HoHum:
Have children’s come up and do Children’s Minute with them
Objects needed: Alex’s barbells and sit up machine, glass of milk, and a pillow
What is the next holiday? New Years! Who can tell me what a new year’s resolution is? (a promise to do something new or differently this upcoming year) Did anyone make a new year’s resolution? The resolution that the most people make is to get into shape.
So let’s talk about how we get into shape. Begin with 3 things…1. exercise, 2. eat right – what is good for you 3. get proper rest I brought all some of the things I use to get into shape. Demonstrate Alex’s equipment
The Bible talks about exercise. “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7, 8, NIV. Exercise has some value – but we need to practice what God tells us that will benefit us now and in heaven.
The Bible also talks about milk. This is what it says…
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” 1 Peter 2:2, NIV. Drink some of the milk
Last let’s talk about rest. What did God do on the after he created heaven and earth on the seventh day? He rested. The Bible in many places tells us to rest. That is so important! God wants us to rest, but he also demands that we stop work and rest for him. Show them the pillow and lay down. Rest on Sunday but I rest on Friday.
Get into shape by exercising our faith, drinking spiritual milk (the Bible), and resting. (adapted from http://www.sermons4kids.com/get_into_shape_zack.htm) Let’s pray
WBTU:
Several ways to look at this but let’s start by looking at the 5 “M’s” and the Great Commandment. The Great Commandment is given by Jesus: ““Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”” Matthew 22:36-40, NIV.
The 5 “M’s” of the church fit with this nicely. It all begins with responding to the gospel message through Jesus Christ. We are born again as children of God. We do not want to stay babies so we mature by craving pure spiritual milk (the Bible). Mature is first M word. Through this we love the Lord more and more with our whole being. Magnify- give thanks and praise God, 2nd M. Many times worship in the Bible involves worshipping together so this leads into ministry- 3rd M. We want to minister to others especially those of the family of believers. Since we love our neighbors we are on a mission to see them respond to the gospel- mission is 4th M. We want them to respond to the gospel but also we want them to be in the membership (fellowship) of church, 5th M word. It begins with maturity.
This brings us to 1 Timothy 4:7-8.
Train yourself- discipline (vs. 7) Discipline is almost like a cuss word in our society. We live in a society that wants a quick fix for every problem. Too many people aren’t willing to put in the time and practice to master skills anymore. Many around this time of the year are talking about getting into good physical shape. Exercise is discipline and discipline is hard work, and who likes hard work? However, Self-discipline has the greatest affect on success. A defeated person most of the time is an undisciplined person.
Physical training- this word in the Greek is where we get the word gymnasium (Vs. 8).
Physical training is of some value- The Young Men’s Christian Association, the YMCA is founded on putting Christian principles into practice by developing a healthy “body, mind, and spirit.” Most of the time we associate the Y with physical training. Why? Because that is what people are most concerned about. Physical training does have some value. However, no matter how physically fit we are, unless the Lord comes back, we will all die.
Godliness- Dictionary defines Godliness as obeying, loving, and fearing God. A godly person takes God seriously and recognizes the practical meanings by developing a godly thought life, godly speech, and godly actions. A godly person is becoming like God, meaning that they are imitating God’s character.
Godliness has value for all things in two states: A) holding promise for both the present life B) and the life to come.
Most people in our society are focused on the present life. What is in this for me right now? Forget about death and what comes after, I want a pay off right now. A microwave society. Let's give into this pattern for a while this morning
Thesis: Talk about the value of godliness in the present life
For instances:
The Value of godliness in the present life is not in:
Health- A godly person will avoid things that harm the body like drugs and alcohol. A person who is godly will be disciplined in their diet, in exercise, and in rest. Obesity is a nationwide epidemic. A godly person should be disciplined in their eating and exercise.
Wealth- A godly person will be wise stewards of money and possessions. This person will avoid throwing money away and will seek gainful employment.
Fame- A godly person will have a good standing in the community and a good name because of their righteous conduct. Have a good reputation with outsiders.
Even so, a godly person may have poor physical health, poor monetarily, and have a bad standing in community. What about people who sacrifice their health, their wealth and their good name for the cause of Jesus Christ. Those who go to areas of disease to minister and lose their own health. Those who sacrifice money and jobs for the calling of Christ. Those who are persecuted for the cause of Christ. A godly person may be called to lay these things down for Jesus Christ. The health and wealth gospel is so focused on these things that it becomes ungodly.
The Value of godliness in the present life is in:
Having peace with God
1. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1, NIV.
Peace here means the soothing state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ. We know that we are saved and will be pardoned on Judgement Day.
We fear nothing from God because the hostility between us is over and His wrath is turned away from us. Jesus Christ is our gift that turns away wrath
Being set free from sin
2. “You have been set free from sin ...” Romans 6:18
We are all slaves to sin and sin is a terrible master. Song lyric from Harold McWhorter- Sin will take you farther than you wanna go, Slowly but wholly taking control, Sin will leave you longer than you wanna stay, Sin will cost you far more than you wanna pay
To tell a slave, "Don't behave like a slave", is a cruel joke - but we can say that to someone who is set free. Jesus Christ tells us to no longer behave as if we are slaves to sin. We have been set free; now we are to think and live as free people. “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14, NIV.
3. Saying “No” to temptations
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” Titus 2:11, 12, NIV.
Back in the 80‘s First Lady Nancy Reagan had a campaign against illegal drug used called, “Just Say No.” Everyone realizes they need to say no and overcome temptation but in our immoral condition we too weak to say no and we give in. Through the gospel and the Holy Spirit living in us, we can say “No” to the bait and have the strength to beat the temptation.
4. Living a life of love
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us ...” Ephesians 5:1, 2
Not enough to just say no, we have to replace those immoral things with good things. Like telling a child to sit there and be still but we give them nothing to do so they are set up for failure. Replace the bad with the good by loving our neighbor as ourselves.
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13, NIV.
5. Being free from the concerns of this life
“The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22, NIV.
A godly person neglects the concerns of this life. We are satisfied with our lot, our portion, our place, our situations in life because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28, NIV. We are content with what the Lord brings or does not bring our way.
We can be so unconcerned about this life because there is another life coming. This life is a drop in the bucket compared with eternal life.
Many are so concerned about this life when we need to be concerned with the next.
Invitation
