The Benefits Of Godliness

  1. INTRODUCTION:

    1. SCRIPTURE READING:
      1. I Timothy 4:8 = "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is 
        profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of 
        that which is to come.        "
      2. II Peter 1:2-4 = "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the 
        knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power 
        hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through 
        the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are 
        given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:         that by these ye 
        might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that 
        is in the world through lust.        "
    2. GODLINESS IS LIVING A CHRISTIAN LIFE THAT INVOLVES:
      1. Trust.
      2. Reverential fear.
      3. Self-control.
      4. A close relationship with God.
      5. A love for God first and man second.
    3. THE BENEFITS OF SUCH LIVING IS BEYOND MEASURE IN EVERY ASPECT 
      OF LIFE: [Consider these benefits with me for next few moments.]

  2. DISCUSSION:

    1. FINANCIAL BENEFITS:
      1. We dare lower the divine standard and appeal to a mercenary motive, as it would 
        truly be dishonorable to attempt to follow the Lord merely for the sake of material 
        gain. John 6:26-27 = "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say 
        unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did 
        eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, 
        but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of 
        man shall give unto yu: for him hath God the Father sealed.        "
      2. Yet, the fact remains that it pays in dollars and cents to live the godly life, when you 
        apply God’s inspired Word to the over-all picture of human life.
      3. The Word of God teaches us to:
        1. Deal honestly with our fellow man. Matthew 7:12 = "Therefore all things
          whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: 
          for this is the law and the prophets.          "
        2. Be industrious. II Thessalonians 3:10 = "For even when we were with you, 
          this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he
          eat.          "
        3. Be thrifty. John 6:12 = "When they were filled, he said unto his disciples
          Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost          ."
        4. Be kind and courteous. 1 Corinthians 13:5 = "Doth not behave itself 
          unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no 
          evil;          "

      Note: All these are traits that make both business and financial success.

    2. PHYSICAL BENEFITS:
      1. The Bible tells us to be:
        1. Temperate. 2 Peter 1:6 = "And to knowledge temperance; and to 
          temperance patience; and to patience godliness;          "
        2. Patient. 2 Peter 1:6 = "And to knowledge temperance; and to 
          temperance patience; and to patience godliness;          "
        3. Loving. I John 4:7 = "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of 
          God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God          ."
        4. Content. 1 Timothy 6:8 = "And having food and raiment let us be 
          therewith content.          "
        5. Pure in heart. Matthew 5:8 = "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they 
          shall see God.          "

        Note: Science has shown that these very things, when applied to our daily living 
        promote good health and longevity of life.

      2. The Bible also tells us not to have:
        1. Unbridled lustful desires of the flesh.
          1. Galatians.5:19-21 = "Now the woks of the flesh are manifest, 
            which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, 
            lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, 
            emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, 
            murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which 
            I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they 
            which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.            "
          2. I Peter 2:11 = "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and
            pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.            "
          3. These cause disease, nervous disorders, and sometimes even insanity.
          4. Passions of hate, like envy and anger, poison one’s mind and body, 
            damage the heart’s muscles and reign destruction to one’s entire 
            personality.
          5. Gloom and despair causes an unfavorable reaction on a person both
            mentally and physically. Knowing this, a wise physician will encourage
            patients to be both among cheerful people and be cheerful themselves.
          6. Science has come to agree with the Bible that the body needs one day 
            of rest out of seven to relax. Exodus23:12 = "Six days thou shalt do 
            thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox 
            and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the
            stranger, may be refreshed.            " Exodus 34:21 = "Six days thou shalt
            work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and 
            in harvest thou shalt rest.            "
    3. SOCIAL BENEFITS:
      1. Jesus gained favor not only with God, but man as well. Luke 2:52 = "And Jesus
        increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man        ."

        2. Note: Followers of Christ will gain favor (approval) of both God and man. 
        Romans 14:18         = "For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to 
        God, and approved of men.        "

      2. Some traits that win the respect and admiration of people:
        1. Friendliness. Matthew 11:19 = "The Son of man came eating and 
          drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, 
          a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her 
          children.          "
        2. Cheerfulness. Romans 12:8 = "Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he 
          that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; 
          he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.          "
        3. Honesty. Romans 12:17 = "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide
          things honest in the sight of all men.          "
        4. Self-control. 2 Peter 1:6 = "And to knowledge temperance; and to
          temperance patience; and to patience godliness;          "
        5. Good will. Ephesians 6:7 = "With good will doing service, as to the Lord, 
          and not to men:          "
        6. Peaceful. Hebrews 12:14 = "Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
          without which no man shall see the Lord:          "

      Note: These traits should be manifest by every Christian. By living a life of honorable 
      existence we shall gain the love and admiration of honorable people. The ungodly could 
      care less no matter how one lives.

    4. SPIRITUAL BENEFITS:
      1. It is in the spiritual realm that godliness is most rewarding.
      2. Through the avenue of godly living we attain the supreme benefit -- being children 
        of God.
        1. Fellowship with God. I John 1:3 = "That which we have seen and heard
          declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and 
          truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.          "
        2. Access to the throne of God. Hebrews 4:15-16 = "For we have not an high
          priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; 
          but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us
          therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain 
          mercy, and find grace to help in time of need          ."
        3. Having the blessed peace and joy that God gives.
          1. Philippians 4:7 = "And the peace of God, which passeth all
            understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through 
            Christ Jesus.            "
          2. 1 Peter 1:8 = "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though 
            now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable
            and full of glory:            "
        4. The promise of the wonderful life which is to come eternal with God.
          1. Mark 10:30 = "But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this 
            time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and 
            children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to 
            come eternal life.            "
          2. I John 2:25 = "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, 
            even eternal life.            "
          3. I John 5:11 = "And this is the record, that God hath given to us
            eternal life, and this life is in his Son.            "
          4. Revelation 21:3-4 = "And I heard a great voice out of heaven 
            saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will 
            dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself 
            shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away 
            all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, 
            neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more 
            pain: for the former things are passed away.            "

 

  1. CONCLUSION:

    1. THE BENEFITS OF GODLY LIVING ARE REALLY BEYOND COMPREHENSION
      EVEN WHEN CAREFULLY EXAMINED.
      1. Financially.
      2. Physically.
      3. Socially.
      4. Spiritually.
    2. WHY WOULD ANYONE NOT WANT TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE?
    3. IN THE WORDS OF ONE OF OUR HYMNS: "WHY DO YOU WAIT, DEAR
      BROTHER?"

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