BEARING FRUIT IN 2020 : 1 Timothy 4:13 - “The Discipline of Hearing The Word Of God Regularly”

The four Sunday mornings of January 2020 have been set aside to remind ourselves concerning a number of important spiritual disciplines for the Christian life. Reminders are important. The apostle Peter wrote to the church, “Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder…” [2 Pet.1:12,13]. 

The basic Christian disciplines we intend to remind ourselves anew at this time are:

1. Disciplining ourselves for the purpose of Godliness (last week)

2. The discipline of hearing God’s Word regularly

3. The discipline of Prayer

4. The discipline of Worship.

Today, we shall consider the spiritual discipline of regularly hearing and obeying the message of the Bible, the Word of God. The Bible contains sixty-six individual books, written on three continents, in three different languages, over a period of approximately 1500 years, by more than 40 authors who came from many walks of life. In all this, the Bible is a unified message, concerning the creation of this world by God, concerning the Fall of man  and its terrible consequences,  and God’s  plan to recreate this sad fallen world. 

Three  words summarize the message of the Bible... 

CREATION – DEGENERATION – RE-CREATION.  

According to the March 2007 edition of Time Magazine, the Bible "has done more to shape literature, history, entertainment, and culture than any book ever written. Its influence on world history is unparalleled, and shows no signs of abating."  With estimated total sales of over 5 billion copies, it is widely considered to be the most influential and best-selling book of all time. As of the 2000’s, it sells approximately 100 million copies annually.[1]  That is a pretty impressive statement from a secular news magazine.

But the Bible is not merely an influential book or a bestseller. It is not merely a Book among other books. The Bible is much more than that. It’s internal testimony claims a much bigger authority than that.  It claims to be the Word of God. Now that’s impressive! 

Here are a few samples…

·       Psalm 119 is one long statement about the weightiness of God’s Word

·       2 Timothy 3:16-17

·       2 Peter 1:20-21

·       1 Thessalonians 2:13

1 TIMOTHY 4:11-16

The weightiness of the Scriptures, is seen in our text. The Bible bears unique weight upon our lives. The Bible claims an absolute authority over our lives. It was written by men who spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. The Bible dispenses truth about God and about ourselves.The Bible was written to turn fallen mankind, the apex of God’s creation back to God. The Bible requires  thorough going repentance  by embracing the Peace Offer  that God  has  given to  mankind: The Lamb of God  that  takes away  the sin of the world. 

It is this weightiness  that is on Paul’s mind  when he  instructs  the young pastor Timothy of the church in Ephesus, to make it  is main aim  to see that this Word from God gets out to the people. For this reason he should devote himself to the public reading of these Scriptures and to the exhortation of those Scriptures and to the teaching of those Scriptures (4:13). Pastor Timothy needed to make sure that his congregation was regularly and thoroughly brought under the sound of these Scriptures.He was a gifted teacher/ preacher, recognised by the council of elders (4:14).He would be an antidote to the false teaching that was threatening to infect the church at all times. The Word of God needed to be read to the congregation, it needed to be explained to the congregation, and it needed to be impressed upon the congregation. The faithful teaching of the Word of God would save both Timothy and the congregation from error and establish them in the truth.  (4:16)

Working with the Word is a spiritual discipline.  

We have previously seen  in 1 Timothy 4: 6-10 how  the apostle impresses  the importance  of  spiritual discipline upon Timothy, and thus upon the church which he was  leading, when  he said, “Timothy, exercise, exert discipline (Gr.gumnaze)- 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 Tim. 4:7-10].

Paul, in this mentoring letter to Timothy has been guiding Timothy in a number of important matters. One of the most important issues Paul addresses here is the matter of proclaiming and teaching Bible truth and Bible logic to the church. The reason for this is that false teachers, sent from Satan, were invading the church (1:3-20; 4:1-4; 6:3-5 cf. 2Tim. 2:16-18,23; 3:8; 4:3-4; 14-15).  This is a big problem  for the  church in our fallen world, and we must understand this.

