Paul refuting the false teaching of asceticism, this idea that through self-denial and depriving
your body, you can come closer to God.
And Paul said, no, everything God created is good and nothing is to be rejected if it
is received with thanksgiving.
And now what follows in this chapter is a whole bunch of general instructions, one after
another which Paul gives to Timothy.
And some of these instructions are quite specifically for Timothy and others are here for both him
and the whole church.
I've broken this passage up, the rest of this chapter up into two pieces.
The first is the trustworthy saying in verses 6 to 11, the saying that we should all be taught
and obey.
And the second is the example of a faithful minister that Timothy is to set.
That's in verses 12 to 16.
So let's begin to work through this and see what the Lord would say to us as a church this
morning.
Starting in verse 6, Paul writes to Timothy,
So this first statement just reflects back to what we heard last Sunday.
Paul just finished telling Timothy about these false teachers that are going to arise and
the false teaching that they're going to bring.
And he was giving the truth that refutes that.
So Paul says, now take care to teach these things from verses 1 to 5.
Teach that to the brothers and sisters in the church.
Warn them.
And if you do, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus.
Then Paul goes on and he gives another instruction in verse 7.
He says, have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales.
Rather, train yourself to be godly.
This is the second time that Paul brings up this issue of myths.
And we heard Paul say that this was the problem with the false teachers back in chapter 1,
verses 3 and 4.
Back there he said to Timothy, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people
not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless
genealogies.
Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work.
So here he picks up this problem again in chapter 4, verse 7.
But this time he's speaking directly to Timothy himself.
It's like he's saying, don't get sucked in to these distractions.
Godless myths and old wives tales.
So this must be a real problem in the church.
We so easily get off of what we should be focused on and onto other things.
We drift off from the gospel, from that focus on Christ and how we should be living for him
and into these side things.
Both myths and old wives tales have one thing in common.
They refer to stuff that's not verifiably true.
Stories.
Speculation.
The Greek word here for old wives tales made me chuckle a little bit.
It means the gossip that elderly women promote.
I don't think it means disrespect to elderly women in general.
But, you know, this is kind of the thing that sometimes happens.
They're elderly.
They're not busy working or raising children or attending to their homes as much anymore.
And so what do they do?
Well, they would spend a lot of time just talking about all kinds of stuff.
Telling stories.
Spreading gossip.
Speculating about all kinds of things.
And Paul's instruction to Timothy is strong here.
He says, have nothing to do with that.
Refuse it.
Avoid it.
Reject it.
That kind of talk.
That kind of gossip is godless, says Paul.
It's worthless.
It doesn't edify people.
It's distracting them.
So have nothing to do with it.
Rather, train yourself to be godly.
Now let's hone in on this word godly.
What does it mean to be godly?
This is a word that, in my opinion, has been poorly translated into English by all the major translations today.
It's translated this way, the same in almost all of them.
Some say in godliness.
As if we all intuitively know what it means to be godly.
Or what it means to have godliness.
Yes.
But then I think if I was to ask you guys how to, what that means to define it, I think that we'd probably hear a variety of different answers.
Some people think it means to be like god.
But in what ways?
And based on what?
Some people think it means to be good.
To be a moral person.
Others think it means to have a good character.
The kind of character that pleases God.
And the problem here is that we, today, in our language, we don't really have a really great, single, modern English word that captures the meaning here.
Piety would be a good word.
But it's so old that most of us don't even know what it means anymore.
And it's got this negative connotation to it as well.
Hypocritically virtuous.
Well, that doesn't fit.
Religious would also be a good word.
But over time, that word has changed in meaning too.
And it's got a lot of baggage now.
And even amongst Christians, we kind of give it a negative twist.
We kind of pit it against relationship with God.
And use it to describe a more works-based kind of spirituality.
The meaning of this word, godly or godliness, is to be devout.
To be devoted to God.
It's not first and foremost about a person's moral behavior or character traits.
It's about a person's giving themselves to God.
It's a very relational word.
In this context, to the one true God, the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Now, a person who's devoted to God, they will live a holy life.
I mean, they will grow in their faith.
And that will transform their conduct.
It will change the way they live.
But those things, how we live, that's the fruit of our devotion to God.
And so, what does Paul mean when he says to be godly?
He means to be a person who is devoted to God and his son Jesus.
In the ways that God has said that we should be, of course.
It's an orientation of the heart first.
Humility towards God.
Reverence.
Holy fear of God.
Faith in God.
A submissiveness.
A willingness to obey God.
