Hope Set on the Living God

Thursday, November 27, 2014
1 Timothy 4:4-11 KJV

4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) The Apostle Paul is writing concerning the great apostasy; specifically, the command to abstain from certain foods. What material (external or natural) things are believers, who have been freed to live Holy Spirit led lives, to refuse (or abstain from)? Why, or why not? (v.4-5)
2) What are good ministers of Jesus Christ, to do for their brothers and sisters in the Lord? Why? (v.6)
3) What else are believers to refuse? Why? (v.7a)
4) What are believers to exercise? (v.7b)
5) Why is godliness profitable? (v.8)
6) Why did the Apostle Paul suffer reproach? (v.9-10)
7) In light of this Scripture, what are ministers of faith expected to do? (v.11)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) How do you know whether a doctrine (teaching or belief) is of man, or the Holy Spirit of God?
9) How do you teach those you shepherd, or teach, to live godly lives in this present age?
10) Are you prepared to suffer reproach for how you live and/or what you teach?

LIFE LESSONS
11) Jesus set us free to live Holy Spirit led lives, rather than fleshly (or carnal) lives.
12) God's ministers have been raised up to share the Word of faith and sound doctrine with fellow believers. 
13) Believers have been freed to live godly, rather than carnal, lives.
14) Christ's ministers are to teach the doctrines that lead to godliness (righteousness or holiness).