Lord’s Day Message
Bible Verses: 1 Tim. 4 (NLT)
1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.
6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
Outlines
I. Dealing with negative situations in the church life – turning away from the true faith (1~5)
In the beginning of this chapter, Paul has to deal with some negative situations in the church life. Someone has turned away from the true faith and followed deceptive spirits and teachings of demons. This is because the function of their conscience has been lost. He also pointed out that the practice of abstaining marriage and food is from not understanding God’s words and His will in creation.
II. To be nourished and becoming a pattern positively in the church life (6~16)
To deal with the negative situations Paul encourages Timothy to become a worthy servant of Christ Jesus in a positive way, which includes:
- 1. To be nourished by the words of faith
We need to be equipped with God’s words by enjoying and being constituted with them.
2. Training for godliness
Godliness is the expression of God’s life through our living. We need to exercise (train) ourselves to live out God’s life so that God’s truth will not become dead knowledge but with an aroma of Christ spreading from our speaking and living.
3. Work hard and strive for the hope in the living God
We should work hard to gain more God’s life and to experience God’s salvation so that eventually we can match with Christ Jesus.
In the end, Paul reminded Timothy to become an example to all believers, to focus on public reading and teaching of God’s words, and to attend to the gift God has given. A good servant of Christ Jesus not only speaks for God, but also lives out God’s words. In this way God’s salvation can be expressed on him as well as those who hear him.
Next Topics: 1 Tim. 5
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Home Meeting: 17/2 Mon. 7:30pm, Richard & Flora’s
Young Professionals Meeting: 18/2 Tue. 7:30pm, Meeting Hall
Sister meeting: 19/2 Wed. 10:00am, Anne’s
Prayer Meeting: 19/2 Wed. 7:30pm，Meeting Hall
Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：22/2 Sat. 7:30pm, Olsen & Likun’s
Announcements:
- We welcome all the new ones who are joining us today and hope you can leave your information for us to contact you in the future.
- After meeting the church will have a baptism for 3 sister and brothers. May brothers and sisters stay to support and bless them.
- If the brothers and sisters see something need to be fixed in the meeting hall, please report to brothers Michael Lin or Richard Chen. If anyone has questions or suggestions for the cleaning service, please fellowship with brothers Richard Cui or Patrick Li.
- On April 18~21 (Friday night to Monday noon) the church plans to have a conference for both young people and adults at Collaroy. We hope many brothers and sisters can separate the time and participate together. The church will cover the cost for the young people. For details including the cost of the adults, please contact Brother Richard and Sister Lamee.
Intercession:
- Please pray for the gospel friends among us so that our Lord can open their hearts to see God’s salvation and be willing to receive the Lord and become the member in God’s family. Pray especially for those are willing to be baptized (Brothers Leo and Jonathan, and Sister Shirley). May the Lord bless their whole life.
- Pray for the brothers and sisters who are travelling. May the Lord give them peace and joy during their trips. Pray especially for Sister Da-Nan Lu who went back to China. May the Lord care her health.
Serving Next Week: (Feb. 23)
- Sharing: Sam Li & Yulin Wang
- Breaking the Bread: Yulin Wang & Jason Wang
Serving Bread and Cup: Olsen Yu, Thomas Wu & Patrick Li
3. Pianist: Nelson Chen
4. Cleaning: Raymond & Lucy family, Thomas & Lena, Ferry & Inda, Michael & Mandy Family, Yulin & Jessica Family
Spiritual Materials Reading
Then what is being godly? First Timothy 3:16 says, “And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh…” Godliness is God being manifested in the flesh. This means that God is expressed through man. God’s life was manifested in the Lord Jesus (the Head of the church). In the same way, His life is manifested in those who believe in Him (the church). Hence, godliness is simply God’s life in us being manifested through our flesh. If we are saved to the extent that our thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes no longer reflect our self but become the living of Christ, we are living a life of godliness. This is what God requires from us. He wants to extend the manifestation of God in the flesh through us.
Second Timothy 3:12 mentions “to live godly…” This means that we should be godly in our living, so that others will see God. The way we speak should make others feel the presence of God. The way we walk and act should make others feel the presence of God. Even our attire, the furniture in our house, the decor of our dwelling, and our whole living should give others the impression of God. When we contact others, they should sense God in us. This is being godly.
Unfortunately, it is hard to find even a few among a hundred Christians who live in a godly way. We often find many brothers and sisters who are ungirded in their loins and undisciplined in their mouths. They joke with each other and jest without having any feeling at all. They privately indulge in drinking and gambling without any sense of remorse within. This is because many so-called Christians do not know the meaning of godliness. Consequently, they do not have a godly living. Having the form of godliness, while denying its power, is vain. But one who has the power of godliness will surely not be void of the form of godliness. Godliness originates from God’s life. The essence of God’s life is godliness. When this life is manifested in us, the result is surely godliness. The trouble with man is that he is full of the self; he is still fleshly. As a result, the life of godliness is frustrated from expressing itself freely. If a Christian does not have any sense of godliness, he is either void of life or living in darkness. As long as a Christian is living in the light, he will always have consciousness within, although the degree of consciousness may vary. If he thinks, speaks, and acts according to an inward consciousness of godliness, he will become a godly man. This is why one has to exercise himself unto godliness.
First Timothy 4:7 says, “But the profane and old-womanish myths refuse, and exercise yourself unto godliness.” This shows that the exercise of godliness is very related to the bridling of our words. Careless words are a sure sign of ungodliness. We should be living and fresh, but we must allow God to express Himself through our speaking. Titus 2:12 says, “Training us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts…” Godliness is not a question of the heart; it is a way of life. Godliness is God being manifested in us. (Watchman Nee, Collective Works, Vol. 37, Chapter 26)
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