God's Will for Your Health

Today is a different kind of message.

I have never and will never presume to be perfect in any of the areas we discuss through our sermons.

This is one sermon where I clearly have not done well with through my life.

It is for that reason, I want to make sure that I don’t ignore what I feel is an often ignored subject within the church.

And understand that I am preaching as much to myself as I am to you.

Through my preparation the content of this sermon has been very convicting to me.

The verses we are about to read are not a direct quote on health, but I believe the principal and the attitude that are present directly apply, and so it is with this principal and attitude that I want to start.

1 Corinthians 6:12 CSB

“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 CSB

Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

As we begin this morning, let us pray

What The Bible Concludes on God’s Will for Your Health:

God wants you to be Healthy and Productive throughout your life

This is a very general statement, but we are going to break it down and see all of the application for it throughout the rest of the sermon.

First off this is not a salvation issue, or the highest end for a Christian, but it has value.

1 Timothy 4:8 CSB

For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Throughout this sermon we will use the example of a car to compare to our health.

If any of you were to buy a brand new car, presumably, you will take care of it. Keep gas in it, maintain it so that it.

Despite your best efforts, one day that car will fail you, however - the better care that you take of it, the longer it will run.

If you neglect it

There are ways that we sin regarding our health.

Gluttony

To be clear - Gluttony is the word used excessive eating. Eating too much.

America has a gluttony problem.

By 2007 the CDC listed Obesity is the number one health concern in America.

It has been said that Gluttony is the most ignored and accepted sin in the American Church.

The CDC again lists four major lifestyle risks for Chronic disease. Tobacco use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol use.

Through my life of experience, the Church has had a lot to say about two of those tobacco use and alcohol, but has been rather quiet on the other two.

The Bible however has a decent amount to say about both. We are starting with what the Bible says about Gluttony.

Many of these passages are in proverbs, here is one Proverbs 23:20-21

Proverbs 23:20–21 CSB

Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine or with those who gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will become poor, and grogginess will clothe them in rags.

Gluttony and drunkeness are often talked about together.

They are very similar, but slightly different.

Alcohol is not a sin, but drunkeness is. Alcohol is not necessary to life, so to avoid drunkeness it can be smart to avoid drinking altogether.

Eating food is not a sin, but gluttony is. Food is necessary to life, so it cannot be avoided to avoid sinful indulgence.

Consider the Car analogy - Gluttony is overfilling the gas tank. Except instead of

Accidental Gluttony

Supersize Me

Alcohol example - When people drink stronger alcohol, it takes less to get them drunk.

When we eat unhealthy foods, it contributes to being gluttonous more quickly.

Eat quality food that fuels your body.

Being mastered by food

You can be a glutton and in decent shape, if you are mastered by your food, but somehow are able to work off what you eat.

Feasting & Fasting

Why it matters?

It is a sin issue

Contributes to Obesity, impacting the length and quality of your life.

Impacts your ability to serve God both in length of service and quality of service.

Sloth

Proverbs 24:30–34 CSB

I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of one lacking sense. Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined. I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need, like a bandit.

The other factor in the health issue we face in the Church.

Sedentary Living.

Neglect of Your Abilities.

If you neglect servicing an aspect of your vehicle, it will break.

Injuries in 40s

Progression to Pitching

Contributes to Gluttony.

If you stop driving your car as much, but keep putting in the same amount of gas, you will start to see the overflow.

The problem that we face is that if you are sedentary, most likely it will lead to gluttony, even if that is not the intention.

Why it matters?

It is a sin issue

Impacts the length and quality of your life.

Loss of Ability to Serve at a Younger Age

Idolatry

Extreme in the other direction

Making your health an idol in your life.

I have seen people go from one extreme to the other.

Afraid to eat certain foods, consumed by pursuing health to a point it becomes idolatry.

This could be manifest also in activities that you are involved in.

For young people it can be things like sports.

For adults it can be healthy activities they enjoy.

Whatever stands between you and God.

Living a healhty life is not an end in itself.

To live a truly healthy life, it should be to God’s glory

Colossians 3:17 CSB

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Your Health Matters

Because it matters to God.

It is a sin issue and an obedience issue.

It honors and glorifies the Lord.

Longer & Healthier life

Fruitful service unto the Lord

Longer service

More capable service

The Goal:

Live a healthy life.

Eat a reasonable amounts of food. Eat quality food that fuels your body. Feast when appropriate, not regularly. Fast when appropriate for Spiritual Purposes, and dependance on God rather than food.

Live an active life. Find something active you enjoy that you can do. Nurture and take care of the abilities that you have for the time the last. Serve God with your physicality.

Do all of this to God’s glory, not as an end in itself.

This does not mean that all Christians should be star athletes in their body composition, but it does mean that there should be a lower incidence of obesity in the church than the general population.

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