TEXT:  1 Tim. 4:6-16

INTRODUCTION:

A.      SEVERAL ADMONITIONS TO PREACHERS.

          1.       “Put the brethren in mind of these things.”

          2.       His nourishment is to be the word of God.

          3.       He is to shun false ideas and concepts so many get caught up in.

B.      WE WANT TO GIVE ATTENTION TO THIS ONE THIS MORNING.

“EXERCISE THYSELF UNTO GODLINESS.”

I.      WHAT IS MEANT BY THIS EXPRESSION?

A.      “GODLINESS” – eusebia, “denotes that piety, which characterized by a

          Godward attitude, does that which is well pleasing unto him.”

          1.       The demeanor or lifestyle of the Christian( Matt. 5:13 ).

          2.       To be observed by others( Phil. 2:15;  1 Pet. 2:9-10 ).

B.      “EXERCISE” OURSELVES UNTO GODLINESS.

          1.       Exercise, gumnazo, “Generally, to train the body or the mind.” – Gymnastic.

          2.       Used also in Heb. 5:14;  12:11;  2 Pet. 2:14.

C.      NOTICE THE COMPARISON WITH PHYSICAL TRAINING.

          1.       Both involve self-control( 1 Cor. 9:25-27 ).

          2.       And punishment of the body( vs. 27;  Gal. 5:24 ).

          3.       And patience or endurance( Heb. 12:1-2 ).

          4.       And repetition( Col. 1:22-23 ).

          5.       And a reward( 1 Cor. 9:25 ).

D.      THE EMPHASIS HERE IS ON THE DIFFERENCE.

“LITTLE” vs. “ALL THINGS”

II.     WHAT IS OUR OBJECT?  WHAT’S INCLUDED IN ALL THINGS?

A.      “HAVING THE PROMISE OF THE LIFE WHICH NOW IS.”  Benefits in this life.

          1.       God blesses his children( Matt. 6:31-33 ).

          2.       A fundamental attitude of Christians is joy( Phil. 4:4 ).

          3.       Hope to sustain( 1 Pet. 1:3 ).

          4.       Purpose and meaning( Ecc. 12:13-14;  2 Cor. 5:9 ).

          5.       He is in good company( Rom. 12:9ff.;  Phil. 2:1-4 ).

          6.       Fellowship with God( 1 John 1:3 ).

B.      “AND THAT WHICH IS TO COME.”

          1.       2 Cor. 4:16-18.  An eternal reward!

          2.       Rev. 21:1-7.  We look toward an eternal city.

          3.       The focal point is the resurrection( 1 Pet. 1:3-5 ).

III.    PAUL IS WILL TO LABOR AND STRIVE( vs. 9-11 ).

A.      IT IS A FAITHFUL SAYING( vs. 9 ).  GOD CAN BE TRUSTED( 2 Tim. 2:11-12 ).

B.      WITHOUT TRUST ONE CANNOT PLEASE GOD( Heb. 11:6 ).

C.      OBEDIENT FAITH WILL BE REWARDED( 1 Cor. 15:58 ).  LABOR & STRIVE

CONCLUSION:

A.      HE OFFERS SALVATION TO ALL( 1 Tim. 2:3-4 ).

B.      YET MORE WILL BE LOST THAN SAVED( Matt. 7:13-14 ).

C.      WHO WILL BE SAVED?( Mark 16:16;  Heb. 5:8-9 ).

D.      WHY DO YOU WAIT?