Bible Study - Disciplines (1) - The Benefit of Spiritual Disciplines - 1 Timothy 4:1-10 - January 24, 2021

 

Bible Study – Disciplines (1) – The Benefit of Spiritual Disciplines – January 24, 2021

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled, “Spiritual Disciplines: Becoming More Like JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Timothy 4:1-10.

Growth in CHRIST occurs when we practice Spiritual disciplines.

This study begins a 6-week study:

-         Week 1 – The Benefit of Spiritual Disciplines.

-         Week 2 – Knowing GOD

-         Week 3 – Intimacy with GOD

-         Week 4 – Maintaining Focus on GOD

-         Week 5 – Connecting to CHRIST’S Body

-         Week 6 – Joining GOD’S Work

Lesson one is on the benefit of Spiritual discipline. Most all of us practice certain disciplines in our lives which we know benefit us e.g., eating properly, exercise, body hygiene, education, etc. These disciplines translate to things that benefit our human bodies and relationships e.g., good health, endurance, stronger muscles, stronger teeth with less cavities when we brush our teeth and the list goes on. The same is true when we practice Spiritual disciplines e.g., reading GOD’S Word, scripture memory, praying, serving, putting what we read in the Bible into practice, being honest with GOD, etc.

As Christians, we need to practice Spiritual disciplines such as reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on the Bible as the Holy Spirit leads us. As we do, we need to ask GOD to reveal areas in our lives that do not measure up and need correction.

We know that scripture is a light for the path we travel during the dark times in our lives. Scripture is sharper than a two-edged sword that cuts both ways and deep into our being (to the eyes of our hearts where truth resides). The Holy Spirit reveals through Scripture our relationship with GOD. When we are not in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS, it robs us of fellowship with GOD. Scripture shines the light of truth in the dark places in our lives. Scripture also reveals to us what we are to do about being restored. When we have invited JESUS into our hearts but we go astray, Satan declares us unworthy, which is a lie. But GOD waits and prods us to confess our sins and return to HIM. GOD never leaves us or forsakes us.

Christians are at war with Satan and his followers and the only way for us to be victorious is to remain in fellowship with GOD by staying connected to the One True Vine, JESUS The CHRIST. CHRIST in us is our hope.

Some people think they are a Christian because they were born in America, or their parents or grandparents were Christian. Do not believe this lie.

Christians are those who have asked JESUS to forgive them for their sins believing that the shed blood of JESUS paid, in full, for all of their sins. The result of salvation is that they have been Spiritually born and they will live eternally. They are born into GOD’S Family as such are equipped with Spiritual Gifts to be used to serve others.

Not all Christians grow Spiritually at the same rate. Some Christians remain babies while others mature quicker. As Christians mature, they realize they are insufficient to know what lies ahead along life’s journey but GOD knows and so orders their steps as their Good Shepherd. The Holy Spirit guides and empowers the mature Christian. The mature Christian is in right relationship/fellowship with GOD through faith in JESUS which is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:16-17- ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Being a Mature Christian is knowing that CHRIST is within us and equips us to function in a hostile world. Why hostile? Simply, Satan roams earth seeking whom to devour. It means we will know that whatever we face, GOD will be our strength and will face it with us.

The Apostle Paul addressed the difference between a Spiritually mature Christian and a Christian in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4:

3 For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. ² I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, ³ because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife^[a] among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? ⁴ For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not acting like mere humans?

I have often thought wouldn’t it be nice if our government representatives are elected would be bipartisan and do what is best for our nation – that is work in the best interest of the people.

As Spirit-born Christians it is time that we lead the way for the healing of our land. Many are disappointed that our political candidate did not win. Many think the election was fraudulent. If it was, we need to find out what happened and fix it before our next election. Keep in mind that we are in a spiritual battle against evil and it is time for us to pray and to move forward with wisdom from our LORD. GOD does not give HIS Children a Spirit of fear but of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Apostle Paul wrote two letters to his Spiritual son, Pastor Timothy. Our focus scripture is his first letter to Timothy.

Who gets in the middle of issues our nation faces or we as Christians face? All the peoples of earth have a common enemy, Satan and his forces. They want to tear down and destroy Christians, churches, and individuals. Satan hates GOD and all who become Christians. Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 Timothy 4:1-3:

Demonic Influence

4 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later 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. 

