The Church's Priority
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction: What is the most important thing in life? According to a 2000 survey conducted by George Barna, 91% of adults listed having good “physical health” as their top priority; 53% identified being deeply committed to Christ as a top priority; and 42% said being active in a local church as a top priority.
In this chapter Paul mentions the word godless, godly, God and godliness 10 times. For Paul the top priority was spiritual health or godlikeness. One day every believer will be “just like Jesus.” But for now we are in the process of transformation. Let me show you how each of us can attain more godliness.
I. Don’t Believe Everything You Hear (3-5)
I. Don’t Believe Everything You Hear (3-5)
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Tests of Sound Doctrine:
1. The first test is the test of origin. Sound doctrine originates with God; false doctrine originates with someone or something created by God.
For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
2. The second test is the test of authority. Sound doctrine grounds its authority within the Bible; false doctrine grounds its authority outside the Bible.
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
3. The third test is the test of consistency. Sound doctrine is consistent with the whole of Scripture; false doctrine is inconsistent with some parts of Scripture. There is a sameness or familiarity to true doctrine and a strangeness or unfamiliarity to false doctrine. The man who wrote the letter to the Hebrews warned his congregation about “diverse and strange teachings,” while Paul warned Timothy about accepting “different doctrine”
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
Build your life on Jesus and his instructions. Note the words “sound doctrine.” Develop an ear to hear. If the parable of the Sower and seeds is any indication, ¾ of the world isn’t listening to God. Seventy-five percent are missing the message. Many are being led astray by falsehood. Be careful to whom you listen. (Deut. 6:4, Neh. 8:3, Prov. 8:3; John 10:3-5)
II. Understand What’s Really Important in Life (6-10)
II. Understand What’s Really Important in Life (6-10)
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Don’t get sidetracked by the temporal. He is a fool who lives only for the material. Godliness, not goods, is the most important thing. Those who lunge for only riches will plunge into ruin. We live in a day where there is a mad dash for cash. We have the desire for titanic possessions. We have the itch to be rich. We live with the gospel of greed. We chase the monster called more. Any day our ship is coming in. Any moment now the lottery is mine. I asked a missionary to Japan once, “What’s the predominant religion in Japan?” He replied, “The same as it is in America – materialism!” Check out the suits they sell at the funeral home. They don’t have any pockets! No use in using the extra material. The deceased don’t need them. They aren’t talking anything with them. Understand what’s really important in life.
III. Develop a Strategy for Success (11-16)
III. Develop a Strategy for Success (11-16)
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Don’t get outsmarted by false teachers. Don’t get sidetracked by the trivial. Don’t neglect your priority.
1. The Child of God (11) – You have to know God. You have to be his child. This is priority number one. Note “Man of God.”
2. The Call of God (12) He has called you (II Peter 1:10). You have called on him (Romans 10:13; John 10:13)
3. The Confession to God (12)
4. The Command of God (14) - See verse 11. Flee from the temporal and pursue the eternal. “Pursue” (v. 11) means to strive constantly. Explore the words “righteousness,” “godliness,” “faith,” “love,” “steadfastness,” and “gentleness.” Flee, fight and finish. Pursue, persevere and praise. Strive, struggle and succeed. We ought to pursue God like a jackrabbit dashing for dinner.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Jesus was relentlessly focused on one task – the cross. He also was relentlessly focused on one person – his Father. That was his priority. It should be ours as well. If we will look to the primary, God has promised he will tend to the secondary.