Stewarding Our Bodies for God's Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: Stewarding Our Bodies for God’s Glory

God cares deeply about how we use our bodies, not just for our own benefit, but for His purposes and the good of others. Every choice we make—what we eat, how we rest, how we move—can either limit or expand our usefulness to God. The call is not to pursue physical fitness for vanity or self-glory, but to steward our strength so we are ready and able to say “yes” to God’s mission, whatever our age or circumstance. Ask yourself: Is your body an excuse to say “no” to God, or a vessel ready for His service? [22:05]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Reflection: What is one physical habit—whether in eating, sleeping, or activity—that you sense is limiting your ability to serve God, and what is one step you can take this week to change it?

Day 2: Stop Squandering Your Stamina

Much of our time is consumed by “beblios”—worthless things that drain our energy and attention without producing anything of eternal value. Whether it’s endless scrolling, binge-watching, or fruitless debates, these activities can leave us busy but going nowhere, like rocking in a chair that never moves forward. God calls us to examine how we spend our time and to invest our stamina in things that matter for eternity, not just for today. [13:27]

Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Reflection: Identify one “beblios” activity that regularly consumes your time. How can you intentionally replace it with something that has eternal value this week?

Day 3: Train Yourself for Godliness

Physical discipline—eating well, exercising, resting—is valuable, but it is not ultimate. The greater call is to train ourselves for godliness, which has value both now and for eternity. God invites us to make every choice, even the most ordinary, an act of worship: “Whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.” Our habits, routines, and rhythms should help us be more available and effective for God’s purposes, not just for our own benefit. [20:32]

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Reflection: In what area of your daily routine—eating, sleeping, exercising—can you intentionally shift your motivation from self-improvement to glorifying God? What would that look like today?

Day 4: Following the Rhythms and Resilience of Jesus and Paul

Jesus modeled healthy rhythms of work, rest, and prayer, showing us how to steward our bodies and time for God’s glory. He was busy, yet He withdrew to pray, honored Sabbath rest, and gave His energy to others. Paul, likewise, modeled resilience, pouring himself out for the gospel and disciplining his body for the sake of Christ. Their examples challenge us to examine our own rhythms and resilience: Are we following their lead, or have we become too entangled in the distractions of the world? [29:40]

Mark 1:35 (ESV)
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can build a rhythm of rest, prayer, or service into your week that mirrors the example of Jesus?

Day 5: Spending Our Seconds Strategically

We only have one life to live, and what we do with our time and bodies has both immediate and eternal consequences. God calls us to spend our seconds strategically, investing in things that will last beyond this life. Whether young or old, we are challenged to resist coasting and instead pour ourselves out for God’s purposes, trusting that even small changes in our habits can have spiritual impact. [35:00]

Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Reflection: Looking at your current season of life, what is one way you can more intentionally invest your time and energy in something that will have eternal significance?

Sermon Summary

In our journey to become better followers of Jesus, it’s easy to overlook the physical aspect of our lives, assuming that our bodies are of little spiritual consequence. Yet, Scripture reminds us that our bodies matter deeply to God—not just for our own sake, but for the sake of His kingdom and the mission He’s given us. We are called to steward our physical lives with intentionality, recognizing that how we use our time, energy, and strength has both immediate and eternal ramifications.

The story of C.T. Studd, who gave up wealth and fame to serve as a missionary, challenges us to consider what we are doing with the one life God has given us. His motto, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last,” should echo in our hearts as we evaluate our daily choices. Are we investing our stamina in things that matter, or are we squandering it on distractions that have no lasting value?

Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 urge us to avoid “irreverent, silly myths”—the beblios, or worthless things that drain our attention and energy. In our context, these are the endless hours spent on social media, streaming, and other forms of entertainment that, while not inherently bad, can easily become the enemy of the great things God calls us to. We must ask ourselves whether our habits are helping or hindering our usefulness to God.

Physical discipline—how we eat, sleep, rest, and move—is not unspiritual, but it isn’t ultimate either. The goal is not to idolize fitness or appearance, but to ensure our bodies are ready and available for God’s purposes. If our physical state becomes an excuse to say “no” to God’s calling, we have a problem that needs addressing.

