Honor God in how you act and think

Introduction

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

6 All who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters[a] as worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and his teaching will not be blasphemed. 2 Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.[b]

Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.[c]

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and[d] we can take nothing out. 8 If we have food and clothing,[e] we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root[f] of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Context

This week we begin the last chapter of the first letter from Paul to Timothy, the Ephesian church, and the leaders in that church. As a reminder to you, Paul sent this letter to this church that he had a large hand in founding, in a very serious manner. In fact, he sent Timothy to this church for the same reason. That is, things had gone arrie within the church, with false teachers, false leaders, bad doctrine, the power of Satan and Sin; bringing the church down. This caused division, believers being led astray, believers walking away from their faith, and the name of Jesus being treated very lowly within the town.

This is a condition and problem that would affect churches in all years past and present. That is, the believers within the church, or at least people who claimed to be (some of them even being the leaders within the church), were not acting and thinking like a true follower of Christ would. These false believers, prophets, teachers, pastors, elders, and everything in between would be known for: causing rebellion within the culture and rabble rousing, stealing from the church treasury and the needy within the church and the community, slandering the name of Christ and His saints (that is, the church body), and in general creating a very low view of what it meant to be a Christian and of Christ from an outsider looking in. To combat this, Timothy was sent by Paul to root out Satan and Sin from within the church, and he gave instructions and direction on what kind of person was to lead the church, the need for sound doctrine, and how men and women of all walks of life and ages of life are to live out their faith. So, he began this letter by setting the bar so to say, then in these last few chapters he gives practical steps and words on what believers are to.

This letter and the apostles words are for believers all throughout time. His prescriptions for a healthier church and healthier believers have no expiration date on them, as our medications and prescriptions we get from the pharmacy do today. They last forever, and are to be observed by all that the words apply to. As Paul concludes this letter, He first addresses a particular group of people and then get’s into the importance of the character trait of godliness within the believer. Ultimately what he gets at what we need to understand is that Believers stray away from Godliness when they fall into rebellion, laziness, envy, and discontentment. What then, is Godliness? A definition of it from the Greek root word εὐσέβεια (eusebeia) would be: the devout practice and appropriate beliefs of God;[1] but we will touch more on that later. For now, let’s jump in and From the text, I want you to see, have, and do these actions as you Honor God in how you Act and Think.

Message

The first action to see and have is: God’s Name Honored (1-2)

6 All who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters[a] as worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and his teaching will not be blasphemed. 2 Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.[b]Teach and encourage these things.

An extremely important piece of context to keep in mind here, is that what comes to your mind when you think of slaves, and what Paul is talking about there, are not the same thing. When we think of slaves, we tend to think in the American context of a sort of racial kidnapping and then living long cruel work and labor. While I’m sure there were some this in the slaves of the day, by in large slaves in the Hebrew, Greek, and Roman culture were not like this. In fact, in the Roman world of the time, Slaves made up the largest group of people within the culture, making up some 30-40% of people. A person could be become a slave in many ways, either by being a conquered people who was then taking as servants, one could sell themselves or their children into slavery in hopes of coming out of the extreme poverty their were in and coming into the service of wealthy person who would feed, clothe, shelter them and perhaps even give them opportunity to have rank and status within society (this happened of course to Joseph in Egypt who would go so far as to be the governor (2ndonly to the Pharo) in Egypt. One could also become a slave by having a debt that could not be paid off, so it had to be worked off. Many were able to be free after some time, but most chose to stay under their master because it was preferrable to not go out on their own.

Paul writes to the slaves, that there are to do their work well. They should give their own master all the respect he is worthy of, because no matter what your social or societal status is, as a believer you are a representative of Christ Jesus and how you act and think effects His name to those that observe you. Further more, Paul writes that if you have a master who is a believer themselves, don’t think that you will automatically get preferential treatment or that you get to slack off, in fact he charges them to work all the harder because how you master benefits (of course it benefits you) but more importantly it benefits the body of Christ and Christ’s great name as your masters circles are most likely touching circles that you are not. Ultimately, how you serve your master is about God’s name being honored by and through your work.

While none of us can in any way claim that we are slaves today. Though, we all have served bosses in one way or another, if you a believer of Jesus, it means that you are also a servant of Jesus. Remember what words every believer wants to hear at the final judgement. Every person who is on the right side of God, will hear these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Everyone else will either hear the alarming, “begone I never knew you.” Or the “guilty” charge they deserve. The good and faithful servants did what? In their lives, of course 1st and primarily through the saving of their souls by admitting that they were a sinner in need of a savior and that that savior is Jesus, glorify God by turning to Him in repentance and the need for forgiveness. That believer then, is to serve Christ in their lives, everyone in various ways and occupations, but all by turning their heart away from sin and towards to the love of Christ. What does that mean, they are believers who: Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. We do this not just because Christ gave them as the 2 most important commandment and the great commission to all believers, but also because a life that does these is one that see’s God’s Named Honored. Seeing God’s named honored, is one part of Godliness and Believers stray away from Godliness when they fall into rebellion, laziness, envy, and discontentment. So, servants of Christ, don’t rebel against in Him in sin, don’t be lazy in your calling (everyone has one), don’t envy what others have and don’t be discontent with what God gives you and where He has put you, because He is a loving Father who only gives good things to His children. So, honor God in how you act and think.

