1 Timothy 4

Three Outlines Today

1 Timothy 4:1-5

B1 Warning of Apostasy

C1 This is for the latter times

D1 End of the church age

D2 Just before the Tribulation

D3 Society falls apart

D4 Like the days of Noah and the times of Sodom and Gomorrah

E1 The sins of society are NOT any special sins.

E2 They are the breaking of God’s Commandments as summarized in the 10 Commandments.

E3 Every law is broken in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E4 Truth changes from the correspondence theory (reality) to the Narcissistic theory (what I say is truth, is truth).

C2 Characteristics of those times

D1 Depart from the faith—leaving the Gospel and doctrine as taught by the Lord Jesus and the Apostles.

E1 The main doctrine modified concerns the Gospel. Works or something else become necessarily.

E2 Then the doctrine of God, the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are changed.

E3 Christianity departs from evidence and a reasonable faith to one of experience and mysticism.

D2 Turning to seducing spirits and teachings of demons.

E1 Lifestyle is determined by whatever a person decides.

E2 Doctrine and messages come from meeting God(?) in the silence. The people are deceived to think it is Yahweh who gives these messages, but the messages come from the false. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 CSB - For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

D3 Lies and hypocrisy

E1 What these false teachers say and do are not the same.

E2 They love to cover up and hide.

E3 Many fake pastors hide various abuses and financial documents from the faithful.

D4 Conscience seared—people do all these things and do not feel any guilt.

D5 Forbid marriage.

D6 Teach the necessity to avoid certain foods.

E1 These are not foods related to health, but to spiritual progress. Some teach that Christians must follow the dietary laws outlined in the New Testament. If someone wants to follow them, so be it, but if they teach it is spiritually necessarily for the Christian, it is false teaching. I am a Christian not a Jew. God bless the Jews.

E2 The truth is Christians can eat. The reason? God created these foods to be partaken with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. So if a teacher teaches the necessity of not eating something for spiritual reasons, they are teaching lies. Beware! We have been warned.

E3 These foods are spoken by the Holy Spirit to be good and not to be refused. We are to be thankful for them, when we eat any food.

E4 These foods are sanctified.

F1 Because God said so.

F2 Because of prayer.

E5 We can also worship on Sunday or any other day: Colossians 2:16-17 WEL So then don't let anyone condemn you in food, drink, religious festivals, new moon, or the Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of things to come, but the real substance is Christ.

E5 A link about Torah observance by Jews for Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:6-10

B2 Remind brethren

C1 These are for the pastors/leaders

C2 We are being good, that is, pleasing servants of the Lord Jesus.

D1 We remind our fellow believers of these things. Thusly, we must not do these things.

D2 We have to remind ourselves through Bible reading, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.

D3 We have to be open and listen when our fellow believers remind us.

C3 We have to be nourished in the faith. This is knowing the Gospel and Biblical doctrine.

C4 We have to follow them carefully. We do not follow them to be saved or to be better Christians than someone else. We do follow them because we want to be good servants of Jesus Christ.

C5 We are not to follow crude myths or old wives’ stories. These are not doctrine. They are religious myths and stories. None of them are something Christians need to believe. Some examples are

D1 An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

D2 Breaking a mirror will bring you seven years bad luck.

D3 Cleanliness is next to godliness.

C6 We need to be in training for living a godly life.

D1 We must know the Bible.

D2 We must know what we believe.

D3 We must know how to live a Christian life.

D4 We must be able to answer questions challenging our faith (apologetics).

C7 Physical exercise is OK but will not enhance our faith.

C8 We need to be ready for living tomorrow with God’s standards stronger in us then today.

C9 Believing that Jesus is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe is offensive to many people. The Gospel is offensive. Jesus is offensive. A Christian life is offensive to many. God’s standards are offensive to many.

B3 Applications

C1 Christians are different. Saving faith is different. Jesus is different. Jesus suffered, so will we.

