The Profitability of Godliness

(#21, Yermo, 1946; Imperial, 1961)

Read 1 Tim. 4:7-8; Psalm 1.

The general conception of godliness is of a person with a long face, no smile, and very hard to get along with.  In fact, godliness is...

w   The knowledge of God in the Mind.

w   The grace of God in the Soul.

w   The love of God in the Heart.

w   Obedience to God in the Life.

Godliness is practical Christianity.

Godliness is profitable.

    1.  It is profitable for all things (1 Tim. 4:8).  For home, business, school, all of life.

    2.  It is the promise of this life that now is and of that which is to come (I Tim. 4:8).

    3.  It is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6).  The godly man is truly rich.

    4.  It is deliverance from temptation (2 Peter 2:9).

    5.  It brings persecution (2 Tim. 3:12; Matt. 5:11-12).

Follow after godliness.  1 Tim. 6:11; Titus 2:12-14.

What is godliness?  How do I know it when I see it in my life?  Psalm 1 provides answers to this.

ƒ    You renounce all evil companionship (v1). 

w   Walk not in the counsel of the ungodly.

w   Stand not in the way of sinners.

w   Sit not in the seat of the scornful.

ƒ    You delight thyself in the Word of God.

ƒ    You live a fruitful life, planted by living water.

ƒ    You live a prosperous life, succeeding in what God has for you.

 

Godliness centers around God ... it is "God-likeness."