To be devoted to God means to be a worshiper of God.
To love God.
A desire to please him.
And then, that devotion, it will spill out into how we live.
And it will transform us and our character.
I think this distinction is really important.
Paul is not saying, train yourself to be good.
It's not just about morals.
He's not saying, train yourself to be like God.
He's saying, train yourself to be devoted to God.
Quite literally.
Train yourself toward devoutness.
Train yourself to be devoted to God.
And it's here that Paul borrows from the language of the athletic world.
Train yourself to be devoted to God.
This word in the original, actually, it's the same word that we get our word gymnasium from.
The gym part of that.
Or gymnastics.
I love this metaphor.
Train yourself to be devoted to God.
In other words, don't just sit around and wait for it to happen.
Don't just sit there and wait for God to get your attention.
And change your life.
Don't just go on with your life and wait until a day when you just somehow start to feel like praying.
Or feel like reading your Bible.
No, when it comes to devotion to God, Paul says, train yourself toward that.
Go after it.
Pursue devotion tenaciously.
In the same way that an athlete prepares to compete.
I think there's a huge lesson to be learned here from the world of sports.
What do athletes do to win?
They train.
They adjust their lives.
They rearrange their priorities.
They change the way they eat.
They adjust all their habits.
They put time and effort into practicing and exercising and building skill.
They make themselves repeat the things needed again and again to build the skill.
They practice the jump shot again and again or the serve.
They build these habits into their lives.
And they're consistent about it.
They repeat them.
Because they know that that's what will yield the results needed to win.
Paul's saying, Timothy, you know the way that people approach sports like that?
Take that kind of approach towards being devoted to God.
Go after it.
Rearrange your life.
Make it a priority.
Change your habits.
Get yourself off the spiritual couch.
And kick your bum out the door spiritually.
Start doing the things consistently and regularly that will lead you deeper in your devotion to God.
Put the time in.
Put the effort in.
Train yourself to be godly.
To be devoted to God.
This is Paul's biggest instruction in this part of the letter.
And Paul gives us some encouragement to go with it.
Some perspective.
In verse 8.
Train yourself to be godly.
For 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.
So here's some perspective, Timothy.
Physical training is of some value.
This is the exercise verse in the Bible.
There's some value to physical exercise.
There's health benefits that come from it.
It's good for the body.
Helps you build strength and coordination and flexibility.
And burn fat.
Keep your heart strong.
And yes, even sometimes win the game.
Physical training is of some value.
But here's the contrast.
The perspective.
Devoted to godness has value for all things.
This one motivational truth alone is worth more than gold.
Going to the gym.
Going for a walk.
Going for a run.
Practicing with your team.
It has some value.
But only in a couple aspects of life.
Whether physical health.
Or performance on the team.
But devoted to godness.
Will bring benefit to every area of your life.
In all things.
It has value for all things.
And so let's make a list of everything.
Finances.
Marriage.
Parenting.
Work.
Promise keeping.
Decision making.
Love.
Romance.
Gift giving.
Perseverance.
Patience.
Rest.
Leisure.
Anxiety.
Doubt.
Temptation.
Productivity.
Big moments in life.
Little moments in life.
Youth.
Old age.
Conflict resolution.
Leadership.
Serving.
Art.
Driving.
How to talk to Nate when he pulls you over for speeding.
Forgiveness.
Hope.
Faith.
Joy.
Diaper changing.
Garbage removal.
Conversation.
Listening.
Speaking.
Responsibility.
And the list can go on forever.
Because all things really means all things.
Everything in life.
Is affected positively.
Beneficially.
When we train ourselves towards being devoted to God.
God really can.
And he really does change every aspect of your life for the better.
If you will give your whole life to him.
Once upon a time.
As an example.
I was quite afraid to get up in front of people.
I used to hate public speaking.
I didn't want to do anything like that.
I'll help make the presentation.
I'll write the words for it.
I'll type it up.
And I'll give you the sheet.
And you can go read it.
And present it in front of the class.
But I hated to be in front of people.
I was so afraid.
My palms would sweat.
My tongue would be dry.
My heart would race.
Until finally in my journey of devoting myself to Christ.
I sensed God's call.
To be a shepherd.
In the church someday.
Well now what am I going to do?
Sensing the call didn't take away my fear.
Not one bit.
But God gave me one opportunity after another.
And each one I had to meet with prayer.
And inward struggle.
And it was a fight to say yes to God.
Over and over and over again.
To trust his promises.
And to press forward.
One speech.
One devotional.
One public speaking moment at a time.
