1 Timothy
4:12-13
Godly Exercise
Part 2
Recent
Survey: 91% of adults list having good physical health as their top priority in
life, making this the highest-rated priority of all.
According to
"International Health, Racquet and Sports club Association there has been
a steady increase over the Yrs in the # of Americans seeking to be Physically
fit.
In
the year 2001 more than 8 million Americans joined a health club, with
almost one million doing so in the month of January.
In
2001, an estimated 33.8 million people belonged to a health club,
with the average member logging 93 days per year working out at a health club.
Today the # of
Americans belonging to a health club has climbed to 39.4 million people.
A
lot of people spend a lot of time – trying to get fit and stay fit.
1) And that is Not a bad thing
– Paul says Bodily exercise Profits a
little.
B) As believers that cannot
be our MAIN focus–
1) Encouraged to exercise
ourselves toward godliness
Because Godliness
is profitable for all things
C) Being godly is going to
impact every area of your life.
We
are currently studying thru the book of 1 Timothy:
A) We have sort of camped
out here in Ch.4 – Looking at the subject of Exercising ourselves toward
godliness!
B) In v. 6-16 Paul lays out NINE principles how to exercise or train yourself in
Godliness!
C) Last week we looked at 3
1) V.6-7 Proper
Diet
2) V. 8-9
Focused Priorities – Bodily exercise profits a
little but godliness is profitable for all things.
3) V.10 Keep
your eye on the Prize. { Key to enduring the hard
times suffering – low points
I
Decided to Divide this into 3 Studies – Part 2 today where we will look at 3
More Principles
A) However before we do that
I want to consider what the word Godliness means!
B) See It is important that
we know what we are aiming at!
C) Too often in
the Christian life - We paint a broad brush – shoot at a big target –
1) We are happy if we Just
hit the target.
D) Very seldom
does that win the Prize –
Carnival
one of those booths – Win a stuffed animal
A) Shoot at arrow at a
target – or BB gun or Laser –
B) Not good enough to just hit the target – need to hit the Bull’s
eye. - SHARP
SHOOTERS
C)
Same is true in Christian life: Paul – Run eyes are on the
finish line – Not running just to run
1) Running to WIN !
D) Box – Not hitting air –
Aim – target.
1) Boxing just to Box –
Trying to hit target
2) Running
just to run or Running to Win!
So
when we talk about the subject of Godliness it is important that we know what
we are aiming at!
A) The word godliness in the
Grk is a word that speaks of a reverence, respect, and devotedness toward God.
B) It is having a right view
of God and relationship with God.
1)
But it involves more than just a state of mind or an attitude of the Heart.
C) The word godliness is an active word – and by placing the verb exercise or train before it here only heightens the
sense of ACTIVITY.
Longfellow described it as “a life that reflects and image of Heaven.”
Godliness
is Christ-likeness
A) Because the image and
likeness of God is perfectly expressed through Jesus Christ,
B) godliness (God-likeness)
is Christ-likeness.
ROMANS 8:29
“For those
God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his
son”
2 Peter 1:3
His divine
power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through
the knowledge of Him
Christ
is both the STARTING POINT of godliness, as well as the STANDARD and GOAL of
godliness.
A)
Our view of Godliness comes from our Knowledge of Him
1) What would Jesus
do!
B) But also our ability to live a Godly life also comes from Him –
His Divine Power!.
1)
His work & power in our lives What will
Jesus Do!
C) Paul tells us that “Christ in you [is] the hope of glory”
(Colossians 1:27).
1)
That is, Christ in you is the starting point and only hope of expressing God’s
character and goodness.
Phillips “ Godliness is an adornment, regardless of one’s age, social
standing, or walk in life. A Physically handicapped godly Christian is
undoubtedly a better man than one who is a magnificent physical specimen but is
a moral leper. Godliness can grace a farmers cottage, as fittingly as a
Kings Palace, an army barrack as well as the halls of congress. Godliness
brings beauty to a pew or pulpit. It silences the scoffer, shames the profane,
confounds the critic, exposes the hypocrite, and refutes the unbeliever.”
SO in a
Nutshell
A) Godliness is the renewing
power of the Holy Spirit in our life to restore the likeness of God, so that we
can reflect the character of Christ.
B) Attitude that wants to
please God and honor God in every aspect of their lives
C) Consider three more
Principles:
Pick up this
morning with Principle #4
Over come your insecurities v. 12a
Let
no one despise your youth,
A) If we are going to
exercise ourselves to be like Christ – it means we have a work to do in God’s
economy.
B) Jesus said of Himself
that He came to serve – not to be served.
C)
So Part of exercising ourselves toward Godliness is going to be seen in our
Service – fulfill our calling
1) We are His
Workmanship……….
Often
times it is our insecurities that hold us back from being who God wants us to
be!
A) Part of Timothy’s calling
to exercise himself toward Godliness} was to be a leader.
