False prophets and profits

False Prophets and Their Profits
1 Tim 6:3-5

Ø Back on this again—Why is this such an area of stress for Paul to Timothy
o First, the false teachers were plentiful
o Second, in reading the two letters to Timothy, one gets the impression that he needed to be encouraged to stand up and fight the false teachers
o It is always an option, (though a wrong one, to let it slide—with disastrous consequences
o But fighting against error has its costs

1. The First Problem With False Prophets—They Oppose the Truth—1 Tim 6:3) "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness…”

a. Language analysis

(1) If—is a first class condition, which assumes that whatever is being addressed is going to happen—So, SINCE there are false teachers…

(2) “…Teaches otherwise…” is heterodidaskalei—the word “hetero” we should be familiar with—it means “…of a different kind…”, and is in the present active tense, indicating a habit of life.

b. The False Prophets taught lies as a matter of habit

(1) They were teaching Strange doctrines— heterodidaskalon—“…a doctrine of a different kind…”, one that does not match with the teachings of the Bible. What are some of these teachers and teachings?

(a) Paul speaks in Galatians of “another Jesus” taught by false prophets—Gal 1:6-9—this “other” gospel, which Paul condemns as a perversion of the truth, teaches that believers much obey the OT dietary and ceremonial laws in order to be a Christian—we still have this set of false teachings today, in the leftovers of the Armstrong Cult, and in the 7th Day Adventists heresy

(b) Jesus, in Matthew 24, warns of false Christs and false prophets that will arise to deceive many

(c) Peter in 2 Pet 2:1-3, warns of false prophets who bring in destructive heresies, teaching people that they can live any old way they want to live, and still claim to be a believer. See 2 Pet 2:18-22.

(d) Peter makes the point that the Old Testament saints had to deal with them too.

(2) The False Prophets rejected “…Sound Doctrine…” “….Sound Doctrine…”Literally means “healthy teaching, or (1 Tim 6:3) “wholesome teaching.” “Sound…” refers to good health, soundness, not in need of a doctor. It is where we get our word “hygiene.” —

1 Tim 1:10 "for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,"

1 Tim 6:3 "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,"

2 Tim 1:13 "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."

2 Tim 4:3 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;"

Titus 1:9 "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict."

Titus 1:13 "… rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,"

Titus 2:1-2 "But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;"


(3) First, they rejected the words of Jesus Himself! “…even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness…”

(a) This could be referring to the earliest Gospels written
(b) Or it could refer to collections of Jesus’ sayings which had been gathered as Luke and the other writers were preparing and being prepared to write by the Holy Spirit
(c) Or it could refer to the True Doctrine about Who Jesus Is and What He Has Done (i.e., the Gospel)
(d) Either way, they rejected the Truth about Him!

(4) Then, they rejected the Truth about godliness itself.

(a) Godliness (Eusebia) refers to living for God and in accordance with God’s will
(b) Godly people have some of it
(c) Lost people don’t.

(5) They reject Sound Doctrine about salvation—Eph 2:8-10—By Grace, Through Faith, Unto Good Works

(6) The False teachers taught and lived NOT in accordance with sound doctrine

(7) There are those today who are unsound, and who believe that a consistent lifestyle is not required of believers. That idea is a distortion of Grace, it stands against “sound doctrine,” it is literally unhealthy spiritually

(i) God wants His people to live in a Godly fashion—it was, after all, Ungodliness that unleashed His wrath against sin to begin with—Rom 1:18

c. Key verses (Mac)

(1) The Fruit of a Christian’s life is not the number of people they have led to the Lord
(2) The Fruit of a Christian’s life is moral excellence produced by the indwelling Spirit of God—Gal 5:22-24
(3) The False prophets produce bad fruit—Mat 7:15-20


2. The Second Problem With False Prophets: They are ignorant and proud of their ignorance!—“… 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions 5 useless wranglings …”

a. The False Prophets have false Pride (which implies conceit and arrogance.)

(1) Pride—Mac—The attitude of false teachers can be summarized in one word: pride. It takes an immense ego to place oneself as judge of the Bible. Such egotism blatantly usurps the place of God…[conceit] is from a Greek slang word which means puffed up like a cloud of smoke. In English slang, we would describe such a person as “blowing smoke,” or “full of hot air…”

(1 Cor 4:6) "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other."

(1 Cor 4:18-19) "Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power."

(1 Cor 5:2) "And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you."

(Col 2:18) "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,"

(1 Tim 3:6) "not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil."

(2) The word can also refer to a person who is arrogant enough to believe that their views and opinions are superior to the Word of God.

b. Knowing Nothing –This is a present particple

(1) The false teacher is habitually ignorant, and proud of it—what an indictment!

c. They are addicted to stupidity—They are hooked on the debate, the argument, the “Gotcha”

(1) Now, it is not always wrong to debate—Jesus did it with the Pharisees, etc.,
(2) But this is talking about fruitless debate:

d. What are the results of these pointless and fruitless false teachings? “...envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions 5 useless wranglings…”


3. The Third Problem With False Prophets—They are listening to the wrong people— “…of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain…”

a. If a man is paying attention to false doctrines, and if he is not grounded, he may be drawn in to them.

b. Who writes this stuff?
(1) Men of Corrupt minds
(a) The depraved mind is a powerfully ignorant thing
(Rom 8:7) "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be."