And then one day I looked up from this pulpit.
Here in Davidson.
And I realized.
I'm just not afraid of this anymore.
There's only one person in my audience.
That I need to fear.
And it's God himself.
And he has said.
Preach the word.
Be faithful in season.
And out of season.
That's just one.
Unexpected area of my life.
That God has turned upside down.
As a result of me.
Pursuing.
Trying to devote myself.
To Christ.
And now training yourself.
Towards devotedness.
Impacts all things.
Every aspect of your life.
When you become a follower of Jesus.
God's own spirit.
Takes up residence inside of you.
And when you surrender yourself.
And you devote yourself.
To God.
With tenacity.
And vigor.
Like he's talking about.
In these.
These verses.
God's power is unleashed.
In you.
And on you.
And you are never the same.
Every area.
Transformed.
For the better.
In countless ways.
Oh how we need.
This perspective.
Without it.
We may put a lot of effort.
A lot of time.
A lot of energy.
Into all kinds of things.
But maybe things.
That only have some value.
Only a little value.
In the grand scheme of things.
You may be working hard.
You may be putting a lot.
Into this.
But maybe it's a thing.
That matters very little.
Put that energy.
Put that time.
Into being devoted to God.
And watch every area.
Of your life.
Strengthen.
Flourish.
And blossom.
And there's more perspective.
To be had.
He says.
For 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.
Going to the gym.
Going for another run.
Practicing with your sports team.
Again and again and again.
Well that's only for the benefit.
In this life.
In this world.
But there's a life to come.
He reminds us.
There's a life beyond the grave.
There's a kingdom.
That's eternal.
For which we were made.
And saved.
And devoting yourself to God.
All in.
Brings benefit.
And reward.
Both here.
And now.
And.
In that kingdom.
In that life.
That eternal.
Kingdom.
That's coming.
In verse 9.
Paul says.
This is a trustworthy saying.
That deserves full acceptance.
It's like Paul just took the highlighter out.
And just went back over all that he's just said.
Timothy.
You can bet your life on this.
Don't hesitate to embrace this.
Fully.
Don't just listen to these words.
And take it in half-heartedly.
Take them all the way in.
Accept it fully.
All in.
As a side note.
If you're looking to memorize anything in God's word.
To grow your faith.
These trustworthy sayings.
In first Timothy.
Are a great place to start.
Paul says.
That is why we labor.
And strive.
Because we have.
Because we have put our hope in the living God.
Who is the savior of all people.
And especially of those who believe.
Notice the two words.
That Paul uses there.
Both of them.
Have an intensity.
To them.
We labor.
We work hard.
We strive.
We struggle forward.
So Paul is not the lazy.
Overweight coach.
That's sitting on the sidelines.
Telling Timothy.
To run faster.
And go harder.
Well he sits there.
Himself.
No.
He himself.
Paul himself.
Is training.
Towards.
Devoutness.
He himself.
Is putting in the reps.
Wherever he is.
He's living vigorously.
Even though it's hard.
Let's remember.
Says Paul.
We aren't worshiping.
Some lifeless idol.
Or some idea.
Like the pagans.
All around us.
We have put our hope.
In the living God.
And he's the savior.
Of all people.
The eternal salvation.
Or destruction.
Of people.
Is on the line.
It's at stake.
Here.
And we have.
Word.
And news.
Of a savior.
For.
For everyone.
For all people.
The whole world.
And so.
It's like Paul saying.
We're working.
Our butts off.
To get the word out.
We struggle forward.
Despite difficulty.
And opposition.
And even persecution.
Do you hear that fire.
Of devoutness.
In Paul's own heart.
Take it easy.
Is the message.
That the world around us.
Is saying to us.
Take it easy.
Paul's saying.
The exact opposite.
Train yourself.
To be devoted to God.
Join.
With us.
Timothy.
Labor with us.
Struggle with us.
We serve the living God.
And lives are on the line.
Verse 11.
He says.
Command.
And teach.
These things.
Don't miss this verse.
We might have tried to excuse ourselves here.
By saying that all this.
Well that's really just Paul's instructions.
To Timothy.
Or it's just for pastors.
And leaders in the church.
That Paul says.
Everything that I just taught you.
And commanded you.
To train yourself.
To be devoted to God.
Timothy.
Turn around and.
Teach.
And command that.
To the people in your church.
Don't think that your pastor.
Or your elders.
Are the only ones in the church.
Who should be all in.
Completely devoted to God.
If you are a believer in Jesus.
The command to train yourself.
To be devoted to God.