Jesus tells us how this happened.  In the context of the parable of the sower (Matt. 13:1-23), Jesus also tells the parable of the weeds (Matt. 13:24-30). There He explains how a field sown with good seed is suddenly invaded by weeds. The explanation given is this, “An enemy has done this”. The enemy is clearly the evil one, Satan (Matt 13:19). Satan takes weak people captive to do his will. He uses them to undermine the pure Word of God. He still uses the same undermining tactics and subversive language which he used with Eve, “Did God actually say?...”(Gen. 3:1).  Paul writes to Timothy about the work of the devil through people [see 1 Tim.1:20 - Hymaneus and Alexander; 3:6-7 -  through immature people appointed to eldership; 4:1 -  through deceitful spirits and teaching of demons; 5:15 - vulnerable widows); 2Tim. 2:26 – people focussing on foolish, ignorant controversies, falling into the snare of the devil)] 

   

The life of the church is at stake when God’s truth is substituted by false teaching and false emphases (e.g. works as a system of salvation) doctrine.  The antidote to false teaching and false emphases is found the plain reading of Scripture, in the exhortation and teaching of the Scripture. This positive teaching emphasis is deeply embedded in Paul’s two letters to Timothy. [See 1 Tim. 1:3,18; 3:1; 4:6,11-16; 5:1-16 (teaching all kinds of people);  5:17-20 (concerning the teaching office); 6:2;  2 Tim. 1:6,13, 2:14,24; 3:10,14-16; 4:2,17]

So then, in reading and studying the Bible ...

(i) we learn the truth about God and ourselves and thus  we  can find the wayback  home to God.  

(ii)  we can  escape false  demonic teachings that confuse the plain message of the  Bible. 

Godliness (i.e. having the sense of God in our souls) is directly proportional to Bible intake. 

If one trains for any sport discipline it is important to know the doctrine of that discipline. In the same way the Bible informs us in the discipline of godliness. We cannot grow and produce godly church members without learning the doctrines or the logic of Scripture, which is very often contrary to the sinful worldviews we embrace.  This discipline will be necessary as long as we live.   

APLICATION:  How We Can Hear God’s Word

1.    Attending a church where the Bible is faithfully proclaimed. In the act of hearing the Word we must take note of what Jesus said in Lk. 11:28. “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”  It is not enough to attend a Bible teaching church. Merely listening to sermons or Bible readings will not do it. The purpose of hearing the Bible is to lead us to obedience - at whatever level it speaks to us.  Hearing the Word read and preached is important. Faith is stirred up in the act of hearing.  Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”. The Thessalonian congregation provides us with a good example  of a people that  took the Word of God  into their lives: “And we also thank God constantly  for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” (1 Thess.2:13)

2.    Reading God’s Word: Attending a church where God’s word is fully proclaimed is good, but there needs to be more Bible intake. This is done by disciplining ourselves to read the Bible – it is a part of what 1 Timothy 4:7 implies – disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness. Again, Revelation  1:3 tells us "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. " Learn to read the Bible for yourself.

Three practical suggestions for Discipline in Bible Reading[2]

·       A Time: If we do not plan to read the Bible it will not get done. The Bible, which has 66 books, and more than a thousand pages,  needs  time and effort to read. The best time to read is the time when you are most alert and undisturbed.

·      A Place: There is  an advantage  in reading the Bible day after day in a  place which is firmly associated in your mind with that activity.

·      A Method:  Never wait until you are in the mood to do it. Be determined, be intentional, be disciplined. The way to do a thing is to do it ! ( J.C.Ryle)[3]

Ø   A Bible Reading plan is supplied to our congregation today; also available in the tract stand.

3.    Bible Study

·        Personal in- depth Bible Study - This is more than Bible reading. It is getting to grips  with the depth of the Bible. Don’t let a feeling of inadequacy keep you from learning the Bible on your own. There are many wonderful resources available to help you. For this very reason we operate Barnabas book ministry.

·       Attend an in- depth Bible study of your church.

A FINAL REFLECTION

Godliness grows in proportion to your Bible intake. If we settle for poor intake of hearing, reading and studying, we restrict the main flow of God’s sanctifying grace to us.  May the Lord bless you and help you with good discipline in this regard.  

