1. Paul: A Sincerely Wrong Teacher 1 Timothy 1:12-16

2. Sincere Teachers of Error Does a good conscience protect one’s teachings and practices from being judged by God’s word? No – Paul said he ranked first among sinners, 1 Tim 1:15 –Sin proceeds from the heart, Matt 15:19-20 Can a sincerely wrong teacher be a false teacher? 2 YES! Rom 10:1-3

3. Paul was a man of good conscience (Acts 23:1) Paul was sincere in his convictions and his conduct, Acts 24:16; 26:9; Phil 3:6 –A sincere blasphemer, insolent persecutor; an ignorant unbeliever, 1 Tim 1:13 –Judged to be a sinner by the Holy Spirit and by himself – even when he thought he was offering God service, 1 Tim 1:15; Jno 16:2; Acts 26:9-11 (22:16) –Sinful practices and teachings 3

4. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins Paul was a blasphemer, 1 Tim 1:13 –“Impious, irreverent speech against God” –Proceeds from the heart, Matt 15:19-20 –He spoke against Christ and the gospel, cf. Acts 13:45; Gal 1:13-14 –The Holy Spirit judged Paul to be a blasphemer and Paul agreed, 1 Tim 1:13 4

5. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins Paul was a blasphemer, 1 Tim 1:13 –Why are we accused of being evil when we judge teachers to be blasphemers (based on the evidence of their teaching)? Jno 7:24; Lk 12:57 Paul did this, 1 Tim 1:18-20 We may follow his example in Christ (1 Cor 11:1) 5

6. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins Paul was a persecutor, 1 Tim 1:13 (Acts 26:9-11; Gal 1:13-14) –Persecutor tries to destroy his object, 1 Pet 4:14-16 –Proceeds from the heart, Matt 15:19-20 Paul tried to destroy the church, Acts 9:1 Consented to Stephen’s death, Ac 8:1 (7:58) Pursued Christians, Acts 9:1-2; 26:9-11 6

7. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins Paul was a persecutor, 1 Tim 1:13 (Acts 26:9-11; Gal 1:13-14) –The Holy Spirit judged Paul to be a persecutor and Paul agreed, 1 Tim 1:13 –Why are we accused of being evil when we judge, based on the evidence of their teaching, that one is opposing Christ and destroying souls? Jno 7:24; Lk 12:57 7

8. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins Paul was insolent, 1 Tim 1:13 –“one who, uplifted with pride, either heaps insulting language upon others or does them some shameful act of wrong” –Violent arrogance proceeds from the heart, Matt 15:19-20 –Paul intimidated with threats, compelling Christians to blasphemy, Acts 9:1-2; 26:11 8

9. God’s word judges the sincere teacher to be lost in his sins Paul was insolent, 1 Tim 1:13 –The Holy Spirit judged Paul to insolent and Paul agreed, 1 Tim 1:13 –Why are we accused of being evil when we judge, based on the evidence of their teaching, that one’s false teachings are being elevated above truth, thereby opposing Christ? Jno 7:24; Lk 12:57 9

10. Applications for Us We are commanded to try the spirits 1 John 4:1 –Examine the teacher’s fruit (his teaching) in light of apostolic doctrine, 1 Jno 4:6 False brethren, Gal 2:3-5 False teaching overthrows faith, 2 Tim 2: 16-18 Error is against Christ, 1 Jno 4:2-3 (2 Jno 7) 10

11. Applications for Us Follow these Bible examples that render God’s judgment of teachers and their fruit (their false teaching): –False plans of salvation –False patterns of local church worship, organization and work –False doctrines on return of Christ (70 AD) –False doctrines on MDR and fellowship 11

12. Applications for Us Do not be silenced from rebuking sin and error by the unfounded charge that you are judging hearts when you judge teachings and practices by God’s word, Rev 2:2 –Yes, God will judge all hearts and practices in the last day (cf. 1 Cor 4:5-6) –We can judge righteously, Jno 5:30 (7:24) 12