Jesus modeled healthy rhythms of work, rest, and prayer, showing us that even in a busy life, it’s possible to steward our bodies for God’s glory. Paul demonstrated resilience, pouring out his life in service, and Caleb showed resolve, refusing to coast even in old age. Each of these examples calls us to examine our own lives: Are we spending our seconds strategically, making the best use of the time and strength God has given us? Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and every choice we make with them is a spiritual decision. Let’s seek to glorify God in every aspect of our physical lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Beware of Squandering Your Stamina on Worthless Things Much of our time and energy can be consumed by activities that have no eternal value—what Paul calls “beblios.” These distractions, whether endless scrolling or binge-watching, can leave us busy but spiritually stagnant. We must regularly evaluate whether our habits are drawing us closer to God’s purposes or simply rocking us in place, expending energy without progress. [12:53]
2. Steward Your Strength for God’s Mission, Not Just Personal Gain Physical discipline—exercise, rest, nutrition—has value, but its highest purpose is to make us more available and effective for God’s work. If our physical condition becomes an excuse to avoid God’s calling, we are misusing the gift of our bodies. The question is not just “Am I healthy?” but “Am I ready and willing to say yes to God’s mission?” [23:33]
3. Follow the Rhythms Modeled by Jesus Jesus, though fully God, experienced the limitations and needs of a human body. He balanced intense ministry with intentional rest, prayer, and withdrawal from crowds. His example teaches us that spiritual effectiveness is deeply connected to how we manage our physical lives, and that healthy rhythms are essential for long-term faithfulness. [28:46]
4. Resilience and Resolve Are Lifelong Callings Paul’s willingness to “pour out” his life and Caleb’s resolve to take on new challenges in old age remind us that there is no retirement from God’s mission. Stewarding our bodies means using whatever strength we have—at any age—for God’s glory, refusing to coast or settle for comfort when there is still kingdom work to be done. [32:41]
5. Every Physical Choice Is a Spiritual Decision The way we eat, sleep, rest, and use our time is not neutral; it’s a matter of spiritual stewardship. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and God calls us to glorify Him in every aspect of our physical lives. Small changes in our habits can have profound spiritual impact, making us more useful for God and a blessing to others.

** [36:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:02] - Series Recap: Becoming Better
[01:45] - Why Our Bodies Matter to God
[02:57] - Celebrating God’s Provision and Growth
[04:01] - The Gift and Responsibility of Giving
[05:29] - The Story of C.T. Studd
[07:05] - A Life Poured Out for Christ
[08:39] - The Question: How Will We Use Our Lives?
[09:14] - Paul’s Challenge: Train Yourself for Godliness
[10:39] - Avoiding Worthless Distractions
[13:27] - The Myth of “No Time”
[15:31] - How We Really Spend Our Time
[17:46] - God’s Gifts and the Enemy of Greatness
[19:34] - Stewarding Strength: Training for Godliness
[22:05] - The Purpose Behind Physical Discipline
[24:21] - Are Our Bodies Excuses or Instruments?
[27:18] - Jesus’ Example: Rhythms of Rest and Work
[30:26] - Paul’s Resilience and Caleb’s Resolve
[33:40] - The Call to Finish Well
[35:00] - Immediate and Eternal Consequences
[36:33] - Our Bodies: Temples of the Holy Spirit
[37:10] - Reflecting on Needed Physical Changes

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) — > Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) — > Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV) — > Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Observation Questions

