Train Yourself in Godliness (1 Timothy 4:6-10)

Announcement

Call to Worship

Psalm 95

Prayer of Praise and Confession

Adoration

-You are the God of All wisdom

-Your wisdom manifests itself in the entirety of creation.

-No greater example is found in the scripture that you have sent to us

-And as we come to you now, we are given the benefit of that wisdom in worship and the word

Confession

NO OTHER GODS

-We are tempted to worship and often do worship other God’s. We worship the government, colleges, materialism, status, and above all ourselves.

-In so doing we omit the faithful worship that you require of us

-In our sinful minds, we view you wickedly with contempt for the lives you've given us.

NO IDOLS IN WORSHIP

-And as we come to worship you, we desire to do it on our own terms.

-Rejecting the manner which you have laid out in Scripture by telling you how you ought to be worshipped.

-We like the Israelites fashion in out hearts golden calves and call them the true and living God

TAKING THE LORDS NAME IN VAIN

-In doing this we water down you name and begin to use it flippantly

-We swear on the name on the Lord in our hearts and with our mouths

-We call upon your name carelessly and superstitiously for our own self ends.

HONOR THE SABBATH

-And we fail to set apart a day for worshipping you.

-We view your Lord’s day as a chore or burden, when it is meant for our own benefit and rest.

-We often seek to do everything, but worship you!

Assurance of Pardon

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, And to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.”

Offering

Pastoral Prayer

Civil Realm:

-We see that an election is coming

-The divide in our country can bee seen in every community and with all people

-We pray for peace in our land and for unity

-We pray for Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden as they lead their parties.

-and pray that you look favorably upon us as a people

-Our church has enjoyed many rights and privileges for almost 200 years

-we pray that those who rule may maintain our freedom to worship

-But if not, give us the strength to persevere.

The Lost of the World/Mission of the church:

-We pray for the lost in our world.

-We think of the many students in our community and in our colleges. As school begins, we pray that the campus and school ministries might prosper in their unusual settings

-We pray that you give RUF ministers on our college campuses a renewed hope in their work and wisdom for bringing the gospel to those who do not know you

Sanctification

-We pray for our own people that we might continue to grow in wisdom and maturity.

-That our children might love you and as they grow in stature and knowledge that this also grow in Godliness

-We pray for our older saints, as your protect them, give them encouragement to persevere.

The Sick and Afflicted

-Mike Bishop and successful surgery

-Terry Malone as he is in the hospital. Be with him and dottie

-Jan Stubble-field as she recovers

-Amos Malone

-Bob Head

Sermon Text Introduction

Open you bibles to 1 Timothy 4 with me. We will pick up in verse 6 and read through verse 10. This evening we continue our series in 1 Timothy and working through the church’s calling. In the chapter this evening we will see the remedy to false teaching in the church of Ephesus. Paul charges his son in the faith to pursue biblical godliness in doctrine and personal living. As Timothy himself values and pursues true godliness, then the church of Ephesus will likewise value and pursue true godliness.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Here ends our NT Lesson and this is the word of God.

Sermon Introduction

We have all undergone some training in our lives. Some of that training is pleasant and others is not so pleasant. You have been trained as doctors, lawyers, teachers, and even preachers. Others have been trained to run a business or even to run a household. You probably enjoyed many aspects of your various spheres of training.

I enjoyed taking bible and theology courses in Seminary. Those were mainly painless in the my life. However, some of the most difficult training and also some of the most fruitful training was connected to learning the greek language. You may not know this, but every summer, from June through August, Future pastors study greek (6-8 credits). Monday through Friday, these students wake up early for 8AM class. Many of us went in at 7AM for extra help. We then had class till noon translating scripture. Every morning the professor went down the row. Translate this verse. Parse this verb. What use of the vocative case is this? the questions only get more dubious as they go on. Then, after a brief lunch, we would translate 10-20 verse and memorize another 20-30 vocab. By the end of the summer we translated over 500 verses and memorized over 550 vocab. That doesn't include all the grammar in the greek language. You think English grammar is rough. Try some ancient greek grammar. The summer of 2017 was no cake walk. It was hard, but incredibly rewarding. Was it always enjoyable? No, but the toil and struggle benefited me back in 2017 and continues to benefit me today. As I hope it benefits you.

While Paul condemned Ancient Asceticism a few weeks ago, Paul does seek a deep value of Discipline and godliness. And he sees a great value in training yourself in the way of Godliness. Paul is writing to he dear son Timothy and instructing him in the way of godliness. For Paul believes that Godly leadership will be of great benefit to the congregation as they seek to imitate their beloved pastor. So while Paul is instructing Timothy in the manner by which he should lead the congregation as their pastor, he is also recognizing the great benefit of training the entire congregation in godliness.

So what is godliness? This greek word appears in the New Testament about 15 times. So few times, that no greek student would bother memorizing it. This word is found an astonishing 9 times in this book. For the Apostle, Godliness is not static or fixed like the pews you sit on or the paintings in your house. Instead it is active. It literally is an active obedience that overflows from a reverent awe of God. It it the idea of being completely awestruck and then acting upon the reverent awe.

