Some in church will end up in hell - 1 Timothy 4:1

(1a)  Now, the Spirit expressly says… 

God has just finished showing us the purpose of the Church and of its government – worship of Jesus Christ, founded and based on God’s own words.  In Chapter 4, God, through Paul, begins to give Pastor Timothy more instructions on how to lead Christ’s Church. 

He transitions, and then tells us that the Spirit expressly says some things.  We must take note of several things here.  First, this is God who is talking.  He is the vindicator of Christ – He who raised him from the dead.  We need to pay attention – this isn’t advice from a human – but rather, God’s own words – God’s own warning. 

We learn that the Spirit is speaking clearly through what Paul writes.  There is no confusion about God’s message.  It’s understandable.  Make no mistake!  This word, ‘expressly,’ serves as a sober warning to us: we’re to pay attention! 

We also learn that through Paul the Spirit was speaking in words.  Paul wasn’t getting spiritual vibes – the Holy Spirit of God was giving him words to speak – actual words – particular words – clear words.  See 1 Corinthians 2. 

And so we should pay attention. 

(1b)  …that in later times some will depart from the faith…

This is what God himself was telling Paul – that some would depart from the faith after receiving the Gospel. 

‘In later times’ reflects that it is subsequent to their joining a church – hence, ‘the faith.’  But it also reflects that this activity is by the sovereign hand of God.  Even though Christ has been vindicated and the Spirit has been poured out – and redemption is happening through the word of God – yet, people will leave God. 

That is to say, the Spirit wants us to not have a false confidence.  Even though Christ has been vindicated by his resurrection, we still live in an era in which people who we thought knew Christ may abandon his word and his people. 

This is a terrible thought.  Some that were visibly part of God’s community are not saved.  They give assent to ‘the faith’ – yet, they will eventually leave it. 

God does not want us to have a false confidence that would lead us to give up an earnest pursuit of him and his words.  There is a danger, even in the church, of damnation. 

Truly, Christ has been vindicated, believed upon, and has saved those who genuinely have trusted in him.  Yet – some who we think do do not.  And so we must proclaim the Gospel with white-hot earnestness within the local church – and outside of it. 

(1c)  …by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…

How will some abandon the teaching of Christ?  By devoting themselves to something else – by being persuaded of contrary teachings.  It begins with paying attention and curiosity and ends in belief. 

And these things are lies!  They come from deceitful spirits – lying spirits.  They are demons – Satan’s angels.  They are here to lie and to make sure people are damned (see John 10). 

This is a grave warning.  Satan is active, seeking to persuade people of lies – even in churches- such that they will abandon the faith and be damned. 

And by the sovereign hand of God, he’ll have some success. 

This is a solemn warning for us to pay attention to God’s words.  To speak God’s words.  To dedicate ourselves to the Gospel and to test all things by God’s words, lest we be deceived and proved false – and lest others be deceived and fail to enter life. 

Summary

1)  God spoke directly and clearly to and through Paul – we must pay attention. 

2)  God is sovereign over all things, even over the activities of the evil one. 

3)  We live in a time in which it is still possible to abandon the truth, even though Christ is vindicated. 

4)  We must devote ourselves to knowing, loving, and proclaiming the Gospel with white-hot devotion that comes from these warnings. 

Prayer: 

Father, this is scary.  Yet, we confess that you are sovereign, that you are reigning over history, and one day, by your will and work, we’ll appear with Christ in glory.  Yet even now, falling away from the truth is possible – and the evil one wants us to.  O God, only you can preserve us.  We thank you for giving us your word which is how you preserve us.  Give us hearts that pay attention and eschew all things which contradict it.  Help us examine ourselves and our thoughts and other messages in light of it.  Vindicate us with Christ we pray, in whose blood we ask – amen.