Scripture Text

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Discipleship: “Discipline yourself in godliness.”

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Discipleship is a lifelong process4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose

consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

v9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is

the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

v11 Command and teach these things

Discipleship: “Discipline yourself for the

purpose of godliness.” v.7 Train yourself in godliness; (RSV)

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (NASV) “train yourself to be godly” (NIV)

“Discipline yourself to be godly”

Discipleship Transformation -The Image Of Christ 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12:2 (NASV)

“Beloved, now we are children of God,

and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.

We know that when He appears, we will be like Him,

because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is

pure.” I John 3:2-3 (NASV)

“we will be like Him”Illustration- a river and a row boat

There are three things you can do:1. Paddle against the current.2. Sit in the rowboat and go with the flow.3. Paddle with the current.

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” 1Timothy

4:7 (NASV) God uses three primary catalysts

for changing us.

1.God Uses PEOPLE 2.God Uses CIRCUMSTANCES

3. God Uses SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

1. God Uses PEOPLE To Help Transform Us

Illustration - Tom "Go into all the world and preach

the gospel to all creation” Mark 16:15 (NASV)

2. God Uses CIRCUMSTANCES To Help Transform Us.

John chapter nine

Illustration - Fanny Crosby Oh what a happy soul I am,

Although I cannot see;I am resolved that in this world,Contented I will be.

This is my story. This is my song.

Praising my Savior all the day long.

Blind – yes! Discouraged – never!

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASV)

3. God Uses SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES To Help Transform Us.

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”

1Timothy 4:7 (NASV)

"work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in

you." Phil. 2:12-13

“Be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;

because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY,

FOR I AM HOLY." 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NASV)

Tom Landry

“The job of a football coach is to make men do

what they don’t want to do in order to achieve

what they’ve always wanted.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASV)

Life long discipleship

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of

godliness.”

Will you commit yourself today to strive to become more like

Jesus? Will you commit to “Discipline yourself

for the purpose of godliness.”