sunday night jan 18

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form of godlyness

The Verse

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)

What does “form of godliness” mean?

Greek Breakdown

Form → μόρφωσις (mórphōsis) Meaning: outward shape, appearance, structure, imitation
Godliness → εὐσέβεια (eusebeia) Meaning: reverence, piety, religious devotion
👉 Put together, Paul is describing an outward religious appearance without inward transformation.

The Core Idea

A form of godliness is:
Religious behavior without spiritual power
External Christianity without internal surrender
Knowing about God but not walking with God
It looks right. It sounds right. But it has no life in it.

“Denying the Power”

The word power here is:
δύναμις (dýnamis) — supernatural power, ability, divine enablement
This is the same word used for:
Miracles (Acts 1:8)
Resurrection power (Romans 1:16)
The power of the Holy Spirit
So Paul is warning about people who:
Keep religion
Reject transformation
Resist the Holy Spirit’s work
They may attend church, quote Scripture, and even lead— but they deny the power that changes the heart.

What This Looks Like Today

Christianity as a label, not a lifestyle
Worship with lips but not obedience (Isaiah 29:13)
Knowledge without repentance
Structure without Spirit
Tradition without truth
Jesus confronted this exact thing with the Pharisees:
“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” — Matthew 15:8

True Godliness (Biblical Contrast)

True godliness:
Produces fruit (Galatians 5:22–23)
Leads to holiness (1 Peter 1:16)

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17

A form of godliness is religion without relationship. God never wanted appearance—He wanted transformation.

6. Old Testament Parallels (God HATES This)

This is not new.

Isaiah 1:13–15

“Bring no more vain offerings… I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.”
They had worship and sin together.

Ezekiel 33:31

“They hear your words, but they do not do them.”

7. Jesus’ Strongest Rebukes

Jesus reserved His harshest words for this group.

Matthew 23:27

“Whitewashed tombs… outwardly appear righteous, but inwardly full of dead men’s bones.”

John 5:39–40

“You search the Scriptures… yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have life.”
They had Bible knowledge, not life.

Many Will Say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord…’”

Matthew 7:21–23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many mighty works in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
Ezekiel 33:31–32

31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth,

And with their lips do honour me,

But have removed their heart far from me,

And their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Mark 7:6

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

1. This Is SHOCKING for One Reason

Jesus does not say they:
Didn’t believe
Didn’t minister
Didn’t use His name
He says:
“I never knew you.”
These people had:
Correct theology
Public ministry
Supernatural activity
Yet they were unknown to Him relationally.

2. “Lord, Lord” — Language of Intimacy

In Jewish culture, repeating a name expresses relationship and urgency.
They weren’t casual. They were confident.
➡️ They fully expected entrance into the Kingdom.

3. “In Your Name” (3 Times!)

Jesus records them saying “in Your name” three times.
That matters.
They:
Prophesied
Cast out demons
Did miracles
👉 These are real spiritual activities, not pretend ones.
So the issue is NOT:
Lack of power
Fake miracles
Pretending faith

4. The Real Issue: “I Never Knew You”

Greek Word for “Knew”

ἔγνων (egnōn) from γινώσκω (ginōskō) Meaning: to know by experience, relationship, intimacy
This is covenant language.
Jesus is saying:
“You worked FOR Me, but you never walked WITH Me.”

5. “You Who Practice Lawlessness”

Greek word:
ἀνομία (anomía) = “without Torah,” without God’s instruction, rebellion
This is huge for 1st-century Jewish context.
They moved in power but lived in disobedience.
➡️ Power without submission.

6. This Connects PERFECTLY to “Form of Godliness”

Outward ministry ✔
Supernatural gifts ✔
Public recognition ✔
Private obedience ❌
Covenant relationship ❌
They had power encounters but not heart surrender.

7. Can God’s Power Flow Through Someone Not Submitted?

Yes—and Scripture proves it.

Old Testament

Saul prophesied but was rejected (1 Sam 19:24)
Balaam prophesied truth but loved unrighteousness

New Testament

Judas cast out demons (Luke 9:1–6)
Gifts ≠ approval
God’s power validates His name, not the vessel.

8. This Is Not Anti-Power — It’s Pro-Holiness

Jesus is NOT condemning miracles.
He is condemning:
Lawlessness
Self-will
Using His name without obeying His word
The will of the Father:
Obedience
Repentance
Holiness
Love

9. This Is Why Intimacy Matters

Ministry can replace intimacy if you’re not careful.
You can:
Move crowds
Lay hands
Preach fire
And still never surrender fully
Jesus wants sons, not just servants.

