1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way
North Coast Church
Message #5 August 12-13, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne
Why Legalism Stinks
1 Timothy 4:1-6
Sermon Outline
Note: PowerPoints and Small Group Worksheets
for this sermon are available at www.northcoastchurch.com.
AN AGE-OLD PROBLEM
Legalism: Any attempt to help God out with extra rules & regulations.
● Self imposed rules are fine.
● Putting them on others is legalism!
Nothing New Under The Sun:
Isaiah 29:13/ Matthew 15:7-20/ Colossians 2:16-17, 20-23
O.T. False Prophets
Isaiah 29:13
Jesus & The Pharisees
Mt 15:7-20
N.T. Churches
Cf. NT letters!
Col 2:16-17, 20-23
Observing the Sabbath
Kosher Diet
Circumcision
Meat Offered To Idols
Modern Day Legalists
Food & Drink Entertainment Choices
How Green Are You? Diet/ Exercise/ etc
THE PASSAGE:
The When, What, Who & How:
1 Timothy 4:1-6/ Acts 20:17-18, 29-31/ 2 Corinthians 11:14-15/ Mark 7:14-23 & Romans 14:17-18
Read it First – Then Walk Through It Slowly
PUT PASSAGE UP ON THE SCREEN!
~ Explain why we don’t normally do this!
4:1-2 The Spirit clearly says that
~ no doubt about it! Cf. Acts 20:29-31
in later times some will abandon the faith and
~ later NOT last times!
follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ~ Not just wrong. Satanic!~ cf. 2 Cor 11:14-15
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
4-5 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
Thanksgiving Test: Can I honestly thank God for this?
6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
WHY LEGALISM STINKS:
Proverbs 30:5-6/ Luke 18:9-14/ Colossians 2:20-23
It assumes God forgot something Prov 30:5-6
It produces spiritual arrogance. Luke 18:9-14
It’s spiritually powerless. Col 2:20-23
FENCE ILLUST.
Fake Warning signs
LEGALISM’S HOLY TRINITY:
Three verses they love to quote completely out of context.
1 Corinthians 6:19
Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
~ Used Against: Alcohol, smoking, tattoos, piercings
Also: Coffee, Sugars, Processed Foods, etc.
Isaac won Rebekah with a nose ring weighing a beka (approx. 3 ½ oz!) Genesis 24:14-30!
~ Context is immorality – joined to a prostitute!
1 Corinthians 8:9
Never do anything that might cause the weak to stumble.
~ Stumble = Fall away (Apostasy)
Not be annoyed or bothered!
~ The weak are the legalists! Weak in that area
Not baby Christians or non-Christians!
Rom 14:1-2 ~ The weak are those who are afraid of their freedom in Christ!
If you know it offends don’t do it!
If a legalist is open – teach them!
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Avoid every appearance of evil.
~ Used against – MOVIES – DRESS STYLES
A GLASS OF WINE AT A RESTAURANT –
HANGING AROUND NON-CHRISTIANS
~ Ignores Jesus’ entire ministry!
What about a prison ministry?
~ If it has any chance of being misunderstood you shouldn’t do it!
~ Context: How to respond to a so-called word from the Lord
Don’t despise it – test it – hold the good and avoid every form of evil
Available as a North Coast Church Podcast - www.northcoastchurch.com
1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church
Message #5 August 12-13, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne
Why Legalism Stinks
1 Timothy 4:1-6
AN AGE-OLD PROBLEM
Legalism: Any attempt to _______________ with extra _______________ & _______________.
Nothing New Under The Sun:
Isaiah 29:13/ Matthew 15:7-20/ Colossians 2:16-17, 20-23
THE PASSAGE:
The When, What, Who & How:
1 Timothy 4:1-6/ Acts 20:17-18, 29-31/ 2 Corinthians 11:14-15/ Mark 7:14-23 & Romans 14:17-18
WHY LEGALISM STINKS:
Proverbs 30:5-6/ Luke 18:9-14/ Colossians 2:20-23
LEGALISM’S HOLY TRINITY:
Three verses they love to quote completely out of context.
1 Corinthians 6:19
Your body is the _______________ .
1 Corinthians 8:9
Never do anything that might cause the _______________.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Avoid every _______________.
Available as a North Coast Church Podcast - www.northcoastchurch.com
Food for Thought
For the week of August 13, 2006
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)
1. Having a clear understanding of God’s law can help us avoid the trap of legalism. King David, the apostle Paul and Jesus can each give us a healthy perspective on God’s law. Read the following passages and a few notes on each man’s view of the law.
David: Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 19:7-11
Paul: Romans 3:19-24, Romans 7:7
Jesus: Matthew 22:34-40
How do these passages help us understand the law without becoming legalistic?
2. Jesus pointed out a number of ways that the Pharisees were being legalistic in Luke 11:37-54. Read the passage and jot down the parallels between Jesus’ words and Larry’s reasons “why legalism stinks.”
Write down how each of the Pharisee’s attempts to “help God out with extra rules and regulations” could become a temptation in your life.
3. This weekend we were encouraged to stand fast in our freedom but to avoid flaunting or abusing it. What do the following verses encourage us to do with our freedom?
Galatians 5:13-15
1 Peter 2:13-17
Romans 6:22-23
