God's Gym

God’s gym

1 Timothy 4:7-10

Introduction

My spiritual = growth is my personal responsibility.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am committed to doing everythin= g in my power to assist you in your spiritual growth.

However, I cannot make you grow spiritually – that’s up to you!

1 Timothy 4:7 – “gymnadzo”

Translates as “exercise, discipl= ine or train yourself”

A Gym in Paul’s Day

A place for running and wrestling=

Youth would strip themselves down=

Try to promote the grace and vigo= r of their bodies by physical training

Exerted themselves to the utmost<= o:p>

Discarded every handicap or burde= n

Developed superior skills

Demonstrated admirable self-dedic= ation

The Disciplines of Life by V. Raymond Edman=

Our is an undisciplined age. The old disciplines are breaking down . . . Above = all, the discipline of divine grace is derided as legalism or is entirely unknow= n to a generation that is largely illiterate in the Scriptures. We need the rugg= ed strength of Christian character that can come only from discipline.

1. Exercise always has a goal th= at motivates us.

&nbs= p; Better health

&nbs= p; Better looks

&nbs= p; Feel better

&nbs= p; More energy

&nbs= p; Improved mental functions

2. Exercise always requires cert= ain disciplines of us.

&nbs= p; Commitment

&nbs= p; Discipline

&nbs= p; Perseverance

3. Exercise always has certain benefits for us.

&nbs= p; Feel better – endorphins

&nbs= p; Physical strength and endurance

&nbs= p; Strengthens immune system

&nbs= p; Increases mental alertness

&nbs= p; Makes us look better

Since my spiritual growth is my personal responsibility,

I am commanded in 1 Timothy 4:7:

train yourself in godliness HCS= B

discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness NASB

exercise yours= elf toward godliness NJKV

(present, active, imperative)

1. The Goal of Spiritual Growth

Godliness Defined by MacArthur

      Reveren= ce, piety, and true spiritual virtue

Godliness is a right attitude and response toward the true Crea= tor God;

It is a preoccupation from the heart with holy and sacred realities.

It is respect for what is due to God, and is thus the highest of all virtues.

Godliness is the heart and soul of Christian character, and the= aim of Christian living.

Dr. Donald Witney

“The freedom of Godliness is= the freedom to do what God calls us to do through Scripture and the freedom to express the character qualities of Christ through our own personality.̶= 1;

Gordon Fee

The word eusebeia (true godliness) is used throughout 1 Timothy to express genuine Christian faith – the truth in its visible expression= .

The Motivating Goal or Vision

Romans 8:29<= /span>

For those He foreknew From eternity God knew His people and entered into a personal relationship with them He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.<= /o:p>

&= nbsp;

Ephesians 4:13

until we all reach unity in the faith = and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. into a mature man with= a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

   &nbs= p;        Colossians 1:28

We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.=

Colossians 4= :12

Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured Other= mss read and complete in everything God wills.

2. The Requirements for Spiritual Growth

   = ;   A. Commitment

No one is ever willing to = sustain disciplined exercise without having first made a definite and specific commitment.

   = ;

B. D= iscipline

Godly people are disciplin= ed people!

Some Christians are so undisciplined that they seem to have little fruit and power in their lives!=

   = ;   C. Perseverance<= /p>

“the full-grown freedoms of discipline-nurtured Godliness don’t come overnight . . . Godliness is a lifelong pursuit.”   - Dr. Don Whitney

3. The Benefits of Spiritual Growth

A.      =           Spirit= ual Strength to Accomplish & Endure

B.      =            Spirit= ual Immunity to Sin Strengthened

C.      =           Spirit= ual Discernment or Alertness Strengthened

D.&n= bsp;            = ;   Spirit= ual Testimony Becomes Attractive

Conclusion

Your spiritua= l growth and godliness is YOUR responsibility – and no one else’s.<= /o:p>

Are YOU exerc= ising or training yourself in godliness?

Are you worki= ng hard at growing spiritually?

The only life= that pleases God is the one that grows spiritually!