B) But one of the things
that he struggled with was his age. Timothy was probably in his 30’s
1) Considered a Young age
for a Pastor or spiritual leader in those days
C) Timothy was prone to
being insecure about his age – Prone to letting it get in the way of his
leading
All
of us in our calling toward godliness have a role to play in God’s kingdom
A) But IN order to do that
we must overcome our insecurities
B) For you maybe it is your
lack of experience – knowledge or your inability to speak.
1)
Maybe you struggle with how you are going to be perceived { Fear of People’s reaction
C) Insecurities like these
can be our greatest deterrents from being who God wants us to be
D)
My greatest struggles in ministry have come from this very thing.
1)
Wrestling with my incompetence – lack of skill –
2) It Can be
Crippling – Not minister in Confidence
Usually manifest
itself when I start looking at some body else’s gifts –
A) They are funnier /
smarter / more articulate / more knowledgeable
B) How do you over come
that?
1) It is over come when I get my eyes off of looking at others and
on to Jesus – I am who He made me
C)
He has called me to this calling – He has equipped me in a way that He feels is
right for this task. –
1)
Rest in that!
Paul said: Comparing yourselves among yourselves is
not wise
D) It is also overcome when
I Believe Zech. 4:6
“Not by might
not by power –age experience, training, but by my spirit says the Lord.”
Understanding that it is not
about you and me – It is about the Fact – God has placed His Spirit in us.
A)
We can do all things thru Christ who Strengthens us
B)
Paul wanted Timothy to rise to the occasion regardless of his age – Here’s How
– Principle #5
#5
Be an example to be believers in word & in deed.
A) The word example here is
Tupos in the Greek – it means to strike to make an impression.
B) It was used by Thomas who
said – after the Rez – 1) He would not believe unless he could touch the tupos – of the nails
in hands & side.
C)
So the way for Timothy to not be despised because of his Youth – was to be an
example.
1) Make an impression of
Christ for the believers
Paul
pinpoints Six areas where Timothy needed to focus on being an example.
1) IN
WORD
A) Exercising ourselves
toward godliness –we are to be examples in how we talk. – Our speech
Colossians
4:6
“Let your
speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you
ought to answer each one.”
B) Words that soothe / Words
that comfort / words that encourage!
Ephesians 4:15 – Speaking the truth in love.
C) Jesus words unless when
rebuking the Pharisees were always so gracious – loving – so kind.
If
you were given 100 dollars for every kind word you spoke last month
A) But you lost 50 dollars
for every unkind cutting word – Would you be Rich or Poor.
B) Be an example in word
C)It
also means Knowing when not to say something!
1) Gayle Irwin: M N.- Just Pray: Great example to me!
D) I know others who would have been real quick to go into what an
idiot the guy was being.
E) A man’s speech reflects what is in his heart.
1) In Matthew 12:34–37, Jesus warned,
“For out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.35 A good man out of the good treasure
of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure
brings forth evil things.36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may
speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.37 For by your words
you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
E) SO first Paul exhorted Timothy to be an
example in Word
2)
In Conduct: Lifestyle- How live !
A) It’s easy to exhort
others. Being an example ourselves, however, is much more difficult.…
“Son,” said the concerned father, “you’re not studying the way you
could. When Abraham Lincoln was your age, he didn’t have computers or electric
lights. He walked fifteen miles through the snow to check out books at the
library—and then walked fifteen miles home so that he could read them by the
light of the fireplace. When he was your age, that’s what he did.”
“Well,”
replied the son, “when Abraham Lincoln was your age, he was President of the United States!”
It’s
easy to want to exhort someone else! But Mom and Dad, if you want to see your
kids be more
spiritual, you be more spiritual.
Home group leaders, if you
want your groups to be more radical, you be more radical.
The
key lies in being an example.
Eric Liddell – God made me fast & I
feel his pleasure when I run – but he wouldn’t run on Sunday – not break convictions
Ran
a different race- God blessed him – He won!
Example
of a man standing by his convictions – having spiritual priorities – Made a
Movie – Best Picture
What
example are you setting for your kids – concerning what your priorities are !
A) What example do you set –
Heart toward God
B)
What it means to serve! – Worship – Devotions
C) Friendships – tell them I
am not home !
1) Work ethic – call in sick
when not
D) Entertainment:
E) Be an example to the believers – In conduct
3)
In Love:
A) How do you love ?
B) The world’s love is
extremely conditional
1) What can you do for me.
C) People in the world
withhold love to manipulate and control – play head games
C) Our love is to reflect
Christ love: A Love that is unconditional
D) How many of us would have
forgiven Peter
1) Denied that he even knew
you in your darkest hour
E) Not only was He forgiven
– He was restored – that is love!
Turn to 1 Cor 13
Guys
this is what we are to be aiming at!
A) Often we hear – put your
name in there – Reveals what a blow it we are
B) Now put Jesus name –
Perfect –
1) APP – That is how perfect
Christ love for you is
C) Often we walk away: I am
a loser – I will never be able to love like that
1) But I am so thankful
Jesus loves me that way.
