8. The Mystery Made Manifest

Introduction

General: Ever felt stuck in a Catch-22? When I was looking for a job out of college, every single job opening, even entry-level positions, required 3-5 years of experience… You need experience to get a job but you need a job to get experience.

Personal: Reading the Bible // Praying // Growth Group

Biblical: 1 Tim 3:16 vs 1 Tim 4:7… How do we train ourselves for godliness when godliness is a mystery?

Subject: How do we become godly? How do we grow in Christlikeness?

Body: How to be godly…

Be free, be thankful, and be devoted to God.

Exposition: 1 Tim 4:1-5…

The false teachers were teaching people to reject the good things God created for us to enjoy and instead embrace a false religion of legalism.

They were leading people to trust in their own religious practices rather than God’s grace… Paul says they abandoned the faith.

The moment we stop resting in the finished work of Jesus and start relying on our own religious observances, we abandon the faith.

The healthy word is 1 Tim 4:4-5.

Be free. Freedom is not “do whatever you want.” Freedom is “do whatever is right.”

Be thankful. God has given us good things, especially Christ. Thankfulness is necessary for happiness. That’s why “be thankful” is one of the most repeated commands in Scripture.

Be devoted to God. Live your life as an offering to God.

Illustration: I love to cook… new Blackstone fits 126 hot dogs! Why did God make food taste good? Not to over-indulge but to remind us that He loves us.

Application: What has God given you that you have struggled to see as good? Where are you struggling with being thankful? Confess that to the Lord.

Coaching, practice, and discipline.

Exposition: 1 Tim 4:6-10…

In 1 Tim 4:10, Paul is not teaching universalism but universal atonement.

How do you train yourself to be godly?

Coaching (1 Tim 4:6)

Practice (1 Tim 4:7)

Discipline (1 Tim 4:10)

Illustration: One of my sons played basketball this year…

Application: We have Growth Groups and we have Sessions.

Be an example, share God’s Word, and don’t neglect your spiritual gift.

Exposition: 1 Tim 4:11-16…

Be an example (1 Tim 4:12).

Share God’s Word (1 Tim 4:13).

Don’t neglect your spiritual gift (1 Tim 4:14).

“gift” = charisma = a concrete expression of grace

The Holy Spirit works God’s grace in each of us in different ways. So, pay attention. How does the Spirit make God’s grace visible in your life?

Application: Contemplation & Confession

Be an example… Is my life an example of how God wants us to live?

Share God’s Word with others… Am I sharing what I’m learning in the Bible with others?

Don’t neglect your spiritual gift… What is my spiritual gift, and am I using it?

Conclusion

How to be godly:

Be free, be thankful, and be devoted to God.

Coaching, practice, and discipline.

Be an example, share God’s Word, and don’t neglect your spiritual gift.