What the “Spirit” says was “in later times some will depart from the faith,” why? He answers his own question, Christians are led astray by “paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons.” This was relevant during Paul’s day and times since.  What do those deceivers say? First, they were hypocrites, whose consciences were seared and had no clue regarding Spiritual truth. They may have known truth at one time but they allowed themselves to be blinded to the truth by listening and embracing lies and the teachings of demons. Satan loves nothing more than to assume a position of authority among Christians and be disguised in sheep’s clothing. Christians must keep in mind that on Judgment Day some will say as recorded in Matthew 7:21-23:

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ ²³ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’^[b][c]

The Apostle Paul was giving a heads-up to young preacher Timothy regarding the issues that Satan can use to hobble the church, Christians and ultimately destroy the church or Christians.

Guess what? The same is true today.

How do we as Christians spot these wolves in sheep’s clothing? We must know the scripture and be filled and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit. If you are ever in a Christian service and the hair on the back of your neck stands up, so-to-speak, pay attention because there is either something going on or about to go on that you better ask for discernment. Your best action may be to leave that gathering.

Satan and his devils want to deceive and to mislead or confuse a person who is seeking to become a Christian or desires to grow Spiritually. If you are a young immature Christian, Satan wants to stop you before you become a Spirit filled Christian. If you do become a Christian, Satan’s desire is to discourage you from growing Spiritually. If you are a mature Christian, then Satan wants to do battle with you and destroy you. So, what is a Christian to do? Scripture is clear for those who are Christians as recorded in 1 John 4:4: ⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS) is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world. 

Yes! There is victory in JESUS because HE gave HIS sinless life just for you.

These deceivers will teach people to do things which GOD approves but with a twist. Read again verse 4. This is a control tactic and has nothing to do with salvation or growing Spiritually. Beware! Why? Matthew 24:24:
For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Who is the elect? They are those who know the truth, indwelled by the Holy Spirit and know GOD’S Word. They are Spiritually born Christians and beware they can be deceived. At one time I thought I could walk through Hell and come out the other end without smelling like smoke. But the LORD showed me thinking that was egotistical and a lie. Never get too big for your Spiritual britches which is driven by self. Spirit led Christians must allow the Holy Spirit to lead.

Let’s read 1 Timothy 4:4-7a:

⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.

What is your comfort index? The Spiritually born Christian seeks confirmation of truth from GOD. When HE gives us the truth, is it received with thanksgiving? Truth soothes the eyes of the heart, where truth is discerned.

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ

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

Study GOD’S Word and know the truth and be nourished by it. Embrace good teaching from GOD’S Word. Good teaching is not always feel-good sermons or teachings. The indwelling Holy Spirit decerns truth. Listen to THE EYES OF YOUR HEART, where truth in discerned. Ask GOD to reveal truth to you, which means separating truth from error.

The Jews who had become Christians had a hard time separating their dietary restrictions resulting from their Jewish heritage. GOD declares what HE has made and ordained as clean. As you recall the Apostle Peter had to face his Jewish dietary practices before GOD called him to minister to the Gentiles. How we treat the ordinary issues of life are important. This includes what we eat and marriage.

Consider that GOD knows our bodies and our natures. HE may lead us to abstain or embrace certain foods or whether we marry or not marry based upon our needs and HIS plans for us, as HIS Children.

There are certain things we can do that will benefit us and others as we live life upon earth as Christians as we read on ---

Let’s read 1 Timothy 7b-10:

Rather, train yourself in godliness. ⁸ For the training of the body has 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 For this reason we labor and strive,^[a] because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

As GOD’S Children, through the miracle of Spiritual birth, we can train ourselves in Godliness. An athlete trains their physical body for the events in which they plan to participate. The Apostle Paul acknowledged that physical training is good but it is for a limited time. This does not mean that we should not train physically but just as we train physically, we need to train in Godliness. When we train in Godliness, it has eternal rewards.

Training in Godliness benefits us upon earth as we reach out to those with whom we come into contact every day and has Spiritual benefits that become evident when we get to Heaven.

Training in Godliness is a message to those upon earth that our hope transcends from earth into Heaven.

Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. May all Christians train in Godliness because of our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

Blessings!!!