Part 2, In Pursuit of Godliness Series
1 Timothy 1:8-17
This Pandemic, an emerging Monkeypox virus quickly spreading, war in Ukraine, shooting in Buffalo New York and in Uvalde Texas, as well as here in Scarborough this week, all tell us that this is a broken world. And the Bible tells us, “11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11. In other words, our life must define us as God’s people amid this broken world.
We’re going to pick up from where we left off last Sunday. This is still the continuation of our sermon called Living in Godliness in a Broken World. In the interest of time, I deliberately cut this sermon in half, otherwise, some of you might have turned off your zoom and gone somewhere. But anyway, the basics of godliness is such a big study in the Bible, that we could have gone the whole month discussing this important biblical doctrine and still we would not have finished it. The plan for this series is that we want to limit ourselves with the basics of godliness and in later sermons, we focus more on how we can pursue it. That said, Living in Godliness is just the beginning of our sermon series called In Pursuit of Godliness.
Last week, based on 1 Timothy 1:1-7, I shared with you two traits of godliness, and these are, 1st, the practice of godliness proves our faith, and 2nd, the practice of godliness includes rejecting false doctrines. I’ll share two more traits of godliness today from 1 Timothy 1:8-17. So, here we go…
3. Godliness demonstrates our love and devotion to God.
“8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.” 1 Timothy 1:8-11
· The law was good, but it can be used inappropriately.
· Many Jews believed that the deed of the law is more important than the deeper spiritual truth it teaches – that all people are sinners and in need of forgiveness from the holy God.
· The law gave many Jews satisfaction in their own deeds as it allowed them to avoid the negative consequences of disobedience, it helps them to identify and feel part of the larger Jewish community. Moreover, the observance of the divine law, gave some of the Jews, pleasure, and joy in celebrating the Jewish holidays and home rituals. In the end, the observance of the divine law is an approach to holy living.[1]
· The commandments of God teach us that everyone has fallen short of God’s very high standard of righteousness. None, in their own effort, has ever passed His standard. Paul echoed this in Romans 3 when he said, “For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands;” Romans 3:10-11a.
4. Godliness demonstrates our longing to honor God.
“15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17
What does honoring God mean to us?
· To recognize Him as the highest authority both in heaven and on earth. v.17
· To recognize our sinfulness before a merciful God. v.16a
· It means to allow God to display his mercy and great patience in us. v.16b
· To allow God to use us in whatever way He deemed necessary. v.16c.
[1] See My Jewish Learning, Access May 27th, 2022, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/mitzvot-a-mitzvah-is-a-commandment/