Lent Fresh Bread 5

The Target of Godliness

1 Timothy 4:1–5 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”

When we think of Godly living we can look at Paul’s letter to Timothy for instruction. Paul’s 2 letters to Timothy and his letter to Titus are referred to as the pastoral letters. In them Paul is teaching these teachers things that he wants them to know as they teach others. He begins this chapter by pointing out problems that are developing in the church, false teachers who follow demons and who are liars. Paul doesn’t beat around the bush. He charges them for what they are to destroy the church. I am sad that some of these same teachings are still troubling the church today. Roman Catholics still teach that the priests should not marry. This has lead to sexual abuse by priests. This reminds me of the priests in the old days before the printing press. they had to copy the scriptures by hand. One day on of the brothers broke out in tears wailing so loud that he disrupted the other copiers. They ran to him and asked what was wrong . sobbing he said we have been copying it wrong. The word is celebrate not celibate.

There are many different theories about what foods should or shouldn’t be eaten. Taken to the extreme this can cause a lot of mistaken ideas and cause problems between believers. There are many stories of people who have eaten pork unknowingly. Or someone who shunned alcohol, but took a tonic for his health. One day one of the family looked at the label on the bottle and guess what was the first ingredient . (Alcohol)

All things were created by God and when consecrated with prayer can be eaten with thanksgiving.

1 Timothy 4:6–9 “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.”

Point these things out to the brothers and sisters. Why, so that you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ. This is a verse that all ministers think about. Most of us want to be good ministers, teaching what is true and helpful to the people in our charge. Unfortunately there are some who do not follow this teaching. I would point out anyone who does not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, who lived and died as a man on the cross, but rose again to save all who believe. That should be rather obvious to all who hear anything that teaches against that. There are some who deny the virgin birth. I was reading an account of a teaching that Jesus didn’t die that he was just unconscious and revived in the coolness of the tomb. Another false teaching is the universalist teaching that everyone will go to heaven. God is so loving and merciful that he won’t let anyone perish. Then we have the preachers who proclaim the prosperity gospel. Send money to me and God will return it to you one hundred fold. Dr. Frank Downing said if that were true, who needs the race track.

Myths and old wives tales. I am sure that you have all heard some of these. Don’t cut a baby’s hair before 1 year because you might shorten their life. Don’t step on a crack, don’t walk under a ladder. Don’t break a mirror or you will have seven years of bad luck. I even hesitate to mention them.

Train your self to be godly. Paul is once again looking to sports with the talk of training. This is a good illustration. If Timothy exercises his gift s that God has given him. Serving and teaching the people under his care. All will grow in the knowledge of the Lord and be prep