1 Timothy 4 Pt. 4 Godly Living, Gospel Sharing, God's Kingdom

A note about the archive index containing all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. 

An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on September 7, 2022.

An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published January 24, 2023.

Each index lists lesson titles and the dates each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about.

I am currently working on the index for all lessons posted in 2023, and will alert you when it is available.

Pursue godliness and avoid that which does not edify the soul.

1 Timothy 4:6-7  If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7)  But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 

Paul has been speaking to young pastor Timothy about his spiritual duties. 

The apostle knew that his time for death was approaching, when he would be martyred. 

Paul wanted to do everything that he could to prepare Timothy for gospel ministry, so he poured vital truth into the young man.

Timothy would have a very active ministry that encompassed teaching, preaching, and instructing Christians how to live out their faith. He was also to live a godly life as a pattern for others to follow.

Timothy needed to teach sound doctrine and maintain personal purity. He was to avoid "old wives tales" by expounding the scriptures to each church.

Pursuing godliness is worthy and acceptable in the sight of God. 

1 Timothy 4:8-11 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10)  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11)  These things command and teach. 

Paul used the phrase "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation" in the first chapter of his letter to Timothy (See 1 Timothy 1:15).

In the former verse, the object of worthiness is the gospel ,and the doctrine that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

In this text, the object is pursuing godliness that edifies our faith and leads us to a closer communion with the Lord.

The apostle speaks of the work of gospel ministry and the reproach and mockery that he personally suffered for the sake of Jesus Christ. 

Paul teaches us that followers of Jesus Christ are not called to seek wealth and worldly pleasures. 

No, those who follow hard after Jesus Christ will suffer rejection and be subject to persecution or reproach. 

Exercising ourselves, godliness involves work, self discipline, self denial and taking up our cross daily. It involves bearing the scorn and ridicule of men. 

God's peace in us transcends external troubles. 

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Because we trust in the living God, we have a happy state of being and recognize that our Father supplies all that we need for our earthly pilgrimage. 

Therefore, even as we find ourselves in the midst of persecution or affliction, we have the peace of God that passes all understanding. 

Unbelievers cannot understand why a Christian in the middle of trials and troubles, can still experience joy and peace. 

Paul returns to a glorious theme of salvation through repentant faith in Jesus Christ. 

All are guilty of inherited sin from Adam, and personal sins committed.

Romans 3:19-20  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20)  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

We are born sinners and God is sinless. We are unholy but He is holy. God will not tolerate sin in His presence and He will judge it.

Therefore, the human race stands condemned before God, and in desperate need of a Savior.

Salvation is through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21-26  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

The Father provided His own Son, Jesus Christ to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (See John 1:29).

Our sins were judged at the cross where Jesus suffered and died for us. He shed His blood as the perfect expiation and atonement for our sins. 

Expiation means that Jesus took our sins away, just like the living scapegoat carried Israel's sins away to the wilderness, never to be seen again (See Leviticus 16:5-22).

Expiation means that God removed our sins from us as far as the East is removed from the West, which means permanently, infinitely removed (See Psalm 103:1-18).

The sin nature all people inherit through Adam and the fall, created enmity between man and God. 

In addition, we personally sin. No one has to teach us how to violate God's holy law. It is part of our make up as humans.

Jesus Christ is both man and God and He is the sole perfect Mediator (See 1 Timothy 2:3-6). 

Jesus Christ removed the enmity between God and man, such that the Father is propitiated, satisfied with the redeeming work of His Son on the cross. 

God is now "for us" rather than against us (See Romans 8:31-39). 

The wages of our sin is death but God offers eternal life.

Romans 6:22-23  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

He received the wages of our sins which is death, so that God might give eternal life to all who believe the gospel (See Romans 6:23). 

What must I do to be saved?

Acts 16:25-34  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26)  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27)  And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28)  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29)  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30)  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31)  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32)  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33)  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34)  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. 

Some claim that you must do good works or live a certain way. Some say that you must be baptized in order to be saved. 

Jesus told Nicodemus that "Ye must be born again" (See John 3:1-21). A new birth, a spiritual one is what we need. 

The Philippian jailor was a Gentile or non Jewish man and a Roman soldier. He heard Paul and Silas singing praises to God in their cell, after they had been beaten and placed in irons. 

Then, there was an earthquake that shook the prison and the doors opened. Roman law said that soldiers on duty while prisoners to escape, must be executed. 

The Philippian jailor was ready to commit suicide, because he thought all the prisoners had fled. 

At this point, Paul cried out to him not to kill himself, for all the prisoners were accounted for in the jail. 

This is when the jailor was converted to faith in Jesus Christ. If you wonder about how to be saved, listen to what God says in His Word.

Here is the Philippian jailor's question: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Here is the apostle Paul's answer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." 

Every vile sinner can hear the gospel of Christ, and be convicted of his or her sinfulness before holy God. 

Repentance means turning from sin and depravity and turning to Jesus, calling upon Him for salvation. 

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God!

Romans 10:8-13  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  

Now, there are a host of other passages of scripture that we could examine to think about salvation. What you read here is enough to point you in the right direction.

God is not willing that any man, woman or young person should die in their sins and be condemned to eternity in Hell. He wants all to come to repentant faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9).

God wants all people to be saved (born again) and to come to the knowledge of the truth that there is only One, True, Living God and Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord (1 Timothy 2:3-5).

Do not let this day pass by, if you know in your heart, that you are not saved, not a part of the family of God.

Call upon the name of the Lord. Repent of your sins and put your faith in Christ, for He will save you, and you will receive a new heart, a new spirit and a brand new life in Christ.

For those who know the Lord, let us be His faithful witnesses, sharing the gospel of Christ with others. 

Let us ask God to give us opportunities to share our faith. 

Let us be faithful to live according to the truth of the gospel, maintaining a testimony of godliness.

Bob