Training for Godliness: Sharing Hope and Love

Devotional

Day 1: The Enduring Value of God’s Word and Faithfulness

God’s word is right and true, and He is faithful in all He does; His love fills the earth and is the foundation for our worship and trust. In a world where so much is uncertain, the unchanging nature of God’s word and His faithfulness provide a solid ground for our lives. When we gather to worship, we are reminded that God’s righteousness and justice are not fleeting ideals but enduring realities that shape our hope and our actions. As we reflect on His unfailing love, we are invited to respond with gratitude and praise, knowing that His promises never fail. [20:30]

Psalm 33:4-5 (ESV)
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to trust in God’s faithfulness today, and how can you remind yourself of His promises in that area?

Day 2: Training for Godliness Over Mere Physical Discipline

While physical training has some value, training for godliness is far more important, as it benefits every aspect of life now and in eternity. Just as athletes must discipline themselves to grow stronger, so too must followers of Jesus intentionally pursue spiritual growth. This means developing habits like prayer, reading Scripture, joining in Christian community, and practicing love and forgiveness. Godliness is not accidental; it is the result of daily choices, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to become more like Christ. The fruit of this training is seen in our character, our relationships, and our hope for the life to come. [53:32]

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: What is one specific spiritual discipline you can commit to practicing more intentionally this week to grow in godliness?

Day 3: The Hope We Have in the Living God

Our labor and striving as Christians is rooted in the hope we have in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident trust in God’s saving work through Jesus Christ. It motivates us to persevere, to serve, and to grow, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. Even when life is difficult or when we feel weary, we can look to the living God who sustains us and promises eternal life to those who trust in Him. [59:49]

1 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Reflection: When you feel weary or discouraged, how can you remind yourself of the hope you have in the living God, and let that hope shape your actions?

Day 4: Sharing the Good News with Boldness

We are called not only to grow in godliness ourselves but also to share the good news of Jesus with others, inviting them to experience God’s love and salvation. Evangelism can feel intimidating, but it is simply an invitation for others to encounter the transforming love of Christ. God desires that all people come to know Him, and He uses our words, actions, and invitations to draw others to Himself. Even if we feel shy or uncertain, we can trust that God will use our efforts to bless others and bring them closer to Him. [01:06:02]

Romans 1:16 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Reflection: Who is one person you can invite to experience God’s love this week, and what practical step can you take to reach out to them?

Day 5: Growing Together in Christian Community

Christian maturity is nurtured in community, where we encourage one another, forgive, and serve together as we grow in Christlikeness. A godly community is marked by love, patience, humility, and a willingness to put others first. When we train ourselves for godliness together, our church becomes a place of grace, support, and transformation—not just for ourselves, but for all who enter. As we celebrate together, bear one another’s burdens, and extend forgiveness, we reflect the heart of Christ to the world. [57:35]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Reflection: How can you encourage or support someone in your church family this week as you both seek to grow in godliness?

Sermon Summary

On this beautiful day, we gather as a community to give thanks and praise to the Lord, celebrating His faithfulness and unfailing love. We rejoice in the many blessings among us—birthdays, anniversaries, healing, and the gift of fellowship. As we look ahead to our upcoming “Good News for a Change” event, we are reminded of our calling to invite others into the experience of God’s love, not just through words, but through intentional acts of hospitality and service. Each of us is encouraged to reach out, to extend invitations, and to participate in the work of sharing the gospel with our neighbors and friends.

Turning to Paul’s first letter to Timothy, we reflect on the importance of holding fast to the apostolic faith—the faith handed down from those who walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and received the Holy Spirit. Paul warns Timothy, and us, to be wary of false teachings and distractions that can lead us astray. Instead, we are called to be nourished by the truth, to avoid godless myths, and to train ourselves in godliness. This training is not a passive process; it requires discipline, intentionality, and the willingness to be shaped by the Holy Spirit.