Is for you.
And.
So is the encouragement.
And the perspective.
That goes with it.
Belonging to the body of Christ.
As a follower of Jesus.
I'm going to put it this way.
It comes.
With a spiritual.
Gym membership.
We are all to train ourselves.
Toward.
Devoutness.
And the best part about it.
Is we can train together.
We can spur one another on.
And encourage each other.
And help each other with this.
So this is the first part.
This is the trustworthy saying.
That we are.
Should all be taught.
And obey.
Now we come to that second.
Section of this passage.
Where Jesus.
Through Paul.
Is going to tell Timothy.
What kind of example.
He is to set.
For the people.
In the church.
He writes.
Don't let anyone look down on you.
Because you are young.
But set an example.
For the believers.
In speech.
In conduct.
In love.
In faith.
And in purity.
So this is.
Might feel like a daunting task.
To Timothy.
there are men and women in the church
who are older than he is
why should we listen to you
Timothy
you're young
what could you possibly know
that we don't
we have experience
we have the wisdom that comes with age
or maybe they're saying
something different
Timothy
whoa
cool the jets
you've got all this energy and fire
because you're young
you don't have a family
you don't have responsibilities yet
just simmer down
cool off
take it easy
there's no rush here
Paul says
don't let anyone look down on you Timothy
because you are young
don't let older people
discourage you
but how do I influence
people who are older than me
how do I instruct them
how do I lead them
Paul says this is the way
don't just do it with words
set them an example
with your life
an example to follow
give them an example
to follow
with the words
that you speak
in speech
show them
how a follower of Jesus
ought to speak
to other people
model that for them
give them an example
to follow in your conduct
show them how a follower of Christ
ought to
behave themselves
and act
give them an example
to follow
in your love
show them how a follower of Jesus
sincerely and persistently
loves the people around them
give them an example
to follow
in your faith
show them how a follower of Christ
trusts God's word
and hangs on to his promises
and holds on to the things
that he has said
as truth
and finally Timothy
give them an example
to follow
in your purity
just like
today
the city of Ephesus
was known
for being filled
with all kinds of
sexual immorality
and so Timothy
show them
by your own life
how a follower of Jesus
ought to live
when it comes
to sexuality
and to marriage
show them
how your attitude
should be
towards women
how you should treat
women
purity
with purity
is it possible
for a young person
to influence
people who are older
than they are
for Christ
absolutely
you better believe it
how do we do it
we do it
by how we live
by setting an example
in all of these areas
of our lives
there's something
utterly compelling
about
a person
who is completely
devoted to God
and to Christ Jesus
and so those of you
who are young
or younger
don't think
for a moment
that you can't
make a difference
don't think
that you can't
be used by God
to shape the lives
of other people
absolutely
you can
even people
who are older
than you
win their respect
by how you live
how you speak
how you act
how you love
how you believe
and how you live
in purity
for those of us
who are older
are we off the hook
here
is it only the younger
that should set
an example
with their lives
well of course not
this is for
old and young
this is how Jesus
wants all his people
to live
as an example
for the other believers
in the church
but it might be
a little different
this verse
for those of us
who are older
how do you see
the younger people
in the church
the younger believers
are you tempted
to look down
on them
if God's spirit
dwells
within
his people
all of them
even the young ones
then there are many
things that we can learn
even from younger
brothers and sisters
in the faith
the question is
do we have the humility
to listen
and to learn
from them
verse 13
Paul says
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 prophecy
when the body
of elders
laid their hands
on you
now these instructions
are very specifically
for Timothy
they pertain
to his leadership
in the church
and these are the things
that are to be
his priorities
as a leader
in the church
public reading
of scripture
preaching
or proclamation
and teaching
and Paul alludes
to a special
spiritual gift
that he received
in a moment
where somebody
spoke a word
of prophecy
we don't get
all the details
about that
as much as
we might like
to know more
about that
but this is
encouragement
Paul is saying
you've been given
a gift by God
don't let it go
unused
use it
now this applies
to us a little
differently
here today
first of all
not everyone
who does the work
of teaching
and preaching
in the church
has a prophetic
word
or a special gift
like Timothy
had
and not everyone
in our church
of course
is a preacher
or teacher
but what is
your role
in this body
in this family
what has God
specially gifted
you for
and made you
for
what are you
competent in
that you can use
to build up
the family of God
and are you
using it
second
let's not
miss the importance
of being a church
today
where scripture
