Do The Hard Work First.

Do the Hard Work First.

1 Timothy 6:11-12TPT

After living more than 60 years, I know that any claim that offers an effortless way to develop a lean, well conditioned body is a hoax.

So is any sermon title that promises an easy way to become like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In 1Timothy 6 Paul is addressing those with wrong desires and motives.

1 Timothy 6:11-12NKJV “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 6:11-12TPT “Timothy, you are God’s man, so run from all these errors. Instead, chase after true holiness, justice, faithfulness, love, hope, and tender humility. 12 So fight with faith for the winner’s prize! Lay your hands upon eternal life, to which you were called and about which you made the good confession before the multitude of witnesses!”

In one large picture, here’s what we’re talking about this morning. -Run from sin, but chase after godliness. -Those who win get the prize!

Verse 12a, Lay your hands upon eternal life...

Arthur Brennan Manning, tells of an alcoholic who asked his minister to pray over him to be delivered from his drinking problem. This man thought this would be a quick and easy way to overcome his addiction.

Recognizing his motive in asking for prayer, the minister replied, “I’ve got a better idea. Go to Alcoholics Anonymous.” he counseled the man to follow the program diligently and read his Bible daily. In other words, the minister concluded, “do the hard work.”

Do the hard work- that’s what Paul was saying to Timothy when he told him how he should order his life, so he could teach believers how they should live.

Notice the action verbs. Pursue righteousness, Pursue godliness, Pursue faith, Pursue love, Pursue endurance, and Pursue gentleness.

Lets look at these words that we are called to pursue, with there biblical meaning.

1. Pursue Righteousness, when we’re told to pursue righteousness, we are called to pursue Jesus!

The apostle Paul pleads with the church to tell men and women to come God. And then we see in, 2 Corinthians 5:21TPT “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God through our union with him.”

Listen Church, righteousness comes because of our union with Jesus. only Jesus can make you righteous.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16NLT “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?”

Listen Church, Jesus makes us righteous. Truly, if someone desires to boost they can boost only of being a fragrance!

2 Corinthians 2:16b...And who is adequate for such a task as this?”

Will you be a fragrance of Jesus Christ?

Again, Pursue righteousness. As the apostle Paul spoke about the kingdom of God, he said these words in, Romans 14:17AMP for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

God’s Kingdom is righteousness! P.H

Again pursue righteousness; Pursue pure holiness- pursue Jesus!

2. Pursue godliness.

1 Timothy 6:6NLT “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”

How do I pursue godliness? Do the right thing every time! Practice fruitful living. PH

Galatians 5:22-23NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Again, Pursue godliness.

-Do godly things.

-Make godly decision.

-Think godly thoughts.

-Speak godly words, words that build up!

3. Pursue faith.

In 1 Corinthians 12, one of the spiritual gifts we are called to pursue is faith. -Faith is a muscle, use it and it grows! P.H

Do you want to become rich? Here’s good news, God’s word promises riches to every believer.

Here are some examples of the riches that can be ours as believers in Jesus Christ:

* An understanding of God the father and the son, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2.2–3.

* Christ, the hope of glory, living in us, Colossians 1.27.

* Bodily strength in our inner-man, Through his spirit, Ephesians 3.16.

* Having all our needs met by God, Philippians 419.

* The wisdom and knowledge of God, Romans 11.33.