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[1]  http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1601845,00.html

[2] For this purpose I highly recommend Geoff Thomas’  little book : Reading the Bible, Banner of Truth Publications

[3] Ibid , p. 14

BEARING FRUIT IN 2020: 1 Timothy 4:7 - “Disciplining Ourselves For The Purpose Of Godliness”

In the course of the next four Sundays of January 2020, I intend to remind  us all concerning a number of important spiritual disciplines for the Christian life. 

Reminders are important. The apostle Peter wrote to the church, 

“Therefore I intend always to remind you  of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder…” [2 Pet.1:12,13]. 

The disciplines we intend to remind ourselves  of  anew  in the course of these next four weeks  are,

1. Disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness

2. The discipline of hearing God’s Word regularly

3. The discipline of Prayer

4. The discipline of Worship.

Many people, when thinking about discipline - any form of discipline - begin to look for excuses as to why they cannot do it. 

• Some associate discipline with legalism - “I don’t want to be legalistic”
• Others say, “I am already too busy. I don’t have the time and energy to do this”
• Still others say, “I don’t have the interest or inclination to do this”.

Think for instance about learning to play the guitar. You have seen a friend playing well, and you wished you could play like that.  To play that guitar however requires effort, time, and the will to do it. The more effort, time and will you put into practise, the better the guitar playing skills will become.  Nobody, not even a gifted person, becomes instantly successful at such a discipline. 

It needs constant practise.

The will or the motivation to do something is particularly important. Many people put in time and effort, but get no real joy out of this discipline. Many children learn the guitar or piano because it is their mother’s will, and not their own.  Personal resolve or will makes the difference in any discipline.    

Now let us apply this idea to our text. Paul addresses this matter  of spiritual discipline when he says to his younger fellow worker Timothy, at this time pastor of the church at Ephesus, “Timothy, exercise, exert discipline (gumnaze)- 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. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For  this end we toil and strive, because  we  have our hope set on the Living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially those who believe …” [1 Tim. 4:7-10]

Paul, in this mentoring letter to Timothy has been guiding Timothy in a number of important matters. So far he has dealt  with the matter of dealing with false teachers in the church (1:3-20); about public prayer and propriety in public worship (2:1-15); about spiritual qualifications for  elders and deacons (3:1-13);  about  how to behave in church (3:15); about the reality of  apostasy from the faith (4:1-5), and now  concerning the  importance of spiritual discipline, both in  terms of the church and  in his own life (4:3-16).

The purpose of writing this letter is found in 1 Tim. 3:14: “… I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

The things that Paul is writing about are things that Timothy must put before the brothers and sisters of the church (1 Tim 4:6).

The matter we want to pick up here is the matter of spiritual discipline - of training ourselves for godliness.  We know that we ought to put in effort, time and will, only to find that there is not enough motivation behind our efforts. Many Christian people really want to grow spiritually, but find themselves running out of steam, like the New Year’s resolutions that they have made, which are forgotten by February.

What do we need to persevere?  

What do we need to keep in mind? 

What will strengthen our will, our resolve, to be spiritually disciplined?

The answer is given in our text. “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe…” (4:10). 

In Chapter 6:11-12 Paul amplifies this:  “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things (urgency). “Pursue (imperative) righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…”. He has just spoken about the poison of false teaching emphases (6:3-5) and the problem of discontentment and the evil of the love of money (6:6-10).

Obstacles

The main reason why we give up and do not pursue the discipline of godliness, is that we do not keep the end in view.  We run aimlessly.  We do not anticipate the finishing line. Paul frequently  uses the metaphors of  an athlete  who keeps  the end, the finishing line in view. [1] How much more must the Christian keep the  end in view … physical training is of some value  in this life, but training in godliness holds value beyond this life in the life to come.  Many people exercise their bodies to be fit and feel good in their bodies and minds. That is where it ends.  Training for godliness goes much further … it goes ahead beyond death! Now this should provide us  with  great  motivation  to study the  need for being godly. Think of the spiritual disciplines as ‘spiritual exercises’. Just as physical disciplines promote fitness and strength, so spiritual disciplines produce spiritual stamina and therefore godliness.

