 1:6; cf. 1:19-20
     • Especially when they do not practice what they preach
     • And when they expect others to do what they are not willing to do
5. Edification occurs when it seeks to beget a sincere faith…
   • Our goal should be to love with “faith unfeigned” [sincere faith – NKJ] (1 Tim. 1:5)
     • Where we really believe what we teach or say
     • Not simply engaging in an intellectual exercise
   • Where what we are seeking is a living faith:
     • To which we commit our lives
     • And produces works of love to the glory of God – cf. Galatians 5:6

CONCLUSION

So what kind of teachers or students are we?

1. Those constantly engaged in disputes, wrangling over words?
2. Or those engaged in godly edification?

Let’s be sure that our teaching and Bible study is always that which produces…

1. Love
2. A pure heart
3. A good conscience
4. A sincere faith

Of course, this is not possible without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in our lives.