Just as physical training benefits the body, spiritual training transforms every aspect of our lives—our relationships, our work, our attitudes, and our hope for the life to come. Godliness is not achieved overnight; it is cultivated through practices like prayer, studying Scripture, loving our neighbors, repentance, and participation in Christian community. We are reminded that maturity in Christ is marked by joy, compassion, patience, forgiveness, and trust. These are the fruits of a life disciplined in godliness.

As we labor and strive for Christian maturity, we do so because our hope is in the living God, the Savior of all people, especially those who believe. This hope compels us to share the good news, to invite others into the journey of faith, and to live lives that reflect the love and grace of Christ. Let us go forth with courage and boldness, training ourselves for godliness, and inviting others to experience the transforming power of God’s love.

Key Takeaways

1. The call to godliness is a call to intentional spiritual training. Just as physical exercise requires discipline and perseverance, so does the pursuit of spiritual maturity. We are not left to our own strength; the Holy Spirit equips and motivates us to grow in Christlikeness, shaping our character and actions over time. [49:12]
2. Holding fast to the apostolic faith anchors us in truth amid a world of distractions and false teachings. The faith handed down from the apostles is rooted in the real experiences of those who knew Jesus, and it is preserved for us in Scripture. By immersing ourselves in this truth, we guard our hearts and minds from the myths and fables that can so easily distort our understanding of God. [43:45]
3. Godliness permeates every area of life, offering value not only for our spiritual well-being but also for our physical, mental, and relational health. When we train ourselves in godliness, we become people marked by joy, compassion, patience, forgiveness, and trust—qualities that transform our communities and witness to the world. [53:32]
4. The journey of Christian maturity is communal as well as personal. We are called to be gracious with those who are new to faith or still maturing, fostering an environment where forgiveness, humility, and mutual encouragement are the norm. In such a community, disagreements are met with repentance and reconciliation, and the focus remains on faithfulness rather than personal preference. [57:35]
5. Our hope in the living God compels us to labor and strive—not out of obligation, but out of gratitude and love. This hope is not just for ourselves, but for all people, and it motivates us to share the gospel boldly and invite others into the life-changing relationship with Christ. Evangelism is not about pressure or perfection, but about extending a genuine invitation to experience God’s love and salvation. [66:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:30] - Children and Youth Dismissal
[21:29] - Fellowship and Announcements
[22:34] - Good News for a Change Event
[25:01] - Call for Volunteers
[26:33] - Celebrations and Milestones
[27:31] - Testimonies of Healing and Gratitude
[33:09] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[33:40] - Introduction to 1 Timothy 4
[43:45] - The Apostolic Faith and False Teachings
[45:37] - Godless Myths and Training in Godliness
[48:01] - Spiritual Discipline and the Role of the Holy Spirit
[51:16] - Practical Ways to Train for Godliness
[53:32] - The Value of Godliness
[55:39] - Characteristics of a Godly Person
[57:35] - Christian Community and Maturity
[58:23] - The Call to Labor and Strive
[63:23] - The Scope of Salvation
[64:28] - Evangelism and Invitation
[66:02] - Courage in Sharing the Gospel
[75:39] - Sent to Share the Good News
[76:37] - Closing Hymn and Benediction
[80:32] - Farewell and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 4:6-10 (ESV) — 6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
8 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.
9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Observation Questions

According to Paul, what are some of the false teachings or distractions Timothy is warned to avoid? ([43:45])
What does Paul compare spiritual training to, and what does he say about its value? ([53:32])
In verse 10, what reason does Paul give for why we “labor and strive” in the Christian life? ([58:23])
What are some characteristics or “fruits” of a mature, godly person mentioned in the sermon? ([55:39])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the need for discipline and intentionality in spiritual growth, rather than a passive approach? How does this challenge common ideas about spirituality? ([49:12])
The sermon mentions that godliness “permeates all aspects of our life.” In what ways might spiritual maturity affect areas outside of church, such as work or relationships? ([53:32])
How does holding fast to the apostolic faith help protect believers from being led astray by false teachings or “myths”? ([43:45])
The sermon describes Christian maturity as both a personal and communal journey. Why is it important to be gracious with those who are new to faith or still maturing? ([57:35])

