DESIRE GODLINESS NOT COVETOUSNESS – 9 JUL 08

DESIRE GODLINESS NOT COVETOUSNESS – 9 JUL 08

Ref: BIBLE (KJV), JAMES, WORLDINESS, Into thy word (Website)

Sermon text: (1 TIM 6:6)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1. AIM: To share with brethren from God’s Word on the desire for godliness and not covetousness.

2. INTRODUCTION

a. All the while we have heard of the 5 Cs of Singapore, but recently or yesterday I found this. Other than the usual 5 there are 3 more. They are:8 Cs of Singapore in wikipedia. Cash, car, credit card, condo, country club, certificate, career and coffin. The last one was interesting. All the other materials are worth nothing when we are dead. What is gain when we are dead?
Lets Look at what Paul has to say about gain? In 1 Tim 6:6, Paul was warning Timothy of false teachers and their wrong motives to gain wealth, credit and commendation instead of serving God. Paul rebuked them and mention that respecting and serving God with content with what God provided us with (enuff to carry him thru) is a great gain to last thru beyond this world (death) to heaven.

a. What is godliness? The greek word is eusbeia, which means: reverence and respect to God. reverence and respect to God is to have deep respect, admiration for God’s greatness and majesty.

b. What is contentment? The greek word is autarkeia which means to be satisfied with what we have.

What is gain? The greek word is porismos which denotes a providing , a means to gain.

WORLD CHANGES…
Man blinded by the vanity of the World. In the World, Satan’s temptations often come in at the eye, which is blinded to the things the eye should actually see, and dazzled with the vanities it should be turned from. Paul wrote to Christians in Eph about the vanity of the world in (Eph 4:17-19). The thoughts of man are also vanity. (Ps 94:11). The first sin began in the eye, Gen 3:6. Lets look at the world with God’s wisdom. (1 John 2 : 15 – 17). Are we getting too comfortable with the good status of living? Are christians also falling in love with these changes since we have a job and safe, secure environment?

COVETOUSNESS IS OF THE WORLD. IT IS ONE OF THE CAUSE THAT LEADS TO SELF – DESTRUCTION OF CHRISTIANS.

a. With reference to (Luke 12:15), This covetousness (pleonaixas – to have) It is the wrongful and sinful desire to lust after the things of the world which are not ours . i.e worldy wealth, physical pleasures. or greedy desire, is the consequence of a pretended religion.
b. Causes one to forget self and God. (Luke 12:19)
c. Covetous is Sin. (Exo 20:17; Eph 5: 3)
d. It is idolatry. (Col 3: 5). It makes things our god.
e. It is Adultery. (James 4: 4). It is similar to forsaking of him to whom we should be devoted/ faithful to.
f. It originates from the heart. All evil things originates from Man. (Mark 7 :21 – 23). We must set our hearts on commandments of God rather than covetousness. – (Psa 119:35-36). (Rom 7:23)
g. Covetousness expresses itself in one of four ways: (1) the way we go about trying to gain things, (2) the way we go about trying to keep things, - Theses can be through our speeches, actions – (2 Peter 2:3). (3) a failure on our part in wanting to share things, and (4) a sinful and wrong desire for things even if such cannot be gained.
h. Persons knew to do good and in not doing it they have sinned. (James 4:17)
i. Bible eg: foolish farmer: (LUKE 12:14 -31) Covetous cost this man his soul. “for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mat 16:26). The rich farmer left all that ha had worked for behind. He had no treasures laid up in heaven. A person must be rich toward God to go to heaven.
j. Bible eg: David and Bathsheba. (2 Sam 11:11)
m. Led to hostility with God. (Rom 11:22, James 4:4)
n. Leads to hell where Satan dwells. (James 1:13-15).

BUT GOD IS STILL THE SAME: GODLINESS WILL NEVER CHANGE – CHRISTIANS SHOULD NEVER CHANGE. CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE CLEAR ABOUT WHO WE ARE AND WHAT IS OUR MISSION?SO HOW THEN CAN CHRISTIANS OVERCOME COVETOUSNESS? – BY STRIVING TOWARDS GODLINESS

We must remember that all things belong to God and that He is just letting us use them for a little while. “ The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that that dwell therin”. (Psa 24:1).

We must remember this earth is not our home. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which against the soul? (1 Pet 2:11)

We must remember that we are not going to take any material things with us when we die. “ and said, naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). 1 Tim 6:7.

We must remember that a pursuit of the wrong things will cost us our souls. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and,lose his own soul? Or hat shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mat 16:26).to consider is this what I want or God wants? Do everything in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. Verse: God knows what we need but we must be dependent (verse) on him. Heb 13: 5 – let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee not forsake thee. Mat 6:33; Eph 5:25 and Acts 20:28.

We must be content with what we have. Change attitude - be thankful, be content and share (Acts 4:32,Gal 6:7-10). We must remember that God want us to share what we do have with others. (Eph 4:28). Encourage & Love our brethren – to be precahers; lay down our lives – 1 John 3:16. Control our tongue and not to judge. James 4: 11- 12.

Remember to seek true and lasting treasures. (Col 3;1-2)

Be single minded and Pray:pray to God that would turn our eyes away from beholding vanity. to be good stewards of the gifts, talents and blessings from God. So that we can use iot for God’s work and glory and give an account for them when he is back. Account – 2 Cor 5: 10-11. Luke 16:10 -12, 1 Cor 4:2, Mat 25: 14-30

Belief in Jesus (1 John 5:4) and Fight the good fight of faith to lay hold on eternal life. (1 Tim 6:12)

In conclusion, we shake our heads at Judas Iscariot and think for 30 pieces of silver he sold out our Lord and his own soul. The question is what is your price? What is mine? We must be strong enough to resist satan’s offer and change the situation to our Lord’s favour.
Our Lord was tempted in Mathew 4:1-11. He controlled His desires, and we must control ours. Lets be content with God’s blessings and fight the good fight of faith to lay hold on eternal life.