Pastor Kent Hughes defines it like this “The godly among us are those people whose reverent worship of God flows into obedience throughout the week. Only God-Struck doers of the Word can rightly be termed godly.”

For we learn that godliness in not merely external in our actions, Rather it is caused by an inward reality of godliness deep within you. How do we begin to live out this godliness. How do we train ourselves in Godliness? It is not be rejecting the good creation that God has given us. It is instead by and through a healthy diet in the Word of God and discipline in our daily living.

Proposition: Train Yourself in Godliness. HOW?

Your Nourishment is by the Word(4:6-7a)

English Standard Version Chapter 4

6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.

The Spiritual Health of a Minister

Timothy is charged with a specific task. He is charged to be trained in the words of the faith and following the Good Doctrine. The word for trained her in verse six probably is better translated as nourished as NASB translates. Its meant to give a clear picture for the type of diet believers ought to have. There is an irony in this text. Paul condemns the dietary restrictions of the false teachers in Ephesus. Therefore, the teaching that will make Timothy a good servant of Christ includes the positive presentation of gospel truth and the negative of refuting the false teaching there. Its And now Paul urges Timothy and the church to have a healthy Spiritual diet. While potato chips and cake might taste delicious they are junk for your bodies. A good diet physically benefits. Timothy as the pastor in Ephesus must have a good diet in order to serve his people well and for them also to develop a good diet. They are warned to avoid spiritual junk so that they might be spiritually healthy. In our own time we are often confused by what the function of a pastor. We have pastors that limit themselves in all sorts of ways. This pastors preaches. This pastor visits. This pastor shepherds. This pastor leads the youth. We must not forget that all pastors are teachers. And as teachers they must have a good diet in order to teach their people a good diet.

A pastor fattened by the junk food of false teaching will make you fat on false teaching. Whereas a spiritually nourished pastor will lead you to spiritual nourishment. For out of his spiritual growth, you will receive to overflow of God’s grace by learning from him. Indeed the Spiritual health of the minister is vital to a healthy ministry.

Think of the Ministry of John Calvin in Geneva. A man the saturated his entire life with a good diet in the word of God. The impact of his ministry lasted today even in our own church. He was a revolutionary that transformed Geneva and western Civilization. He helped revive biblical Christianity in the West. And as you look at all whom he influenced, their diets began to mirror him. We think Martin Bucer, John Knox (PRESBYTERIANISM), Zacharias Ursinus (Heidelberg Catechism). And then even their students. All feasted on the a spiritually rich diet.

But what is this diet? I believe that it is twofold...

The Positive Teaching

We need a hearty died as believers. You will not be surprised, but this died is on the Word of God and sound doctrine. Believers are nourished by their devotion to the Lord in feasting upon his word.

As one commentators notes, “Scripture is clear that sound doctrine nourish the soul, whereas false doctrine, of frivolous teaching, is destructive.”

Paul recognizes that Timothy has followed the faith at the end of verse 6. This is recognized as a good thing, but Paul also encourages Timothy to continue in the practice of Spiritual nourishment. This is not something that statically stays with you. A healthy spiritual diet is not a faddish diet. We could all name dozens of people of faddish diets. Whether it be the whole thirty or Atkins diet or something of that nature. I’m not calling into question the efficacy of those diets, but I know many people are on diets one day and they unhinged they next day. Almost like the relapsed on those pesky carbohydrates. Healthy Spiritual nourishment is not meant to be a fad. It is meant to be the staple of your spiritual life The Word of God and good doctrine are what keep you spiritual healthy. This diet is not just for yesterday and today, but also forever. Dine with me on the word of God and solid biblical teaching. For your soul will be satisfied. A good diet makes a good minister. The best ministers I know are those who are saturated by and in the Word of God.

The Negative Teaching

On the other hand, Good pastors reject bad doctrine. While potato chips and cake might taste delicious they are junk. Therefore, the pastor and teacher must be men that are willing to repudiate false doctrine and teaching. Good pastors reject bad teaching and teach their people to reject bad teaching. The first part of verse 7 tells us that false teaching is godless. They are to have nothing to do with false teaching. Paul calls this teaching, “silly myths.” This expression here basically translated as “old wives tales.” These are teaching with no basis in reality and are mere legends. False teaching is worthless and hinders godly living.

Application

The false teaching that we are tempted in our current time and found in this passage is to call Paul a legalist. That any Christian in our church who is well disciplined in christian godliness is a legalist. But one of the best habits you can develop out of this Lord’s day evening, is a new diet that includes many more portion of the word of God. That includes daily prayer.

Proposition: Train Yourself in Godliness. HOW? You are constantly Nourished by the Word.