C2 God gives us grace and strength for whatever we face.

C3 We need to be taught and to teach each other.

C4 We need to encourage each other in the faith.

C5 We need to pray for each other.

1 Timothy 4:11-14

B3 More pastoral advice.

C1 Paul is speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so all these words are not suggestions, they are required.

C2 Command and insist on these things

D1 This is not elder or pastoral abuse.

D2 A controlling pastor is either miseducated or more likely, evil.

D3 The word command has the idea of emphasizing the importance.

D4 The command is from the Holy Spirit.

D5 Teach has the idea of letting people know.

D6 Whatever we teach and emphasize MUST be followed by us. We cannot be someone who says but does not do. That is a hypocrite, and God will judge.

C3 All Christians need to be an example.

D1 Those who have been a Christian for many years better be an example.

D2 Those who have not been a Christian for many years can be an example to those who have.

D3 The idea is be an example.

D4 We are to be an example in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds especially in love, attitude, faith, and purity. There are too many abusing pastors. They are not pure.

C4 Read, exhort, and teach.

D1 We are to do these things to ourselves.

D2 We are to encourage these things to others.

1 Timothy 4:15-16

B4 Be steadfast in your belief

C1 We need to think. We need to deeply think. We need to carefully.

C2 The things of God are most important to our life today and in the future life.

C3 We are to be dedicated to God’s ways.

C4 We need to grow in the faith.

C5 We need to be careful what we to and teach.

C6 We need to continue in the faith.

C7 We need to encourage all the brothers and sisters to continue, and they to encourage me.

B5 Applications

C1 There is a Christian life for our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C2 We need to study, teach, and life the Christian faith.

C3 We need to actively think about God’s teachings.

C4 God will give us grace to do these things.

C5 Do not quit.

Jesus' Teaching and Truth Sets Us Free

John 8:31-32 WEL Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, "If you continue in my teaching, you are truly my disciples, 32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

The formula

1. Continue in my teaching
2. Truly my disciples
3. Know the truth
4. Being set free

Continue in my teaching

B1 What Jesus taught IS the teaching of God: John 7:16 NKJV Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

B2 Everything that Jesus taught was founded in the Old Testament: Luke 24:27 NKJV And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

B3 The Lord Jesus fulfilled all the requirements in the Old Testament: Luke 24:44 NKJV 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.

B4 His teaching is based on the same summary: Mark 12:28-31 NRSV One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.

B5 The future: Mark 14:62 NRSV Jesus said, "I am; and 'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,' and 'coming with the clouds of heaven.

B6 He exposes false teaching and false teachers: Matthew 7:15-20 NRSV Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.

B7 He gives an invitation to join Him and learn: Matthew 11:28-30 NRSV Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

B8 He teaches that we must obey what He taught either directly or through His apostles: John 14:23-24 WEL Jesus answered and said to him, "If a man loves me, he will obey my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling place in him. "The one who doesn't love me doesn't obey my word, and the word you hear is not my own but the Father's who sent me.

C1 No one can obey unless they have placed their faith and trust into Jesus Christ alone. Our works are trash and garbage.

C2 Obey is the fruit of a new creation, which is a creation of the Holy Spirit. It is a totally different nature than the one we were born with.

C3 If there is no obedience, there is no salvation, because obedience is the fruit of a born again, regenerated, person.

C4 He is the King of kings and Lord of lords and reigns forever.

C5 He is a loving shepherd leader, not a controlling, selfish dictator.

B9 Acknowledge His words are eternal and are life.: John 6:68-69 WEL Simon Peter then answered him, "Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. "And we are convinced and have come to know that you are the Christ, the son of the living God.

B10 What He taught, He lived, so should we: Luke 9:23-24 WEL He said to all, "If any wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me, For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same one will save it.

Truly my disciples

B1 If we are truly His disciples, what He taught, we will believe, we will do, and we will teach others.

B2 We have to show consistency in what we say and do both in public and private.

