Avoiding Ruin and Destruction

Psalm 91:1-6 / 1 Timothy 6:1-19

Godliness

Teach and urge these things:

5:1 - Older men

5;2 - Women

5:3-16 - Widows, providers, and remarriage

5:17 - Church Elders & ordinations

5:23 - Self care

5:24 hidden sins and righteousness

6:1-2 - Slaves and masters

These are not common wisdom; it is not enough to just look to what is commonly held. It is not enough to simply form our positions on the premise of do no harm, because we do not have sufficient perspective to know what harms us ultimately.

1 Timothy 6:3 “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,”

We MUST turn time and again, returning often to the prescribed will of God; the Word of God in prayerful humility and looking to be helped by the community of faith. Godliness is defined by God Himself, not us.

Opposition to Godliness

Puffed up with conceit - as putting one’s self in the place of God; self-idolatry

Understands Nothing - Unless we begin with right principles, nothing of worth, of substance, of efficacy can be built upon it

Craving for Controversy - self attention, controversy for the sake of controversy, and rebellion for the sake of rebellion

Quarrels about words - Careful that we DO take care for the words prepared and preserved for us, and twisting words with the intent to create conflict or to appear novel; wiser than others.

Depraved in the Mind - The often over-looked effects of sin on the mind of the lost and saved alike

2 Timothy 3:8 “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.”

2 Peter 2:8 “[Lot} was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);”

Deprived of the truth - This can be either self-inflicted & willful, or also a pitiful state that is all too common in our age, sadly even among church members if the teaching and preaching is anemic; lacking depth and breadth.

2 Peter 3:5 “For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,”

Imagining that godliness is a MEANS of gain - (rather than gain itself)

If I do this, act this way, obtain standing in the church, then I can ...

Luther is credited with concretizing the term “homo incurvatus in se”, humanity curved in upon itself.

Apart from the freeing grace of regeneration and sanctification, we can never escape the draw to ‘get mine’; to seek self above others; even if we don’t recognize that we are, we seek to praise and worship self.

Perhaps the most tragic part of this opposition to true godliness is that it overlooks the true riches offered by God.

They imagine that godliness is a means of gain (which is in truth no more than fool’s gold.

Isaiah 55:2 “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”

True Riches

1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment IS great gain,”

1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 6:17-19 “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Material Appetites

Remember the opening about true godliness… Godliness is the exception to the norm. Material appetites are our default; our fallen nature

1 Timothy 6:9-10 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

It doesn’t have to be money itself, as in dollars, but in things; in material comforts and in status

It is the LOVE and inordinate desire, not the riches themself (through this craving...

The Rich Young Ruler of Mark 10 walked away sorrowful because he LOVED the riches he had. He was not ready to exchange status for eternal life.

Contentment

Philippians 4:11 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

1 Timothy 6:7-8 “for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

Now, to put this all together, look at Paul’s warning in v9:

1 Timothy 6:9 “9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

Seeking godliness; seeing it as treasure; being content with what the Sovereign Lord provides… THIS is how we escape so many of the snares laid for us in this life!

It is OUR OWN HEARTS that need changing; our own desires.

We so often want the wrong things. We want to satisfy dangerous appetites. Sometimes we as a people are so far down the wrong road, that we don’t even recognize how rapidly we run from, rather than to the God of grace, of safety, of healing, of blessing, of love and life.

Psalm 91:3 “For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.”

The good news is that God is a God who changes hearts. God is a God who requires no great feats of strength or of penance to prove our merit, but rather meets us where we are. Just as Jesus immediately lifted Peter from the waters, who had allowed his gaze to turn from Jesus. Just like the father of the prodigal son who overlooked his offense and position and ran out to meet and welcome his son home; forgiving him before he even said a word, may God be as immediate today to awaken us to our need, and show Himself again as gracious; as savior.

Church Family, my simpe prayer today is this: Sovereign God, change our desires today, that we may escape certain ruin and destruction, that we may be rich and content in godliness!