Godliness doesnt JUST HAPPEN.New Heart Community Church
Series: Doing Church Gods Way
Lead By Example-I Timothy 4:7-16
Sunday, March 29, 2008
I Timothy 4:7-16(NIV)
7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
11Command and teach these things. 12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Godliness doesnt JUST HAPPEN.
1 Timothy 4:7, Ephesians 4:17, Hebrews 5:11-14, Colossians 2:6-7
§ Godliness = Having the CHARACTER and ATTITUDE of God.
Godliness is the only thing THAT LASTS.
1Timothy 4:8-10, Matthew 6:19, James 4:13-17, James 5:3
I Timothy 4:8(NIV)
8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Matthew 6:19-21(NIV)
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
James 4:13-17(NIV)
13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
Godliness will COST YOU SOMETHING.
1 Timothy 4:15-16, Matthew 25:14-30, Matthew 16:24, Luke 14:33, Philippians 3:8
Matthew 16:24-26(NIV)
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
To run well you have to:
EAT well: vs. 13- Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to
preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a
prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters;
FOCUS well: vs. 15- Be diligent in these matters; give yourself WHOLLY to them, so
that everyone may see your progress.
TRAIN well: vs. 14- Do not neglect your gift,
FIVE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:
1Timothy 4:12(NIV)
12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
? Do I want everyone to know what I SAID today?
Do I want everyone to know what I DID today?
? How did I treat the UNLOVELY today?
How did I handle my DIFFICULTIES today?
Were my motives and thoughts PURE today?
Godliness starts with a DAILY DECISION.
1 Timothy 4:13-14, James 2:14-19, John 12:26