Application Questions

The sermon encourages us to “train ourselves for godliness.” What is one specific spiritual practice (prayer, Bible reading, serving, etc.) you want to be more intentional about this month? What step will you take to make it a regular part of your life? ([51:16])
Think about a time when you were tempted to believe or share a “myth” or rumor about faith or church. How can you better discern what is true and avoid being distracted by false teachings? ([46:57])
The sermon lists qualities like joy, compassion, patience, forgiveness, and trust as marks of godliness. Which of these do you find most challenging, and what is one way you can practice it in your relationships this week? ([55:39])
The upcoming “Good News for a Change” event is an opportunity to invite others to experience God’s love. Who is one person you could invite, and what might hold you back from doing so? How can you overcome that hesitation? ([01:04:28])
Paul says our hope in the living God motivates us to “labor and strive” in faith. When you feel tired or discouraged in your spiritual journey, what helps you keep going? ([58:23])
The sermon talks about being gracious and forgiving in Christian community, especially when disagreements arise. Can you think of a recent disagreement or hurt in your church or family? What would it look like to respond with repentance and reconciliation? ([57:35])
Evangelism is described as a genuine invitation, not pressure or perfection. What is one way you can make your faith visible to others in a natural, inviting way this week? ([01:06:02])

Sermon Clips

You know the truth of Jesus Christ because it has been taught to you by the apostles themselves. You know what Jesus said, what he did. You know about his death and about his resurrection. And that is the good news. And so if there are other rumors of things that Jesus said or did or didn't say or do, avoid that. It will do you and your community of faith no good. Rather, and this is the important part here, is that last phrase, train yourself to be godly. Train yourself to be godly. [00:47:13] (37 seconds) #TrainYourselfToBeGodly

``Physical training is of some value. If you exercise, that's good. That's valuable to you. That might help you to be healthier for longer in your life, might help you live longer, might help you be able to do more things, to not suffer so many aches and pains or whatever the case may be. Maybe avoiding certain foods or certain situations or chemicals or whatever may reduce the chances of cancer or whatever. Physical training is of some value. Absolutely. But godliness, if you train yourself for godliness, that has value for all things. It has value for your physical well-being, for your mental well-being, for your spiritual well-being, of course, for your relationships, for your work, for your attitudes, for all things in this life. And, he says, the life to come. [00:53:50] (61 seconds) #GodlinessTransformsAll

If we are willing to be disciples of Jesus, if we are willing to discipline ourselves and to work with him in order to be maturing and growing and to becoming more godly, it permeates all aspects of our life and our life to come. [00:54:51] (21 seconds) #FaithShapesCommunity

That is why we labor and strive. That, that, of course, he's referring again to verse 8 about becoming mature and godly. That is why we labor, there's labor for Labor Day, 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. [00:59:49] (29 seconds) #GodLovesAllPeople

This is why our church is undertaking this evangelism weekend. We want to share the good news of God's love with as many people as we can. Obviously for the last 166 years this church family has been welcoming and inviting people to come into a relationship with Jesus Christ to know his love, to experience his forgiveness, to know his eternal salvation. And we're always inviting people to come and worship with us. But the leadership of this church felt that we need to make an intentional effort to do more this fall. [01:04:02] (38 seconds) #KnowYouAreGodsChild

That they might know the love of God, that they might know that they are his children, that they might know the joy of their salvation, that they might experience what it is to be growing and maturing in godliness for their sake, for their sake of their loved ones. And so use this opportunity to bring people to faith. [01:05:22] (29 seconds) #PowerOfTheGospel

And let us not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes. Invite people to come and believe for themselves. [01:06:35] (21 seconds)

The God who forgives is the God who sends us forth to share the good news of His love with all people. Go forth with courage and boldness, training yourself up for all godliness, to the praise of His glory. [01:15:58] (18 seconds)

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