Mystery #11 mystery of Godliness

1 Timothy 3:15-16

“…I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the family of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness.”

 

Introduction: WORK ON INTRODUCTION

 

Godliness - A respect for God; reverence and devotion (greek - eusebeias)

This is a book written to an elder. Paul writing to Timothy as a young pastor/elder. Timothy must be on guard and avoid false teachers but pursuing godliness.

 

Paul is telling Timothy there is a breach in the church of the doctrine I gave you and some people are misinterpreting the teaching about the law and there are two aspects to this…..

1. That you have to fulfill the ceremonial requirements of circumcision of the flesh 

2. That you are no longer under the law and are free to sin

 

Godliness begins with a fear and a reverence of God.

 

“charge some that they teach no other doctrine nor give heed to fables and endless geneologies which cause disputes rather than godly edification…And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus…“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, be made for all people. For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, Godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God, our savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth…Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience…Great is the mystery of Godliness”…But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of what which is to come…boldly follow Jesus by faith resisting sin…If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness…Now godliness with contentment is great gain…But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness…But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, wreckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of Godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people…Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with Godliness, in hope of age long life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began…His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire…Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

 

Conclusion:

 

Pagans have always acted as what is described in this last verse….Timothy is indicating that the church will act like this in the last days.

 

Revelation 1:20 reveals the mystery of the seven stars and the seven golden lamp stands is the judgement of the body of Christ by Jesus Christ. 

“The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lamp stands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands which you saw are the seven churches.”

 

The judgement involves both rewards for faithfulness and recompense for unfaithfulness.

There are those Christ calls the overcomer in the assembly of the church and those whom he refers to as “falling short” in the assembly of the church. 

 

(See Key to the Bride; Key to Being Blotted out of Book of Life; Key to the Church Ages)