Guarding the Treasure of Truth (1 & 2 Timothy)
This sermon concludes a significant conference, offering a robust defense of its strong theological positions. The preacher articulates the vital responsibility of guarding divine truth and warns against influences that compromise sound doctrine.
This sermon defends a previous conference's firm stance against the Charismatic movement, arguing that faithfully guarding God's revealed truth is an essential pastoral duty. It calls for discernment and warns against the theological dangers of experientialism and continuationist positions.
Overview
The sermon begins with an expression of gratitude to all who contributed to the conference, noting its global reach and the importance of having its content written down in a book. The preacher emphasizes that the conference's purpose was to help the true church discern truth and be protected from error, not to appeal to non-believers.
The speaker then addresses several criticisms leveled against the conference's position. He asserts that telling the truth is the most loving act, that truth is inherently divisive, and that the issue at hand has always been clear in historic Christian thought, only becoming 'unclear' under the influence of false teachers. He also refutes the idea that the movement's errors are confined to a 'lunatic fringe,' highlighting its widespread adoption of practices like the prosperity gospel.
A significant portion of the sermon is an "open letter" to continuationist friends, arguing that their position lends false legitimacy to the broader Charismatic movement. Eight points detail how continuationism degrades true miraculous gifts, limits the ability to confront error, opens the gates to further confusion by allowing for new revelation, denies sola scriptura, and ultimately dishonors the Holy Spirit by distracting from His true ministry.
Finally, the preacher grounds his stance in the pastoral calling, drawing heavily from 1 and 2 Timothy. He interprets Paul's charges to Timothy to "guard what has been entrusted to you" as a mandate to protect divine revelation. This involves retaining sound words, accurately handling the word of truth, avoiding worldly chatter, and persevering in faithfulness even when facing isolation or criticism, just as Timothy himself did.
Key points
- The conference aimed to equip the true church to discern error and uphold biblical truth.
- The preacher refutes criticisms that the conference's message was unloving, divisive, or unclear.
- He argues that truth is an act of love and inherently divides error from reality.
- He asserts that the errors discussed are not fringe but widespread within the Charismatic movement.
- The sermon includes an "open letter" to continuationists, explaining how their position inadvertently aids the broader Charismatic movement and its errors.
- Eight specific points are made against the continuationist position, including its impact on biblical gifts, new revelation, and the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.
- The call to guard the truth is presented as a foundational pastoral duty, referencing Paul's instructions to Timothy in 1 and 2 Timothy.
In John MacArthur's words
“The most loving thing anybody could ever do would be to tell someone the truth.”
“It is far more important to be divided by the truth than united by error.”
“If Reformed leaders who know the truth and know the gospel and know the Word of God don’t police this movement, the spiritual terrorists will dominate.”
Outline
- I. Gratitude for the Conference and its Reach
- A. Thankfulness to Speakers and Organizers
- B. Global Impact of the Live Stream
- C. Importance of Written Truth (The Book)
- D. Purpose: To Help the True Church Discern and Be Protected
- II. Addressing Criticisms Against the Conference's Stand
- A. Accusation 1: Unloving
- 1. Response: Truth-telling is the most loving act
- 2. Scriptural basis: Acts 20, Titus 1
- B. Accusation 2: Divisive
- 1. Response: Truth is inherently divisive (Jesus brought a sword)
- 2. Preference: Divided by truth over united by error
- C. Accusation 3: Issue Unclear in the Bible
- 1. Response: Unclarity is due to false teachers, not Scripture
- 2. Historical consistency: Clear to Apostles, Fathers, Reformers, Puritans, theologians
- D. Accusation 4: Attacking only the Extreme Fringe
- 1. Response: Error sweeps through the entire movement (Prosperity Gospel, Trinity denial)
- E. Accusation 5: Attacking Rich Worship Music
- 1. Response: Contemporary Charismatic music is an entry point for theology
- 2. Music shifts worship from mind to flesh, truth to emotion
- F. Accusation 6: Attacking Brothers
- 1. Response: Movement largely non-Christian; need for policing by faithful leaders
- 2. Analogy to Islam and terrorism
- G. Accusation 7: Preacher is Fixated on Charismatics
- 1. Response: This is one conference in 45+ years of ministry on many topics
- H. Accusation 8: Offending People and Hurting Feelings
- 1. Response: Care for feelings, but greater care for offending God
- III. An Open Letter to Continuationist Friends