Know the truth

B1 God understands truth as reality.

B2 The words

C1 Hebrew:

D1 The Hebrew word is H571 אֶמֶת 'emeth.

D2 It means (TWOT): This very important concept in biblical doctrine gives clear evidence of the biblical meaning of “faith” in contradistinction to the many popular concepts of the term. At the heart of the meaning of the root is the idea of certainty. And this is borne out by the nt definition of faith found in Heb 11:1. The basic root idea is firmness or certainty.

C2 Greek

D1 The Greek work is G225 ἀλήθεια aletheia.

D2 It means (TDNTa): A. The OT Term for Truth.

1. The common OT word for truth appears some 126 times. It denotes a reality that is firm, solid, binding, and hence true. With reference to persons it characterizes their action, speech, or thought, and suggests integrity.

2. In law the word is used for a. the actual truth of a cause or process as shown by the facts (cf. Dt. 22:20; 1 Kgs. 10:6; Dan. 10:1).

C3 The Greek word for know is G1097 γινώσκω ginosko. According to TDNTa, it means The Greek Usage. The ordinary use is for intelligent comprehension (“to perceive,” “to understand,” “to know”), at first with a stress on the act. As distinct from aisthánesthai, ginṓskō emphasizes understanding rather than sensory perception, and as distinct from dokeín it is a perception of things as they are, not an opinion about them. Related to epistḗmē, gnōsis needs an objective genitive and suggests the act of knowing rather than knowledge as such.

B3 Thus, knowing truth is an intelligent understanding of reality.

Being set free

B1 Free from what?

C1 Lies

C2 False teachers

C3 False teachings

C4 Lies used to manipulate us

C5 Lies used to hurt and shame us

C6 False guilt

C7 False doctrine

C8 False preachers

B2 The more we know and study the Bible; the more we are set free.

We learn:

B1 The importance of the teaching of Jesus Christ.

B2 The importance of continuing in His teaching.

B3 The importance of avoid “new” words of faith, “new” words of doctrine, and “new” ways of living.

B4 If we really are a disciple or not.

B5 What truth is.

B6 How to be set free.

B7 How to stay free.

Some Thoughts About Eve

Genesis 3:6 NKJV So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Eve became aware of 3 things:

1. The tree was good for food.
2. The tree was pleasant to the eyes.
3. The tree was desirable to make one wise.

Eve made a wrong conclusion—it was good and not forbidden.

Eve took the wrong action—she ate the fruit.

We know

• All of creation was perfect and good.
• Adam being alone was identified by God as being not good: Genesis 2:18 NRSV Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.

God created Eve

• For fellowship. God has no need for fellowship. Fellowship is something God enjoys, but He does not have a need. Adam had a need for fellowship.
• For the other half of wisdom and spiritual gifts that Adam did not have. Adam could make a full, wise decision with Eve’s input. Without her input, it would not be a full, wise decision. Only God is complete in Himself. God made it clear that being governor of the earth would not be correct without Eve.
• For a female. Adam had a need for companionship. God has no needs. God wants to make it clear that Adam had needs that Adam could not fulfill.
• To express love and other attributes.
• To receive love and other attributes.

What we can learn from Eve becoming aware of 3 things:

1. The tree was good for food.
   1. She may have thought it to be a poisonous plant, so thinking she would drop dead from the plant.
   2. She may not have thought about it before.
   3. She may not have known all the facts, thus a failure on Adam’s part.
2. The tree was pleasant to the eyes.
   1. She may not have looked at it before.
   2. She may not have studied it, just avoiding it.
3. The tree was desirable to make one wise.
   1. She wanted to learn.
   2. Wisdom is good to learn and is approved by God.
   3. She was ignorant of the type of wisdom, she would receive.

Adam failed.

• This showed that he did not have complete wisdom. He made a bad decision.
• This showed a lack of love for God first and also for Eve.
• This showed that He did not believe God.
• This showed ignorance of God’s character and attributes. Perhaps, he was thinking, “Since God is not here, He will not know.”

