CONTENTMENT & GODLINESS GUARDING THE TREASURE. Damon Life Group

CONTENTMENT & GODLINESS GUARDING THE TREASURE Damon Life Group 11.13.11

Last Week: Protection for Leaders How do we preserve & protect our Leaders? Respect & remunerate (I Tim 5:17-18) Defend them from false accusations (5:19) Publically expose them for faithlessness (5:20) Impartially discipline them as required (5:21) Do not ordain them too quickly (5:22) Encourage them to practice healthy habits (5:23) Be patient in identifying those to serve as church leaders (5:24-25)

Last Week s Homework: Pray for Your Spiritual Leaders See Handout Monday Personal Needs Tuesday Family Needs Wednesday Spiritual Needs Thursday Congregational Needs Friday Passion Needs

What are some of the areas in our life that enslave us?

What are some ways you have broken free from the areas in your life that have enslaved you?

Can you be enslaved and content at the same time?

Today: Contentment & Godliness Today we are in the final chapter of I Timothy - will cover all of chapter 6 (two for the price of one) Examine the Paul s instructions to Timothy on the topic of money, contentment, and godliness Will examine how spiritual enslavement and contentment are mutually exclusive

Today s Overview A Word to Those in Slavery (1-2) The Love of Money (3-10) Money, contentment, & Godliness (3-5) True contentment (6-8) Greedy hearts (9-10) The Riches of the King (11-16) A Final Word of Warning (17-21) Paul s Wrap-up to Timothy (20-21)

A Word to those in Slavery Read 1 Timothy 6:1-2 What is Paul teaching us in these 1 st 2 verses? Paul is not endorsing the institution of slavery The principle of being under the yoke can be applied to the workplace When we honor our employers, it honors God When we disrespect them, it dishonors the name of Christ Why is the particularly true when your boss is an unbeliever? (v.1) Why did Paul need to address Christian masters? (v.2) Important teaching in 1 st C as slaves may be treated differently from master to master (around 60 million slaves in Roman Empire) Not uncommon for a master and slave to attend church together (slave may be an elder in the church & the master was expected to submit to his spiritual leadership!) This was radical thinking, but it glorified God Let s see another passage

Our Attitude Under the Yoke Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything: and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:22-24) Who s your boss? We should all ask ourselves if we are leading people towards or away from Jesus with the way we work Bottom line: or work is not about us, but Him

The Love of Money Read I Timothy 6:3-10 As Paul draws close to the end of his letter, he returns to one of the themes of his writing avoiding false teaching (v.3-5) It is important to note that some of the most dangerous false teaching in the church is not from the pulpit, but in informal, private conversations It is possible not to profess any ungodly or manifest error and yet to corrupt the doctrine of godliness by silly boastful babbling. For when there is no progress or edification from any teaching, it has already departed from the institution of Christ. (Calvin) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Eph 4:29)

Contentment & Godliness he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means of finical gain. (vv.4-5) Last week: Solo Scriptura by Scripture alone False teachers put their own spin vs. letting the Word of God speak for itself this is the worst kind of pride (assumes WE stand over Scripture) Paul says these teachers know nothing Also, look at the trail of controversy they leave behind Let s look at this last part of v. 5

Supposing Godliness is a Means of Gain Last week, we dealt with proper pay to those who properly teach the Word of God Hear this in our culture today, we have a rampant false theology being taught It is a theology that is built on the basis of what YOU will GAIN by following Jesus (happiness, success, better family, more secure, etc.) - this is not the message of the Gospel See Luke 9 When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. D. Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship God s Word doesn t teach when we have problems we should try the Jesus product This leads us to the conclusion that if this doesn t work, we should try another product WE are NOT the object of the Gospel IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS and HIS glory, and HIS honor, and HIS dominion now and forever We must not turn our hearts to the blessings that He can (and does) give, but rather we must turn our hearts to the ONE WHO BLESSES We proclaim the need to follow Jesus, not because of what He can give us, but because He is God we owe Him everything It is not about us!

True Contentment V. 6 gives us the formula for winning the rat race Q: Is your life fulfilled? Godliness + Contentment = Fulfillment The word for contentment is autarkeia complete self-sufficiency, a frame of mind completely independent of all outward things In other words, contentment never comes from the possession of external things How do I know? Am I deeply grieved at material loss? If yes, I may lack contentment Do I get an inordinate pleasure from buying or having some material thing? If yes, I may lack contentment But when we place our sufficiency in Christ and do not rely on external things, we experience contentment godliness + contentment = great gain! Paul knew contentment you may know Phil 4:13 (next slide)

Paul s Contentment & Confidence I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to ne content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:11-13) Real contentment isn t too difficult for those whose real home is in heaven It requires but little of this world s goods to satisfy a man who feels himself to be a citizen of another country, and knows that this is not his rest. (Clark)

The Heart of Contentment Take a look at v. 7 pretty clear! We can carry nothing with us, but WE CAN send ahead eternal blessing and reward with wise stewardship of our resources now Note: Please know that you will not see a Christmas commercial this year that says, don t you already have enough stuff? Our over-stimulated, over-indulgent, culture will scream you NEED more! Our reply should be MORE of Him, less of me

Greedy Hearts Read vv.9-10 The heart is at the heart of the matter The issue is NOT money, but rather the DESIRE for money It is not only the poor who DESIRE to be rich, but the rich who DESIRE to be richer This desire to be rich tempts our hearts from the desire for eternal riches in Christ V. 10 for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil what does this mean? Think of all the evils in this world that are motivated by money

The Riches of THE King Read vv. 11-16 Now, Paul contrasts the emptiness (and lack of contentment) the world has to offer with the righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness that comes with being heir to the throne of grace Therefore, Timothy is to fight the good fight and hold the course set by Christ until He returns Paul reminds Timothy of just who he is fighting for The blessed and only Ruler The King of Kings The Lord of Lords Who is immortal Who lives in inapproachable light Who no one has seen or can see TO HIM be honor and might forever!

A Final Word of Warning Read vv. 17-21 Who is Paul warning in 17-19? What does he warn them against? Their wealth is temporary rich in this present world Not to be arrogant Pride is a constant danger Not putting hope in wealth, but Christ Wealth is uncertain, God is not Your money is secured by FDIC Your eternal deposits are secured by EDIG (Eternal Deposits Insured by God)

Take-Aways If your boss is a tyrant, work for them with respect as to bring honor to Christ (vv.1-2) Avoid false teachers and teachings it is NOT about you (vv.3-5) Learn to be content with God s provision (vv.6-10) F = G+C (v.6) The things of this world are temporal (v.7) God s provision leads to contentment (v.8) Chasing the things of this world leads you to sin (vv.9-10) Hope in God rather than money (v.17) Practice generosity (v.18) Live today with anticipation of an eternal compensation (v.19) EDIG Eternal Deposit Insured by God

Acts 2:42-47 Our Model 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

December 1, 2011 @ 7:00