By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:18–20

By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:19b-20

John Piper has posted a new video lab of 1 Timothy 1:18-20 (Part 3) on DesiringGod.com, so I resume my study of this book. Excerpts from this video:

• Note the connection of faith and a good conscience, and if you reject one you reject both; further exploring the connection of conscience and faith, Piper shares that if we reject a good conscience, we are thereby rejecting things that are good for us.
• Paul seeks to fix Hymenaeus and Alexander by teaching them not to blaspheme; see also 1 Timothy 1:10-11 where Paul discusses how the law is being misused and not used for healthy teaching which "accords with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God."  Faith is wrecked by rejecting healthy teaching as described.  You are also blaspheming - essentially saying that the Good News is not good.  
  
• Paul's remedy is to hand over Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan which is discussed in the forthcoming part 4 lab video on this text; in the meantime, pursue both a faith and a conscience that aligns with the gospel as Good News. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Good News is good indeed!  All of what comes from You is good, true, and perfect.  Thank You for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out for me.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God[.]

Ephesians 6:16-17

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God[.] Ephesians 6:16-17

This morning, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today explores how believers can battle unbelief.  John Piper, in this devotion, looks at several ways he battles unbelief, providing scripture for each one:

• Anxiety about aging: Isaiah 46:4
• Anxiety about dying: Romans 14:7-9
• Anxiety about lack of faith: Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 7:25

Piper then shares how "[u]nbelief in the promises of God is the root of anxiety, which, in turn, is the root of so many other sins."  We are encouraged to lean into our faith, our salvation, and take up the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to fight our daily battles with unbelief.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good - I know You will never leave or forsake me and I can rest in Your Promises, which include how I will never be separated from Your Love.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26

This morning, I come back to preparation for leading worship services at the Gardens and the Lodge on behalf of my church. The focus of the message is Fruit of the Spirit - specifically love.  My preparation today leans on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video lab series for Galatians 5:22-26 (Part 1). 

Excerpts from the video:

• The focus of Part 1 (this video lab) is v22; while subsequent videos explore the remaining vv23-26
  
• John Piper first refers back to Galatians 5:19-21 where Paul contrasts fruit of the Spirit (good) with bad fruit as produced by the desires of the flesh: "works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these."
• Matthew 7:17 also refers to fruit both good and bad - Jesus has no problem referring to "bad" things as bad fruit
• Fruit of the Spirit is discussed as not being passive - it does take effort; good fruit is emphasized as giving life; see also Romans 8:2-6
• Walking by the Spirit v16 produces fruit (miracles); trusting (faith) in the promises of God - Galatians 3:5

 

 John Piper then discusses and provides a summary of the fruit of the Spirit (see above).

• The fruit as listed is not distinct but they all relate back to love. 

Piper recaps the video by sharing that if we live by the life giving Spirit, you are free from the condemnation of the law (both by Christ's sacrifice and because of how You abide in Him in Your walking in fellowship with Christ).

Believe in Him and experience this freedom!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who produces fruit in me - not because of anything I am doing but because You are love and You are full of amazing grace and You give these things to me as gift.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these gifts.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.