Exercising Godliness
Exercising Godliness
Pastor E. Keith Hassell
1 Timothy 4:7-8 “7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
I. It’s Time to Get in Shape!
A. Health club memberships rise after the New Year
B. Diets and exercise take on new priority after health problems surface
C. While bodily exercise profits somewhat in this life, exercising godliness is profitable for all things and has benefits in this life and in the life to come.
II. What is “exercise”?
A. Webster’s: “Active use or operation; activity for the purpose of training or developing the body or mind; systematic practice; especially, bodily exertion for the sake of health; a regular series of specific movements designed to strengthen or develop some part of the body or some faculty.”
III. What is “godliness”?
A. Godliness means “pious, reverent, godly, holy”
B. Godliness is reflecting the image and likeness of God before others
IV. As Christians we are in training
A. Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
B. Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
C. Through training we gain
1. Strength
2. Discipline
3. Knowledge
4. Skills
5. Experience
6. Confidence
V. God is training us in life’s gymnasium
A. Greek word for “exercise” is “gumnasia” from which we get the word “gymnasium”
B. God is our Trainer in godliness. He knows our weakness and specifically targets them.
C. Tests in life are His equipment
D. God seeks to develop us in three areas:
1. Right response
2. Right attitude
3. Right motive
E. Some of God’s training tests (equipment) and what they build
1. Fear test Faith
a Fear is the anxiety or agitation we feel in the presence or nearness of danger, evil, or pain
2. Faithfulness test Allegiance; Loyalty
a Faithfulness is maintaining allegiance and loyalty
3. Commitment test Integrity
a Commitment keeping our promise or pledge
4. Insecurity test Peace
a Security is the state or sense of safety or certainty
5. Delay test Patience
a Delay is to be late, slow up, or stop for a while
6. Discouragement test Steadfastness
a Discouragement is depriving courage, hope, and confidence
7. Frustration test Endurance
a Frustration is the feeling of disappointment and impending failure
8. Anger test Self-control (Sin not)
a Anger is a feeling of displeasure resulting from injury, mistreatment, opposition, etc. and usually reveals itself in a desire to fight back
9. Rejection test God’s acceptance
a Rejection is the feeling of being worthless, useless, or not up to standard; to be passed over; to be denied
10. Enemy test Unconditional love
a An enemy is one who hates and wishes to injure another
11. Offense test Forgiveness
a Offense is hurt feelings caused by the sinful actions of another
12. Betrayal test Unwavering love
a Betrayal is breaking faith and delivering over to the enemy
13. Injustice test Reliance upon God’s justice
a Injustice is showing favoritism or inequality in judgment
14. Retaliation test Overcome evil with good
a Retaliation is returning evil for evil; pay back
15. Rebellion test Submission
a Rebellion is defiance or opposition to any kind of authority and control
16. Temptation test Flee; No provision for flesh
a Temptation is the enticement or seduction to do wrong
17. Gossip test Love covers
a Gossip is repeating idle talk and rumors about the private affairs of others
18. Selfishness test Serving others
a Selfishness is too much concern for our own welfare or interests and having little or no concern for others; self-centered
19. Cursing test Blessing
a Cursing is calling evil or injury down upon another
20. Self-will test Surrender and obedience
a Self-will is stubbornness to carry out our own wishes especially when in conflict with others
21. Pride test Humility
a Pride is an exaggerated or inflated opinion of ourselves
22. Wilderness test Faithfulness in the dry times
a Wilderness is a wasteland where there is no life
23. Loneliness test Make God your best Friend
a Loneliness is the longing for friendship or companionship
24. Control test Trust in God’s sovereignty
a Control is the desire to be in charge of the process and outcome
25. Overwhelm test Grace
a Being overwhelmed is the state or feeling of being overcome, overpowered, and helpless
VI. No pain, no gain!
A. You and I are in the God’s gymnasium of life
B. Pain is inevitable but maturity is optional
C. God is in control of the training. What others mean for evil God means for our good.
D. Exercise creates pain in areas that have not been exercised
E. Keep exercising through the pain
F. How do you know you have mastered an area of godliness? When the pain leaves and exercising requires little effort!
G. Keep exercising or you can grow weak again!