(1 Cor 2:14) "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

(Rom 1:28) "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;"

(Eph 4:17-19) "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."

(2) Destitute of Truth—“deprived” of Truth (NASB)

(a) They had been presented with the Truth
(b) But the false prophet had robbed it from them before it could take root, like parable of the soils.

(3) Men seeking profits for the Prophets .and they get their cut too)—
(4) Even in Paul’s day there were those who used religion to rip people off—2 Tim 3:1-9



4. The Cure For False Prophets— Doctrine. and Quarantine –(from 6:2)— “…Teach and exhort these things…” “…From such withdraw yourself." (present tense imperative verbs)

a. Doctrine“…Teach and exhort these things…” “teach and exhort—present imperative—teach the Truth, exhort the believers, and keep it up.

(1) The first, most desirable and best outcome is that no one would fall under the spell of false doctrines and false teachers—Jude 1:20-21 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

(2) The second most desirable outcome is for the false prophet and those deceived by the false prophet to see the Truth and be saved.

Jude 1:22-23 "And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh."

(James 5:19-20) "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."

b. Quarantine—Church Discipline—“…From such withdraw yourself."

(1) Leaven in the lump—sin in the camp—the church must be prepared to quarantine the infection of false teachings.
(2) This is not the first alternative, but it is a valid one.
(3) There are steps to follow, and there are direct instructions and examples given, but the fact is that discipline is one of the marks of a true New Testament church.

(Titus 3:10-11) "Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned."

(2 Th 3:6) "But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us..”

c. A church, like the Corinthians in 1 Cor 5, that refuses to obey the command to discipline its members is rejecting this specific command.

d. Examples

(1) 1 Cor 5
(2) Rev 2

Mat 5:17-18

Sermon on the Mount 11
Jesus’ View of The Bible
Mat 5:17-18

Introductory Thoughts:

· The Sermon on the Mount—The King’s instructions for the Kingdom of Heaven
· The Beatitudes: The inward attitudes result in outward behavior:

· These are the character traits of all true believers
· The Inward attitudes (3-6)
· Outward to people (7-9)
· Outward touching the world around us (10-16)
· Context—how we are to respond to a hostile world.
· Persecution is inevitable in a lost world
· Our attitude to persecution
· Salt and Light

· Now we move into a new section of the sermon






1. Various Views on The Law and the Gospel

a. Continuity (cultic version)

(1) The Law applies today just as in the OT
(2) Salvation is by works/grace combination
(3) Invalid for obvious reasons

b. Continuity (regular churches): a mixed approach

(1) No distinction between the covenants

(2) Most OT laws apply today just as before
(3) Infant baptism replaced circumcision
(4) The ministry replaced the OT priesthood
(5) Ceremony and ritual are important

(6) The New Covenant is a continuation of the Mosaic Law, just as the Mosaic Law was a continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant.
(4) Invalid: the covenants are not lined up that way

c. Selective continuity—
(1) take the parts of the Law that you like and ignore the rest—
(2) invalid: There must be a way to discern what of the Law is still in effect and which is not!

d. Total Discontinuity—There is no Law at all today, there is no ethical standard.

e. (Finally, the True way) The Doctrines of Promise and Fulfillment—

(1) The Larger Context to follow—Christ is going to begin to give the Laws of the New Covenant, and He first gives the relationship of New and Old.

(2) Key phrase: “But I say unto You…” (12 times total in Mat) Mat 5:22, Mat 5:28, Mat 5:32, Mat 5:34, Mat 5:39, Mat 5:44.

(a) What Christ is doing—
(b) Correcting the Jewish leaders’ misunderstanding of the Old Law
(c) Changing the Law to reflect the coming New Covenant.

(3) What this passage (17-20) teaches us about the Bible
(a) It is one Bible
(b) It has total authority, to the letter
(c) It is the Standard for all things
(d) The Source of the Authority is the Author

2. Jesus Relationship to the Old Testament : “…17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill…”

a. The first Statement is a mouthful. “…Think not that I am come to destroy…”


(1) He Could! He has the authority to dismantle what He Himself has established.
(2) What a claim of authority to even admit the possibility!

b. The Law and the Prophets—the entire OT.

(1) (Mat 7:12) ""Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

(2) (Mat 22:40) ""On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.""

(3) (Luke 16:16) ""The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it."

