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Encouragement to Exercise

INTRODUCTION: 1 Tim. 4:6-10. 6 If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. (1 Tim. 4:6-10, NRSV)

1. In ancient Greece, every town had a gymnasium.

2. The word “exercise” comes from the Greek word gumnazo, which pictured “Greek atheletes engaged in athletic exercise in gymnasiums.”

3. Paul frequently used familiar figures (as did the Lord) to teach spiritual lessons (e.g., the soldier, warfare, a temple with Christ being the chief cornerstone, etc.).

DISCUSSION:

I.   THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE–1 Tim. 4:8.

1. The Christian view of the body is a contrast to:

1) The Stoics: Body is the prison house of the soul.

2) The Epicureans: Body is an instrument of pleasure.

3) The Greeks overall: Body is an object of worship.

2. The Christian view:

1) The body belongs to God.12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. . . . 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For
you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. ( 1 Cor. 6:12, 19-20, NRSV). 2All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Cor. 6:12, NKJV).

1- We must be faithful stewards of our bodies.

2- There were those in Paul’s day who argued that they could do anything they wanted to do with their bodies. Their argument was: “all things are lawful for me,” since Christ has set us free. Paul responded in two ways:

(1) All things are not beneficial or helpful or “expedient” (ASV).

(2) “I will not be dominated by (or, brought under the power of) by anything.”

(3) Does this have anything to say about overeating, underexercising, smoking, drinking, drug use, fornication (in the context), and a whole host of other things that we Americans feel we have freedom to do????

2) There is value in physical exercise.

1- An aid to digestion.

2- Helps circulation.

3- Eases tension.

4- Prolongs life.

II.  GODLY EXERCISE IS ESSENTIAL TO GODLINESS–1 Tim. 4:7.

1. Godly exercise is “unto” or “with a view to” Godliness.

2. Godliness is reverence and respect for God above all else!

3. Some view religion as:

1) Something that happens to a person!

2) A passive approach to life (“let go and let God”).

3) Exclusively negative: “Don’t do this, or that.”

4. Godly living demands the same kind of rigorous striving for goals as is found among determined athletes.

1) The verb is imperative and is, therefore, a command.

2) It is in the present tense and means, “keep exercising yourself.”

3) Thus, the Christian life is one of constant exercise in Godliness.

5. The process of Godly exercise.

1) “Knee bends” in prayer. 1Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ( 1 Tim. 2:1-2).

2) “Walking.” I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (Eph. 4:1-2).

3) “Study.” 11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head?Christ? 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Eph. 4:11-16).

4) Teaching–Matt. 28:19-20 (QUOTE). Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching (1 Tim. 4:13, NRSV).

5) Self-control. 16Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. ( 1 Tim. 4:16).

III. THE GAIN OF GODLY EXERCISE: THE PROMISE–1 Tim. 4:8.

1. There is the promise of life now.

1) Physical exercise helps with our “now.” Paul said so!!

2) Godly exercise also helps with our “now.” Paul said that too.

1- The only real life is in Christ. Biological existence is not really “life.” Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim.6:18-19). 1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:1).

2- People who are “ungodly” are spiritually “dead.” They are the real “dead men walking.” 24’for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ (Luke 15:24). 1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, (Eph. 2:1-2).

3- One may “love life” now, so long as he/she recognizes that it is only as we strive for Godliness that we really understand life now, and also have that right! 10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Pet. 3:10-12). whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31).

2. With Godliness, not only is there the promise of life now, but also the promise of eternal life. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began (Titus 1:1-2, NRSV).

1) Because of the promise of God, we are urged to “lay hold” on eternal life. 1 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tim. 6:11-12).

2) Why would Paul say this? It should be obvious to us by now, but there are some additional reasons:

1- Because life is brief and uncertain (James 4:13-16).

2- Because we may forfeit eternal life (James 5:19-20).

3- Because strong temptations may pull us away from the Lord (1 Cor. 10:1-13). 12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. 13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. (1 Cor. 10:12-13, New Living Bible).

CONCLUSION

1. The theme of 1st Timothy is “how to conduct ourselves in the church.”

2. Proper conduct in the church involves “exercise.”

3. Physical exercise is necessary to physical well-being. Spiritual exercise is essential to Godliness!!!