tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512615033583182026.post3066331527839469285..comments2023-10-23T11:50:35.699-07:00Comments on Marks of Authentic Mission: 1 Timothy 4Andrew Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714318748847734699noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512615033583182026.post-28393763141879327262011-01-11T14:09:50.148-08:002011-01-11T14:09:50.148-08:001-5
See how the cults andeven the 'cultic'...1-5<br />See how the cults andeven the 'cultic' Christian groups seek to bring in law where there is no grace in order to become so outwardly religious and holy -yet neither pleasing to God nor exercising grace towards others.Rather we should have a heart of thanks givingat all times towards God who offers us richly of His goodness.<br /><br />6-10<br /><br />How important it is to know what the Word of God teaches, especially in an age when Joe and Sally's opinion seems to be given the same authority evenif they are irreverant or silly. The same might be said of some of the postmodern takes on Chrstianity. Do we choose Mclaren or Paul? Rob Bell or Jesus? Rob Bell can't save us but thankfully God can.<br /><br />11-16<br />At the end of the day we must be careful to walk the walk ourselves and use every grace we can to build ourselves up in God or we will be nneither benfit to ourselves, others or God!Andrew Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02714318748847734699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512615033583182026.post-3540209831804899512011-01-11T13:54:24.593-08:002011-01-11T13:54:24.593-08:004:1-5 The Holy Spirit, both in the Old and the New...4:1-5 The Holy Spirit, both in the Old and the New Testament, spoke of a general turning from the faith of Christ, and the pure worship of God. This should come during the Christian dispensation, for those are called the latter days. False teachers forbid as evil what God has allowed, and command as a duty what he has left indifferent. We find exercise for watchfulness and self-denial, in attending to the requirements of God's law, without being tasked to imaginary duties, which reject what he has allowed. But nothing justifies an intemperate or improper use of things; and nothing will be good to us, unless we seek by prayer for the Lord's blessing upon it.<br />4:6-10 Outward acts of self-denial profit little. What will it avail us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to the life that now is, but especially to the life which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those who seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new creatures.<br /><br />4:11-16 Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others. The doctrine of a minister of Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated, explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for wordly pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is mere amusement, and only ornamental. May every believer be enabled to let his profiting appear unto all men; seeking to experience the power of the gospel in his own soul, and to bring forth its fruits in his life.Matthew Henrynoreply@blogger.com