Wrong
Conclusion: See this is still the goal –
A)Still what God thru His
Divine Power is seeking to work into our lives
B) We need to see that we
are growing in our consistency of loving that way.
C) Longer you are a
Christian the more your life should reflect this love – not less!
1) Be
an example in Your Love!
In
Spirit : Enthusiasm:
A) Some people make the
Christian life & Christian service – seem so Boring
B) Nothing could be further
from the truth.
1) First Constant Spiritual
warfare – Battle
C) Then opportunity to be
involved in influencing someone’s Eternity
We
need to be excited about Jesus !
A) Excited that God gives us
the Privilege to partner with Him in Ministry Team
B) Excited that your life
can make a difference.
C) Excited that we are going
to heaven
1) Access in Prayer and
Worship
D) Excited that we have
answers – We know what the future holds
1) Excited God speaks to us
!
E) That kind of
Christianity is Contagious
The World has seen enough
cold lifeless, boring religion -
“The greatest argument for
Christianity is Christians—vibrant, joyful, loving Christians…
The
greatest argument against Christianity is Christians—exclusive, self-righteous,
and complacent Christians” (Sheldon Van Auken)
5)
In Faith:
A) This speaks of that heart
– Step out and believe God!
B)
David was one who was despised because of His youth!
1) By
his dad – Didn’t invite him to anointing
2) By
his brothers – Came to the Battle
3) By
Saul – You are just a youth…….
4) By Goliath – Am I a dog
……
C) That was all BG – Before
Goliath
1)
After Goliath – No one despised David’s youth again.
Be an example in Faith:
A) The world needs more
radical Christians
B) Danny &
Mark – Send: Young guys “lets make a
difference”
B) Famous Missionary – who
was first declared unfit for the mission field by missions board
1) He went anyway – God so
used him – Everyone was wanting to claim him as their guy.
C) Radical Faith –
D) Before anyone starts
thinking – I am too old
1) CALEB
6)
In Purity: Moral behavior
A) Too many opinions as to
what that means today.
B) Dress/ entertainment/ -
Broad
C)
Simple test: Would I be comfortable doing this with Jesus !
D) Some Christians want to
see how close to the world they can get. –
1) Problem is the line is
constantly moving farther and farther away from what is godly
E) Started here – Line has
moved a bunch.
Principle #5
Be an Example: In Word /
Conduct / Love / Spirit / Faith / Purity.
#6
Don’t neglect the Basics v.13
13
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
A) When Working out 2 things
that never Change for maximum results
B) Technique { Do the right
exercise the right way
C) Balance: Diet / Lifting{ # of Reps / Cardio
D) Can’t get away from those
things – achieve your goals
E) Here Paul lays out 3
basics for the Christian life
1) reading / exhortation/
Doctrine
I
am not sure why this is the case – But there is a tendency of some in the body
of Christ to always want to find – some “ hidden truth”
A) Find the secret meaning
of some text! – The esoteric understanding
B) I admit at times that can
be fun
C)
Problem: There is so much that we know that we don’t put into Practice
1) That is why we need to
constantly be reminded of the Basics
Paul
is speaking to Timothy here as Pastor in the context of the Church
A) Give attention to reading
/ exhortation/ doctrine
B) Public reading – Spoken
word
1) Exhortation: Encouraging
using Scripture
C) Doctrine: Teaching truth
of the word
What
is good for a Pastor and for a Church is good for us personally. Exercise
yourself toward …..
A) Daily diet of reading the word
B) Speak the word – Use it
to encourage others
1) God’s word is the only
truth – There is not a situation to which it does not speak!
C) Teach the Word: Best way
to grow is to teach others
1) Take what you are
learning and Pass it on.
2) Mike S. 3rd
Service Sunday School
So
How are you doing in your workout Routine?
Are
you meeting your goal?
A) Gym I lost 2olbs – wanted
to lose 5-10 more – hit a point stopped couldn’t get over that hump
B) Trainer: Switch up my
routine – twice as much cardio as I was doing
1) Change my diet { Hard
part – I like to eat – things I like to eat don’t want to stop
C) I lost 20lbs – still eating
the things I liked to eat
And I was maintaining
because of my exercise.
1) Lose the rest – Radical
Change
Same
is true spiritually – We can get to the point in our walks – maintaining – not
growing
A) Reason: Unwillingness to
take it to the next level
B) Unwillingness to deal
with the things in our lives that God points out is holding us back.
C) I have to admit – Looking
at Paul’s list of things he told Tim to be an example in –
1) I was convicted – Certain
things – I am lacking in
D)
There are areas where I need to grow – The question is will I put in the work
1) Will I yield to the Lord
– Heavenly trainer
E) Or am I going to hold on
to things in my life that I really don’t need and Just maintain
Just
be happy – Going to Heaven – Or do I want to keep pressing toward the goal –
Christ like
A) God is the potter – we
are the clay –
B) Key to His being able to
mold – Softness
C) Two key things: Word =
water
D) #2
Being sensitive to wear He is wanting to mold
1) Don’t resist
E) You today: How is your
workout -