Eve’s punishment: pain in childbirth. (She also shared in loss of fellowship with God and spiritual death and eventually physical death. But, the only punishment specified was pain in childbirth).

Eve’s promise from God: Messiah will come from your seed, not Adam’s seed.

Adam’s punishment

• Hard work with little reward.
• Guilt
• Suffering
• Death
• Loss of fellowship with God
• Knowing all creation suffered because Adam sinned. Note, all this suffering is NOT from Eve’s sin.
  • Romans 5:12 NKJV Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:21 NKJV For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
  • Romans 5:14 NKJV Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45 NKJV For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ... And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Temptation

• The temptation we face is not unique to us; it is common to all humans: 1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.
• James 1:12 NRSV Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• It is from sinful desire within us: James 1:14-16 NRSV But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it; 15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved.
• Love of other things: 1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
• Things that are more important than God, His teachings, and His lifestyle: Luke 8:14 NKJV Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
• The devil knows what we enjoy and have pleasure in, so he makes sure there is opportunity: Romans 7:5 NKJV For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
• The devil gives us what WE THINK IS A BETTER DEAL in life: 1 Timothy 5:15 GW Some of them have already turned away to follow Satan.

Deliverance

• We need God’s help: Matthew 6:13 NKJV And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
• We need to follow God’s advice by application: Matthew 26:41 HCSB Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
• We need to endure temptation. God gives the grace to do this, but we must do: James 1:12 NRSV Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
• We need to humble ourselves, asking God to help. We must also resist: James 4:7 NLT So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• The Lord Jesus knows, has experienced temptation, and is compassionate willing to help us: Hebrews 2:18 NIV Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
• This passage refers to uncalled for angry but can be applied to any temptation, sin, sinful situation: Ephesians 4:26-27 NET Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity.
• The testing of faith produces endurance (the idea of no pain, no gain): James 1:2-3 NET My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
• Believers have the Holy Spirit in them to help in temptation: 1 John 4:4 NKJV You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
• Realize satan hates us and has many evil thoughts and plans: 2 Corinthians 2:11 WEL Fearing that Satan would take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his evil thoughts.
• Don’t blame God: James 1:13 NRSV No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.
• God allows tests of our faith, not to find out if we are genuine but so we can find out if we are genuine: 1 Peter 1:6-7 NRSV In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
• We resist, but God gives us the strength: 2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
• Recognizing evil. We have to know what God teaches (Bible) and recognize truth. This was part of Eve’s downfall, for she did not know completely. Adam knew but did not teach her the total truth. Genesis 3:1-7 NKJV Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
• We must know the truth. Otherwise, we will be tricked by fake teachers and the false teachings. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
• Confess our sin and repent (don’t do it anymore): 1 John 1:9 MKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Two Kingdoms, Two Gods

1 John 5:19 NRSV We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.

Introduction

We are living in a world with two kingdoms.

B1 Devil’s

C1 1 John 5:19 NRSV We know that we are God's children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one.

C2 Matthew 12:26 NRSV If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

B2 God’s

C1 1 Chronicles 29:11 CSB Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.

C2 Psalm 45:6 CSB Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.

C3 Psalm 145:13 CSB Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; your rule is for all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words and gracious in all his actions.

C4 Matthew 26:64 CSB You have said it," Jesus told him. "But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.

Characteristics of the two kingdoms

B1 Devil’s

C1 Hates God. Reason? God reveals to them that they are evil and are doing evil in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. John 7:7 NRSV The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil.

C2 Refuse God’s leadership and kingship (This is from the Parable of the Ten Talents): Luke 19:14 GNB Now, his own people hated him, and so they sent messengers after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'

C3 Hate Christians: John 17:14 NRSV I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

C4 In darkness and the power of satan: Acts 26:18 NRSV to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

C5 Evil desires for fleshly happiness and satisfaction, what we see will our eyes (I want ____ fill in the blank), pride, financial riches and goods: 1 John 2:15-17 NRSV Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

C6 Claims all the kingdoms of the world: Matthew 4:8-10 NRSV Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.

