First Baptist Lenoir City

1. WHAT TO BELIEVE

2. WHAT TO DO

3. WHO TO HOPE IN

We are Apologists - 3:16; Rev 5:13

Beware of Apostates - 4:1-2; II 3:1; 4:3-4; Acts 20:28-31; Heb 3:12; II Pt 2:1, 20-22; 3:17 - MATT 24:1-14

I. The Divine Doctrines - 3:16; Rev 5:13

a. Revealed in the flesh -

b. Vindicated in the Spirit -

c. Beheld by angels -

d. Proclaimed among the nations -

e. Taken up in glory -

II. The Demonic Doctrines - 4:1-5

• The Spirit reveals (prophecy): - Mt. 3; Jn 2;Phil. 3:1

a. Falling from the faith -

b. Falling for deception - II Tim 3

c. Hypocrisy of liars

d. Seared in their conscience - 3:9

• Men who forbid marriage - Paul isn’t attacking singleness.

This command moves away from God’s divine design.

* Gen. 1 & 2; Proverbs 5:18-19; 12:4 (2); 18:22; 31:10; Eph. 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:4

• Advocate abstaining from foods -

a. Which God created to be gratefully shared in - Colossians 2 (anything that denies salvation by grace in Jesus is dangerous and even demonic - like circumcision or good works)

b. By those who believe & know the truth -

c. IF received w/ thanksgiving -

d. FOR it is sanctified by the Word of God (clarity) and prayer - Ro.14; Heb. 13:9

I. The Conduct in God’s House - 3:14-15

1. The Church of the living God -

2. The Pillar & Buttress of the Truth -

II. The Confession of God’s People - 3:16

1. The mystery of godliness - is Christ-centeredness AND Christlikeness!

a. Manifested in the flesh - INCARNATION

• John 1:14; Hebrews 10; Rev 1:11-18

b. Vindicated by the Spirit - AFFIRMATION

• His conception/birth (Matt 1)

• His life & ministry (Matt 3; Acts 2)

• His Resurrection (Romans 1)

c. Seen by angels - CONFIRMATION

• His birth; His temptation; His tomb

• His three days after the cross

• His resurrection: His ascension

d. Proclaimed among the nations - EVANGELIZATION

e. Believed on in the world - SALVATION

• Not just spoken of but embraced! They believed therefore they received - Colossians 1:6

f. Taken up in glory - ASCENSION

• Acts 1:9-11 (critical in understanding His return. Matthew 24:15-31 (vv. 1-14)

THE LORD'S SUPPER AND THE LAST DAYS

I. Jesus the Supreme Example - Jesus then Pastors & Deacons

1. John 13

II. The Example of the Early Church -

1. Acts 2:32-47

2. Acts 4: 32-37

3. Acts 6:1-7 

CONNECTION OF THE CHRIST

Jesus is THE Deacon of His Church - He calls Himself a Servant and calls all who follow Him to be servants as well.

Two key passages I want to share with you are Matthew 20:20-28 & John 13

I. Who is a servant? Spiritual leadership is Servant leadership!

1. Generally speaking - Every believer

2. Specifically speaking - Office in the Church - Prototype in Acts 6

3. Singularly speaking - Jesus Christ Himself! Matthew 20:20-28; John 13:1-17; Isaiah 42:1

II. What is a Deacon?

1. About the word when used generally

a. We are all “deacons” - 3 Greek words help us understand this

1. We are all diaconas -

2. We are all doulos -

3. We are all huperetes -