BECOMING A MAN OF GOD

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  ‎Fight the good fight of faith….  (1 Timothy 6:11-12a)

One day the church doors are going to open and your casket will be rolled down the aisle.  Family will stand there grieving and friends will file by to pay their last respects.  What will they say about you?  When people gaze upon my still form, the one thing I want most for them to say is, “He was a man of God.”  I can think of no greater title.  No better legacy could be left to our children, men, than that.  Whatever else we leave behind, if those who know us best can say, “He was a man of God,” then we have lived a life worth living.  Paul tells us how in 1 Timothy 6.

The man of God knows what to FLEE (v.11a).  The expression “these things” are those discussed in verses 1-10.  There are some things that we must steer clear of or they will ruin our testimony.  What must we flee?

We flee a lazy aptitude (v.1-2).  The man of God is a man of industry and integrity on his job.  He gives a day’s work for a day’s wage.  Men of God are certainly faithful to worship at the church on Sunday, but they are likewise faithful to work at the job on Monday.  Scripture exhorts that whatever we do to do all to the glory of God!

We flee a lofty attitude (v.3-5). The man of God cannot be arrogant and egotistical—full of devilish pride.  Such a spirit is marked by ignorance (v.3-4a), intolerance (v.4b), and impurity (v.5).

We flee a lustful appetite (v.5-10).  As stated earlier we have a responsibility to be effective and excellent employees.  Yet, we dare not become workaholics or idolaters.   You can’t worship God and mammon.  Real success is found in verse 6.

The man of God also knows what to FOLLOW (v.11b).  It isn’t enough to be noted as to what you are against, but what you are for.

The man of God pursues “righteousness.”  He is right with God through faith in Christ and right with others through forgiveness.

He pursues “godliness.”  We reflect the character of God.  People see Jesus in us.  

He pursues “faith.”e HH  The man of God is a man of faith.  Faith comes from the Word and is expressed in prayer.  Are you a man of the Word and prayer?

He pursues “love.”  Love is the preeminent virtue.  It is the great commandment—loving God with all our being and our neighbor as ourselves.

He pursues “patience.”  There is no magic pill to take to become a man of God.  We must also display patience with others.

He pursues “gentleness.”  We recognize that people are delicate—that they have sensitive feelings.  We don’t run over people.

The man of God knows when to FIGHT (v.12).  God has issued a call to arms.

We need to acknowledge the reality of the conflict.  Some of us don’t realize there is a war.  Satan is on the rampage because he knows his time is short.  Our faith, our freedom, and our family are under assault.  Wake up!  Get up!  Stand up!

We will then attain the reward of the conquest.  There is a victor’s crown.  Scripture promises a reward to the overcomer.

Many years ago I made a commitment to be a man of God.  Today I renew that goal.  Will you join me?  Ladies, will you pray for the men?

HOW TO EXPERIENCE INTIMACY WITH GOD

LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?  Who may dwell in Your holy hill?  (Psalm 15:1)

God designed us with the capacity for intimacy with Him.  We find Adam and Eve walking in the garden with the Creator, but then sin disrupted that fellowship.  It still does.  The good news is that God sought out those first humans and He seeks after us today.  David shows us how to have intimacy with God in Psalm 15.

The question is whether we will respond to this Holy God—will I deal with the sin barriers in my life?  The implication in David’s question (v.1) suggests that we dare not rush rudely into God’s presence, but must pause and approach Him reverently.  Does He love us and desire our company?  Of course!  Yet, He is God so holy—above and beyond us.

Our walk must be upright (v.2a).  We do not slink around as a serpent, but stand upright with a spine stiffened by conviction.  Our feet move in lockstep with God’s commandments.

Our work must be righteous (v.2b).  Our hands are not used to serve ourselves, but to serve God by serving others.  It isn’t just that we refrain from doing the wrong thing, but that we actively pursue doing the right thing.

Our words must be sincere (v.2c-3).  Notice that what is on our lips is connected with what is in our heart.  There is to be no hypocrisy or inconsistency between what we think and how we talk.  Integrity demands that we mean what we say and say what we mean.  Our words are spoken to build up not to break down.  Backbiting is banished from our mouth.  Such a person does not take advantage of his neighbor or use his friends.  He or she has the best interest of others at heart.

Our associations must be godly (v.4a).  You cannot run with the wrong crowd and walk with God.  They are going the opposite direction.  We will be influenced by our associations.  If we are enamored with today’s celebrities who have the morals of alley cats then we will find ourselves thinking, talking, and acting like them.  If we honor holy men and women by meditating upon and modeling after them, then their influence will inspire us.  When I study the lives of men and women who were intimate with God, they create a hunger in my heart for the same experience.

Our possessions must not possess us (v.4b-5a).  The person who walks with God is a giver and not a taker because that is the nature of God.  He or she will keep their commitments, no matter what it costs them financially, because they know if they fail to do so it will cost them much more spiritually.  Such a one resists the corrupting influence of the love of money.  Their character is not for sale.

We will not always do everything perfectly, but we can do it better progressively (v.5b).  These traits will be the hallmark of our life.  When people think of us, these characteristics will come to mind.  Best of all, God knows the inclination of our hearts and the God-directed life will bring us into His fellowship.  Our feet will be firmly planted on God’s path, with no backsliding.  We will not find ourselves taking the Devil’s detours.

It is our privilege to have fellowship with God.  Through Christ our salvation makes us righteous before God, and by His Spirit our sanctification enables us to live righteously as we draw near to Him.

TRIUMPH OVER THE LUST OF THE EYES

 

 

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.  Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”  And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”   (Luke 4:5-8)  

 

The crown rightfully belonged to Christ.  The glory of the world’s kingdoms should have been His to claim.  But, first He would have to wear a crown of suffering before He could wear a crown of sovereignty.  Humiliation would precede exaltation. 

 

Adam had been given dominion over the earth, but forfeited that when he sinned.  Satan claimed the kingdoms of men.  In fact, Jesus called the Devil, “The prince of this world.”  Now, he offers the scepter back to Jesus—and all He must do is worship him.  That is what the angel Lucifer craved that turned him into Satan.  If he could but get Jesus to bow and worship, he would have what he wanted. 

 

Of course, Christ rejected it—and by quoting the Word of God.  That is how you overcome temptation.  The Psalmist said, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”  (Ps.119:11)  Each time Satan attacked, Jesus gave the counterthrust with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

 

All the quotes that Jesus used were from Deuteronomy.  How many of us could recite three verses from that book?  We might argue, “But being God, Jesus was omniscient!”  Indeed, but recall that He had limited Himself in living as a man.  His knowledge of Scripture wasn’t the product of Divine attributes, but of diligent study—the same way we can—and must.

 

Spend time looking into the Word and it will diminish the appeal of the world.  Scripture provides a lens through which we can correctly view how worthless this world is compared to the value of eternity.  That knowledge will aid us in triumph over the lust of the eyes.