1 Timothy 4:10

Introduction

300 Quotations and Prayers for Christmas Do We Not Have More Evidence than the Wise Men Had?

Let us not be ashamed to believe in Jesus and confess Him, though all around us remain careless and unbelieving. Have we not a thousand-fold more evidence than the wise men had, to make us believe that Jesus is the Christ? Beyond doubt we have. Yet where is our faith?

J. C. RYLE (1816–1900)*

First Anglican Bishop of Liverpool

Known for evangelism and criticism of rituals

As we have been reading 1 Timothy, we can imagine the weight of the responsibility that Timothy is facing.

There have been times in my younger days and will be times ahead when I have woken up restless, my heart in searing pain for the people I love the most.

There have been accusations, misunderstandings, and shocking news that rattles my attention and throws my confidence to the side.

Not to mention the regular sin battles I faced in my own life…

This life of ministry is hard… Yet there is a reason for our ability to endure, to work hard, the chase after the hearts of many…

Have you recently found out some news about someone who has fallen into to sin and made personally bad decisions?

Do you have a family member who doesn’t believe in Jesus and lives a life of destruction?

Have you watched someone suffer with no hope or faith?

Before I start this lesson, let me remind you that I am fully aware you are not pastors. But you are a minister of the gospel.

We share the same mission outside of these walls. I get to cheerfully and joyfully carry the burden of training you up!

But we leave together with one mind and one heart…

What has the cross done for you?

Introduction

English Standard Version Chapter 4

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

We have talked about the false teaching Timothy has been facing.

We even got a taste for some of the false teaching expressed here in our culture and nation…

Paul gives Timothy instruction for how to respond to this False teaching… he says,

Create a facebook page, call out any false prophets or heretics, and roast them hoping to convince people that they are evil…

NO! He says have NOTHING to do with them!

Instead, he urges Timothy to train for godliness.

Godliness is the expression of the gospel in one’s life…

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Godliness

“It supposes knowledge, veneration, affection, dependence, submission, gratitude, and obedience.”

It is this respect for God that affects the way the person lives… (Holman Bible Dictionary)

‌*Important to note that he does place some value in bodily training, however the priority is on the training of godliness...

Let’s sit on practical godliness for a minute…

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

The key to experiencing godliness, also referred to as holiness, is discipline…

This is both personal and interpersonal…

Remember, these activities are not godliness in of themselves, but are the the vehicles by which we arrive at the center of a transforming flow of grace… (Remember, godliness is experienced through the lens of the gospel!)

What are some personal disciplines that are efficient for training us up in godliness?

Reading/memorizing the Bible

Praying

Fasting

Managing money well

Journaling

Learning

What are some interpersonal disciplines that are efficient for training us up in godliness?

Participating in the ordinances (baptism and the Lord’s Supper)

hearing the word of God preached

worshipping and witnessing with/in cooperation the church

serving others

giving to the church

fellowshipping (not just socializing)

praying with the church

learning with the church

Look what Paul say’s about the value of training for Godliness…

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV

8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

The security/assurance of our eternal life, it’s evidence, is seen in the transformative presence of the gospel in our lives by which we grow in godliness…

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

“It is not our striving for holiness (godliness) that persuades the Lord to let us into heaven… It is the holiness of Christ Himself on our behalf- a holiness credited to us when we are united to Christ by faith- that qualifies us to see the Lord.” - Donald Whitney

“There are no idle ineffectual desires…” Jonathan Edwards

A desire to be godly produce godliness…

I love the word in that verse in

1 Timothy 4:8 “8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

PROMISE

Greek: epangelia

command, summons, summons to attend

A law term…

Also used in the greek as referring to something that is the curative property claim for medicinal purposes…

Think about the usage of this word from Paul… our training for godliness claims the presence of our life in eternity…

*Loop this back towards the disciplines… when we are disciplining our selves personally and interpersonally, we are, in action, holding on to the assurance of our eternal life, through the hope we have in Christ, by the faith we have through the grace extended to us…

How’s your training?

This invitation is life a P90X infomercial.

What is hard about the training for godliness? (refer to list on the board)

Where do I start?

Start with faith, thank God for grace, and get a little taste!

Implement rhythms…

Regular prayer (Before bed and in the mornings)

Set aside reading time and a PLAN.

Prioritize Sunday mornings and church cooperation

Convey every area of your life… Where can you rid yourself of the disciplines and presences of ungodliness?

Start with your marriage..

Dialogue Daily

Date Weekly

Depart Quarterly

He ends with this…

English Standard Version Chapter 4

10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

We work because of His finished work and His continual work in our lives…

What makes this possible?

He is the LIVING God…

Jesus is the center…

With regards to verse 10

The Pastoral Epistles: An Introduction and Commentary ii. Methods of Dealing with False Teaching (4:6–16)

In fact the last part of verse 10, which singles out believers as special objects of God’s saving power, suggests that the word Saviour is here used in a double sense. There is a clear development in the thought, since the believer’s special confidence in God is reinforced by the knowledge that the divine mercy is universal in its scope (cf. 2:3–4).

This redemption plan is nothing short of our salvation and transformation, but yet a whole lot bigger than that.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

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