In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, what does Paul say about the value of bodily training compared to godliness?
According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what is the significance of our bodies in the life of a believer?
What are some examples from the sermon of “beblios”—worthless things—that can drain our time and energy? [[12:13]]
How did Jesus model healthy rhythms of work, rest, and prayer during His ministry? [[28:46]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul warns Timothy to avoid “irreverent, silly myths” and instead focus on training for godliness? How might this apply to our modern distractions? [[10:39]]
The sermon mentions that physical discipline “isn’t unspiritual, it just isn’t ultimate.” What does this mean for how Christians should view exercise, rest, and nutrition? [[25:19]]
How does understanding that our bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) change the way we make daily choices about our physical lives? [[36:33]]
What does it look like to “spend our seconds strategically” for God’s purposes, as opposed to just filling our time with activity? [[35:00]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to evaluate whether our habits are drawing us closer to God’s purposes or just keeping us busy. What is one “beblios” activity (worthless or distracting) that tends to consume your time or energy? How could you reduce or replace it this week? [[12:53]]
Are there ways your physical health—how you eat, sleep, rest, or move—has become an excuse to say “no” to something God might be calling you to do? What small step could you take to be more available for God’s mission? [[23:33]]
Jesus balanced intense ministry with intentional rest and prayer. What is one practical way you could build healthier rhythms of work, rest, and spiritual renewal into your week? [[28:46]]
Paul and Caleb both demonstrated resilience and resolve, refusing to “coast” even in old age. What does “not coasting” look like for you in your current season of life? Is there a new challenge or area of service God might be inviting you into? [[32:41]]
The sermon says, “Every physical choice is a spiritual decision.” Think about your daily routines—eating, sleeping, screen time, exercise. Is there one small change you could make this week to better glorify God with your body? [[36:33]]
The story of C.T. Studd’s motto, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last,” was highlighted. How does this perspective challenge the way you spend your time and energy? What is one thing you want to do “for Christ” in the coming month? [[08:05]]
The sermon encourages us to ask, “Is God applauding how I use my body and time?” If you were to honestly answer that question today, what would you say? What is one area you sense God inviting you to grow in? [[35:00]]

Sermon Clips

For us to live the CT stud type of life, for us to live the Jesus kind of life means we need to do a couple of things. Number one, we need to stop squandering our stamina. We need to stop squandering our stamina. [00:10:11] (18 seconds) #StopSquanderingStamina

Some of us are filling our lives and saying no to the things of God, no to the ministry that God has uniquely given to you. You're saying no to that. And yes to the noisy things, to the mundane things, to the worthless things. And Paul says, don't waste your time on that. Start asking the question. Is what I'm doing having an eternal impact? [00:18:48] (34 seconds) #EternalImpactFocus

In whatever God has given you in the body, in the condition that he's given you, are you making your body the excuse to tell God? No. And if you are, God says, I want you to train yourself. I want you to be able to say yes. And if there are some beos things physically in your life, I want you to rid yourself of them to your best ability so that you can be better for this work. [00:24:23] (31 seconds) #TrainToSayYes

Paul said this. Whether I eat or drink, I will do all things to the glory of God. So can I just stop and ask? Wherever you're at, this isn't for you to look down the aisle and say, boy, I'm glad that guy's hearing it. Boy, I'm glad Pastor Tim's finally preaching this. Maybe he'll take some of his own medicine there. I want each of us, by the work and the gift of the Holy Spirit to say this. How I'm living in this body, how I'm using this body. God, is it giving you glory? Is it giving you glory? [00:26:15] (33 seconds) #GlorifyGodWithBody

Caleb, who is the partner of life and leadership and ministry with his family friend, Joshua. These guys were lieutenants under Moses. Joshua and Caleb are the only two of that wicked and stubborn generation that come out of the wilderness wandering experience into the promised land, and now into the promised land. At 85 years of age. Caleb, an old man, says to Joshua, I've got one last mission at 85. Give me that hill and I'll take it for the glory of God. And he says, listen, I am willing to take the hardest challenge, and I'm gonna trust God that if I spend every ounce of my energy for God, God will see me through it. [00:32:27] (51 seconds) #TrainForGodliness

God has given us our bodies and he's given it to us for a purpose. So we need to spend our seconds strategically. Paul says that training for godliness is better than just physical training because physical training has some value. But now training for godliness holds promise for this life and the life to come. Now, that's a sweeping statement. What we do with our body and our time has immediate and eternal consequences. [00:34:35] (35 seconds) #TempleOfTheHolySpirit

Could it be the things we eat? Could it be the way we sleep? Could it be the way that we expend energy and exercise might have some real value to our spiritual walks with God and with others? What needs to change that I might be more useful for the Lord? [00:38:01] (23 seconds) #EnergyForSpiritualUse

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