TEACHING RESULTS

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5 NKJV).

In context, the “purpose of the commandment” or end results of the Word of God, are threefold: a love that is pure, a conscience that is righteous, and a faith that is genuine.

Love that is pure – “Love from a pure heart.” There is a lot of talk about love today, but it is not pure love. Immoral acts are called love when they are lust not love. True love is pure and holy. So, when someone tells you they love you and you discover that the objective of that love is an immoral act, that is not true love. That is not what God calls love. The love that blesses is love out of a pure heart. That is what the Bible teaches.

Conscience that is righteous – “A good conscience.” The word “good” here refers to that which is right. God gave us a conscience to help keep our conduct upright. But one’s conscience must be fed the Word of God if this is to happen. The apostle Paul spoke about a conscience that was “seared” (cf. 1 Tim. 4:2) and one that was “defiled” (cf. Titus 1:15) thus showing that sometimes a conscience can be very misleading if we have fed it the wrong philosophies and teaching. We need to nourish our consciences with the teaching of the Scriptures; it will help in walking a holy life.

Faith that is genuine – “Sincere faith.” The word “sincere” here means unhypocritical. Many folks today pretend to be Christians when they really are not. Any attempt to love others without our faith sincerely based in the Lord Jesus Christ, will result in our efforts to minister becoming hollow and self-serving. However, sincere faith enables us to love genuinely. Good Bible teaching will do much to correct the problem of phony faith.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Truth without obedience is hypocrisy; obedience without truth is legalism. Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy!”

Jack Wellman (1907 – 1935)

American Pastor, Author, and Freelance Writer

Word Study

Flattering

In 1 Thess. 2:5 we read, “For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness-God is witness” (NKJV).

“Flattering” is the Greek word kolakeía (κολακεία = kol-ak-i'-ah). It denotes insincere speech used with the intent of manipulation. It is an attempt to persuade by use of exaggerated praise. The idea is deception by slick eloquence with the idea of winning over the listener’s heart in order to exploit not edify. Kolakeía was a well-known secular Greek term for a practice despised as much as boldness was valued, and which is occasionally connected with financial gain. Kolakeía is not found in the Septuagint, and occurs just once in the New Testament, here in 1 Thess. 2:5. The apostle Paul unmasked the motive behind flattery when he associated “flattering words” with “cloak of covetousness.” In fact, both “flattering words” and “a cloak of covetousness” are pretexts of a hidden motive for selfish desires. And so, the apostle Paul soundly rejected and disavowed any such motives for his ministry to the Thessalonians.

Did You Know…

One of the focuses of the Book of James was on the taming of the tongue (Jam. 3:1-12).

Bible Quiz

According to Matthew 24, when will the Lord Jesus Christ return to the earth?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

According to the Book of Daniel, what is described as having “teeth of iron and its nails of bronze?” The 4^th beast in Daniel`s vision (Dan. 7:19).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

His friends stood afar off (Psalm 38:11; cf. Luke 23:49)

"My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off” (Psalm 38:11 NJKV).

In context, David’s misery was unrelieved by either friends or relatives. His loved ones either did not care or could not help Him. In the case of the Lord Jesus, when He was condemned to death on the cross, all of His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were also standing at a distance. Yes, at a distance, but nevertheless willing to witness the Lord Jesus’ agonizing death. Their example of love and concern contrasted dramatically with the mocking of many in the crowd. They were shocked, overcome with grief, unable to comprehend what had happened to the Lord Jesus. This was not the way His story was supposed to end. They were devastated - until Sunday morning, when the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ would forever change their lives. It is also significant that the women who were the last at the cross were the first at the tomb on Easter morning. The fellowship from following the Lord Jesus Christ is a choice blessing. It more than compensates for any trials from following Him.

Did You Know – Christian History

Savonarola Burned Art Works - February 07, 1497

Girolamo Savonarola was born September 21, 1452, in Ferrara, Italy. He was an Italian Dominican friar. He became known for his prophecies of civic glory, his advocacy of the destruction of secular art and culture, and his calls for Christian renewal. He denounced clerical corruption, despotic rule, and the exploitation of the poor.

Savonarola had arrived in Florence in 1490. He was not particularly impressive looking - thin, with a large nose and intense eyes, but his sermons were striking. He preached that God’s judgment was coming for Florence. He named sins by name. He described visions of apocalypse. His timing was perfect. The Medici’s grip on power was weakening. French armies were advancing through Italy. Florence was full of anxiety, and Savonarola gave that anxiety a shape: sin. If the city repented, it might be saved. If it didn’t, God would send the French as a punishment. When the French finally invaded Italy in 1494, the Medici were expelled and Florence became a republic. To many Florentines, it seemed like Savonarola had been right. As a result, his authority expanded and he effectively ran the city for four years. Under Savonarola, Florence became something close to a theocracy. Gambling was banned. Taverns were closed or restricted. He organized processions of white-robed children singing hymns through streets that had recently hosted carnival. He established a system of “spiritual police” - teams of young men who enforced public morality, confiscating dice, mirrors, and immodest clothing.

For the time being, Savonarola rode high in opinion. No building could hold the thousands who came for his sermons. He called on the Florentines to burn all books, paintings, carvings and any other luxury that drew their hearts away from the deeper things of God. Florence listened. On February 7, 1497, he staged a great “bonfire of the vanities” in the city. Dirty pictures, gambling tables, books and art went up in smoke. Savonarola especially loathed paintings that disrespected the Virgin Mary. He also preached against papal corruption. This was dangerous. Pope Alexander VI was widely regarded as one of the most corrupt men to hold the papacy. He was not someone who tolerated criticism well. In 1497, Alexander excommunicated Savonarola.

The excommunication changed everything. Florentines who had been swept up in Savonarola’s fervor began to reconsider. Trade was suffering. The French alliance he had promoted was not delivering results. The novelty of extreme piety was wearing thin. By early 1498, his support had collapsed almost as quickly as it had risen. On May 23, 1498, barely a year after his great bonfire, Savonarola was hanged and burned at the stake in the same Piazza della Signoria where he had organized the destruction of Florence’s treasures. He was 45 years old.

A Little Humor

A man walked into a Baptist church and asked, “Is this seat saved?” The usher replied, “Not yet, but we’re praying for it.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“3 Nails + 1 Cross = 4 Given!”