Take Hold of Godliness - 1 Timothy 3:14 - 1 Timothy 4

Sunday School Lesson – Take Hold of Godliness – October 8, 2006

This is lesson two (2) in our series of study.

The background scripture is 1 Timothy 3:14 – 1 Timothy 4:16.

The focus scripture is 1Timothy 4:6-16.

Christians are teaching false doctrine in the church where Timothy is pastor. The Apostle Paul tells him he has a serious problem that needs to be dealt with immediately. It seems that Pastor Timothy is timid and like most of us does not like confrontation. But Paul tells Timothy, “When you spot a problem in the church, do not ignore it and hope it will go away, but confront it.” First make sure you are on solid spiritual ground when dealing with an issue. Paul assured Timothy that he was equipped with the spiritual foundation to deal with the problem.

In the background scripture, Paul reviews the gospel of CHRIST, which is the foundation of the Christianity and in 1Timothy 4:1-5, reviews the false doctrine being taught.

Background 1 Timothy 3:14-16:
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, [I have written]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He[3] Other mss read God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

1Timothy 4:1-5:
Demonic Influence
1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. 3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

Paul reveals the source of the false doctrine being taught, Satan.

We as humans like to do something to earn or work our way to heaven. The gospel of CHRIST is very simple. CHRIST in us makes us a Christian and not what we do physically or what church we attend or join.

When we ask CHRIST to forgive us of our sins, believe that HE died on the cross for our sins and ask HIM to come into our lives, we experience the miracle of rebirth. We are reborn spiritually into GOD’S family and we become children of GOD. Since we are born into GOD’S family, we will always be GOD’S child and nothing will ever change that fact. We may live to please GOD or we may live and not please GOD. It is our choice but the rewards HE gives out when we get to heaven will depend upon our obedience to HIM.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 3:9-17:

9 For we are God’s co-workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, as a skilled master builder I have laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, 11 because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid—that is, Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day[4] The Day of Christ’s judgment of believers will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.[5] Lit yet so as through fire 16 Don’t you know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 If anyone ruins God’s sanctuary, God will ruin him; for God’s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.

We are given the gift of grace and eternal life. JESUS takes all of our sin, past, present and future upon Himself and HE gives us HIS righteousness. The HOLY SPIRIT comes into our lives and dwells in us. We are GOD’S representatives to the world. Where ever we go GOD is present along with us, because HE is in us.

Let’s read 1Timothy 4:6-7a:

6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths.

Paul tells Pastor Timothy to point out the facts in the background verses, about the influence of evil and the power of the grace of GOD to those in his church. Put the all these facts into perspective and let the gospel nourish you.

Notice in verse 5 Paul says the authority is the Word of GOD. What we read in the Bible is confirmed through prayer. The HOLY SPIRIT reveals truth to us. We cannot get away from the authority of GOD and chase every wind of doctrine.

We need to identify the error in false doctrine but we do not need to dwell on it. Teach the truth of the gospel and it will expose the error in false doctrine.
Many of us, weak in our faith, want to study other religions. We need to study GOD’S Word and be enlightened by it, so that we will be properly trained to run the race of life.

Let’s read 1Timothy 4:7a – 10:

Rather, train yourself in godliness, 8 for, the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 In fact, we labor and strive[1] Other mss read and suffer reproach for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.

Paul often compared the Christian journey to an athlete either in training to participate in a competitive event or participating in the event such as running a race. He is saying it is important to have an intimate relationship with our LORD, through CHRIST. We should discipline ourselves to spend the time necessary to study the scriptures, meditate upon GOD’S Word, talk with HIM through prayer and then to be obedient to what GOD tells us.

In Paul’s day, as well as today, we know the importance of exercise. Being spiritually fit is no less important than being physically fit. In fact, Paul tells us being spiritually fit is of greater importance because one day our physically trained and well conditioned bodies will die but our born-again spirit will live on and will be with GOD for eternity.

1Timothy 4:11-16:

11 Command and teach these things. 12 No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love,[2] Other mss add in spirit in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Be conscientious about yourself and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Paul instructs Timothy to be an example and to teach the truth of the gospel.

Paul tells Timothy not to be timid about being an example because of being considered young. Scholars believe that Timothy was between his twenties up to 40 years old. Reference to a youth generally referred to someone of military age.

There are several scripture references that lead us to think Timothy was timid. But Paul tells Timothy in essence that he knows the truth and he needs to be confident and live his life such that he will be an example to fellow Christians.

Timothy should stick to the scripture and the gospel and not try to explain these silly myths. He is to read the scriptures, then explain the scripture which has been read, and then teach how the scripture is to be applied in their lives.

Timothy has to be reminded of the gift he received when they laid hands upon him. There are times in many of our lives that we have to be reminded of special moments in our lives to keep us focused on our calling. We do not know what Timothy’s gift was but he needed to be reminded of that moment in his life.

Paul instructs Timothy to stick to the gospel of CHRIST. By doing so, he will stay focused on the truth of the gospel. He will be strengthened and in turn he will minister to the members of the church. Staying focused on the truth will save him and his members from being misled.

I know this happened to me during my college years. I went to a Bible study and there was a fellow student who asked some very good questions that our teacher could not answer. I focused on the fact that the teacher did not have an answer and the result, “I questioned the existence of GOD.”

Fortunately, I sought answers to some of these questions and over a period of years GOD revealed answers through HIS WORD and many of ways.

Many Christian people want to study other religions. We have to be careful because the study of other religions sometimes can be an indication that we are not firm in our Christian faith. If we are not firm in our Christian faith, then it is easy for us to be misled by other doctrines.

Trying to explain false doctrine takes our attention away from the truth and the result will be that we are not nourished by the truth. False doctrine must be exposed by presenting the truth and against the back drop of the truth false doctrine is exposed.

Godliness is a relationship with our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. CHRIST in us is the beginning of HIM, through the workings of the HOLY SPIRIT to make us more like our LORD.

We have to be willing for HIM to lead and direct our lives through our obedience to Him. The more we allow HIM to be manifested through our lives the more Godly we become. It is not us doing that makes us Godly but us allowing HIM to live and work through us. Our part is to focus upon HIM and get to know HIM more each day.