Paradox: Integrity in the Age of Duplicity // Travis Cook
Channel: Park Cities Baptist Church
Date: 2021-07-04

SERMON RESPONSE GUIDE

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-5
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

KEY POINTS
False teaching – at its core – is demonic.
The result of false teaching is a false gospel of Jesus Christ.
The remedy for false teaching is praise, thanksgiving, and devotion to God.
MEMORY VERSE
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:

“Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,”
-1 John 2:4 ESV

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
 
1: What is a point of view you have been clinging to lately that has pulled you away from drawing near to God? What is it about that particular perspective that pulls you in?
 
2: When was a time in your life when you were acutely aware you had a real spiritual enemy in this world? Why do you think you were especially aware of spiritual warfare at that time in your life?
 
3: Read John 10:10-11. Who is “the thief” and who is “the good shepherd” in this story Jesus is telling? What is the thief’s purpose or goal? What is the good shepherd’s purpose or goal?
 
4: How does knowing the truth about the character and purpose of the good shepherd (Jesus) compared to the thief (the enemy, the devil) help you to discern what to cling to and what to cast away?
 
5: Read 1 John 2:1-17 and ask God to use this passage of Scripture to guide you in a personal time of confession and repentance in his presence.
 
6: Why do you think praise and thanksgiving to God can be a remedy for believing lies that pull us away from God? In view of this question and your response, why do you think it is important to frequently and regularly gather as a faith family (church) to worship God?
 
7: Reflect on the character of God and choose one characteristic of God that particularly draws you close to him today. Write that characteristic of God somewhere you can see it each day this week and actively seek to cling to the truth about who God is, no matter what the enemy may throw your way.

PRAY
Lord, forgive us for how we have turned away from you to follow after idols and ideals that may provide us with temporary comfort, but they will never provide us with eternal freedom and security in your name above all names. Holy Spirit, prompt us to praise you and express gratitude to you for who you are on this day and forevermore. We trust you to receive us and revive us by grace through faith, Lord.