God's word
is read
proclaimed
and taught
this is how
we are to function
in the household
of God
we are to be
people
of the book
people
who regularly
hear
and read
the scriptures
we are to have
regular preaching
and teaching
in our church
and there are
two sides
to this
there is
the side
of the preachers
and teachers
to be diligent
in their study
and in their prayer
and meditating
and preparing
to teach
so that what
they teach
is clear
and accurate
and actually
from the word
of God
but there is
also the side
of the listeners
to show up
to have hearts
ready to receive
a willingness
to respond
and put into practice
the things
that we hear
from God's word
whether here
in the message
or in Sunday school
or on Tuesday nights
it is at least
a two part act
to fulfill this
in our church
if Charles
does all the work
of preparing
a lesson
from the Bible
for your kids
so that they can
grow in their faith
but you don't
bring your kids
it doesn't happen
it doesn't work
Jesus is saying
that this is the way
a church
ought to function
this is how
we should operate
this is how
we should conduct
ourselves
by regular reading
preaching
and teaching
of God's word
and that puts
responsibility
on all of us
some of us
as teachers
and preachers
in our preparation
and others of us
to show up
to be here
with open ears
and soft hearts
ready to respond
to whatever
the Lord Jesus
would say to us
in these moments
and this is
absolutely
critical
for our health
and our vitality
as a church
it's God's word
that shapes
and molds us
into the kind
of church
that God
wants us to be
it's what's revealed
about God
in these pages
that moves us
to worship
it's what's said
about Jesus
in here
that makes us
wise for salvation
and gives us
a message
to run with
it's the instructions
that God's given
in here
that show us
how to live
and it's
in here
that we find
the motivation
to do those things
in a way
that honors Christ
if we take the Bible
out of the church
the church
will very soon
be on life support
it won't be long
before we're just
an empty
lifeless
skeleton
of a church
where tradition
and friendship
are all that's left
but give God's word
it's regular place
to be heard
and considered
in our midst
and watch the church
come to life
watch lives
be changed
watch love
real sincere love
grow
in people's hearts
watch needs
be met
and initiatives
begun
and a community
reached
so this is why
Paul emphasizes
this so much
in his letters
to Timothy
devote yourself
not just give
a little bit of time
but devote yourself
to the public reading
of scripture
to preaching
and to teaching
Paul goes on
he says
be diligent
in these matters
give yourself
wholly to them
so that everyone
may see your progress
watch your life
and doctrine
closely
persevere
in them
because if you do
you will save
both yourself
and your hearers
so careful
faithful
teaching and preaching
of the word of God
in the church
makes the difference
between life
and death
heaven
and hell
the good news
about Christ Jesus
and what he has done
it has the power
to save people
but people can only believe
that good news
and be saved
if that's what
they're hearing
and so as teachers
and preachers
there's a sobering
responsibility
given to us
we're to take
extra special care
that what we teach
really is
what the Bible
is saying
we will be held
responsible
not just for our own lives
but also for the lives
of all
in the church
if we fail
to live
and teach
the word of God
watch your life
and doctrine
closely
by doing so
you will
save
both yourself
and your hearers
so these are the instructions
that Christ has
for Timothy
about
how he wants
Timothy to set
an example
for others to follow
and to keep
the word of God
before the people
let me just sum it up
as a church
as the very household
of God
we are to train
ourselves
to be devoted
to God
keeping in mind
the perspective
that Christ
has given us
our devotion
to him
has value
for all things
in life
and it holds promise
for this life
and the life
to come
and so we should
labor
we should strive
to devote ourselves
to Christ Jesus
and to do
what he has commanded us
we should strive
to live exemplary lives
for all around us
who are watching
and we should be
a household
that regularly hears
and responds to
the reading
and preaching
and teaching
of God's word
which gives us
all of us
something to do
whether we're
preacher, teacher
or hearer
these are the words
of Christ
to Timothy
for the church
in Ephesus
and for us today
let's pray
Father in heaven
I pray
and ask
that
there would be
no heart
in this room
that is unstirred
by this call
to press forward
and devote ourselves
completely to you
Lord you know
the excuses
that we've made
and sometimes
we do this
for a season
and then we drift away
or we grow cool
I pray that you would
stir it in each of our hearts
and that all of us
would have a heart
that beats for you
that we would follow you
all in
and love you
with all our heart
soul, mind
and strength
I pray that you would
turn all of our lives
upside down
for the good
and that you would
do something amazing
here in Davidson
and in the surrounding area
as a result
so that you get
the glory
and so that we can rejoice
in the part
that we got to play
when you return
we ask this
in Jesus name
Amen