- A. Introduction: Esteemed friends who respect sound doctrine but allow for Charismatic practices
- B. Eight Statements on Why Continuationists Are Not Helping
- 1. Gives an illusion of legitimacy to the broader movement
- 2. Degrades the miraculous nature of true first-century gifts
- 3. Limits ability to confront Charismatic confusion
- 4. Insisting on new revelation opens gates to further error
- 5. Tacitly denies Sola Scriptura
- 6. Allows for irrational tongues, leading to mindless ecstasy (accepts counterfeit)
- 7. Affirming healing gifts validates fraudulent faith healers
- 8. Dishonors the Holy Spirit by distracting with counterfeits and implying deficiency
- C. Conclusion: Charismatic Movement is a major source of theological error
- IV. The Pastoral Mandate to Guard the Truth (1 & 2 Timothy)
- A. Unfaithfulness to Pastoral Calling if No Stand is Taken
- B. 1 Timothy 6:20-21: "Guard what has been entrusted to you"
- 1. Guard the treasure of divine revelation
- 2. Avoid worldly, empty chatter and false knowledge
- C. 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14: Rekindle the Gift, Don't Be Ashamed
- 1. Timothy was becoming cowardly; Paul urges boldness
- 2. Retain sound words; guard the treasure through the Holy Spirit
- 3. Ministry as guardianship: proclaim and protect truth
- D. 2 Timothy 2:1-4: Entrust to Faithful Men, Suffer Hardship
- 1. Four generations of truth-passing: Paul to Timothy to faithful men to others
- 2. Don't be entangled; be a good soldier, athlete, farmer
- E. 2 Timothy 2:14-16, 20-23: Handle the Word Accurately, Flee Ungodliness
- 1. Solemnly charge not to wrangle about words; be a workman approved to God
- 2. Avoid empty chatter, which spreads like gangrene
- 3. Be a vessel of honor by cleansing oneself from unbiblical influences
- 4. Flee youthful lusts, pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace
- F. 2 Timothy 3:15-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and Sufficient
- 1. Scripture provides wisdom for salvation and equips for every good work
- G. 2 Timothy 4:1-5: Preach the Word, Endure Hardship
- 1. Solemn command in presence of God and Christ Jesus to preach the Word constantly
- 2. Acknowledge times when people will not endure sound doctrine
- H. 2 Timothy 4:6-18: Paul's Example of Faithfulness and Isolation
- 1. Paul fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith
- 2. Experience of abandonment, but the Lord strengthened him
- I. Hebrews 13:23: Timothy's Response
- 1. Timothy went to prison, showing boldness, and was released
- 2. May Paul’s letter change listeners’ lives to guard the treasure and preach faithfully
Scripture references
- Acts 20
- Titus 1
- Hebrews 2:3
- 1 Timothy 6:20-21
- 2 Timothy 1:6-8
- 2 Timothy 1:13-14
- 2 Timothy 1:15
- 2 Timothy 2:1-4
- 2 Timothy 2:9
- 2 Timothy 2:14
- 2 Timothy 2:15
- 2 Timothy 2:20
- 2 Timothy 3:15
- 2 Timothy 4:1-5
- 2 Timothy 4:6-10
- 2 Timothy 4:15-18
- Hebrews 13:23
1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Insights
Truth spoken in love is the greatest act of care for another person.
Sound doctrine provides a historical stream of truth that endures through generations.
Allowing for extra-biblical revelation inevitably leads to theological train wrecks.
Questions & answers
What was the main purpose of the conference the preacher refers to?
The conference was primarily intended to help the true church discern biblical truth, be protected from error, and become a source of truth for others, especially concerning the Charismatic movement.
How does the preacher respond to the criticism of being 'unloving' by telling hard truths?
He argues that the most loving thing anyone can do is tell the truth, as it delivers people from darkness and error. He cites Paul's warning to Ephesian elders in Acts 20 as an example of truth spoken in love.
Why does the preacher believe the Charismatic movement's errors are not just a 'fringe' issue?
He states that a vast majority, up to 90% globally, associate with the Prosperity Gospel, and millions deny fundamental doctrines like the Trinity, indicating widespread error throughout the movement, not just on its fringes.
What is the preacher's main concern with 'continuationists'?
He believes that continuationists, by giving any credibility to the Charismatic movement, inadvertently provide an illusion of legitimacy and theological cover for dangerous practices, making it harder to confront error.
What is the significance of the passages from 1 and 2 Timothy in the sermon?
Paul's charge to Timothy to "guard what has been entrusted to you" is presented as the foundational pastoral duty to protect divine revelation and sound doctrine. This mandate requires courage and faithfulness in teaching and defending the truth.
How does the sermon define the 'stream of sound doctrine'?
It describes a historical line of faithful teaching from the Apostles through figures like Athanasius, Augustine, Luther, Calvin, the Puritans, Spurgeon, and modern Reformed theologians, contrasting it with other, more recent streams of evangelicalism.
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