B2 God’s

C1 Truth (reality)

D1 John 14:17 GW That helper is the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it doesn't see or know him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be in you.

D2 Titus 1:2 WEL In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began.

C2 An abandonment of the world system, lifestyle, and desires for what God wants and loves: 1 John 2:15-17 NRSV Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.

C3 God, Yahweh, is greater in every conceivable way. He overcomes all enemies. We are now not of the world as our King is not of this world’s system and kingdom. We are God’s children. Rebirthed by the work of the Holy Spirit. We have and follow the Spirit of Truth. 1 John 4:4-6 NRSV Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

C4 Wins the conflict over the devil: John 12:31 NRSV Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.

Two Kings

B1 Devil

C1 A murderer from the beginning (of creation) who is unable to tell the truth: John 8:44 GW You come from your father, the devil, and you desire to do what your father wants you to do. The devil was a murderer from the beginning. He has never been truthful. He doesn't know what the truth is. Whenever he tells a lie, he's doing what comes naturally to him. He's a liar and the father of lies.

C2 Blinds people to truth, God, and Gospel: 2 Corinthians 4:4 NRSV In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

C3 Brought death to the world, through, Adam’s sin: Hebrews 2:14-15 NRSV Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

C4 Deceiver: Revelation 20:7-8 NRSV When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as numerous as the sands of the sea.

C5 Enslaves people and totally controls them: Matthew 8:28-29 GW When he arrived in the territory of the Gadarenes on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, two men met him. They were possessed by demons and had come out of the tombs. No one could travel along that road because the men were so dangerous. 29 They shouted, "Why are you bothering us now, Son of God? Did you come here to torture us before it is time?"

C6 Pretends to be holy: 2 Corinthians 11:14 NRSV And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

B2 God

C1 Destroys satan: Hebrews 2:14-15 NRSV Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

C2 Casts out satan: Matthew 12:26-28 NRSV If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

C3 Declares believers to be His children (we are adopted): Romans 8:16 NRSV it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

C4 Prays for us:

D1 For deliverance from satan: John 17:15 NRSV I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.

D2 Romans 8:34 NRSV Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

C5 Gives us victory: 1 Corinthians 15:57 NRSV But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

C6 God loves us, so He will come back for us: John 14:28 GW You heard me tell you, 'I'm going away, but I'm coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I'm going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am.

Two Decisions

B1 Resist God

C1 John 5:39-40 WEL Search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are the very ones that testify about me. 40 You are not willing to come to me, that you might have life.

C2 Luke 13:34 NKJV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

B2 Believe God

C1 God, Yahweh, rescues, transfers, redeems, and forgives us from the devil’s kingdom, power, and sin to the kingdom of Jesus, the beloved Son, Colossians 1:13-14 NRSV He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

C2 John 14:1 GW Don't be troubled. Believe in God, and believe in me.

Two Outcomes

B1 Of the Devil’s Kingdom (those who do not believe God):

C1 Revelation 20:10 NRSV And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

C2 Matthew 25:41, 46 CSB Then he will also say to those on the left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! ... "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

B2 Of God’s Kingdom (those who believe)

C1 Daniel 7:18 CSB But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.

C2 1 Peter 1:3-4 CSB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

C3 John 3:15-16 WPNT so that everyone who believes into Him should not be wasted but should have eternal life. Because God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes into Him should not be wasted but should have eternal life.

2 Corinthians 6:2 WEB for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.”Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2 GNB Hear what God says: "When the time came for me to show you favor, I heard you; when the day arrived for me to save you, I helped you." Listen! This is the hour to receive God's favor; today is the day to be saved!

Today is the day to be saved!

