An Exercise in Godliness
Notes
Transcript
v.6:
A good minister of Jesus Christ faithfully teaches the truth. This would also apply to any servant of Christ.
A faithful servant will always present the truth, and be ready to defend it.
A faithful servant will always present the truth, and be ready to defend it.
1 Peter 3:15-16
1 Peter 3:15-16
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
Jude 3
Jude 3
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
In order to effectively do this, we should be feeding on God’s word.
In order to effectively do this, we should be feeding on God’s word.
Jeremiah 15:16
Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
1 Peter 2:2
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
vv.7-9:
Again we are warned to reject the lies. He calls the lies “profane”, which is the opposite of all that is holy.
Instead, we are to exercise (work) ourselves toward godliness.
Paul likens our work in faith to exercise. That is because it is work. The Christian faith is not for the lazy.
The Christian faith includes work.
The Christian faith includes work.
2 Timothy 2:15
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Colossians 1:28-29
Colossians 1:28-29
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Just as we exercise to build a stronger and healthier body, we should exercise our faith, to make it healthier and stronger.
Physical exercise is valuable, but limited in its effect. Godliness [having a strong faith] will help in all areas of life.
Godliness is profitable for everything.
Godliness is profitable for everything.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
We should have no doubt of the benefit of a strong faith.
vv.10-11:
A strong faith is why we both labor and suffer.
We can endure because we trust God, and that trust [hope] is rooted in our faith.
Jesus alone is the savior, there can be nothing added to it.
Jesus alone is the savior, there can be nothing added to it.
John 14:6
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Acts 4:12
Acts 4:12
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
These are the things we should be teaching.
v.12:
We need to understand, that youth doesn’t necessarily disqualify someone from service.
Mary was probably no more than 15-16 at the time Jesus was born.
David was probably around 15 when God chose him to be king.
The important thing is not so much a persons age, but the example that they set.
Our faith should be visible not only in our words, but also in our works.
Our faith should be visible not only in our words, but also in our works.
James 1:22-25
James 1:22-25
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
It should be apparent in:
The way we talk
The way we act
Our love
Our spirit (demeanor)
Our faith
Our purity.
vv.13-14:
Timothy is instructed to:
Continue public reading of scripture during worship
Continue to encourage others in godly living
Continue to teach sound doctrine (the truth)
These are things that every pastor must be diligent to do.
We must not get lazy, nor give in to temptation to compromise God’s word for the sake of pleasing people or increasing membership.
Christians should not give into the temptation to please men.
Christians should not give into the temptation to please men.
Galatians 1:10
Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
vv.15-16:
“Meditate on these things”
We [pastors] should never cease our prayer and study of God’s Word.
When we spend time in the Word of God, it will be apparent, people will see it.
If we pay attention to these things, we will bear fruit.
Sound doctrine is of utmost importance, because a false doctrine can save neither yourself nor anyone else.
A false doctrine is not the Word of God; however, true doctrine is, and will convict souls and lead people to Christ.
True doctrine will convict souls and lead people to Christ.
True doctrine will convict souls and lead people to Christ.
Romans 10:17
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The simple truth that we should be teaching above all else is this:
The simple truth that we should be teaching above all else is this:
Romans 10:9-13
Romans 10:9-13
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