10. The Most Dangerous Place

The most dangerous place spiritually is:
Confidence without obedience
They weren’t hypocrites on purpose. They were self-deceived.

One-Line Summary (Preachable)

You can operate in His name and still not belong to Him.

For Your Men’s Group (Heart Questions)

Do I know Him—or just work for Him?
Is there hidden disobedience?
Do I rely on gifting more than intimacy?
Does my private life match my public ministry?
form — noun. the visual appearance of something or someone.
meaning it looks like it but doesnt mean it what it is
at store with two coats one is the form of godliness and the white and clean and
one person a casher
one buying the form of godliness be cause the white one cost to much
the form will be fine cause its just for sunday
me come to get the white coat
because i dont care if i loss all these materiel things if i just get jesus
Wedding Garment Clothing  metaphor for the righteousness or worthiness required to participate in the Kingdom of Heaven, as depicted in the parable of the marriage supper.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, eproud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5

22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb

“Living in Supernatural Power”
Believers are called not just to live morally, but to live miraculously—walking in the power of the Spirit, rooted in biblical truth, and operating beyond natural limitations.
Quote 2 Timothy 3:5 – “having a form of godliness but denying its power…”
We were never meant to live the Christian life in our own strength. God empowers us by His Spirit to live beyond the limits of the natural.
God is Supernatural by Nature
Genesis 1:1 – He created the natural; therefore, He is above it.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – His thoughts and ways are higher.
God performs signs and wonders to reveal His glory (Exodus 7:3, Psalm 77:14)
🔹 A. Jesus Operated Fully as a Man Empowered by the Spirit
Philippians 2:7 – He emptied Himself of divine privilege.
Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”
Greek: pneuma (πνεῦμα) – breath, Spirit, wind.
🔹 B. His Works Were Supernatural
Healing the sick (Mark 1:41–42)
Walking on water (Matthew 14:25)
Raising the dead (John 11)
Casting out demons (Mark 5)
🔹 C. And He Called Us to Do the Same
John 14:12 – “Greater works will you do…”
Matthew 10:1 – Authority over unclean spirits and to heal every disease.
IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT: OUR SOURCE OF POWER (10 minutes)
🔹 A. Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8 – “You shall receive power…” (Greek: dynamis).
Acts 2 – Tongues of fire, supernatural boldness, and miracles.
V. LIVING SUPERNATURALLY DAY TO DAY (15 minutes)
🔹 A. By Faith, Not by Sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We walk by faith…”
Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is the substance (Greek: hypostasis – ὑπόστασις) of things hoped for…
🔹 B. Yielding to the Spirit
Galatians 5:16 – “Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the flesh.”
This is practical supernatural living:
Hearing God’s voice (John 10:27)
Discernment in daily decisions
Supernatural peace in storms (Phil. 4:6–7)
🔹 C. Staying Filled
Ephesians 5:18 – “Be filled with the Spirit” – (Greek: plērousthe, present passive imperative – “keep on being filled”).
Stay in the Word, worship, prayer, obedience.
VI. SUPERNATURAL POWER FOR A SUPERNATURAL PURPOSE (10 minutes)
🔹 A. Not for Show, But for Witness
Acts 1:8 – “You will be my witnesses…”
Mark 16:17–18 – Signs follow those who believe
🔹 B. To Advance the Kingdom
Heal the broken (Isaiah 61)
Preach with boldness (Acts 4:31)
Display God’s glory
VII. CLOSING CALL: RETURN TO SUPERNATURAL LIVING (5 minutes)
Ask: “Have you been living in natural strength, or supernatural power?”
Call believers to:
Be filled with the Spirit again
Expect God to move miraculously
Operate in faith and obedience
What area of your life needs supernatural intervention?
Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?
What gift has God stirred in you?
Are you walking in faith or by sight?

4. “Knowledge” and “Truth” — Real, But Incomplete

Paul does NOT say they had false doctrine.
They had:
Knowledge (γνῶσις – gnōsis)
Truth (ἀλήθεια – alētheia)
But it was possessed, not embodied.
➡️ Truth was in their mouth, not their heart.

5. “In the Law” — Torah Without Transformation

They trusted the Law as:
Identity
Authority
Proof of righteousness
But Paul exposes the contradiction:

Romans 2:21–23

“You therefore who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?”
They taught Torah, but violated it.
Romans 2:20 exposes people who possess the truth of God’s Law but lack the power of obedience that only comes from a transformed heart.
you can not met jesus and come to God and not change
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