Matthew 25:41, 46 CSB - "Then he will also say to those on the left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! ... "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Goals

1 Corinthians 13:13 NRSV And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

John 6:38 NRSV for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

B1 Jesus came to do His Father’s will.

B2 So should we.

Goals—Some goals for us

B1 Philippians 3:10, 12, 14 CSB My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, ... Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ... I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

C1 To know God better.

C2 His power and promise of the resurrection.

C3 To be patient in sufferings

C4 Heaven

B2 1 Timothy 1:5 CSB Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

C1 God teaches us through reading and studying the Bible.

C2 Our faith needs to be genuine.

C3 God gives us grace and help to make it to heaven.

B3 1 Peter 1:9 CSB because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

C1 The goal of our faith is our salvation.

C2 Whatever we face here is only temporary.

C3 Be faithful

B4 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT Let love be your highest goal!

C1 Love is the highest and best characteristic.

C2 It is in short supply.

C3 You and many others have been cheated from love that was deserved and needed. Parents may have failed, teachers, pastors, religious people, church goers, employers, etc.

C4 God love is constant.

B5 2 Corinthians 5:9 NLT So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

C1 We want to please the saviour, our Messiah.

C2 He promises to deliver, but He does not say when He will deliver.

C3 Our thankfulness for His goodness is never forgotten.

B6 Galatians 1:10 NLT Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.

C1 Pleasing people is not a good goal.

C2 Too many people take advantage of us and hurt us.

C3 They lie and cheat us.

C4 Pleasing God is doing His will.

C5 His blessings are eternal.

B7 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.

C1 Some people are loud.

C2 Some people are obnoxious.

C3 Some people are both.

C4 God does not want us to be either of them.

B8 John 17:4 NLT I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

C1 To bring glory to God rather than ourselves.

C2 God will honor us.

C3 Let us finish His work that He has given us.

D1 Every Christian has a some work to do for God.

D2 It could be praying, listening to others, helping when possible, being kind, etc.

B9 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

C1 We need to be faithful.

C2 We have God’s promise to help us.

C3 We pray for each other.

Goals—Some goals of God

B1 To live with His people

C1 Leviticus 26:11-12 NLT I will live among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.

C2 Psalm 23:6 NLT Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

C3 John 14:23 NLT Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

B2 To seek the lost: Luke 19:10 NRSV For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.

B3 To reconcile with His enemies, that is, humans: Colossians 1:20-21 GNB Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven. 21 At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought.

B4 To never leave nor forsake us: Hebrews 13:5 NRSV Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you.

B5 Others answered: What is God's ultimate goal? Why did God do everything he did (e.g. creating humans, angels, and animals)? What does he gain? Isn't he perfect, and supposedly has no needs?

Anthony Zarrella, Lifelong Catholic and avid student of theology

Answered Jan 17 2017 · Author has 2.3k answers and 8.4m answer views

You’re right that God has no needs. The greatest Saint adds nothing to God’s perfection, and God would be no less great if there were nothing but Him.

However, God’s nature is love, and love seeks to be shared.

So, God created Man - a free moral agent who could choose to do good (and therefore, by necessity, could choose to do evil), and who could choose to love God (or not).

It’s not that the existence of Man is good for God - God doesn’t need us. But the existence of Man is good for Man.

It’s the same with prayer - God doesn’t need our prayers, but prayer and worship puts us in better “alignment” with His nature, and therefore with our own best nature, and so He demands it of us just like a parent demands that a child eat his vegetables (it’s not like the parent gets any benefit from the kid eating nutritious food, right?).

As to His reasons for creating other stuff (animals, angels, etc.), He’s the only one Who knows for sure, but it’s strongly implied that all Creation is “aimed at” Man - that is, that the universe in all its splendor has us as its goal. I’m talking theology here, not science, by the way - I have no desire in this particular thread to debate whether it is scientifically reasonable to believe this (I think it is, but it’s a discussion for another time and place).

Psalm 18:6 NLT But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 69:3 NLT I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.