Training Unto Godliness

Tony has been running cross country since middle school, He is one of the top runners on his team. He averages 18:40 in the 5k. He didn't magically become a good runner, He eat eats clean, and trains nearly everyday.

Our Christian life is likened to a long distance run, Paul uses an athletic illustration, like running a race in order to exhort his protege (pupil), Timothy to continue to train in godliness so that he not only finishes his own course but also turn the struggling church of Ephesus around.

In Ephesus, false teachers had come and many began to follow man-made religion, including Timothy. Paul reminds him that the church doesn't need religion, it needs godliness… (eusebeia) the devout practice and appropriate beliefs of God. God desires holiness and says, “be ye holy as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16, Lev. 11:44, 19:2).

When you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, you are instantly and eternally saved, but you are not instantly godly or holy. You are the righteousness of Christ because His blood has washed you clean but becoming godly is a growth process, which involves both God’s hand and your work.

You may not be a Pastor like Timothy, or in a struggling church, but you must remember that, all of the Bible is written for us.

CPS: Therefore, from this text I want to exhort you to train yourself unto godliness, because godliness is not only desired of God but is good for this life and eternity.

I. Training unto godliness consists of a proper Diet (6-7a)

It is a known fact, that in order for your body to grow you need food. Paul tells Timothy to nourish himself. Nourished up is the Greek verb entrephō (only use in N.T.) it literally means to train, to be brought up in, to be reared in. In context, it means to take in the food that is good for spiritual growth and good spiritual health.

Paul is mentoring Timothy like a personal trainer who lays out the proper diet for his pupil.

A. The Proper Diet

The Proper Diet Consists of the Word of God.

Words of faith, Logos Pistis The message that is trustworthy. There is only one thing in this whole word that is absolutely trustworthy and absolutely true. It is the Holy Spirit Inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God… that is your Bible. God’s specific Revelation of Himself and His ways to wayward mankind. Your Bible is goodness to the soul and refreshment to the mind, and its purpose is to cause you to grow in godliness (2 Tim. 3:16). One man called it God’s Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth… I’m sure each of us has one, but do you use it. And if so, how?

ILL: There was a preacher, whose car broke down on a country road, he walked to a nearby roadhouse to use the phone. After calling for a tow truck, he spotted his old friend, Frank, drunk and shabbily dressed at the bar. “What happened to you, Frank?” asked the good reverend. “You used to be rich.” Frank told a sad tale of bad investments that had led to his downfall. The preacher told him ,“Go home, Open your Bible at random, stick your finger on the page and there will be God’s answer.” Some time later, the preacher bumped into Frank, who was wearing a Gucci suit, sporting a Rolex watch and had just stepped our of a New Mercedes. “Frank.” said the preacher, “I am glad to see things really turned around for you.” “Yes, preacher, and I owe it all to you,” said Frank. “I opened my Bible, put my finger down on the page and there was the answer—Chapter 11.”

This is many Christians approach, but it’s not what Paul had in mind.... We are to Crave the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2) as a baby constantly reaches for a bottle we must constantly reach for our Bible. We must Feed on God’s word (Jer. 15:16) devour it like a juicy steak. And, we must Live by God’s Word (Matt. 4:4).

APP: I want to challenge you for 1 week, to wake up early, don’t check your phone or turn on the T.V., but find a quite place and open your Bible to the beginning of the N.T. and read, then ponder on what you’ve read, Spend much of the day meditating on what you have read, and prayer put to practice what you have read.... and gaurentee your life will change, you will find deep fellowship with Jesus, mental refreshment, and pure joy in your heart.

2. The Proper Diet Consists of Solid Instruction.

Along with a daily dose of the Bible, we must also be nourished with sound doctrine.... “Good Instruction.” You will find that at a Bible Teaching/Preaching Church… and because you spend time alone with God in your Bible, you have learned to discern rather or not a church is just that. Along with good teaching/preaching there is discipleship, as Timothy sat under Paul we should sit under a qualified teacher also who can help us learn in context what the Bibles says, means, and matters.

ILL: Daniel, Dewayne, Dr. Helton.

B. The Improper Diet

Again, like a personal trainer, Paul points out what is not to be included in Timothy’s diet.... don’t consume trash, pay no attention to “New Revelations of man”

A fit runner doesn't sit around and eat Twinkies and ho hoes all day.... Its the presupposition, fallacies, and false teachings of man made religion, 1 Tim. 4:1-3. It is the doctrines that have no basis in Scripture, but contradict Scripture, these lead you astray. 2 Tim. 4:4.

ILL: In parts of Appalachia snake handling is the trump card in Christianity.... Guy who got made with me over snake handling..... Story of Dr. Helton and snake handling revival meeting.

II. Training unto godliness consists of partaking in Proper Exercise. (7b-10)

A. Bodily Exercise

Most doctors agree with Paul, that exercise is good for the body. Dr. Sevelli tells me each visit to get plenty of exercise. Many of us don’t like idea of exercising.

ILL: I’m reminded of the retired couple who decided that they should walk two miles a day to stay in shape. They chose to walk a mile out on a lonely country road so they would have no choice but to walk back. At the one-mile mark on their first venture, the man asked his wife, “Do you think you can make it back all right, or are you too tired?” “Oh, no,” she said. “I’m not tired. I can make it fine.” “Good,” he replied. “I’ll wait here. You go back, get the car and come get me.”

Bodily exercise profits us.... Exercise (vs. 8) is the Greek verb gymnasia which means to train for a competition. Again the illustration is that of a foot race. Paul is talking about determined and consistent training. Tony works out in the gym 5 days a week and runs 4 to 5 miles a day 6 and sometimes days a week. He trains for his race, but this training, as important as it is, profits us just a little!

B. Spiritual Exercise

Paul’s challenges Timothy, (and us) to be as devoted to godliness as an athlete is to his sport! Body exercise is good for this life, but the body dies. But godliness is for this life and eternal life.

Exercise (vs 7) (gymnazō) to train. Its root gymnos means naked or poorly clothed. In ancient Greece and Rome athletes use to race without their outer garment on, often times butt naked. That’s why you see so many ancient Greek statues of muscular naked men. They train and run unhindered.

ILL: Naked SGT swimming in Germany. “Swim Suit Slows me down.” (Heb. 12:1b)

We train is Spiritual Discipline without hindrance. Unadulterated Faith, Giving, Loving, Praying, Serving, Evangelizing, Obeying! But notice how we are to do this.... with great exertion.... “Labor” (strife) and “Suffer Reproach” this presents the picture of the athlete putting the last ounce of his energy into the race in order to victoriously reach the goal. Likewise, we put the last ounce energy in our race because we trust the living God who saves us and who will refresh us with His grace and mercy day by day.

Con. All that we do in this life is a testament to Christ and is preparation for eternity with Him..... One day we will stand before Him and give account for what we have done in our life. In that moment will be reckoned spiritual sloths or fit specimens pleasing to our God?