SERIES: CHEERFUL GODLINESS (3 OF 3)

NOTE: This sermon is part 5 and 6 of a 6 part sermon series. Two sermons outlines are included in this download.

PREVIEWS:

Part 5: The Contentment of Godliness
Series: Cheerful Godliness
Stuart Briscoe
1 Timothy 6:3-10

The heretical teachers were apparently extorting exorbitant amounts of money from the church using "godliness" as a means to "financial gain." Paul repudiated their activities but used the opportunity to show the "great gain" of "godliness with contentment."

I. Godliness with Contentment Is Great Gain.

A. The significance of contentment. (Gk "autarkeia")
1. That which is sufficient enough.

2. Satisfaction with enough-enough is enough.

B. The synergy of godliness and contentment.
1. Godliness relates everything to the presence of an awesome God.

2. Our awesome God graciously provides all we need. See 2 Corinthians 9:8

3. Godly contentment. See Philippians 4:11-13

C. The school of contentment. See Philippians 4:11-13
1. Lesson #1: We brought nothing into this world.

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Part 6: The Mystery of Godliness
Series: Cheerful Godliness
Stuart Briscoe
1 Timothy 3:14-16

Contemporary songs have a brief life. Traditional songs last a little longer. But today's Scripture reading includes a fragment of a Christian hymn 2000 years old. That alone makes it worthy of consideration. It's about Christmas and "the mystery of godliness."

I. Common Confusion About Godliness.

A. Confusion in ancient times.
1. Ancient dualism-spirit is good, matter is evil.

2. If matter is evil-then creation is evil, including the body.

3. So godliness requires the negating of the body-a major heresy.

4. This separates God from His creation-a major error.

B. Confusion in modern times.
1. Godliness is unattractive and restrictive.

2. Godliness ("spirituality") is attainable without God.

3. Godliness is reserved for a religious elite.