(4) (John 1:45) "Philip found Nathanael nd said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.""
(5) (Rom 3:21) "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,"

(6) (Luke 24:44) "Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.""

c. The definite statement—I am NOT come to destroy

(1) In the Greek, the statement is emphatic—NOT,

(2) In the Greek, it reads like this: “… NOT for a moment should you think that I have come to destroy…


3. What about the Law?
a. First, the Law is good—in its place—1 Tim 1:8 "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;" (See 1 Tim 1:9-11)
d. The purpose of the Law
(1) To set God’s moral standards
(2) to demonstrate His will for morality
(3) to convict men of their need of a Savior. (Rom 3:19-20).
(4) The Law cannot save, nor can it keep one saved; the Law convicts and shuts up. but, the LAW is an expression of God’s righteousness.
(5) Second, many of the same things will be in the New Covenant—God’s moral code does not change.

e. The fulfillment of the Law by Christ—“…but to fulfill…”

make come true, bring about (of Scripture); fill, make full; bring to completion, complete, accomplish, finish; make fully known, proclaim fully (Rom 15:19; Col 1:25); supply fully (Php 4:18, 19

(1) There is some scholarly disagreement as to what “fulfill” means.
(a) Fulfill the prophecies about Him?
(b) Complete the Law and the Prophets?
(c) Fulfill them and culminate them as the New Covenant comes in.
(d) My position is… “Yes!”

(2) First, Jesus taught the Law fully (and correctly) Mat 7:28-29

(a) The Scribes and Pharisees knew the Law, but they did not know the Law giver, nor were their interpretations correct.

(b) They ignored the most important matters Mat 23:13-26

(c) They were religious to cover up their evil

(d) They gained converts to their position, not to God

(e) They argued about meaningless matters: 23:16-22

(f) They majored on minors and ignored the majors—Mat 23:23

(3) Christ Lived the Law fully—

(a) John 8:46 "Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?"
(b) Heb 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

(c) In His personal character, He WAS The Law fully.

(d) The Law was God’s statement on ethics and morality written in stone; Christ Jesus was God’s statement on ethics and morality written in flesh and bone—1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

(4) Christ fulfilled the Judicial provisions of the Law—He became the sacrifice for sinners. Gal 3:13, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 5:6-8, 3:31

(5) Christ fulfilled the Ceremonial provisions of the Law—Heb 9-10

4. The Bible Stands On The Authority of Christ— “…For, Verily I say unto You…”

a. Verily—“Amen…” – indicates strong affirmation

b. Jesus’ Personal Authority Stands Behind The Bible—“…I say…”

c. Context—the inaugural address of the King of Kings

(4) His Authority is Eternal—Rev 1:8 “… I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty…”
(5) His Authority is absolute—Mat 9:2-6, Mat 28:18-20

(6) Jesus’ Personal Reputation is Staked on the Bible—He affirms the Truth of the following

(a) Moses—Mk 12:26
(b) Adam and Eve—Mat 19:4,
(c) Jonah—Mat 12:39-41
(d) Satan— Luke 10:18 "And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."
(e) Abraham—Jn 8:56
(f) Sodom, Lot’s Wife—Lk 17:9
(g) Abel—Lk 11:51
(h) The Genesis Creation account—Gen 1:26-28—Mat 19:1-11
(i) Noah—Mat 24:38-39

(7) The Bible is Permanent—“…till heaven and earth pass…”

(a) God’s Word is eternally settled—Ps 119:89
(b) Jesus’ Word is permanent—Mat 24:35
(c) God’s Word is relevant—Heb 4:12
(i) Relevant as to morality, law, ethics, society
(ii) Relevant as to man’s nature
(iii) Relevant as to sin and its consequences
(iv) Relevant as to our need of salvation
(v) Relevant as to the way of salvation
(vi) Relevant as to the coming end

5. The Extent of The Inspiration Of The Scriptures— “…One Jot or One Tittle Shall in No Wise Pass From the Law…”

a. The Theology
(1) Verbally inspired
(2) Fully inspired
(3) Fully authoritative
(4) Without error

(5) Jot and tittle—smallest parts of the Hebrew Alphabet

(6) Pass From—be annulled.

(7) The Certainty of the Bible—till all be fulfilled

b. First, we see all will be fulfilled

(1) All Has been so far (examples)
(a) Mat 12:15-21
(b) Mat 27:9
(c) Mat 27:35
(d) Acts 13:25-35

(2) All Will be fulfilled
(a) Acts 1:11
(b) 1 Cor 15:21-25
(c) Rev 17:15-17

c. Second, we see the principle of promise and fulfillment—The OT is promise, the NT is fulfillment.

d. Third, we see promises guaranteed by the character of God—Heb 6:13-18

5. Applications

a. The Lordship of Christ requires inerrancy
(1) A Bible with errors means a Savior who was wrong.
(2) He ties His Words to the Word – if it is not true, He is not true
b. Our attitude to the Word
(1) We are to honor the Word in our lives—Titus 2:1-8
(2) We are to be diligent in its study—2 Tim 2:15
(3) We are to defend the Bible—Jude 3-4
(4) We are to be ready to answer—1 Pet 3:15