LIVING A GODLY LIFE

Paul had high standards not only for those that lead the church – the bride of Christ as he refers to it in many of his letters – but he also hold those believers to high standards.

Last week we looked at how he instructed Paul turns his attention slaves and slave owners. We also associated with it that while we are not slaves – our work ethic should follow Paul’s advice - with respect and working as if we are working for Jesus Himself, always showing respect for those over us - employers. And while we may not be slave owners, if we have employees, we should also follow Paul’s advice.

Paul warned Timothy and us about being weary of those who teach, preach or follow doctrines not aligned with the words of Jesus, even pointing out a five-fold problem these people cause.

As we continue to close out 1 Timothy – Paul directs us on living a Godly Lifestyle

Let us pray!

Living a Godly Lifestyle

1 Timothy 6:7-16 – for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 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. 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. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 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. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Let’s look back and forward to the parallels of Paul’s opening and closing of his letter to Timothy –

1:3 – Stay at Ephesus 6:2 – Teach and Uphold the faith

1:4-7 – Deal w/ false teachers 6:3-6 – Deal w/ false teachers

Now today –

1:8-10 – Proper Use of OT 6:7-10 – Proper regard for money

1:11-16 – Saved by Christ not law 6:11-15a – hold to eternal life in Christ

1:17 – Doxology 6:15b-16 – Doxology

I. THE RICHES – v.7-10

1. Security—v. 7 – for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

Remember the line before this was v6 - But godliness with contentment is great gain,

We are called to be content because we bring nothing into this world and we cannot take it out.

I have heard of a man who loved his motorcycle more than anything or anyone else – when he died he demanded that his motorcycle be buried with him. (see pic)

We are called to be content because we bring nothing into this world and we cannot take it out.

Job 1:21 – And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Ecclesiastes 5:15 – As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.

These verses here counteract v5b - imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

James 4:14 – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Jesus even taught this in Luke 12

Luke 12:15 – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Luke 12:18-21 – And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

2. Simplicity—v. 8 – But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Simplicity is a Spiritual Discipline that the men have talked about –

Content with what we have - wanting leads to lust and hurting others!

Contentment breeds joy – wanting breeds selfishness and leads us away from Christ

When Christ is enough we can value what Paul says in Romans 8:35

Romans 8:35 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

And when we believe and value that of this we can believe what Paul says earlier

Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

3. Snare—vv. 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. 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.

Those who don’t find contentment in Christ – can fall into temptation

The desire for riches and wealth is a snare

(a) Lusts—v. 9. Money often brings lust

They fall into a temptation – leading them to

Fall into a trap – leads them to

Fall into foolish and harmful desires leads them

Plunge into ruin and destruction

Proverbs 28:20 – A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

(b) Love—v. 10. Loving money is sin – it is the root system of all kinds of evil

Loving money – creates a huge barrier wall between you and God

Matthew 6:24, (Luke 16:13) – “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Being the root of all kinds of evil – it is hidden – like the root system of a plant or tree – we may see signs of it – but its mostly underground

Luke 6:14 – The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.

2 results of greed, love of money taking root –

a. They wander from the faith – wander from God

b. They pierce themselves with many pangs

John D Rockefeller – was asked how much money will make a person happy – his reply – just a little bit more!

There will always be someone who has more – there will always be another level to reach for

God is enough – God should be what we need “a little but more of” every day

II. THE RIGHTEOUSNESS—vv. 11–16

1. Person—v. 11 – But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

But as for you Timothy – as for you church in 2023 – as for you faithful believers – flee these desires – run from these desires – do not look in that direction

Instead – pursue – chase after – run towards

a. Righteousness – right living – living out your relationship with Christ 24/7 – 366

b. Godliness – not private aspect – demeanor and manner with which you you’re your life – your respect and honor for God; Content with God’s presence over all else; satisfied with God’s provisions and blessing

c. Faith – conviction of God’s truth, God’s existence, Creator and Ruler of all things, the universe, Jesus is the Messiah, Holy Spirit is our Guide – the three in 1

d. Love – AGAPE – love for others over your wellbeing and loving them as God loves us

e. Steadfastness – consistency, endurance, patiently remaining strong despite circumstances

f. Gentleness – mildness, meekness – accept God’s will as good and without resisting Him, relying on God not self, God can use trials, pain, loss to bring us closer to Him (purifying the elect, the saints) – God-centered opposite of self-centered

These are what Christians should be pursuing for money, wealth, materialism

2. Persistent—v. 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.

Fight the good fight – words used to describe an athletic competition –

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 – Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Fight the fight of faith – God’s Word is true and the ultimate authority.

Never give up. Be persistent. You don’t fight on your own accord, your own power –

Live radically – Christianity was the original radical faith based system

Hamas is not radical Isalm, Hezbollah is not radical Islam – they do what the Koran says – kill all infidels – non-believers

Love your enemy – bless your enemy – take care of those who can't repay you – love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, mind and strength

You cannot earn heaven or eternal life – its not based on you – its solely based on the Words and Work of Jesus Christ!

Timothy – live out your commitment to Christ that you made in front of many witnesses when you were baptized

Timothy live out your commitment to Christ that you made in front of many witnesses when you committed to missionary work and

3. Perfection—vv. 13–16 – I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

v13 – I charge you for eternity – never stop – seriousness in the Greek – 4-fold seriousness

a. I command with force

b. In the Presence of God who is the source of all life and truth – past, present, future life – eternal, universal truth

c. Jesus Christ – the manifestation of God on Earth – our sacrifice for our sins

d. Spoke truth even to Pontius Pilate

I command with force, Timothy –

v14 – to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ

Commandment to remain unstained, without blame – do what has been written here, remain faithful to the Gospel message – changing nothing – speak not on your own accord – do nothing out of selfish ambition, decisions based on personal wants and desires but always seek the Glory of God – in all you do bring Honor to Him!

v15-16 is another doxology like in chapter 1:17

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

1. There is only 1 God, 1 Son, 1 Holy Spirit – 1 Sovereign God who is King of kings and Lord of lords

2. He alone is immortal – He is eternal – He was before, is now and will forever will be

3. Dwells in Heaven an indescribable, unapproachable light – not on earth – beyond the reach of sinful people – where there is no darkness or evil

4. No one has ever seen – to see His Perfection would cause death

Exodus 33:20 – But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

Isaiah and Ezekiel saw the Glory of His face but not His actual Face -

5. Honor and eternal dominion – everlasting rule

As we close and head into the holiday season – full of love and gift giving – what is your heart focused on this season?

How simple is your life, your wants, your desires?

It is said your checkbook indicates where you heart is – what does your checkbook or cc statement say?

Do you do things your way or God’s way?

How are you doing with v11 – Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness? What area you are really successful in?

If everything was stripped away from you and you were left with nothing – would you still be content because even in nothing left means full of God – if He is all you have – can you be like Job and still praise God – And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”