Jesus  makes  a statement  that we ought to take to heart in this regard, when He says, “Do not  lay up for yourself treasures on earth, where  moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matt, 6:19-21).   Keep the end in view. Labour to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. It has far more profit. That should motivate you.

Understand your own weaknesses. Paul reminds Timothy (who was prone to introspection and discouragement- 2 Tim. 1:7) to keep his focus on the end for which we toil and strive. The focus must be on our ultimate hope- God, and the eternal life to which we are called.  We need to constantly think about the real end of life-  not our pensionable age, but  our meeting of God and the reality of eternal life. We need to think about our life after death.  

We need to think about what we shall become.  Romans 8:29 teaches us that God has predestined us be conformed to the image of Christ, and He has designed for us to make effort to make sure that we reflect the godliness of Jesus. Effort or working out our faith is not contrary to the doctrines of grace which teach us that all our salvation is earned by Jesus. But it is also true that the  fruit of our repentance and faith in Jesus  lies in the fact that we work out our salvation with fear and trembling as God works in and through us (Phil. 2:12,13)

No one becomes a successful athlete without hard discipline. 

No one becomes a godly Christian without hard effort and discipline, and this discipline always  with the help of God. 

  

THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES ARE  NOT AN OPTION BUT A NECESSITY

Holiness and godliness is not an option for  Christians. It is a calling.  Peter writes, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1: 14-16) 

The Lord Jesus modelled these disciplines for us. He disciplined Himself for the purpose of godliness. And if we are going to be Christ-like, we must live as Jesus lived (1 Jn. 2:6)

Sadly, many professing Christians are spiritually undisciplined  and therefore  they show little fruit and power in their lives. Sadly, many Christians excel in their work /sport but not in their spiritual lives. They work hard at being successful in their  work/sport  disciplines but remain ‘spiritual dwarfs’. Their work discipline is not applied to  working on their spirituality. They  do not see the  value of training  for godliness, because they have not got the end goal in mind.

Some Christians are faithful to the church of God, and sometimes become quite enthusiastic for the things of God; they love the Word of God – but then they trivialize their effectiveness for the Kingdom of God through lack of discipline.

"The gold of godliness isn’t found on the surface of Christianity. It has to be dug from the depth with the tools of the disciplines“.

FINAL REFLECTION  AND CONCLUSIONS

• We are called to bear fruit (John 15). There is danger in neglecting the spiritual disciplines i.e. we bear little fruit. Just as with natural gifts, spiritual gifts need to be developed by discipline in order to bear spiritual fruit
• There is freedom in embracing the Spiritual disciplines.  They may seem to be restrictive and binding, but they actually are the means to spiritual freedom. Freedom is not the opposite of discipline, but it is the final reward of discipline. Through the spiritual discipline of reading and meditating and memorizing of the Word of God we may find ourselves free to quote Scripture; through fasting we may experience greater understanding of issues that perplex or disturb us; we may find ourselves freed from bondages as a result. In the discipline of worship and attending services we may be freed from spiritual bondages.
• Godliness does not come overnight or during a weekend seminar. It grows with persistent application. We must learn to persevere before the mature fruit of godliness ripens. Notice the sequence of development in 2 Peter 1:6f: “add… to self control, perseverance and to perseverance, godliness”. It is a process. It takes effort, time and will.

 May  this  meditation add to our understanding and resolution to be  fruitful Christians in 2020.

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[1] The metaphor of running a race "with perseverance" appears in Hebrews 12:1, and related metaphors appear in Philippians 2:16, Galatians 2:2, Galatians 5:7. In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul writes "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." In 1 Corinthians 9:24–26, written to the city that hosted the Isthmian Games, the metaphor is extended from running to other games, such as boxing, to make the point that winning a prize requires discipline, self-control, and coordinated activity. In 2 Timothy 2:5 the same point is made.