Devote Yourself With Tenacity

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.

Train yourself to be devoted to God.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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

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