Your Discipline is in Godliness (4:7b-8)

English Standard Version Chapter 4

Rather train yourself for godliness;

8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Physical and Spiritual Exercise

Not only do Christians have a diet in the word of God, but that diet is accompanied by good Christian discipline. We are given athletic imagery in this section. We are called to train ourselves for godliness. This term is directly connected to intense athletic training. This word literally means to exercise and train naked. Athlete of the ancient world often competed without clothes. The idea is that as we train, we ought not let anything restrict us in our training. As you hit the weights in the gym, you do as many sets and reps as you can and then you continue until you can longer change your clothes. Thats the kind of training in this passage. Training ten thousand hours in order to complete a 6 hour marathon.

Not only are we to feast upon to truth of God, but we are all vigorously outworking that truth in our lives. A response to the awe and reverence we have for God, is active obedience. Like an athlete training for a sport, there is no down time. It takes constant devotion and discipline. You know this sort of discipline. Paul says this physical discipline is of some value, but it would be even better if you applied that same sort of Discipline to you walk with God in godliness.

For physical discipline in regard to physical training will indeed only benefit you in this life. But Spiritual discipline will carry over to the life to come. Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Is Discipline Legalism?

Discipline may sound kind of Legalistic. You might hesitate or cringe by hearing the word. But i fear you might be mistaken. Legalism is center on meriting or earning your standing before God. It is centered on the self. Discipline i God- Centered. The well disciplined and godly christians shows self restraint, because of his love for God and wanting to please him… Not to earn favor in his eyes. For the godly christian has that favor purchased through the blood of Christ.

I am sure you have heard that great Luther quote, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”

Luther and christians from ever era have understood to vital benefit of christian discipline in their lives

Application

But here is the reminder from Jay Adams, “The Word discipline has disappeared from our minds, our mouths, our pulpits, and our culture. We hardly know what discipline means in modernAmerican society. And yet, there is no other way to attain godliness’ discipline is the path to godliness. You must learn to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”

Is your walk in the Christian faith disciplined like an athlete. Do you have control over your appetites or do your appetites have control over you. Do you exercise any self-restraint with the many pleasures of this world? or are you unconcerned with discipline all together? Americans love to binge everything. We binge food. We binge drink. We binge entertainment. We consume. consume. consume. and ever once reflect on the harm that it causes us. This is self-destructive. Thus moderation is a Christian virtue.

But there is a bigger application here. Disciplining ourselves in the Word of God for the purpose of righteousness is good training in the Christian life. It trains us to better listen to preaching. It trains us to take notes and to check cross-references. It trains us to read our bibles yearly and to listen to faithful teaching outside of the Lord’s Day.

Proposition: Train Yourself in Godliness.HOW? You are constantly Nourished by the Word, your Discipline is in godliness.

Your Hope is with God (4:9-10)

English Standard Version Chapter 4

9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

We see the great pithy or even proverbial phrase of the New Testament, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.” Paul is engaging his reader about the next fews words. He is saying listen closely to what I have to say. More than that, he is also communicating that no Christian should take issue to what is about to be said. This is as common knowledge as John 3:16.

Christians toil and strive for godliness. In other words, Christians work hard and labor to be godly. To struggle and strive is connected to athletic contests and to fighting with a weapon in battle. In both of those, you give it your all. For you must succeed. You must complete you goal. This goal is not easy. It takes tremendous effort and perseverance.

We receive the purpose of training ourselves in godliness. It is because we have our hope set on the living God that saves us. Why do we chose to have a diet in the word of God and discipline in the godliness. It is because our hope is in the God who has saved us. He saves all kinds of people from every background and situation. And because he saves you you have a renewed hope in the life to God. This hope is not fleeting, but as real as this sanctuary. We will well ordered and disciplined lives because we recognize the goodness of God’s work in our lives and desire deeply to make him proud. And what better way to make our father proud than be learned from the his word how to live according to his ways. This gives you and me great confidence and helps us to continue in fighting the good fight.

My greek professor in college was an incredibly disciplined man. Dr. Saur revealed to his class that he had not missed a day in the bible in 40 years. He spent every morning translating the scripture and reading it. He said he doesn’t experience a spiritual epiphany every morning in the bible, though he does from time to time, but you can see and experience the word of God written upon his heart. In his life you can see that his hope is beyond the temporary pleasure that we might pursue.

Proposition: Train Yourself in Godliness.HOW? You are constantly Nourished by the Word, your Discipline is in godliness, and Your hope is with God

Conclusion

Jesus is the essence and wellspring of godliness. For him holiness was not a part of his life, but his whole life. And as he ascended, he gives us godliness in our lives. This is by his own example and by hastening us with his Holy Spirit. As a young minister I often lament about my bible ignorance. My mentors who have studied the word for decades can recall scripture in seconds from memory. That was not build in a day, but rather from decades of diet and discipline in the word of God. Growth is imperceptible. Often it is hard to recognize in the short term, but I promise spiritual godliness through discipline will never steer you away from God. Rather is will delightfull bring you to him every day of your life.

Hymn of Response 557

Benediction

English Standard Version Chapter 13

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.