"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." ( 1Tim 4:16)

1. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." (1Tim 4:16)

2. 1Tim 4: 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

3. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." (1Tim 4:16) • Who should take heed? • Every servant and layman • Why? • Many neglected their own salvation and perished • May find that problems enter into the service

4. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." (1Tim 4:16) • How to take heed? • Take care of yourself and your eternity • You are the doctrine • Sanctify yourself • Be filled • Take heed of your thoughts • Take heed of your actions • Take heed of your means and goals • Take heed of your errors • Take heed of your spiritual growth

5. The Doctrine • 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. • 16لاَحِظْ نَفْسَكَ وَالتَّعْلِيمَ وَدَاوِمْ عَلَى ذلِكَ، لأَنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ هذَا، تُخَلِّصُ نَفْسَكَ وَالَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَكَ أَيْضًا. • Doctrine (Latin: doctrina) is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system.

6. The Doctrine • Doctrine is NOT a formality • Service is NOT an occupation • Religion is love, faith and the Kingdom of God • “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Lk 17) • It is zeal that ignites the heart, so that it ignites others • A spiritual servant is one who cleaves to God (Love) so his heart is ignited with love.

7. The Doctrine • The Doctrine must be the upright teaching: • “Speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Tit 2:1) • Ecclesiastical teachings • Not personal teaching, nor personal interpretations • Otherwise: denominations, heresies

8. Dangers of Personal Doctrine • An Alexandrian priest (Arius) incorrectly taught his own doctrine… what was the outcome? • Three patriarchs suffered: • Peter Seal of Martyrs, Alexandrous, Athanasius • A local council in Alexandria: • attended by 100 bishops • An ecumenical council in Nicaea: • attended by 318 bishops • Many suffered and died • Because he did not take heed to the doctrine!

9. The Doctrine Should Be… • Rich: • “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33) • Full of the Spirit • Fills the listeners • At their level • Void of criticisms • A “full meal”

10. The Doctrine Should Be… • Biblical • Based on Scripture • “…from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2Tim 3:15) • “Everything your teach should have a biblical reference” (St. Antony)

11. The Doctrine Should Be… • Apostolic • Based on teachings handed down from the Apostles: • “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2Tim 2:2) • Christ taught the Apostles (Paul), who taught their disciples (Timothy), who committed to faithful men (his disciples), one generation to the next • “As it was, so shall it be, from generation to generation and unto the age of ages. Amen!”

12. The Doctrine Should Be… • Patristic • Based on interpretations of the Church Fathers • “Lean not on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5) • “If you do not know, O fairest among women, Follow in the footsteps of the flock, And feed your little goats Beside the shepherds’ tents.” (Song 1:8)

13. The Doctrine Should Be… • Complete • Do not teach half-truths, or partial dogma • There is no resurrection without a cross • Heresy of the “single verse” • The Bible is a complete book, complete thought • Verses reinforce each other • “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Tim 3:16-17)

14. The Doctrine Should Be… • Attractive and Effective • Hearers are joyful to hear • “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.” (Ps 119:162) • Applicable

15. Save Yourself • …for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. • Do not forget yourself and your own salvation among your care for others • You also require salvation • Even the Theotokos requires salvation: • “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (Lk 1:47) • “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12) • “Conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1Pet 1:17)

16. Save Others • …for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. • You can work on their salvation, through: • Your salvation: you will love them • Sound doctrine: they will learn from you • Righteous life: they will imitate you • “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions…” (2 Tim 3:10-11) • He who does not take heed, will lose his soul and those who hear him!

17. Continue in them… • Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. • Many started with love, zeal and energy, but did not continue and were lost: • Dimas – one of St. Paul’s disciples • “for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2Tim 4:10) • King Saul • King Solomon

18. Continue in them… • Keep your spirit aflame with the Divine Love: • “O Lord God, my holy lover, all my bowels are joyful when you enter into my heart” (Thomas Aquinas) • Set me as a seal upon your heart,       As a seal upon your arm;       For love is as strong as death,       Jealousy as cruel as the grave;      Its flames are flames of fire,       A most vehement flame.      Many waters cannot quench love,       Nor can the floods drown it. (Song 8:6-7)

19. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." (1Tim 4:16) • The Doctrine must be the upright teaching • Rich: • “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33) • Biblical • “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2Tim 3:15)

20. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." (1Tim 4:16) • Apostolic • “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2Tim 2:2) • Patristic • “Lean not on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5)

21. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." (1Tim 4:16) • Complete • “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Tim 3:16-17) • Attractive and Effective • “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.” (Ps 119:162)

22. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." (1Tim 4:16) • Do not forget yourself and your own salvation • You can work on their salvation, through: • Your salvation: you will love them • Sound doctrine: they will learn from you • Righteous life: they will imitate you • Continue in them: Keep your spirit aflame with the Divine Love