What Cha Talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?

1 Tim 1:3-7

When I was a kid, I remember watching a TV show called “Different Strokes.” It was about a rich white man and his daughter who adopt 2 disadvantaged black boys. One of the most famous lines from the show was from the younger boy looking at his brother whenever his brother set them up to probably get in trouble and demanded “What cha talkin’ ‘bout Willis?”

As we read our text, you see Paul telling Timothy to question some guys who apparently were getting ready to get themselves and possible the church there in Ephesus in some trouble, because they didn’t know what they were talking about. Of course, none of us have ever been in those men’s shoes have we?

PRAYER

I. False Teaching or False Teacher?

A. False teachers

1. As I studied this passage, it struck me as to how the language was different here from other passages about false teachers.

2. There were some men who were purposely changing the gospel for profit or for power.

a) " But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves." (2 Peter 2:1, NIV)

b) "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." (2 Corinthians 2:17, NIV)

3. Do you see the difference in language and the writer’s feelings towards these men.

4. False teachers still exist today. They fill pulpits, teach in schools, write books all filled with teachings believed only to gain them profit or power.

5. They have sold out the true gospel for self gain.

B. Teaching False

1. There is a different category of people though that Paul is talking about here.

2. These were men who for different reasons were teaching things that were not true.

a) Some were trying to teach about things they just didn’t know enough about.

b) I know there are things that I taught one way many years ago that I wouldn’t teach today because I understand the gospel better today than I did then.

c) That doesn’t make me a false teacher, but someone who taught something wrong.

d) A good example of that would be Apollos. He was teaching the baptism of John the Baptist after Jesus had died and was resurrected. It was all he knew, so Aquilla and Pricilla took him aside and taught him the truth.

3. Paul seemed to think these men were like Apollos.

a) They might have got caught up in trying to be important or trying to seem intellectual.

b) They may not have known enough of what they were talking about to teach it correctly.

c) Whatever the reason, Paul tells Timothy to command them not to teach false doctrines anymore.

d) I’ll talk about that language in a few minutes.

C. Wrong motives

1. These guys were wrong as much in their motives for teaching as what they were teaching.

2. We learn in vs 7 they wanted to be teachers of the law.

3. These men wanted to be seen by others as important, or knowledgeable, and maybe, simply wanted to teach when they really didn’t have the knowledge to do so.

4. What can do worse damage to the truth, teaching something false or be so ignorant that you can’t even defend the basics of your faith?

5. Teachers aren’t expected to know everything, but they need to at least be competent in the area they are teaching so as to correct wrong thinking when it is brought up in their class or study group.

6. Small churches are really in a fix sometimes. We need teachers, but do we put just anybody willing to teach in a teacher’s role?

7. If we do, how do we correlate that to James 3:1

a) "My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others." (James 3:1, GNB)

8. Show and tell about the “Big Man” walking stick.

9. The church in Malawi is in great turmoil right now. They have some men who are great, Godly men teaching the truth as best they know and doing so for the love of their God. There are others, however, who are more concerned in being seen as “Big Men” in Malawi and the church than teaching the truth.

II. Who Wins in the Argument

A. Stupid stuff

1. I love to argue and debate, just ask Shirley Vandermark, but I have learned there is a line that moves from fun to counterproductive. Even more importantly, there are subjects that cause such controversies within our fellowship that they shouldn’t be discussed in some groups. These aren’t discussions that could have an affect on our faith, but ones that the discussion itself could affect people’s faith.

2. You could have a fun little argument about whether Adam and Eve had belly buttons. The outcome doesn’t matter. Yet if tempers start rising, or you see the discussion is really upsetting the other’s faith, stop! It’s not worth it.

3. In our text, it talks about endless genealogies and myths. We are not sure what Paul is referring to, but it is generally accepted that these men got caught up in Jewish Mysticism that was gaining popularity at the time.

4. It’s what Madonna and other Hollywood types are getting into now.

B. Not so stupid stuff

1. There are arguments and debates that need to happen.

2. Paul tells Timothy to command these men to stop teaching false doctrine.

3. Timothy would use not only his authority as the minister, but was also backed up by Paul’s authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

4. Armed with this authority and correct teaching, Timothy was to teach them properly with love as the goal.

5. Issues such as the place of baptism in salvation, deity of Christ, Inerrancy of the Bible need to be defended vigorously, but also done so with love.

III. The Right Stuff

A. Promote God’s work

1. I’ve seen churches and prominent magazine editors get so caught up in dealing with issues like the style of songs and if we should clap in songs that they never even think to focus on the lost in the world or equip people the knowledge of God’s will that really matter.

2. Whatever we do and talk about needs to bring about an effective promotion of God’s work in our community, not bickering and fighting over things that really don’t matter.

B. Pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith

1. Paul tells Timothy that all this needs to come from three things.

2. Pure heart

a) If we are teaching from wrong motives, it negates even true teachings as people see your teachings as they see you. Someone with ulterior motives

b) Rarely anything we do is solely based on absolutely pure motives.

c) When I preach part of me wants to impress you with my knowledge and speaking ability as well as bringing God’s truth to you.

d) Does that mean I have an impure heart? No, a pure heart means our desire to do God’s will is paramount in all we do.

3. Good Conscience

a) One commentator says that a good conscience is when you can teach something and not be ashamed of anything in that teaching.

b) The Greek idea is distinguishing between right and wrong then choosing and doing what is right.

4. Sincere faith

a) Many people profess faith in Christ.

b) A sincere faith is one that is built on a faith that has taken hold of our hearts, not just our mouths.

c) It’s being un-hypocritical.

IV.Conclusion

A. For the next several weeks we’ll be looking at some nuts and bolts theology.

1. Hopefully you’ll come away each week with a better understanding of what Paul had to tell Timothy.

2. With that better understanding, it will bolster your faith.