The next action to do is to: Reject false doctrine (3-5)

3 If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.[c]

Now for some time in this letter, Paul has been went on with the importance of rejecting false doctrine that does not agree with the teaching of Jesus and that does not promote godliness. In their time and with the Ephesian church, bad doctrine and false teachers had really done a number on what people thought and believed it meant to be a Christian. Even the other apostles came across in this in other churches, you will remember how when we through the letters of John, how he came across gnostics, which were teachers that taught against the God Hood and Man Hood of Jesus. Further more, as it appears from the next few verses, it appears that there were teachers who focused on earning God’s favor and the sign of this favor was through wealth building and material things. This of course is inconsistent with Jesus’ teaching to take up our crosses, leave everything behind, and follow him. These teachers that do not focus Christ and his teachings, show that they are only interested in disputes and arguments, in tearing apart the church body and confusing believers all to Satan’s benefit. Paul gives a description, some warning signs of what these teachers leave behind them so you know what to watch for. These are in verse 4 and 5: envy, quarreling , slander, evil suspicions, constant disagreement; because they see godliness as their key to get into the door of material gain.

Paul teaches us to reject this kind of teaching, this kind of false doctrine, because it does not benefit us; in fact as followers of Christ it only puts up road blocks. Road blocks that will slow you down on the road to God’s will and purpose for your life. Believer, you don’t want to knowingly put up any roadblocks for either yourself or anyone else, because this road is the one that leads to Gods’ glory.

You can usually spot the people who have bought into this lie from Satan, that godliness will lead to gain. No, it will not, in fact it will lead to more difficult times ahead, because now you as a child of God have more expected of you and a big ol’ target on your back from the world. That is not to say, that their will not be rich Christian’s, of course there is. But, look upon the earliest Christian’s, where they by in large or even often or even well off, no? Jesus’ earliest followers included more often then not the poor and lowly, who were so oppressed that just a few decades after His death on the cross, were forced to meet at night in the city’s catacombs and burial places so as to avoid arrest, beatings, and murder. In a more modern context, you can spot false believers by how easily and quickly they fall away from the church (the bride of Christ) once they realize that being a Christian has no societal advantages or ability to get a leg up. Often, small churches like ours are the first to feel these cultural shifting pains, but we don’t feel it the hardest like a large church would. None the less, we feel it and have to be sure that we are playing our part correctly and in a God Honoring and exalting way. While the false believer was in the wrong, we have to be sure to bear our responsibility in where we fail these fallen away believers (or non believers). We fail them when we teach false doctrine, when we allow them to believe that godliness is a way to wealth. We fail them when from the very start of their faith right around their baptism we don’t make it clear it to them. This is one of many reasons why a church body having a statement of faith is so critical, because it right of the bat in plain language declares to anyone either inside or outside the church, this is our understanding of what The Bible teaches and we are endeavoring to do just that and reject anything that leads away from it. So, believer, reject false doctrine and take on true doctrine, true doctrine that is sound with Jesus teachings and godliness and remember that Believers stray away from Godliness when they fall into rebellion, laziness, envy, and discontentment. So, take on godliness and put the others aside as you Honor God in how you act and think.

Another point to have, see, and do is: Godliness with Contentment (6-10)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and[d] we can take nothing out. 8 If we have food and clothing,[e] we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root[f] of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Back on to that issue of Godliness, which you will remember we defined earlies as “the devout practice and appropriate beliefs of God.”[2]The apostle Peter wrote on godliness in his second letter saying, in 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 3 that, 2 Peter 1 3 His[b] (Jesus) divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by[c] his own glory and goodness. Also in verse 5-7 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

So, Christ has given you everything you need to live Godly through the knowledge of Him, and with the gift of God the Holy Spirit in You with endurance with contentment, which is a great gift and gain for the believer. As Paul points out, when you come into the world, you have nothing and when you leave it, the materials you gain are not going with you. As the old saying goes, hearses don’t have U-Haul’s with them. When you breathe you last breath of this life, the gains and money and wealth you gained no longer mean anything to you. The only thing that matters is what your spiritual state is, and the impact you made for God’s kingdom while you were on earth for the short time that you were. Unfortunately, a great many people, who society teaches us is on the right track with their wealth, big houses, shiny cars, fancy trips, are all on the wrong path and fallen away from the thing that most matters; your faith life in Christ. Don’t let the world lie to you, these evils are much closer and more influential to each and every one of us then we suspect they are, you have heard me say this about sin, but I’ll say it again. Your sin or your false idols of worship are usually so well established or are seemingly so safe that you never would suspect them. So watch out, and really. I mean really, truly analyze everything about your life. If it or they are more important than your relationship with Christ, then their in is your idol, and you are being called to put it where it belongs. If it is bad, far away, if it is something else that could be good, then in it’s rightful place behind Christ. Because Godliness with contentment (not want or desire) is great gain for the believer and Believers stray away from Godliness when they fall into rebellion, laziness, envy, and discontentment. So, honor God in how you act and think, and put sin aside. Put rebellion, laziness, envy, and discontentment all aside and instead fall head first into the riches of your God and the graces He gives.

Conclusion

Beloved, do you a life that sees, does, has these points we discussed. Do you see and work at seeing God’s named honored? Or do you work and toil at something or someone else being Honored. Do you reject false doctrine? Or are you student of false doctrine and damaging belief? Do you have Godliness with contentment or are you something quite different? Work at these things believers. Don’t let anything stand in your way of seeing these play out in and through your life. Make, change, and rearrange your life so that you can Honor God in How you act and think. This part of your task as you spend your life Loving God, Loving others, and making Disciples.

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

[1]Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament), Electronic ed., Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997. [2]Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament), Electronic ed., Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.