Life affects life

1 Timothy 4:6-16; BCBC/IOUC; 1/30/2022; Rev. Paul Wang

Introduction

Life affects life, an important biblical theme that has become an old-fashioned topic.   What we often see are lectures about how life affects life,  but there is little testimony and ability about life affects life. Right?  This is the origin of the topic of today’s sermon,  Let’s look at the first point:

Driven by the Bible

Since we believe in the Lord, then the Bible is the driving force of our lives! Right?  What is Paul saying to us in today’s scriptures?   Or what does the Bible say about life affecting life?  First, hold on to the words of faith and the good doctrine.  The words of faith refers to our beliefs and values and the faith we live out,  while the good doctrine refers to the irreproachable moral character.   In the communication between people,   it is only by looking at each other’s values and morals that they decide whether to continue or how to communicate with them, right?  Whether a person has faith will affect the relationship between the people around him and the Lord, especially a spiritual leader.  The good doctrine is to look at the quality and character, the quality refers to the degree of self-discipline of a person,  and the character refers to the divine value orientation that a person lives out when interacting with others.   When Naomi’s two daughters-in-law separated from their mother-in-law, they lived out two different values, quality and characters.

Second, abandon the worldliness and the absurd.  Worldliness refers to things that are entirely worldly,  have no eternal value,  and have no life focus.  Absurdity in the original text means telling stories,  especially some legends or myths.   The Bible doesn’t tell us why it’s called the old woman’s absurdity here.  Could it be a reminder to the elderly?  Will it be easy for people to be long-winded when they are old? When you are old and weak, and you are no longer young,  you may love to mention the courage of the past, will you?  The phenomenon of rhetoric is easy to appear in speech,  that is, bragging!  It’s not hard to imagine   If Peter boasted about his fishing skills,  Judas boasted about his revolutionary ideals,  and Thomas proposed Plato’s Republic.  So, where does the kingdom of heaven exist?  Where is the gospel?  Just as many people today ask me to be more concerned about and even participate in their political positions,  democratic movements, etc.  Sorry, my life belongs to Jesus Christ alone.  And just focusing on the gospel mission entrusted to me by the Lord, and other things, I am really humble and incompetent.

Finally, practice godliness and the body.  What Paul means here is that it is our duty to exercise the body,  and there is nothing to boast about.  The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, including oneself, and no one can harm it.  At the same time,   protecting and exercising the body is the divine duty of a child of God.  We should not exercise the body just because there is any benefit in exercising the body.   In the original text, there is no word “value” when expressing the exercise of the body.  As for godliness,  Paul emphasizes the value.  And there are additional value on top of the value of exercising the body.  That said, it is our responsibility to exercise every day,  and nothing to brag about.  To practice godliness requires us to ask God for strength, power and grace.   Including our daily morning watch,  our devotional prayers, serving and dedication.  Let’s look at the second point:

  Motivated by godliness

The second point singles out godliness because it involves our motives and produces divine power.  Why do you say that?   First, godliness alone.  When Paul speaks of godliness, he speaks of godliness alone.  This refers to our attitude toward God,   asking whether we are single, unique, and first toward God?   This is the simplest truth in the universe!   We experience it from birth, like a newborn baby’s craving for breast milk, do you know?  This is also God’s expectation of his children,  seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness.  This is godliness!   Godliness not only has its depth, but also has a breadth,  that is, all things must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s everything, not something, something you like.  Tell me to love my neighbor as myself, then I can only love my family, or I can only love the person I like!     “Only”, so do the Gentiles!

Second, the promises of godliness.  Paul said that godliness has value for all things.   This is an amazing promise!   That is,  when we put God in the one, single, and first place in our lives,  God promise us that everything is of value to us!   This does not mean that because of our godliness, everything will be smooth and trouble-free in the future.   Jesus said we have troubles in the world, but He promised right away:  He has conquered the world!  He is the victorious Lord,  and all who follow the Lord will enjoy the peace promised by God!  When we act,  we must grasp the promises of God before we can have assurance, grace, and power!   The truth is simple and challenging.  God is here to invite the brave, is that you?

Finally, faithfulness of godliness.   Not only does God promise us value in all things out of godliness,  but He also tells us that  His promises are faithful and reliable.  The scriptures say that godliness has the promise of the present life and the life to come.   The Chinese translation here is not very accurate, and it is easy for people to misunderstand, thinking that there is something about reincarnation in Buddhism!  In fact, the present life and the life to come here refers to the time from now to eternity!   Paul said that this is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.   Dear brothers and sisters,  our Lord Jesus Christ is faithful and reliable.  His Word, once unraveled,  is full of the power of promise.  Let’s look at the third point:

 

Growth through words and deeds

We talked about driving force and motivation force previously, and now we talk about growth force.  Human growth is not groundless,  nor can it be said and practiced alone.   We must express through words and deeds that our lives are growing!   First, the power of example is infinite.   Today’s generation is an era of lack of role models!    America has been missing a leader for a long time, especially one with role models!   Not only the United States,  but the whole world lacks leaders who are after God’s own heart!  So is society, so is the world, and so is the church.  Many churches focus on how to “expand” their church!   Evaluate the value of the church, the level of the pastor, and the ability of the deacon by the number of people!   Few people consider the gospel, mission, and witness of the church!  We often ask,  are there still people in this world who are following the Lord’s truth?  Where are Moses and Joshua of today?

Second, the gift of serving is appropriate.  Of course, there is no need to be so discouraged!   Paul exhorted Timothy , “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 faith and in purity.”   Will the requirements be a bit high?   No wonder role models are hard to find, right?  But, in fact, God’s requirements are no more than what we have.  God gives every child a gift from Him, whether it is teaching, preaching, serving, mercy, encouragement, devotion, blessing, etc.  Everyone has at least one gift,  some people have multiple gifts, and no one is without even a single gift!  Being faithful in gifts is the basis for God’s children to please God.

Finally, the growth of life is visible.  We are the seeds of new life, and the seeds will sprout and grow!  Paul said, You must do these things diligently and concentrate on them so that everyone will see your growth.  The criterion for growth is to become more and more like the Lord,  and to have the Holy Spirit help us and co-work with our hearts.  God will make all things work together so that those who love God will become more and more like the Lord!  It can even make us imitate one another and test what is the pure and pleasing will of God!  As our days are, so shall be our strength!  More importantly,  our growth is visible and witnessing!  People should see the likeness of the Lord in our lives.

Conclusion

Well, dear brothers and sisters, thank the Lord for giving us a sermon on “life affects life” today.  Do you have biblical driving force, motivation of godliness, and growth in words and deeds?

Let us pray……

1 Timothy 4:6-16

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

8 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.

9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.

12 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 faith and in purity.

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.